Well I guess I'll tell about it first. If you decided not to go, and this ain't directed at Tim, and Frenchy, you really missed a great time. There was a pretty good crowd but still small. I would guess about 25 or so. There were more than last year though. Some of the new ones were Dale, Ronald, Billy and Ron. John Nail even stopped by for a visit on his scooter. There was a fellow from Bedford who had a bunch of osage staves and billits for sale cheap. $20.00 for some pretty nice stuff. There was another guy from Ohio who had some for sale for about the same price. I belive his name was Jeff. Bryan and his crew were there again, and made the most shavings. The two fellows from Northern Ind, and Ill. were back once again. Anyone that claims to be a bowyer needs to see their work. Chris was camped near us and had a lot of good wood for sale, I bought ten hickory backing strips for $10.00 from him. The Morgantown crew was all there. Critney and Jerry smith had a tent set up right next to me that looked like something that the Sheik of Araby would stay in. I dont know how many rooms that thing had but I belive anyone that wants to stay next year could find room to throw a cot in with them I'll be back.
Ok. Fri evening Adam showed up with his Orc hunting bow that won bow of the month from Prim. Archer I belive. That looked like the kind of bow Ronald should be shootin He also had a homemade X- bow that showed off his woodworking skills. Doyle came up all day Sat. and busted rock. Everytime I looked over there a crowd was always gathered around learning from him. He gave away a bueatiful point that we put names in a hat and drew. Tracy Fairchild's son won Doyle brought a fellow named Todd with him that was very interesting to talk to. I belive we'll see him at the shoots. Ronald brought his string making stuff and made free strings for anyone that wanted one. He also taught a couple how to make them.
Me and Ronald drove up Fri. afternoon in seperate trucks. We both had too much stuff to fit in one THat decision will play a part later in this story The weather was perfect and others started rolling in. We started a big fire in the fire ring that was provided and had plenty of split firewood stacked up by the club. Aftre grilling off some ground chuck burgers, and I don't mean wood chuck, we all settled around the fire. There was about ten or so of us and I heard many great stories and might have told a couple myself. We talked about archery and hunts and critters and stories I'll never forget. I think the best one though was about the rattle snake that went looking for his own head I kept hearing peoples say that we was living the high life and before you knew it , it wes almost midnight. Oops be back
Well, sat morning around daylight Ronald called me to come get some coffee. When I crawled out of my tent I saw a few already up. They had the fire stoked and fresh strong coffee ready. All of a sudden a big pack of yotes cut loose right down in the hollow below camp. Ronald said he couldn't they were that close cause he got up about 4:00 am to step outside and that camp sounded like a whole pack of lion we're sleeping there
More people rolled in that morning and the business of bowyerin started going on. There was only so much we could do though cause we didn't have a band saw. Next year that will not be a problem, Im sure. I started working on my all hickory bow that is a copy of John Frenches that he made up there last year. Mine is not quite like his though. I guess I didn't look at his bow close enough. Everyone agreed that mine would be a handshocker. Well I'll see.
Anyway Billy and Ron showed up, and with me and Dale and Ronald, we all headed to the 3-D course. They had 14 targrts set up for everyone to shoot at. They had a can for donations for shooting and I put in a few bucks. I didn't know I was gonna donate three arrows on the course too I stepped up to the first target and drilled it from about 60yds. Everyone couldn't belive it. I said closest to the ten ring gets to chose the shot. I put on a shootin clinic for the next couple targets. Then suddenly the wind changed or something and I was done. Ron and Billy was like when you played HORSE and the guy that can make left hand hook shots gets the ball, it's all over. It was a lot of fun anyway. I saw some incredible shots. Pure luck? I don't know.
We went back to camp and had a great day. I guess the highlite was our feast. We had fried turttle, smoked deer leg, Silver Queen sweet corn and a big pot of baked beans. I dont know how many stopped by but it all went fast. About the time we were all full, Garry Miller and his boys came back up from the lake with a whole basket of slab Bluegills. I think it was Todd that was good with a fillet knife and a few minutes later we were eating the freshest fish possible
Dang. I guess all that turtle we ate slowed us down cause we set around and talked bows and huntin and whatnot. Finally someone said let's go shoot and off we headed with a big group. Greg from up around Morgantown was with us and was shootin pretty good. He says he's ready to take on French if he ever shows up again
Ronald was having so much fun that he went across the road to the porta can and was setting in there with the door open. I guess he didn't want to miss anything
The day went by real fast and just about dusk I started hearing that Morgantown Express rumblin in the distance. I told Ronald that we had to make a decision. Make a run for home or stay and die. We decided to run Chris said his wife called and said severe weather was on the way We loaded up in a big hurry just like last year while the thunder was getting closer. We finally threw the last of our stuff in the trucks and were done.
I got ready to take off and saw Ronald going back over to the fire. I said arent you ready to go and he said he'd be along. I took off cause I wanted to get home.
Let me try and finish. I left and could see constant lightning flashes to the north. When I came to the end of the lane, I wasn't paying attention and turned on Conservation road the wrong way I was supposed to hit highway 252 and go right down to Morgantown. Instead I hit Old Morgantown Rd. I figured it has to go to Morgantown, so I picked a direction and went with it. After a couple or so miles I was begining to reconsider. I turned around and went back the other way. I came to Con. Club Rd again and went straight. This had to be the way to Morg. cause it's only a couple miles away After driving a little I knew I was Lost I saw somekinda big lit up tower off in the distance and thought it must mean civilization Wrong. I finally made it cross country and came upon what I guessed was a secret military instillation. This place was a big complex that was all lit up but I saw no indication that any people were around. I stopped and could feel someone or something was watching me. I called Ronald on the phone and said where are you. He said almost to Morgantown and I said" It's been nice knowing you but you'll probably never see me again". He said goodbye. I knew I had to do something before the aliens came out after me so I headed back once again. This time when I came to Con. Rd I turned down it and it led to Hwy 252. I was safe at last. I cant wait till next year
Man Dennis, I didn't realize how much I missed before I got there! Even though I wasn't able to be there like I had planned, it was better than not at all. Nate took that point into school with prior approval and ended up talking about it to other classes in his school. He's really proud of that point. He may forget my name, but he won't forget Doyle's. After you left, the idea of a Sat. evening pitch in/game roast for all would be a big hit next year if all agreed. Doyle mentioned that he would like to donate another point. I think you'll do just fine with that hickory paddle bow, maybe flip the tips will reduce the shock if any. Also the tiller job will lessen the shock,ie bendy handle or stiff. Lots of fun! Jim, Gary and Jerry told me that I need to get to the shoots in Scottsburg more often and that it's more about fellowship than scores. Good bunch of people , this group.
I don't think I can top Dennis's fine rendition of the events at the bowjam, so I won't try. I will say that for the guys that weren't there, you missed it. I think our gang did get the award for the most shavings! We made some headway on Greg's bow, and a little on mine. Like everyone else, we ate way too much! Those deer chops and steaks Bill Humphrey cooked over the fire would smack Ron Nix in the mouth they were so good! I agree, Dennis, we need a bandsaw there next year. I've been to both of the jams, and I know for a fact I will be there again next year!
__________________
I can see the zero's comin out of that turkey's mouth as I walk to the target!
I'll be back.
He also had a homemade X- bow that showed off his woodworking skills. Doyle came up all day Sat. and busted rock. Everytime I looked over there a crowd was always gathered around learning from him. He gave away a bueatiful point that we put names in a hat and drew. Tracy Fairchild's son won
Doyle brought a fellow named Todd with him that was very interesting to talk to. I belive we'll see him at the shoots. Ronald brought his string making stuff and made free strings for anyone that wanted one. He also taught a couple how to make them.
The weather was perfect and others started rolling in. We started a big fire in the fire ring that was provided and had plenty of split firewood stacked up by the club. Aftre grilling off some ground chuck burgers, and I don't mean wood chuck, we all settled around the fire. There was about ten or so of us and I heard many great stories and might have told a couple myself. We talked about archery and hunts and critters and stories I'll never forget. I think the best one though was about the rattle snake that went looking for his own head
I kept hearing peoples say that we was living the high life and before you knew it , it wes almost midnight. Oops be back
I stepped up to the first target and drilled it from about 60yds. Everyone couldn't belive it. I said closest to the ten ring gets to chose the shot. I put on a shootin clinic for the next couple targets. Then suddenly the wind changed or something and I was done. Ron and Billy was like when you played HORSE and the guy that can make left hand hook shots gets the ball, it's all over. It was a lot of fun anyway. I saw some incredible shots. Pure luck? I don't know.
Chris said his wife called and said severe weather was on the way
After driving a little I knew I was Lost
