Happy Halloween from the road!

On Wednesday we opted to begin our trek west.  Unfortunately we had to make a pit stop in Ocala at a Freightliner to have the noisy brakes and alignment issues looked at, yes, on the new rig.  When we realized that wouldn't happen that day we hit the road again squeaking as we drove off.  We spent the night at a Walmart in Perry and ordered a pizza from the Dominoes across the parking lot from us.  I drew the line at having them deliver when we could walk the 50 steps to pick it up!

On our way to Destin, FL, we found Andi and Wayne's town...

We chose the slower road, HWY 98 vs Interstate 10.  This is why...

We ate Oysters (well Mike did) in Apalachicola (love saying that name!) at Papa Joe's.  We were told they were the best in the world.  I would say they were close to the biggest, but oyster snob Mike said they weren't even close to the best. 

We made it to Destin by Cosmo time and thanks to my good friend Kaye, we were hooked up with a fabulous campground at an Air Force Base Recreation Area on the water!  Here's a pic of our place this weekend: 
Yesterday we went across the bridge to Shalimar Pointe for a round of golf on a tough Pete Dye course.  If the slope and rating wasn't tough enough, 72.3/123 (72.7/132 for Mike from the tips), they had just overseeded the greens, so it was a tougher than normal putting experience.  Although Mike promised at the onset to let me win as an anniversary present (it was our 5th), he just couldn't bring himself to play worse than I did.  He found his drive and played great.  I think he likes golf again!  He found his dream home (again) just off the 9th green but this one just sold a couple of weeks ago.  Bummer!
The Bay on one side, the course on the other, AND a course we could play unlimited rounds for $120 per month-- it doesn't get much better!

After Shalimar, we checked out Regatta Bay, one of the nicest courses in the area.  It's much like Barefoot in that they count on visitors to help keep the costs low for the members and it is a spectacular resort with incredible homes, many on the water.  What they do offer that we only wish Barefoot could match, is a trail fee allowing members to drive their own carts. 

We're heading out today with a realtor to see what's available in the area.  When we hooked up the coach, a neighbor immediately made friends with Mike, told him how much he loved the area, that he had just bought here, and gave us his realtor's card.  Then Jay asked my permission to take Mike for a drive.  Of course I said "yes" (or maybe it was "get the hell out of here", I can't remember).  Without knowing a thing about Mike, Jay took Mike about a mile down the road to a fresh seafood market (Sexton's) that had the best fish Mike had ever seen--yes, this from the fresh fish snob.  Mike is sold on the area now!

We are having a great weekend here, even had a home cooked meal, thanks to Kaye and her friends Tim and Rhonda.  Tim makes the BEST chicken Spaghetti, which I call chicken pot pie pasta.  Here's a pic of Kaye and Mike's new best buddy (he wants to trade 100 lbs of dogs for this 5 lb cuddler)...
Besides Halloween, our 5th anniversary, we also celebrated Rhond'a birthday this weekend.  Mike picked out the perfect cake for the occasion...

That's about all to report.  We're headed toward New Orleans tomorrow.  Any suggestions on golf communities or places to go/eat in that area would be most welcomed!

Have a safe and FUN Halloween!

Juanita

Comments

[Susan Erway]

happy Halloween and Happy anniversary. Sounds like the road is becoming better and better. wishing you safe journeys. Keep on blogging.Bob and Sue

[James K. Williams]

Tou missed alot of great courses here in Ocala! We have plenty of courses with all sorts of price ranges! They just redid the Municipal course and it is AWESOME!! You really can'y beat the $28 greens fees either. Let me know if you are coming back this way and we can play there.

[Dan Thebeau]

If you are making your way to northern california, (of course there's Pebble but...)I would suggest Roddy Ranch, great course and good value, or Callippe preserve. Both course are in the east bay, Me and the wife would be happy to join you and would love to hear about your adventures.

Dan_Thebeau@Yahoo.com

[richard oros]

Jealous, very, very jealous. Have a great trip. If you make it to New Jersey, I think one of the best public courses is located within the Rutgers University campus. That would be the Rutgers University Golf Course. The url is http://golfcourse.rutgers.edu/ I play with my foursome every week and is a very well maintained course and is well laid out.
The other public course is in Somerset county. Neshanic Valley golf course. Url is http://somersetcountyparks.org/parksFacilities/nvgc/index.htm it is an excellent course.
If you are in the area, drop a note. Would be happy to play a round with the two of you.

[glen higgins]

Western North Carolina, try Etowah for the buck. Cliffs at Walnut Cove no dought the best, if in town let me know and we will play together @ WC.

[Dan]

I suggest you head for Northern Wisconsin in the summer. Lots of beautiful forests and lakes. You can play Northwood golf course in Rhinelander, St. Germain golf course in St. Germain. Minocqua CC in Minocqua is probably the best but it is private, also Trout Lake GC is just north of Minocqua.

[bill hardiman]

Tobacco Road or Tot Hill Farm in the Pinehurst, NC area and Perguratoy in Indianapolis In area.

Jealous - Wishing you a great year and many opportunities to meet a world of new friends.

[Henry Hess]

If you get to North East New York State (foothills of the Adirondack Mountains), & I recommend that you do, there are several golf courses worthy of your time, including Saratoga National. But I personallay recommend Airway Meadows in Gansevoort, northern Saratoga County. It's not a Woods, Nicholas, or Jones design, but it is beautifully maintained, quite a challenge, lots of fun, and a bargain. You have to delay your tee shots on two holes if there are private planes departing or landing on the adjacent airfield.