I was there. :cool2:
WOW! We've already got 6 views! I think we've got some spectators, anxiously awaiting the AAR for another spectacular shoot in the glorious state of Minnesota.... It's really too bad that we haven't yet written anything of substance to entertain their curiosity.... Surely, there must be something in the works! Patience, my fellow Appleseeders!
Ten viewers now! I wonder how many were Sparks...
Well, someone is showing signs of perserverance... Will they any longer be able to withstand the sheer anxiety? OR will they cave? We shall soon find out!
Is that persistance I see when we hit number thirteen? Well....[/green]
Persistance certainly has it's rewards! Just ask Mike(Taylor) or Matt. They outta know, as they're Minnesota's two newest Riflemen, as of this last weekend. Mike on his third Appleseed, brought it all together on Saturday Afternoon. Matt with intense focus, a fine bolt action and I'm sure a bit of prayer put it all together this afternoon!
Or how about our Posterity holding down the center of the line; mastering thier rifles were Promise, Eve and Joshua. Though I'm not certain it, as they seemed to be having so much fun! Chris, you've certainly got some great kids. And with your rear sight back on and a sling; I'm confident you'll be able to make that 200 you got on the 'Last Chance' look like the poor shooting that it was not! Persist! You may also call upon Russellmn, or Capt. Parker as he was called in prelude to the last Redcoats of the day. He may know a little about persistance, and perservering against my constant scrutiny to earn his shiny new Red Hat.
PERSIST, ADAPT, CONQUER!
It would seem that at every Minnesota Appleseed you have 3 seasons. As our friends from MO would soon find out!
Our Regional Coordinator, Greg in MO, and Cookie Lady gifted us with their presence this weekend! As well as the good ol' hospitality that gave Cookie Lady her nickname! Thanks for making the trip, and making this Appleseed exceptional! [you see America; Minnesotans don't bite! As long as you bring cookies!
I forgot to get the counts on the Redcoats on Sun. eve; but I'm positive the shooters made great improvement. Heck, there were 2 cleaned Redcoats Sun morning. No one qualified past 200 on Sat. morning!
We also had at least 3 shooters knocking on the door, with scores in the 200's! Soooo close, yet sooo far! Don and Brian, remember: Perfect practice makes perfect! Dryfire, dryfire, dryfire!!!
And you'll get it! Earl, you did a fine job breaking-in Brian for us! He was almost there, all weekend! I'm sure he'll make it next time!
Isn't Earl from WA? Well yes he is! Brian made the trip, all the way from Seattle! Bringing his friend, Al, who was originally from New York, but must have of course moved here so he could attend an Appleseed in MN... So as of Saturday, Hinckley had drawn in shooters from as far away as Seattle; but what about the locals? Well, on Sunday, a young man by the name of Adam, came with his brother Zak, from Coon Rapids! As far as I can tell; Adam is the FIRST shooter from Hinckley to ever attend a shoot in Hinckley! Further more, he's promised to change that as he is confident that he knows enough locals to keep the line nice and full! Huzza!
By the way; did I mention that Taylor asked for an Orange Hat? I had no impulse, but to oblige. Minnesota could always use another Orange Hat from Wisconsin! Welcome to the ranks, and thanks for stepping up! [Your infiltration assignment is on short-order. ;) ]
Pop quiz: Who's gonna keep the Line Boss in check while the Shoot Boss is slacking?
Answer: Killer-MN's newest IDIT, successfully thwarted all attempts of escape! No instructors ran away crying this time! She keeps a watchful eye and ear; just as long as you don't throw her tennis ball.
Though I didn't see it myself; I did see the shooters looking up(as if to God) as Robin told her heat-gripping rendition of the 2nd Strike.
As her and I would soon learn; there was a Bald Eagle soaring free overhead as if it were Isaac Davis himself, looking down upon her in approval. She made us Minnesotans look like amatuers. Thank you!
Well enough babbling from me.... For now... ;)
A total of 17 Americans left this weekend with a newfound respect for our heritage; a greater understanding of our tradition of marksmanship; and a lot of homework!
America is that much better after this weekend, and I was honored to take part.
I'll see you on the Appleseed Trail!
Aftermath
So was I. O0
This is my second view...:could be Mrs B. checking.
Nope, not her .
I guess I've got some more babbling to do.... I neglected to mention that a great portion of our line started with little or no experience; by the end of the weekend the majority had qualified at least as high as Marksman, many Sharpshooters!
That's better than 98% of Americans.
You can all stand proud! And then of course practice your transition to seated directly afterwards! >:D :---
Nancy, a shorter stock and you'll probably find 20+ more points. Practice prone in your sleep(just ask Sparks!), and you'll get that patch!
Thanks to everyone who helped make this another great event. Your passion and dedication are inspiring. Hopefully I will have the honor oo working with you as an Orange Hat after my next shoot.
Bought my Marlin 60 3 days before the Appleseed in Castle Rock last April. Shot in the 180's for my best AQT's with factory sights. Went home and put in an order with ELL for a GI sling and some Tech Sights. Got up to a 206 today. I am determined to qualify with that set up. Will most likely pick up a 10/22 after seeing for myself why most people shoot them.
My buddy Al is going to bring his kids, and I know he'll bring a few more - hopefully.
I just posted my photo album from the weekend on my Facebook page. Mike/Mat if you want your pictures getting your Rifleman patches, you can cut and paste, or PM me your e-mail for the hi res images. Here it is...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2066601&id=1080562116&l=89631498f1
ps... thanks for the weather! Fall rains started early this year in the Emerald City.
Brian / Scramblin
THIS IS SO COOL, Earl is getting an almost international reputation - thanks Brian for continuing on the Appleseed trail and Al, to! But it is true, that you are always the one that has to take the shot, using all we taught you and making the most of your NPOA, rifle, ammunition and the target presented. O0 Good thing I am already wearing the largest size motorcycle helmet, or I couldn't ride my Trusty Triumph out here in the Winter rains. Always nice when good people become great Riflemen and even better Americans. ^:)^ That could be a concept for a fine organization, couldn't it, Fred? ^-^
What a great weekend. Thanks for the weather Alex! I was expecting to get rained on...
Quite a change from the 90's we shot in in Afton, OK last weekend.
What a great group of shooters these Minnesotans turned out to be. It was our pleasure to come up and work with these great Americans. The amount of improvement on the line was very impressive. Congrats to Mike for shooting Rifleman. Matt, I am sorry we had to leave before you shot your score, but well done with a borrowed bolt gun!
I also want to thank Mike for stepping up to the orange hat. Wisconsin and Minnesota will be better off with you helping them bail.
I am pleased to see that MN is in good hands with a solid instructor crew. Aftermath, Sparks, Russell, Adam and Cooper you should be proud of yourselves as you ran a good shoot. Keep up the good work!
The eagle during 2nd strike was a nice touch too. Providence...
See you all on the trail!
Greg
Providence....AYE !
I really enjoyed coming out this weekend, just wanted to drop in and thank all of my wonderful instructors. I have a lot to work on, and I appreciate you guys highlighting what I needed.
Props to Cookie Lady, you were extremely passionate with your history, and it was more like you were speaking from personal experience than reciting something you had read about.
Thanks for letting me get behind your scope Cooper. >:D :bow:
Congratulations to everyone who shot rifleman, and grats russellmn on the promotion!
Trouble
Thanks so much for the kind words. It is my honor to work with such a great group of students. I'm only sorry we didn't get to stay until the end of the day Sunday.
Thanks to all you fine students for showing up with great attitudes and a willingness to learn!
Cookie Lady
Cookie Lady...You have gone and made me belly laugh out loud. Just one look at you avatar and I cracked up.
PERFECT O0
Congratulations Riflemen. :~ :~
Congrats Rifleman, Russellmn after seeing your new red hat, sparks1 is indeed correct, those things are silk lined :bow:
(http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae346/mnappleseed/russellmn%20red%20hat/IMG-20100926-00012.jpg)
I had a great time. It was nice to meet yet another batch of quality Americans.
Greg in MO and Cookie Lady, it was a real pleasure to meet you both. I can only hope to be able to work with you again someday.
AdamT.
Thank you all for making the shoot this weekend an awesome experience for me and for my family. I believe that my son, Joshua, summarized our thoughts the best when he said on our way home Saturday night, "This is the best day ever!" I appreciate the use of the loaners and the way you helped Promise, Eve, and Joshua get some good fundamentals under their small belts. I'm going to have to get focused or I'm gonna get out-shot by my kids before I know it. We all look forward to our next shoot and I've been busy posting and passing out flyers to people in my AO.
Congratulations to the new Riflemen, Mike & Matt - and to Russell for your promotion.
I look forward to training with you all in the future. I will see you on the objective.
- Padre (Chris Metzger) & family
PS: Before Promise was born, my wife (Yvette) and I read at one point and time that Promise (in the womb) was the size of an apple seed. We always referred to her as "Appleseed" until she was born. Now to get this "Appleseed" birthed into a Rifle-girl. Perseverance...(and ammo)
Thanks for checking in Padre!
It was our pleasure to have you and the three future Rifle-kids with us this weekend.
If you can't make Duluth this weekend; there's Gordon, WI in a couple of weeks and Hinckley on Halloween weekend!
Can you possibly think of a better way to spend Halloween?
Aftermath
p.s. Yvette's comming next time, right? ;)
Quote from: adamt on September 28, 2010, 09:52:18 PM
Congrats Rifleman, Russellmn after seeing your new red hat, sparks1 is indeed correct, those things are silk lined :bow:
(http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae346/mnappleseed/russellmn%20red%20hat/IMG-20100926-00012.jpg)
I had a great time. It was nice to meet yet another batch of quality Americans.
Greg in MO and Cookie Lady, it was a real pleasure to meet you both. I can only hope to be able to work with you again someday.
AdamT.
Ahhh... Of course, another horrible picture of me staring into the Sun....
Silk lined? Well, perhaps... For now... Grime and salt shall soon replace that.
But hey, it beats the heck outta the razor-lined green hats. :-X
Quote from: Scramblin on September 27, 2010, 01:35:12 AM
Thanks to everyone who helped make this another great event. Your passion and dedication are inspiring. Hopefully I will have the honor oo working with you as an Orange Hat after my next shoot.
Bought my Marlin 60 3 days before the Appleseed in Castle Rock last April. Shot in the 180's for my best AQT's with factory sights. Went home and put in an order with ELL for a GI sling and some Tech Sights. Got up to a 206 today. I am determined to qualify with that set up. Will most likely pick up a 10/22 after seeing for myself why most people shoot them.
My buddy Al is going to bring his kids, and I know he'll bring a few more - hopefully.
I just posted my photo album from the weekend on my Facebook page. Mike/Mat if you want your pictures getting your Rifleman patches, you can cut and paste, or PM me your e-mail for the hi res images. Here it is...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2066601&id=1080562116&l=89631498f1
ps... thanks for the weather! Fall rains started early this year in the Emerald City.
Brian / Scramblin
Just keep on Sramblin!
I'm quite sure you'll get it next time! That's assuming you DRY-FIRE, DRY-FIRE, DRY-FIRE!!! -EVERYBODY!
Crisp morning
More photos
And more...
Pix reformatted
Thanks, Colycat!
No need for nose hair resolution
Cooper, try to shrink the pics down to around 600 x 800 ;)
Thanks, Colycat!
I'm in the office and the only graphics program available to me here is Paint. I'll figure out how to make that work over the lunch hour.
Why didn't anyone tell me my sling had slipped down!!!!! !@#)
But great pics Cooper!
Except you probably coulda cut a couple inches of the right side of the one with me in prone. %)
Aftermath...Don't you know the Shoot Boss shouldn't be corrected??? :cool2:
Great pics Cooper. O0 O0 O0 Pam really liked the one with our IDIT resting in the chair. You're going to have to tell "Killer" we can't rest at an Appleseed until AFTER the shooters leave though. I'm sure the shoot boss has caught this and will keep it in mind. **) **) ( Just tellin ya so she passes her PC's in a timely manner)
"Killer" wasn't resting, she was intently listening to the Third Strike story, and making sure that no IIT's tried to make a break for the parking lot!! &)
Don't let that relaxed appearance fool you, she is continuously trembling in anticipation of someone/something trying to bolt! Just ask Padre's kids-- if they ran, Killer was all over them in an instant. And speaking of Padre's pack - those young'uns are AWESOME! Hammering the squares while singing hymns! O0
They had me thinking for an instant that there was some chance of a future for our country! But I got over that pretty quickly. :-\
Cooper...Of course there is HOPE for our country. Those kids at it, you are it, I am it, Appleseed is it. Wherever and whenever there are people thinking about our nation and how we got to where we are and how we are going to get to a better place...there is hope.
I am glad I am on the trail with you, those kids, and the many,many more people involved. Whether Promise, Eve, or Joshua know it or not...being exposed to Americans caring about their country and getting together will affect and shape their attitudes. Thank goodness for parents that care so much for their children that they are involved and involve their children.
Oh yeah...humming and singing the hymns while during a COF was priceless.
Sorry...I was lulled into a feeling that Killer was slacking. Did not know she had secret orders to guard the line. I'll be more careful in the future.