Thanks for reading this month’s AIM post!
Back to Becoming an Outdoors Woman. I can’t believe how all the soaking rain never happened except overnight. We totally lucked out since we had a lot of rain before and it is now raining this week. I had packed for rain for all the classes and it was dry. It was, however, extremely hot and humid! My hair was frizzed out the whole weekend LOL!
Silver Bay is actually a YMCA ‘camp’ or resort. It’s in the Adirondacks, but certainly not rustic. Here is the inn – or main building.
This was where my sister and I lodged.
Nice inside.
There are no TVs anywhere (which is nice). Phone service is terrible, though. People would gather around the flag pole to check their phones where cell service came in. There was internet available, though, go figure.
Saturday was Beginning Crossbow. I am not much for shooting sports. I grew up with a gun family and my sister and BIL hunt, as do some of my in-laws and even my 14-year-old niece just got her license. I actually was certified for hunter ed and had my own gun when I was younger, but I never shot anything living. I much more prefer to shoot with a camera now as I decided I don’t care for guns anymore.
Anyway, I have always liked archery and the crossbow class is a new addition to the BOW workshop.
After a history lesson and safety instructions, we headed out to the archery range. We were actually using the green bags for targets as the power of the crossbow shoots right through those round targets (eep!)
We also had a few 3D targets:
The balloons were put on later for an accuracy challenge to pop. We started with the light weight crossbow – 45 pounds (weight of pull, not crossbow).
See what I mean about the hair frizz? My hair was straight and smooth when I started the day! My sister was one of the instructors for this class. She was hanging over my shoulder:
It was easy to get pretty accurate quickly. We moved from balloons on the targets to little clay disks and then eggs! The eggs were on golf tees about 15 yards away and I got one! I was so excited 😀 FYI – the crossbow has no kick at all, pretty much like shooting a regular bow.
Now I am ready for the Zombie Apocalypse!
The last class was one on knot tying. I either tie a knot that doesn’t hold or becomes a Gordian knot, so I thought this would be very good for me.
We were taught the most useful knots and here is my tying of some of them.
Slip knot:
Taut line (very useful!):
Trailer hitch – super useful especially if you are tying something down on the top of the car:
Then we went around to different stations and had to follow little scenarios like this:
There was a tarp up in the room, but I didn’t get a picture. Knots are just cool looking, too. If you want to tie any knot – decorative or useful, go to animatedknots.com
Another good weekend at BOW! It will be in a different location next year, so I may not be able to go. We shall see.
If you have one in a nearby state (or your own), I encourage you to go. There are so many different classes and you are in a very supportive environment to go outside of your comfort zone (sometimes waaaay outside) and try something you never thought you would.
Ending with another fun shot I took on the property:
This is a lovely setting. Good for you expanding your horizons. You have an adventurous spirit.
That inn is beautiful!!! I think I would like the crossbow – I used to love archery when I worked at a Girl Scout Camp (many, many years ago!!).
It was fun!
Love that last picture. What a nice place to get away. I’m like you–prefer shooting things with a camera. But since I am a meat lover, I don’t object to others wanting to hunt. I’ll just let them do it for me and pretend it never happened while I enjoy the meat….
I don’t have a problem eating meat (most times), but I decided I didn’t want to do my own 😀
Great weekend Lori. The main building is lovely and the crossbow class sounds like a lot of fun.
Hopefully the location next year will be convenient for you so you can go.
The new location is about 3 hours away, so it may be a little farther than I want to travel. It depends on the classes offered, too.
I think the whole concept of those weekends is so cool. I looked up the one closest to me after you went last year. Would love to get my sister to go with me one of these day. I can assure you my sister won’t be teaching anything however. LOL!
It is a very cool concept and very empowering!
all I can think of is how you are badass like MERIDA from BRAVE!!
I love that main house!! Away from social media can be a good thing says this crazy woman! 😉 Lori, you always look like you are having fun!!!! I would not be good at this..
BTW, your hair looks straight in that pic compared to mine on a GOOD day! 😉
Jody – I bet you would be just fine and have a lot of fun!
I’m with Jody – I’ve always thought the main building was gorgeous and remember thinking that ever year you post a picture. Plus with the hills and trees in the background, wow what a great place to visit!!
I think your hair looks great – shiny and bouncy. Even on a frizz day, I don’t get volume. 🙂
I get lots of volume in humidity, but the hair goes every which way.
Gorgeous area! Good luck with all the wilderness training. It looks like fun.
What a gorgeous place!!!! I LOVE knots and am so going to check out that link. Have a great day Lori!
Lori,
Beautiful area that you and your sister go to. The classes sound like alot of fun.
What a beautiful camp! The knot class is so useful, I will check out that website. My hair does the same thing!
What a great adventure!Whoever gets lost in the woods with you will be very lucky! I have the same hair frizz… Whaddaya gonna do?