In the fall of 1984 I had a very big real estate deal happen that made me think I’d never see another poor day. So what did I do? Went and bought a new Lincoln Sedan. It was the Cartier addition. Very slick ride.

It wasn’t for Madeline. No way she could get all the kids and their friends in it. She drove a suburban. I had a pickup or a suburban or both. I’m absolutely positive there was a reason I bought the Lincoln.

I don’t think I’ll be running in to ask Madeline about this. If I remember correctly I think she scolded me for bringing it home.

But she and I were going to Kenny’s hunting lease that weekend for a big blowout that he was having. My friend Coy and his wife was riding with us.

Since the women folk were going we decide to stay in Laredo at the Holiday Inn and drive to the lease the next day. The were a lot of couples getting together there that weekend.

When we got to the hotel, we unloaded our suitcases and headed across the border to meet all the others at the dog race track for a night of partying.

We drove over in that new Lincoln. The rest of our group had parked on the US side and had taxi’s take them over.

When the races were over hundreds of people were wanting taxi’s. So everyone in our group jumped in the Lincoln. I popped the trunk lid an everyone that couldn’t get in the front or back seat squeezed into the trunk. So that meant that about 20-24 people were crammed in one car. It was a festive affair.

However when we got just a block or 2 from the bridge it occurred to me that Coy and I had forgotten to take our guns and ammo out of the trunk.

There is no bigger deal imaginable than being caught with firearms in Mexico. There is a Marine Sargent sitting in jail now in Mexico that can attest to that.

I came to a fast stop and told everyone to get out and walk across the bridge. I thought it best if only I was in the car if the guns were discovered.

With the flood of people all leaving the racetrack at the same time, I was just wave on through. I was a relieved young man when I was safely back on the other side.