Moses Lake... the good and the bad...
Bad... I thought I wasn't going to make it. The car needed work and it didn't get done on schedule. Things were hung up for several days, but the mechanics came through. I guess someone did some night work, the car was ready to go at 8:30 and they cut the labor very substantially. It performed beautifully over the mountains (it's a Subaru with 200,000 on it but always maintained) and we got to the shoot just fine. That's part of the good.
For the bad, I was unable to shoot the course... I was barely started and doing well (5 kills zones and a miss) when it became obvious that no matter how much improved I think I am physically, continuing to walk on little side hills of loose lava rock and really rough surface was a very bad decision. My knee and ankles had made so many quick adjustments that it was clear the knee especially was not going to make it around. It was already aching badly. The ground was so rough that even a cane didn't help. So, I called it and went back to camp, having established a more realistic limitation level for a banged up 77 year old.
More good... I spent the day at my little table, chatting with old friends, selling quite a few odd batches of arrows I'd collected in cleaning my shop area plus a good J D Berry bow, and buying some badly needed recurve strings. (Does anybody really understand measuring these? I got more different answers than there were arrows in the lost arrow bucket!). At 5:30 my wife, who had dropped me off, came back in and we decided that one day was enough. I'd walked the campground several too many times as well as trying to shoot a course and was pretty worn out. So, we drove on home and, again, the car performed like a champ.
More good... when we got home we bought ice cream... fixes many things...
I didn't get to test a couple of newly received bows and limbs I wanted to, but I'll do that tomorrow on my own beautiful, very flat 30 yard home range, where any lump or irregularity that dares to raise its head is ruthlessly stamped down by the yard crew that took over from me a few years back 8^)
From now on it will be the yard and the club range, with a well established trail that I'm still OK with until I can't make the biggest hill on it any more.
Getting old ain't fun, but you can still have some if you work at it... and buy ice cream
Yep getting old sucks . ..but it beats the alternative. Good for you for giving it a try.
Mike
You got me by a few years but I hear ya. Getting a new knee after my bear hunt in June. Just keep at it no matter at what level........
Now i really regret not making that shoot. I would have loved to see you Dick. I'm really glad you are still making the effort to keep your love of archery alive...... Sorry i missed seeing you my friend.... Kirk
Keep that archery flame burning Dick ... I've seen the Rock shoot TKO younger guys than you, good on ya for given it a go :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Hey Dick, glad to see ya still goin buddy!!
Dick glad your still kicking around...... :)
Capt'n, glad to see you still shooting! Ice cream is always a good reward but, a quiet evening with a smooth blend of t'backy and a pipe that is an old friend makes good company also! :D :thumbsup: Take care from your southern neighbor, TW.
Great to read about you again Sir
F-Manny
Good to see you posting Dick.
I'm trying to rehab and now when a 3d shoot is mentioned is how touch are the trails?
Good to hear from you dick. We miss your posts and shelf less bows on the bench.
Dick, you should be proud that you gave it a go. I know men a lot younger that have trouble walking a mile let alone hiking some rock strewn trails. They never leave the pratice butts half the time. We have all been "rode hard and put away wet" in our lives but getting back up and trying agian is what men do.
We look forward to hearing more of your archery adventures.
Tom M
Sorry the shoot didn't work out for you. But good to read a post from you again. :thumbsup:
Hi Dick glad to see you are still getting out and about. I'm glad that you had good fellowship at the shoot most times that is the best part anyhow.
Nice to see you post again Dick. I miss your bow building posts. You have been, And continue to be an inspiration to many. Keep it up good man!
It's good to see and read your thoughts "Captain".
I give you and your trad spirit much credit for "giving it a go" at the course.
I do hope that you keep getting out even if you can't shoot the courses because your presence and sharing will mean so much to so many.
Our bodies may give out but our spirit never gives up.
God bless,Mudd
Thanks for the post Dick. Missed you around these parts. I too believe the shoots are getting harder to navigate. Seems they are making them for the young folks. I'm a couple years younger than you and my F150 is just shy of the 200,000 mile mark. However, like you, we'll keep on truckin'.
:bigsmyl:
Wow! I'm kind of overwhelmed. What a warm response from so many old friends here. Sounds like some are surprised I'm still at it. Simple explanation: Getting old is like the pyramids. Nothing surprising, really. Everyone is always amazed at the pyramids and I've never understood why. You make a square of bricks and start piling up smaller squares on top and you just keep doing it. You end up with a pyramid. You can't help it. The secret to getting old is the same; you just keep doing what you're doing and you end up old. You can't help it. Just keep doing it!
I posted a pic of how I'm currently "keeping doing it" (my current home range) on my bulletin board and, if the UBB code thing works, here is a link:
http://dickwightman.com/bulletinboard/bulletinboard.htm
If it works the way I think it does, you'll get to the whole bulletin board, which also includes, way down at the bottom, my current shop set up.
Thanks for the support, guys.
Dick
What a pleasant surprise to see you posting Dick. I've always enjoyed your contributions. Thank you.
58
Hey Dick,
Glad to hear from you!
Ernie
As always you are an inspiration to keep on going . I loved your website.
Glad to hear from you Dick. Keep on keeping on.
I am in the same situation with my back, depending on the day. A cane is a very limited tool on steep hills. A pair of adjustable walking sticks works better as long as it not rocky, but they are still a pain and just extra stuff to handle.
Glad to see your post, have not seen any lately, always a pleasure
Hey, on the bright side you gave it a go, good for you.
Running headlong into aches and pains of 38 years of being a carpenter. I can relate.
We have definitely missed you around here Dick, it's really good to hear from you ...