We started off the weekend with a great first day. It was a pleasure to have the entire Happel family make the trek to the Dubuque area to learn some history and marksmanship skills. I was especially encouraged to see the remarkable progress Andrea and the two younger boys demonstrated during the day. Kudos to Andrea, August, & Stefan! Greg and Martin had been to previous Appleseeds so they already had a good foundation and shot quite well. Because we had several newbies our pace was a little slower than normal, but we made up for it by running to almost 6:00. The temperature and humidity were both in the 90's but that didn't keep anyone from staying the course.
As usual, the range where we held the shoot was an absolute dream - almost like a state park. Many thanks go out to Lyle for sharing his place with us.
I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!
Here is a group picture we took at the end of the day.
(http://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7715/27807743842_ea3b35dcb8_b.jpg)
|
Day two didn't start off too well for me. When I arrived at the range both my pop-up shelter and my homemade firing line shade were down due to the thunder storms during the night. My pop-up was destroyed. The line shade just needed to be set back up. The rest of the day went very well. August cleared his Red Coat in the morning and Greg was knocking at the rifleman door with a 199 in the afternoon. Everyone continued to show great improvement in their marksmanship skills and we had some good discussions about liberty and dangerous old men at lunch time.
I'll try to post a few more pictures tomorrow or the next day when I have time to work on it.
This was an awesome time. It was hot. The kids got a little tired. I learned more good history. I was very happy to have my wife Andrea show up for this. Guess what else she learned... she loves the smell of gun powder.
I went to facebook tonight and invited 100+ people to the Homeschool Appleseed and Appleseed Project pages. Four have already accepted. Now that Andrea is excited about it, we can put more effort into promotion as a family. Thanks Rex for helping plant that seed in my family.
God's blessings to you Rex and thanks to Lyle for letting us use his range!
Here are some pictures from day two!
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7360/27943806026_8a7429854f_b.jpg)
Thunderstorm damage | (https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7257/27978084375_6b41d1fcf7_b.jpg)
Checking NPOA | (https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7352/27698482860_14db67b5f4_b.jpg)
Proudly wearing his shirt on day two |
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7502/27876351662_a616b04c63_b.jpg)
Martin | (https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7488/27364445153_a0039ea85b_b.jpg)
Winner of most improved award | (https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7425/27698484520_1b9285703e_b.jpg)
Knocking on the door to rifleman |
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7578/27876353952_903e630dec_b.jpg)
Finally found a good seated position | (https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7359/27698486610_c61abeb083_b.jpg)
Shooting like a champ | (https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7550/27364959514_70c60c0471_b.jpg)
Ready for a sling next time |
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7556/27364447263_e726801aa9_b.jpg)
Ditched the rain soaked carpet mats | (https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7424/27698488770_c5f7cee7ea_b.jpg)
Shooting well but ran out of time | (https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7738/27364960454_b67ab9f057_b.jpg)
Cleared his Red Coat |
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7300/27698490090_43ca9fc883_b.jpg)
Sling starting to slip | (https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7607/27364960954_a30d0f3f90_b.jpg)
Last AQT of the day | (https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7608/27698491750_35d03367b5_b.jpg)
Went from Newbie to Marksman in two days |
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7450/27296645134_6c718b427f_b.jpg)
The family that shoots together stays together |
Looks like a great event. It's wonderful to see full-family involvement.