We Are Back

[Will Ketchum]

Well it was a round trip of about 1500 miles but we had a grand time!

The side matches were fun and the main match well run.  This Old man gets pretty beat after 10 stages in the sun.  Fortunately the weather cooperated and it wasn't too hot.  The food at the banquet was good and plentiful.  Most of all we had plenty of time for visiting with old and some new friends.  Joan,my wife, it seems has become the unofficial bartender.  People were lined up at our cabin door for brandy Oldfashions after the shooting day had ended.

I really want to thank French Jack, Jim Mullins and Jeff Farmer for all the work they did getting ready for this match.  Also Roudy and Red for coming up with some fun and challenging side matches.  I particularity liked the T-Rex even if I didn't do that well in it.  Thanks Pards.  You gave future people who put on the National matches a fine example as to how it should be done.

Will Ketchum

[Irish Dave]

Well said, Will. And I'm very happy to know that you folks arrived home safely.

Certainly the time that Beth, Alex and I were able to spend with you and Joanie was among the highlights of the event.

I'll have much more to say about the Nationals in an upcoming Marshal's Column, but suffice it to say it was a great time. Good matches, good weather, good times and most importantly, good friends.

Hats off to Bob, Jim, Celeste, Rowdy, Doc, Red, Jeff and all who assisted them for hosting a dandy Nationals. Hard work does, indeed, pay off and it showed.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy!

I'll add thanks to the crew who put on the Show!  Mother Nature cooperated, as well, with no rain until early Sunday morning that didn't last long, so those of us who spent the night there didn't have any problems packing up our camps.


A BIG congrats to you, Will K. for all your awards!

[gw]

It was a real pleasure to be in your company again Will and Joanie, I always enjoy it. It would seem Joanie could have setup a real saloon down on that end of town and made quite a business of it, we too enjoyed her hospitality and an iced tea or two on the porch. Thanks again and also for the button repair.
   The folks responsibile for the Shoot did another outstanding repeat performance of last year and deserve a very large:THANK YOU

['Monterrey' Jack Brass]

All,

In adding to the accolades I will say that it was surely a 'hoot' at Hooten. For my first real NCOWS experience I have to say it was a very welcomed change. For those of you I finally met after all this time I was very pleased to do so and look forward to many such times in the future. For those of you I have not yet met I look forward to doing so too and enjoying the visits. It's nice to be back home where I can now plan such things.

The shoot went way too fast and going back to work after four days away was all the more difficult.

And for a closing note: can't beat a catagory that has only one revolver and a rifle - that was pure joy.

YMH&OS,

Monterrey J. Brass

[Trap]

   Back, and caught up with all the chores that went undone for a week. Seems all went well w/o me. Anyway it was great to get together with all our NCOWS friends, old and new, It was definitely a great time at Hooten. Thanks to all who made it possible. Hopefully NCOWS will return to Hooten in the future. NCOWS just keeps gettin' better thanks to the great people who make it up.    jt

[James Hunt]

Agreed with all of the above, the best part of all this was hanging out with all of you again. NCOWS has some very unique people and it was really a joy. If they took the guns away from me I'd still show up just so that I could see you all again. Can't wait to do it again.

[Irish Dave]

If they took the guns away from me I'd still show up....

But that would leave us at the mercy of our enemies....

[Tjackstephens]

I really had a good time and enjoyed visiting with all you great people. Got to shoot my new NCOWS revolver, visit with good friends and was inducted into Hiram's Rangers(that's a real honor and super people). Met a great poet Red River Fred and he won me over real quick with his poems. All in all it was a GREAT National Shoot. Texas Jack