sageadvice
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LAST EDITED ON Mar-22-11 AT 09:35AM (MST)[p]Going back to the Early Eighties, i was about outa cash on my way home from a couple State muley hunt. I'd been hunting hard, putting in long days, quality miles, and though i'd passed on dozens of decent bucks, i'd not seen one that floated my boat so had not shot a buck. Headed West on I-80, as i neared Elko, i thought what better place to rest up for a couple days and have some fun...apparently those same thoughts run in the family!
The first obstacle to overcome was the thin money clip in my cleanest pair of pants pocket. I pulled into the Stockman Hotel's parking lot, made sure my camper rig was as secure as it was gonna get, and headed inside. Try as i did, i wasn't able to triple my funds playing blackjack while sipping on a iced whiskey n water. The pit Boss was hanging around our table so i asked him if a guy could cash a check in this joint. He smiled and asked to see my check. "Are you related to the Cardoza's outa Livermore" was his question to me after looking over my paper.
uh oh, i thought, but, "yes Sir, i am" was my answer and i listed off my Dad, the Uncles, and family friends who i knew had hunted and passed through this way many times years ago. What he told me next took me by surprise, "see that Bar-keep behind us over there", he was pointing, "go tell her to fix you up with what you're drinking until i get my break, i'll be over".
What the hay, that gal tending the bar took a interest in me right off, before i knew what to say, she'd made the offer that i could shower up at her place if i had a mind to. She was not at all hard to look at and right friendly. So, The pit Boss gets his break and grabs himself up a bar stool next to me, he starts telling me of all the wonderful times that were had back in the old days when my families crew was in town. He said it didn't matter if they were coming or going, there was talk of some serious drinking, wild woman, a fist fight or two, but mostly just of young men playing hard at the game of having a good time in the good time town of Elko, Nevada.
I found myself filling him in on about 10 members of the old crew. Most of the guys that he wanted to know about were either family or close friends, all older now as he was, and none of them still chasen big muley bucks, at least not like they used to. A couple had passed on, heart attacks, i was sad to tell him. Some others were fixen to retire, most all still hunted but they hunted on their own places for Blacktail and even then, they rarely took a buck unless it was really a nice one.
Wish i could remember that fellers name, he was right nice to me. He signed his name to my blank check, said it was good for any amount that i cared to write it for. We talked a bit more of the old days, the hunters, the game, the way it was, things that seemed were important to him that i know. As he left to go back to work, there was a moment of hesitation on both our parts. Seemed like two worlds had momentarily crossed paths and were now about to head their own way again.
Wish i could remember that fellers name. As that goes, i can't remember the Bar-keeps name either and i should be able to cause i darn near didn't go home because of her. I always was one not much for remembering names. Funny though how i remember where and how i hunted the country on that trip. I remember some of the bucks i passed on and a remember the great times i had in Elko on the way home that year. Mostly though, i remember the firm handshake and the warm look in that Pit Boss's eyes as he was about to go back to work.
Joey
The first obstacle to overcome was the thin money clip in my cleanest pair of pants pocket. I pulled into the Stockman Hotel's parking lot, made sure my camper rig was as secure as it was gonna get, and headed inside. Try as i did, i wasn't able to triple my funds playing blackjack while sipping on a iced whiskey n water. The pit Boss was hanging around our table so i asked him if a guy could cash a check in this joint. He smiled and asked to see my check. "Are you related to the Cardoza's outa Livermore" was his question to me after looking over my paper.
uh oh, i thought, but, "yes Sir, i am" was my answer and i listed off my Dad, the Uncles, and family friends who i knew had hunted and passed through this way many times years ago. What he told me next took me by surprise, "see that Bar-keep behind us over there", he was pointing, "go tell her to fix you up with what you're drinking until i get my break, i'll be over".
What the hay, that gal tending the bar took a interest in me right off, before i knew what to say, she'd made the offer that i could shower up at her place if i had a mind to. She was not at all hard to look at and right friendly. So, The pit Boss gets his break and grabs himself up a bar stool next to me, he starts telling me of all the wonderful times that were had back in the old days when my families crew was in town. He said it didn't matter if they were coming or going, there was talk of some serious drinking, wild woman, a fist fight or two, but mostly just of young men playing hard at the game of having a good time in the good time town of Elko, Nevada.
I found myself filling him in on about 10 members of the old crew. Most of the guys that he wanted to know about were either family or close friends, all older now as he was, and none of them still chasen big muley bucks, at least not like they used to. A couple had passed on, heart attacks, i was sad to tell him. Some others were fixen to retire, most all still hunted but they hunted on their own places for Blacktail and even then, they rarely took a buck unless it was really a nice one.
Wish i could remember that fellers name, he was right nice to me. He signed his name to my blank check, said it was good for any amount that i cared to write it for. We talked a bit more of the old days, the hunters, the game, the way it was, things that seemed were important to him that i know. As he left to go back to work, there was a moment of hesitation on both our parts. Seemed like two worlds had momentarily crossed paths and were now about to head their own way again.
Wish i could remember that fellers name. As that goes, i can't remember the Bar-keeps name either and i should be able to cause i darn near didn't go home because of her. I always was one not much for remembering names. Funny though how i remember where and how i hunted the country on that trip. I remember some of the bucks i passed on and a remember the great times i had in Elko on the way home that year. Mostly though, i remember the firm handshake and the warm look in that Pit Boss's eyes as he was about to go back to work.
Joey
