Kelsey Bass Ranch 2014 October 3-5

Way to go, HOW team!

Sorry I couldn't make it.

Wow!
Great job everyone!

That was fun, but crazy hot. Had a good time cooking up a load of chili Mac. Sorry I missed the toad races.

The food was out of this world! 
Chili Mac, Chili, biscuits and gravy, pulled pork, pork chops, rib eye, grilled veggies, burrito bar, cheese dip and nachos.  Not to mention the chocolate cake!!  Whoow!!!

All was good, good, GOOD!!  I thought I would help in the kitchen but the whole crew was there and I was just in the way, so....  I ATE!!  Ha! 

S'mores around the campfire, kids reminding us how much fun it is to be a kid, ball game on the radio in the background, watermelon, plus some home made cookies.  Everybody was your friend, no rough language and no one needing it either.  Napping in the heat of the day, then back for more!  I could not think of a better way to forget your troubles and just be. 

Looks like an awesome "all-American" good time!  REALLY wish I could have joined in!  My kids would have loved it too!

Our goal at the HOW events is to give the VETS the opportunity to relax and heal while sitting in a kayak.  We had plenty of kayaks and guides to assist in our goal. Sometimes, just being outdoors in nature, surrounded by people who are empathetic  is enough  One vet who has been with us the last two events spent no less than 20 hours in his kayak during the weekend.  When he left with Ben, all  he could talk about was more kayak fishing,  spending his $ on a Hobie so he could go to the ocean.  Special thanks to bmb for picking up  and delivering Eugene.  Of special note were two vets that shared a common tragedy in
Afganistan.  One lost a leg, and the other has a reconstructed foot.  It was an a learning experience for me just listening to them talk about their similar experience while sitting on the fishing pier.   Thanks to DG for hanging out in the kitchen, VK for the tri-tip bonanza,
Shicken for  the veggies and pork chops, the Wieimarian family, for lunch and laughs; Scott for Chilimac; SkiPro for cleaning the area up before we arrived; RacinRob for getting the kayaks transported and staged; Lastcast for  helping Rob; Rock Fish and Just Robert for support and bringng their boys; AFCM for Chili and TW for tons of food and bringing his two daughters who were the cakes queens.   

more pictures

more pictures.

Found these items after policing the grounds and no one else around…

I'm personally missing a Blunt Nose PFD Knife with a Yellow Handle

If you can't find your knife, I have an extra with a blue handle you can have.

THat's awfully nice of ya Skipper…

  but I could not take your knife, and no such thing as an extra knife!

  Going on my 3rd now,  that blunt one was my wife's,  but usually I lose mine,,, I like the Stiletto…

  Ya can do Damage quickly,  hopefully not to ones self…   

cabelas life jacket is mine, been looking for it. Pole to I think. (kelsie dumped them somewhere) Those are Emma's shoes... We seem to leave a debris trail when ever they come along... Rev left the tie downs I think.

will you be at mooch paddle?

cabelas life jacket is mine, been looking for it. Pole to I think. (kelsie dumped them somewhere) Those are Emma's shoes... We seem to leave a debris trail when ever they come along... Rev left the tie downs I think.

looks like a one stop drop off, and yes to the Moochy Paddle…  see aythen and G;lad your all Good….

I know I havnt given up a big thanks for this event, yet.   However, I did have one, but I ended up deleting it. 

Basically I just said how grateful I was to be able to have brought my kid ,and have the big kids there to help play with him. That was an extremely incredibly badass therapy moment for me.  All the kids where extremely kind to luke and Henry. He had a blast.

As for me, Its just what I needed. And that I did not need to get onto a kayak for it. Even though there is a video that kind of contradicts that I did get into one/on top of one!! (Don, post that soon?) HOW really did come though for me again.  From the bottom of my heart... Thanks guys. Honestly! I can't wait for net time.


And a special shout out to Rockfish for volunteering come with me with his kid.  Really would not/want/could not come with out him being all about it.   He drove. He kept me enaged. And our kids are like future NCKAers (we only hope).  so, thanks man.