Alaska, I love you so

[theatokos]

Adam has had a surprise arranged for me for several months. I had no idea until we got here. I just couldn't figure out what it could possibly be. What does he know about Anchorage? And what could we be doing that the girls (8 and 2) couldn't join in on? I needed to be dressed for the outdoors but we weren't doing something outdoorsy. Wah?

So yesterday, the Future Gov and her husband Jake come over, brother in law is getting ready, I'm dressed for the cold, and Adam tells me to bring my earplugs. I immediately know what it is: "I GET TO SHOOT THINGS!!!" I yell and start jumping up and down.

Adam had arranged for brother in law to borrow a gun (in Alaska one does not need a license to be in possesion of or to use a fire arm- I think). We were going to a shooting range so I could shoot a gun.

I have always wanted to learn how to shoot. Growing up, my dad kept 6 guns in a case - 5 rifles and a shotgun, I think. He would go hunting from time to time. Deer, moose, subsistence. He promised to teach me to shoot when I was 12. One winter when I was about 14 and my family was up the Chilkat River in Haines, staying in a cabin my dad built, he finally agreed to teach me. He gave me his smallest rifle, had me lay down flat in the snow, gun rested on a snow berm, paper plates for targets stapled to trees. I had lousy aim and we never did it again.

I'm not a fan of guns and I'm pretty pro-gun control. I mean, who needs semi-automatics? But, I do want to learn to shoot, both rifles and hand guns. I think it's a good skill and some day I'd like to go hunting. I'm intimidated by the idea, of course, but if I'm going to eat meat I think I should be prepared to hunt. Anyway.

We had to drive up to Chugiak, about 20 miles north of Anchorage to get to a shooting range open in December. It was a nice place, outdoors with a beautiful view of a large mountain range. Cold. We shared a.... I don't know the proper term, a stable? with a very nice dad and his two boys. Thankfully, they were too nice to mock our lousy shooting. It had to do with the gun we had. It was HUGE. I have no idea what purpose this gun serves, or whose hand is large enough to comfortably carry this thing. It was a Smith and Wesson .44. Really, really large, with tremendous kick. I could see the blast of orange out the tip of the gun as it fired.

The gun scared me. As well it should. After my first two bullets I put the gun down and said "I don't like this." It felt unweildy, and honestly it was a lot of power - scary stuff. I tried again with another round and a half. I realized it wasn't shooting that was problematic, but it wasn't the right gun for me.

All four of us liberals, shooting guns, looking completely out of place with the camo and pick up trucks and manliness. Yet, no one mocked us for our noviceness and the Future Gov and I got nothing but support despite being two of three women. I totally want to learn to shoot.

****

And today, Adam, brother in law, nieces and I went ice skating outside on a lagoon the city maintains for iceskating. They zamboni it and everything. It is truly awesome. And cold.

Tomorrow is our last day here. I feel as though I've spent enough time to get my fill of fam and Alaska, so I don't feel cut short before heading back to Oakland. I look forward to being warmer, my own place, my cats, my own routine - it's hard having a two year old hang on my every motion ("Nini, wha you do?" every three minutes).

Bay Area? Alaska? Bay Area? Alaska? I wish I didn't feel compelled to choose.

Comments

gunnnage

[howilearned.livejournal.com]

I have mixed feelings about the guns. i too would like to learn how to shoot. At the same time guns make me uncomortable; the hullabaloo and the worship of them more so than the actual weapon. I have zero interest in hunting (with a gun anyway) but still think that shooting is a useful skill. Not sure why.

[msmidge.livejournal.com]

Good for you! I shot a rifle into the ground up at Eaglecrest once. My experience with .44s is limited to Law & Order.

Maybe you can consult a psychic re: moving.

[donkeyfly.livejournal.com]

i think most folks have .44 hand guns for bear protection. at least that's why my dad has his. last summer when we were going to the range so i could practice with my rifle he brought the .44 and andrew really liked shooting it. my dad told me that i should try it as well just so i knew how to handle it. i didn't like it at all. i did the exact same thing, fired it twice and then put it down and said "i don't like this". apparently ever time i held it up to aim i leaned back away from the gun as far as i could. apparently i looked very silly. but i couldn't tell that i was doing it and it just scared me. i liked shooting my rifle, but hand guns just freak me out.

Re: gunnnage

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

I think part of the desire to learn is much like driving a car. I don't want to drive everyday, or even own my own car necessarily, but knowing how to operate one is a good skill to have. Or something.

And I think anything large and deadly - even cars - should cause us to pause in our comfort.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

I read tarot, but I haven't read in a while. Mostly because I've been so... all over the map emotionally and focus wise in the first trimester. I'm hoping for my moods and energy to even out a bit more so I can get back to my regular spiritual and physical practices.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

I realized after a few shots that I was closing my eyes as I pulled the trigger! The man running the range that day told the Future Gov after asking how our time was: "I don't know why these men bring out their ladies with these big guns. They're trying to be all tough, but they bring the wrong guns for beginners and then the women go home without enjoying themselves and then the men wonder why their ladies don't encourage their hobby or want to join!" Ha!

I think a more appropriate hand gun would have been more fun and efficacious. It was like being 14 and getting behind the wheel of a monster truck and being slightly too short to comfortably reach the peddles.

I thought of you when I was shooting, since I know you'd started to learn.

Hey, at some point I'd love to hear more about your grad school plans: what program specifically, and where you're applying.

[hrafntinna.livejournal.com]

Bears. Yes. We don't have any back east where I grew up, but I totally understand the need for guns in a landscape shared with bears. I have this romantic idea that I would keep Karelian bear dogs, should I ever live near ursids. I think I'd want a gun as well.

The leaning back thing is interesting. I can tell, intuitively, that I'd be more comfortable with a rifle than a handgun. I find myself thinking about something I heard and never confirmed about people and weapons. Supposedly, even the most intent and hardened warrior pulls back slightly when striking in hand-to-hand combat. The hardest blows are landed with missiles and flexible weapons like flails, things that move independently of the force of your arm, even if only at the last moment.

May all be nonsense, of course.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

You know, I've never taken a gun with me in all the hiking I've done. I've run into several over the years and thankfully never been attacked or chased by them. I think it's mostly necessary if you're in brown bear territory. Black bears just want to be left alone.

Also, holy who on the misspelling of "peddles" up there.

[hrafntinna.livejournal.com]

Brown bears, yes. And white bears. Those things will mess you up. Black bears don't worry me too much either, but part of what I was imagining was Svalbard, where you seriously need a big gun at all times. Ice bears will come looking for you, and then they will eat you.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Have you seen the Golden Compass yet? You should go just for the ice bears.

[hrafntinna.livejournal.com]

No, and I'm ambivalent. I did see "No Country for Old Men," however.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

And?? What'd ya think?

[hrafntinna.livejournal.com]

Good movie and impressive, successful at its aim. I confess it did not change my life.