Autumn

Autumn

Sunday, April 15, 2012

After Action Report

With birdsong and a gentle warm breeze we pulled into the Boar's Nest and unloaded, we three friends. Three of us absent, unfortunately. A moment after I stepped from my truck I heard a hawk let loose a scream, somewhere out over the river. It was nice to be back after three months. 






The horse greeted us. He's a future asset.





We three unloaded our gear and set to our task; a simple but necessary little job. Afterwards ShooterSteve assembled a small table he'd donated to the group for the bunkhouse.
The silence of the countryside was, at least to me, a peaceful and welcome change from the constant noise of the city. I remember Duke quietly commented, "I'd move here if  possible."
Moments later he took broom in hand and began to sweep the deck. The pines dump tons of needles and twigs between our visits.


The Boar's Nest now has power, and behold, lights. 






Above, after lunch it was range time. The river is just beyond the tree line.





Above, one of two pieces Duke brought along to wring out. Number two below.


I set them atop my ammo can for the snapshot. Now, for bonus points, whom among you can tell me which is the oldest. If you guess, give me the years of manufacture. The winner gets an all expense trip to our shooting range courtesy of Duke. (if you believe me I have a bridge for sale.)




We compared weapons, spoke of friends and times past. Listened to an owl and the wind sing and enjoyed each the others company. I took a seat in the shade and watched two of my best friends and felt very privileged to have another chance to share such a fine day. They always make me smile. Below I, by accident, captured a silhouette of my best friend, Duke, as he examines an old rifle found by ShooterSteve.




Above, Duke decides to shoot a wild charging target stick. He did hit it. Later he took this same handgun, placed it on a rolled towel as a rest, and put six shots into one tiny spot on his target. The old revolver proved quite accurate. 

At Noon our friend, Senior Chief, released from duty by his lovely wife, JUGM, joined the fun. He arrived to find me gone. I had duties at home too. And, truth be known, I haven't regained all my strength. I hate weakness. Still, it was a nice day. 

I came home to this:


Taken a few minutes after I arrived. If anyone has questions why we train and prep as hard as we do, there in deep sleep, is your answer...

Have a great day.

Stephen

36 comments:

  1. LOL...I read the small print so I am not playing!

    Glad you "boys" had a good time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Mamma Bear. Truthfully, we needed it.

      Delete
  2. Great pics. You are right about the reason why!

    ReplyDelete
  3. One is an 1898 S&W and one is the police model .38 I think. The blued one has the lanyard ring but the barrel is too short. I didn't see a pic of the butt on the plated one but I believe it is the older one but has had some after market work done to it.

    Or then again my eyes are getting so bad I could be completely wrong.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My friend, the blued one is a Victory model, original condition, as is the other..both unmodified. The nickeled Smith is the older of the two. Thanks. PS, read Tam's comment below.

      Delete
  4. Sounds like a great day with friends. Those are few and far between for me anymore.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I understand, Rose. I surely do indeed. Thanks, Sweet Lady.

      Delete
  5. Phyllis (N/W Jersey)April 15, 2012 at 12:56 PM

    Glad you had a nice day! Being with old, dear friends is like wrapping yourself up in a warm blanket on a chilly night...feels so good and comfy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is nice to chill with friends....but, I'd not wrap those two hair legged boogers around me..both smell...

      Delete
  6. Looks like you guys prepped extremely well, love the place. Stephen your strength will come back soon enough. I know you want it back now, just give it a little time my friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, we're serious about our survival preps. Then again, I've been a survivalist before it was 'hip.' Long before the term 'prepper' was in vogue. Thanks, Sandy.

      Delete
  7. Future is every moment lively. It is up to us. One only excluding himself :-)

    Your O. Klastat

    ReplyDelete
  8. The prewar nickeled 5" M&P is older than the wartime Victory Model. (Am I right?)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes you are indeed, Tam. Then again you are always correct when it comes to handguns. Well done, and thanks.

      Delete
  9. "reasons why" indeed. Nice place y'all got there!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you, Craig. We like it. It out there a 'fur piece, as the oldtimers say.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh it would be nice to get out to the country again. My Dad is headed to his place in Northern MN this week to open it for the season. 5 acres on a river feed lake. The great outdoors is what I miss the most about home.

    God has blessed you in many ways with true friends, a wonderful wife and a little girl who loves her papa.

    ReplyDelete
  12. The 'retreat' looks beautiful! Glad you got there this weekend. Rest up, take it easy and before long you will be back to your 'old/new' self.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the kind words, DFW, I'm trying my best to 'take it easy,' as the Doc told me. I'll just be glad when I'm back to my old self.

      Delete
  13. Wonderful!!! I am glad you got a way and I am glad you had Little Bit waiting for you, peacefully sleeping.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Pretty Girl. It was nice to breath a bit of fresh air again. The gunsmoke didn't hurt either.

      Delete
  14. Sounds like a great time. You're right. Why do we prepare so much? To protect our loved ones and ourselves so we can always be there for them.

    ReplyDelete
  15. dear sweet one - i am so glad that you got a chance to get away from it all and with your good buddies - there's nothing like hanging out with some good buddies! as others have said, you will get your strength back - you just need some more healing time is all! loved all of the pics btw!

    your friend,
    kymber

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kymber, it was nice. Healing time is highly overrated. Thanks, my good friend.

      Delete
  16. The Victory model is fairly early, 1942(serial #'s started at V-1 and went up) the other is a M&P 38 special made aroung 1920. I think 5" barrel is kinda rare, most were 4"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, my friend...told 'em you'd set 'em straight.

      Delete
    2. So the nickel was a 38 special and the wartime a 38/200?

      Delete
    3. Sorry for the late answer, Matt. Yes, the nickle Smith is chambered in .38 Special. No, the Victory model is chambered in .38 S&W, two different calibers. Why - it's beyond me. Thanks.

      Delete
  17. We do what we do just because of the last picture.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yep, the last picture nailed it.
    You are truly blessed, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I'm reminded of such everyday. Have a good one today.

      Delete