Today, we took our .45 caliber pistols - Damsel’s Warthog and my Glock 30. We shot both guns last weekend at the Gun Blogger Rendezvous, but didn’t clean them afterward. We also only shot just a few rounds then since we were having fun going from place to place checking out the other interesting guns.

So, today, we brought our allotment of rounds we didn’t shoot last week and another 50 rounds of .45. We also brought Damsel’s S&W686 revolver and put 50 rounds of .38 special through that.

As usual, we brought shotguns and 25 rounds (each) of 12 and 20 gauge shells. The video shows some teamwork in chopping a silhouette target in half. Prior to the video, we teamed up to slice it down the middle and then Damsel took off the right side of the target. I then took off the left side. I’m sure this drill has no practical value, but it is fun and makes us laugh.

This beautiful spotted maroon phalaenopsis (moth) orchid has been dormant on the patio since it bloomed last year, but is now back in all it’s glory. Click image to enlarge.

OK - Just one more panoramic image from our vacation. I took this the first night away from home on our way to the Gun Bloggers Rendezvous - this is the Merced River (South Fork) that ran immediately behind our hotel room at the Yosemite View Lodge, just outside the National Park boundary.

Other than a five foot high fence obstructing the view (refer to the right end of the panorama), this was what we had for ambiance that evening. We sat on the back patio and waited for the stars to come out and after that, the moonrise over the canyon wall.

Click on the panorama thumbnail to see full size.

The Democrats and big media and their constant din of misinformation vs. the bullhorn and grass roots for truth. Hat tip: The Patriot Post

For Damsel, last week’s outdoor range time was a first for her. DirtCrashr called us over and offered to let us shoot his rifle, also a first for Damsel. Click image to enlarge.

We just got back from our road trip today and not back to the routine just yet. We’ll blog more about GBR-IV in the days to come.

After our great time with the Gun Bloggers, we headed toward home via the Owens Valley. At one point, we stopped at Manzanar (more on that later) where I snapped several images of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. I stitched them together to make this panoramic image.

Mount Whitney, the highest point in the CONUS is visible in this image. I can’t pick it out - can you? Click the thumbnail image below to enlarge.

At the Gun Bloggers Rendezvous this weekend, I was thrilled to meet Major Chuck Ziegenfuss, a battle wounded survivor and founder of Valour-IT. Chuck put on a good show when he related the tale of his injuries and recovery and how they led to Soldiers Angels adoption of the voice-activated computer project for badly wounded servicemen and women.

At one point while we were sitting at the table in the hospitality room, Chuck pulled out this beautiful gold coin with the Soldiers Angels insignia on it. He presented it to me and said to keep it.

Oh, I will, Chuck, I will . . .

Image right: Chuck Ziegenfuss; image below: the SA Coin - Click to enlarge.

We had a great time at GBR-IV. Now, we’re eating breakfast and will head out right afterward.

Blog more later!!

We went to the Washoe County Regional Shooting Facility with the gun Bloggers today. What a blast! I took a lot of pictures, but this one with Sebastian’s suspended brass seemed worthy of posting today. Click to enlarge.

Everyone seemed to be having a lot of fun doing what they love. We had a chance to shoot some of the many interesting guns the group brought to the range. We will be blogging about this event for weeks to come.

Damsel and I are very proud to be able to honor Marc Scott Zeplin on the eighth anniversary of the Islamic Terrorist Attacks against America on September 11, 2001 and to be part of the 2996 Project. This is the fourth year we have posted about Marc Scott Zeplin.

“Zep” is what his friends called him. Zep was one of the 2996 victims who perished in the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Marc Scott Zeplin, age 33.

Place killed: World Trade Center. Resident of Harrison, N.Y. (USA).

Marc Zeplin worked in the World Trade Center offices of Cantor Fitzgerald, a financial services company. Reading what Marc’s friends and family have written about him, Marc was well-liked and respected by peers, friends and others who wrote words about him following his death.

The following is from Zep’s tribute at the memorial site that his company set up to remember their employees that were lost in the attack:

Date of Birth: January 12, 1968

Department: Equity Sales

A group of friends named and registered a star in the heavens in memory of Marc Zeplin. How fitting as he was a star in the eyes of so many.

Successful as an equity trader, he formed close relationships with his clients but he was foremost a family man. Marc was very caring and devoted to his wife Debra, sons Ryan (3 yrs old) and Ethan (10 months), parents, sister and in-laws. He adored his children and treasured the time he spent with them. Marc was very proud of the new home he and his wife built in Westchester and enjoyed the change from urban to suburban living.

Raised in Long Island, Marc attended Oceanside High School and the University of Michigan where he also continued to earn a master’s degree in the acclaimed business school. Marc’s first career calling was sports casting. He loved sports of all kinds and enjoyed broadcasting games in Michigan during his college years. However, when he returned to New York, he found immediate employment in the financial world and soon after started at Cantor Fitzgerald where he became a partner.

Marc was truly a “master of the word.” He knew how and what to say in order to put you at ease, make you laugh or help you resolve a problem. Marc loved people. He had many friends and demonstrated a zest for living life to the fullest. He was tops in every way. He even worked at the top. The right position for so many years unfortunately was wrong on only one day - September 11, 2001.

— Debra Zeplin and Leora Zeplin, Marc’s Wife and Mother.

Please join us today as we remember Marc Zeplin and the rest of the victims of those attacks, and please, NEVER FORGET.