Had a great time today at the Veterans Museum in Chehalis, Washington. One of our gaming buddies is a member at the museum which allows us to use their conference area for a game day. I've posted this game day before along with photos of the awesome collection they have. It's a privately owned and funded museum and all of the artifacts are donated and have a connection with service members from Washington State.
I was able to playtest my La Haye Sainte game prior to hosting it again next month at our big annual convention, Enfilade. The reason for this playtest was that it has been scaled down from the earlier playtest last year. I'm using the scenario which concentrated on the fighting in and at the farmhouse. I got a lot of great feedback and ideas on streamlining and simplifying the game for the convention. A couple of the players who play Rebels and Patriots a lot said that those rules would be perfect for it. I told them that I'd try it out, after the convention as I didn't want to learn a new set of rules weeks before the convention.
My buddy (the one who is a member of the museum) playtested his "The Sand Pebbles" game again. He's also hosting it at Enfilade.
There was a Black Seas game with great looking ships.
In the second period, I played in a Vietnam War game using Arc of Fire rules. I ran a squad of Marines and actually did quite well, capturing a hootch for victory points. In fact, the name of the game was called "Hootch to Hootch". It's the second time for me using the rules - the same GM's hosted the Battle of Hue game using Arc of Fire last September at Enfilade.
My Marine fire teams moving up along the right flank.
My squad moving up to the tin roofed hootch which they eventually captured. Another group of Marines, run by my buddy, getting decimated from long range AK-47 fire in the grove of trees in the background.
A few shots of some of the weapons in the museum's collection - again, each privately donated with some historical ties to Washington veterans. Most of the firearms have an example cartridge/round displayed along with the weapon.
A collection of Colt handguns.
Some of the many small arms in the collection.
Again, another great game day with great games and good company. Thanks for stopping by and wishing you all the best.
Looks a fine day out. Nice facility, some good looking games.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joe! It was great great hanging out and game with a good bunch of guys in such a wonderful venue. Kindest regards, Dean
DeleteThat looks like a particularly fine location to host a game in Dean!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Keith. Yes, it's quite an impressive museum - actually is better overall than the one on Fort Lewis. Warm regards, Dean
DeleteThat is a nice gun collection and fine venue for a day of Wargaming. Good looking games too. I like the eye-level perspective of the ‘Nam game.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jonathan! Yes, I usually forget to take close up shots of games. The zoomed in shots really get you into the the feel of the game. Kindest regards, Dean
DeleteLovely place for gaming!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michal! And good to hang out and game with old friends too. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteTalk about the right ambience for your tabletop gaming ... it doesn't get better than this.
ReplyDeleteThanks alot, Kuan. Yes, in fact, a group of old (Vietnam era) Special Forces guys were holding a meeting downstairs too. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteNow that seems like a nice setting for some games Dean. And it looked like a good day was had by all.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Richard. Sure was - nice place and good people - can't really complain about anything. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteIt looks like a good day was had by all.
ReplyDeleteNeil
Thanks, Neil. The nice thing is that our buddy, who's a member of the museum, really sets everything up so well. Kindest regards, Dean
DeleteLooks like you had fun, and glad to see your game got some traction. Seems like there was a lot of naval stuff - is that a big part of the local scene? Around here, there's not much of it - despite us being a Navy town.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Markus. Yes, there is a lot of interest in naval games with the local crew. There's usually quite a lot of them at our game days and convention. Everything from the newer games like Black Seas and Cruel Seas to older ones, some based on old board games. They also have a lot of airwar games too. Throw in Western games and Pulp games too - yes, there is quite a wide-range of gaming interests around here. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteThe games and museum all look very fine, Dean!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Peter. N
DeleteBest regards, Dean
Very cool, If I still lived in Washington, I would make a trip over there.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Yes, I'm sure you'd love it. Kindest regards, Dean
DeleteGreat looking games and looks like a really good collection!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Iain. It was great day to spend with friends and enjoy leisurely touring the museum. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteReading your post and talking with others, it sounds like the event went very well. The final pre-Enfilade playtests seem to have gone well too.
ReplyDeleteYes, Dave. We missed having you there too. Best regards, Dean
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