Ambush at Cavern Cove 2011

May 31, 2021

Held September 29 - October 2, the 2011 Ambush celebrated a major milestone with that year's festivities being the 15 annual Ambush held by the North Alabama Regulators. That year's Alabama State paid tribute to Lonesome Dove with stages pulling from the highly successful television special.

Several new faces dotted the ranks of the North Alabama Regulators with President Lawman Mark, Vice President El Camino, Territorial Governor Marshal TKD, Stage Marshal Tuff Stuff, Property Marshal Lickskillet Charley, Awards Marshal Granna, Treasurer Shez Lethal, Secretary Drake Robey, and Range Marshal Cool Waters heading up the club. Several other folks signed up to chair important Ambush activities including Diamond Deb, Andrew Quigley, Uncle Frank, Blue Wolf, and Huckleberry Moonshine. Man, how I wish we could have more volunteers signing up to help like that. I guess that even the best volunteers get kind of run down after a while.

Much like the year prior, the pages in the 2011 Shooter's Book are a bit out of order. Still not exactly sure why. But, the stages are well laid out with quite a bit more movement when compared to the previous couple of years.

This year introduced the Church at Stage 6. While we did not realize it then, within a few years, the last remnants of the old cemetery would be swept away.

I would be negligent if I did not mention that this match would be the first in nearly ten years that did not feature a secret stage. The secret stage began in 1999 as a team stage. It returned in 2001 as a main match stage and remained a venerated Ambush tradition for the next several years until it was relegated to side match status in 2009. Celebrating one last hurrah, the Secret Stage returned in 2010 as an unscored main match stage. But alas, even some of the best traditions eventually run their course in due time.

This year also featured a Wild Bunch side match for the first time.

This is another Ambush that I do not have results for. However, Sidekick was able to repeat as the Alabama State State Champ.

As we look back on 2011, we also look forward to this year's match which is just around the corner. For many, it hardly seems like this match was 10 years ago. And, while a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, we can always look back on these old matches with fond memories. Sure, we all might hit a bump or two in the road along the way, but there is always a big blue sky somewhere out yonder. I hope you run on over to Cavern Cove this fall and hit me up. I'm sure that we're going to look back at another great match and fondly remember our time on The Firing Line.