The Best Buck of the Season 2008

I got the message from Brent as he stood over his 10 point buck. You could hear the excitement in his voice, I knew this was a big one by the tone of his voice and the short breaths caused by the lingering adrenaline still in his system. I told him to give me a write up on the big event. Here it is! ........


Nothing but pure skill brought this buck down on the Brownlee ranch at approx. 4:45pm 12/23/08. Years of sitting in the tree stand for hours at a time constantly surveying the horizon for movement of any kind. Studying the wind direction, following the moon cycle and barometric pressures, bathing with soap without soap, not bathing scent blockers. Watching the bobcats, the racoons, squirrels and birds to see how they react to different scents and noises. Using only stealth mode to walk in and out of the hunting areas as to not disturb the landscape or leave any scent behind. Using only the finest in camouflage apparel to conceal yourself, and learning to use such tools as Lollipop, the chalk line, plumb bob, butt plug, the Hilton the stairway to dear heaven, the Howard Johnson and tripod methods to improve my hunting skills. And then to think that true deer hunters do this with our only means of taking this seasoned adversary with a Bow and Arrow and on rare occasions a pocket knife for backup. Well I could go on and on telling you what it really takes to bag such an elusive seasoned species as the Grand Daddy white tail buck. But I knew that with the lessons and stories that I had learned and listened to from Carl, Wayne, Doug, and Chip that I had the skills to conquer this animal. So here is the story!

I had left work at approx. 4:15pm on the 23rd and had decided that with the weather conditions changing from sunny to overcast and cloudy that this may be the last good day to get to the Brownlee ranch to hunt. I had been thinking about how and where to hunt this evening. Upon my arrival I decided to hunt by the wheat field east of the farm house, I observed that there was still quite a bit of snow around the trees and was unsure how much noise I would make while sitting in the trees. The wind had changed from the south to the north and it was about 20 degrees. At this time I moved up by the old club house and decided to hunt by the old calf feeder, I parked the truck and got to go to the designated hunting areas. Upon arriving I just did not feel the true deer hunting senses that a seasoned hunter such as my self usually gets when you know the feeling is right and it is going to be a good hunt so..... I got back in the truck. At this time I was looking to the south toward the duck pond and I observed a couple of does running south toward the Briar Patch. I felt that with the wind and the temperature dropping that I may be more concealed in the trees at the Tripod, besides I was already cold. While I was driving around the duck pond on the damn I saw some more does running to the south, I contemplated walking to the south and hunting on the east side of the Hilton, again my instincts told me to go down to the pasture and just see how your senses felt there then I could decide. I drove to the area we have dedicated as Carls parking lot. I mow an area here so Carl (who is not a bow hunter, and hunts the easy way with a rifle) can park and does not have to walk very far to his heated enclosed blind. This area is mainly used to prepare for the days hunt and is a meeting place when the day is finished.

I had arrived and shut the truck off, I had not been hunting for a while so some of my vital hunting aids were on the bottom of the storage area behind my seat. I had found my camo coveralls and had opened both the front and the back door of my truck to block some wind while I began to put on my coveralls. While jumping around putting on my coveralls, I saw a big buck walking toward me from the south. @#%^&%$%! My boot was caught in my my coveralls so I could not get them pulled up past my waist or back over my boot with out making a big commotion. When I first saw him he was about 65 yards away walking down the road. I am trying to watch him thru the back glass of my truck while I try to sneak my bow out of its case which is laying on my tool box in the back of my pickup. I was able to get my bow out and an arrow, by now the buck is about 35 yards away still walking toward me, I realize that I do not have my trigger to shoot my bow and an not sure I know where it is. I am able to see the buck walking to the truck, looking at it, wondering who parked this here? I got my trigger on put the arrow in but my trigger was on upside down &^%%)(^&^%$!!!! He is about 8 yards away and turns and looks toward the west. While trying to keep my pants up, shooting with my middle finger ( I feel you pain Wayne) I let the arrow go...... PERFECT SHOT.... just as I had practiced for so many years......? The bucked jumped and turned running to the south back down the road. He ran for about 40 yards where he died... end of story!!!!

Yes I no the ending was kind of a let down. Only those of us that have spent the endless hours watching for the Big Grand Daddy understand the ending!

Christmas 2008

Well, Christmas has come and now we are looking at the new year. I am writing this because it is December 28th in Afghanistan and Bobby will fly his last mission over there today! The 101st Airborne Division year tour in Afghanistan has ended...all but a few have returned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky for Christmas...but Bobby is one of the last few to remain there and train the replacements. Tough break! Bobby has had quite a year over there. His unit is being put in for Army Aviation Unit of the Year! And Bobby is told that the Unit should get it hands down. Bobby has been put in for the Army Aviation Soldier of the Year and is told that he might just very well receive that honor. What an accomplishment to go with his medal of valor along with the other medals he has be awarded. The 29th of December he will fly to Bahgram, Afghanistan and wait for a flight out of Afghanistan to a place he can catch the military charter flight that brings him home to Fort Campbell. There, many of us will wait for him to land and greet him in the hanger with the other families greeting their loved ones...the last to arrive home. Bobby is planning on getting out of the Army in the next couple of months and moving to Colorado. We are so excited to have him home. I don't think I can ever express enough thanks for the support I have receieved from Sharon and the support Sharon and I have received from family and friends. It was a tough year for me and I was just sitting around feeling sorry for myself...while Bobby was the one taking the risks and working day in and day out doing the job this country has asked him to do to protect Freedom's Frontiers. So it has been quite a tough year for Bobby I am sure...he will have to process the experiences he has lived and place those awful war sights and sounds where they let him live his future life knowing he has made a difference for many! I know this family is proud of him.

He has flown with his Chopper ....

In the flat lands of the the USA

The deserts of Iraq....

To the high mountains of Afghanistan!

It has been one heck of a ride for Bobby!

Two Quarters short of a Buck

Chip, Woman Runs Him, came to the farm for the deer hunt this season. First to hunt with his newly aquired bow, and then to hunt the rifle season. He drove all night and the next morning practiced shooting the arrows with the new broadhead points attached. And oh how that guy could shoot! Thwaaaack....and the arrows entered the target, all neatly around the bullseye....all good kill shots! The man was ready for the hunt!

The next morning, the two new Colorado bow hunters rose and went to the Howard Johnsons Blind. Woman Runs Him sat on the deck as Once Was a Man sat inside the blind armed with his camera. Once Was a Man had already missed his big buck, it was his brother's turn at the bow!

The beauty there just south of the Briar Patch is something to behold in the Kansas Morning....looking closely in the trees to the east you could see the turkeys in their tree roosts!

As the morning sun brightened the sky, our archer sat on the deck and watched as does passed by, all within easy reach of his deadly shot. But our hunter wanted the buck so he waited and waited. It was late afternoon when his luck finally took a turn. There he came...the buck...moving down the draw...in the trees...but coming toward our hunter. Like Appollo, the Greek God, our archer stood, poised to make the perfect shot. He drew back his bow and lined his arrow toward its mark. With camera pointed, Once was a man waited...and waited...and waited....but no arrow sprang forth.

The buck turned and walked away...our archer, like a statue stood...bow raised...bow string pulled back and touching his cheek as he looked down the shaft of the arrow...still trying to fing the peep hole in his sights! And when he finally found the picture of the buck in his sights...all he saw was the back end of the buck!

Buck fever can take a man quickly, leaving even the simplest of tasks that are taken for granted lost in the moment. Slowly our hunter released the string on his bow to the rest position. The look of a greek god was gone and replaced by the look of a gothic gargoyle!

But unbelievably, the buck turned around and came back! Our hunter sprang into position, no time to waste...the buck was broadside...he drew back his bow and...................pfffffft........the arrow left his bow like someone had just peed it over the edge of the deck! How could this be? The buck looked up, confused....what was that? He looked toward the blind and perhaps could hear the muffled laugh of Once Was a Man! Our hunter had quickly ducked and loaded another arrow...yes...he had goofed and hit the release trigger while drawing back his bow string...but perhaps there was time!

The buck however figured it was time to leave and turned and walked toward the blind!

Our hunter sprang back into action, this time worrying not if he was sighted...a shot had to be made and quickly or the buck would soon realize his situation and run for cover! Our hunter stood up and quickly drew back his bow string..........pfffffft went his arrow.....just over the edge of the blind and lifelessly to the ground below. He had hit the release as he had drawn back his bow again! The buck, oblivious to it all...slowly walked toward the north and disappeared. Both hunters now were in fits of laughter.....with pauses interupted by spasms of surpressed laughter. They realized that this days hunt was over...it was not meant to be. They had bothed "passed the buck" and could only laugh at their missed opportunities. The rifle season would come and things would be different....or so Once Was a Man thought.....!

The First Bow Hunt

Well, with names like "Once Was a Man" and "Woman Runs Him", hunting deer with a bow was a necessity! With the encouragement and the gift of two compound bows, Chip and I practiced and prepared for our first bow hunt this season. No better place to hunt than the "Farm" that has been in the family since homesteaded by our Great Grandparents in the 1800's. With successful rifle hunts, the challenge of a bow hunt was exciting.





Our bow hunting mentor, Doug, met us out there and showed us how it was done by shooting a big 4 by 5 buck that was standing under his tree blind!

I was lucky and shot my doe after she danced and played around and under my stand for several minutes. But how about the big buck? Is there a story there? Of course....


Let's start with Wayne....Once was a Man...did he have his Buck? Well it went down like this...


It is in the dead of the rut. Doug was in his "lollipop" stand. Brint was in the tri-pod. Wayne was in the newly built blind with the "bow hunter deck" installed and ready. Yes, a stand with a deck built just for the bow hunters. Now Carl was the great stand builder...he and Brint had built the "Hilton" just a couple of years before. Carl named this new stand the "Howard Johnsons"! Upgraded...sounder foundation...great sliding window...shingled roof! Inside was the heater, front opening measured perfectly for the rifle to lay on for a great shot. Carl was pleased...but Wayne begged for a deck on which bow hunters could sit, surrounded by camo, and able to shoot the bow at a moments notice. Using Vick's old tent blind platform...Carl attached it to the new blind and the deck was set. Carl really only did this because he could use this deck for turkey hunting! It goes against his nature to aide bow hunters!






From this perch, Once Was a Man watched as bucks chased does all over the place. Behind him they went. Around him they ran.....surely.....a shot would take place. What a sight...Brint and our hero watched as the bucks got closer and closer. Then, looking to the west, our hero saw two beautiful bucks...trophies each...chasing a doe. The bigger of the two moved in chasing the other buck back. Wow...witnessing this love triangle was like watching friday night late TV! The buck had the doe where he wanted her. He came up from behind....she...a look of innocence in her eyes but her body told a different story. She was arching her back....a look over her shoulder said she knew what was to come...but there was the feeling still that it was her first time. And oh what experiece was shown by this older male deer. No quick thing for him...he was cherishing this moment as he put his tongue and tasted her. Gosh...what was happening! My heart was pounding! What do I do? Do I end this before they fall even deeper in the process of this love making? Do I not give this big male a chance to win the prize...no doubt hard fought for during this rutting season? No...I thought. I was not fooled by that innocent look in her eyes! She had drew many into her web of deceit only to run off and bare her young with the big guy not ever knowing if it was his or not. I had to stop this here and now before this guy got attached to this vixen of a doe! So I drew back my bow for I could see an opening in the branches that crossed between them and me...yes...I had a shot and I should take it soon. I looked through the peep hole and laid the sights on the place just behind the front leg and half way up the body...the sweet spot...just where I had been practicing for weeks. My wounded trigger finger (another story) pointed uselessy forward as I took my middle finger and placed it on the string release lever. I pulled gently and watched my arrow fly...straight toward it's target who was still in the act of foreplay with this harlot. And just as it reached the opening in the branches, the arrow took an immediate turn downward, cutting off a small branch with its razor sharp blade, the arrow went to the ground at the bucks feet. No one noticed, but the doe I think sensed something happened out of the ordinary and took a few steps and moved into the Briar Patch with the buck following "tongue in cheek" so to speak.


I stood there in shock....the trophy was gone...the x-rated scene was gone...my chance for the "best buck of the season" was gone. I however still had high hopes that another chance would appear...but I was wrong for I waited and waited for another big buck and passed on so many others that the bow season left me without a buck...(my wife had put me on an allowence)...and without a big male deer as well!


But how did Woman Runs Him fare this bow hunting season? Stay tuned! But for now...the sun sets on the Farm with the view of the lake as we leave the evening hunt and return to the Deer Camp!

Motorcycles Riding in this Family...A look back at where it started...where it has gone

As I have been writing the story about one of our Road Trips...I got to thinking....now where did it all get started and what has happened since! Well, for me, I was 19 and in college when I got my first motorcycle. Using it to go to school and get around town was about the use of it except for a couple of weekend camping trips up in the close by Jemez Mountains. But I had gotten hooked. It was in the Army though that things really started to change. After coming home from Korea and back in the Monterey area of California, I was stationed there and Joe and I lived in the same apartment building. What fun....and ok...we got is some trouble with the wives! He had a 400cc bike...sold it shortly for a 550cc bike. Well I knew I needed one...had some re-enlistment money and went and bought an 850 Suzuki. What a beauty. It was only weeks later that Joe bought one too. Probably his third purchase of a bike in less than a year. If I was hooked....well Joe was a complete addict! Now...both in the Army and only having weekends to ride...there were no road trips...but lots of day trips....late night rides! Often we would sit together at the appartment with the wifes and kids but when they all retired...it was on to our bikes and off on a bike ride. The whole pennisula was ours. Very little traffic. We would cruise along and stop at the all night diners for some coffee. Gas and coffee was all we could afford! Sometimes it wouldn't be till 0630am that we would return...to quietly climb in bed. I know this sounds heartless and inconciderate. But that was the time we could go and ride...so we did. We loved it. During the weekends we would get on our bikes and cruise California Highway 1! It really doesn't get any better than that. Well....it does...but not by much!

We shipped our bikes to Hawaii for our 3 year tour there and our riding continued. It was wonderful having a bike out there. It was there when my brother Chip came and visited for a summer. He would ride behind me and off we would go and explore the island and visit a beach or two. I think he got the taste of motorcycle riding there and it would remain until he finally bought his own!

Well, years passed...motorcycle after motorcycle up through the years while I was a police officer in New Mexico. Let's see...after the first Kawasaki in college, I had a couple of Susukis, several Hondas, and a few Yamahas. But it was sometime in the 90s that Chip purchased his first bike...a 750 Yamaha. He drove down to New Mexico and I met him on my 650 Yamaha around Cimarron. We spent one day driving around those mountains and just loving it. We decided that 400 miles in a day was nothing but plain fun. We made a pact that we would take a vacation and go on a road trip. That day arrived...we loaded up our bikes with a tent, sleeping bags, camping gear, and headed north over some of the most beautiful passes of Colorado. We slipped out into the deserts of Utah and Arizona. Visited the Grand Canyon. Blew into Las Vegas. Road long and hard days coming on back. There are some great stories made on this trip..but for another time. But it was this trip that hooked us. And after this trip we knew Joe needed to come on the next one.

And that is how the Road Trips started. And more and more people and family have gotten involved. Let's see......Chip and I have done one every year since the first I think. Joe has missed only one year's boys Road Trip. Bobby, my son, and I have been on trips to California and Canada to mention a couple. My daughter Meleah and her Husband Steve went with Sharon and me on their first Road Trip to Vegas and back.....through Capitol Reef, Zion, Bryce, and beautiful country along the way! My sisters Jean and Wenda with their husbands Johnny and Jerry, went on a wonderful roadtrip with me up into Montana to see the re-inactment of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. We have also roadtripped with Jeanne and Johnny to Red River, NM and the Farm out in Kansas. Sharon and I, the first summer after marriage, did 15,000 miles on the motorcycle...and I can't even remember where all we went but it included the west coast and Canada!

So you can see that this family has become well aquainted with Road Tripping. Wenda and Jerry ride their Goldwing and enjoy camping with it in Colorado. Jeanne and Johnny have traveled all over Colorado and back east as far in Indiana a couple of times. Daughter Billie Jo has been riding for years and I think she is still in shock about her mother riding off in the sunset on her Goldwing wearing her pink chaps and jacket!

Basics Road Trip Continued..."PooPsie"

Now, let's see, where was I.........oh yeah.....Chip and I have survived the road accident and are on our way to meet Joe is Missoula!

Chip and I arrive in Missoula late in the evening....Joe should be at the motel but no Joe. Finally a call from Joe saying he is about 30 minutes out of Missoula...nearly out of gas....and if he doesn't show up in 30 minutes...come looking. About 30 minutes later..Joe arrives at the motel. He unpacks his bike and moves the gear inside. But Joe has problems.....he notices his brand new, custom made wedding ring is missing off of his finger. And yikes....he is missing his cell phone...the one he called us from just a half hour ago! OOPS. Just home from his honeymoon and off on a roadtrip with his two single friends from the past....and he has to tell his new bride he has lost his wedding ring...the symbol of their love and commitment...and his cell phone...the only certain contact he will have with her over the next week and a half. Yikes!

He was sick...you could see it on his face....Heidi would be expecting a call to say he is safe. He had to call...but what could he say? He looked at us with that look seen on husbands coast to coast.....that look.....shoulders lowered, chin down...eyes drooping.....slight hunch of the back...yes....humble pie had to be eaten...on his knees he would have to go.....Jackee Gleason had this look near the end of every HoneyMooner's episode! Joe said he had to call and get it over with. He had to face the music or it would only make the ride impossible to enjoy with the weight of that eventual call hanging over him. So, borrowing my cell phone he makes the call. Chip and I sit on one of the beds in the hotel and observe. Both of us had been in situations like this before...but neither of us had to live it in front of friends, fellow members of the HE MAN WOMAN HATERS CLUB! We were filled with excitement......"Hi Sign"!

Joe dialed the number and we all waited for the click of the phone and the Hello! And that's when our buddy, fellow club member, did it..right there in front of us......he said......"Hello Poopsie"....

My gosh.....the pillows went to Chip's and my faces.....we smothered the laughter...the uncomfortable laughter of seeing our friend in this horrible position.....he had done it....that lump we were seeing in his throat were his....well.....cajones!

And on it went...."but Poopsie...it kills me too....I know....but we will have another ring made Poopsie...and it will be just as special...it came off when I pulled off my gloves to put warmer gloves on..."

Oh my gosh we thought...what a scramble...he was in the middle of a piece of art....a comeback...a pure honest sell of complete bullsh*t! Was it working? He went on....."Wayne's cell phone Poopsie......well....I must have lost it when I callled........"

Chip and I could not catch our breath....our guts were lurching with the unheard laughter that was being kept from leaving our mouths. And by gosh...it was sounding like he had pulled it off...."OK Poopsie, love you too....love and miss you Poopsie....can't wait to see you....bye Poopsie" Joe closes the phone..turns to us with a big grin, raises his open hand high above his head and says "High Five Guys.....Let's Ride". And with that....the trip begins and the you would never guess what is to come...I will have to tell you....you won't believe it! Something you only see in the movies!

Afghanistan, More Than a Distant Battle

I have been blessed greatly in my life. But no greater blessings do I have than my children. A father wants his children to grow up healthy and bright. He wants the best for them. As for me, I couldn't be more proud and happy. I have my eldest, Meleah, who grew up being the little mother, the responsible one, doing more than her part taking care of he younger brother Bobby as well as herself. She has grown up to be a wonderful mother and wife, but I think most importantly, a good hearted, hard working, beautiful person. How can you not be proud of a girl with such and heart of gold! Love her to death I do. One of the happiest moments was when I learned she was moving with her family to come here, where I live! Now I have her close , where I get to see her, talk with her, and share in her life with her husband and two of our ten grandchildren.....Kyle and Felicia.

But there is a worry, a hole, that fills our family's soul. My son Bobby enlisted in the Army in 2002. What a patriot he is! He told me he wanted to enlist. I gave him every reason to stay out and go to college. His Grandfather took him on a graduation trip and tried hard to talk him into not enlisting but go to college. But in the end.....when Bobby says he is enlisting cause he knows the price of freedom and that he owes it to those that have gone before....those that have fought and died for his freedom....he owes his time, his efforts to serve this country in a way many have before. Heck, you can not argue with him about those beliefs. For they are true and his desire to serve admirable and a demonstration of the heart he has....like his sister.....that make them so special in my eyes.

So my son becomes a mechanic on Chinook helicopters. He serves overseas in Korea (just like his mom and dad) and serves in combat in Iraq, and now is in Afghanistan, fighting a most difficult fight, and one that he is up to his armpits in death and destruction.

Bobby is the flight engineer on his Chinook. He has had many awards and honors since he has enlisted. He received special recognition during his graduation from Basic Training. He was chosen to go to flight status from ground mechanic over many others who wanted that chance. He flew in Iraq in his Chinook as Crew Chief.....receiving an Air Medal and his Combat Badge for being under enemy fire. Bobby has also been nominated for the US Army Aviation Soldier of the Year! Now how special is that?

And now, for the last many months....to hopefully come home by New Years...Bobby is fighting in Afghanistan. He is with the 101st Airborne Division. He is the Flight Engineer on his Chinook. And needless to say we worry for him and all our troops for this has been the bloodiest and costliest year for our troops in Afganistan. Bobby is putting his life on the line...almost daily as he flies in Eastern Afghanistan up along the Pakistan border. There has been bloody fighting and with great loss of life. Bobby has been there, doing his part. He has recieved the Air Medal with Valor for his and his crews heroic acts in pulling dead and dying out of a fire fight. They came in, under fire, warned that they would be shot at and probably shot down...but they came in because those on the ground were in dire need. And we are so proud of him and those that do these heroic deeds as well as all of those that have put themselves in harms way. My heart aches for the lost loved ones. And there is a hole that can only be filled by Bobby's return. And I wait anxiously for that day. It comes nearer and nearer. But we know for Bobby it is still too far away....he can't think that far out...he just has to get through each mission, one at a time.



How is it you can have a heart so overjoyed and filled with pride and love yet so empty feeling at the same time. I can promise you this...there never was, nor will there ever be, a father and family that will have more joy and pride in there hearts the day Bobby arrives back in the States. Bobby I love you, miss you........We all love and miss you..........and we thank you for your service...you have done what you wanted to do.....serve this great nation.



And now you can stand in the ranks of those that have given so much before....stand there knowing you have given what you promised.....your service.

The First "Back to Basics" Road Trip

My brother, Chip, and I had made our very first motorcycle road trip the year before. Now Joe and I had been long time motorcycle riders. We started riding together almost 30 years ago, while in the Army, stationed in Monterey, California. Joe and I had stayed in close contact, in fact, he has always just been considered one of the family...so it was only fitting that Chip and I envite him along for our next road trip to Canada. Chip and I were single at the time and Joe was too...but the month before we were to leave...Joe decides...no Heidi decides...it is time to get married (well, that is the way Joe tells it). So married he gets....off on a honeymoon...and a week after he returns he tells his new bride that he has to go on his planned road trip...with the boys...that she has yet to meet!



Well, Chip and I ride and meet in Colorado, then ride up through the Yellowstone to Missoula, Montana. It is there that we are to meet up with Joe who is riding from Olympia, Washington. What a trip we had before our meeting. Chip and I were riding our bikes and a car pulled into my lane. I dodged the car, missing only by inches, by diving my bike onto the shoulder of the highway, only to watch the car slide sideways off the road, flipping, ejecting a man and small daughter. I watched the two being thrown from the vehicle and shooting up in the air like missles, side by side, only to land in the median of the interstate. I flipped my bike around to see if I could help. As I was a police officer, I was not at all uncomfortable about trying to help and quite aware of the problems in which I was getting involved. Chip had looked in his rear view mirror only to see dust where I once had been. He thought I had crashed and flipped his bike around to go help. He is a paramedic on an Air Life Helicopter in Colorado and this kind of thing is what he does for a living...but this time he thought it was his brother he was coming to aide.



He pulls up and sees me off my bike and heading toward the wreck...He heads to the little girl and the man laying in the median. I run to the overturned car where a woman screams trapped inside. I find a young baby hanging upsidedown, held by the straps of his car seat. I am able to get the baby out as others arrive. I now try to tend to the woman who is bleading heavily from her head, is trapped upsidedown in the vehicle and pinned down with the seats and stearing wheel of the car. I see she has a broken arm and possibly other areas that are broken. I calm her down...tell her that her baby is fine and that my brother who is a paramedic is with her other daughter and her husband. I tell her I am a cop and can tell her with experience that she is ok but must remain calm. I find loose blankets and clothing and pack that around her to try and make her more comfortable as help will soon be on the way. I don't want to move her. I try and sound calm to help calm her...but inside my heart is racing. I hear my brother...he is behind me and calmly says "check her pulse and tell me what you get". I think "thank god he is here...and what in the heck do I check?" The difference between a cop mentality and a paramedic mentality is amazing. I want to run and get there...be it a man with a gun...two fighting...no matter what the danger....and try and settle it.......but when it comes to people in dire need of medical attention....I want to direct traffic! I grap her wrist and hold on....putting my finger on her pulse...and it is racing...but soon realize it is my pulse I am taking with my finger...so I try again and report my results. Chip logs this into his head full of medical concerns and procedures.



In the long run I did fine and when the fire engine and ambulance arrive, I am relieved of my care taking duties. I hear Chip reporting all the info he has gathered, what he deams the immediate concerns are and what he has done to this point. He is calm as a cucumber. Me...well I get calmed down when the State Trooper arrived and we talk the talk we are accustomed too....no smell of alcohol, who was driving in what direction...who are the witnesses and where are they...you know what I am talking about. Well, at the end of it all...I think hey...I have some handywipes on my bike and can use them to clean off all the blood that covers my hands up to my elbows and I will show Chip how together I am by offering him the same. I yell over at Chip to see if he wants to use my handywipes. And that's when I see him pulling off his medical rubber gloves that he had brought with him and taken down to the accident scene. I learned several things that day....some about myself but mostly that I want Chip around if I was ever hurt. And I just can't explain how it feels to be so proud of your brother as you watch him in action...with chaos all around...and as cool as a cucumber managing a scene he has just walked into.



Now...let's see...on to Missoula where we are to meet up with Joe...it only gets better......

COMMING SOON EvakEjak...A legend born!

A Story about Joe and Wayne...the DMZ in Korea....freedom's frontiers...and the men who kept America safe! A legend was born...a man makes a name for himself as his fellow soldiers huddle in safety from a devistating typhoon sweeping across the Korean Pennisula. But first...stories that lead up to the making of an American Hero. Joe...the man...the soldier...yes...the sterling example of the american soldier courage and fortitude...standing strong in a night filled with peril...others looking on in wonder. Stay tuned..........

St. James Ghost Story

I dont know for sure when the first time I went to the St. James Hotel in Cimarron, New Mexico exactly was...however I kept returning and bringing more and more people to the place. The old hotel is know for it's ghost and I have experienced several events there that have left chills up and down my spine. Probably my first experience was when my brother Chip and I spent a few nights there one summer. We stayed up late and went into the card room on the second floor to play a little poker. We clowned around and at a bit before 1am were walking down the hallway to our room when we heard someone step out into the hall behind us. We immediately both turned around expecting to see someone there......however....no one was there at all. Now...this was heard by both of us...feet on the floor...walking...and directly behind us perhaps withing 5 to 10 feet from us. Nothing. So back down the hall we walked looking for anyone or anything that could have made the sound. Still, just us....and a quite hotel.



One time in the winter, I was driving north to Denver on I-25, and in some bad snowy weather, so decided to jump over to Cimarron and spend the night at the hotel. Well, it was snowing badly and I was glad to get there and settled into a room. I went to the bar where the bartender and two locals were sitting and having a drink or two. We chatted for some time and then off to bed I went. The next morning I awoke early and went downstairs to see if I could get a cup of coffee. The owner was in the lobby and told me she was just openning the place and would make us a cup. As we chatted I told her that I had heard new guests come in and walk and talk down the hall and it must have been real late. She told me that actually I was the only one in the hotel that night and they had closed the place up when I went to bed so everyone could make it home. The place had been locked up! She told me that guests often hear people in the hallway and this had happened before. Well, I can honestly tell you...that late in the night I awoke to men talking in the hallway, not quietly either...and then walking down the hallway toward my room. I was staying in the Mary Lambert room at the end of the hall....ummmmm. On a couple of stays at the Mary Lambert room I have smelt a rose aroma that all of a sudden is present and then dissapates. No might have...no maybe...but honestly a strong aroma. This is another thing that seems to happen to others who stay in that room.



Now, this brings us to a time that my wife Sharon and I spent at the hotel. She was excited about the place as I had told her stories of other visits and had talked to her about the history of the hotel. Once again, we were staying in the Mary Lambert room. In the middle of the night, Sharon awoke to loud voices in the hall...men talking and walking down the hallway...the sounds of heavy boots. She lay on the bed awake for a while but looked at the end of the bed and she could see in the darkness a women standing there. Dressed in what looked to be the old pioneer type of dress....up onto the bed a small dog jumped....Sharon raised her arms to keep the dog away but the dog jumped down...the lady moved away from the bed a disappeared. My wife was so excited and the next day told the owner about the events of the night. The owner told her that we were the only hotel guests that night and no one was up stairs but us! OK...Sharon believes in ghosts....she really really believes in ghosts....and there is more!