[DanUCSB]

Sadly, in my case, it actually was travel, rather than RL's more pleasant implication.

Got home last night, after fighting traffic up the 101. The day at the show was a good one: got up late, had a nice steak-and-eggs breakfast, and took a leisurely stroll to the show. Did some more exploring (you can't see it all in one day). I'm not much of a hunter, so I spent more time in the guns/ammo/gear concourse; the LEO/tactical section was quite interesting, if smaller than I would have imagined. All of the firearms companies had a booth or two: the main one, large and pavilion-style, with all of their product line on stands for touching/handling, and some with smaller side booths in a different section (typically the LEO section) for their more specialized offerings. Needless to say, a beautiful thing for a guy who spends most of his time in an area conspicuously without well-stocked gun stores--sometimes you just have to find out how something is going to feel in your hand.

Some of my favorite booths ended up being Chris Reeve Knives (the Yarborough is a fine knife indeed), Stan Bulmer's LeMas booth (relegated to a back corner of the LEO section, which I half-jokingly suspected was due to the fact that they had a monitor running a continuous loop of video that included footage of the wound channel/cavity in a hog as a result of a shot from a .308 LeMas round), and the Blackwater area, in which they had a man handing out cups of beer. I also enjoyed the HK, Para, and Taurus areas (I have a soft spot in my heart for Taurus revolvers, except for that crazy duty-sized .454 Casull). Honorable mention to the lady handing out the beef jerky.

Met some more folks, as well. Talked to AM for a while longer, who introduced me to the Team Sergeant. Spoke with them for a while, during which Air.177 snuck up on us (well, me, at least: apparently TS's peripheral vision is nigh-invincible). I was also introduced to The Reaper, with whom I chatted for a few moments. I finished the day by going back to say goodbye to AM and Mr. Harsey and Mr. Reeve before I left. I am pleased to say that all of the folks I met from here are very nice, gracious men, and I am honored to have met them; I will admit, it is a bit odd to have Mr. Harsey call me 'sir,' but then, that's just further evidence that his parents raised him up right.

In all, a great time. The only problem with the show is that it's so big that everything eventually seems to blur together; simple sensory overload. But there's so much great stuff and so many great people there that I would recommend it to anyone interested in such things; the expense is trivial compared to the experience. I'll be there next year, that's for sure.