I thought I'd check in, but I'll be posting more with my tales at Solana in the next day or 2.
It was great to put faces to the names of the folks I hadn't met before and to shake hands and hug those that I had met in the past. Everyone was great, the food was fabulous, Solana was as beautiful if not more than I had left it a year ago, and the action never stopped.
My trip started out with a 9 hour drive from Pensacola to Austin -- starting out at 6:00 p.m. on Monday and getting into Austin about 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday. I had several hours to kill before Jeff Couture (COOCH) arrived at the airport in Austin. So I caught a few Z's and then met a very interesting gentleman from a nearby small town around the Austin area. He shared some terrific tales with me. I was so wound up that sleep was not at the top of my list.
Once Cooch landed, we became acquainted immediately and headed on to the ranch. As soon as we arrived, I met with Peanut (the foreman at the ranch) and Jim (the cook), and then settled into a room in the upper end of the ranch. Danny Rowan was the 2nd TGer that I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time. Then Don and Skyler came up from the lower bunkhouse. We shared hugs and got caught up on some of things that had transpired since we last saw each other 2 weeks earlier -- thanks to both of them for their outstanding support. Don asked if I wanted to take a ride with him back to Austin to pick up Terry. We met Terry and several other TGers at the airport -- thanks Terry for everything. The rest of the folks showed up over the next several hours except for Curt (Guru) and Chopx2 (Tony). As folks said we went to dinner in town Tuesday eve and did a lot of catching up.
The next day we learned who are guides were going to be. I had asked for John again because he had done such a good job for me last year. I was with a great group that consisted of Wayne LaBauve, Tommy Bell, and Carlton Carter. I'm carrying it with me T-Bell -- thank you -- and I haven't indulged in the hot sauce yet, but I will.
Now it was time for our first hunt. I hunted a stand that I had been in last year. I was hoping to see the beautiful 9 pointer from the year before that didn't offer me a shot opportunity. He had the most beautiful set of antlers I'd ever seen -- a deep chocolate colored set. I had several does come into feed that evening, but I held off shooting hoping for the buck. No such luck.
Before I shut down for the night, I'd like to thank all the TGers for the thoughts, prayers and generous offerings. I wasn't going to go on this hunt, but after some coaxing from fellow TGers and my wife, I decided to go and offered this hunt up to my son. I am so glad I did go because I'll never forget this great bunch of guys who I was able to share good times and some sad times with.
ALSO I'D LIKE TO EXTEND AN INVITE TO ALL TGers TO A MEMORIAL CEREMONY FOR MY SON. THE ARMY RANGERS ARE CONDUCTING THIS MEMORIAL CEREMONY WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS FOR CHRIS ON WEDNESDAY, THE 12TH OF JANUARY, AT 2:00 P.M., FORT BENNING, GEORGIA, IN THE INFANTRY CHAPEL. SEATING WILL BE WITH MY FAMILY SINCE YOU ARE FAMILY!
Thank you!
Topic: Solana Ranch -What a ride into the New Year (Read 74957 times)
