First, a little background to set the stage. Back the calendar up to last June, and the annual St. Jude auction right here on Trad Gang. Those who followed the action as the auction proceeded might well recall the Pound Cake Wars.
Lil'D, the beautiful daughter of Duckbutt, offered up to the highest bidder a portion of her hand made mouth watering pound cake. Her baking ability is legendary, and has lead to fierce battles over mere crumbs.
Once again this year sides were chosen, members recruited, and battle lines drawn. A week of heckling, cajoling, bribing, and all around good fun ended up with the MK LLC bidding consortium on top.
As the auction progressed I could see we were in a tough fight for a chance to taste Lil'D's precious pound cake. I personally had never tasted so much as a morsel, and dearly wanted nothing more out of the auction than to remedy that.
As a little pot sweetner in an effort to push the bidding along, I offered up a Wisconsin whitetail hunt to high bidding members of our little group if we ended up as the winning team. Low and behold, we did it! And this past week I made good on my part of the offer.
Charles Suttles, elkken (Ken Gettman) and Doc Nock (Dave Landis)all arrived in Wisconsin last Wednesday, and we headed for my hunting cabin for five days of chasing whitetails. USPS Priority Mail delivered the pound cake the day before their arrival, and the stage was set.
I will leave most of the story telling up to the guests, but to start things off right, here is what brought us all together in the first place.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/St%20Jude%20Pound%20Cake%20Hunt/StJudeHunt2011246.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/St%20Jude%20Pound%20Cake%20Hunt/StJudeHunt2011250.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/St%20Jude%20Pound%20Cake%20Hunt/StJudeHunt2011254.jpg)
Left to Right, Charles, Ken, and Dave
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/St%20Jude%20Pound%20Cake%20Hunt/StJudeHunt2011253.jpg)
I had a trail camera in place before our arrival and in checking the pictures we found some worthy candidates of our attention. We arrived on the afternoon of the 19th. These were smoking fresh!
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/St%20Jude%20Pound%20Cake%20Hunt/StJudeHunt2011200.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/St%20Jude%20Pound%20Cake%20Hunt/StJudeHunt2011137.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/St%20Jude%20Pound%20Cake%20Hunt/StJudeHunt2011178.jpg)
:campfire: This should be good :campfire:
Love it!
Dave tell the truth you made the trip hoping for pound cake. :biglaugh:
Dont eat all the pound cake Dave.It Would ruin your rock hard ready for the hunt look.Have fun guys and good luck!
go whip go!
Oh, I'm going to go alright. I'm going to go right back to the cabin again today.
My story of the week is short, and I'll tell it quickly. And then I'll leave the rest of this up to the three guests.
It truly was an honor to have these three fine gentlemen share the place I love. We hunted, we laughed, and we ate like kings. What more could a person ask?
After a couple of days of windy weather we enjoyed some of the finest sun filled days Wisconsin has to offer. Crispy mornings, and just right afternoons made for perfect weather to be at the cabin.
These guys were studying up.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/St%20Jude%20Pound%20Cake%20Hunt/StJudeHunt2011257.jpg)
I have time to hunt and the luxury to go back, so I was picky with what I wanted to shoot this week. We don't have a strict QDM management on the property, but do tend to let the smaller bucks grow.
I saw deer from nearly every stand I sat, and passed multiple opportunities at does, fawns, and young bucks. But the bigger bucks from the trail camera pictures never came my way, so my tag remains unfilled.
One morning I had these two little gents come strolling by. Sorry for the blurry picture on the first one, but check out his back. He found out just how irritating cockleburrs can be.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/St%20Jude%20Pound%20Cake%20Hunt/StJudeHunt2011267.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/St%20Jude%20Pound%20Cake%20Hunt/StJudeHunt2011263.jpg)
Oh, and the answer to the question in the title of this thread is absolutely not.
While it would seem that any living creature would swarm to a bait site if they ever got a taste of Lil'D's pound cake, it will not work. There's just no way there were going to be any leftovers for the deer!
I was gone for five days on this trip and came home five pounds heavier. The trip was too short, but I think it's probably a good thing I didn't stay longer!
:campfire:
Dunno about baiting deer, but it looks like a winner for baiting hunters!
Before we launch into the levity of it all, of which there were copious amounts, I'm sure, I would like to pay homaqe to a few fine folks myself.
First, my presence was due to the extreme generosity of a Gang Ex-patriot who made the required donation to join this austere group and then donated his slot to my furry behind for my cheerleading on the pound cake thread!
:rolleyes: Amazing!
Second, Joe stepped up as a seasoned traveler and guided me through the morass of booking airline travel. I felt like the 9 yr old kid in that area and he was a patient and diligent gentleman coach and mentor. Thanks, Joe!
Lastly, I got to share an incredible camp with three of the finest and well-traveled hunters I've ever met! My personal circle doesn't include folks who do this sort of thing, so I've watched in awe and tried to learn a few things from grand stories posted here, but to actually sit down amidst some of the most humble, down-to-earth people-- who have traveled hither and yon to hunt everything imaginable, was pure magic!
As I told Whip, this was my personal "African Safari" to go this far afield on a hunt. Period!
It was quite the experience!
Next installment: The tale of the revenge of the rubber attack boots!
Gotta go make some sheckles to pay for all the fun!
Okay, Dave. this couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, but if you're going to torment us folk who only get to hunt puny, in-state, Tarheel whitetails by telling this hunting tale in bits and pieces, then you better have killed something besides time and cake...lol! Glad you got the opportunity, brother.
Those deer are either FAT, or they have pea sized heads! :biglaugh:
...... sure ya'll didn't give them just a little of the pound cake?
Noticed first thing the really great knife! Accounted for the names & knew it had to be good time at the very least w/Joe, Charlie, Ken, & DocNock Dave. Quality folks around. Agree Dave.., rare chance encounter.
:campfire: :coffee:
Ok...Ken is still likely in transit or just touching home base...he visited some folks while he was mid-country.
Charlie will be along hopefully to add pics and stories especially about "the knife".
Now for the saga of the "Revenge of the Rubber Attack Boots"
BACKGROUND:
As stated this was huge deal for me... never traveled where I didn't drive to hunt...and 18 hrs alone at my age wasn't happening so flying was the key.
I spent WEEKS sorting, packing then building boxes and then throwing half the stuff to the "stay home" pile that wouldn't fit my hand built box.
It arrived safe at Joe's and the trip was on.
Arrival at the airport at 4:30 AM :scared:
Arrive in Madison after connecting with Charles in Cleveland to be picked up by Joe at 11:30.
We 3 drive 2 hrs to town near his camp. Met up with Ken who drove over from Min/St.Paul airport.
Bite of lunch, off to Wally World for groceries and license and we're off to camp.
mad dash to unpack, assemble bows and put food away and get set for the PM hunt.
Wind was squirrely so we walked Joe's perimeter to find good spots he had stands with a decent wind. My spot was back the way we'd come and up behind the cabin.
After Joe shows me the spot, his last words were, "if there are deer around, wait them out so's not to spoil the stand" Duh! But of course, Joe! :rolleyes:
And then begins the saga:...
I sit, the temps start to drop w/a nice cold front moving in... and I was over dressed to do the walking, worked up a decent glow but not enough to sit long with the dropping temps! But, the anticipation keeps me fueled!
15 min before quitting time, here comes legs! First deer I see in WI is a 4 or 6pt youngster.
Wait...there's another behind him. Now, I know our gracious host would like to have us hold out for 2.5 yr old bucks at least! Ok...but I never saw a birthdate on either of these suckers! :p
The 2nd deer appears to be a good bit bigger in body size and has pretty nice wide horns for an old PA boy used to seeing forkies and spikes...
But it's only a 6pt with wide horns. He stops in front of me, tests the wind directly away from me (toward camp) and offers a few shots.
I finally see he has some rather small brow tines. 8pt! First night? Nah! I pass! (later learned viewing the racks in camp there seems to be a genetic disposition there to small brows)
These buggars go down below me 80 yards and start to chase a doe and fawn, then proceed to feed well into dark...
I'm getting cold sitting there but it's neat to be able to see down there as it's a bit more open over-story so w/ binoc, I can watch them.
They start sparing for a while...then back to feeding.
WT? HEY! I'm freezing sitting up here y'know... can see a twinkle of a camp light and am ready for some warmth now...go home!
Nope!
I quietly and slowly put the haul rope on my bow and lower it. Put on my fanny pack quiet as I can...and sit.
An hour later, they start to move...back the way they came. Stop in front of me, spar again.
All I can see is dark blobs moving and listen to the clickity clack of antlers and the scuffle of hooves as the bodies twist around and around.
This is really cool, but I'm freezing my kiester off and afraid I'll spook them from my teeth chattering!
Finally...finally, they merge with the darker woods where the land drops off and I wait...and wait...and finally climb down and gather my gear with my teeth doing their immitation of a Tijuana dancer's castenets!
I was all a thither from seeing these boys spar not once, but 2X! Saw great action my very first night! Wow! This was proving to be a wonderous trip already! I was smiling cautiously so's not to bite myself with my teeth chattering, but I was happy!
I get to the cabin and tried to talk and my teeth chattering made it difficult... I went out to the screen porch to change out of my hunting duds to get back inside to the warm wood stove!
Ok...so being up since 3am EST, now 7:45PM Central, I'm a bit fuzzy and don't see the sneak attack of the Rubber Attack Boots coming! :(
I have these old Servus knee high rubber boots... and forgot since last year and grabbed a pair of wool socks that like to act like velcro in these boots. I get ONE boot off, but the other won't budge.
Tired, chilled and stupid...I kept trying harder and harder to pull it off, but no, wouldn't ask for assistance. That would be so not manly!
I finally twisted my right leg hard and pulled up as hard as I could with my other foot on the heel of the glued on attack boot!
The rest of this is somewhat a blur! All I remember was feeling like I got hit in the butt with a 220v wire, something exploded and I screamed like a girl... and it didn't STOP hurting.
Someone asked me if I was "alright" and I can recall hollaring "hell no I'm not alright or I wouldn't be screaming like a girl!"
Old age, cold muscles, sitting too long early and late in the day with a good walk in between led me to actually tear my right hamstring pretty badly.
Never knew I gave home to Rubber Attack Boots...but I have living proof!
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm292/DavidLandis/hamstring.jpg)
I realized from my more athletic friends when younger that there isn't much to do but live with it. I put some ice on for a while... then a pain patch I'd found of my Dad's when I cleaned out his apt... and limped around.
Didn't hunt Thur, thinking it best to try to rest it if it was torn... then Fri I gently tried to stretch and went for a short walk out the tree line to an ladder stand across a flat bean field...dragging one foot behind me like the humpback of Notre Dame!
That was pretty much it. Got out Saturday afternoon too, as it took several hours to loosen the leg up enough to walk...
Alas, I still had a blast. Past 19 mos, have been visiting my Dad every night since his stroke and watch him spiral downward. I get precoius little time to myself...
This was a beautiful camp, comfortable, and cozy, so I stoked the ole pot-belly stove with Joe's cut/split wood :) and cleaned up coffee cups from breakfast, prepared for a main meal lunch (already had volunteered to cook) and hobbled around enjoying the cold temps on trips to the wood pile or the outhouse.
I read, rested, and tried to live out a quote here used by one of you for your signature line attributed to Charlie Lamb: "Being there was good enough!"
My only disappointment isn't related to the trip, but this unfortunate injury now locks me outa my own PA remainder of our season. I was so caught up preparing for the trip, I didn't hunt PA yet... so that is a bummer as motoring on level ground a block is about all I can muster.
Doc says it will heal in 3 weeks or so, but to expect a good bit of pain. Yeah, ok, Doc! Like you have to tell me that!?!
Now on to the real hunter's stories! At home, locked in my new camera are pics of some of the views from one late week stand and a few from the cabin.
I hope this weekend to shake the camera hard enough to get those pics out and post! :)
Dang Doc...sorry to hear and see that bud !! Heal well and quick my friend.
Lanier
You CAN bait a lot of bowhunters with a quality pound cake....
Lanier,
Life goes on... and I'm just a wee bit proud of myself making the best of it and not getting bummed. It was too neat an experience on it's own and the hunting was just the impetus, not the main attraction. It would have been easy to cry in my beer, but we didn't have any! :)
Oh, yeah...the poundcake! I NEVER in my life ate pastry of any sort that once cut, 4 days later (while well wrapped) was still moist, fresh and as flavorful as when opened! I hate to think how much 'butter' was in that puppy!
We had poundcake, Ken bought a huge pecan pie for an unhearlded price in a "no price" resturant but that is his story to tell...but it was GOOD!
We had steak & taters over an open fire pit w/ salad and peas. We had spaghetti, We had ham steak and taters over charcoal grill.
Evenings were late so we ate light of fruit, sandwhiches and one night, Joe made us some "gator cheeks" deep fried!
Nobody died from my cooking or ended up chained to the outhouse, so I guess that part went well enough!
Just got home from visiting friends in Minnesota for a few extra days so I am a bit behind getting my photos and thoughts together to share details of a fine time .... But let me start by saying on the first nights hunt I also got pinned down by a few bucks and stayed there in the dark until they decided to move off into the fields and let me out of my stand and get back to the cabin.
As I approach the cabin and reach for the door to the screen room I hear this incredible sound coming from the screen room, some might say it was the sound of some one screaming like a girl but to me it sounded like the cross between a grizzly bear death moan and a spine shot deer. There clutching the sliding door into the cabin is poor David :scared: :scared: This poor guy is in serious pain. At first I thought maybe he was fooling around but it turned out not so. What a way to start a hunt !
For the rest of the trip David put his game face on and shot arrows with us, hunted a bit more, and did a Very Fine job of cooking and making camp life easy for the guys off hunting.
Thanks David .... back with more soon :campfire:
:campfire:
If you participated in the St Judes auction you might remember this picture.
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1010421.jpg)
That is Buddy and Dakota putting up some of their hard earned doggie $$ to get a crack at some of Lil D's world renowned Pound Cake.
Thank you Lil D for all your fine efforts to make this a very special event in the St Jude auction.
And thank you Whip for inviting me to your cabin. It is a special place and it was an honor to share a camp with you, Charles and David.
That's a powerful picture right there, Ken!
Melancholy at best... I take it given the age difference, Dakota is the one with some grey hair like Charles and I and Buddy is the one gone on to his reward?
That picture will long be remembered!
Thanks for your kind words on rustling grub.
Sounds you boys had a good time, Hope you heal up good Doc.
I'm waiting for the TN Classic for my poundcake :goldtooth:
Tough way to start out a hunt. Hope you heal up soon.
Yes David Buddy is the pup on the left, he lost his battle with cancer just this past month days after his tenth birthday. And speaking of untimely death .....
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1010531.jpg)
Here is one of the 17' ladder stands Whip has on his property. To protect us from an early death or injury they were equiped with safety ropes and persic ( sure I spelled that wrong )knots so we could hook up at the bottom and be safe all the way up. Using this system was manditory at Whips and after using it a few days I found it both easy to use and very comforting getting in and out of my stand in the dark.
:campfire:
We've got to hear from Charles yet... and his view of the events and a description of the awesome pound cake knife!
Y'know, Ken, I've never been terribly fond of ladder stands for bow hunting, but those Whip had (no longer made I believe he said) were the cat's whiskers! Big foot section, plenty of seat space and the SEAT FOLDED UP!
I believe the knot is termed Prusic, but won't swear to it. Googled it once and found sites with detailed directions on how to build those "life lines" : what rope to use, how to tie the prusic knot, etc.
They are quite reassuring!
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1010512.jpg)
This young buck was my first of many young bucks I saw ... He stood above me for more than an hour trying to decide if it was safe to move a bit closer to the fields below. He was joined by another youngster just before sun down and they spared, antlers locked pushing and shoving getting ready to show the girls how tough they were. He worked his way finally down near my stand, calmly eating acorns. I could have spit on him he got so close. He stayed there way past dark so I had a late walk back to the cabin.
Whip had some very nice paths mowed all around the property between the corn, grass, and woods that made traveling after dark easy.
Prussic Knot, and yes, a lifeline and the prussic = NO WORRIES!
Sounds like a great hunt! Thanks for sharing the pics and stories.
Great stuff guys. I will check back for More.
Hope you have a picture of this Prusic not I am curious. :campfire: :coffee:
QuoteOriginally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
Great stuff guys. I will check back for More.
Hope you have a picture of this Prusic not I am curious. :campfire: :coffee:
Here you go
http://www.animatedknots.com/prusik/index.php
Tie a rope from a limb above your stand (similar to a rope to hoist your bow, just larger to support your weight)and attach this to it from your safety harness and you CAN NOT fall. Attached to the tree/safety line 100% of the time. Slide it up and down as needed
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1010533.jpg)
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1010522.jpg)
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1010526.jpg)
Some of the scenery enjoyed on the hunt. The farm was alive with wildlife. Turkeys, pheasants, several kinds of squirrles, lots of different birds. Oh yes .... and deer, lots and lots of deer. I saw deer from my stands 8 out of 10 sits. And six of those sits I saw bucks all within easy shooting distance. I just did not see one older than 1 1/2 and Whip asked that we let those grow a bit longer... :banghead: He has a good young crop coming up.
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1010518.jpg)
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1010532.jpg)
A nice steak dinner cooking over a camp fire and home sweet home for 5 days. Doesn't get any better than that.
Dave,
Sorry to hear of your misfortune, but thanks so much for sharing. I now feel so much better about confessing my sleep-deprived, lack-of-sound judgement attempts to run down a wounded whitetail on this site a week or so ago. (not to imply that wounds sustained in mortal combat would have somehow been more "studly" than those self-induced from removal a rubber "attack boot"....pain is pain) Prayers for a speedy recovery, buddy!
Richard
That knot is simple and definitely will be put to use. Thanks for sharing.
These pictures are making me home sick.
Thanks for sharing that should be taken in both a sarcastic and non sarcastic tone.
great stuff.
I'll bet you can Whip- an old friend of mines son used Skittles to get a 150 class ten pointer when he was about 12 years old!!!
Remembering my old English Teacher's grammar lessons, "Can" means are you physically able.
I'd have to say, having been there, no PERSON (in this particular situation) would be "physically able" to bait deer with Li'l D's pound cake... cause they'd have gotten cut--wide, deep and frequent if'n they tried! :)
I saw grown men lickin the plate day we left to get the last crumbs...
Not doubting deer would have come to it, good as it was, but don't think in that crew anyone would have survived trying!
Skittles, huh? Hmmmm...maybe it's just a S'uthin deer thing? :D :rolleyes: :saywhat:
Maybe not deer, but from the looks of that cake. . . you can bait me !
ChuckC
ChuckC,
You'll just have to save back a bone or two to get in next years action. We have a title to defend now!
Charles would have weighed in, but I got a call from that dear gentleman tonite to see how the leg was coming along.
As we spoke, I learned that a very near and dear friend of his was taken seriously ill on Charles' return and is awaiting a heart transplant.
Charles and his bride are headed to where this gent is hospitalized to give the family a break and sit with the man. Charles hasn't even downloaded his pics yet but promises to try early next week to add his $.02 to the mix here of our grand time.
Chuck, Mind what Kris tells you...you've never wrapped lips on anything that taste's like Li'l D's pound cake.
I had way more than I deserved but it was equal fun to watch the other three contributors enjoy it with closed eye ecstasy...even with canned peaches on top!
The plate licking was the best...wish I'd gotten a picture of that shot...but alas, we were loading up and each step was a focused effort at that point, so I wasn't thinking of making visual records to share! :D
Dave, I don't think I have ever met a cake I didn't like. . . immensely, especially if chocolate was involved in its construct. Which of itself is another issue altogether.
I have tried baiting deer with chocolate. Maybe it was more "daring them" to try and take my chocolate away, I am not quite certain.
Folks here have asked how to spread the scent of an attractant better. I have found that slowly masticating (chewing . . no need to look it up) the chocolate and forcefully breathing its essence out into the atmosphere works wonders. (works well for me at least).
During those sits I typically make sure I am ready for the worst, using heavy bow and with numerous arrows ready and arranged around my stand for easy access. Maybe a couple short but stout sticks at arms reach as a back up too. Heaven forbid a deer actually makes it thru to the chocolate pile.
Sometimes I think I have more fun than I deserve while out in the woods.
ChuckC
You missed it then, Chuck, cause just a few years ago, the bidding wars on St.Jude were over Chocolate Chip Cookies! :)
I'm a bit of a chocoholic myself, so I do understand! Never knew it to draw in deer, but I can say that just the act of rooting around in my pack for those candy bars has, on occassion, drawn in some fine opportunities that were, of course, totally blown because I had my head and hands in a day pack instead of on my bow! :(
Se le vie.
Looks like Whip will have good weather back up at the camp this weekend, but here in SE PA, it's snowing like a banshee and expecting 5-6!
I can't even trust to pull on a boot to go out and shovel, lest I not get it off! Danged rubber attack boot! :mad:
Just starting to motor around without severe limp so I'm not taking ANY chances! Dang purple has now spread down into the calf! :scared: :eek:
Charles thought perhaps I should write up a warning evaluation for the Product Review on ankle fit boots?
Better get some silk socks for those boots David.
Sorry to hear about Charles friend, you are certainly correct when refering to Charles as a gentleman. My main goal when accepting Whips generous offer to go hunting in Wisconsin was not to kill a whopper Wisconsin buck, but to meet a few new folks face to face that I have had the pleasure of knowing through Trad Gang. I was rewarded by meeting some very nice folks, ate some awesome pound cake, enjoyed Davids humor first hand, got to meet a Southern gentleman, witnessed how much Whip loves the Green Bay Packers, and saw some beautiful Wisconsin farm country.
We did have our share of chocolate on this hunt, we bought the 10#bag of assorted chocolate bars at Wally World. I think some have said 90% of our scent comes from our mouths so chocolate might be the ultimate cover up scent.
This has been great stuff guys. Can't wait to share this with Delaney.
Also, just want to point out how much of a force Whip has been in this pound cake deal. He's coordinated more cake related activities and is holding my hand behind the scenes so no shareholders get left out.
Just in case I haven't told you (Whip) how much we love you lately. :wavey:
Doc Noc....hate so much that you had the mishap. OOOOUUUUCCCHH! I sure was careful taking off my rubber boots this morning that is fo sho!
Thanks again guys. World class gents....all of you.
Ken,
That wasn't chocolate! Unless it's darks as night, and "just chocolate" it don't qualify! Now, Toll House Bittersweet Morsels, that works!
(buddy once saw me whip out a bag of them and undo the twist tie and turned to his Dad and said, "Dad, Landis is eating cookie-guts for candy!" That stuck!)
DB,
I wouldn't have "known" but I did guess something akin to that of ole Whip! They broke the mold on that one!
As for the PC, oh, my! I have never in my life eaten a pastry that was shipped that far, still in that good a shape and retained the moistness that your darlin li'l D's pound cake evidenced!
Sir, I dunno how you can live in a house w/ women that bake that way and not be 5x5 wide!
Got txt from Whip that pefect weather Sat but no deer yet! We had a blizzard, lost power for 12 hrs and I thought I was back at the cabin, but the gas range paled in comparison to the wonderful pot-belly wood stove. Just not the same! :(
Ok, between power failures from a freak blizzard in Oct and trying to get stuff done today, I shook the camera really hard (and didn't hurt myself either!) and got some pics.
You saw Ken's great shots of the steaks cooking over an open fire. The weather had turned just gorgeous, after a rather frigid start with AM's COLD and then moderating to sunny mid days.
While the steaks were cooking over a bed of glowing coals, I asked if someone would make the salad. As cook, I had the right to ask for assistance when needed.
We'd bought some "bag" salad, so I thought the task somewhat less than onerous, but this is the look I got from Charles:
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm292/DavidLandis/P2040079.jpg)
Turned out Charles thought I'd lost my Yankee mind since we didn't have tomatoes, raddishes, and other fixins he was stumped as to how was he to make a salad anyway? (He wasn't there when we put the grub away to see the pre-prepared "bag" that needed opened and put in dishes and roust out the dressings!) :rolleyes:
***
Them West Coast boys take their eating seriously apparently, cause something must've gotten said to Ken and all I got was a "go ahead, touch my greens!" look: :eek:
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm292/DavidLandis/P2040080.jpg)
***
About that time, I turn around and catch Joe lost in a lot of thought...snapped the pic and had to wonder if he was thinking to himself: "What the devil have I gotten myself into with this crew?!"
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm292/DavidLandis/P2040083.jpg)
The camp as we said was incredible: YOu'll note on the side of the right hand door there is the word LASCH spelled out in forged Horseshoes...very cool.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm292/DavidLandis/P2040076.jpg)
Wish I had a wider angle lens to get the add-on where we ate and had the couch, TV, and a set of bunks, but this is shooting thru the door to the kitchen and "master" bedroom!
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm292/DavidLandis/P2040074.jpg)
As the reader will note, after my self-induced trauma from the "Revenge of the Rubber Attack Boots", Friday afternoon, I hobbled across the cut bean field to a ladder stand, dragging one leg like the Hunchback of Notre Dame, but it was a beautiful sit!
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm292/DavidLandis/P2050088.jpg)
That was the bean field we saw game in near dark.
This was the ridge rising up directly in front of me that looked like it should give up game at any moment!
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm292/DavidLandis/P2050086.jpg)
To my left was uncut corn and this is the trail along the base of the ridge I expected "MR. BIG" to stroll any moment.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm292/DavidLandis/P2050084.jpg)
Since I spent a goodly amount of time around the camp in the AM waiting for the spasms in the hamstring to let up a bit, I did get this one shot of the front 'yard' that just makes me ache to be back there!
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm292/DavidLandis/P2040077.jpg)
What a glorious place and what incredible company to share it with. Aside from the hazards of my very own Attack Boots, I can say this was the best camp experience of my life and I was blessed to have been there with these fine genlemen.
Thank you all and also to my benefactor who made my presence possible!
:campfire: :archer:
It might be a while before we hear from Whip again, I'm sure he threw his cell phone through the TV last night on that last score against the Badgers. :banghead: :banghead:
I'm with you David, I certainly would have liked to have stayed at the cabin at least another week or two. Good luck to Whip, perhaps he can go get a new phone and send us some hero pictures when he shoots the Whopper in Wisconsin. We know they are there. :archer2:
Charles and I got a big laugh out of Davids request to " do the salad " .... finally I got up, walked over and gave the bag a big shake and put a handfull in my bowl ... salad was done.
I'm sorry I missed all this good "writing and squeeling" (as opposed to "show and tell" - ;) ) as it spiraled out but on the other hand I get the "full MaGilla all at one sitting. Great report and pictorial guys and good to see you all through the "Eyes of St. Jude", and the Pound Cake Wars. Y'all done great and it's good of my old friend Dave to stir my "ashes" and get me here to read it. Enjoyed it the most and so pleased that Dave got to take a well deserved break from his "homelife problems", through someones generousity. I have always told him that even cheer leading is a huge help to the annual St. Jude Auction(s), and can be very rewarding in itself. This was certainly an extra special reward. Sorry for the mishap with the boots (mine give me a fit sometimes too - but never like that - Man that is one huge bruise - the worst mine ever do is make my foot or calf go into a cramp.
Beautiful camp and country up there, whip.
QuoteOriginally posted by elkken:
Charles and I got a big laugh out of Davids request to " do the salad " .... finally I got up, walked over and gave the bag a big shake and put a handfull in my bowl ... salad was done.
:biglaugh: That was my thought..just figured it'd help smooth the dinner get rolling without me hobblin all over to get bowls, the bag, the forks and dressings out while tending the peas inside, but when you guys told me later of your conversation about "how'd he expect me to make a salad?" I really laughed!
You might be right about Joe and the phone thru the TV! I'd expected an update txt at least, but he did say he was going to be busier than a dog in a fireplug factory working on some issues with a state wide group's convention. :eek: :rolleyes:
I'd have voted Joe the most "laid back" person I've met in a while till the Sunday Green Bay game was due on! He surely did get revved up for that! :jumper:
Hope all is well with Charles and his friend's situation... miss his antics and comments on here.
Hell, I just miss all you guys period! Withdrawals is hitting baaad! :)
I'm back home for a short visit. Just long enough to kiss the wife, wash some clothes, plan a banquet, and head back for more hunting.
Deer activity was pretty slow this past weekend, and once again no deer were harmed in the process. Hopefully that changes soon - I'm running out of time fast!
I have to say this was the probably the easiest I've ever had it at the cabin. Dave is alergic to onions (of all things!) so he offered to handle the menu planning and cooking to make sure we didn't poison him. Sounded good to me!
I just sat back and was waited on hand and foot. Dave's unfortunate boot attack meant he spent even more time around the cabin and ended up cleaning the cabin, doing the dishes, fetching wood, etc., etc. in addition to cooking our meals. What a treat! I could get used to having a cabin boy!
And to think he couldn't even talk anyone into helping to make a salad :campfire:
Hey, there our host is!!! Sorry there wasn't more activity for you, but it's coming!
Son, anytime you need a "cabin boy", you let me know... I only broke one cup with soapy hands, and burned way too much wood...but I'd get better w/ practice! :)
Sitting in any one of the beautiful stand locations I saw thru pictures or my own short experiences, would make time pass well.
you surely do have your own li'l piece of heaven right there!
As for blood, I drew some, just not on the ground... :eek:
I don't know if I could have had the week go much more prefectly, aside from the torn hamstring, but all good things have a cost!
Thanks so much for such a wonderful experience and grand memories!
Back up top.
Charles is home and I want him to find this easy enough!
Let's all join in prayers for his good friend awaiting a heart transplant as we enjoy our time in the fall woods!
Welcome home, Charles!
Prayers sent for a successful surgery. Oh and thanks for taking us along for the week
:pray:
First a warning: This post as most things you read on the internet will contain both fact and fiction. Tomorrow is supposed to be a rainy day in Carolina and I'm am going to try and read through this and straighten out the ramblings and halucinations Doc Nock had while he was taking all that pain medicine[he was taking my prescription strength and some of the "house liquid" at the same time].
Glad to see you here Charles! Lil'D got your note today. Top shelf, sir....taking time out for that given the more important things you've had to tend to lately.
Great Stuff guys. You make me miss home. As far as being a sports fan of the Badge or pack, guess you have to live there.
Ruh-roh...Charles is in the house! :)
Careful, Sir...what happens in camp, stays in CAMP...and people that shower in glass houses should do so in the basement! :rolleyes:
don't you go stirring the pot mischief maker! :saywhat:
Wonderful story fellows...thanks for bringing us along. Prayers for a speedy recovery Dave.
I loved this read!
Doc I'm sorry that you got a "raw deal" with your rubber boots that are obviously evil possessed.
I would make sure that another human foot ever got placed in them again and especially yours..lol
Thanks all who contributed to the telling of a great time spent with friends under some amazing conditions and accommodations.
:campfire: :archer:
I bet you could bait a Wensel with a pound cake...PR
Very good tale fellas I enjoyed it. Doc Noc if rubber boots do you like that a pair of waders we wear down south would be really bad. lol.RC
Don't ya'll go feeling too sorry for Doc Nock,he got to stay in camp with Lil D's lb cake while we were out hunting. One time when I got back in from the morning hunt, the cake had really gotten smaller and I found 2 big pieces wrapped up in his sleeping bag.Oh yeah, one of the things that made each slice of that cake so good was that we had a special "POUND CAKE KNIFE" made by world reknown knifemaker, Tippet himself. I was the lucky one to win that great knife after the 2011 St Judes auction
Charles you mischeif maker! That is sooo not true!
I was sorely tempted, and did snitch some of the $33 pecan pie Ken brought one day, but that Pound Cake was sacred ground to me.
I did accept you guys' gracious offerings of more than my due slice (thanks, Robtatto) but nope...never touched it, ya fibracator you! :laughing:
I will admit though, Charles, that those first 2 mornings after we got there, I was conflicted.
I really hated the level of pain in that leg, and not being able to go out, but that cold snap made it seem a little less punishing to have to be camp bound as "camp boy!" :)
RC, I like the rubber boots...swear by em. All I've had to wear for the past 18 yrs were rubber knee highs...gave up on leather.
Just that with age and a high instep, the ankle fit have given me fits the last few years and this time, got me!
I've trapped out West and back East and lived in hippers. Fly fish guiding, we lived in Chest waders...with real shoes!
Nah...just them ultra tight ankle things are harder to get off than cockleburs on a fleece jacket!
(http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu328/charles_10/POUNDCAKEKNIFE.jpg)
Heres a better picture of the POUND CAKE KNIFE
Charles,
No more deserving individual could have been drawn for that knife than you... I'm sure it does a wonderous job choppin and dicin salad fixins at home! :rolleyes:
Good read guys. Nice to see pics of everyone.
Thanks for sharing.
Looks like Whip,Elkken and Doc Nock have have done a good job on the stories and pictures. Some of those scenes from Whip's place would make a good Thomas Kincaid painting.
My time on stand went about like the rest with close sightings of what would be good deer down in the Carolina's. One evening I had 2 really nice tom turkey roost about 50 yards from my stand. I had purchased a turkey tag at Walmart in Black River Falls so I went back the next morning hoping they would come my way but they flew down towards the neighboring property. The last morning hunt they did give us a couple of "goodbye" gobbles. Whip should have some good bird there come spring. Thanks to Whip for being so gracious to share his place and take the time to spend with us. I have to say that without Sunny Hill the pound cake war would never have reached this magnitude- over $15,000 for St Judes just this year. I hope Sunny gets him a big ole buck at "Camp Bastard"
I can believe I missed this post...but being with out power for days will do that! I'm also sorry I couldn't join in the hunt...but I was commited to a little Atlantic salmon fishing. What a great hunt. I take my hat off to y'all for your generosity to the kids. Written from my tree stand without help from spell checker & big thumbs...tippit
Jeff,
You WERE a frequent topic of the early camp days all wishing you could have joined us...! Whip shared you were off flailing the waters for Salmon! Not a bad alternative, I might add!
Charles,
I'm sure you could add a few pics that would be of value before this slips off into oblivion, but alas, the memories and friendships made will never be lost!
I am tickled to report that I was finally able to get out into a tree stand yesterday late afternoon. The "purple hue" is now localized just behind the knee, but any sitting a bit still causes a "butt toothache", which has to be experienced to understand.
I can't walk fast. I don't have the ability to climb much by way of hills, but a friend's flat ground along a creek with an easy walk in provided an exciting afternoon. Sat 90 min, then stood 90 min to close the season. Saw 3 bucks and 5 yearlings. No shots and didn't them bucks PIN ME in the tree at dark--again! :)
Today, things are moving slow & sore, but I'm going to try to gear up for a couple days end of next week to travel to central state to see if I can negotiate the one modest hill and likely sit a makeshift ground blind or two to close the Penna season.
Thanks for the chance, Whip and thanks, guys, for all the great memories!
Not bad going hunting to night lets hope I get one.javascript:void(0)javascript:void(0)
I enjoyed every word guys. Thank you for taking us along :)
:campfire:
Good stuff!!!!....waiting on a phone call....and it still hasn't rang....that's how I got through it all.
:campfire: