Into The Desert

Posted on 21 Feb 2014 by WH

Daybreak at Harris Ranch and it was straight off to Coalinga range. No rest for the jet lagged tourists, alas (other than that forced on those waiting for their Denny's breakfast on the way). The road to the range fulfilled every expectation of the Californian desert: giant tumbleweeds clumsily rolling along in the morning sun against the backdrop of the dry, cracking hillsides led us to a dirt track with yet another spectacle of rural Americana. Nodding donkeys of all shapes, sizes and colours (one even painted as a nodding zebra!) clung to the ground like industrial mosquitos, rhythmically but relentlessly sucking up every drop of black gold from the earth deep below.

The range itself shoots into the hills, which form a backdrop to the butts area and the left of the range as you look down it. Today was just a zeroing practice, at 600 (by the time the Denny's contingent had made it) and 900 alongside an Empire course teams match, and was useful in getting acclimatised to the range. We learnt quickly that the mirage doesn't always appear to tell the truth and the flags were just outright liars. Patience and timing would be key going into the competitions the following morning.

The sun by lunchtime had hit a balmy 25 degrees on the mercury, in contrast to warnings before we came that we might need thermals and gloves. This part of the State is currently in severe drought - a total contrast to the country we left behind. We finished for the afternoon at 900 yards before retiring for lunch at the quintessential American diner, Perco's, and team forays to Save Mart for water, cool boxes, snacks etc and to a sporting goods store, named 'Big 5' of all things, to purchase supplies.

Some rest and some super (and huge) steaks from the famous Harris Ranch cattle ended the day before much needed shut eye (which for some people didn't wait until after they had left the table) ahead of the California State Fullbore Championships in the morning. It's shaping up to be a long day of shooting ahead.