It's been mentioned before that Waco is known as the Heart of Texas because it is the geographical center of Texas. Let me tell you, after this weekend, we have a new name for Waco, the HEAT of Texas! When the shoot ended on Saturday, we registered 109 degrees at 5 pm. When the shoot ended on Sunday at 3:30 pm, it was 109 degrees IN THE SHADE!!!!! Steck has pictures of the thermometer to prove it (from behind the clubhouse at our gracious host, the Central Texas Rifle and Pistol Club).
Twelve shooters braved the heat to attend the event. We had several families - fathers/sons, grandfather/grandson, husband/wife as well as a couple of solo shooters and all ages were represented - from 12-65 (hhhmmm, that sure looks similar to the age range of the Massachusetts Militia in April 1775). We had local shooters from Waco, and shooters who drove down from the DFW metro area, as well as Abilene, about 3 hours away. One duo, who has been traveling around the country visiting various places of interest, took time out of their "Summer to Remember" to participate in an Appleseed before his grandson left for college in the Fall. We had a husband/wife duo on the line. We even had the parents and little sister of two of the shooters stay all day Saturday to watch their two sons learn how to shoot with iron sights.
On Saturday, we opened with the Preamble and First Strike and then started the instruction. Due to a scheduling issue on Sunday, we told the Second and Third Strikes during lunch. Even with the inclusion of the Third Strike and giving the shooters the chance to "try on" different seated positions, we managed to complete one AQT on Saturday before calling it a day.
BillJac has a gift for storytelling and he shared his first-hand experience walking Battle Road bringing to life some of the battles like never heard before. One of the fathers at the range is a teacher and has asked BillJac to present the Three Strikes during the next school year! Way to go, BillJac.
Sunday started hot and humid - but, wait, we're in Texas! Oh, how we were hoping Saturday's breezes would stick around! A new shooter joined us on Sunday, along with his grandparents, who stayed all day to watch him and his cousins and to learn more about out Appleseed.
Despite the heat taking a toll on the shooters, we awarded a Rifleman patch to David who will be attending UT-Austin in the Fall and is interested in joining our Instructor cadre after he puts another event or two under his belt. Once again, Lord Hugh Percy was proven correct, when he said "[t]hey have men amongst them who know very well what they are about." CONGRATULATIONS!
:pics:
So impressed with everyone coming out and braving the HEAT!
We would love to have any and all of you back. We hope you will join us again, even if you wait until the Fall, when it's cooler, and we will continue to refine your skills.
Even with the heat, we saw a lot of fun being had and a lot of learning and improvement taking place.
Y'all come back now, ya hear?!
Yes, shooters, please do come back. Central Texas Rifle and Pistol Club has allowed us to schedule an event on the third weekend of every month. Take a look at your calendars and we'll see you soon!
Thanks for the photos, Ragnar. I have to do a better job remembering to take those.
Mercedes (Debbie)
Hey, now that's a great bunch of folks! Well done, everyone!