Saturday Oct 24th

While I was sightseeing, Jason was learning how to disguise himself

and how to pick a "hide".

I got back in just enough time to see the other guys trying to find Jason

in his FFP (final firing position).

The picture above is where he was.

I couldn't find him at all, and neither could the other guys.

Friday Oct 23rd

Friday was my last day, and I have to admit, I was really sad on Saturday.

I was going through withdrawal.

On Friday, I got to shoot the 1200 yards again, because they wanted to see

if the .223 would cause damage at 1200 yards.

So they put up plywood and I got several shots on it.

The picture below shows that even at 1200 yards (3/4 of a mile),

the .223 bullet still had enough force to go clean through 1/2 inch plywood.

Arizona Horizons

Hot air balloons

Montezuma Castle

Ancient Saguarian Indian cave dwelling

Day 6

The middle two pictures are Jason shooting.

The last picture is what the target looks like through the scope.

The targets are only 9 inches by 15 inches.

Jason and I both hit a 920 yard target today on the first shot.

We shot 1200 yards today (1800 is a mile), me with a .223 and

Jason with a .308.

They say a .223 can't shoot that far. . . : )

Well, I did it today!!!

So, I am definitely going back again tomorrow for more.

: )

Day 5

Day 5 went really well. Our furthest distance today was 550 yards.

The picture of me shooting from behind shows how far we were shooting

across the valley.

I am enjoying it so much, I asked if I could stay for one more day.

So, I am going again tomorrow too. I am not sure,

but I might ask to stay Friday too.

I am really enjoying the training!

Days 3&4

I did not post yesterday because I was so exhausted after

our first day of class. I am pretty wiped out now too, so this is

going to be fast.

So far I am actually really enjoying the training.

I really enjoy shooting, and I am learning how to do it right.

We are in a class of 13 and I am the only girl, but you can

ask Jason, I seem to be keeping up just fine.

Jason is doing really well, he is shooting on a new gun,

and that can be really tough, but he has it sighted in well.

Our last shot today we shot 270 yards (almost 3 football fields)

and we both hit the target on our first shot.

Jason is much better with the calculations that are required for

long distance shooting, but so far, I am at least getting it.

We are having a good time working together.

Tomorrow is my last day of training, and I am anxious to get in more

long-range shots.

I don't know if I will have the energy to post tomorrow, but hopefully

I will post by Thursday.

Day 2 in Arizona

Day 2, we headed to Tucson and Tombstone. We drove straight through Tucson to see Tombstone. I would like to go back eventually to see Tucson as it is a beautiful city with a mountain range backdrop.

When we arrived in Tombstone, it turned out it was their huge parade that they only do once a year, and everyone was decked out in Western wear. The pictures above are from the parade. We then went to the silver mine (pictures in last post), and then walked around the town for awhile. Because Tombstone was almost four hours from where we are staying, honestly we spent most of the day in the car, but it was worth it. Arizona is beautiful!!!

Good Enough Mine in Tombstone, AZ

The black stones at our guide's feet are actually ore deposits which are what

is used to process into silver when it is mixed with other chemicals.
The entrance into the mine

Tombstone's claim to fame. . . the silver mine that made the town rich.

Called the "Good Enough Mine".

When the first miner began looking for precious stones,

people told him the only thing he was going to find was his tombstone.

When he became rich from his silver discovery, he named the town Tombstone.

Our guide was SOOOO informative and I learned a ton about silver mining.

I had no idea what an extensive process it is/was.

October 18th, 2008 (Arizona)

Arizona Day 1

We arrived in Arizona yesterday. The trip was essentially uneventful except for during the four hour flight to Phoenix, Dawn was seated next to a lady who thought it would be fine to have her elbow halfway into Dawn's seat. Dawn spent most of the trip half on Jason's lap trying to avoid being elbowed over and over and over. And when Dawn asked if she could get up to use the restroom, the woman literally rolled her eyes at her. Good grief, what has happened to kindness and common courtesy????????

Anyway, after we landed in Phoenix, it went up from there.

We got our rental car, which has built in Sirius radio. Never used that before, but it is actually really cool.

Then we headed to a local burger joint called "Whataburger" because we

were both starving. I thought it ironic that we both ordered chicken from "Whataburger".

We headed out to our hotel and then drove up Interstate 17 for awhile. Absolutely beautiful!!

We met Kathy and Jeff for dinner at a local western joint with campfires at each table so that you could roast your own marshmallows. It was very cool.

Today we are going to go out and explore the Tucson/Tombstone area with Jeff and Kathy.

Hopefully I will have lots more pictures!

Beautiful morning

Questioning

There are times in life when I feel like I am looking in. . .
Looking in through a portal, through glass that distorts everything.
I want to see clearly, to understand why,
But I won't, not now, maybe never
On the other side of that glass is reality, is meaning. . .
Is the answer to the mystery of life.
The meaning of suffering, grief, pain. . .
and of joy, celebration, and happiness.
The harder I look, the more foggy and distorted the glass becomes,
until I find myself looking into my own reflection.
When I try to understand, I take my focus off of Heaven. . .
Off of the temporary station that I live and breathe in

A mere vapor is what I am
I must stop looking, striving, struggling,
and start living, gazing upwards,
but then how, how will I see?
How will I see what is in front of me?