This has been moved from the Humboldt disaster string where it was suggested that we might have a Humboldt party to help those affected by the disaster.

I would offer my ranch as a meeting place but I don't think that would work as it is about a two hour drive from Eureka (but only 33 miles). That would mean an overnight campout.

There are plenty of Brew Pubs. Also if we have enough we could charter the Madakat for an afternoon cruise on Humboldt Bay.

Let me know and also note your blackout dates.

I'm down as long as I've got a few days notice.

Brian.

That makes two of us.

I'm not shavin my back for this if it's just you and me.

Brian.

I'm in.
Allan
(not for the shave)

That makes three, we need more.

I propose that we hold this meeting of the minds at The Tip Top Club.

I'll even provide the quarters.......

Brian.

Spano, if we come will you take us for a cruise on your yacht? Rick

Shhhhhhh! Don't start hitting him up for stuff. I've still gotta butter him up first so I can get him to spot me some money for a pistol I want to buy. Once that is done, you can go on your cruise.

Brian.

Com'on, Brian, it is a really nice yacht and we could all have a great time.

That's obviously not a photo of Spano's yacht.

He'd never lower himself to own a yacht that didn't have a golf course on it.

Brian.

I sold my yacht some years ago, I could buy another but WB said he wouldn't go out on it. So, what should I do?

I'll put on a BBQ if you bring the beer.

What are you looking for? I have a few that could go to a good home for cash or trade.

Tip Top you say? That's close to home but I've never been there what's the menu like?

Kinda off topic, but anyone here (since we're talking about Eureka and the Tip Top Club) hunt with Secret Pass Outfitters near Elko NV?

Weasel---Try these outfitters <http://fabuloustiptop.com/>.

Think we could line up some of those girls as hunting clients? I'd work for free!

Reason for my query is most of our repeat clients are from that area.

I can probably make it. Need a ride, Brian?

That makes four. Should I rent a party from the Tip Top Club?

Weasel---What do you hunt? I've been looking for a hunt that's not half a continent distant.

Mule deer. And you might be able to find someone to share the driving expense. We hunt the East Humboldt and Ruby Mtn ranges just west of Elko NV.

Are you an outfitter? If so send me some info. Maybe I could share the driving with a few of those Tip Top gals.

If you had any of the esoteric stuff I'm after, I would be both shocked and impressed.



I've never been there either, mainly because the commercial they used to run at 1 AM on the weekends featured women who bore a striking resemblance to Danny DeVito.

As for the menu, I'm pretty sure it's all fish.

Brian.

I can drive myself anywhere in the Eureka/Arcata area. Can't go beyond that due to the terms of my parole.

Brian.

I'm pretty sure you could catch a veneral disease from just standing in the same room with those broads.

Brian.

By "esoteric" you mean? I don't have anything out of the ordinary in handguns but I do have a very esoteric rifle in .17HMR.

Are you on work release now?

Wichita's, RPM-XL's, custom XP-100's and the like. And not on the esoteric end, but also vintage S&W revolvers. Also 7 inch Model 41's, prefferibly with the muzzle break.



No. They just got tired of feeding me and sweeping up my shed hair.

Brian.

Used to have an XP in.35Rem. Never liked it, too much recoil. It's gone to a better home. I have a TC in.44mag with a custom maple stock. I'd like to get a .30/30 barrel for it.

Any suggestions as to where to have this get-together? Just about any phone booth should do.

XP's are awesome, but the 35 Remington isn't the optimal round for that gun. You should try shooting my 7mm BR XP one day. Very little recoil (less than a 357), and very little muzzle blast.



Is your 44 a ten inch or a Super 14? The 10 inch 44 Magnum is my favorite T/C set up.

If you want a 30/30 barrel, let me know what you're after (blued or stainless, what length barrel, ect) and I'll find some for you online. Everyone should own a 30/30 handgun. Mine is a Pachmayr Dominator. With 125 grain bullets, it's ballistics are very similar to the 6.5 JDJ.



If it's just going to be four or five people, we could just go to Applebee's during the late afternoon when it's not so crowded. Or a Chinese place. Not like we're going to have to rent a hall or anything.

Brian.

I'd probably be able to make it down... if you allow tourists from Oregon...

Oregon plates are a common sight down here.

Seafire---Just bring your passport and birth certificate. We will have our people meet you at the border and escort you to the meeting place. Do you now, or have you ever, owned any guns, double edged knives, or kangaroo skin boots? If so it would be best if you brought them with you and declared them at the border.---Spano.

If you don't mind wearing a dunce cap, come on down.


Brian.

Not an outfitter, I work for Secret Pass Outfitters, you can check the website, I'm not smart enough to post a link.

I bring one of the 5 or 6 we ended bringing for the California visitors, when we had that get together in Medford....

Want me to bring you one also Brian? Just send me a hat size...we keep a lot on hand for all of our California visitors...get them from all of our California transplant neighbors...

I am sure they are... they are on cars owned by Californians who are trying to dodge the high insurance rates and the high DMV fees in your state...

Being an Oregon resident, I am going to have to get that permission letter from our governor to go into California, plus get that approval from Sacramento to allow a conservative into California for a day...

"Where are your papers young man???..... oh, and do you have any fruit or vegetables with you???"

I think that makes five assuming Seafire can get the necessary permits.

Now as to dates; I will be out of town 12 through 22 May, ironically on a tour through Oregon. Maybe we could consider this an exchange of prisoners? Other than that I'm free. Should we plan on a lunch in Eureka?

Sounds good to me. Let's keep this towards the top so folks don't forget about it.

Brian.

http://www.secretpassoutfitters.com/

Your Google-fu is strong my son.

Brian.

Spano,

If this is open for our special ladies (Warden's) to attend, I could probably talk mine into some fresh fish while we are on the coast.

Daveyreka

Sure. A Game Warden I presume? Might scare off a few of the locals, but I'm clean. Should I put you down for two? That would make seven.

He's callin' his wife "the warden" as in "keeper" or "boss". I doubt she's really a Game Warden.

That one went right by me, maybe because I have a friend who's wife is a Game Warden.

I'm thinking Woodley Island Marina would be the place to meet. They have very good food at a reasonable price. IMO their fish is the best in the County and they have a full bar.

They have a private room that I'll see if I can get once we settle on a date. Throw some dates at me. Weekday or weekend?

If anyone needs info on overnight accommodations The Wife is a Trip Adviser Humboldt expert and would be happy to make suggestions.

Anything that's good for ya'll is good for me. I don't have any serious plans until deer season rolls around. Pick a date that's good for everybody, and I'll be there.

Unless my ex-girlfriend finds out where my house is. In which case, you guys can have the get together at my funeral.

Brian.

How about something the last week of April?

Works for me. Let's see if it jives with everyone else's schedule.

Brian.

We need input from the out of towners.

Spano, you should figure out a couple of dates that works for you, then PM them to the various parties who have expressed interest.

Also might want to invite Frank Martinez while you're at it. I'm sure he'd like to come. Was going to tell him about it when I saw him at the gun shop yesterday, but the BS was flying hot and heavy and I totally forgot.

Brian.

Spano,

My wife is NOT a game warden, she justs makes me feel like I am a prisoner sometimes (Just kidding).

We are both retired so just about any time or date is fine with us.

Daveyreka

Just wondering if anybody currently planning to attend this get together will be bringing their spouse/girl friend or whatever with them?

Daveyreka

Sounds like a typical happy marriage. If you told us she let you do whatever you want, we'd all know you were lying.

Brian.

I don't even let the women I date know where I live. I certainly don't want them to know the people I socialize with.

But even if no one else is bringing their signifigant other, go ahead and bring your's anyway. We're all big enough boys to keep our language clean around a lady. Hopefully she isn't easily bored with tales of gun deals (some good ones but mostly bad ones), stories about the big one that got away and those that didn't, and other mostly true tales.

Anyway, I want to meet your wife. How else am I going to get my paws on your Savage 99 collection when you kick the bucket? I gotta start butterin her up now.

Brian.

No problem by me just don't bring your wife and your girlfriend.

Here is the count so far:

Brian
Allan S
Craigster
Seafire
daveyreka & warden
Spano

That makes seven and counting.

You don't like free entertainment?

Brian.

FYI, I've got plans the night of the 30th, which is the last Saturday in April. If we do it during the day on that day, that'd be fine. Or we could do it on Friday night, the 29th.

Brian.

You be going over to the girlfriend's place on the 30th? Is the Kit Kat open on the 29th?

I've got to take something across the border that night. Don't tell nobody.

And I don't know when the Kit Kat or Tip Top is open. Believe it or not, I've never been there. I don't need to pay $10 to see some single mom with her top off.

Brian.

lmao

I didn't know your parole allowed you out of the County. Don't worry I won't tell anyone.

What would you think about the Samoa Cookhouse for lunch? We could get that long table in the room to the left as you go in.

The more I think about the Cookhouse the more I like it. I'll swing by there today and check it out. Might even take lunch there.

http://www.samoacookhouse.net/index.html

I'm going to put my tether on the neighbor's dog. No one will be the wiser to it.



I think that's the best idea that's been floated so far. I haven't been there since I was about 4 years old. I remember the waitress sitting a small silver serving dish on the table. It had what appeared to be vanilla ice cream in it. When nobody was watching, I snuck my spoon over and got a nice dallop of it, and took a bite of it. I nudged my Dad in the ribs and said, "Dad, there's something wrong with that ice cream."

He just gave me that look (you know which one), and said "Well, that's because it's butter."

You learn something new every day!

Brian.

Went over there today and checked it out. They have a semi-private room that can easily accommodate us. The food is good, plentiful, and cheap. They serve beer and wine and even offer us old farts a 10% discount. It is a very interesting place with a lot of history. There is a small maritime museum in the parking lot.

Unless anyone has a violent objection that is where we will meet. Would Saturday 30 April at 1200 work for everyone?

Take a look: http://www.samoacookhouse.net/index.html

Let me know

That sounds good to me. I'll have to boogie on out of there a little before 5 PM, but I'm pretty sure by that point ya'll will have grown incredibly tired of my company anyway.

Brian.

Thanks for the invite. I planned to be shooting that day and will make lunch a part of it. I'd be willing to bring a couple of my big bore or double rifles if anyone wanted to shoot some before or after the get-together. It might be nice to see some of your favorite rifles or pistols. I just got a BFR 45-70 if anyone would like to give it a go.
Frank

I know exactly how this will go down.

Frank: You want to shoot my revolver?

Brian: Sure.

(shots fired)

Frank: Sure shoots nice don't it?

Brian: Yeah, that's pretty neat.

Frank: I tell you what, I'll make you a deal on it............

Brian.

You know me Brian. I love to shoot the big stuff. I could also bring my 450 Alaskan. You haven't shot a lever-action until you shoot the Alaskan full house loads.
I haven't decided to sell anything lately but if I want to buy any more of anything I have to clear the safe. That was the deal after I moved number 4 into the house. Somehow my wife caught on quickly that it was a new addition.
Frank

Don't know if they allow shooting in the parking lot.

Welcome---That makes eight.

You built that on a 71, didn't you? I kinda/sorta remember when you got that rifle. Don't know if I've ever seen it before.



Your wife is a most understanding woman. My old man wanted to get a third safe. He knew Mom would never let him bring it in the house if she knew he bought it, so he told her he won one in a raffle. She thought about it a minute, then said "I'll pay for a storage unit. You can keep it there."



You didn't try the old, "No honey we've always had four, I guess you just never noticed" line?

Brian.

There's a range all of three minutes or so from the cookhouse.

Brian.

I know, I've been there a few times. Would anyone like to shoot? Since its a Saturday it might be crowded.

I'm not a member anymore. What about you, Brian?

It is generally very busy there on a Saturday morning/afternoon.



Nope, never got around to joining. When I just have to shoot and don't feel like driving up to Simpson, I just pay the $5 non-member fee and shoot. Considering I've only shot there around 3 times in my entire life, I think it's more economical that way.

Brian.

I dropped out some years ago. I guess if anyone wants to shoot we can point them in the right direction. It is a nice range with concrete benches and a pistol range. 100 & 200 yards.

Can I get an updated body count?

I'll be there.

Brian.

Damn the luck. I'll miss it.

Eight pages of "I'll go if you go. Do you wanna go?"

Unbelievable.

What thread are you looking at?

It's only two pages on my browser, and 98% of the posts are bad jokes from your's truely.

Brian.

Well, Brian, I'm an old guy who doesn't like to wear reading glasses, so I use them big azzed fonts on my display. Rick

I am in for Sat. April 30th 12:00 at the cook house.
Allan

Spano,

I will be there at the cookhouse at noon on the 30th. My wife is not sure she wants to attend unless there will be some other spouse's or girl friends going as well.

I am interested in seeing if anybody is bringing a guest?

Daveyreka

Hello Fellas,
I find it interesting to see you talking about the Samoa Cookhouse. I was born and raised there . One of my best friends at the Samoa school lived at the Cookhouse because his Dad ran the cookhouse in those days for the working men that lived in the bunk houses. Him and I often ate there amoung the men .My dad was a millwright at the sawmill and in the early days it was Hammond Lumber Co., later Georgia Pacific .I am trying to imagine where a rifle range would be within 3 minutes of the cookhouse . Awe the memories ,Jim

I might bring Boolitt Bob.

I asked The Wife if she would like to attend and she said, "I'd enjoy that about as much as you enjoy tea with my mother and us girls. You go fart and scratch and talk bullets and tell dirty, racist, filthy, sexist, homophopic jokes and have a good time. I'll be here when you get home."

Damn, I love that woman.

Howdy Jim,
My Grandpa used to eat at the Cookhouse on a regular basis too. That was back in the days before they put the highway around the bay, and you had to cross on a ferry. He worked for Georgia Pacific IIRC. I know my father did later.

If you are headed from Eureka and going north through Samoa to Arcata, the rifle range is just before you get to the mill and the railroad crossing. It's just a small place right off the beach.

Brian.

Damn, she's setting the bar high. I don't know if I know enough dirty, racist, filthy, sexist, homophobic jokes to meet her expectations.

Also, if any of you fart around me, I'll be obligated to rip your heart out with my bare hands. You have been warned.

Brian.

Brian ,
I have often read your post on the Fire and I hear you talk about places that are familiar to me . When my dad worked at the plant we lived in a company house one of 4 that were not in the Samoa village itself . The 4 houses were right where the bridge from Eureka touches down on the Samoa side . There used to be a railroad Roundhouse there. My stomping grounds.When I was in the lower grades at school the High School kids had to take the ferry to Eureka High School . The year before I finished grade 8 they started sending the high schoolers to Arcata . I was sure glad of that . It's good to here from home , Jim

Gun Buff---You would certainly be welcome and you don't even need directions.

Spano I'm getting a little too old . I would never make it on time and I think my arms would get a little tired flying from Australia . But I surely would like to be there ,Jim

Whooooooooooo boy, you sure made it a long ways from home!

I'm still living within 10 miles of the hospital I was born in. I guess I'm just not very ambitious.

Brian.

Not to worry, Mate, they have these things called areoplanes now. Save your arms and jump on one. Bring the Sheila with you. WB and I'll pick you up in my lorry at ACV and stand you a pint at the local.

Good on you and 'gday.---Spano

I just found this thread - Is it 12:00 on Saturday the 30th at the Cookhouse for certain.

Because I think I could make it then.

Heck, I will make it. Count me in.

Brian I was probably born at the same hospital as you , the General in Eureka ,altho probably a diferent day .
Spano my sheila is a Sharon that hails from Mckinleyville . By the way they do have good beer over here (buckets or pints).
I hope you all have a good get together and I will be thinking of you on the day . Jim

I'm not going. I've already been there.

That ... and it's a two day drive from my house.

I'm in.

Actually, I was born at the Mad River Hospital in Arcata. My old man though was born in the old General Hospital when it was in Henderson Center.


Brian.

See you there.
Frank

Spano,

Will be arriving in Eureka on Friday and staying at the Bayshore Best Western. Wife (aka Warden) wants to go shopping so I will be solo at the Cookhouse at noon on Saturday. Looking forward to putting faces with names.

I will be the one with my left arm raised most of the time (to save my watch and jewelry) because I expect the crap to be very deep if Brian (Wheelchairbandit) is up to his usual antics. Hope he brings pictures or better yet dancing girls because I will have a fist full of singles for a lap dance. Yeeee Haaawww

Daveyreka

I would bring some of my lady friends with me, but they'd probably cause you old geezers to have a heart attack er sumptin.

Ain't no way I'm givin one of you guys CPR.

Brian.

Oh yeah? I got your old geezer right here, pal.

I'll put in a reservation for lunch at the Cookhouse; 1200 on 30 April 2011. Not sure how many Tip Top girls would be willing to get up that early but I'll try.

Funny, I was thinking specificly of you when I wrote that.

Brian.

Spano,

Looking forward to lunch at the Cookhouse on the 30th. Should be a lot of fun.

Dave

Here is the count as I see it:

WCB (brian)
Daveyreka
Craigster
Siskiyous 6
Frankmartinez
Allan S.
Seafire
Spano.

Did I leave anyone out? There is room for more.

Time and date: 1200 Samoa Cookhouse 30 May 2011.

See you there. Remember there is a range close by if you want to shoot.

Take a look:

http://www.samoacookhouse.net/samoa-cookhouse-museum.html

I am going to go clamming the following week at clam beach(duh). May do some redtail perch on the north jetty. I'll stay a week or so. Anyone else? PM for #.
Allan

It would be fun to watch you guys order.

"What are you gonna get?

I dunno, what are you getting?"

And on, and on, and on and on.

No need to make big decisions, you either get the lunch of the day or soup and salad. This is not a fancy joint.

I used to know the owners, although I'm not sure if they've sold to someone else (I seem to recall hearing that). They also own the Fresh Freeze in Henderson Center. I grew up about 3 blocks from there and used to eat there all the time. The food is really good. If you've never eaten there before, check it out.

Brian.

I believe they also own the Marina Cafe at Woodley, and Stanton's (now closed). Of the three Woodley is by far the best, Stanton's was by far the worst and the Cookhouse is in the middle as far as food goes but outranks the others in ambiance and local history.

I'll try the Fresh Freeze, is that the joint with all the model cars in the window?

I made the reservation today. When you go in turn to the left then to the right past the old wood fired cookstove. The table seats 14 so if anyone else wants to join in come on.

The menu is fried chicken with all the trimmings, all you can eat. If you leave hungry it won't be their fault. The price is $12.95. They also offer soup, salad and bread for $8.95. Beer and wine available

I had no idea Stanton's was closed. One of the more odd moments of my childhood happened there early one morning.



Yup, that's the place. It's next to Rite Aid and across the street from JoAnn's Fabrics. They're mainly known for their various ice cream dishes, but they make a mean burger too. They use free range beef from Argentina, and it tastes a lot different than your average hamburger.

Brian.

So we're going to have to watch each other eat fried chicken? Whooo boy, lunch and a show.

Brian.

Rite Aid, huh? Maser, where you at?

You know, I had gone almost a week without thinking of that little twirp. Every time someone mentions his name, I remember that positively disgusting video of his that nearly made me vomit.

Brian.

WCB---There's still time to change the venue to Tomo's. They have excellent sushi and sushimi. Let me know.

I don't do the sushi thing. The Cookhouse is fine. Plus, it's fairly easy for the out of towners to find.

Brian.

I could bring you some sushi and sashimi so you wouldn't have to eat all that greasy fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy and boiled vegetables and fresh baked bread and those terrible homemade pies and icecream they serve. I'm here to help. No problem.

I'll let you keep the sushi for yourself. I'll be knee deep in taters and gravy.

Brian.

Ya'll otta rename this thread The "Humdolt's can't get it together"

I think everything is together just fine. Besides, if we get our fingers all greased up, it will make it easier to polish any toys lurking in the parking lot or at the range if anybody decides to go there. Will also aid in identifying the finger prints left on any of Brian's entertainment?

Looking forward to meeting everybody and also having a delicious lunch.

Dave

Anybody have anything to trade or sell?

I've got a Remington XP-100 223 that I might consider parting with. If anyone is interested let me know, and I'll try to remember to bring it with me.

Brian.

Does it have a scope?

Yeah, but I'm keepin that for myownself. I'll throw in the Leupold base and rings though.

Brian.

Will you accept fiat money? How many FRNs will it take?

Give me enough green peices of paper with pictures of dead presidents on them to make up $650, and we'll call it even.

Heck, I'll even throw in the origanal box and manual.

Brian.

That seems a little high. Are you talking American or Brazilian presidents? I didn't realize the dollar had tanked that much.

Bring it, anything you're looking for in trade? I have a safe full of stuff.

That's about going rate, and is what I paid for it in American dollars. Considering the worth of the dollar at the moment, I might change the price to 38 billion Yen.

I'm interested in any kind of quality handgun in trade. Prefferibly a S&W or Ruger revolver, or a T/C Contender or something along those lines. Bring whatever you got, we'll make medicine.

Brian.

Things are just... groovier in Humbolt.

You'd fit right in with the Arcata Plaza crowd Jeff.........

Brian.

You mean "Patchouli Plaza"?

Tomorrow is the day, start rehearing your lies.

"Did I ever tell you guys about the time Elle MacPherson and I played Hide The Salami?"

Brian.

Leave the salami at home, we're having fried chicken.

I'll be there a little early with name tags. I'll need a big one to hold all the names I've been called here.

I believe your's is supposed to say "Daddy Warbucks".

Brian.

If your angling to get me to pick up the tab it ain't going to happen.

You cheap bastard!

Brian.

Wanna split it with me?

Com'on, Spano. Just cash one of those old dividend checks cluttering up your kitchen table and take care of it.

I don't get dividend checks. I have dividends and distributions redeposited. I never even see them.

60/40?

You take the 60, obviously.

Brian.

If you guys don't post pics of your get together - I'm going to post them for you and it won't be pretty.

Guess I'm takin my camera now......

Brian.

How about you pay the tab and I'll pick up the tip.

How about the other way around?

Brian.

It is good to see that Spano got back from the Royal Wedding in time to make this Party.

Have a good time guys.

The Usual Suspects


Brian.

We must have been on the same flight.

We did !

Now we're getting somewhere! Who's gonna' ID the rogue lineup properly?

Great meeting you guys. We had fun talking and telling tales of hunting. Hopefully we can expand and do some shooting later in the year when the weather is to be trusted. A beautiful day today and I even had a chance to test fire some new for me firearms.
Craigster shared his handiwork on a fine little single shot 32-20 and if you get a chance to see it you will be pleased to see the gorgeous stockwork.
I even had a chance to see a young woman I hadn't met up with for several years. We must have parted friends 'cuz she sure remembered me.
Frank

L to R, AlanS, Frank Martinez, Craigster, Wheel Chair Bandit, Daveyreka, Spanokopitas. And you should have seen Frank's mint Snyder carbine!

I refuse to confirm or deny...anything.

I was seriously considering bopping Craig over the head and running off with that Martini. Damn, that thing is NICE.

Brian.

It was great hanging out with you guys. We definetly need to do it again. I had a blast.

Brian.

Also, Frank must be quite the ladies man, because our waitress wouldn't leave him alone. She gave him at least two hugs, if not three.

She must have seen Frank lick his eyebrows or something.

Brian.

No way.....if so Spanky just went up couple'a notches.

I'll start callin' him bra or dude or somethin'.

Plan on a Humboldt County shoot,scratch 'n fart weekend some time in June or July after I get the winter damage sorted out.

I'll do a Tripod haunch of pork and a big pot of beans. Bring your guns and fishing gear rigged for bass.

Brian---Can you arrange for some of the Tip Top gals to come and dance around the campfire in diaphanous gowns?

That's going to be a blast. Count me in!



You're taking your life into your hands feeding this group beans. I'll be sure to bring my gas mask.



That might not be such a good idea. Aren't bears attracted by the scent of fish and cheap perfume?

Brian.

I like bear meat. You could scrub them off before turning them loose. That would be fun to watch.

I don't think you'll need your mask. There's plenty of open country and usually a NW breeze that will clear the vapors. As long as no one cuts loose near the fire we should be OK.

It would probably be safer to just spray em with a garden hose.

Brian.

We could fire up the wood fired hot tub, put them in there with you and set you to scrubbing. I bet we could charge admission.

How much would you'll pay to watch Brian scrub a tub full of Hot Humboldt Honeys?

How long did it take you guys to order lunch? Since the only thing on the menu was fried chicken, my guess would be twenty minutes.

It's becoming obvious who's gettin in the hot tub together here.

FlaRick---Care to join in the fun and show us all how to have a real good time?

I'll watch for the date and if possible would like a chance to meet you California guys. It looks like you fellas' had fun.

What wold be the best airport? I'd be on AK air...

Eureka-Arcata airport, which is in McKinnleyville.

Brian.

Thanks.

Yeah, you could bill it as "Brian's Skank and Wank".

What makes ya'll think that I would let you watch? Haven't you ever heard of performance anxiety?

Brian.

How 'bout we give you half the take?

We'll send a car for you. Bring money.

I'l bring worthless FRN$...or what you aristocrats call "money". You bring gold and silver.

Depends on how much pipe I've got to lay.

Brian.

The Humboldt get together yesterday directly lead to the death of Bin Laden.

You heard it here first folks.

Brian.

Lookin' at the crew I wouldn't doubt it.

We're going to split the 25 million. Maybe Vegas?

Not Vegas...it's too gaudy.

Jackpot or Elko...

Do what you want. I'll be on a yacht in the Caribbean with about 15 exotic young ladies in grass skirts.

Brian.

You wear grass skirts?

This sounds great except for the dancing Tip Toppers. Have you guys seen any of those gals?
Maybe we can expand it a bit to include some selling and swapping. It is a great time to get rid of stuff no longer being used.
Spano, I will be glad to bring items for the feed if you can let me know what you might prefer-- just so we don't end up with a thousand forks and no plates!
Frank
Frank

When in Rome......

Brian.

Yes. 98% of them are positively hideous.

Brian.

A thousand forks and no plates would be about par for the course for this bunch.

I'll bring the whiskey and double stuff Oreo's.

Brian.

T. Great Razooly was at one of the gun shows in Eureka a while back accompanied by one of his girls. It was not a pretty sight.

I was there. He was wearing a white silk shirt, IIRC.

I remember the first time I ever saw that guy. I was at McDonalds with my Dad, eating lunch. We see this red convertable pull up, and Razooly gets out all dressed up with this equally dressed up skank that looked like something out of a really bad porno movie. They waltz in there, and they were acting like they were VIP guests at the swankiest resturant in Manhattan. My Dad and I looked at each other and went, "Who the [bleep] are these people?"

About a year later, he popped up on TV when they were trying to keep him from putting in the Tip Top club. Came to find out later that he was a big time pot grower out of Blocksburg, and most of his business ventures were/are used to cover his tracks with the IRS. I've driven by his place in Blocksburg before, and it's as white trash as it gets.

Remember when he ran for mayor of Eureka, and Bruce Wagner was his campaign manager? Good times.

Brian.

I remember his mayoral run but didn't know Wagner was his manager. Too frikkin funny.

Brian.

Brian.

Brian.

Craigster,

You owe me a new key board with that comment about Brians "Skank and Wank". I damn near blew chunks out of my nose with that one.

It was a really good time meeting everybody and I really enjoyed our time together. I am definitely ready to make another trip to the coast anytime we can all get together.

Daveyreka

It was great meeting you and your lovely wife Dave.

If I had known you were big enough to rip me apart limb by limb with your bare hands, I would have been a bit nicer to you over the years.

Brian.

Some statistics for your consideration:

The place is 33 miles east of Eureka (12 miles as the crow flies) over a well maintained mostly gravel county road.

There are no services after Eureka, cell phone is spotty at best, we do have satellite internet at the cabin.

Driving time is a little less than two hours through beautiful country.

Logging trucks traverse the road regularly and they do get up a full head of steam.

I am no expert on RVs but wouldn't bring a monster. People have brought full size cab over campers with no problem.

There are four ranges: rifle out to 300yds with a one station benchrest. Pistol with metal targets. Black powder with metal targets. Benchrest on front deck shooting across the lake 212yds to metaltargets.

There is a six acre lake with an over abundance of small bass, bluegill, catfish, etc. I am of the "hook and cook" school. If you want to catch and release release them where the bear can eat them. I'm trying to reduce the population.

There are some very pleasant campsites serviced by two outhouses. We have plenty of fresh water and firewood.

When we have the final list settled I'll PM detailed directions.

June and July are good let me know any blackout dates.

I'm in!

And Dave, I'm sorry about your keyboard, it was Brian's fault.

Good idea bring your old toys and trade for new toys. When we get closer we can decide on what to bring for provisions. One thing for sure; if it isn't there you won't run to the corner store. Closest one is Three Corners Market.

Craigster,

Sounds like a plan to me so it is Brian that owes me a keyboard?

Seriously, it was a real pleasure to meet you and the rest of the guys at the Cookhouse last Saturday.

Dave

Forgot to mention there is an old cabin that can sleep six or more if you don't mind sharing quarters with the mice, spiders and other vermin.

Likewise!

I got in today. No snow on the roads and everything is OK. Grilled a steak and had a cigar.

How about the last weekend in June? Let me know.

Sounds good to me.

Did you try to call in any coyotes while you were up there?

Brian.

That weekend will work for me.

That's June 25th-26th for those of you in Rio Linda.

Brian.

I have tried calling with no success, even bought one of those electronic callers. Either I don't know how to call or they are too wily.

There are plenty around. I see sign and hear them howl all the time. Jon Dunn said there is a professional hunter that works for Rice and that has something to do with it.

Digger squirrels?

Yes we have squirrels but they are not plentiful

There's a lot that goes into calling in coyotes. You usually need to do it at dawn, and it needs to be a still morning so they can hear the call from a distance. If they can hear the call, they'll come to it. You have to be paitent and completley still while calling. Unless one is right on top of you, it might take awhile. Also, you usually want to work the volume up slowly, whether you are using a mouth call or an electronic one. If you start out at full volume, you risk scaring off anything that's within 100-200 yards of you, as they will know something is up.



It's most likely Jayce Comfort he's talking about. He's a gov't hunter and works most of the big time ranches in the area. He killed so many coyotes on the Russ ranch on Horse Mountain that you can hardly find any droppings up there anymore, let alone a coyote to shoot. He wiped them out with traps and poison - he killed something like 36 in one night once up there.

He's probably hitting them pretty hard on the Rice ranch, hence the reason they are a hard to call in. They get wise to it very fast. If one gets called in and either is shot at or sees his buddy get shot, they become very wary of coming into a distress call.

Brian.

I've only actually seen one on the place and that was about a week after I bought it. I've seen plenty on the road driving in and out.

I guess the Mountainpussies are taking over where the Coyotes left off. I've seen a number of them but of course I'd never shoot one because they are protected and who would ever want to harm one of those sweet cuddly little things?

I'm thinking of the 19th letter of the alphabet, 3 times in a row.

If you are seeing them randomly on the road, you should be able to call one in. Remember, there's a new crop of pups every year, and it takes them awhile to smarten up. If they hear the call, they'll come a runnin.



They are definetly becoming a problem. At one time, it was big news if you even caught a glimpse of one in this area. Now people see them on a regular basis. I've seen several over the last several years, either while hiking or deer hunting. For every one you see, there's a lot more that you never see.

Brian.

I will let you know a little later on but will be there if I am in the area. The wife and I are supposed to head back down to Ventura to spend a little time with he mom. She is now in a 24-7 care home. I met a bud or mine today and he invited me to a yote shoot on a private ranch he has exclusive access to just outside Santa Barbara. I need to start buying and swaging brass ammo as there is no lead allowed down there. The Condors. I remember seeing them as a kid growing up on the Sespe and Frazier.

I believe I was on your ranch a few years ago to photograph a wedding and family gathering which included, the Westfalls, Rice and Hunt families. If it is the same ranch on the Lake there off of 36 I am way envious. That place is something to behold and yes indeed LOTS OF BEAR.

Frank

Could be. It is off 36 if you are coming from the south. If you want I'll PM you some pics.

Are you a photographer? I'm thinking of hiring someone to do a photo essay of the place. This is the time to do it when all the streams are running, everything is green and lush with wildflowers in riot.

Been here since Wednesday and haven't seen one squirrel. Maybe they are hibernating? Ducks are in, turkeys are thumping, fish are jumping. Saw some grouse.

I'll take it you're refering to digger squirrels, in which case you won't be seeing them until it warms up a bit more. They're probably just now comimg out of their dens, or within the next week or two. Gray squirrels should be out and about though, particularly this time of the year.

Brian.

No grays, no nothing. This place is at 4,000ft and there is still a lot of snow around. Too much snow to drive all the way around the lake.

Do you normally see gray squirrels up there in the fall, or are they a rare sight?

FYI, there's a gun show on the 21st at Redwood Acers. Always fun to go and laugh at the prices.

Brian.

Gray squirrels are not rare but they are not plentiful. I suppose you might bag a dozen a day if you hunted with Patience. I can fix you up with her if you would like.

We won't be in town for the gun show as we will be touring Oregon for a week. I must complete a deal for an M1 Garand with a fellow member.

I will take you up on that offer sir. Gray squirrels are my favorite game to hunt, and as table fare I find them only second to grouse.

Brian.

That can easily be arranged. What do you use? I shoot a 10/.22 with a heavy barrel and 4x Leupold. How do you cook them?

Forgot to mention; the "price" of the squirrel hunt is you clean and cook them on the wood stove. I'll provide the stove and side dishes.

I've used damn near everything for gray squirrels. My all time favorite is the one I cut my teeth on, an ancient Savage 24 in 22 LR over 410 with a Williams peep sight. Another I've used quite a bit is an Anschutz 164 in 22 Magnum with a 2.5-8x scope on it. These days though, I usually tote a 22 Short (either a Browning takedown with a 4x Redfield or an old Winchester 74 with a Weaver K4) or some sort of rimfire handgun. I need to have Grundman's tap my 8 3/8 inch S&W Model 48 so I can stick a scope on it. That will probably be my main squirrel gun this season.

I've killed a bunch of squirrels over the last few years with this. It's an Italian made combo gun, 12 guage over 5.6x52R (22 Savage Hi-Power).



I've cooked them a variety of different ways, and they're all good. You can do the old boil them and brown them routine, although I don't particularly care for that. I like to either quarter them and pan fry them, bake them like chicken, or pan broiled in the oven. The latter is probably the easiest way to cook them. I usually serve them with either potatoes or white rice, occasionaly both. Gravy goes well with them, but my skills in that department are seriously lacking. Some friends of mine in the south like to boil the squirrel, pick the meat off the bones, then add it to sauteed onions and a few other things I forget at the moment, and then serve that over rice. An old friend of the family likes Top Ramen with his squirrels.

I've never, ever cooked on a wood stove before. I'm more than willing to try it out, provided you coach me on it. Last time I cooked with wood heat was when I used to roast hot dogs and marshmellows over the campfire as a kid, and I even managed to screw that up a time or two.

Brian.

Wood stove cooking is easier than you might think. The trick is to keep the fire box going full bore at all times. I cook all our dinners on the woodstove on the deck in the summer.

Ever hear of Brunswick Stew?

Interesting. I'm assuming you can't really regulate the heat then? What I'm getting at is, if you had something that needed to be cooked at medium temps for a long period of time (like a stew) versus something that needed to be cooked at high temps quickly (scrambled eggs or the like), how would you do it? I'm assuming you'd pretty much have to have a rip roaring fire in the stove to have the equivelent of an electric range set at medium heat?

Also, have you ever cooked with a Dutch oven?



Yes. Don't recall who made it, but I've eaten it at least once in my life. Pretty sure what I had was made with chicken and not wild game meat. I know that the traditional way to make it is with either rabbit or squirrel.

Brian.

It is very easy to regulate the heat. That is what makes cooking on a wood stove very easy. If you want more heat move the pan nearer the firebox, less heat move it away. When you want really high heat move one or more of the ports and let the flame hit the bottom of the pan.

Again all this is only possible if you keep your fire at a roar. Your cooking goes downhill real quick when your fire gets low. I use split dry fir and split black oak. I much prefer to cooking on my wood stove over the gas range in the kitchen.

One thing to consider; a wood stove uses a prodigious amount of wood. I have a large stack of fir and a large stack of black oak all bucked and split to stove length. They will both be gone at the end of the season.

Also you can cook directly on the stove top. I fry eggs, bacon and hashbrowns on the stove top, also pancakes. I sear steaks on the hot top before throwing them on the barby.

A good woodstove is a treasure. I had mine custom built. Traded a Ruger Redhawk for it. (I paid for the materials.)

I didn't realize it had ports - for some reason I was thinking of it as something like a wood stove heater, where you just have a flat surface on top. I understand it a little better now - I've seen a wood cook stove before, but it was a long time ago. Pretty sure I've never seen one in action.



Do you like to use fir when you want to have a hotter/faster fire, and oak for a lower but longer fire? Or do you use a combo of the two?



So you're using the top of the stove like a griddle? That's pretty neat. Ever tried making burritos on your wood stove? I would think that would be one of the easiest dishes to make on it.

Brian.

I always start with fir (biscuit wood) to get thing going then settle into the black oak. If I've slacked off a bit and need more quick heat it's back to the fir.

When I lived in Lake County there was plenty of manzanita. Manzanita is by far the best cooking wood I have ever used, the small pieces will just about melt your stove and the big pieces will hold a long, steady heat. I used to make charcoal out of it. I used the charcoal in my forge to make forged steaks. You haven't lived 'till you've had a Forged Steak.

Yeah, Manzanita is really hard to come by in these parts.

I have never ever heard of a forged steak before. Are you wrapping the beef in tin foil and then burying it in the coals?

Brian.

I have an old Savage 24 like that, in 410/22LR combo..

Came from my Grandfather who passed away in 1968...I used it a lot for squirrel hunting in MN.. at about 20 yds, it puts out a pattern about the size of a garbage can lid, and doesn't penetrate into the meat.

My grandfather loved shooting squirrel and rabbit...I have no clue how many he ever took with the 22 LR, but believe it or not, the 22 Barrel is shot out on that rig.....

its an early model of them, so I don't know how old it is...but I know my grandfather took a lot of game with it, as rabbit and squirrel was a big part of his diet...

that Savage 24 lived a long life of use in West Virginia before it came my way...

Maybe Seafire and Brian can bag a mess of squirrel and rabbits for appetizers. We have jack rabbits.

Forged steaks:

I used to have an old blacksmith forge. I'd fire it with manzanita charcoal, put a grill on top, crank up the blower, and throw the seared steaks on. One minute max per side and they come out perfect to my taste, seared on the outside and pink but warm on the inside. This assumes one inch steaks. Serve sizzling on hot platters. The only seasoning I use are salt and pepper.

Corn on the cob, sourdough bread, a tossed salad, and a bottle of California merlot and I'm happy.

That gun must be really, really worn then. Most of the older Model 24's have a full choke. I've killed stuff with the 410 barrel of mine out to around 35 yards, which is really pushing it with a 410.

My old man bought mine for me when I was about 5 years old. Some of the best shooting I've ever done in the field was with that gun. Strangley enough, the best shot I've ever made in my entire life on game was with my old man's Model 24, which is a 22 Magnum/410 with a 2.75x scope on it. Killed a digger squirrel running flat out at 275 yards with the first shot. It just wasn't that squirrel's day.

Brian.

I'll call up my ex girlfriend and ask for a casual romp in the sack before I eat a jack rabbit.

In other words, don't hold your breath.

Brian.

Think I'll leave the forged steaks for you old chap. A steak that is anything rarer than medium turns me right off these days. I used to eat my steaks rare, then realized that the thing was usually cold before I was even 1/2 finished with it. Cold, rare steak doesn't taste very good to me. These days, I generally cook all my beef just "done".

Brian.

Do you ever go to the Elk's Lodge on a Friday and cook your own steak? You can incinerate it and no one will notice.

Why would I have to go to the Elk's Lodge to burn up a steak? I do that at home on a regular basis.

Brian.

Why would a great squirrel hunter even consider eating burnt steak?

1. Never claimed to be a great squirrel hunter, mainly because I'm not.

2. Because I occasionaly lose track of time when I'm broiling a steak, and I'm too cheap to throw away a good peice of beef just because it's a bit crispy.

Brian.

OK. Time to bring this back to light. Anyone still interested? I need names.

I'm going up there tomorrow to do some maintenance and shooting. I'll have my laptop so will be on the line. We will return next Tuesday.

I'm still interested, although I hurt my neck really bad the other day and am having a lot of problems because of it (according to my doc, I pinched by Phrenic nerve which is not good). Unless I feel like absolute gargabe, I'll be there.

Brian.

Bring your doctor.

He's in worse shape than I'm in.

Brian.

since I missed the luncheon, could you file me in on the details?

who's bringing the bong?

Scroll back through this string, everything is there. Let me know if you need any more info, we would love to have you.

I'll PM directions to those definitely attending.

This is a high class event Steve.

We'll be rollin doobies.

Brian.

Just got here and unpacked it's snowing. Bring your long handles.

It'll make the neck feel better.

It's tryin damn hard to rain in Eureka right now. Not suprised that it's snowing up there, as the thunderheads are lookin nasty in your neck of the woods.

Brian.

Nothing will make it feel better. Making it so I don't care about it? That's a possibility.

Brian.

Damn blizzard up here, blowing and snowing. Temp in the low thirty's and heading lower, can't even see the lake. We might not get out until the August thaw.

I fired up the barby and cooked some elk steaks but did the rest of the dinner indoors.

We are hunkered down, warm and cozy, plenty of food, wine, dry firewood, inside temp is 68.

It's pissin down rain in Eureka right now. Can't imagine what it's like up on the mountain.

Did you save me an elk steak?

Brian.

I have some in the freezer.

32 now, no snow, sunny, threatening to be good weather. Projects for today; find the leak in the water system and finish building a support for the concrete benchrest to be delivered tomorrow

better have plenty of food

Brian---Seems like only you and Seafire are still interested. You are both certainly welcome anytime. I'll even cook if you will do dishes and slop the bear.

I'm sure some of the other guys will be interested as well - remember that a lot of them are probably out of town right now for Memorial Day weekend.

Brian.

I think I'll go out and fire my M1 and 30Cal Carbine. Seems fitting on Memorial Day.

I'm still in, been looking forward to it! Tentative dates?

Do we have some sort of reputation out here?

Pretty sure Matt was saying last weekend of June?

Brian.

I guess so, but at least we don't have the reputation of being sheep [bleep]!

Brian.

Matt,

Sounds like it would be a fun weekend. I have too many other things already scheduled for the next couple of months. I am going to have to pass on visiting Eureka until things settle down for us.

Hope you all have a good time eating and swapping stories.

Dave

Last weekend in June it is, 25&26 June.

Thanks Matt, my calendar has been marked.

Craig

I will be in the area. I would be willing to cook some razor clams for that out of the way heart attack.
Allan

Allan---Great, glad to have you and your clams. Where do you get them?

OK guys, coming down to crunch time.

Here's the deal; I'll be there on Friday 24 June and anyone is welcome to come in then, on Saturday I'll do a BBQ with a big pot of beans, if you want to drink anything except water, bring it and enough to share.

Recreational opportunities include: a 100, 200, 300 yard rifle range (bring targets), a metal target pistol and small caliber range, a blackpowder trail, a six acre lake full of small bass, bluegill and catfish. The rifle range has only one benchrest so if you have a portable rest you may want to bring it. Forgot to mention I do have a bench on the front deck and the targets are 212 yards across the lake.

We have many good campsites with plenty of firewood and fresh water. I suggest you plan on at least an overnight because it is almost two hours from Eureka. The road is a County maintained mostly gravel road in very good condition. Although it is only 33 miles from Eureka (12 miles as the raven flies) it is almost a two hour drive. Logging trucks traverse it daily, cabover campers have no problem but I'm not sure about large RVs.

If you are going to come please PM me and I'll send you detailed directions.

I'm bumping this so the rest of the crew can see it.

Brian.

Bump.

Brian.

Bump.

Brian.

Brian, Craigster, and Spano are the only ones signed up so far...

I think the reason no one else wants to come is that they've finally all heard that story about you losing your cool and killing that black bear with a flying crane kick. Craig and I are the only two brave enough to go I guess.

Then again, Craig totes seriously firepower and I plan on hidin behind him, so maybe I'm not so brave after all.

Brian.

Craigster---I'll call you tomorrow. I know I promised to call today but got home too late.

Seafire has evinced interest. I have sent him a PM.

I separated a piece of bone where a tendon from my right thumb attaches to my wrist. I'll be in a cast for the next four weeks, so distance driving is out.
Maybe next time.
Allan

OUCH!!!!!!!!

Hope that heals up for you right quick Allan.

Brian.

I'm going to have to cancel. I've been in bed for a week with double pneumonia. Although I am slowly improving there is no way I'll be able to host a function. I'll re-schedule at a later date. My apologies to all.---Spano.

sorry to hear that Matt...

hope you recover quickly..