Compton 2009

[4runr]

I met Bill on Thursday evening and he told me he had picked up a '59 Kodiak that was very nice. He mentioned that he had gotten it from a fellow set up outside the main tent.

I mentioned to Bill that I would like to find a '59 Grizzly. He informed me that this same fella had a '59 Griz that was nice.

I looked up this guy on Friday to see what he had.

[4runr]

I'll get some pics of the Bow tomorrow. I'm pretty happy with it.

[Hatrick]

I made the trip from Maryland on Thursday with 3 of my buddies. We registered on Thursday evening and toured the facility. One of the fellas manning the gate was originally from Maryland so we hit it off pretty good and he directed us to a great little out of the way place to eat. Man we were stoked for Friday.

Well... JavelinaHink's pictures pretty much tell the story of Friday morning. The vendors got wacked hard. Kudos to the organizers, tent supplier, vendors, and all participants for hanging in there and making the most of the day. You would expect nothing less from this crowd.

By Saturday morning things were looking up and we had a great day until 12:30 when my buds had planned to head back east. I hated to go as things were really getting good but we all needed to get back by Sunday.

The artifacts display with broadheads, arrows, bows, etc. was simply phenomenal.

IMHO, the Green course was the best!!

[4runr]

Here are a couple "shady" charactors I ran into.    

It was a pleasure meeting Bill and Wade. I would love to sit and listen in on Wade's discussions about all things archery. Talk about a wealth of knowledge.

[Wade Phillips]

Hink's photographs and Dave's summary pretty much say it all. Like the typical bowman, everyone hung in there and made the best of tough situation.

I left for Compton on Monday June 15 at 6 AM and got there about 3 PM. After being gone for a week and 8 hours, I got home yesterday afternoon June 22. I was completely beat and haven't recovered yet. Getting too old to be setting up and tearing down those tables and loading and unloading display cases. Still have not unloaded and carried everything into the house and down 14 stairs. Not a young pup anymore.

It was a pleasure to meet everyone who came through, especially some really great young guys who will carry on.

Kenny - Good photographs! I especially like the one of you and Norm. He is a great guy to have around.

Vendors like Norm, had it rough. His entire area was under water. It was pumped out more than once. After the rain filled it again and again, Norm set up along the edge of the blacktop..



Hats off to all who made it and those stuck around even when things looked pretty bleak...

Kids doing the belly slide for distance, an event like the long jump, but sliding on your belly...



Some of the displays inside...

[Cody Roiter]

Thanks to Wade and Bill... For the help plus the Heads you guys gave me.... I am happy that I joined the ABCC....

[Rick Enos]

Wade,Thanks for the arrow...I owe you one.I have it proudly displayed with Floyds & Als & Ron Laclairs &others that I've had autographed.I only have 1 of the Kibbe convertible Heads.I have a couple of Kibbe arrows with a small game head & a large game head,If you would like to add these to your collection I will get you 2 & Hink 2 also.Let me know if you need them.Hink,When you get your Kibbe display up in order I would like to see it & maybe donate something of interest to it.Rick....

[gaitero]

Nice pictures.
Please more pictures of this event. I hope to be here one of this days.  

[the other DWS]

Gaitero,   I'm one of the crew at the local club that serves as host.  Each year we get guys and gals who come from overseas.  Seems like they take a couple or three weeks,  maybe go down to Cloverdale the weekend before, do a little traveling than come here and camp for a few days before the event starts.  Sometimes even arrange a hunt or something before they head back.  I've talked with a bunch of Brits, Germans, some Scandanavians, French and Italians,  I think we've had some from Poland and maybe Russia or the Baltic Repubics.  always visitors from Asia as well.  We're located about 2 or 3 hours from the Chicago and Detroit airports.

[d. ward]

wow that was one heck of a show huh ? what a messy great time it sounds like.I feel bad for those venders who had to deal with the weather.Great pics and stories guy.bd

[JavelinaHink]

"Wade you don't age. Bill... your too sexy!"

 ....oh.. thanks     ....Hink...  

[4runr]

Rich, Norm hooked me up with a very nice '59 Grizzly. I posted pics in the Happy Birthday '59 thread.

[NumPls]

When I attend an even like the Compton Rendezvous, I have a hard time taking photos (there is simply too much going on!). But, I was able to snap a few and want to share them with the Trad Gang. I will not name names to protect the guilty.

I took the first two photos around the camp area during a light part of Friday afternoon's thunderstorm (before the wind and rain had a chance to gather and project themselves).

Here is a happy enterprising camping rendezvouser who was not going to let a little rain prevent him from cooking lunch:



This next photo is of another rendezvouser who sought shelter from the impending storm:



More to come.

Ray

[NumPls]

One of the highlights of the two Compton Rendezvous that I have had the privilege to attend has been the Friday open-fire chili cooking contest with the accompanying free chili dinner. The free-chili-dinner cooks slow-cook the chili over a pair of open oak-fed fires burning in custom-dug fir pits (they remove the sod so that they can put it back afterward with destroying it with the fires). Well, with all of the rain that we received Friday morning and afternoon, the fire pits filled with water and became part of a larger pond in that area. I took the following photos to capture some of the goings on that followed.

The first photo shows some of the critters that the pond attracted:



The next one does a better job of capturing some of the activity in which these critters were engaged:



More to follow.

Ray

[NumPls]

And, now for the final installment.

Next, I focused my attention, and camera, on one particularly fascinating critter for a series of three photos.  

In the first of these photos, we find Mr. Mud Warrior regrouping and making preparations for his next assault (checking his camo, etc.):




Then, we see Mr. Mud Warrior assessing his ammo supply as part of his preparation for his next assault:




Finally, we witness Mr. Mud Warrior, with his confidence bolstered by his meticulous preparations, making his stalk:



As I recall, Mr. Mud Warrior, his brother, and his sister, were engaged in battle until at least sunset.

Ray

[Wade Phillips]

Rick - Sorry I have been out of touch this past week. Lots of catching up to do around here. Would be happy to have the Kibbe arrows you mentioned. I have a few Kibbe bows that are branded and/or with decals. Were any of his arrows marked like any of his bows?

Hink - If I don't look 62 it must be proof that clean living pays...

Ray - Great photographs of the Mud Warrior and his pals enjoying themselves. Did his mother try to wash his clothes or just throw them away?

These are the best photographs I took all weekend... The ones of the ABCC Mascot, Charlie Goodhead. Charlie was the most popular member of the ABCC the entire week. Lots of visitors had their photograph taken with him...

[4runr]

Wade, I would never guess your age at 62. You look no older than, well, I'm 47 and you don't look as old as I do.  

[NumPls]

Wade -

My wife and I talked briefly with Mr. Mud Warrior's mother Sunday morning. She told us that she took Mr. Mud Warrior, his brother, and his sister to the shower trailer Friday night and told them not to come out until all of the mud was gone (including out of their hair). When I worked with the two boys during the (younger) kids session Saturday morning, both of them were remarkably clean, considering their condition when I had last seen them Saturday night.

So, I know that their mother did not throw the kids away, but I did not ask about the clothes. For me, the time, effort, water, and overall cost of washing the clothes would have made for an easy decision: toss 'em.

Ray

[Rick Enos]

Ok Wade.Get with you later.