Sipping our last drops of bourbon at 2AM. Finishing up intriguing conversations with people we met earlier that day. And finally cuddling into my fluffy feather bed anticipating what was in store for the next morning, I knew this trip to Blackberry Farm would be like no other. Meeting new people, unleashing new passions and learning about the unknown outdoors? I’m in! Which comes to my first New Years resolution: expanding my circle of passions!
But how can I connect with what I learned at Blackberry Farm to this New Year?:
1. The people: We met some very exciting and fun people from California and Michigan as well as a lovely French couple on our trip! We all became great friends, and the friendship has only just begun thanks to Blackberry Farm. It was so fascinating. So much so that meeting the young French couple inspired me to perfect my French and re-enroll this Spring at Fi:af up on Madison. Their classes are amazing and the entire class is in French! You better bet I’ll be saying Bonjour! every time I walk through their creative doors. Becoming entirely fluent is the goal!
2. The wine: Every meal, even lunch, included the option of pairing each course with a great glass of vino. I have to admit our wine pairing with the dinner on Christmas couldn’t have been more precise. Even the white paired with a beet salad was just perfect, and subtlety brought out the hidden flavors on our plate!
Talking with their sommelier, Andy Chabot, inspired me to come back to New York and really buckle down on my knowledge with the vino. Next step? Taking wine courses at Astor Center. I’ve taken wine pairing classes here before, and was so impressed with this place that I’m putting the pedal to the metal to become more of an expert on wine country regions I love.
3. The shooting: This was an adventure from the moment my dad asked “Lizzie? Are you coming clay shooting with us today?” I thought…”Why not?”
This was one sport I never expected to love right from the beginning or actually hit the sporting clays consistently…but I did! After having the best day of aiming and shooting, I decided to expand my knowledge on this sport. First step? Beretta on Madison.
The Beretta guys couldn’t have been more helpful and open to my curiosity of learning more about the sport. I pranced in, went straight up to the third floor and became tight with Andrew, Ed and Scott: three experts in the shooting field.
12 and 20 gauge automatics!
First on the list was wanting to learn about which guns would be most suitable to a newbie like me. Their choices? The 12 or 20 automatics. After pretending to aim with both, I fell head over heels for the 20 automatic {less heavy!}. The next concern of mine was what to wear…
The boys told me that their women’s vest, electronic muffs and shooting shields would immediately make me look like a pro on the range. But who could leave out this new book they have on Pointers? After talking with these guys about how helpful Pointer dogs are with shooting birds, I was so excited to learn more about the pups through this book {future post to come about the book on its own!}.
Women’s Vest, $125
Electronic Earmuffs, $155; Shooting Shields, $38; Pointer Dogs, Volume One: The Continentals, $99
They bundled me all up and I was ready to go! Beretta officially rocks.
Next step? Finding the perfect place for me to go shooting near NYC. Andrew told me that Suffolk County Clays and Thunder Mountain Trap & Skeet were his favorites to get to from the city, and they allow you to rent guns if you don’t own one!
Alright, I was all ready to go. I even felt comfortable talking with those electronic muffs by the end of my experience there! But then I was faced with an issue. This Southern Belle doesn’t have a long gun shooting permit up here…
Not to worry! Click here for the link to fill out the registration if interested. I know I will be doing this today! It only takes a few months to process {just in time for shooting in warm weather!}.
A gun to dream for? Beretta’s S010 EELL 28/30″ {$120,000..wooh!}
My favorite part about this Ferrari of a gun? The Bracco Italiano pointer engraving!
Expanding my knowledge of unleashed passions? I’ve checked off one of four things on my list for the New Year. Can’t wait for these classes to start on up! Hola.
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