Hillbilly Herf III - Return of the Rednecks

[Catawbamatt]

Just woke up to Dada and the dog licking my face this morning. I miss all you guys already but it felt great to get back home and the swing of things!
To Dave West:
Your Herf coordinating skills, pure hard work and determination will never be forgot by me. You can count me in for whatever you guys need for operation esteli this year as well. Good luck on your schooling and "the boards" for law school. You're going to do just fine Dave!!!!!
Tn Dave: You became a father figure to me over night. The conversations we had and life lessons you shared will not be forgotten. I'm taking you up on the trout fishing trip in 2 years! (Small fishing Herf trip!?!?) pm coming!!!!!
Dustin: Watching you work in the kitchen is awe inspiring! Coming from a guy that has just learned the basics at the firehouse. Watching a true pro use what's available and turning it into the Mona Lisa of beef roasts was truly amazing. And all under budget. Damn son!
JavaJ Sean:
I quietly watched u take over kitchen duties, coffee patrol and any other organizing like "black bear maul watch" for ish with out hesitation. That's the definition of selfishness. What can I say true BOTL.....
Ish: What can I say? I love you. I truly mean that. You are my brother from a rebel family. And you gave this weekend hell, chewed it up and spit it out. Get some water in ya!!!!!! I'll be talking to you as always.
TN local crew: Thanks for the hospitality, cigars, conversations, moonshine and "other" treats! Thanks for welcoming this "abrasive Yankee" like family.
JCMD and Catawba Matt: Award to the two coolest "young bloods" at the Herf. You guys have that hipster vibe nailed. Keep rocking the great laid back attitudes and big smiles. It was a pleasure rocking the loaner "newsboy" hat Matt!
Mike Madcox: You ever need any chat time hit me a pm. Thanks for the HHerf banner work. I'll be sending you my number via pm.
Mr 4.0: Damn you are BIG dude! But you carry it with grace and style! It was great to finally meet you. I'm glad the Intel was correct and your thoughts of the "GI props" was everything you hoped it would be. Like I told you, Lmk when you can come in and can "inspect" the home lounge for research purposes!
Jmartins: It's going to be ok! Small people generally have full size children! In all seriousness I enjoyed our convos on the back deck. If you need any fathering advice....... Pm TN Dave!!!!!
The Chi crew: It's always a pleasure to hang out with you guys wether it be WI, IL or even TN. I truly believe Chi guys know what brotherhood means, when 6 of us our willing to travel 10 hrs to a Herf.
Andy: Every time we hang at one of these herfs I wished I lived closer bro. You are a laid back, selfless giving dude. You are a true brother. Good luck on your home search!
Bradmc: Keep up enjoying retirement. (If you call still working retired, God bless you) I'll see you at the next one
Wb: No other person I've ever met shows the level of generosity and kindness I've seen from you. Driving to 3fs at 11pm to get ZD and permanent funeral only for us to leave at 3am is just CRAZY!!!!! But I get why you do it! You got that lovin feeling......... Whoaaaa whoa whoa. Oooo.
Ryan Aloha: I'm glad to have had the chance to see you again and we have herfed in multy states and even countries! How freaking cool is that my man!?!?
Rob Skully: You're a great brother. I wish I lived closer to be able to help out with the restore of the "this old house". Take care of those kiddos!!!!!!
Andrew LPFB: Your intelligence is mind boggling bro! . Wether it be your knowledge of computer science or mind and body...... Please don't spy on me or my family!!!!!!!

Partied like its 1999 award: King Kill Doug! I didn't know you were that much of a party animal!?!? Holy shit Doug God bless your liver! (I'm sure mine isn't in any better shape after the last four days) You are a karaoke god!
Joel Smoqman: Good to see you again and thanks for the acoustic guitar advice. I'll be taking some time in the next few weeks to learn a couple notes and then I'm going shopping as advised.
To everyone else I'm forgetting at the moment. I will NEVER forget this Herf. You all allowed me a break in the hecticness of ever day life. THANK YOU!

Appreciate the shout out brother. Loved partying with you over the weekend. Beer tastings and blues! Thanks for being so accepting to us guys that haven't attended a major herf yet. Can't wait to hang out again

 

[sean]

This is a must next year.

Should we make a pact?

 

[mdwest]

Should we make a pact?

if you two dont show up.. we're all going to shit in a SFR and mail it to you while we are there...

 

[Catawbamatt]

if you two dont show up.. we're all going to shit in a SFR and mail it to you while we are there...

Might need an LFR for that

 

[jmartins]

No kidding after the shits I have had...LOL

 

[3/5King]

I'm having PTHD.....

 

[AlohaStyle]

Okay, I finally am caught up on work emails/calls and can check in! lol There's not much else to say after everyone else, but I had one hell of a time and I am so glad to have finally met a lot of you guys that I've seen around the block for a couple years but never had much interaction with. The Herf was a great mix of FOGs, younger FOGs and brand new noobs. To anyone that has never gone to a larger organized herf like this, it is a must. I had some hell of a flights from/to Seattle... red-eye leaving Seattle Wednesday night at 10pm, taking 3 flights to finally land in Greenville at 10:30am. Then going home leaving the cabin at 8:30am and finally walking into my house in Seattle at 1am eastern time. Long damn trips. My point is, it is totally worth it to hang with good brothers like you all.

So many different types of people there... I love how random people can come together and bond over cigars, it's awesome. I won't make many specific mentions because I could write a book, but thanks so much Dave for organizing this herf and extending invites out to anyone and everyone, thank you. You made everyone feel welcome. Dustin, everyone has already shown appreciation... your contribution was above and beyond. Your efforts are known and appreciated by all that was there, thank you so much for taking all the time and effort to do it up like you did! Jfire's dogs, Sean's German breakfast and all the other kitchen duty and prep/cleaning guys were outstanding, thank you! And I couldn't have gotten there without Andy's hospitality and selflessness picking me up at the airport and spending more time trying to get Ish to where he needed to be. Doug left the cabin a couple hours earlier than needed to get me and Andrew to the airport, I truly appreciated it brother. Jfire/Warren being open and willing to get/bring anything we needed, thanks. TNDave... I love your spirit. The self admitted "old man" can still hang out and party like the best of'em.

This was a herf I really didn't know what to expect. I was telling Skully and a couple others how BOTL friends/groups naturally can be all about other people that join around your same time because those are the people posting the most.. when you are somewhat new. Your "BOTL Class" as talked about before, lol. I'm glad to have gotten to know you guys better and it confirmed my opinions that you are some great brothers.

What I'm thinking now... how freaked did @jmartins wife get when seeing some pictures and hearing him spit?!? lol And will @fourkicksfan ever be "normal" again after meeting Ish?? (Love u Ish)

 

[jmartins]

Ryan she was not impressed that is putting it nicely...she said stop talking like that and spitting.
Brother it was amazing meeting you and I had some damn good laughs with you too.
To next year.

 

[fourkicksfan]

Okay, I finally am caught up on work emails/calls and can check in! lol There's not much else to say after everyone else, but I had one hell of a time and I am so glad to have finally met a lot of you guys that I've seen around the block for a couple years but never had much interaction with. The Herf was a great mix of FOGs, younger FOGs and brand new noobs. To anyone that has never gone to a larger organized herf like this, it is a must. I had some hell of a flights from/to Seattle... red-eye leaving Seattle Wednesday night at 10pm, taking 3 flights to finally land in Greenville at 10:30am. Then going home leaving the cabin at 8:30am and finally walking into my house in Seattle at 1am eastern time. Long damn trips. My point is, it is totally worth it to hang with good brothers like you all.

So many different types of people there... I love how random people can come together and bond over cigars, it's awesome. I won't make many specific mentions because I could write a book, but thanks so much Dave for organizing this herf and extending invites out to anyone and everyone, thank you. You made everyone feel welcome. Dustin, everyone has already shown appreciation... your contribution was above and beyond. Your efforts are known and appreciated by all that was there, thank you so much for taking all the time and effort to do it up like you did! Jfire's dogs, Sean's German breakfast and all the other kitchen duty and prep/cleaning guys were outstanding, thank you! And I couldn't have gotten there without Andy's hospitality and selflessness picking me up at the airport and spending more time trying to get Ish to where he needed to be. Doug left the cabin a couple hours earlier than needed to get me and Andrew to the airport, I truly appreciated it brother. Jfire/Warren being open and willing to get/bring anything we needed, thanks. TNDave... I love your spirit. The self admitted "old man" can still hang out and party like the best of'em.

This was a herf I really didn't know what to expect. I was telling Skully and a couple others how BOTL friends/groups naturally can be all about other people that join around your same time because those are the people posting the most.. when you are somewhat new. Your "BOTL Class" as talked about before, lol. I'm glad to have gotten to know you guys better and it confirmed my opinions that you are some great brothers.

What I'm thinking now... how freaked did @jmartins wife get when seeing some pictures and hearing him spit?!? lol And will @fourkicksfan ever be "normal" again after meeting Ish?? (Love u Ish)

I'm still sticking to my story that I was choking on some of Doug's Dakota pretzels, I called for help, Ish so graciously woke up from his slumber, and didn't have time to get on pants to give me the Heimlick. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!!!

You're my boy Ish!!!

 

[mdwest]

give me the Heimlick.

You said heimlick...

all Ish heard was "hind lick"... and rushed in to the rescue!

 

[YodisMatt]

Should we make a pact?

Hell yes, it's on brother.

 

[mdwest]

Hell yes, it's on brother.

Im going to remind you of this next year...

make sure you are committed...

or its doo doo in a box for you yodis...

 

[Jfire]

I've tried to edit the pick of the "Volvo" as much as possible so we could see it. ISH THIS WAS 100ft away from where you slept in that chair outsidewhen Java J came to get me!!!!!!!!!!
Look at the freaking ears on that bear!!!!!!!

 

[Romulus Cogswell]

There's no way I'm missing this next year. Rob, Joe and Jay: Hopefully we can arrange to have time to go boating and golfing in my home away from home, Crossville, TN the day before the herf.

 

[AlohaStyle]

Im going to remind you of this next year...

make sure you are committed...

or its doo doo in a box for you yodis...

You better put it on the calendar right now because if you don't, the sign below will be changed to: "If it's a Deuce, drop it in the flat rate for Yodis"

A wise man at the Herf said...

 

[YodisMatt]

Hahaha! Oh man! I will try to get more of the Fl boys to come too.

 

[mdwest]

one of the things I forgot to mention earlier in my post.. but I have seen touched on by a couple of other guys...

how f'in cool is it.. when you can get a group of 35 guys together.. from all different walks of life.. young guys.. old guys.. northerners, southerners.. east coasters and west coasters... different religious beliefs.. different skin colors.. different social status.. different career fields.. different financial status.. different education levels.. different hobbies and interests (outside of cigars) etc..etc.. about every possible difference and diversity you could possibly imagine... and everyone manages to make friends, get along, find common interests, laugh like crazy at each other, with each other, etc.. and just have an all around good time....

The truth is.. the people I probably enjoyed hanging out with the most.. are the guys that are the most different from the rest of the people I typically associate with in life at other places (work, school, church, in the neighborhood, etc..)..

I think that is the single most incredible thing about this community.... you couldnt find 35 more different people if you tried.. and yet a great time was had by all... it was a very cool experience.. Im already looking forward to it again next year..

 

[Smoqman]

I'm 2 days removed and have yet to compose my thoughts in words....

But I will.

 

[3/5King]

Everyone hung out, there were no "clicks" no fights, or arguments, even with the plethora of libations...even late into the night.. No one complained.. No one was unappreciative. Everyone was giving and humbled by gifts received. No one was greedy... It was an event filled with nothing but gentlemen and scholars. We all made sure everyone was included and no one was left out to "sit in the corner of the party alone" that's not how we roll as BOTL. I'm with you @Smoqman, it is still sinking in as to what we all really experienced. I wish we had more time, I wasn't done getting to know you all. That night and this morning, I kept thinking how I could go to any part of the country (countries @the Canadiens) and hang with you guys all day long. It's so awesome to attend a herf like this but I had almost too good a time because you feel a little disheartened that you can't hang out with these brothers all the time. I guess that's the feeling you get when you hang out with BOTL... Which is funny because I slept like shit and felt that with better sleep, I would have enjoyed myself (or maybe been more myself) 10 fold...lol to think that I could have anymore fun that I did is insane.. So it leaves me eager for the next one to come along! I'm going to try and get to as many of these as I can.. Guys, I'm speaking to the noobs and to the FOGs alike.. Even if your life is complicated and you've got a hundred excuses why it just "won't work out" MAKE IT WORK OUT! You will experience something that will stay with you for life, you'll form bonds that last and you'll find yourself filled with pride that you're a BOTL and part of one of the coolest group of cats around.

Thank you everyone for being you.. Anytime you're going to be in the Chicago land Area and have time to herf a bit, please hit me up and we'll tear one off.

Till next time boys!

 

[3/5King]

You better put it on the calendar right now because if you don't, the sign below will be changed to: "If it's a Deuce, drop it in the flat rate for Yodis"

We'll make sure cabbage and sausage are bountiful before we fill the box too....