solamente73

Yeah, but it’s not hard. I use chicken thighs because they’re cheap. Just buy a 20lb bag of Kingsford and dump the hole thing in (assuming it’s ~large BGE). Douse with a bottle of lighter fluid and light it. It will get hot fast, like a chimney starter, so close the lid and take it to max temp around 750*. While you’re waiting, prep your chicken. I use butterfingers as the rub on the thighs. Really brings out a rich flavor. Anyway, right before putting on the thighs, close all vents to calm the fire. After 60 seconds, lean in and open the dome. Put in the thighs, open vents, close dome, and cook for 60 minutes at 550*. That should be all it needs. Enjoy!

A NIB current production Colt SAA in .45LC with 4.75" barrel color--case-hardened was my holy grail forever. Finally secured one last year by 'winning' an auction for it on Gun Broker. I watched Gun Broker for years, had a budget, and it finally worked out. You can find them, but there's a premium to be paid, just depends on how much you are willing to pay for whichever variant you want. Obligatory, to go along with Brat's

Buzz, you cooking indirectly using the platesetter? Those burnt ends can be prevented with a little tinfoil covering the space between platesetter and fire ring without negatively impacting the smoke/cook. But I assume you know that?

Brat, I spoke to a Colt rep at the NRA convention last weekend, and he said that SAA production was being handled by two custom shop guys and delivery on orders should drop to 1.5 years producing 2-3 per day. I got the distinct impression that the guy looking to retire is staying on to clear a backlog and to ‘train’ another guy, then he will retire leaving only one guy building them. Sad, but there may be an interim plan in place to keep the Colt SAA from going out of production. I also got the impression that they were getting a lot of questions about SAAs but management is focused on anything but SAAs. The trade show at the convention was nothing short or awesome. Agree - takes at least 2 full days to see it all without getting fatigued. And that P365 surprised.

Maybe it’s the pics, but proportions look a little off from my large BGE and it’s components? Is that really a medium? Still a good deal. Fire grate is cracked but that’s no big deal - I’ve gone through 3 now and they are cheap.

Hickory. Smoked. Rack. Of. Pork. I absolutely love them. For the uninitiated, think pork's version of prime rib, smoked. Served with creamy Hatch scalloped potatoes and garlic parmesan green beans and mushrooms. Not pictured in final form: smoked au ju, which is stellar. If you haven't tried it... I fill a pan with 1 can chicken stock and an equal part water and place it under the rack while cooking. It collects the drippings and the smoke from the cook. While the rack is resting, I reduce the liquid and then serve in ramekins with the meal.

New Guns and Ammo came in the mail, and there are two beauties on the cover: Yes, please.

I use my 12.9 Pro more for fun than work. Love it, not too big at all, easy to read stuff with aging eyes. Speaking strictly of screen size, I like it because I can run 2 apps (or safari tabs) split on the screen at the same time and both be big enough to actually use. Also, I like being able to see a lot of data at one time, which is obviously easier to do than with the standard iPads. I don't even bother with our iPad 2 and iPad HD anymore - I just go in search of the Pro if it isn't immediately around.

This surprises me. I've always seen more of the "Houston hates Dallas" and "Dallas hates Houston" dynamic. San Antonio was where everyone wanted to visit/vacation because of the Riverwalk, food, Alamo, etc.

I just don't get it. Papas is OK, but geesh. The Houston media used to fawn all over the one there, too.

Anyone use this service/strategy before? http://fightingchance.com/ Basically, it preaches that vehicles are commodities, dealerships should bid for your business, "dealer invoice pricing" and services like TrueCar and Consumer Reports are shams, and buying/leasing a new vehicle should be a 3 day, low stress process that results in a purchase at the lowest market price. A friend of mine used this guy's info and tactics for the last two trucks he bought, and he says he was able to secure screaming deals. I'm in the market for a new truck, so I purchased the new customer packet and it has some pretty good info, including market conditions, comprehensive invoice pricing (for reference in the bidding process), and the exact timing of purchases (in my case, for April and May 2018). I plan to use his tactic of a "phone/email attack" to pit dealerships against each other in a bidding war. It should work without me ever having to go to a dealership until I take receipt of the truck (except for a test drive, and the packet contains strategies for that so that you don't get caught up in a sales pitch). It sounds good in theory, especially for common makes/models/configurations.

(Diet) Tonic with lime juice is all that's worked for me. It's "harsh" enough to make me kinda feel like I'm having a real drink. I tried Topo but it just wasn't enough - maybe because I drink way more liquor and wine than beer?

Having lived in HOU, ATX, SAT, and DFW, SAT would be my choice of the four in which to raise a family. For me, it's the big city that doesn't feel "big," 2 hours from the coast (and fishing), and close to the hill country for outdoor recreation. Definitely live on the north and west side suburbs or, if you don't mind a commute, something like Boerne. Pros, other than what I mention above: better climate than Houston IMO; would give you new places to explore for your photography; less traffic; low cost of living; HEBs everywhere, which is nice if/when they are open. Cons: Houston has better food (and service) overall; no hometown pro football and baseball (if you are into those things); airport (already covered above); theoretically fewer employment opportunities. OP, it sounds like San Antonio might be a good fit for you. 41y/o... midlife crisis... quit your job, pick up the family, and move!

Following what ousuxindallas said, POC is awesome. First time I went down there, we got red heads, pintails, widgeons, goldeneyes, green wing teal, and others along with specklebelly and Ross geese. It was crazy. Go with Salty Dog Outfitters. Pickle is a hell of a duck hunter, the blinds are spacious, and he and fam are good people. http://www.saltydogoutfitters.com/

Conditions were great for ‘enjoying’ being out there. Surf was flat, could cast to nervous water, etc. Caught a bunch of little trout under some birds. Only fished about 1.5 hours because this is a family trip rather than a fishing trip. More tomorrow AM. First wade with the new rod/reel combo yielded a good time. Reel just feels like a newer/updated version of my ~16 year old Curado 200s, and it dialed-in very quickly. The rod did it’s job - decent to throw soft plastics and spoons with, and easy to travel with... but very disappointing feel. I’m using Trilene Big Game 12lb green, so maybe a switch to braid would help. Overall, pleased with purchase for limited fishing on a vacation. Looking forward to getting that reel on my main Allstar and heading down to Port Mansfield to try it out on some big, nasty reds.

On the way down to Galveston for a family vacation, stopped at Fishing Tackle Unlimited to pick up a Curado 200 HGK and a 3 piece FTU travel rod. I don’t bring my regular gear on these trips, so I thought I’d properly outfit myself for this and future trips. Gonna be fishing this in the morning:

BDH, sorry to hear but at least you have an answer and hope. Good luck.

Praying for all y’all. Update when ya can. Scary stuff to be sure.

I’m thinking that you neglected to mention that you were bringing a nanny with you. If not... Taking care of a baby as a couple and on the road is a full time gig. No home field advantage at all. You’re not going to be hiking, be ‘outdoorsy,’ enjoying fine dining and drinks, etc. You’re gonna be on Baby’s schedule. Why spend a ton of money to do the exact same thing in a hotel room that you’d be doing at home? I already learned the hard way that the others above are right - spend that time at home and relax when you can.

Rules...

These days I always wrap baby backs during the cook, but when during the cook varies depending on what I'm looking for in a final product. I wanted a "competition" bite, so I smoked them at 250* for 1.5 hours, then wrapped for 1.5 hours. Yup, only takes 3 hours. My wife (no pics) really likes fall-off-the-bone (insert wife/bone joke here), so for that I smoke them for 1 hour, then wrapped for 2. That 30 minute delta wrapped/unwrapped makes all the difference.

Love me some baby backs smoked over oak.

What part of the coast? Budget? West end of Galveston, you can get a house on the bay side for the fishing and just drive across the road to the beach for the part day trips. Pools will be tough - likely restricted to one that has a community pool or a hot tub that can double as a plunge pool. VRBO is a great place to start.

So, that was your first gun, bought new?