Battlefield Utah 03-28-2009

Last weekend (March 28th), I was lucky enough to participate in a paintballing event called BattleField Utah. Its located on top of a mountain near Eagle Mountain. It hosted 150 players on 2 teams. Game started at 10am, and ran until 1pm, we had a break for lunch, then it started again an hour later and ran until 4pm. We entered the fieldd after registering and getting marked for a team with a colored tape on the arm. Once on the field, fully dressed and protected, we proceeded to our dead zone. There were refs on the field, and other players actually playing. Once at the dead zone, we had a tent where we could take off our masks, and regroup. When time was up, on 15 minutes intervals, the ref would allow us to respawn. Each time i was killed, which was fairly often, i would return to the dead zone and wait to reenter the game. Some times, I had gotten great shots off, actually killing off other players. Other times i ran too quickly to the front lines and simply was eliminated. Some times, i would go out with other folks and team up and take out the other team. I didnt keep track of the times that I was killed, or the kills that I had. What i did do was recognize that i had a blast, worked up quite a sweat, went thru a bit of co2 and paint. At the end of the day, I had a blast and would do it again. There were some really frustrating times when players on the other team seemed to be cocky and were doing and saying things that got my ire up. But, after all, we were out with guns trying to kill one another.
I do enjoy the speed, stealth and actions of paintballing. Being able to give and take hits that are not leathal, but feel the rush, is an amazing thing. The field was large and allowed 150 people to move around easily. Flags were in well placed locations, and not visible until upon them. I would do it again, and look forward to doing it again next year.

Paintballing and Motorcycling?

This Saturday morning I got up, geared up, and took off before 930 to get to the paintball field. I have been following a local paintball store since my wife bought me a paintball marker and some other gear a couple of Christmas' ago. Periodically, the owner of JT Paintball will send out emails about games. This one was located on a great field near Eagle Mountain, Utah that is operated by Desert Edge. This is a great field, with a lot of room to play. I've been out there last year with 100+ people playing.

The field is located on a dirt road, past various farms. Its a typical Utah high desert area, with cedar brush and various other obstacles that make up some great hides to hunt the other team from. I even saw a couch out in the middle of the playing field. When we get rid of our couch, i may just bring it out there, since it'll add to the field of play, and make a great obstacle to shoot from.
There are two fields that Desert Edge plays in, and I have only been to one of them. I went to the other one first, thinking that it was where the game would be. The view was amazing, as it looked over saratoga springs, into lehi and the lake beyond. I could see my house. But no one else was there. I wondered around for a bit, enjoying he view, until i headed to the other field. Here, I
found a few folks, 10+, gearing up. After I geared up, we divided into teams and went out onto the field. I was one of 3 people that had played there before, so felt like i knew what was going on. I love playing here, because of all the trees and shrubs and built up obstacles. When using the trees, you can easily down the field, and see legs and bodies moving. If you sit still, and use the trees as cover, you may be able to sneak up on them. Its a great area, that allows you to move around in easily. I had some great shots, picked off some people, but was never the last on my team. I ended up getting shot each time i went onto the field. One was a great shot by the other guy. I had just hunted down a guy from the other team, and took him out well. All agreed it was a great shot. But afterwards, i was cocky and wondered away quickly, right into the waiting gunsights of of an enemy. Great shot. Another time, i had chased down 3 enemies, pushed them back with the help of a teammate. But when i went right, and he went left, he got distracted by another enemy, leaving the three to concentrate on me. I blew it, and ended up getting hit by a sniper guy in the trees, as i hunted 2 in a stand nearby. I never saw the guy in the tree, and he tagged me in the knee.

None of the shots were as hard as the week before during speedball. Each time i returned to the parking area, I could barely breath. Its a long walk back after getting shot, but even taking my time, i couldn't breath, as I had been exerting myself during the game so much. It felt great to run, jump, evade, shoot.
After the games (3-4), I packed up and headed home. Stopping by a gas station to treat myself with a Diet Sunkist and a Chocodile. I went home.

Once at home, we finally took down the Christmas lights. They usually spend quite a bit of time on our home, but it was time, and we had the afternoon. With all the family helping, we made quick work of it.

Afterwards, and since i had removed things in the garage to pack the Christmas lights, my dirtbikee was out... asking for a new handlebar to be put on. I started taking pieces off the old bars, making sure that i marked where things were, unlike last time. I slowly removed everything, and got the new bar put on. This time, i didnt attach it to the triple tree first, but attached the items first. Last time, i had a heck of a time with cables being too tight, having been put on incorrectly. I was slow and methodical and successful. I didnt get the grips or barkbusters put on, but did make good progress for having done it myself. I rarely do well with mechanical tasks, but did ok this time.

So, thats how I was able to combine paintball and motorcycling. I actually wish there was another way to combine them. Ive often thought it would be cool to get paintball geared up and ride quads. One paintballer on the back of the quad, one driver of the quad. We team up and play agains other similar groups. I would imagine there would be some severe injuries, but prior to that, i bet we'd have a blast acting out a real life Mario Kart.

I sure enjoy these hobbies, and am thankful for the time and abilities to participate in them whenever I can.

Paintball 2008-03-01

JT paintball organized a woodsball event and invited anyone to join. When Kevin and I showed up, there were very few people, but soon we had two teams of 8 or so playing. We got up to payson canyon area, and there was still snow in the mountains... more than we had thought would be there... the field was a foot and a half of snow, crusty on the top. In places, you could actually walk on top of the 18 inches of snow... however, ususally, you broke through. So each step was an interesting adventure, and running was almost impossible. So combine new equiptment, with unknown footing, and snow everywhere, and you had one heck of a game area. We played many different types of games. Each time, you wanted to be on the team that stayed put, because the trudge to the other side of the field wore you out, with half or more of the steps breaking thru the snow.
Needless to say, by the end of the 3+ hours we were there, we were cold, wet, tired, and thrilled with our first time out this year. Everything was wet. But we had a blast.
Paintballing is a blast. You run and duck and run again. Its such a kick...
I spilled my hopper of ammo out, and spilled a bag as well. Live and learn. Need to be more careful in the future.