Saturday, December 31, 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR


The morning after I hope you are not feeling as bad as he looks.

So, go celebrate, be careful, have a designated driver, or take a taxi.

Thank you to all my readers, family, friends, blogger friends, and all you folk who just stop by to take a look. You are all appreciated.

I wish for you all, an outstanding New Year

Thursday, December 08, 2011

Whoohoo, yahoo, yippee, backflips and all that!

My honey Mr C does not have cancer. He went on Tuesday to the doctors to hear the results of the biopsy done on the previous Tuesday, and no cancer was found.
You can read more on MR Completely's blog

I am now able to fully enjoy my vacation in New Zealand with out wanting to be in two places at once. I am staying at Amaryllis House ( a home specially for people with Huntington's Disease) with my daughter, and am being treated so well by everyone, it is just like one big happy family.
I have been on two rides when they take three or four of the residents for a ride, checked out the local mall, and will attend a Christmas concert on Monday, and a Christmas party next Thursday. So many fun things to do.
The computer at Amaryllis House is only available for use when the manager is there, and as she is so busy I hate to intrude, so I walk 10 minutes to this little local library to use their computer.
Well that is all for now, I am going to walk in the sunshine back to Amaryllis house.

Monday, December 05, 2011

Notes from my New zealand trip.

It is good to be back on New Zealand soil. It was a long tiring journey to reach here but worth it all the same. My daughter was very excited to see me and I am enjoying being here with her at Amaryllis house. There are several events planned which I will be able to go to with my daughter and some of the other residents. There will be a movie night, a concert, and a Christmas party, plus there is a mall a short bus ride away so I can go get my fill of a mall which does not happen on Whidbey island as there are no malls.
I am eating extremely well, and the food here is absolutely wonderful, so if I am not careful, I will not be able to fit in to any of my clothes.
The weather is warmish, not as warm as I expected, but the forecast is promising warmer conditions by the weekend.
That is about all for now, I will endeavor to keep updates coming as I can get to a computor.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

I am one who always looks at my glass being half full

But am having a difficult time doing that now, although I must.
As I posted yesterday, Mike underwent a biopsy, and the doctor says there is an 85% chance it is cancer, I am saying it is a 15% chance it is not.
HERE is the link to Mike's post about the subject.


Blogging will be light as I am taking this opportunity to make a quick trip to visit my family in New Zealand. I leave on Saturday and will return on Christmas day.
Please continue to keep Mike in your prayers.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

We need your prayers

Today at 2pm Mike undergoes a biopsy. Please hold him in your thoughts and prayers.
If all goes well, I could be on my way to New Zealand as early as Saturday.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving.




















I AM SO THANKFUL FOR MANY THINGS.

For my freedom bought with sacrifice by others.
For the man who loves me, and is my best friend.
For all the love and laughter in my life.
For my family.
For good friends
For a job I actually like.
For the sunshine today, after days of fog.
For the beauty on this earth.
Looking out the window, I can see two rabbits, snuggled up against each other at the base of a tree, trying to keep warm. I am thankful for all the wonderful creatures we have on this earth.
For all my blogger friends.
For all the other things too numerous to mention.



Happy Thanksgiving to all and blessings on your day.


I have always had trouble making a pie crust which is tender and flaky. Yesterday I remembered something I had read about using water and vodka, so decided to give it a try. I made a pumpkin pie this afternoon, and I am raving about the crust, as it is everything a crust should be.

The best ever pie crust (with vodka!?)


Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour

1 teaspoon table salt
2 tablespoons sugar
12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch slices (1 1/2 sticks) chilled
1/2 cup chilled vegetable shortening, cut into 4 pieces
1/4 cup vodka, chilled
1/4 cup water chilled

Directions
1. Process 1 1/2 cups flour, salt and sugar in food processor until combined, about 2 one second pulses. Add butter and shortening and process until dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 15 seconds. (dough will resemble cottage cheese curds and there should be no uncoated flour) Scrape bowl with rubber spatula and redistribute dough evenly around bowl. Add remaining cup of flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up, 4-6 quick pulses. Empty mixture into large bowl.

2. Mix vodka and water together and sprinkle over mixture. With a rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down on dough until it is slightly tacky and starts to come together. Divide the dough into two even sized balls and flatten each into about a 4-inch disc, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes, or up to 2 days.



Friday, November 18, 2011

Update on Mike's condition

Mike is still not out of the woods yet. He went to see the specialist yesterday and has to go back next week for a biopsy to see how far gone is his cancer, then the following week we have to go back for test results. So I cannot rebook my ticket for New Zealand yet, and as it is so close to Christmas, I may possibly not be able to make it until early January.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Udate

Mike has been home two full days and is doing OK so far. We have an appointment with his doctor today to discuss some test results.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Good news, no news

Late yesterday I received a phone call from Mike in Harborview hospital saying they are sending him home can I come and get him. I called a couple of friends, and one of them said yes of course I will drive you to the hospital.
We arrived back home around 8:45pm last night and tucked Mike into bed for a good night's rest.

As for the 'no news' the hospital techs had drawn enough blood from Mike to do all the necessary tests, and as he was stable and able to keep his temperature under control with medication, they said he could come home. Harborview is a very busy hospital and of course they needed the bed and sending him home leaves a bed for another patient.

Our next move is to make an appointment for Mike to see his own doctor this week who will have test results, and we can proceed from there. We do know of one problem which will have to be addressed, but before that happens, the cause of the temperature has to be determined.

Mike and I sincerely thank you, our friends and family, for all the prayers and good wishes you have been sending our way, I can't begin to tell you how much it has meant to us to have your support.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Mike is now in Harborview

I had a very restless night tossing and turning wondering how things were going for Mike. And stewing over the fact that it is not easy to get to the hospital, that is for me anyway. I do not know my way around Seattle, and I am very, very, nervous about driving the freeway. I have also been advised I should not be by myself in the neighborhood of the hospital as there are some very rough characters around. I looked into maybe taking a bus, oh sure, just five bus rides to get there, scratch that idea. Then I thought perhaps there is someone here on the island who works a day shift at Harborview I could catch a ride with, spend the day with Mike and return in the evening or whenever the persons shift was over . I know something will work out, and Mike is in good hands but I really hate not being there with him, "Patience, Jennifer, patience," I am telling myself.

Here is a short email message I found this morning from my honey:

"Big adventure, some highs and some lows. Over the worst I think. Sat in ER for almost 6 hrs before getting to a full sized bed. Just had a sandwich, so I'm not starving. No problem getting Ibuprofen so far, so I feel pretty good. I'll try to call later as it's 1:30am. now. Will try to get some sleep.
"

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Update on Mike

I love that I can post on blogger and it goes directly to face book. This saves me countless phone calls to our friends and family.
Mike is in an ambulance at this time, 6 :06pm, being transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where they can do more tests than can be done here on the island. I sincerely hope something shows up very soon.

Frustration

Yesterday's MRI shows NOTHING, now the Doctors are talking about transfering Mike to The University of Washington Hospital. Of course besides the worry of not knowing what is wrong, Mike is fretting about his business, if he can't keep on top of things then there is no money coming in to cover bills, and of course that is a real concern. We don't even want to think of the many thousands of dollars it has cost so far, and all that will be in the future.
Well we will just deal with whatever comes up hour by hour and day by day. All I want is for him to get well and come home.
I will keep updates coming as I know more. Please continue to keep Mike in your prayers.

Quick update

Mike went another full body MRI yesterday afternoon and sometime this morning his doctor along with head of radiology and a specialist will be reading the scans. I hope to have good news later on when I get to the hospital.

Wednesday, November 09, 2011

No definite news yet

We have a great team in this hospital doing all they can to determine what ails Mike. As of today, he in not being given any IV fluids antibiotics and nor pain meds. The doctors are waiting to see what shows up in his body, then they can form opinions as to what could be a potential problem. I have just finished a conversation with his doctor, who pointed out that perhaps there could be something stemming from the surgery and subsequent internal bleeding from last year. This afternoon he is going to have another scan so we will wait and see what that shows, if anything. If nothing is determined at this hospital, it is possible Mike will be transferred to The University of Washing hospital. I sure hope that does not happen as I fear driving through seattle traffic to get there.
Time will tell.

Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Update on Mr C

Mike remains in the hospital, still no diagnosis on what is causing his illness. I have cancelled my trip to New Zealand. That is all for now, I am too tired to think.

Monday, November 07, 2011

Update on Mr C.

Sheesh I need to learn not to panic, but I am over tired and as a wife it is my job to panic a little bit.
When I left Mike last night he was doing Ok and as I said in my last post, he told me that while he was on the pain meds which also keep his temperature under control, he will be feeling OK. Well, they cut back on the meds and when I called him earlier his exact words were " I am going backwards, they are sending me down for another scan"
My panic mode set in and I dropped everything and rushed up to the hospital. He is not as as bad off as I had imagined, although the doctors are still testing to see what the dickens is going on. I just had a nice long talk with his doctor and I am now feeling better that I know more.
I will try to keep updates coming as I find out more.

Sunday, November 06, 2011

It's been a wild ride

and not a fun one either.

Last Wednesday evening Mr C started to feel unwell, Thursday he felt worse, Friday no better and Saturday morning, that's yesterday, morning he was in the hospital.

After the tech took, it seemed pints of blood, another tech doing a nose swipe to determine if it was perhaps influenza which was laying him low, and then he had a cat scan, it appears he has an infection of one of his kidneys. The blood samples are being tested to make sure no infection is in his blood as his temp when taken during the first minutes of being admitted into hospital was 105F. The poor guy sure had a time of it when they tried to insert the IV, as due to serious dehydration his veins had collapsed. I stood and held his hand while the attempt was being made to insert the IV but had to go sit down for a while, to ease the queasy feeling which overcame me, I usually am not fazed by these procedures, but I guess when it is one of your own family it is different.

Mike was hooked up to the pump which administered fluids and the first dose of heavy duty anti-biotics and after about three hours he was starting to feel a little better and actually started to doze off. As he had not really slept for the past three nights, he really needed the rest so his body could start to heal, so I decided to leave him dozing and go down to the cafeteria for dinner. I ate a wonderful Thanksgiving kind of turkey dinner, and yes, it was very good for hospital food. After eating I wandered back upstairs to ER and peeped into Mike's room. "where have they taken my man?" I said to myself, and found out from his nurse he had been finally moved to a room in the main hospital.

Mike was chatting to his nurses when I arrived at his room and he appeared to be doing so much better. All the relevant information was given for the hospital records and I settled down in a chair beside him. As we chatted Mike told me he was cold, so I grabbed another blanket from the closet, then he started really shivering, I went out to the nurses station and reported the happenings, and a nurse brought in a nice warm blanket. That did not chase away the chills, so Mike, being the bright guy he is, said that it had been a long time since he had the motrin or whatever it was, to bring down his temperature was wearing off and his temp. was on the rise, again which proved correct. They brought in more meds, another couple of warmed blankets to wrap around him and his dinner. But after a couple of bites, his appetite vanished, and that is because of his temperature rising again. Poor guy, he really was having a rough time.
It was now fairly late into the evening, and a friend of ours had arrived at the hospital to drive me home. I was so very tired as I had only dozed off and on for the past three nights, so I poured a small glass of my favorite red wine sipped it until gone, then slipped into bed. I went out like a light and woke up at 6am, that is according to the bedroom clock, I had forgotten it was time to turn the clocks back, but as I was up drinking a cup of Ovaltine and writing this blogpost, I decided to stay up. I can get a nap later on today after I return from visiting my honey.

Our wild ride is not over yet, Mike will be in the hospital at least one more night and will undergo another scan sometime later today to check the infected spot on the kidney. Our dear friends Wayne and Lori, are insisting I go on my trip home to New Zealand on Wednesday and they will take care of my honey. Lori is a nurse so I know he would be in good hands. Mike also says he will be sick whether I am home or on my trip.Oh what a decision to make.

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Tuesday chuckle

The teenager lost a contact lens while playing basketball in his driveway. After a fruitless search, he told his mother the lens was nowhere to be found.

Undaunted, she went outside and in a few minutes returned with the lens in her ha
nd.

"How did you manage to find it, Mom?" the teenager asked.

"We weren't looking for the same thing," she replied. "You were looking for a small piece of plastic and I was looking for $150."

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Only 15 days more before I leave for New Zealand to visit my family. I finally had a day off work where I could get up to Oak Harbor to get a couple more gifts to take with me. My Grandsons love tee shirts with funky graphics on them, so I looked around and found some I am sure they are going to like.

I wasn't intending on buying myself anything, but when one comes across a good buy, well who can resist? I saw these cute shoes on clearance for $4:99 and a girl can't have too many pairs of shoes, right? Being just shy of 5' tall I need all the help I can get, so I thought the 2 1/2" heels on these should boost my height a little. *grin*
Sometime in the near future, I need to go through the closet and take all my smaller shoes to the thrift, as I am now wearing a 1/2 size larger than I used to. Jeez, when will it end? I am also a size larger in my clothing. Dang, I know they said getting old is not for sissies, and I have found that to be true.

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Idaho Steel Challenge 2011

Thursday morning we left in our RV for the long drive to Nampa Idaho, to compete in The Idaho Steel Challenge match. The drive as far as Huntington, where we spent the night, was just the way we like it, that is uneventful.
Even though Friday morning dawned cool, it soon warmed up, and by the time we arrived at the range we were, clothes clinging hot. Dang! I said, if it is this hot now, then it is going to be a miserable, hot day for the match tomorrow.

Gimme, gimme,
My caption for the photo in which I did not know what the guys were about.

Saturday, it was a very pleasant surprise to wake up to a cloud covered sky, and we were hoping it would stay that way all day.


Are you having fun yet?
Yes indeed, I am.

Remember what I said about 'it would be nice to have cloud cover all day' Well I couldn't have been more wrong, because just as we were starting in on the fourth stage, the blistering sun came out from behind the clouds, and we instantly felt as though we were being slow baked in an oven. I do not do well in the heat, and I struggled to shoot the last three stages. Whine, whine whine!

"Are you ready?" asks the Range Officer
"yes" answers Mr C
"stand by" says the RO
Beeeep goes the buzzer of the timer.
Mr C draws his firearm, and commences shooting.

John, very focused on making the steel ring.

I like to sneak up on folk and take their picture.

Rich showing us how it was done, and he sure was having a grand time.

And how did we do?
A picture, or in this case, two pictures are worth a thousand words



Our squad of seven did rather well.

John, was Overall Match winner, and won Limited, Rich placed first in Production, Mike was High Super Senior, and also won Rimfire, and yours truly, won High lady.

Sunday, October 02, 2011

Small town America

There is a certain charm about small rural towns.Recently, during our drive to Idaho we were getting very low on gas, so decided to leave the freeway to find gas in a small town called Huntington. The gas station owner told us he had sold out of gas due to the many hunters who had stopped at his establishment to fill up their gas tanks, but the tanker would be there around 8am in the morning to top up the tanks.
By this time it was about 6:30pm and we had been on the road since 9am so we were ready to rest for the night. The gas station owner said there was a small park just up the road and we could pull around back of it and spend the night there, which we did.
It was a little early to sleep, so we strolled the main street, all of about a hundred yards long, looked through a fence at some old farm machinery, strolled up the street past a cafe, a bar and another restaurant, stopped to pet an old black Labrador who came wagging up to us, looking like he was the official town greeter, then returned to the park to sit on a bench and watch the world go by. I love the way small town people say "howdy" as you pass them in the street, the way they wave at you as they drive by, it all makes you feel welcome in their small town,


We sat on the bench you can see in the photo, which is right across the road from a very old brick hotel. I mentioned to Mr C that one good quake and the whole building would just be a pile of bricks and rubble spilling into the street. The cafe, bar and restaurant, previously mentioned, are on the street level of the hotel, and it looked to me that the rooms on the two top floors were vacant, as the windows were very dirty, lacked any window coverings, and there was just an air of emptiness about the rooms.
As we sat enjoying the balmy evening air, we discussed where we would eat breakfast in the morning, would it be the cafe, or perhaps the restaurant had better food, we would see in the morning where the locals eat breakfast. Our decision was made for us, as the cafe was the only one open, and what a wonderful home cooked kind of breakfast we enjoyed while soaking up the atmosphere in the small town cafe.
They served coffee in real coffee mugs, mine had flowers on it, Mr C's a picture of a revolver, with "make my day" printed underneath. There was a small paperback book on our table telling the 'true' story of a pioneer's life, there were pictures on the walls from the 1800's depicting life in the area, and the locals who came and went, greeting each other as only those who really know each other do. Ah! small town friendliness.


The fenced lot housing some wonderful old farm machinery, a wagon, and a log building which had been a depot of some kind. There was a note attached to the fence saying, one could get the key from the cafe, to unlock the gate so you could wander around.

Looking through the hedge from where our RV was parked, towards the main street.

I would have liked to see inside the old caboose, but it was locked up for the night. Speaking of cabooses, or rather trains, just about 50 feet from our overnight parking place, ran a main trunk railway line, and all though the night we heard diesel engines pulling their loads by. I must admit, after the first few trains had rumbled by keeping me awake, I finally fell asleep, and would hear in my sleep a train coming, kinda' come out of my unconscious state, told myself it is only a train, and fell asleep again. Odd, but it was almost a soothing sound, perhaps because it was a familiar sound from my childhood.


We enjoyed our overnight stay in this charming little town which makes strangers feel welcome.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Gunblogger Rendezvous 2011...The Best Ever!

Thursday morning we enjoyed a hearty breakfast before carpooling to Cabela's for a guided tour, shopping and browsing this very interesting store. If you were not interested in shooting camping or other outdoor kinds of activities, well then, there was plenty more of interest to see.





The taxidermy is incredible.



This photo of the 'Gun library' taken during our 2008 visit.


Friday morning, as we enjoyed our NRA sponsored breakfast, California firearms attorney, Chuck Michel talked to us.



We all received from Pro Ears, a very nice set of hearing protectors.

Aaron modeling his set of Pro Ears hearing protectors for me.

Molly is thinking of going into law and wanted to ask Alan Gura some questions. Later in the evening, Alan spoke to us of legal matters concerning gun rights, law etc.


After our nice breakfast on Saturday morning, sponsored by Otis Technologies, we all went out to the Pyramid range for an introduction to Steel Challenge Action Pistol shooting.


A quick meeting to outline safety, and how the match is run, then off we all went to have some fun.




Sunday morning after breakfast, we went out for some fun to try our hand at Cowboy Fast Draw.

Quick Cal Eilrich telling us some history about Cowboy Fast Draw, and filling us in on how the match is run.

Milisecond Molly and GG waitng for their revolvers to be loaded.
As you see, we shoot indoors, but the revolvers are loaded with wax bullets, even so, care must be exercised as they are still dangerous and the firearms must be handled accordingly.


Video taken during our Saturday night's 'all you can eat pizza' dinner, and of all the goodies donated


Video of the wonderful prizes donated for our door and raffle prizes to raise money for Valour IT



Pizza, yummmm! and there was more than enough for everyone.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Gun Blogger Rendezvous 2011

I have been somewhat overwhelmed by lack of rest, getting back into my work schedule, planning this weekends match to Puyallup and the following weeks trip to Boise Idaho for another match, to do a whole lot of reporting on "The Best Ever" Gun Blogger Rendezvous. However, I will make an attempt to get on with the job of posting ASAP.

A great breakfast sponsored by Otis Technologies enjoyed by all, before leaving the Silver Legacy hospitality room, to car pool out to the Pyramid range at Washoe County Shooting Facility for an introduction to Steel Action Pistol shooting.
What a fun time it was too. There were ear to ear grins as ammo connected with the steel targets as shooters learned the sport of Steel Challenge competition shooting.


Stay tuned, more to come in the days ahead.

Monday, September 05, 2011

Mount Rainier at sunset

Friday evening found us taking a break at a rest area just outside of Yakima. We pulled in just as the sun was setting right behind Mount Rainier. What a fantastic view as the mountain was shadowed against the clouds.



Thursday, September 01, 2011

A little humour to brighten your day

Things To Do In An Elevator

1) When there's only one other person in the elevator, tap them on the shoulder and then pretend it wasn't you.
2) Push the buttons and pretend they give you a shock. Smile, and go back for more.
3) Call the Psychic Hotline from your cell phone and ask if they know what floor your on.
4) Bring a camera and take pictures of everyone in the elevator.
5) Move your desk into the elevator and whenever anyone gets on, ask if they have an appointment.
6) Lay down the twister mat and ask people if they would like to play.
7) Leave a box in the corner, and when someone gets on, ask them if they can hear ticking.
8) Pretend you are a flight attendant and review emergency procedures and exits with the passengers.
9) When the doors close, announce to the others, "It's okay, don't panic, they open again!"
10) Grimace painfully while smacking your forehead and muttering, "Shut up, all of you, just shut up!"
11) Crack open your briefcase or purse, and while peering inside, ask, "Got enough air in there?"
12) Stand silently and motionless in the corner, facing the wall, without getting off.
13) Wear a puppet on your hand and use it to talk to the other passengers. 14) Listen to the elevator walls with your stethoscope.
15) Draw a little square on the floor with chalk and announce to the other passengers, "This is MY personal space!"

Monday, August 29, 2011

Steel Challenge........part two

A few photos taken on the first day of competition.
As usual, it was hot and dusty, but that is all worth it when we get to see our friends we have made over the years, and for Mr C to compete once again in this event.
Our friend Jim O sums it all up with these words. Over the last 25 years, for myself and many other Steel Challenge competitors, this barren, hot & dusty land has always been "The happiest place on earth".


Mr C wondering why I called his name from the top seat of the bleachers. Just wanted to take his photo, that's all!

Some of our squad watching another member shooting.

Alexis and parents.

Mark, our Aussie friend.

Alexis is a sweet young lady and also a very fine shooter.

Brooke has a very strong stance, and a good shooter to boot.

Awww gee! Jonathon is a real little cutie, and was so good all day long. Both his parents were competing.

Ken wears the coolest shirts, and he is a very strong competitor.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

A hot dusty adventure .....Part one

I am taking you along on a drive out to the range near Piru California, where we were last week for the World Steel Challenge Tournament.

As we drove past Magic Mountain, I (jokingly) asked Mr C if he would like to skip competing in the match and go for a few rides at Magic Mountain. "hmmmm not today he replied" Later on in the day, as we returned from the match, I asked again if he would like to go have fun on the rides, nope, he still did not want to go, although he said if I wanted to, he would go along. I said " it would be a shame to waste the ice cream I had just eaten by throwing up. *chuckle*

Beside the highway there are acres and acres of the small sweet red and yellow peppers growing, and I could not help but think about the $4:99 for a two pound bag of these delicious peppers I buy to snack on.

Orchards are slowly spreading up and over the low hills, and if it wasn't for irrigation, this would be a dry, dusty almost bare landscape, except for the hardiest of plants which can survive the scorching heat and dry conditions..

Last year when we came though here, we stopped at a roadside fruit stand and I bought oranges thinking, as are grown here, and freshly picked, they would be the sweetest oranges I would ever taste. Not so, they were almost 'pucker up' sour, what a disappointment.

It is so pretty as the fog drifts in over the hills and down into the valley.

Every year, for the past five years, when we arrived in Piru, this beautiful deep pink Bougainvillea in someone's front garden,has been in full bloom.

Besides all the other tropical plants growing in the front garden of people's homes, there are many palm trees. It is quite an interesting little town with both old and new buildings, some homes are obviously well maintained and others not so much, typical of many small country towns.

It was interesting to see a rather large apartment complex being constructed in Piru, it won't seem to be such a small community when we next pass through.

Irrigated crops abound along the valley floor as we drove towards the range.

Behind the fence is a nursery, and I would have loved to have some of the tropical plants I could see, in my own garden, but of course they would not do well in our cooler climate, here in Western Washington.

We leave the paved road to drive out to the range over a very bumpy dusty one.

Our rented vehicle was slowly changing from pristine white to beige, as dust settled over it as we followed the vehicle in front of us.

Cattle shelter from the baking sun in the shade of the trees, and the blades of the windmill remain still from lack of any breeze.

We drove slowly past the practice range, where many shooters were getting in some last minute practice before competing.

After, it seemed, a very long dusty drive, we arrived at the parking area.

Looking up to the topmost bay where a stage called 'outer limits" is located. This stage can make or break you. Many shooters do not like this stage.

Looking back down the hill you have to climb to reach "outer limits"
It does not look all that steep, but try walking up this incline carrying a heavy bag containing your firearm, ammunition for eight stages, plus cold water, snacks and anything else you may need during the day
, in temperatures which can be in the low 90's to low 100F