Wow, what a day! Despite some challenging weather conditions, we had 18 shooters on the line. We knew coming into it that there'd likely be some storms, but these brave souls came out amidst the sprinkles with their rain gear in tow. The rain really came in mid-morning and quickly soaked through shooting mats and sweatshirts. Our wonderful host range allowed us the use of their heated clubhouse to warm up for lunch and history, and our persistent shooters were rewarded with a beautiful afternoon during which I even had to pull my sunglasses out and switch to a t-shirt!
There were "A-HA!" moments all afternoon long (really, there was at least one verbal A-HA!), and it was a joy to watch the shooters faces brighten as they learned about our heritage. And we have so many shooters knocking on the door, so close to that 210: 202, 205, 207...and lots of high 170s-180s.
It was a pleasure to meet each and every one of you today. I look forward to seeing you back on the line soon and look forward to seeing you all receive your Rifleman patches. Dry-fire, dry-fire, dry-fire!
Pics to come later. For now, time for bed!
Squeezing everything into one day has a way of bringing the time monkey out.... But it was met head on in spite of the cold rain in the A.M. and shooting a third AQT as the light was fading.
Everyone there did a fantastic job of persevering. Groups got smaller and a number of shooters were knocking on the door. If I were one for excuses, only the fading light prevented some from being recognized as men whom know well what they are about... even so, the spirit of Riflemen were present.
Thank you,
- WRWIII (Bill 3)
Pictures, as promised!
Opening huddle and safety briefing. Note the BRIGHT orange hat on the right side. Yay, Dad! I mean, congrats Stubborn Yankee!
(http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx115/AuntieBellum/100_0776.jpg)
More safety:
(http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx115/AuntieBellum/100_0777.jpg)
Cold, cold rain:
(http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx115/AuntieBellum/100_0780.jpg)
Followed by a sunny, beautiful afternoon:
(http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx115/AuntieBellum/100_0782.jpg)
More shooting:
(http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx115/AuntieBellum/100_0783.jpg)
Benediction:
(http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx115/AuntieBellum/100_0785.jpg)
Overall, GREAT Appleseed with great Patriots!
Do I really look like that.....
I just wanted to drop a line thanking Bill 3 (da boss) and Auntibellum and everybody else that helped out making this event fantastic. This was my second trip out to an Appleseed and there is going to be more, they get better everytime. Thanks to North Porter County Conservation Club for letting us use the facilities to the fullest.
Its the stache Bill3. I barely recognized you. I think it is a daring look. It says, "I am mustachioed, here me roar!" O0
Thanks to Stubb Yankee for climbing aboard. You, sir, are a scholar and a gentleman.
It really did turn out to be a great day. My first day as an IIT seemed a bit overwhelming at times but you never really learn until you jump right in--talk about drinking from a fire hose! Thanks for everyone's patience. We truly had a great group to work with. Thanks a lot to .5 for all the pointers! I don't think I was ready to do something like that at your age!
-To Bill and all the other instructors.
I had an absolute blast this past Saturday. Apparently my rifle won the 'most soaked rifle' award judging from the pictures. Although the afternoon session actually was surprising pleasant after that very chilly morning.
Thank you to everyone for their time and passion for this endeavour. I look forward to shooting at my second Appleseed in 2011. When speaking with the club president, he seemed to be very pleased with the event and said whether officially or not, that NPCCC would be holding more next year.
In spite of the rain and cool temps, I really enjoyed the shoot! Glad to know my rain gear works, and I need to get some of those pocket warmers (Thanks .5 :) )
Special thanks also go out to Stephen and AuntieBellum! Definitely glad you both were there to help out. (We'll get a blue hat on you yet, Stephen 8))
I have a few pics of the day to share:
.5 giving instruction to the group:
(http://pixelhammer.com/appleseed/NPCC102310/IMGP1166.jpg)
.5 enjoying telling Bill3 what to do ;D
(http://pixelhammer.com/appleseed/NPCC102310/IMGP1170.jpg)
Even Stubborn Yankee was a student ;) .5 did an outstanding job instructing and helping out the newest Orange hat!
(http://pixelhammer.com/appleseed/NPCC102310/IMGP1175.jpg)
(http://pixelhammer.com/appleseed/NPCC102310/IMGP1177.jpg)
(http://pixelhammer.com/appleseed/NPCC102310/IMGP1178.jpg)
Checking out the first AQT:
(http://pixelhammer.com/appleseed/NPCC102310/IMGP1171.jpg)
See you all soon!
Niecie
Thanks for the pics, Niecie! I was a bit curious to know how things looked over in your bay! :D Looks like you guys had fun, too!
Let's see if this works ...
Going over the "Redcoat" targets to start the day. (A big "THANK YOU" to the gentleman in the red hat/blue jacket for allowing NPCCC to host this Appleseed Shoot.)
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed002.jpg)
Getting those first targets up.
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed010.jpg)
More safety and instruction.
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed012.jpg)
AuntieBellum!
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed017.jpg)
First rounds downrange.
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed022.jpg)
Shooting Redcoats.
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed025.jpg)
Shooting Redcoats
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed029.jpg)
More images:
Introduction to proper use of the sling.
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed033.jpg)
More instruction.
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed038.jpg)
More sling instruction.
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed040.jpg)
Instruction on the prone position.
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed043.jpg)
More instruction on the prone position. Getting that "trigger leg" up there.
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed048.jpg)
Emphasis on trigger control. The "heart of the beast" ... the trigger.
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed050.jpg)
Slinging up.
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed055.jpg)
A little help with the GI Sling.
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed057.jpg)
First shots with a sling.
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed060.jpg)
The M1907 sling ... and an AR.
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed061.jpg)
The rains came ...
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed066.jpg)
and it rained ...
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed069.jpg)
and the shooting continued.
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed072.jpg)
More Images:
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed075.jpg)
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed081.jpg)
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed099.jpg)
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed104.jpg)
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed105.jpg)
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed109.jpg)
Last batch of images ....
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed110.jpg)
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed116.jpg)
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed126.jpg)
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed131.jpg)
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed134.jpg)
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed137.jpg)
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed140.jpg)
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/Coronet_2008/2010%20Appleseed/s20101023Appleseed145.jpg)