AMERICAMing at the NRA's Great American Outdoor Show

David, Americam's COO distracted at a vendor's table.

Jackie catching up with the Roger & Philip Culpepper of Hunt Club.

Americam's COO posing happily with all his new goodies from the NRA Great American Outdoor Show.

Outdoor Show & Americam's COO

Americam's COO (aka: David)

So, if Ms. Crumley ever tells you to do something; my thought would be that you do it without question. If she ever recommends that you go to the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania hosted by the NRA - I would highly recommend that you do just that!

Jackie, and I were able to sneak away last Tuesday and take a 4-hour drive up I-81. Just the two of us for a 24 hour whirlwind expedition at the Great American Outdoor Show, and it was ... ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!

Quick safety briefing:

Recommend that you either go with more money than you know what to do with OR leave all your credit cards at home.

We arrived at 3 o’clock on Tuesday, which allowed us to get a half-day ticket. The idea was that we would go in and get the lay of the land and figure out who all we wanted to be in front of on Wednesday.

The very first problem that I encountered happened immediately upon our entry. We entered into … the Sporting Rifle Section. That was it; I was lost. Not confused about what I was seeing but lost to Jackie and our pre-talked about plan of attack. It was like seeing my 10-year-old daughter walk into Claire’s jewelry store. I was beside myself with excitement, huge wide eyes and a desire to get a wagon so that I could just fill it up between the swag and the incredible deals on everything from three prong flash suppressors to full blown complete uppers, ammo, paraphernalia, holsters, etc., it was mind-boggling.

So as we fill this blog out, you’ll understand why my wife the CEO of American LLC has now determined that the COO is no longer allowed to go to any gun show or NRA show unaccompanied or unsupervised.

Jackie:

Our COO is never, EVER, under any circumstances allowed to attend an Outdoor show unsupervised. Just as I wouldn't allow my 10 year old with a credit card in hand to roam freely in a toy or candy store. The same thing can be said about the Americam COO!

We talked and made a plan (his idea btw) which went straight out the window the literal moment he stepped foot through the ticket booth. He walked in with a classic deer in headlights look to him. You could see the gears turning and the excitement building ... so much to look at, see, and do that he couldn't even form a plan (let alone the one we went over just 30 minutes earlier!) ... I talked to him, but I could tell he didn't understand what language I was speaking; I don't even think he was hearing me. He was a mess! His directional and map reading abilities were shocked; as he got turned around by every sight, sound and duck call!

Back to the COO:

So with the aforementioned distraction of the Shooting Sports Hall - I will go ahead and say that an NRA Great American Outdoor Show is DEFINITELY our kind of people!

Americam was born with the idea of loving God, America, and the Great Outdoors; and there was no better representation than the people, the equipment, the mood, and the general feeling associated with everything, and everyone there.

Going down the list of various "Halls" that were available to walk through - we started with the Outdoor Products Hall, then the Hunting Outfitter Hall, right into the Outdoor Lifestyle Hall, into the Fishing Hall; We cruised on into the Boat Hall, the Archery Range, then the Lobbies and the Arenas. Not to mention the incredible food courts and the hundreds of booths of just everyday Americans all gathered together in any one place enjoying all that God has provided. I want to emphasis the enjoyment and freedom we have to just go outside to enjoy His great wonders.

Yes, having a plan is a great idea ... IF... you're willing, able AND capable of sticking to it! I on the other hand felt like I needed to talk to everyone, shake hands, and discover what they had in common with Americam, and to share our experiences.

Having a military background and a love of the firearm industry already; I had no problem speaking with every vendor that we stopped to talk with. Whether you've ever picked up a .22 pistol or you made a living firing high-powered sniper rifles, the knowledge and information that was willingly shared from everyone we encountered was quite literally ... AWESOME!

I will recommend Tony's Custom's out of Ohio, Vertical Gun Racks out of Georgia, Buck Holsters out of Florida, and the many other company owners who took time to be there displaying their wares and helping in general knowledge of the Outdoor Lifestyle.

We spent quite a bit of time in the Hunting Outfitter Hall - and believe me - you could spend a whole day just meeting the guided tours from all over the country from everything to big game in Alaska, to hogs in South Carolina. If salt-water or fresh-water angling is more your style, you could go from Salt-water fishing out of Baha to fly-fishing streams in Maine. So whether you wanted to get out in the woods and learn first hand about regional hunting or casting a line into a body of water for the big one, there was no better place to find and book a getaway. We enjoyed shopping through the gear, the conversations had and time spent with Forloh, Hunter Nation, and Whitetail X-treme.

On an special side-note we took a few minutes on Wednesday morning with Christian Bowhunters of America as we prayed for God's continued grace, and blessings on America, the people and the entire event in one of those special God-instances.

Later, we even ran into and caught up with, Roger and Phillip Culpepper, who Jackie had spent quite a bit of time with when she worked in the outdoor industry many years ago.

Given the opportunity and with a lot more time I would highly recommend going and enjoying the sights, sounds, and deals of, THE Great American Outdoor show hosted by the National Rifle Association.

Regardless of how long you can be there, grab a seat with a bag of candied pecans, and watch those amazing 4-legged family members at Dock Dogs!

Jackie:

I would have to agree, it was a most incredible experience. I'm so glad we heard about it when we did, acted on a whim; didn't think too much about the logistics and jumped in the car and drove 4 hours north to the NRA's Great Americam Outdoor Show.

Its the best of everything that connects us as people who love the outdoors. I'd like to think Americam's motto emulates the Outdoor industry perfectly,

"For God. For Country. For You."

David:

And truthfully, when the Sporting Rifle Hall closes at 7pm, make sure you have enough bags to carry everything you weren't supposed to buy (or have that wagon).

Also, make sure to thank all the incredible LEO's who will help you find the closest exit to get to your vehicle's parking spot too.

Jackie:

I mean it. If you see him unsupervised carrying way more than he can handle, with a wide-eyed look about him, don't hesitate, please report him immediately to: info@americamUSA.com with a general LOCation of where you last spotted him!