One Day….actually, a couple of hours….takes us from lush, green, moss covered trees, rolling green grass,fog and mist with gentle temperatures:
moss covered trees
foggy morning
To treeless dry and barren, golden-brown withered grass, harsh cliffs, with temperatures close to 100 degrees, along the Columbia River. (Also beautiful, I might add.)
golden-brown along the river
open sky!
It’s desert-like, with a river running through it. As I drive, for the first time I see the smoke everyone is talking about.
We are near Quincy, Washington, near the center of the state. The locals say it’s drier and hotter here than usual (which is normally dry and hot anyway). But everyone is saying that. Everywhere.
Yet, this is farm country, thanks to heavy irrigation from the Grand Coulee Dam. The dam also provides relatively cheap energy for the area, but of course there are huge ecological dam issues. Or you could say damn issues…depends on who you are and how you look at it. At any rate, we either see huge areas of cultivation here, or dry desert-like conditions. Another side of Washington.
We are not particularly fond of 90-100 degree heat, or smoke on the horizon, but on the positive side, which as you know I try to stay on, I can see the stars again! With all the huge trees and the fog it’s been awhile since I’ve had a good star-view. Now I sit outside in the balmy, breezy, clear evening and admire the sky. We have full hook-ups here at Crescent Bar Resort (another Thousand Trails park) so during the heat of the day we have our comfy air-conditioned retreat when we need it.
Just before coming here I was able to spend more time with my son Brian and his wife Sharon. One of the things we did was to get in some shooting practice. I hadn’t practiced since I was with them last year so just about anything I might have learned, I forgot. Sharon is a good and patient teacher. Here is my target.
I can hear you laughing! 🙂
Even though I am aiming in the center, you can see that I hit to the left. Sharon says that’s because I’m right handed and that hand and arm is stronger. I need to strengthen my left hand and arm. And of course I need practice. I feel a little more comfortable with the…um…tool…at this point, so maybe I’ll practice more often.
I know. I know. A vegan with a gun. Not common. It takes all kinds, right?
Wandering Spirit 
“Vegan with a gun”…. I know what you mean. On the other hand, “woman on the road, alone”…
Hey Maureen….Yes, exactly!
Wow, beautiful scenery,I have not traveled here much lately,but seeing what you are doing might be the kick-in-the-pants I need. Happy trails to you!
Hi Elinor,
So much beauty to experience in Washington alone. Your location is just amazing. I know this nomadic life isn’t for everyone, but I think you would be refreshed by some vacations…a change in the beauty.
Maybe you will try a bit of travel and see how you like it…
The right hand shooting to the left is quite common, check this link for an explanation http://pointshooting.com/1alow.htm.
“Sharon says that’s because I’m right handed and that hand and arm is stronger. I need to strengthen my left hand and arm.” I assume that means you are using a two hand grip and Sharon thinks a stronger left arm will correct the problem. The article I have linked above says “Using a two handed grip might help, but that is doubtful.” I would suggest that you change you point of aim from the center of the bulls eye to the upper right.
I am not much of a pistol shooter but did fairly well with either hand using single action revolvers in some Cowboy Action Shooting. Most Cowboy Action Shooters use the two hand grip and cock the revolver with the supporting hand. I was cocking and firing with the one hand which is slower but more The Cowboy Way. HA
Hi Ed,
Yes two hands, and I started aiming to the right a bit to compensate, and it actually did help. I have to use two hands because of the kick. It’s an LC 380 Ruger…small, but has quite a kick…I’m told. Took a class when I first bought it and that’s what the trainer told me.
One other thing. You did not say at what distance you shot that pattern. The closer you are to the target the less “off bulls eye” you need to aim. I hope you are target shooting at no more than 25′.
Although you were not on the bulls eye I only see 2-3 holes outside the target which is not bad – unless you missed the paper entirely. HA
Yes I’m sure some I missed entirely. 😌. I’m fairly new at this! I was trying to keep the target between 21 and 26 feet away.
Maybe I can find a place to practice this winter in AZ.
That is a good distance but maybe shorten it up by 3-6 feet then move out when you start shooting better groups on aim point. With that very short pistol it is very difficult to use the front and rear sights well – LOTS of practice.
What you might try doing is forget about sighting the rear sight with the front. Point the front sight at your aim point like you would a shotgun and see how you do.
Thanks for the tips Ed!