July 24, 2010 at Bordertown

WILTED!

The day before this match Critr posted some Elder Statesman wisdom on the Message Board:

"the forecast for Bulls Gap is 98 degrees, with a heat index that is obscene, and I am going to put judgment ahead of desire. So......., as much as I hate to conk out on you, I won't be there tomorrow. "

Fourteen of us chose not to heed his warning and by 8:30 the heat had become the topic of conversation. Cherokee Deacon related that he had succumbed to heat exhaustion Friday while helping Mort set up the stages leaving Mort to put out the shotgun targets without his assistance. Concern about our decision to shoot was registered by some but the die had been cast and we were going to see it through. We pledged our allegiance to the flag, said a prayer and off we went.

Our hardy, (or perhaps foolhardy) group included a new club member and first time SASS shooter Grover George who impressed everyone with one of the best first time matches we've ever seen. He even won the Senior category! Well done Grover and glad to have you aboard. Sonora Moon and Boozy Creek brought family along that included Sonora's grandchild. Purtiest baby you ever saw and Deacon's son helped put out ropes and blankets and manned the unloading tables so it was a family event to be sure! Also... the artist formally known as Joatmon has joined SASS and is now Timber Rattler. Sounds like a pretty scary feller but he brought ice water and cups with him so I think he's still on our side! The new first place winner buckle was on display at the sign in table along with the new mug and both are very impressive.

Before the shootin' started Mort was selling chances to win a Springfield XDM pistol at ten dollars a ticket for the Wilderness Road Shooting & Conservation Club and that drawing will be August 2nd so if you'd like to get in on it give Mort a call. There were only three hundred tickets printed and there are still a few left I think.

It didn't appear that the heat affected Sunshine Billy on the range today... but when your first name is Sunshine I reckon you're gonna be right at home in the heat. Billy was on fire and in flawless form. Boozy Creek started the day by winning the first stage and turned in some impressive shooting for a third place finish. Bear Claws O'conner got quite a bit of applause today too and shot some amazing stages! He finished in the top five right behind Widder who was having a few shotgun issues but whose pistols and rifle were blazing hot. Mort chose not to shoot as he had been up all night. His brother's car laid down in Carolina and Mort was called to the rescue. One trip to get his brother and family and another to get the car. Still, he did a great job as RO for our posse of sweat hogs and kept a watchful eye on everyone in the heat. He also put up steel when it was over. (Gloves were required for that, incidentally. Steel was too hot to handle.) Thanks Mort. We appreciate you.

When all was said and done (and clothing wrung out to dry) we had a great day and everyone was looking forward to meeting up again in two weeks. Hope you can make it in August my friend. Until then shoot straight and have fun the cowboy way.

Regards,

Lil' Weasel