The big US trip started early one Wednesday morning. Out of bed, into the car, and out to the airport – only to find the flight had been delayed, so there had been no rush at all.
The flight to Auckland was easy, as the plane was only half full. A 2 hour wait in Auckland, then onto a very full 747 for the flight to Los Angles. After 12 hours in the air, it was nice to catch sight of land again. My first sight of the US was sitting under a huge cloud of haze (smog) that just seemed to go on forever. The air did not seem so bad once we had landed.
I had to clear customs, then check the bags back in, ready for the next leg to Chicago. Just enough time to check that the water does actually swirl the other way down the dunny, and onto the next plane. Again, another full flight. This time, lucky old me has the middle seat of three. Now I am not the smallest person you have ever seen, but compared to the people on either side of me, I would have made a good ballet dancer. I was wedged in so tight, I was not going anywhere, no matter what happened. It is amazing how long three and a half hours can last. Finally, touchdown in Chicago and what a bloody big place and a huge airport. You really needed a road map to find your way around.
The 4 hour wait for the flight to Nashville passed quite quickly, and then we were away again, thankfully on the last leg, and hopefully to be met by my brother Warren.
The bags were through quite quickly, and then we were on our way – only an hour and a half, and I could finally try to sleep in a horizontal position, as opposed to an airline seat. Only 33 hours after leaving Brisbane.
Warren lives just outside of a small town called Monteagle, in Tennessee (nowhere near the Whiskey distillery either). It is certainly a very pretty area, with lots of trees, although it is still very populated and developed compared to what Australians would term rural. That haze was still everywhere as well.
After a very nice sleep, we were out of bed, and off to Wolf Creek (the range built for the 1996 Olympics) in Atlanta. The drive down took about 2 ¾ hours, and was on the interstate highway all the way. It is difficult to comprehend the number of people here. They are just everywhere. The traffic on the interstate is just never ending.
The range at Wolf Creek is amazing. The air range building has 60 positions all with electronic targets, another 60 positions on the 50 metre range – again, all electronic. The competition being held was for juniors. The kids start at about 5 or 6 years of age, with a single shot BB air rifle, which they shoot a 5 meters. This competition was run on the 50 metre range. The older kids were using air rifles on the air range – it is like a production class – everyone uses an air rifle called a Valiant produced for and marketed by Daisy. There are 60 shooting positions, and needed 3 details to get everyone through. Most of the kids are in school teams, and are shooting as an individual, and for their team. These kids are learning from quite an early age what it means to be part of a team – what it means to have others supporting them, and what they can contribute to the team.
For me, it was just great to see juniors competing, and being encouraged. The facilities are there, and it is wonderful to see them being used. It is absolutely criminal that we have such facilities here in Sydney, and that most of us will never have the opportunity to use them.
We spent 2 days at Wolf Creek, before heading back to Monteagle. Had my first drive on the wrong side of the road – pretty easy on the interstate. Only problem was finding the door where the gear lever normally sits. Next day (Saturday) was our only free day, so we did a bit of looking around the local area. It is amazing that fast food outlets are even in most of the small towns. There is certainly no excuse for going hungry – although I think there is a very big difference between not going hungry, and having a healthy diet.
Sunday was spent putting together all of the stock and equipment needed to set up the Pilkington stand at the National Matches being held at Camp Perry, on the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio. We got away mid afternoon, and drove for 8 hours, before stopping for the (rest) of the night. It left a three and a half hour drive to Perry the next morning. The rest of the day was spent setting up and meeting lots and lots of people.
I got my first look at the ranges the following day. Not much in the way of facilities as we know them, although all positions had turning targets. The range is basically one big open field. There are four ranges set out side by side, with about a 50 metre gap between each one. There are no walls between ranges. Ranges each have 100 shooting positions, and each range is controlled by a chief range officer who sits in a raised tower in the middle and behind the shooting positions. Commands are relayed over a PA system. On the line there are 10 range officers each controlling 10 shooters. These range officers have a green and a red paddle. When all 10 green paddles are displayed the chief range officer then continues with the next step. A red paddle is displayed when there is a problem of any sort (shooters unready, malfunctions etc). The thing it was hard getting used to was when one range was forward scoring, and the range next door was still shooting. This only happened when shooting from 25 yards, and remember there is a 50 metre gap between ranges, but it is still a bit disconcerting – and I was not forward.
The match itself is a bit of a mixture between Standard pistol and Mayleigh Match. It is shot is 3 sections each of 30 shots. The first section is shot with a 22. It is shot single handed, and you can use open sights or dot scopes. The first series is 10 shots in ten minutes at 50 yards. You then move to 25 yards, where you do 2 series of 5 shots in 20 seconds, then 2 series of 5 shots in 10 seconds. You can be on aim at the target when the targets turn – which basically gives you the full amount of time.
The second and third stages are shot in exactly the same manner, but the second stage must be shot with a centre fire pistol – basically anything goes – 32 through 45. The third stage must be shot with a 45. There is no power factor to make. It is an interesting match, and I would quite like to have a go.
I guess the main thing that I really noticed whilst away, was firstly the amazing amount of patriotism displayed by Americans. It did not matter who or where we were, people were flying the US flag – from mansions to caravans, cars, trucks, boats etc. Every morning before the competition started, the army let the first shot go from a big gun (well, a bloody big gun), followed by the National Anthem. Everybody faces the flag and removes their hat. This all has to be taken in context with the fact they are absolutely proud to be Americans. Part of this is the absolute belief in their rights, which are laid down in simple language, and taught to them in their schools. They know they are very fortunate to have the freedoms they enjoy, and each and everyone is willing to fight to retain those rights.
It was quite a wakeup call to me. I asked myself what rights we have in Australia, and really could not come up with anything definitive. I may just be a dumb Kiwi, but the system of State and Federal laws, and with all concerned always fighting amongst themselves, there just seems to be a myriad of laws, that are so complicated, I really wonder if anyone totally understands them all. Is there anyone who can put this in context for me? I guess the thing I am concerned about, is that we may get even far tighter firearms laws, that will spell the end of our sport as we know it. The government seems to be able to change laws with a simple stroke of the pen, seemingly without any consultation to those affected. Your comments would be appreciated.