I decided at 2 ½ years Beau was old enough to go deer hunting.Actually it may have had more to do with giving mom a break, either way.This is the third year we’ve been deer hunting in western Nebraska.And since the Klepper’s have a cozy cabin out there it seemed like a trip I could take Beau on without too much trouble.This year it would be Drew, Big Ron, Ramon, Beau and myself. Ramon operates a small landscape company in Denver and works with Drew and Big Ron on occasion.
Since keeping tabs on Beau is a full time job I elected not to hunt and was just looking forward to getting out of house for a weekend.I figured it would be good for Beau to go play outside at the lake and hang out with the boys.We lucked out and had gorgeous weather, especially for mid November. Friday afternoon we meet Drew in Fort Morgan and carpooled out together. He bribed Beau with some candy and we had a nice ride.
Friday night we ate posole that Ramon had brought.This may be my new favorite dish.It’s a Spanish soup with pork, hominy, chili powder garnished with fresh onion, cabbage, lime and hot sauce.Something about the chili sauce and lime give it a flavor all to its own.Before leaving I asked Ramon for the recipe and the first ingredient he listed was pigs feet.I quit paying attention at that point because while the pigs feet didn’t bother me I knew Wendy wouldn’t cook or eat pigs feet.I did have an epiphany at home that we could use a pork shoulder instead of pigs feet.So we tried making it and it turned out great.Not quite as good as Ramon’s but still pretty good.
After dinner we all relaxed around the TV and watched Beau’s favorite movie, Cars.It’s probably the only time in the history of hunting camps that all the grown men are sitting around watching a Disney movie.
Ramon and Big Ron had shot their deer Thursday evening.Big Ron shot a 2-point and Ramon shot a doe.So the three of us spent Saturday afternoon butchering the deer.While we were butchering Beau did discover one of Big Dan’s rat traps he had set outside the cabin.I had just turned the corner when I heard a snap, followed by a loud scream from Beau.I ran over to find him crying with his hand sticking out and a rattrap dangling off his little finger.I quickly pulled it off and diverted his attention by running him to the swing set, which seemed to ease his pain.Luckily it didn’t do any damage other than give him a good scare.He still mentions something about the cabin and mousetrap; apparently in his mind they’re one in the same.Drew spent all day hunting with no luck.
Sunday morning Drew went back out but still didn’t have any luck.We all walked out to the woods to set up Dan’s new ladder stand.Overall we had a great trip.Beau seems to be on his best behavior when he gets to a new environment, at least for the first couple days.So I really lucked out and had good trip with Beau, not the usual terrible two’s we sometime endure around the house.
I’m looking forward to making this trip an annual tradition.I just can’t wait until both boys are old enough to go!
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