I grew up in the country, which means I grew up around guns. My brother and I played with BB guns, and later with his first .22. Ten [...]]]> When I told my dad the news that I plan to hike the entire Ozark Trail alone, he suggested that I learn to safely carry and handle a pistol.

I grew up in the country, which means I grew up around guns. My brother and I played with BB guns, and later with his first .22. Ten years of life outside of rural southeast Missouri has made my gun-totin’ skills a wee bit rusty, but today I had a chance to brush up.

@StLCardsGuy asked me if I was going to shoot at a range or go to the country. “We go into the back yard,” I told him. (I’m a country girl. We don’t need no stinkin’ shootin’ range.)

The New Yorker in me was reacquainted with the rural Missourian as my dad and I trecked to the back of the property with a makeshift target and a handful of guns.

We were both suprised at how well I shot with the .32, especially considering that I’d never before shot a pistol. I hit near bullseye on several shots from 30 feet back. This is the gun I’ll carry hiking. Watch out, Big Foot, you’re not dragging this girl back to your cave…

We also shot a 20-gauge shotgun my dad has had since he was fourteen years old, a Taurus 9mm, and a 22 rifle.

The New Yorker in me wasn’t totally comfortable with guns before this outing, but I had fun shooting. It relieved some stress, and it was cool hanging out with my dad for a few hours.

NYC =0; MO=1