Wow. Where to start?

A week or so before the Boomershoot 2010 events began, Barron and his wife Janelle touched bases with me. They were headed down to VJ’s to take advantage of the 10% open carry discount, so I said I’d meet them there. Upon arrival, Barron called Joe Huffman to tell him I wasn’t just a figment of teh interwebs after all, and to come on down for dinner. Thus, Joe and Barb showed up not long thereafter.

The story behind the figment of teh intarwebs thing is that both Barron and Barb had run into my sister at various points, yet I’d somehow managed to avoid encountering any of them. Ever. So, three of my fellow local bloggers (plus spouses) were met in short order, barbecue was had, and I started to get pretty amped up for ’splodey goodness.

I also ran into Lyle from UltiMAK and JeanC at VJ’s, in the same timeframe, thus quickly upping my local-gun/libertarian-bloggers-met-tally to five. :) (Well, six if you include my fairly recent rendezvous with Paul, though he’s not on the Palouse anymore.)

Then, I found out Oleg Volk needed a place to crash, and offered him our couch. (When I told a buddy Oleg was staying at our place, he replied – and I do quote – “No fricking way.”)

Oleg arrived the Wednesday before Boomershoot. Thursday was the Media Day, but I didn’t wind up attending due to The Inconvenience’s school schedule and the weather. Thus, Thursday, Friday and Saturday were mostly spent hanging out and taking pictures. I’d assumed (rightly) I’d be in front of the camera some…

but didn’t expect to a) get to do some shots for UltiMAK:

and b) see The Inconvenience do the same!

Lyle (who is rather photogenic, himself) was quite pleased with the results, and will be using some of each of us in promo materials. Flattered, I am indeed.

I’m also stoked to be married to some serious eye candy. ;-)

Sunday dawned bright and early(ish). We gathered up a couple carloads of friends and headed down to the Boomershoot site. We managed to arrive just late enough to miss the opening fireball, but thanks to Barron’s videography we got to watch it later. (Video in just a minute. You have to listen to me rambling on, first.)

I don’t think I’m nearly poetic enough to explain the awesome awesomeness that was Boomershoot. Imagine, if you will, walking up to a line of absolutely beautiful rifles, optics, spotting scopes, and other trappings, wielded by some of the nicest, most well-behaved folks on earth. That thing about an armed, polite society? Absolutely true. Cliche, I know, but I felt like a kid in a candy store.

And stingy, they are not. These folks are proud of their gear, and happy to let you give it a spin. David Whitewolf from Random Nuclear Strikes let us give his .308 pistol (Sweetheart) a go, and despite the fact I nearly launched it one shooting position to the left, it was great fun! (I was fully prepared for major rearward recoil, which it did not have. Leftward travel, yes. Lots of that.) Then, I was bestowed with a Heller Kitty t-shirt! YES! SCOTUS HUMOR! GLEE!

On down the line I went, to the veeeery furthest shooting position. And who did I find there? Ry Jones, of course, and his .50.

Yes. I finally got to shoot a .50. I’m still grinning like an idiot. Barron got some great pictures (and video, did I mention the video?) of it, for which I thank him muchly. And a million thanks to Ry for the courtesy, and letting me keep my souvenir brass.

So, much more hanging out, observing, drooling over gear, etc. continued. The Girl Child fell asleep while I was shooting the .50. We broke for lunch, and afterward watched gratuitous anvil violence. More shooting after lunch, at which point Lyle asked if I’d like to come down to his spot on the line and try for a boomer or two with his .308 Remington 700. I believe my answer was something along the lines of, “HELL YES.”

Aside from some very rudimentary spotting scope usage for sighting in rifles, I’ve never worked with a spotter. Lyle got me set up and spotted for me, and let me tell you – those of you who haven’t gotten the chance to shoot like that, go do it. Now. It’s the perfect combination of adrenaline rush and peaceful zen – I can’t even describe it. Shooting has always more or less been a solitary thing for me. Even if I’m out shooting with other people, my performance is just that – mine. And, as someone who has never been particularly athletic or played well with others, I’ve never had much of a chance to do the whole teamwork thing. I loved it. I still haven’t quite put my finger on why I enjoyed it so much, but being part of a shooter/spotter team is now officially under my skin.

Anyway, hopefully I’ll write something a little more eloquent on that, later. For now, I’ll say that five shots in – BOOM. The Inconvenience then took it for a spin and got two hits of his own. Thanks again, Lyle.

After that, I went back down the line and took a spin on Barron’s .308 Kimber. Talk about a drool-worthy rifle, gah. I believe I got a Boomer in four on that one. Both of my hits were at about 375 yards. Not too shabby, I’d say!

Man, I keep forgetting stuff to add. We attended the Saturday night Boomershoot dinner and raffle, which was a lot of fun. My buddy, who was celebrating his birthday, hit a Boomer with Ry’s .50. Then, his wife was filmed shooting the .50 and did and interview with Michael Bane. I met some other folks with a young one in tow – turns out his name was Garand, and he was one day older than The Girl Child. We may be in trouble if they cross paths in 16 years or so… A few folks recognized me from PGB, which is always flattering (and a surprise!). Dan from UltiMAK made a ~550 yard headshot on a silhouette with a Mosin. I think he took nine shots total, with Russian steel-cased ammo, and oh yeah – freaking IRON SIGHTS.

And, you know, days like Sunday really make me want to tell the anti-gunners to just STFU and get bent. I didn’t hear a cross word, see a single safety violation, or otherwise find any reason to be concerned by the crowd. The folks were well-spoken, kind, and generous. Joe Huffman and crew put a ton of time and hard work into creating an event that can be enjoyed by all ages, and I really thank him for his efforts. It is not only a fantastic representation of the gun community I am proud to be a part of, it’s a doggone good time.

To Joe and family, Lyle and the UltiMAK crew, Ry, Barron, Janelle, David, Oleg and anyone else I’m forgetting who helped make this last week and a half or so such an amazing experience, thank you for all you do, and for welcoming me and mine into the fold.

And now, courtesy of Barron, the video – more pics to come soon, as well.

Just got back into town from Boomershoot.

OH GOD SO FUN.

I have a feeling this next year is going to be a spendy one for us. Yeeeeah.

More details and pics later, when I’m on a real keyboard.

We’re about two weeks out from the 2010 Boomershoot, which is organized by gunblogger Joe Huffman and more or less in my backyard. Believe it or not, I’ve yet to attend. I know, I know. Criminal.

I am planning to attend as a spectator this year. I’m not sure if The Inconvenience and Girl Child will also be along, but we’ll see.

The mystery visitor, who will be in town for the same event, is none other than the talented Mr. Oleg Volk. YAY!

A couple of notes for those converging (or considering it) on my neck of the woods for Boomershoot:

I’d be happy to help y’all with information about lodging or Moscow in general, which is about 45 minutes away from the shoot. Just comment or send me an email: laurel@politicsgunsandbeer.com

Please do get in touch if you’ll be around, so I know who to look for!

Also, shameless plug: The Sister and Grumple Dan are the owners of VJ’s BBQ in Moscow. Joe’s wife, Barb, ran into The Sister at the grocery store the other day, and they partook of some of their excellent BBQ shortly thereafter. (I’m particularly fond of the pulled pork, and potato salad.)

Anyway, with so many gunnies coming to town, I figured now was a good time for a shoutout and to point out that not only are they an open-carry-friendly establishment, they actually offer a 10% discount to open carrying customers. So, stop in, introduce yourself, show off your hardware and try the best BBQ on the Palouse!

No, really: Guess!

*grin*

P.S. One clue: I AM back in Idaho.