I'm still sporting a big old shit eating grin thinking about this weekend.
First things first......
Thanks to Weez, BuckinCrazy, David Weaver, and -RUNNR for actually killing lots of birds. Thanks to you guys, we really can call that a dove hunt.
Thanks to everyone for not shooting at the other animals! [img]/images/graemlins/toothy[/img]
Thanks to our guides Bill, Matthew, Stephen, and Michael for all the help! Pictured at the bar on the first night asking each other what the hell they've gotten themselves into.
[image]http://users.abilene.com/~paul/IIDH-camp-1.jpg[/image]
Smokin' kicking back while he's coming on to the flexiril...
[image]http://users.abilene.com/~paul/IIDH-camp-2.jpg[/image]
Chuck, MP, BoBo, and SE (telling lies no doubt)
[image]http://users.abilene.com/~paul/IIDH-camp-3.jpg[/image]
Smackie, Weez, RockStar, Nohsreg2000, and Getbit - RockStar and Smackie are getting tuned up for the post-game show....
[image]http://users.abilene.com/~paul/IIDH-camp-4.jpg[/image]
I'll give you 3 guesses who wears square toed hunting boots. (another 4B first)
[image]http://users.abilene.com/~paul/IIDH-Hunting-Boots.jpg[/image]
Saturday afternoon's pre-game show. Getting ready for the big hunt down on the south field. Trey, those birds are a little harder to hit than the clays huh? [img]/images/graemlins/laughing.gif[/img] The now infamous 4B Party in the South Field was only an hour or two away.
[image]http://users.abilene.com/~paul/IIDH-hunters.jpg[/image]
RockStar showing us he ain't afraid of no headless snake. Biggs showing us why.. [img]/images/graemlins/toothy[/img]
[image]http://users.abilene.com/~paul/IIDH-Snake.jpg[/image]
BoBo came in Thursday night for some real neck stuff. Here he is pictured with the x gilt sows and their offspring while on a feeding mission. Later that night, we had working cowboys take us on a night raid of an adjoining ranch.
[image]http://users.abilene.com/~paul/IIDH-hogs.jpg[/image]
Now for the apologies...... If Sunday morning breakfast wasn't up to standards, it was only because the walking dead was fixing it. Getbit, you are definitely anything but a pussy. In fact, you and your espresso machine are welcomed back to the 4B anytime. Trey, sorry I turned your cot into a slide. [img]/images/graemlins/toothy[/img] Serious, I love ya maaaan! [img]/images/graemlins/laughing.gif[/img] Smokin', it wasn't really chicken, sorry.
I will say that the weekend was great. I don't believe the 4B has seen a better group of guys at one time. BuckinCrazy, you are the MAN! You need to come quail hunt with us this winter. You must have walked 20 miles Saturday! You too Weez. RockStar, you sure you're not a Texan? Ya damned sure drink like one. :thumb: Thanks to Chuck, BoBo and Biggs for helping make the Party in The South Field Saturday afternoon. I believe that is the most fun I've had out there driving around checking on hunters. EVER! That was EPIC!
God Bless all the 4B'ers. Although we had a great menu for Saturday night that included, dove, quail eggs, stuffed roasted jalapenos, Mexican hominy and grilled rib-eye steaks, the REAL cool treat was the grilled rattlesnake.
Special thanks to RUNNR for helping with the transportation to and from the airport.
Paul - thanks so much for sharing the 4B last weekend .. what a great West Texas ranch! .. awesome food, drink and fellowship made largely possible by your gracious hospitality. Thanks for always making it so enjoyable. :thumb:
Smokin was almost a hunter, he had on camo but those square toed boots kinda ruined the apparel.
Hawg, thanks again for inviting me out, I really appreciate it. The food was great, even Sunday morning. The stories which brewed there will be told for many many months to come.
As far as the doves go, I guess it was beginners luck that I actually nailed the bastards. Never shot bird before, but it appears I've picked up a new hobbie.
Was great to meet you folks out there, and hopefully I'll be fortunant enough to be invited back again.
Paul, I can't really say thank you enough for allowing Kevin and I on your ranch for the weekend. It was our pleasure blastin' the shit out of those poor defensless little birds. You sir, are nothing short of an awesome guy and this weekend was better than I could of hoped. Anytime, and I mean ANYTIME you feel the need to increase the deathtoll out at the 4B, you can count on these two Louisiana 'necks to give it hell.
P.S. I've worn my hat to class everyday this week.
Paul, this past weekend was the most fun I've had in a long time. Your hospitality and cooking is second to none. I appreciate your patience with my inexperience with hunting as well the patience of Bill and the others. I've been regaling the tales of the 4B to my friends and family since my return. I hope we find a reason for a return to the 4B soon. It was beautiful, natural scenery, incomparable fellowship and great food. Next time, I'll not only bring the espresso machine, but a huge pot of my momma's unbelievable chicken and sausage gumbo for all to sample (and maybe a turduchen!). I may not be able to shoot the damn bird, but I can make a killer espresso.
Paul, Im going with everyone else on this post, this weekend was by far, one of the most fun, entertaining, and memorable weekends Ive had in a long long time. Every single one of the guys who showed up was a blast to hang out with. The infinte supply of laughs from the incessant supply of epic jackassery was something unique to this group. Thanks again for the tremendous hospitality, and let me know if you ever need some sqare toed boots at the ranch again. :thumb:
Most fun I've ver had Paul. I can't tell you what a great experience it all was. All is forgiven for the cot so long as I find my way back to the 4B some day my friend. [img]/images/graemlins/laughing.gif[/img]
A huge thanks to you Paul. :clap: The food was incredible to say the least. I don't think I have ever shot dove, a rattlesnake, and a skunk all in the same day! (I did tell you I took out one of those skunks in the sunflower field, or did I not?! Of course I almost stepped on the damn thing like I did the rattler.) The 4B has it all, gotta love west Texas. You are a true hearted man to share your little piece of Texas paradise with all of us. Thanks again and if whenever you need help, I'm there!!!! I sent those Chuck videos to Rock Star, I am having problems uploading them. I hope he gets them posted soon.
I can't think of a single thing that was lacking - the food, entertainment, company and even drinks were plentiful and outstanding. Something for everyone.
Don't be too hard on Trey for wanting to go out for burgers between meals, we're not used to just three squares a day.
Hands down best weekend I've had in a very long time.
The most epic 4B weekend I've yet to experience. Thanks Paul, You are indeed a generous and gracious friend.
My brief impressions of the characters. First those I'd never met.
Packet, a great guy, much burlier than I'd imagined (that fucken Arab doesn't know how lucky he was) always a smile on his face or a great story. I gave Mike some shit on the morgue way back when but I apologize and I'm glad to call him a friend.
David Weaver, down to earth, oil field brat and brother, very field savvy, great guy, just looking at him you know you could trust him with anything, especially your Viper.
Runnr, I was surprised at how much energy this guy has and how funny he is. Very skilled with sidearms I couldn't believe he'd never hunted birds. Kicked ass killin 'em and the clays. Super guy and someone you'd be proud to call a friend.
Weeztones, Probably the biggest surprise in that this is one of the most quiet, humble respectful guys you would ever meet. Then you read his epic blasts on the board and it just doesn't seem to go together. I realized his board persona is an outlet for all the pentup frustration one experieces when in engineering school, and your football team is in a rebuilding year. [img]/images/graemlins/toothy[/img] The guy can shoot and he fit in with all us old farts like family.
BuckinCrazy, Most of what I wrote about Weez could be applied equally to this guy, perhaps because they are great buds and roomies in school. I can't tell you how surprised and excited I was to find out late in the trip that this guy was Buckincrazy, as I had always enjoyed his posts and wondered who he was. I will also say he is lucky we are all extreme heterosexuals because we all agreed he looked mighty fine bending over the Lousiana Futon in them boxers. [img]/images/graemlins/toothy[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laughing.gif[/img] Seriously, this guy was full of character and the spirit and would make any mother proud.
Clint, I've always been impressed with this guy's maturity and writing ability on the board, all the way back to when I first joined the morgue. What a great sport and smart young man. We should all keep an eye on him as he's got a great future ahead of him. One other thing, he's a BIG sumbitch! Anyone here starts giving him shit remember that!
The guys I've known awhile:
Smokin, As defensive and ascerbic as this guy is on the board, he is funny as hell in person and would do anything for a friend. He's very true to himself and his principles in person as well as on here, which includes his impeccable fashion sense. Plenty capable of laughing at himself while tearing the next guy's head off. One of my better laughs: "Biggs, you want me fix you moo shoo poak? Remember Smoke, You look very familiar to me...
KingGTS, Only the second time I've hung out with Trey, but he has definitely shook the "No show Pullen" mantle. You look at this guy and you think, what the fuck is he doing out here on a dusty ole West Texas ranch? In his $1,000 warmups, Gagillion dollar bling and watch, his not-to-be-exceeded-in-Ghetto Jillion dollar digi cam, and fifteen pair of $500 sneakers. But let me tell you he was there to be with his friends, even though he was experiencing shit he never had before, and he is one of the nicest, most genuine guys you could ever hope to meet. (sorry if I blew your tough guy persona Trey) [img]/images/graemlins/laughing.gif[/img] Plus the bastard picks up a shotgun for the first time and goes 6 for 6 on the clays, a testimony to his Ms. Pac Man developed exceptional eye-hand coordiation. Never missed a chance to get out in the field.
Rockstar, The other times I've hung with him we both got plastered but I've never stayed up long enough to see him kick into high gear. I finally had to shut'er down at 4:00am Saturday morning and he and Smackie were still going strong. Although Smackie was more hammered then I've ever seen him Greg just kept filling his 20 ounce coke bottle with crown and and splash of water, and downing it while appearing no more drunk than when I arrived. He is indeed the master!! He did need to recover a bit later Saturday, but claims it had nothing to do with the drinking. [img]/images/graemlins/bs[/img]
Nate, This guy can wear you out with his intelligence fueled smack and hilarious takes. I would be happy to have him at my side in a firefight. Took almost as much shit for his jewness as others took for their "ethnic diversity" and rolled with it coming back stronger and stronger. Any conversation with Nate will have you walking away more knowledgable than you were. For me though that doesn't take much! [img]/images/graemlins/toothy[/img]
Getbit, I've known this guy longer than any of the other attendees, including the Ironmen, as we were at Panoz school together at Sebring years ago (Uh oh, here comes Chuck again... 145mph into turn 1!! You see GOD!!!" [img]/images/graemlins/laughing.gif[/img] Jason, everytime we get together I have a great time and am exposed to what a super guy you are. You and I have so much in common it's scary but it makes for really in depth conversation. Whenever we get together it's like we've never been apart. Thanks for turning me on to your expresso on the go!
And then there were the guides, Bill, Michael, Steven and Matt. All good ole West Texas boys so you know they are the best. Bill and I bonded over my Habenero stuffed olives and found out we both love the same style mexican food (NEW mexican). And the other boys joined in for help and support and laughs, with Bilberry's boys being thoroughly exposed to the dark side, hopefully setting them on the straight and narrow path.
Finally, The Ironmen. Paul, Eric, Chuck, and Smackie. Too many stories and feelings to express here in writing, and y'all know how much I think of each of you. Dean and Jake, we sure missed you guys and you must schedule around this next time. A weekend for the record books, and thanks again to you all! If I forgot anyone sorry but you must not have made much of an impression [img]/images/graemlins/laughing.gif[/img] ( I'll make it up to you later! )
[img]/images/graemlins/cursin[/img] My banquet sucked! I ate a dried up steak, tapped a dried up poon, went to bed at like 10:30, and woke up with a dried up mouth. I sure am pissed that I missed the 4B!
Ditto to everything Biggs said. I honestly can't think of anything bad to say about anyone I met this weekend. Just a class "A" bunch of guys. I am continually amazed at the comraderie shared by people who have never met face to face. My doors are always open if any of you want to make the trip to the great white north.
In defense of the Saturday thing, I did eventually figure it out.
Popping 12 Zantac 75's in the course of one night is apparantly not a good idea. I have never used them before, and failed to read the bottle where it said not to exceed 2 in a 24 hour period. The side effects listed were nausea, bloating, and severe stomach cramps. Sound familiar?
I stand behind my record as the resident Alley alcoholic. Just please don't send PB to challenge me. That fucker can drink till the hogs come home!
All in all it was an epic weekend, even though I only got to hit one clay, and wasn't allowed to handle loaded firearms after Friday night [img]/images/graemlins/laughing.gif[/img]
I promise to redeem myself next trip. I won't, however, promise to allow any of you to get any sleep. As Serious put it:
If you come to the 4B for an Iron Man Weekend expecting to kick back and get some R&R, then you got on the wrong flight!
Damn! I wish I'd-a been there. [img]/images/graemlins/mad[/img] I was doing business at the Marriott Desert Ridge resort in Scottsdale. I contacted Foolie a month ago about getting together there, but he's still in Minne-fuckin'-sota until the first snowfall.
He did need to recover a bit later Saturday, but claims it had nothing to do with the drinking. [img]/images/graemlins/bs[/img]
