Channeling my inner Annie

Last Saturday, I joined three of my friends from my hometown and met them in Morgantown, which is about half-way between New Castle (where I'm from) and Bloomington (where I now live).

Me, Kathy, Nan and Joyce

We attended an event called "Women in the Outdoors" which is sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation.  Kevin Presnell from Gander Mountain brought all of his instructors together at his place called Presnell Plantation.  We had a beautiful day and the property is just gorgeous.

You pick four sessions.  I chose clay pigeon shooting, fly-fishing, hand gun safety and kayaking.  Prior to last Saturday, I had shot a shot gun exactly one time.  My ex-husband thought I needed to know how to shoot his shot gun.  We went out to my grandma's farm, I shot it- it kicked back on me and about broke my shoulder.  I got mad, handed him the gun and until last Saturday, that was the last time I had ever shot a gun.
This time, my experience wasn't much better.  We shot a couple of different gauge guns (don't ask, I don't remember) and they both kicked hard.  I am sporting a bruise to prove it.

Plenty of ammo

Plenty of guns

Joyce takes aim

Joyce and I were in this session together.  She took this session last year.

Kevin shows me how

We shot at clay pigeons.  I couldn't have hit a clay whale!

Kevin speaks to us about fly-fishing. 
This is where we would later kayak.

Next, Kathy and I took fly-fishing.  I grew up casting a line with a regular fishing pole.  I had never fly-fished before.  I've often admired the art of fly-fishing.  It took me almost a full hour and a half to get the hang of it.

Kathy tries her luck at fly-fishing.

I caught a fish!

Ladies, take note in the above photo.  I am wearing jewelry, nail-polish and make-up.  My life motto has been "we don't have to be ugly in the woods."  Whenever I've gone camping or hiking, I make an effort to look nice.  People make fun of me.  That is fine.  When Doug and I back-packed in Rocky Mountain National Park, he told people that all I carried was my clothes and make-up.  That was not true, but whatever.  People have always teased me about having Estee Lauder with me. 

This is Bud.  Talkin' to us about hand guns.

Next, hand gun safety.  Bud and another fellow were our instructors.  The other instructor was a retired state police officer.  Bud has a black belt and is NRA certified to teach.  Prior to last Saturday, I had NEVER held a hand gun.  My dad had guns and I grew up with them in the house, but never had any desire to touch them.

I think this is where Bud was saying "are you sure you never shot before?"

"BLAM!"

I was a freaking natural with handguns!  I was pounding the bull's eye.  Both instructors asked me if I had done it before and when I said that I had not, they both told me with beginner's luck like I was having, I should be in competition. 
It was fun, I was kind of jazzed, but have no desire to buy a gun or to shoot on any regular basis.

My favorite hand gun was the one pictured below.  A Smith & Wesson.  A real cowgirl gun.

Just like Annie Oakley would have used!