AAR Bakersfield, CA. Feb. 25-26, 2012

[Cal 7.62]

Saturday morning started off cold and slightly breezy. We had 10 shooters who forsook the couch and TV to join us for a day of heritage and marksmanship. It always amazes me how far people will come to attend an Appleseed. We had folks from Santa Clarita, Tehachapi, Lindsay and Reedley.  Among the attendees were 5 returning Appleseeders (Tom, Zeke, Randy, Paul & Noah) ready for another crack at the elusive Rifleman patch. Also we had a father & son pair  (Dalton & Ethan) and 1st timers Andrew (Noah's brother), Terri & Pedro.
After the safety briefing it was time to fend off the redcoats. It was revealed that some needed to trade their modern rifles in for smoothbore muskets, but we're here to fix that!
We had to sort through equipment problems early on, which slowed us down some. Finally into the squares and everyone was drinking steadily from the firehose of instruction. Lunchtime was upon us before we knew it and we weren't even to B&D yet! The1st two strikes were told, awakening the sleeping American(s) within. A student around my age (50), (I'm guessing) commented that he had never heard that history before (How sad but true)
Since daylight was burning, we had to turn on the firehose again. B&D, Standing SHF's,transitions, "Greencoats". At last we were able to post a QDAQT, and let the fun begin. We actually managed to shoot a few AQT's which surprised me since we had gotten off to a late start.
Terri doesn't think 55 secs. is a luxurious amount of time on stage two!
The 3rd strike was delivered during a break and then it was back on to the final AQT and redcoat of the day.
Luther Blanchard patches awarded to Ethan & Zeke, fine young Americans. Rifleman patches awarded to Zeke, and Tom (how many seed's?) Outstanding gentlemen!

Sunday dawned a little breezier and colder than the day before.
We lost shooters Tom, Zeke, Andrew, Dalton, & Eaton but gained Steve, (a previous seeder from Fresno) and Terri's husband and son, Joe & Jack
Once thru the safety briefing, the redcoats spoke of improvement over Saturdays scores.
During the review on the squares we got Joe & Jack squared away, and it was off to the AQT grind.
Alas, no more riflemen scores that weekend but some folks were close. Remember folks, a Rifleman persists!
(paraphrased) quote of the weekend in regards to the Titanic's deck tilting; " They've not only hit the iceberg but they keep backing up and ramming it again and again!"    -   Pedro


Sat AM Redcoats-
400-0
300-2
200-1
100-1
H.S.-1
Clrd.-0

Sat PM redcoat scores - MIA (still searching)

Sun AM Redcoats-
400-0
300-2
200-1
100-3
H.S.-2
Clrd.-0

Sun PM Redcoats-
400-2
300-3
200-0
100-1
H.S.-0
Clrd.-0

Hopefully all will return for April's shoot.
Thanks for coming folks. Feel free to chime in.

Steve

[Cal 7.62]

Pics
027-AM Briefing
029 - Redcoats
034 - Joe
042 - Jack

[Cal 7.62]

More pics.-
037 - Noah (notice the cant)
038 - Paul
039 - Steve
040 - Terri w/ IIT tony stark

[Cal 7.62]

more pics.

041 - Randy
031 - Rifleman Zeke
032 - Rifleman Tom (finally!)
033 - Luther Blanchard award to Ethan