Halloween with TED NUGENT

Andrew was a huge fan of Ted Nugent.  I guarantee he liked the shock value every bit as much as the music.  He would get tickets to see Uncle Ted anytime that he could, even going to shows alone at times.  The last show he ever attended was in Phoenix with his friend Danny and he told me that it was a "Spiritual Experience".  His bathroom reader of choice was the book "Ted, White, and Blue".  

When Ted heard about the tragedy in Yarnell, and then learned that one of the 19 men was a huge fan of his, he reached out to our family.  I will never forget the day that I received a voicemail that started, "Juliann Ashcraft...this is Ted Nugent."  Ummm, what?!?!  

He offered his sincerest sympathy and condolences.  But it didn't stop there.  Ted made it a point to plan his next tour around Prescott, AZ, and play a benefit show in honor of the guys.  What an amazing opportunity to see him in our hometown...one Andrew would have given anything to attend.

Deborah and I went together.  I fell over laughing when she described the difference between seeing Ted Nugent now verses when she would go to his shows in the 70's.  She said, "I used to bring a bag of pot and a flask.  Now I have earplugs and Advil". :-)

She and I, and two of my brothers, were invited to meet with Ted before the start of the show.  Such compassion and concern came from this rock and roll legend.  He embraced us and asked questions about Andrew.  He praised the Granite Mountain Hotshots and called them warriors.  He honors and respects every United States citizen who puts their life on the line to serve and protect.  I shared a Be Better Band with him, explaining that Andrew worked daily to improve the way in which he served.

Imagine the enormity of the gratitude and the tears that came from Deborah and I when Ted came out on stage wearing Andrew's Be Better Band.  He wore it for the duration of the show and even dedicated the last song of the night to Andrew.  "Uncle Ted" is a radical, shit-kickin nut-job with a heart of gold...and we love him! 

He invited us over today for a BBQ at his place.  We parked our bus along the side of the road by the entrance to his Sunrize Acres.  

Juliann

Choice, Tate, Ryder, and Shiloh

Choice, Tate, Ryder, and Shiloh

We walked down the private dirt road to the entrance of his place.

Choice, Tate, Ryder and Shiloh

Choice, Tate, Ryder, and Shiloh

I am not sure why it surprised me but there was a big gate with signs warning people to keep out and that the property is under video surveillance.  Although he had had called me and given us a personal invitation, I felt confused at that moment as to whether or not we should go inside.  Just as we did at the Dr. Seuss Memorial Garden, we pushed our way in and took our chances. 

Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder

Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder

Uncle Ted was waiting for us and welcomed us with open arms.  Whew, we dodged a bullet (literally).  He and his hunting buddies were just sitting down to eat after a long morning of hunting wild game on his property.  

Choice, Ryder, Tate, Ted Nugent, Shiloh, and Juliann

Choice, Ryder, Tate, Ted Nugent, Shiloh, and Juliann

This BBQ was unlike anything the kiddos had ever experienced.  This was the real down and dirty, redneck way to prepare a spread.  And let me just say, the food was DELICIOUS!  Obviously fresh, and cooked to perfection.  This made me incredibly excited when Ted gave me one of his cookbooks called, "Kill It and Grill It".

Shiloh at the Nugent BBQ

In fact, the entire experience can be written up as a first for the kids.  Ted's taxidermist, Mark, who he has worked with for decades, was there working on the animals they'd just killed right next to the picnic tables.  Blood splatters and exposed muscles prompted hundreds of questions from Ryder and Shiloh.  Tate and Choice acted as if it was business as normal and spent their time petting all of the hunting dogs that were running around.

Juliann and Mark (taxidermist) 

Juliann and Mark (Ted's Taxidermist) 

Mark

This picture of Ryder acting as if he's shooting these wild boars and mountain goats cracks me up.  Mainly because he spent the majority of the BBQ saying to Uncle Ted and his hunting buddies, "peace for animals".  He went as far as to flash a peace sign in several of the pictures.  Oh boy.

Ryder

Ryder

The best brisket, potato salad, and bacon you have ever tasted were on the lunch menu today.  The kids were spoiled by Ted with soda pop, candy, and anything else they chose to eat OR not eat.

Ryder and Ted Nugent

Ryder

Once we'd eaten the kids sat with Uncle Ted for awhile and gave him the Be Better gratitude package we'd put together for him.  As I mentioned earlier, he already has a band but we thought we'd bring a few extras as well as cards and t-shirts. 

Ryder, Ted Nugent, Shiloh, and Tate

Ted Nugent

Ted Nugent

Choice, Shiloh, Ryder, and Ted Nugent

Tate, Choice, Shiloh, Ryder, and Ted Nugent

Tate and Ted Nugent

Ryder, Ted Nugent, Shiloh, and Tate

Ryder, Ted, and Shiloh

Ryder, Ted Nugent, and Shiloh

Ryder, Shiloh, Ted Nugent, and his dog Jackson

We had a great time sharing an entire BBQ experience with the Nugents today.

Juliann, Choice, Tate, Ryder, and Shiloh

Shiloh and Juliann

Ryder and Shiloh

Choice

I want to speak for a minute about Ted Nugent, the man.  He is one of the most well known individuals in our country to fall subject to judgment and preconceived notions by others.  Some don't agree with his outlook or understand his approach, thinking somehow this is means to speak ill of a man they really do not know. Having only had an opportunity to be around him a couple of times, I can not claim to know him as well as many either.  What I do know about his character, however, moves and touches my heart.  He loves our country and honors those who serve to protect us.  He celebrates Andrew for who he was, what he stood for, and how he lived his life.  Charitable kindness runs deep in his soul.  Today at this BBQ he had several kids there who are terminally ill.  "If I can give them a happy experience before they pass on, why wouldn't I do that.  It is my pleasure."

Today, the pleasure was all ours Ted.  Thank you for thinking of us and for your hospitality.  We will cherish this Halloween and our memories with you.

Juliann, Ted Nugent, Choice, Tate, Ryder, and Shiloh

Ted Nugent and Juliann

Choice, Ryder, Tate, Ted Nugent, Shiloh, and Juliann

You've made little hunters out of the kids.  Well, perhaps not Ryder. :-)

Tate, Ryder, Choice, and Shiloh

There was still one part of Halloween that every kid looks forward to...trick or treating.  Several weeks ago the kids picked out their costumes from a Halloween super store we spotted along the road.  The finally each settled on one. 

No, not these...

Ryder and Tate

not this one either...

Juliann

THESE!! 

Choice selected a white ninja costume while Tate went with a black ninja suit.  Shiloh picked a Leonardo Ninja Turtle costume, and Ryder was a creeper from the video game, Minecraft. 

Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

Choice

Choice

Choice

Choice

Tate

Tate

Tate

Shiloh

Shiloh

Ryder

Ryder

I wasn't going to dress up but found myself motivated by Ted and his hunting buddies earlier today.

Juliann

Juliann

Jason went with a modified version of the well known character he's developed over they years, Chuck Wonder.

Jason

Jason

the boys...

Ryder, Choice, Juliann, and Tate

Tate and Choice

Tate and Choice

The kiddos were ready and anxious to go get some candy.  We made our first attempt around 3:30.  It was biting cold in Michigan today.  And of course, the kids were wearing nothing but these thin nylon costumes.  They were troopers but only had success at one door out of the first 10 that they knocked on.  We decided to go back to the bus, eat some dinner, and then try again.

Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder

Our second and final round of trick our treating produced much more candy in their buckets but almost led to frostbite.  Tate was in tears the second half of the trek around the homes and Choice was too cold to even participate any longer.  Because of the horribly cold and miserable weather, the kids were all in agreement to call it a night and head back to the bus.  

Shiloh, Choice, Tate, and Ryder

Ryder, Shiloh, Choice, and Tate

Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, and Choice

Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, and Choice

Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Ryder

They got cleaned up, warmed up, and ready to munch on their candy.  

Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder

Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder

I gave them just one rule...

Happy Halloween to everyone.  

Vote Ted Nugent for President!