Artist Date: Cabela’s

I’m not sure that this qualifies for a true artist’s date because I was with a lot of other people, so I wasn’t concentrating as much as I should have been and also I am disturbed by the dead animal element to this store. But on the other hand, the opportunity to take close up shots of intensely beautiful animals (who poise perfectly still) is too tempting.

Cabela’s claims to be the world’s largest outdoor outfitter, which means they specialize in hunting and fishing equipment. They have everything you can think of, and a lot more than you could ever imagine. My personal favorite was the "Slip On Butt Cover" (for your gun, of course). The grand opening was last weekend at the new Boomtown store. We waited until Monday night to let the crowds clear out a little.

The overall impression as you enter is commanding. Your eye naturally goes past all of the clothing, equipment, and checkstands, to the soaring ceilings and chandeliers, following along until coming to rest on a large African Elephant in the center. Among the sale items there is a café, a large arcade-type shooting range, an archery range, and a gigantic aquarium with native species, and endless dead stuffed animals, which are called “mounts,” for whatever reason. No matter what your opinion on game hunting, it is, without a doubt, very impressive.