AAR Mariposa, CA Dec 18-19, 2010

[Romeo's Hero]

Well I am started this one pre-action so it will be up for people to post on as soon as we are done.

I have just finished packing and am looking forward to spending the whole weekend in the rain with fellow Appleseeders and hopefully some new Riflemen. I have a large supply of Orange Hats and each and every one is looking for a new owner, they need someone who will take them out and wear them and use them at appleseeds - they are board being in a box at my house - Mariposa here we come!!!

[Highlander]

Had a great time! The mud and almost constant rain for two days of shooting helped us appreciate a little better what our forefathers endured in pursuit of our liberty!

[SavageShootr]

Highlander. Welcome to the forum!

[b_gummer]

It was a very fun and benneficial Appleseed for all, despite the monsoon atmosphere.

Both of my children (ages 11 and 14) enjoyed themselves immensly and never complained despite deep mud, puring rain, and wind ripping saturated targets right off the backers!

Even with all this, both made improvements in their shooting over their scores at previous Appleseeds. All of this is testimony to the power of the passion for excellence, and appreciation of our incredible heritage imparted by the instructors.

Speaking of our instructors, Thank you so much Furrowfoot, Romeo's Hero, and Chris_H for making the journey and keeping the program going forward despite all the hurdles the environment could throw at us. (special hats off to Chris for still coming all the way from a neighboring state with so many of the passes closed!)

Every one of the shooters I spoke to had a great time, and plan to be back for more.

Our family can't wait for the next one! And we'll all be "7th stepping" until we meet again.

Tolley "b_gummer"
Rifleman!

[Romeo's Hero]

Hey all!

Well this week before Christmas has certainly been busy, but also fun, I am finally getting my tree decorated.

I have to say that I love going to Mariposa, the community there is wonderful and the hospitality that we enjoy is spectacular.

On Saturday e drove out to the range and many shooters helped us get it ready. In all we had 23 shooters and lots of rain and mud, many of them were new to appleseed  , and we even had the women of one family that spanned 3 generations (and the 4th generation showed up during lunch for mommy time)  . The day started out a little slow but we got moving pretty quick. The shooters were very attentive during our instruction and even more so during the history. A number of shooters had to leave before the end of the day but most will be back at the next Appleseed.

All 14 shooters that completed Saturday returned Sunday and were met by even more rain than we had the day before, but all persisted for the day. After dealing with multiple rifle issues in the morning, front sight falling off, extractor issues, front sight broken, stock too long.... we were able to progress with the instruction review and AQTs. While all of our shooters improved we didn't have any rifleman scores our closest was a 191. Our shooters really enjoyed the entire weekend and we look forward to having all of our shooters back at future shoots.

One of the shooters sent me the official rain report and from Sat AM to Sun at 5 there was 3 inches of rain - many roads were closed all around the range due to river flooding. 

[FurrowFoot]

I wholeheartedly second everthing Romeo's Hero wrote.  Appleseed is continuing to grow in Mariposa and this weekend showed why.

We had a group of dedicated shooters, they were there despite the weather and were ready to learn.  As they sorted out equipment issues and applied the teaching, we started seeing groups, then the groups started getting smaller and then some groups moved onto the silhouettes.  They enjoyed the history and sharing about our heritage.  It wasn't easy, the rain-roof-noise didn't let up at lunch on either day.  All of you who came, well done.

FurrowFoot