Go West old man!: Phoenix 7, side events and Carlene's hike

Carlene's day:
Today I drove 17 minutes to the Desert Vista Trailhead. Callahan stayed in the camper to sleep in comfort. When I arrived at the parking lot, there were already many cars there. I took the Hawks Nest Trail to the Dixie Mountain Loop that included a side trip to the summit of Dixie Mountain. I hiked 5.6 miles with only an occasional tree for shade. The temperature was in the high 60s. It was a pleasant and fun day. Took Cal out for a walk when I got back early afternoon.

Sunrise

Desert Vista TrailsD

Dixie Mountain Geological survey marker

trail from the summitr

rusty car in the wash

Dixie Mountain

Andy's day:

This was the primary day for side events. I started off with 4 Warm-Up stages at 8 AM. Luck had it so that I got yo shoot with some of the best competitors in the game. Holy Terror, Evil Roy and Lassiter. Holy Terror is a several-time Ladies World Champion, her grandfather Evil Roy is a several time Men's World Champion, and Lassiter has won many Gunfighter titles. Warm ups are a more laid back style, not much at stake, go have some fun and get the kinks out now while it doesn't really matter. Now, I shoot that way now anyway but it's fun to be with these guys when they feel this way.

Later Cal and I walked around the vendor tents again. He wanted to go see some people so we did. He has a great admirerer at the SASS office, Ruby Ruthless is a real dog person who seems to look forward to all the dogs that visit. There is a wter bowl outside the office for them.

Later again it was more shooting with the Plainsman event. That uses all black powder guns; cap & ball pistols, which are normal for me but a specialty for most others, plus a single shot rifle which is often a big caliber and a double barrel shotgun. I was the Posse Marshal for the event. It is a lot of fun but it does take a long time.

By the end of PLainsman there was the War Bird's flyover. Always a treat. Followed by the shooter appreciation dinner. This year it was pulled pork. Quite good. free food often is, haha.