A Hunting Trip in Video

This year's hunting trip was another one for the record books both in number of animals harvested and shenanigans shared. This time, however, instead of writing a lengthy recap, I decided to use video to tell the tale. The story starts about 2 hours outside of Dallas as I am getting into to the hills just this side of the west Texas nothingness. Enjoy...























See you boys next year.

Laters,
jth
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West Texas Reunion

You know, there is something about early September that just gets a guy going. About mid august, I start looking to the sky much more often than normal to see that outline; dove shadow against blue Texas sky. The trigger finger starts getting itchy and I feel the need to start packing my truck up weeks in advance. And what’s the cause for all this angst? Simple: the Annual Vilfordi Dove Hunting Trip to Haskell, TX. It is a fine tradition in which I have had the honor of partaking these past 4 years, and this year was no different. Of course it begins with a drive out to Haskell in NW Texas.

Northwest Texas is hauntingly beautiful; It can be hilly, covered in mesas, or so flat that it hurts your eyes to try to make out the landscape just below the horizon. It gives you the sense of great adventure as you can easily picture cowboys riding through the country or Indians hunting buffalo, but it is easy to look around and feel very lonely as well.

In between the abandoned farm houses and small towns, is an open wilderness dotted only with cattle and oil wells. The roads are long and straight with traffic being almost non-existant. I took my time driving up on Friday and avoided interstates or any other major roads. I wanted a chance to see the land and get some pictures taken. Aaron and I had taken this route 4-5years ago but it was mostly dark and I couldn’t tell what was beyond the reach of the headlights. I made my way out of Ft. Worth heading west and instead of following I-20, I exited off and followed the blue highways up through Weatherford, Mineral Wells, Graham and Throckmorton. The trip took longer but was well worth it. I saw all the above mentioned features and even ran into a lake; of course it was run down.

After arriving in Haskell , I met up with the guys and the fun began. Of course the first night there was grilled steaks, baked potatoes and plenty of yellow bellies. Banter was solid as we caught up from the past years trip. One of the things I love about this particular group of guys is the fact that we don’t see each other often and when we do get together, usually in west texas, we don’t miss a beat. There is no small talk or uncomfortable social pleasantries, we just roll in to where we had left off. It’s good. Predictability seems to be at an all time premium these days and the Haskell crew is definitely a dependable supply. Of course we stayed up way too late (some of us later than others Aaron) but the hunting the next morning was fair. After the birds were cleaned and bagged, we headed to the red Rooster for some pancakes and biscuits/gravy. Nap time was followed by the afternoon hunt that was a little warm but the most successful afternoon hunt I have ever been on. Saturday night’s dinner was masterfully grilled up by Adam “the sports encyclopedia” Vilfordi. Pork, beef and chicken grilled to perfection along with veggies and served fajita style hit the spot as we settled into our circle of folding chairs once again for telling lies and reliving our college days. That lasted once again til about 2 am when we turned in. That was pretty much the end of the trip as the next morning we woke up, packed and left. Another memorable year that will be remembered as a great one… not because the hunting was phenomenal, although it was pretty good. Just to go spend another weekend with the guys telling tales about tails centers me enough to last another 11 months. But there is no doubt that I will still violently look skyward as birds dart over my head for the next several weeks; it’s hard to get the dove fever out once it has taken hold.

Gentlemen, til next year,
jth

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The Rest of the Week

Ok, it's wednesday and man is this week dragging on like, like... well like I can't even think of a decent simile. NOW THAT'S A LONG WEEK!

Tonight we have volleyball but only 4 of us can make it creating a 4 on 6 situation. I still think we will win though. Actually, it doesnt matter because we are already a lock for the playoffs, now its all about seeding. I have only ridden once this week. Celia and I went out by ourselves on monday afternoon. The wind was out of the NE making it difficult to find a long run but we made do. My new board arrived; I was super excited to get on it and try it out, but I was also quite judicious as it is a pro model and the board I had before was a beginner/intermediate. It is a Ronix One Pro. Man I couldn't have been more wrong about this thing. It is so easy to ride; it is light, responsive, the kicker off the lip is much stronger as I believe the board has a much faster rocker. The thing that I noticed the most was how stable it was not only as I hit the wake, but through the air and on the landing. I was tired when we went out on monday afternoon and still I jumped higher and better than I have this whole season. I am in love.. of course my crazy bindings don't match the board but I will take the ride over fashion.

I leave friday for the annual Vilfordi Dove Hunting Trip. Off to Stamford to kill many birds for a couple of days and then come back to feast on them. Man, it is hard to beat dove breast stuffed with cream cheese, jalopeno, and then wrapped in bacon. Good eatin. It will be good to see everyone again, the Vilfordi brothers and Grego from NYC.

I will try to get some pics from the hunt so I can put them on here. Travel safely this weekend and I'll catch up with you on tuesday,, unless I decide to put something on here tomorrow which is doubtful.

-JTH

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