IS IT 2010 ALREADY? SOMEONE SHOULD’VE TOLD ME!
So I realized that the blog has been horribly neglected and that it’s been over a month since I have posted anything. A million apologies enter my mind, but I will spare you the Steve Martin impression.
ON THE ROAD
In the past month I have been out shaking babies and kissing hands trying to let the world know that AM Outdoors exists and that we are serious about what we do. Four days in Novi at the Ultimate Fishing show brought us into the Detroit market where we featured USA Custom Rods“Camo Stix for the first time as well as giveaways from our new friends at Northland Tackle. Then it was off to Columbus for the Archery Trade Association (ATA) Show.
ATA was not what I had hoped. There were a few interesting items, but not much on the wow factor. It seems that everyone has got themselves in the business of manufacturing bows. The quality seems to be there but how many times can you reinvent the single cam, compound bow. I will say that the Hoyt Carbon Matrix did catch my eye. Then again, the price tag is a bit out of my league. Not to mention, I’m a Martin shooter!
VIVA LAS VEGAS
With a whole 30 hours at home with the family, it was off to Detroit to fly out to Las Vegas and the Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) show.
For most guys, booking the wrong date in Vegas for a trade show and being there a day and a half early would be a great mistake…not so much. I’m from Michigan. The whole state is on a budget and and I have been selling plasma for a month to get this trip financed. Well, not exactly plasma but I did find out that ebay fees can be a little pricey.
For anyone that has never been to SHOT, it’s the ultimate toy store for anyone that likes guns. Not just shotguns and rifles, but tactical firearms of all types. .50 cals and AR’s, small arms and those high end Italian side by sides whose name I can’t pronounce let alone get my thoughts around the price tag. Every type of gear that you can imagine. Even TASER! That’s right. The folks that brought you the most feared ”less lethal” form of defense. Now even they feature a bright yellow shotgun that looks like a kids toy, but instead fires a projectile that can be reactivated multiple times. Not that’s an episode of COPS I can’t wait to see!
SHOT also offers it’s attendees the opportunity for swag. Samples and information on all of the new products that will hit the shelves in your local sporting goods store this fall or even the following year. Samples that they hope will get written or talked about by the media members in attendance. Who would’ve thought that the most impressive sample received this trip would be a pair of socks.
THE EMPEROR’S NEW SOCKS
S-O-C-K-S! No. I am not pushing a new way to help you speak and learn Spanish (Esso si. Que es?) I am giving you the skinny on a new pair of socks that I had the opportunity to field test. Darn Tough Vermont is a producer of quality socks for many applications but it was the Boot Sock from the hunting and fishing line that I was set to try. It wasn’t really my intention to test them that day, but I was flying back home to Michigan where the cold weather was coming back for a while.
The initial feel of the socks were much like that of any new sock. The initial fit was comfortable, especially for someone like myself, sporting thick calves from hauling all the extra lbs. on my frame. Not thinking much about new socks, I headed off to the airport. Little did I know what I would be in for. Without going in to detail about airport shut downs and missed flights, let’s just say that I spent over 36 straight hours in the same pair of socks. The Merino wool blend had a nice cool feel and really kept a good consistent temperature. My feet also felt nice and dry, unlike the feel I get from a typical cotton sock. The bands never cut into my legs like some of the taller socks do and let’s just say that “you couldn’t tell I took my shoes off when I got home.” Keep in mind that this is just the preliminary test, but a good one to be sure. I will keep you all informed on future use.
THIS WEEK’S SHOW
In the past I have always listed the upcoming show guests here on the blog spot. I have found it easier to put a new link on the front of the website with a link to a separate page. If this does not appeal to you, make sure to let me know. Your input drives this show and I hope that you all enjoy the product of our labor.
Happy New Year!
Duran