Well folks, what to say.
Wheeler44, Mr. Wilson, Mister Clark, Chris, KoolAid, and I arrived on Saturday at the Sandelie Golf Course in Wilsonville at about 0730-0745 on Saturday. Looking at the weather, we really wondered what kind of turnout we would have. We had 50 pre-registered, with a very few last minute cancellations due to illness, etc. I was wondering what kind of turnout we might have, as the weather guessers were not forecasting a nice day for us. Well, the shooters started arriving, and they arrived early. First shooter showed up at about 0745. And they kept on arriving. And kept on arriving. Pretty soon, we were wondering if we would have enough spots on the line! If I recall the numbers correctly, we were in the low to mid 40's when we started the day (both the temperature, and the number of shooters!)
The first target they saw was the Redcoat. A few were effective out to 100, 200, and 300 yards, with only one or two hitting the 400 yard target. A couple of more made the 250 yd shot. We then shot a whole lot of 4MOA squares. The weather had gotten worse, with driving rain, heavy winds, and our footsteps turning the field into an enormous mud pit. The mud slowed us all down quite a bit. By the end of the day, everyone was soaked to the bone, caked with mud, and freezing. Winds were gusting to 30+ miles an hour, even blowing over some of our covers. Some people had to leave early due to other commitments, but when the last redcoat target of the day was posted, 31 rifles answered them, and much more accurately.
This morning, the weather took its toll on our line. Not in the number of shooters that appeared, but on the physical line itself. At least half of it was too muddy to use. We lost several shooters because of the necessity to set things up in a relay (of the shooters we lost though, the vast majority are planning on coming to the next 'Seed in Castle Rock) but we had 13 shooters set up. The Redcoats were posted, and many of them fell... And we progressed through the second and first stages of the AQT. This afternoon, the QDAQT was shot. Again, and again, and again. And every shooter improved. Until the very last QDAQT, when the firing line birthed a RIFLEMAN. JR, shooting an exact 210. We would have thrown him in the pond next to the firing line, but we figured that he'd gotten soaked enough the day before. :)
Altogether, with the weather and difficulties we faced this weekend, we were proud to train up a Rifleman. And not only that, but we have 2 new IIT's, JR from this weekend, and Sue from the December Castle Rock Appleseed.
Many thanks to my fellow instructors, and to Keith, our host at Sandelie Golf Club. And now it's time to start planning the next 'Seed. :)
I'm sure its just an oversight on your part Sir, but you forgot to post pictures. <:)
I know someone took some pictures, but I was a bit too busy... 6 instructors and 40+ students.... :)