I’ve been home for over two weeks from our trip to New Mexico.  I have been so busy I am behind on getting this blog posted.  A lot of people are wanting to know how we did in New Mexico.  We had a great trip.  We took two bulls and one cow.  As you can see in the picture that I was successful as was Rick Browning on his 5X5 bull, and Mike Dean took a real nice cow elk.  Joe Nemecek had opportunities at some cows but chose to wait for a bull.  We all really liked New Mexico.  I plan to return there one of the years I can’t draw Colorado.  You hunters out there that are returning from your western hunts, send me some photos and stories about your experiences!  

And so we will.  My good friends Rick Browning and Mike Dean from West Virginia, and good friend Joe Nemecek from Oklahoma and I head west for our annual adventure.  Horses in tow and more “stuff” than you need as we make this 1700 mile trek to New Mexico.  Rick and I have made this trip together for the last five years.  Last year was Mike’s first time with us, and Joe will make his Maiden Voyage on an all out bow hunting, horse back riding, sleeping on the ground, eating spam for 10 days, drinking creek water, freezing all night, muscle cramping Elk hunt.  And we think this is fun. We love it.  I’ll bring back plenty of pics for future posts.  A couple “notes” about these guys.  Rick and Mike have to use my Ohio address when they apply for the license as New Mexico won’t allow people from West Virginia in their state.  And Joe Nemecek never does anything but sit behind a desk, so, I am anxious to see how he gets along climbing those mountains.  We’ll see.

It was in 1985 when my great uncle Elmer Lamb began to talk once again about his favorite place and time on earth.  I had heard all of this before, but I was always ready to hear it again.  The “place” was Colorado and the “time” was Elk season.  That day, after the stories were told,  I asked Elmer and his son Herbert, When can we go?  We decided right then that the next year we would all go to Colorado.  And we did. Long story short, we didn’t get any Elk on that trip.  Some never even saw an Elk.   But, it has always been and I suppose  always will be great memories for me.  Colorado was everything that Elmer had described….and more.  Uncle Elmer and Herbert are both gone now but I always think of them as I gather my things together for another trip to hunt Elk in Colorado.  I think this year will make about 15 times I have went to the Rocky Mountains in pursuit of Elk.  This year I am going to New Mexico.  After the long drive with my friends Rick, Mike, and Joe, when I mount my horse “Flicka” and start up the trail into the basin ahead of me, I will remember how these adventures got started, and those who took the time to show me some of God’s most beautiful creation.

Are you like me?  Just like to get away sometimes and think?  This has been a busy day for me tracking the progress of the projects I have going on right now.  Talking with Debbie at CRT about my upcoming DVD that will be going out to TV shows around the country, Jared and I have talked and text all day about the artwork for my new CD.  Not to mention several text to Rodney in Huntington about my lost sample DVD.  Actually though, I really enjoy this stuff.  It’s all a part of being an artist.  Being creative and seeing your work finally come together and you eventually will enjoy putting the first one in some ones hand.  Hopefully, the “first” of many!  

Theresa holds the newest member of the family!  Our new great-nephew CARTER was born yesterday.  Erica and Doyle are the proud parents.  Theresa’s brother Tim and sister-in-law Anita are first time grandparents. Carter makes the fifth generation.