Solana Ranch -What a ride into the New Year

[PA stickbow boy]

good stories!!!

[Yellow Dog]

Those cold Texas days sound like Michigan bowhunting on a windy day  

[rice]

Excellent storys, I was there 2 years ago, its a special place. Keep them coming, enjoying the heck out of the stories.

Chris

Originally posted by Sharptop:
Wayne, I would have put my hands in Richard Simmons pockets that morning I was so cold.

and Terry, I am buying some merino long johns.

That is some funny stuff right there!

Bisch

[Charlie Lamb]

Lovin it guys!!!    

Having known Sky since he was a young fella I'm not a bit surprised.
 
   

[Izzy]

Yeah man, that sure doesnt look like the Skyler I know.

[kennyb]

Outstanding job, gentlemen! Congratulations to all!!
Kenny    

[DW]

Posted on dads log in..  

[SKYLER W]

Thanks guys! I'm just glad I have 2 wonderful parents who have brought me up the way they have!

Charlie, That's been a while back, hasn't it?      

It's great to hear all of these stories that we didn't hear while we were out there. It's kinda hard to keep up with everyone  

[elkken]

To my Solana roommates Tommy and Wayne .....

How about those Seahawks            

But I suppose if it's not the SEC it's not really football    

There was alot more fun than just the hunting going on at Solana ... it was great to have folks from all over the USA there. Boyd aka Stabow was a non stop story teller and never was without a smile on his face.

[Larry Surtees]

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!

[stabow]

Elkken, I didn't tell that many stories did I. Which reminds me of this old gal I once knew.....   ......stabow

[Mudd]

Larry,

I wish I could make the trip to be at the service for Chris but it can not be.

I will however put the time down on my calendar and remember to stop whatever I'm doing to join with you and the rest, in spirit and my prayers.

I prayerfully ask that we all do likewise.

I have asked God to hold you and all who loved Chris, to wrap His loving arms around you, filling you with His assurance, His love, joy, and above all His peace.

With the love of Christ Jesus

God bless you my friend.

I am so very sorry for your loss.

Roy L "Mudd" Williams

PS: Please forgive the diversion!

[maineac]

Larry, I would be there if I could, but will be there in thought and prayer as I battle to keep 8th graders focused at that time.

Carlton I remember a similar windy cold front last year that just about blew my shivering carcass out of the tree I was perched in.

Great stories, waiting for the big one.

[Mike Gerardi]

Looking forward to hearing about your hunt Larry.

[COOCH]

Hey Boyd, was that the one about the old gal with buck teeth or big feet I forgot...COOCH    

Ken You right it's not football if it's not the SEC.Whatcha think Seahawks & Patriots  

[COOCH]

Well this has been said a thousand times but when you first encounter deer at Solona you quickly realize just how wired these deer are.I would not be surprised if a few of them expired from stress they never seem to drop there guard.

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by COOCH:


Ken You right it's not football if it's not the SEC.

Glad we got that cleared up.....  

[redfish]

In regards to Izzy's pics of the stone tools. For those of you not familiar with the area, one of the largest and oldest archeological digs can be found along the FM (Farm to Market) road that runs along the back side of the ranch. Universities have been finding artifacts there for many years.
If you drive that road from Salado towards Florence, just after you get inside the Williamson County line there is a house on the west side of the road where the archeological workers stay when they are working the site.
In the 50's, my grandfather and I used to find stone tools and arrowheads all over just west of Florence (I was born a few miles west of the ranch and just found out about the dig last year).
It is truly a unique area.

[COOCH]

Thanks for showing me the light Terry...ROLL TIDE...