R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 167
September 28, 2015
Indian Cliffs Ranch Part 4 — Boarding the Hayride
The Rimrock Cliffs that give Indian Cliff Ranch its name
There are two main areas here at Indian Cliffs Ranch. The primary area is home to the Cattleman’s Steakhouse, zoo, and various other features and attractions. Here’s a map (click to enlarge; map key posted below):
Indian Cliffs Ranch — Cattleman’s Steakhouse tour area
1. The world-famous CATTLEMAN’s STEAKHOUSE
2. Bus and R.V. Parking
3. Game Bird Pens
4. Administration, Party Sales
5. HORSEMAN’s CLUB Party Facility
6. HEADQUARTERS Party...
September 25, 2015
Indian Cliffs Ranch Part 3 — This Place is a ZOO!
Indian Cliffs Ranch Zoo
The history of the Old West is inextricably linked to the cattle of the Old West, as well as the American Bison. And since Indian Cliffs Ranch enjoys capitalizing on their Wild West image, you just know they had to have examples on site.
Posing for a Buffalo Head Nickel?
There are today about a half million American Bison in North America today, of which only 15,000 are free-roaming animals in the wild.
American Bison, a.k.a., “Buffalo”
But compare that to numbers in t...
September 23, 2015
Indian Cliffs Ranch Part 2 — The approach to Cattleman’s Restaurant
Front gate adornment
Don’t arrive at the entrance gate to Indian Cliffs thinking you’ll go straight to Cattleman’s Steakhouse. Ain’t gonna happen, pardner. There be too much to see along the way.
The road to Cattleman’s Steakhouse
Immediately past the gates you’ll find covered wagons harking back to the Old West:
Covered Wagon
These “Prairie Schooners” are just the beginning of your journey to the Cattleman’s parking lot:
Covered Wagon
Rounding the first turn to the right you’ll stumble upon...
September 21, 2015
Indian Cliffs Ranch Part 1 — Cattleman’s Steakhouse
Entry gate to Indian Cliffs Ranch and Cattleman’s Steakhouse
About fifty minutes southeast of downtown El Paso, just over an hour from Casa Wicker, situated some six miles north of the Fabens Exit (Exit 49) off I-10, is a working ranch straight out of the Old West. This ranch has been used in many movies, and is home to one of the highest rated steakhouses in the country.
I’m speaking of course of the Indian Cliffs Ranch and their famous Cattleman’s Steakhouse.
Over the next two weeks we’ll b...
September 18, 2015
Fun Photo Friday — 1940 Zella-Mehlis Walther PP
1940 Walther PP
Well, it is firearm week. So of course this week’s Fun Photo Friday had to contain a fun firearm photo session.
1940 Walther PP
It pays to establish a good relationship with your favorite locally owned gun store. It really does. Indeed, for a collector it is vitally important to do so.
Zella-Mehlis roll mark
Part of that bonding is to convey to your dealer your tastes in collecting. In my case, it’s a weakness for all things Walther.
Nazi Germany proof marks
What you see pictu...
September 16, 2015
Colt’s Series 70 Trigger Put to the Test — Series 70 vs. Series 80
Colt’s Custom Shop Mk. IV Series 70 in stainless
On Monday I posted an initial look at the Colt Mk. IV Series 70 — a current version from Colt’s Custom Shop. In that article I explained how the Series 70 came about, how the Series 70 firing system differs from the Series 80 system used in Colt M1911 pistols since 1983, and why Colt reintroduced the Series 70 in limited runs beginning in 2001.
Colt Mk. IV Series 70 (stainless); Colt M1991A1 (blue)
In the M1911 world, there is a persistent, oft...
September 14, 2015
A Look at the Colt Mk. IV Series 70
Colt’s Custom Shop Mk. IV Series 70 in stainless
This week we’re taking a break from travel and photography and concentrating on another of my varied areas of interest — firearms. We’ll begin with a rather rare bird, a new Colt Mk. IV Series 70. The example you see here is in stainless steel.
But first a history lesson on the Colt “Government Model” M1911 Series 70 versus the Series 80, and the controversy surrounding the latter.
Colt’s Custom Shop Mk. IV Series 70 in stainless
The Mk. IV Ser...
September 11, 2015
Carol Wyszomirski Working in the Salt Mines — Wieliczka
Carol and Annalisa end our tour of Poland with the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which produced table salt for Poles from the 13th Century until a mere eight years ago. That’s a lot of salt.
I would like to take this time to thank both Carol and her daughter Annalisa for sharing with us photos and narrative of their recent adventures in Poland. I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s been a wonderful, colorful, and informative tour as well as a great lesson in Polish history.
Filed under: Guest Blogger, Pho...
September 9, 2015
Carol Wyszomirski is Introduced to Zyklon-B and a Lucky Survivor
Filed under: Guest Blogger, Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation Tagged: Annalisa Switzer, Auschwitz, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Birkenau, Carol Wyszomirski, photography, Poland, travel, travel photography, vacation, Zyklon-B
September 7, 2015
Carol Wyszomirski — in Block 10 with Dr. Mengele
Today Carol Wyszomirski takes us to Dr. Mengele’s chamber of horrors at Block 10 with daughter photographer Annalisa Switzer:
The Pile of Shoes
Block 10
The “Death Barrack”
Filed under: Guest Blogger, Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation Tagged: Annalisa Switzer, Auschwitz, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Birkenau, Block 10, Carol Wyszomirski, Dr. Mengele, photography, Poland, travel, travel photography, vacation
