Pumpkins And Mudcakes - An Off-road Adventure

     This past Saturday was another new experience for me; in fact, it was an experience and a half. Words cannot fully describe the awesomeness that was the Schmidt's Fourth Biannual Off-road Rally; thus, I have pictures.
     The day started with a shoot-out. Basically target practice, and a chance to play with their coolest guns. And I got to shoot some pretty cool ones!
     My weapons teacher hard at work:

Caleb the sniper. He shot the stem off a pumpkin from.....well, I don't the exact distance, but a really really long way away!

Then there is trap-shooting. Trying to see who can hit that orange disk flying through the air first:

Finally, the Bayonet Charge of the Blue Barrels. The soldiers returning victorious with their fallen enemies behind them:

Next, the off-road part began. Just a few of the vehicles lined up, ready to start:

And we were off! And this was only part of the caravan:

Part one was through the woods. Can't you see the trail? Don't worry, neither could I. But I was assured that there was a specific trail marked through there:

Part two was the small pit. Pretty much a muddy swamp. We made it through most of it, but we got very stuck in the deepest part. Yes, that it was you think it is; the water and mud is almost as high as the door, and no, the door is not at all close to the ground:

As we were waiting to be pulled out, the Beast (a.k.a. the Stump-Stomper Mark I) drove into view.....

.....and promptly stalled.

We did eventually get free, and then there was a picturesque moment with Sally (the car which I rode in). And this was right before I drove Sally, my first attempt at driving a stick-shift:

Part three was the Pit of No Return, and it is very apptly named. The muddiest duo, stuck:

On their first attempt through the pit, it took a train of three vehicles to pull them free. On their second try, it took a train of four to get them unstuck. Only one other vehicle tried to get through, and they, too, got stuck, requiring another train of three. Although not very good for driving through, this mud was perfect for playing with and making mudcakes!

     Part four, which I did not get pictures of, was another trail through the woods; only this time, there were large logs to drive over, and a ravine to stay out of. But it was fun.

     The rest of the evening was spent eating dinner and hanging out around a bonfire. It was quite an enjoyable day!!!