totally not intentional.

I swear.

zen of the rifle

Prior to Blogorado, (and aside from plinking with a 10/22 at an indoor 50 ft. range) I had shot rifles twice - once at Appleseed and once at my friend Heath's farm. I don't really know anything about zeroing, windage, clicks, or elevation...

I just know I love to shoot. Or rather, I love everything that leads up to pulling the trigger.

(the view through the scope. The target is in the upper left quadrant.)

That barrel was so small and so very far away, even through the scope. I was told it lasered in at 970 yards - but all I knew was that it was somewhere out there on the horizon and I wanted to hit it with a bullet. Somehow.

I tried to get my breathing under control as I searched for my target through the scope. I watched my own heartbeat make the crosshairs dance. I tried to touch the rifle without really touching it. I willed myself into stillness.

(me at Blogorado, shooting the M24, 970 yards)

I exhaled. Readjusted. Ignored the wind that had been plaguing my shooting all day. Tried to find that moment when you know you should squeeze the trigger.

And missed.

I remember watching my first shot send up a big plume of dust somewhere low and to the right of the barrel.

I sighed and began my meditation again. Just me, the rifle, the wind, and a steady slow movement of one fingertip. I sent the last 4 shots through the barrel. Direct hits.

OldNFO told me later that I took too long making my shots and in retrospect, I suppose it's true...I could have stayed out there all day, savoring the process. There is great peace to be found on the high plains, the warmth of the setting sun on your face, waiting for that moment of hush behind a rifle.

Had a ball (part 3 - "Let me 'splain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up." )

Ambulance Driver and I get better acquainted.

I'll be sharing little details and posting photos (once I get them all downloaded and edited) but if you want all the various and sundry details of what was, undoubtedly, one of the best weeks of my life, you'll have to read elsewhere.

The Atomic Nerds give a hilarious account of events (parts 1, 2, & 3)

Christina_LMT wrote up an excellent range report (but I'm sure she didn't list every gun that was there)

OldNFO shares his favorite memories and AepilotJim has the post-Blogorado blues.

Snarky is summarizing day-by-day.

Gay Cynic open carries for the first time. (as a little aside here - On Friday, before we went to visit the horses, the whole motley bunch of us were standing on the sidewalk, admiring the saddles. I stepped back, a bit bemused at the scene. Ah, Blogorado - where you can have a gay man, a librarian and a Texan in a kilt all enjoying each other's company, the warm sunny day, and the freedom of open carry. It was a thing of beauty.)

The gorgeous Phlegmfatale (I'm not kidding, folks. It was like a movie star made an appearance at the range. I'm still dazzled.) gushes over gravy. And no wonder, the food was excellent - best chicken fried steak I've ever had. Okay, it was the ONLY chicken fried steak I've ever had, but I have it on good authority that it was one of the best EVER. (& Farmmom is going to be blogging the recipes!)

I really cannot say enough about Farmgirl, her parents, and her Mamaw - fine, generous people who worked so hard to host a bunch of strangers. They fed us, took us in, and treated us like family. A simple "thank you" seems insufficient but there it is - from the depths of my heart.