What a great time! All the clothes are in the washer, the cook gear is scoured and draining, and the guns are cleaned and oiled.
Thanks to Jerry, Dale and Stephan for all their hard work putting this together. We had very interesting scenarios and I learned a lot about the limitations of shooting out to 125 yards with my .38sp '66
We had a great tour of Ft. Hartsuff and took advantage of Jerry's considerable knowledge of the history of the fort and the surrounding country during the Indian Wars era. I was honored to participate in the lowering of the Fort Colors at sunset. We marched in formation across half the breadth of the Parade ground from the enlisted quarters, lowered the Colors and dressed them, then returned in marching order to present them to the Post Commander with Honors. It was very moving for me. I surely felt the eyes of many ghostly soldiers from all around the post as they stood to attention while we performed this duty.
The food was good, hot and plentiful. All that every frontier soldier hopes for
Thanks to Delmonico for coming out and single-handed taking on this task.
We were treated to evening entertainment by Stephan Baker's VERY talented family. Each member played an accoustic string instrument plus singing harmonies. And they were good!! The stand-up bass fiddle player must have been all of eight or nine years old, standing on his hardtack crate set up behind his instrument so he could play up and down the neck and supplied that bass beat with precision.
The Post Captain generously opened up the gift shop for us, and I was impressed by the selection and degree of coverage of titles about the Frontier Army, History, Indian culture, cookbooks. . . .excellent offerings. I think we all found items to add to our libraries.
I enjoyed the campsite chosen for us at the range, and we had all prepared as well as we could for the cold. A little rain Friday evening, and lots of frost on the ground and the tents in the morning, but the days warmed up nicely and there was just enough wind to disperse the BP smoke. It's the camping I love almost more than the shooting.
I had an excellent time and so did everyone else.
Thanks to all who helped put this together. We all agreed that this should become an annual affair.
RCJ