The Texas Pipe Show was a great first pipe show experience for me! I went thinking I would only spend 2-3 hours there, but ended up getting there shortly before they opened it and left shortly after they closed it - 7 hours! I thought James and Alvin and the other men (don’t know anyone else’s name) did a great job of putting together and managing the show! The dance hall venue seemed like the perfect setting for a Texas show. Regrettably I only made it around the tables 1 time, and even then I think I missed a couple. However, my main goal in attending was to meet other smokers and just take in as much of the event as possible. This was the first time I had ever met any pipe smokers, and I was quickly and delightfully absorbed into conversations with them.
It was great to meet well known carvers like J. Mouton and Trey King, and all the Texan carvers that came to the show. I especially enjoyed meeting “the legend” tobacconist John David Cole. I was also thankful to spend some time with Tom Kuhn. I appreciate all that he does for the pipe community.
I was fortunate to be able to participate in the slow smoke, as a late entry. I didn’t disappoint, being the first to go out at the 17 minute mark! My prize? I giant foam cowboy hat, 1,000 matches in a wooden box with a Texas Pipe Show logo on it, and a t-shirt! That was great! Next time I’ll learn to use more then one match in that one minute-to-light timeframe.
. I was told I broke the record in having the longest time in being the first to go out! It’s all about the small victories!
I didn’t win anything in the raffle (only purchased one ticket), but it was great to see all the wonderful donations provided by the very generous pipe community! My wife came with me and she could care less about pipe smoking, yet even she enjoyed it - minus the smoke part! Yeah, her throat was feeling it in the morning. Overall, I had a great time and look forward to returning next year! I think expanding it outdoors will make it even greater!
