We couldn’t leave New Mexico without spending a few days at the Whittington Center, just outside of Raton.
Established in 1968 as a result of the passage of the Gun Control Act, the NRA purchased the 33,000 acre property in an effort to assure the future of the shooting sports and recreational shooting.
Having visited many shooting clubs we were in awe of the 18 world-class shooting ranges at the Whittington Center. Apparently we weren’t the only ones impressed. Just about everyone we met exclaimed “Can you believe this place? Awesome!”.
John spent almost all day every day at the multitude of ranges. He was like a kid in candy shop. Or in his words “giddy as a school-boy in a girls locker room”.
There was a challenge at the long-range silhouette range: hit the White Buffalo on the hill. A distance of 1123 yards. Can you see the buffalo?
It really is there. Try this picture. See it now?
Well it wasn’t good enough that he be able to hit the buffalo once, that could be a lucky shot. No, John decided it had to be at least two times in a row before he would let me buy him the White Buffalo T-shirt.
He and his “baby” did their thing and despite a windy day, he now is the proud owner of another T-Shirt.
What did I do while he was doing the bang bang thing? Sophie and I hung out at the campground. I made some lemon cookies, apple pie and sat outside and enjoyed the view of the Red River Peaks.
I had plenty of company between the rabbits, deer and birds. The black-headed Grosbeaks and Spotted Towhees really liked my bird-block. Unfortunately we didn’t see any bear or mountain lions that were supposed to be in the area.
