Atlatl

The pawpaw festival was a wonderful time. The pawpaws were tastey and the Ohioans were friendly. (Is that what you call someone who lives in Ohio?) One of the funnest things at the festival was the atlatl throwing. I had never heard of an atlatl before Saturday but it was mankind's supreme weapon for several thousand years. They date back to 18,000 BC. At that age, it procedes the bow and arrow and for some people the creation of the world. It's a stick that projects long spear like darts with suprising force. Caveman used them to bring down all kinds of monstrous game. The Aztecs could penetrate conquistador armor with their powerful atlatls. How do I know this? Wikipedia's article on the atlatl, of course.

So back to the pawpaw festival: There was an atlatl target range open to anyone. Several hunter guys were using atlatls to hit a deer target with unnerving force and accuracy from about 100 feet away. Norma and I decided to try get in touch with our caveman roots and gave it a try. We put down our bags and were directed away from the men in camo to the kiddie range. It was really fun even though I was mocked mercilessly by the seven year old shooting next to me. You can see him standing behind Norma wearing a blue sea otter t-shirt. While I was aiming and trying to focus on my would be perfect shot he shouted out "Hey You! YOU! YEah YOOOOU! We Are ALLL waiting on YOU! You to shoot! SHoot already, why don't yah!" I was pretty ready to shoot him but I restrained myself.

We actually took a movie of some of our shots and I might try to post those later. Youtube isn't cooperating right now. Until then you can enjoy this picture of Norma modeling the atlatl and preparing to slaughter any mammoth unlucky enough to cross her path.