Gun Shooting, Hiking, and Water Filtration

Well, we started our day off well with pastries and milk at a Bakery before going on to our friends' for Shotgun Lessons for the women of our church. George and Emilie didn't mind at all starting the day off with desert, and frankly, neither did I!

When we got to our friends' place, Emilie and I immediately fell in love with one of their dog's. Emilie said while hugging the dog and getting cuddle, "Oh I love you doggie. I love you so much!" My heart pretty much melted, and soon I had the dog coming up to me, pushing against me, rolling on it's back for a tummy rub, and staying beside me for a good while. It was so sweet!

For the Shotgun lesson it's self, it was pretty informative and down right fun. We learned some safety, how to load and unload, about putting safety on and off on the gun, making sure a gun's unloaded, how to hold it, and how to shoot the gun "lady style!" (at the waist). Our Relief Society President taught us all she learned from a woman expert friend who had taught her. We also had her husband and his brothers, who are hunters and gun owners, teach us gun teach us what they knew. By the end of the class, I felt really comfortable with the shotgun, and even a revolver.

They were teaching us basic home defense, so we were only 20-30 feet from our target. We practiced on paper targets, boxes and cans, and then went on to moving objects, where they rolled can's in front of us and had us do three quick shots at it. Really exhilarating! Grandma Dorthy was proud of me too with being able to shoot at the moving target and said, "She's good! Our little Mary!". Apparently being a thin little white girl isn't that intimidating! I like surprising people though (especially in the day when I did kickboxing)!

After I got my lessons in, I handed it over to Scott and let him have a turn! I couldn't get too close for a picture with him with keeping the kids back (they hated ear protection), but Scott's had a light jacket and shorts on... while everyone else is in heavy jackets, scarves, hats, and long pants in 45 degree weather. First it's in the 70's and now we're possibly getting snow! It's crazy!

Ending the day, we took a hike to a lake, and had a bite to eat while feeding the Coy fish (which are actually just Gold Fish it turns out). It was so awesome being out in nature, even if our host friend saw a mountain lion track (he's a hunter). While eating in the clearing by the small lake/pond, it started raining and a big cloud drifted in. The dogs jumped and swam in the pond only coming back to beg for food. Emilie and George had a few close calls, but luckily didn't fall in! We definitely got in our hiking in too, but it was sad we couldn't go further to see the Indian camp.

After eating we learned about how to use a special filtered water bottle at a spring. George and Emilie were the guinea pigs and drunk the water poured which was squirted into a little tin cup. None of the adults drank from it, and it was joked that we'll know by tomorrow if it works by wither they saw George and Emilie at church! Well, Missionaries have been using it across the world and have stayed healthy where others became ill from water, so I have some faith in it at least...

It's so awesome living where we live, experiencing mountain life and learning skills from friends! You really do need good friends in high places (aka the mountains!). Life can really be enriched by relationships. Even if you do feel a bit shy! ;)

Love, Mary

Picture taken by George, stickers and all.