On one warm Saturday in August 1882 (2000?), Wyatt and Jane were kind enough to let Sourdough and myself climb aboard their wagon (also occupied by little Wyatt and his cousin Nick) and head up to Pollardville "Ghost Town" (near Stockton, CA) for the first annual OWLHF sanctioned "Big Valley Days" gunfighter competition, which was sponsored by Spirits of the Old West. Although Pollardville was mostly shut down for repairs and upgrades, the competition went well in a roped off section of the main street. Sourdough was lassoed into being a judge, but I escaped the noose (just barely) and was able to concentrate on my photography. It was good to speak again with Mr. Rudy Peden, who has been managing the town for the last few years.
The event went well--and our pards of Gunfighters of the Old West won second place for their skit. (With Dusty Haze winning for best men's costume.) We (SOTP and GOW) had dinner at Pollardville's famous chicken restaurant before heading home. Wait! Wyatt urged his buckboard team to make excellent time--and we were able to reach Roaring Camp (with ten or so minutes to spare) in order to help Scarvy and Ruth hold up a train full of revelers. A full day for all of us! Thanks, Wyatt, for handling your team of horses so well!
If you would like to see a larger picture, just click on a photo in the slide show. The last few photos were taken with a stereo camera.
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