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Monday, October 31, 2011

TNT Outfitters...the finest Outfitter there is!

Okay...maybe I am a little bias! But I believe they back it up well! :) For those that don't know my fiance, Josh, works for TNT outfitters! Him and his brother started this outfitter a few years ago. It has been so neat for me to see it grow over the past 4 years! From their first year in Colorado to now, being fully booked and having Texas hunts and the success they have had in such a short amount of time & being one of the youngest out there. Like anyone, it is so rewarding to see someone you love, enjoy their job so much and work so hard & for it to pay off in big ways! :) because of this I am so proud of Josh and what he has done the person he is! :) A hunter posted a story on the hunting forum about his trip and hunt with TNT Outfitters! It is such an awesome story and I wanted to share! I am so proud! :)
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My dad and I had the fortunate opportunity to go hunting with Taylor Horton, Josh Nash, Rick and Matt aka “Cooky” of TnT Outfitters this past week outside the Historic town of Durango Colorado. Taylor met us mid-day Friday at the local Wal-Mart and walked me through the process of getting my hunting license and mule deer tag, which made it very easy. We then followed him out to the ranch, which ended up only being 16 miles out of town, 4 miles of asphalt then 12 miles of ranch roads. Who would have guessed we would have been on a huge ranch within sight of one of Colorado’s most visited towns. But make no mistake the ranch was secluded, electricity was provided by Honda and they did have a hot water system for the shower and sinks. As we pulled into camp, I noticed there were two outdoor toilets off to the side, which told me there was going to be some “Good” cooking going down in this place. While stepping out of our Jeep I seriously thought we were go to be hunting with the Duck Commanders. Everyone was growing out their beards and living the true Mountain Men experience. I was ready to jump on board because I didn’t bring a razor either. Nonetheless, the guides were very friendly and very excited about hunting. Everyone treated and spoke to us like they’ve known us forever. After unpacking the jeep, with the help of everyone, we took off with Josh in search of the Big Muley’s that Colorado is known for. As we pulled to the top of a mountain, it seemed like you could see Wyoming from these peeks. And all my dad and I could think about is, “how in the world are we going to find a deer out there?” But it did not take long with Josh’s trained eye to locate a Doe. Actually it took longer for Josh to explain to us where it was standing. These Gray colored Mule Deer hide so well in the brush. We had one staring at us for who know how long, 30 yards away, and we never saw the deer until it started walking. Back at Camp, Cooky whipped us up some Steaks, Mac-n-Chees, squash and salad for dinner, and let me tell you that boy can cook. The next day had us riding, walking and looking for these majestic creatures. I’m guessing Josh found 12 deer to my 1. We did see plenty of does with yearly’s, which is a good sign being the amount of Mountain Lions in the area. With dusk setting in upon us, we knew I was time to call it a day. Back at camp we sat around the camp fire laughing and lying about past hunting excursions while sipping on a few adult beverages. Between the laughs I kept thinking about finding that one big mature Muley. After a heavy helping of fried catfish and potato salad we were off to bed for the much needed rest. The next morning had us back on top of the mountain overlooking the valley named Poppin’ Johnny’s. The area got its name from an old oil well pump motor that use to pop so loud you would have to wear ear plugs while glassing the mountain side. We looked over the area for about 20 minutes until Josh wanted us to glass the other side of the mountain. As I watched these black squirrels playing in a nearby pine tree, Josh spoke up after sighting a Mule Deer. It took me forever to find it. I could not tell if it was buck or a doe because it kept its head down and it was about ¾ of a mile away. Josh knew what sex it was, he looked up at me stating, “I’m going to get the spotting scope….and your GUN”. “Really?”, Holy Cow that must be a buck down there. After setting up the spotting scope, Josh determined that we were looking at a mature Mule Deer Buck. Josh took off back to the other side of the mountain to get my dad and his remaining gear. While he was gone, Kevin (Josh’s old college friend) and I used the spotting scope to look at this so called Buck. When I finally found it I swiftly stated to Kevin, “Whoa, you gotta look at this Monster”. Josh came back with my dad and saw both our faces with big smiles and our eyes ready to pop out at any moment. Josh asked, “do you like it?”. “What, are you kidding me, that thing is huge”. Josh, “okay, let’s go get him”. The stalk was on. Josh and I started covering ground while Dad and Kevin stayed perched on the mountain top above the valley. As we slowly crept along the brush Josh stopped, looked back at me and said, “he is right there and he has us pegged”. We had to make this quick, so we scooted over about 6 feet to set up the shooting sticks so I could get on the deer. The deer was standing behind some brush and was not moving. 20 minutes went by as we stayed in a Mexican Stand-off with this trophy of an animal. Finally the Beast walked out from behind the brush and I squeezed off a shot. He jumped straight up into the air. Josh stated “put another one in him.” I quickly reloaded, moved over and saw the horns through the scope. Big Mistake. Now I’m shaking all over the place and my heart is beating faster than before. I told Josh, “I can’t shoot, I’m staking to bad”. Josh replied, “just breath Jake, for God-sakes, just breath.” I pulled the trigger and knew I missed, but I quickly gathered my senses and the 3rd shot dropped him. Josh and I were screaming like little school girls in excitement. Meanwhile, Dad and Kevin watch this all unfold from almost a mile way through a spotting scope. This was a true Spot-n-Stalk mule deer hunt. I’m so happy to get this Trophy Mule Deer, but I’m mostly happy that my dad was able to be there with me. TnT guys were a great group of hard working individuals that made this a trip of a lifetime.

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I feel this is what it is about! And it is so nice to know one thing you do can be a memory to someone for a lifetime! Such a cool story!! :)

If you are a hunter or know one look up tnt-outfitters.com and book a hunt with some young, fun, hardworking guys! You will not regret it! :)

Until next time!

Friday, October 28, 2011

K9 Literacy...Changing Lives Forever!

K9 Literacy...something that will hold a place close to not only mine, but Rocky's heart forever!
My boss, Sherri, told me about this program a few months ago after she had heard all of the stories about Rocky and met him a few times. She told me that many of the members here at CT were involved & it seemed like something that would be great for Rocky. I had wanted to get involved in some type of "Rehabilitation" program with Rocky before, but had never had the chance. She explained that you got paired up with a student and the student read to the child and helped the child read because the dog does not "judge" them so they do not feel any pressure! Of course, I was automatically in & began looking into it. Long story short we got all set up with a babysitter on Friday's, lunch hour adjusted, orientation class taken, and passed the behaviorial assesment test! We were all set to start!

We missed the first one because I was in Nashville, blog post to come soon! So last Friday was our first visit! I learned so much more about what this program was about! You are paired up with a kid and they read to the dog for 30 minutes, & then get to take the dog outside for 15-20 minutes to play. The kid may or may not be a strong reader. It is to boost their confidence in reading or confidence in themselves, or maybe give them more one on one time because they don't recieve it at home, the list can go on! From the minute I met "Chip" (Rocky's little boys nickname to protect him),I was thrilled. "Chip" was shy at first and very timid. For the 45 minutes I was there, I saw this little boy change. He gained confidence in just the short time he spent with Rocky. At first, he walked around with Rocky away from the other kids, by the end of the session he was running with Rocky everywhere and playing with the other kids and laughing! Before we left, Rocky & Chip were in the school with all these kids! Chip was laughing and talking while all the kids enjoyed seeing and petting Rocky!It was a feeling I can't describe to see Rocky helping this little boy! Such a neat Program to be apart of and I am so honored that Rocky and I get to spend this time with Chip and make an impression for a lifetime and something he will always remember!

Today it was a little cooler out, so Rock wore his jacket! Chip wanted to make sure he had it on before we went out!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Ooops!

So it seems I have fallen off of the blogging pattern! For good reasons though I might add! I have been busy! Everything from my bday weekend, to time with Josh during his break, to Nashville, TN this past weekend!! TO begin where I left off it was the beginning to kick off my birthday weekend! It began with a fun trip to College Station to watch the Aggies BTHO OSU, which did not happen! We BTHO the first half, but did not follow through the second half! We had a great time tailgating and enjoying Northgate later that might for my bithday! Sarah and Kev surprised me with 25 balloons and a cake when I arrived and then TJ surprised me with my wonderful gift from the family! The weekend was still successful minus the loss!

The group at the game

Kev & Me supporting TNT Outfitters at the Aggie Game!


Sunday I was exhausted! I drove from CS to South of SA for a bridal shower for my dear Friend Shauna! It was so good to see her, and then Rocky and I started the adventure back home! :) My wonderful Fiance came home for my birthday and made it home Sunday night as well! It was so great to see him! When he got home he started honking the horn like crazy and both Sampson and Rocky were laying beside me and freaked. They started barking...but were scared. It was as if they were thinking "OMG someone is really here this time...what do we do?" Then they went CRAZAY when they saw who it was!

Josh and I spend the day in SA for my birthday on Monday! I took the day off and we did a little cake tasting and put our deposit down on the bakery for our wedding cakes!!!! :) Josh took me to Foga de Chao for my birthday! We had so much fun catching up and eating our body weight! If you have never eaten here, you must go! It is amazing! :) It is a Brazilian Steakhouse and is basically all you can eat! You have a card, Red means Stop and Green means Go- and the food just starts coming!
Here is us at Foga de Chao enjoying our lunch!! :)

I am now learning how to golf...LEARNING! I still have a long way to go, but my swing has def improved after one lesson! I cant wait to go to my next lesson! Josh bought me new clubs for my birthday, pink golf balls, & pink tees! I am ready to go!! I can't wait to get better so I can start playing with Josh more! :) We hit at the driving range a few times during the time Josh was home so that was fun!!

Well that is enough catch up for today! Josh headed back to CO last week and will be back right before Thanksgiving! It is going to go by fast though! MY mom is coming down Thursday until Monday this week! Can't wait to hang out! We are going to do registries and look at chairs and get some things taken care of!

Until next time,