Highways and Fairways

Snow in August?

 

We arrived yesterday in Kalispell, a 30 minute drive to Glacier National.  We chose Spruce Park (tons to choose from here) as it was on the Flathead River, inexpensive yet had full hook ups including cable, wifi, and 50 amp. 

 

I spotted this in the RV Park (below).  Next time I complain about our mechanical misfortunes, remind me that Mike could have opted to bring the Harley on this adventure instead!

 

Arriving to cool 65 temps was initially a welcome reprieve from some of the recent heat.  However, waking up this morning to rain and 40 degrees was not in the plan.  Unfortunately this weather is called for until Thursday and we can't wait around until then to sightsee so off we went to Glacier National.

I was glad we opted to camp outside of the national park.  Not sure I could maintain my composure if we were taking these roads in the 40 foot monster.

 

 

 

 

Now that I have a shiny new camera we have been dealt terrible weather that blocked what we understand to be mind blowing views.  We got an inkling of the beauty, but nothing compared to what a clear day might be like.

 

 

 

 

 

Even if the weather more amenable for a rafting trip down the river, I think these granite kitchen counters interlaced through the river might make for a bumpy ride!

 

So beautiful though...

 

 

 

 

We were told to stop into the Lake McDonald Lodge along the Sun Road.  It was pouring down rain but we ran in to take a few pictures of this lodge that has been operating since 1914.  Especially loved the Indian story telling on the large inviting fireplace.

 

 

We caught just a bit of the wildlife...

 

 

OK, I confess that the Hoary Marmot comes to you courtesy of the local taxedermist.  Hell, no one wanted to come out in this unusual August weather!

Like morons we continued to climb the mountain pass in hopes that when we reached Logan's Pass (the highest point) the clouds would suddenly clear and we'd have the views we were promised.  We got this instead...

 

 

 

Peanut stayed in the car most of the day so Mike brought him a souvenir for his water dish.  The little guy would have no part of it.

 

Here's what we might have seen at this spot if we'd arrived yesterday or just about any day in July or August...

 

One of the rangers was kind enough to take our picture as we'd hoped to have it.

 

We learned that there are only a few glaciers left in the park and should you want to see them, come within the next ten years and wait for the clouds to clear. 

The temperatures are expected to be back in the 60's tomorrow but more rain is coming.  We're willing to golf in this rain, but no more sightseeing and car rock climbing.  We'll find the most highly recommended course locally for tomorrow and then we're on our way to Coeur D'Alene, Idaho.  My mom is flying up to meet us there and we have a tee time at the Lake Coeur D'Alene Resort.  Should be a great photo op with the famous floating green on the lake.  I'll let you know if they make us row our own boat out to the green.

Good luck to all of our friends playing in the World Am this week in Myrtle Beach.  As well, good luck Andrew, in the Pacific Amateur in Oregon, also taking place this week.  Most of all, have fun!  This really is a great game!

 

Golf, Montana Style

At least that's what the sign on the side of the freeway said, followed by, "take exit 208".  Hmmm, we'd been driving about our limit for the day and we needed a place to stay the night.  Now we had a plan.  This was just the kind of random thing I've wanted to do more of on this trip of a lifetime.  We followed the signs taking us about 8 miles off I-90 to Old Works Golf club in the old copper smelting town of Anaconda.  In the late 1800's the Old Works was a very active copper smelter until being dismantled when a more modern site was built in the mid 1900's.  Old Works sat idle until 1983 when it became a Federal EPA Clean Up Site.  With the help of Jack Nicklaus, Arco, and local citizens, Old Works became the first golf course to be built on such a site.

Using a disposable digital "crap" camera, I did my best to capture the essence of this interesting course as we haven't yet made it to Costco for a real camera. 

Nearly eleven months at this and this was the first golf course with signs for RV parking!

 

Built in a high desert with mountain peaks in nearly every background, we were impressed from the start.

 

 

 

 

The first thing to jump out at us were the jet black slag sand traps.

 

I have an aversion to the most mundane of bunkers so I steered clear but Mike did me the favor of landing in one so he could tell us of the experience.

 

Per Mike, "well Juanita, it was a lot like sand, a little finer, and it left black contrails instead of white.  That's all I want to say about that."  Thanks Forest.

Jack Nicklaus gave us an interesting lay out, with slight elevation changes and use of the slag sand abounded.  Water and slag mountains provided interesting vistas.  A very well cared for course.

 

 

 

The greens were equally well manicured, quick, wavy, and large.  They never broke as much as what we read.

 

 

With a 4:30 tee time we were chasing the remaining daylight, especially with a drunken fivesome in front of us.  The good part about a late tee time in the Montana wilderness is you just might catch some wildlife.  Either my camera or I got too excited when this fox came trotting up the cart path, but please excuse the blurriness.

 

 

We nearly needed flashlights by the 18th hole, but we both finished with pars and decent rounds.

 

 

What a great experience.  Golfers traveling I 90 through Montana should make this short detour.  They won't be sorry!

Now on the road for Kalispell.  Am staring down the magnificent mountains near the glaciers now. Hopefully we have plenty of propane as the temps have been steadily dropping since leaving Yellowstone.

Stay tuned for pics from a new (and fourth) camera!

 

It Truly is America the Beautiful!

If you have never had the opportunity to drive through Yellowstone, I am so sorry.  Our adventure began with finding the right RV park.  With RV repairs we don't have the luxury of knowing ahead of time where we'll be, thus no advanced planning for us.  The places on the west entrance we were told to stay at were full.  We opted for a north entrance campground, or we resorted to that when nothing else was open.  Rocky mountain RV park turned out to be more than fine for what we need.  Full hook ups, 50 amps, and this view.

 

 

 

With no golf courses within a reasonable drive, I did get some much needed putting practice in here at Rocky Mountain.

 

Yesterday we hooked up a babysitter for Peanut for the day since dogs are not permitted in the park.  Poor guy, he'd have loved it.  He has loved the sightseeing thus far.

 

I digress.  Less than an hour into our seven hour day in the park, our third camera on this trip blew up.  Not sure if it was the proximity to the geysers that caused the problem, but doncha know (sorry too much time in the dakotas) it folded 5 minutes before Old Faithful did its thing.  FYI, Old Faithful erupts every 1 hour and 45 minutes.  Honestly the best scenery was in our last few hours and I am so broken up over not being able to share the incredible beauty with you.  Watching the hundreds of bison (they look just like buffalo) doing the all you can eat buffet thing on the yellowish most perfect shade of green meadows with the bluest of blue stream running through the picture and topped with the purple mountains majesty in the background-- I so wanted you all here with me!  Then when traffic was held up while a mammoth of a buffalo came sauntering across the bridge inches from Mike--oh, too much for me not having a working camera!!!  I tried Mike's cell phone's camera--no memory left.  Tried mine, no battery left!  Argh!  Costco, here we come!

Just before getting home, only a few minutes from the north entrance is the little known Mother Nature Hot Tub.  A geyser meets up with the glacier fed Yellowstone river to make the most perfect jacuzzi experience.  We had our suits and water shoes with us for just this moment.  The hard part is to find a spot that is not too hot, not too cold, and something to hold on to so the current won't take you away.  It really wasn't so hard-- and it was fantastic!  My frozen shoulder is a little less frozen for having sat in this mineral spa.  It was a perfect end to a beautiful day.

We did capture a little of what Yellowstone offers, but really only a tiny bit.

Teddy Roosevelt inaugurated this stone entrance in 1902.

 

There are geysers everywhere...

 


 

 

 

 

 

That may have been the photo that killed the camera because it was done shortly after this geyser shot.

Prior to that we did catch a little of the wild life too, but only a smidgeon of what we saw.

 

 

The elk, moose, and bison were pretty much roaming freely but other than the elk, you'll have to trust me on that (no pics). 

We got home to see one of the strangest contraptions we've seen on this trip, a condo RV!

 

 

Twenty six Germans traveling from San Diego to New York in 29 nine days ride in the front bus portion by day and sleep in the cocoon bunks in the back by night.  Mike tried to get us inside to take pictures but this was the best we got:

 

The tent side opens up allowing the folks to climb into their bunks.  Crazy!  Three limited english speaking travelers asked to come back to our coach and have a look inside.  Of course!  Mike even shared some of his Iron City beer with them.  Poor Germans.  Fun group but gone before we woke up the next morning.

While here we were told the best place to eat is the Best Western restaurant a block or so away...

 

We had plans to make it there but ended up having bison burgers in the lounge where we met another Mike, an incredibly cool bartender.  Mike was in a contest to make the best drink that includes, beer, wine, and liquor.  He won with what he calls the Holy Grail.  He gave us a sample.

 

Made with Merlot, sour apple schnapps, and wheat beer, it grew on me.  They also have a wheel to spin and Mike managed to win a free drink.  He opted for a straight beer and passed on the Holy Grail.

 

We're headed tomorrow toward Glacier National where we're told the beauty far surpasses that of Yellowstone.  Happily there is also a Costco on the way so we can share it with you this time!

Sorry guys, no golf courses likely until we reach Coeur D'Alene, Idaho next week where we have plans to play the course with the floating green.  Can't wait!

Until then,

 

Keep smiling!

Holed up in the Badlands of South Dakota

Thank you, Carolyn, for reading the blog and quickly calling us with a Freightliner near us!  We spent Monday there and now have the engine brakes needed to tackle the Rockies!

We had the weekend to kill while waiting for the Freightliner in Rapid City, SD to open and boy did we kill it!  It seems we are chasing weather records on this trip.  We enjoyed the lowest temps Florida has ever seen this last winter.  We sweated while Spearfish crushed a century old record with afternoon temperatures of 105.  How did we spend the 105 degree temps?  Golf of course!  Thanks to RV friends we stayed at Elkhorn Ridge RV Park in Spearfish, on the way to Deadwood.  Across the highway from the park is a new golf course, Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club, built by the same developer as our RV park.  Currently only a nine hole course, Nick promised us we wouldn't be disappointed in the course.  He showed us the plans for the next nine, slated for development next year.

As for the current nine--wow!  We played it twice in the heat, and frankly, since you really don't sweat here, I could have played it a couple more times, such a terrific course.  You get an idea of the openness of this course at the driving range.

We always enjoy elevation changes and the local architect does a great job of incorporating the rich northwestern prairie feel with the rolling hills.

 
 

This is their signature hole.  Note the sand traps...those are meant to be elk hooves.

And those dang elks never bother to rake the traps.  Free drop should be noted on the score card if you ask me!

If you happen to be heading west on I-90 and share my golf addiction, you must pull off the freeway and play this course once or twice.  It's literally yards from the offramp.  And if you go, do as we did and arrive shortly after they've rolled up and baled the hazards!

That's not to say that if you miss the fairway, it's smooth sailing but at least you will find your ball.

Not sure if it's because the course is only a year old or just a great maintenance crew, but the condition was nearly perfect.  The greens rolled well and true and didn't lack for topsy turvy-ness!

 
 
 
Not surprisingly we both shaved several shots on the back nine.  Course knowledge came into play on a few holes and we were ready the second time through.

Nick and JR (pro) were very generous with us and Nick didn't steer us wrong in telling us this was one of the best around but too new and still only nine holes for folks to know about it.  Definitely stop here on your trek across the country!  Back at the pro shop we chatted up with two other locals working there, Alea (sorry if I hacked your name) and Eric. 

There were a lot of these dudes hanging around the pro shop.  Note to others, this is what happens when you don't rake the bunkers!

Eric recommended a restaurant for us, saying that the Lucky 13 Pub is ranked #1 in all of South Dakota by the Urban Spoon, and he happens to also work there.  Inside the nearby Holiday Inn, it has a nice ambiance.

Perhaps an ordering gaff but, no offense to you Eric, if this is the best South Dakota has to offer, we'll be eating in should we be here another night. 

While holed up in these parts we also made our way to Deadwood, a charming old western feeling town.

Well known as the origin of the infamous "Dead Man's Hand" the day that Wild Bill Hickok met his untimely demise during a poker game in 1876, his name is everywhere.

Mike particularly liked the all you can eat crab and prime rib theme at several of the casinos. 

Mike also showed me around Sturgis, home of the world's largest bike rally.  It runs for two weeks in August and we missed it by a week, thank goodness or we wouldn't have been able to get around either of these towns. Sturgis pretty much closes up the rest of the year, but we did wander around some of the places that brought back fond memories for Mike on his last trip through 6 years ago (pre moi).

Below is the world's largest biker bar where leathered up guys and gals can drive their hogs right up to the bar.

When was the last time you saw semi-trucks inside a bar?

Looked a bit different a week or so ago. 

We enjoyed a quiet evening back at the RV park on our final night at Elkhorn Ridge.  Loved the statues all around the park!

  
 
 We got a chance to take in a prairie sunset.

Saw something new as this geezer flew by on his electric skateboard!

Hook up a golf bag rack and I'm in!

Later the winds kicked up such that about midnight we pulled the slides in.  With the wicked wind whipping us back and forth I was sure we'd wake up on the other side of the rainbow.  After record heat the day before I was startled when I stepped out the next morning to 57 degree temps.  Perhaps we were on the other side of the rainbow?  But no, I'm told this is typical for South Dakota weather swings.

While hanging out for the day in Rapid CIty so our brakes could be repaired, Peanut got a much needed salon treatment and I took a quick drive up to see the old guys on the rocks, as my mother put it.

George, Abe, Teddy, and Thomas continue to watch over us, thanks to Gutzon Borglum and we continue to look up to them, thanks to the National Parks folks.

If you go you should stop in the quaint town of Keystone, but stay away from the fudge.  Yick.  Taffy is yummy.

Nearly every corner on Rapid city's Main street features a notable figure for our country.  We captured only these two as we whizzed by (FDR and Ben).

Mr. Borglum sure started a statue trend in this state!

We made it out of the Freightliner around 5:00 yesterday and then drove nearly 200 miles toward Yellowstone.  We stopped for fuel around 10:00 in Nothingness, Wyoming (not the real name) and as a lovely parting gift for the $250 in fuel the attendant invited us to spend the night in their lot.  We're glad we did as it turned out to be a pretty quiet night--it is after all, Nothingness!  It appears our air conditioning unit can take a break for awhile.  In fact last night, we had to crank up the heater!  Crazy.

Hopefully smooth sailing from here free of repair shops where Mike has taken up a new hobby...

We appreciate you following Mike and Juanita's excellent adventure!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 

Finally Sprung!

I was premature in bidding farewell to Iowa.  After more adjustments and a new window on our door we are finally out of the Winnebago factory!  We have a leak free and level coach again! They sprang us yesterday (Friday) at 3:00 and by 4:00 we were on the road again.  We drove about 5 hours last night, stopping at a Walmart somewhere off I-90 in South Dakota for a snooze.  We'll spend this weekend in Spearfish/Deadwood, SD and then will be searching for a Freightliner (really loud obnoxious sigh).  If you recall we spent several days at a Freightliner on our way to Iowa, having an expensive oil change and a new engine computer installed.  Apparently our air brakes are tied to the computer and now they aren't working so well.  This is not what you want when driving through high country as we are about to do!

When oh when will I golf again????

Will leave you with a picture of a strangely named gas station they have all over Iowa and MN.  Prices are good, at least there's that!

Good Bye Forest City, Iowa

At least I hope we'll be waving good bye to this small Iowa town sometime tomorrow.  We were able to move back into our own bed on Monday, thankfully, now with a new roof over one of the slide outs.  They continue to work through the laundry list of other items so that when we leave here, our coach will be better than new (all the kinks fixed) for the next buyer in a few months.  This is the longest we've been planted anywhere in our ten months on the road.  If you have to be stuck somewhere for repairs, this is the place, if you're a golfer fiend as I am.  We've been anointed "Members" of Bear Creek, we've played there so often in the last 9 days.  Yesterday we were so lucky to play with Julianna, girlfriend of Reed (the pro), and currently playing on the Duramed Futures Tour.  What a wonderful young woman--and what a swing!

Peanut is continuing to enjoy golf and liked Julianna's swing too.

Four times we watched Julianna saddle up on Wilbur.  How great that no one is "too good" to dis the Birdie Horsie!

Such a lovely young lady and so kind to play with a couple of out of town hacks!  We will be following her promising career.

Last night Mike whipped up a batch of his famous Mike-aritas to share with our other stranded parking lot neighbors.  After the first batch was gone we moved to Bob and Gloria's top of the line 2010 Ellipse for more very good margaritas.  What would Bob and Gloria be doing so soon after buying their unit, sitting in the RV factory's repair shop?

Missing a working generator!  We all had dinner at what has become our favorite local haunt, Shooters.  Mike is fond of their burgers and I like their Hawaiian chicken pineapple sandwich, mostly because it is served with awesome sweet potato fries.  Hailing from Fort Myers Beach, we enjoyed our short time with this hilarious couple.

They are already back on the road, lucky guys!  We are currently the elders of the Winnebago parking lot, so we own seniority as far as desirable parking spaces are concerned.

We had hoped we'd be leaving today.  Mike sent me out golfing early while he stayed back to work with our technician, making sure all went well.  I'm glad he did as he finally had the electrician shake his hand and admit that Mike was right (personally, I'm so sick of saying that) concerning the surround sound.  One more thing to check off the list.

At Bear Creek I ran into Reed and Julianna who kindly invited me (and Peanut) to join them for my last round at their terrific course.  I've had a number of lessons throughout my five years of learning this game.  Reed is the first one to play along side of me.  This club is so fortunate to have someone of his caliber at their beck and call.

I also got to watch him as he had to get out of trouble...with a capital T and that rhymes with B and that stands for boulder (we are in Iowa, land of the Music Man, after all!)

Not to try and coach a coach, but maybe next time take a drop, Reed!

He was the first to ride the birdie pony today.  When I told him to slap the ass, he was the first to actually slap Wilbur's behind!  Rookie!

Speaking of Wilbur, he got more exercise today than he's used to on a typical afternoon.  Julianna road another four times, Reed saddled up three times, and I took three spins myself, thanks to the lesson last week.  All three of us birdied the 8th hole and we did our best to catch a group photo of our silliness.

Here is a collage of Wilbur's activities today...

Too much fun!  The best part for me was to watch two fabulous athletes smack the ball with such grace and poise.

We both got a lot out of watching them play.

That's about it for Forest City.  The road is calling for us.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Homeless in Iowa

We are making the most of our time in Iowa, at least getting in a ton of practice at our current home course, Bear Creek.  We stopped over late Friday afternoon for a round as they were preparing for their Friday night couples event. 

It took Reed about twelve seconds to hook us up with Sheimo (pronounced Shmo) and his wife, Jill, for the big nine hole alternate shot (aka divorce open) tournament. 

A very fun couple...we didn't even notice that Friday was Day One for Sheimo's quitting smoking!  With four man alternate shot, we spread the wealth in giving each other interesting shot opportunities.  Thanks for this one, Mike...

I'm still cleaning the black mud from my shoes.  We got a nine on that par 5, the lowest score of all the foursomes on that hole, we're guessing.  We had a team birdie, a first for this trip but sadly no one around to take all four of us riding Wilbur.

We got some prize money for that only birdie of our nine holes (team with the most birdies won $20!).  We had no idea we were playing with the club's captain, though it was clear from the start the dude has game!

If you look closely at the photo below you will see his bar stool is clearly marked with a bronze plaque, "Captain's Office".
 

Afterward we had wonderful salads, the likes I typically see in CA, and could have played some Iowa shuffleboard if we so desired at their fun club house.

Like so much of this trip, it was a great time, totally unexpected when we showed up at the club for golf!

We were able to stay at The Lodge, spitting distance from the course for 2 nights but had to move out on Saturday (wedding took all of the rooms).  The other hotel in town (the Super 8) was also sold out (college kids were moving in this weekend to Waldorf College, so parents took the remaining rooms).   Having been enchanted by Clear Lake the other night  we went there in hopes of finding a room on a Saturday night.  This is a big summer lakeside destination for Iowinians (Iowegians someone said), so we struggled to find something that 1) had a vacancy and 2) allowed Mr. Peanut.  What did we find?  In a word, YIKES!

For those who have never stepped foot inside the Silver Boot (and if you have I hope you were wearing shoes), this is what you find.

Peanut liked his bath in the living room jacuzzi.  Mike especially liked the decorative lighting around the bed.

That was probably our shortest stay anywhere.  We were gone by 7:30 the next morning.  The parking lot was an interesting place to walk Peanut and I appreciated their recycling spirit.

The best part of this motel was we were only a short walk from the lake.

Unfortunately as Peanut and I were walking back to the motel I missed a step and landed splat face down in the street (well before Cosmo time).  I felt myself going down but with my frozen shoulder I wasn't able to stop my chin from hitting the pavement.  What a klutz!

Battle of wounded knee...and chin and toe.  Also lost my favorite Harley sandals as I tumbled and they ripped.  My new golf shirt makes up for the lost sandal though, thanks JO!

After some ice and cleaning, we walked a little around Clear Lake and could see why this is a favorite local's destination.

We came upon a cute little wine shop that we were happy to learn wasn't only selling Iowa wine, in fact they had very little of the local stuff.  I was thrilled to find my favorite Zin, Opolo, that I hadn't had since dining in Charlotte.

We got a chance to test some Argentinian Wine, Hollen, which was pretty good, cab, shiraz, merlot.

It was then time to hook up with our new friends that we had just golfed with the night before, Sheimo and Jill, at a Clear Lake restaurant they love...

Perfect weather for outdoor dining, a band was playing, and the menu looked pretty good for bar fare.  Only problem, we had the wrong restaurant.  They were at OP and we were at PM.  So we hustled up to go the five miles to meet up with Sheimo, Jill, Dennis, and Bev (Reed's parents) at the right place, actually, the Other Place (OP).

Best pork chops I've ever had, Mike just didn't get enough (don't get me started).  Food aside, we always enjoy a meal with new friends!

Sunday Bev arranged for Sheimo, Mike, Dennis, and I to have a tee time back at Bear Creek (Reed puts his parents to work in the pro shop and restaurant).  I have so enjoyed playing the same course over and over again, something we haven't been able to do on this trip EVER!  After my lesson with Reed I shot a 77!  Happy girl, happy girl.  Yesterday was another story, played all right, but the three putts returned.

Sheimo was the first to ride the birdie pony.

After watching all the fun he was having, Dennis wanted into the club too, and rode the very next hole after three perfect shots on the 9th hole.  He saddled up in front of the club house.

After yet another fun round of golf with new friends as well as Peanut,

we were able to check back into The Lodge, thankfully.  Now we sit at the factory awaiting word on how soon we will get our home back.  Early word is we will be able to sleep in our own bed tonight!  Yippy!

I really should take the day off from golf, but I probably won't!

Until the next post, thanks for listening!
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

You ought to give Iowa a try!

A line from one of my favorite musicals...Sorry for the lapse in posts but we've been holed up at the Winnebago factory in Forest City, Iowa.  The only industry here is the factory and a few businesses that cater to weary travelers waiting on their RV repairs.  Built along the Winnebago River and in the Winnebago County, the famed and lasting RV maker's name is literally everywhere.

We pulled into the customer service parking lot Sunday night along with others who had secured appointments weeks or months ago as we had.

And so the dance begins...The RV's arrive across the street at the service lot at 7:00am where you are greeted by your personal technician who takes your home from you and leaves you stranded until 3:00pm when all of the technicians bring the homes back to the owners.  Folks are here for anything from a broken window to a laundry list of things (us) to be repaired.  A lot of waiting, a chance to learn from and get to know other RV'ers, and to watch drama unfold...

The battle for the few coveted parking lot spots is ongoing each day...

One particularly frustrated customer literally threatened, "I'll kill you if you don't fix my RV!"  She was promptly invited to pay her bill for services rendered and to leave.  It's important to walk the thin line carefully between assertiveness and postal when dealing with RV mechanics.  She clearly crossed the line, but we share the frustration.  Our friends who have diligently followed our trials and tribulations know about our first three weeks in our used RV and the final straw that broke this girl's back putting us into our new Winnebago Tour.  It was a tip toe from one repair place to another before we opted to go with a new unit.  And since then we've still spent too much time at RV repair places, primarily for leaks on our NEW coach.  When Dave, our tech, told us that we should close the slide outs when it rains, I was borderline postal.  After three full days of working on our coach and then spraying the cupboards to cover up the mildew smell, Mike was ready to topple over that thin line.  Yesterday our tech failed to show for work.  We finally had three top dogs into our unit and got some action going, fortunately without any felonious threats.  They took the slide out roof apart and, as we suspected, found where it was leaking and sadly, found mold.  This is the kind of thing that can only be truly repaired at the factory, where if needed, a whole new slide out can be put on, and that may be the case.  To make a long story longer, we are moved out of our home and staying at a lodge across the street from the factory as they take our home apart.

So what have we been doing?  Winnebago offers up a two hour factory tour which was enlightening but not as much fun as the brewery and distillery tours in Milwaukee.  They have on display one of their first travel trailers from 1959 as well as the first Winnebago motor home off the production line.

They have certainly come a long way in their 50 plus years in business while many of their competitors have failed.  We then boarded a bus to visit the various factory buildings and assembly lines. 

No cameras allowed beyond this point (secrets?) but it was a good tour that anyone considering a major investment like this is well served taking so as to understand the whole process.  I won't bore you with the details but suffice to say I feel good that our problems will be solved during this trip and if not, they will stand behind their work until it is done.

Fortunately, we didn't have to go far (1/2 a mile) to find a golf course.  Bear Creek is a private club that invites the public to play for a very reasonable green fee ($23).  Originally a nine hole traditional lay out course (back and forth), a few years ago, even with no ownership interest, Winnebago Industries put in a much longer back nine that has a much more modern lay out so you get a taste of both kinds of courses.  The members are very spoiled with this club that currently charges $75 a YEAR for a trail fee.  Family membership is around $600 for the year, less for new members or folks who live outside a ten mile radius.  Silly members are fighting raising the fees here, and they may pay the price of it being turned over to the city if they don't act soon to get it in line with the value of what they are getting.

A casual club, the first thing to strike Mike was the tee shirt sporting pro.  They just want you to wear a shirt.  Unfortunately in our haste to get out of our coach by 7:00am, Mike had forgotten socks.  Having just sold their last pair of socks, I offered mine to Mike as I can always play in my golf flip flops.  He now says I can't have them back.

 

When we explained to Reed (Pro) our situation with Peanut (not being able to leave him in the RV while we golf) we were invited to bring him along.  In ten months at this we got to play our first round with a Peanut Gallery!

We always knew he liked to ride in golf carts but we had no idea just how much he enjoys watching the game!  There is one nut that didn't fall far from the tree.  We introduced him to Wilbur and he gave his Pepper a kiss.

 

Mike allowed the little guy to drive, until he nearly took the cart into the Winnebago River...

Lets talk about this course.  As I said, it starts out with a traditional lay out which was quite challenging for me due to the length.  My three wood was tired by the end of the first nine.

The biggest challenge on this nine was the fairways all slanted to the right.  If you hit the fairway, you still usually end up in the rough on the right.  They have a team of maintenance people that keep the fairway in good shape and the rough, well, rough.  Finding your ball is the first challenge.  Other than that, there were few traps, but those they have are well groomed with deep soft sand.  Three par three's on the front, only one pulls some water into your way.

Cut through endless farmland and along the Winnebago River, the back nine is a lot of fun.

The greens were running well, patchy in a few places but pretty well cared for. 

I think they hired Ronald McDonald and the Hamburgler to install the water hazard flags...

I do have a bone to pick with the 17th hole.  Guys, get out the dang chainsaw to those two wicked trees blocking the green!

The 18th hole is interesting.  Why?  Well, pick your tee carefully.

That's a fun betting hole, especially with water in front of the green.  But Mike was able to put his drive within 12 feet of the cup but it could have ended up in a number of disastrous places.  My drive was straight down the middle leaving me with a 30 yard pitch.  I landed it where I thought I should but that little bugger wouldn't stop running.  Had to be the toughest putting green on the course.  Glad I didn't bet! 

These members have no idea what a gem they have!  We count ourselves quite lucky to have this distraction as we await our home fixes.  I got out and took a lesson with Reed, who with a few minor set up changes, has straightened out my fading drives!  Woo Hoo.  After reviewing my blog he also insisted on working with me on putting.  So far so good with those hints, but one never knows when the Y word will enter the picture and then all bets are off (at least I wish I could call off bets then).  Beyond a warm welcoming spirit, a great teacher, and host,

Reed also told us where to eat the other night, and what a pluck!

Ge Jo's is about half an hour away in the neighboring city of Clear Lake. If you know your rock and roll history, this is the city where the music died, at least according to Don Mc Lean. 

Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper played their final concert in Clear Lake at this underwhelming ballroom just before their plane went down.

We love the part of this journey that finds new friends for us.  We met Mike and Marcia while commiserating in the Winnebago lounge earlier in the week.  Marcia was kind enough to write down a number of campground and restaurant recommendations based on our general direction of travel.  In exchange Mike shared his secret Mike-arita recipe with them and afterward M & M went with us to Clear Lake for dinner and a short tour of this charming lake side city. 

We thought we have some good stories but we had nothing compared to their shenanigans which often included famous celebrities and sports figures.  Mike has never met a stranger so often ends up with invites to all kinds of parties and bike rides with the likes of Dan Akroyd.  I loved the story about Marcia not letting OJ Simpson into the coach, making him wait outside until Mike returned, while she hid the knives.

We all enjoyed our Italian meals at Ge Jo's, but when the clouds came rolling into the restaurant, it was time to go.

I guess we will have plenty of time to explore this and other cities while we wait around this flat, farming, and charming state.

Now moved into a very nice suite at The Lodge, formerly Winnebago's founder's daughter's home, we are enjoying the space, having a bath tub, being a lob wedge from Bear Creek, and breakfast each day here.

Only problem is they only had one room available and it's in a "No Pet" zone.  With the manager's permission we sneak Peanut up the fire escape on the side of the building.  It's taking time and a lot of coaxing to get Peanut to climb this spiral staircase...

Last night we shared cosmo time with M & M at our suite.  They brought with them their home made Stoli Doli or Doli Stoli--not sure about the name, but wow, loved the drink!!!  They made it a few weeks ago with 6 fresh pineapples, the stoli stuff, twelve days of patience, followed by a lot of squeezing.  Fabulous!  A very fun couple, looks like we'll have another place to stay when we're through Virgina again and they'll have a spot in Myrtle Beach.  We can't wait to introduce Mike to Henry.  It will be like they are looking into a mirror, not for their looks though they are both platinum blonds.  Their personalities and voices are identical.

That's it for now.  Not sure when we'll leave Iowa, but we'll be sure to keep you posted. Oddly enough, with my 250 course recommendations from World Am golfers, there are none in Iowa???

I hope you're watching the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits!
 
  
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A Great Day on the Mississippi

As mentioned in a prior blog, we were lucky enough to meet Kent while walking at the nearby marina to our campground.  He had no idea, nor did we, what he was in for by inviting us to join his Saturday boating plans.

Being the rotten influences we can be, we introduced the gang to Iron City Beer, Mike-a-ritas, and later, back at camp, Dreamsicles, and cosmos.  Kent's girlfriend, Jung, acquainted us with a new fangled cabernet in a box!

We would later regret the booze introductory decision after a day in the sun and too little food. Cathy did have sandwiches but had no idea that Kent had brought along a couple of found puppies so we split what she brought between seven of us. But I digress.  We loved having an opportunity to see the river from Kent's boat.  We were able to see downtown La Crosse, the bluffs, the beautiful La Crosse bridge, and so much more.

Kent found a beach (they call it a sand bar) where we could ground the boat and enjoy the many beverages, swimming, and a rousing game of corn-hole. 

Would you believe the hottie in the bikini is a grandma of five! 
 

Like my golf swing, I had to adjust my toss for my frozen shoulder...

That one went about 15 feet straight in the air.  I won't be scouted for an NCAA corn-holing team anytime soon.

Megan stumbled over one of the largest clams I've ever seen, right here in the river...

On the ride back, Cathy continued to practice her corn-holing technique using snick snacks and her Jay's corn hole.

We spotted some interesting house boats.  I like this one which appears to be a typical park model that we see at most campgrounds, thrown on a barge with a small outboard motor attached.

This one looked like a floating Winnebago.

It was pretty neat to see our home from the water as we trolled by our campground.

After a wonderful afternoon on the water, we brought our new friends by our side porch for cocktails.

I was not stocked up on groceries, so the limited food to soak up the many beverages resulted in a slight problem for our captain...

After Jung and Cathy were through with him, poor Kent looked like this.

His boat captaining day over, we DROVE to downtown La Crosse for dinner, where Jay had to bail on us.  These Wisconsin men can't seem to hold their liquor!  How weird is that for the beer capitol of the world???

We'd hoped to eat at this local favorite place known for its cajun fare.

Sadly it was a long wait and even with fun stuff to do while you wait...

we needed food now!  Instead we opted to walk down the darling streets of La Crosse for quicker choices.

Thoroughly enjoyed the taco pizza!  Who knew?  Plus, it was fast!

Thank you to our new Wisconsin friends, Kent, Jung, Cathy, Jay, and Megan for a fabulous afternoon on the river.  Would you believe they are all nurses?  I'm sure had they been sober we'd have been in very safe hands! 

We won't forget you!!!

P.S. Happy Birthday, Denise!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

Camping on the Mississippi River

After a couple of free camping nights in the Freightliner parking lot (they accidentally broke our engine's computer) we found ourselves with two days before we have to be in Forest City, Iowa.  With time on our hands while waiting for the rig to be repaired, we checked out the quaint Wisconsin town of La Crosse, perched on the Mississippi river.  With only 160 miles to drive to Iowa we opted to stay put in La Crosse for the weekend.  Since I was beginning to twitch, Mike OK'd me to golf yesterday while he and Peanut stayed at Freightliner, supervising the final maintenance. 

I chose Forest Hills as it was one of the few public courses close by that had 18 holes.  I really wanted to play at the Golf and Bowl place but they only have nine holes.  Nice to know there's a place you can shank one into the gutter!  When I first arrived at Forest Hills I was surprised by this muni course that had six tennis courts, a pool, a huge banquet facility, all in addition to their 18 hole golf course.  I later learned that this used ot be the private La Crosse Country Club, which moved a few years ago to another location.  From the clubhouse it appeared to be a relatively flat course, greens and tees not far from each other so I opted to walk and carry my bag. 

I enjoyed the views of the sedimentary rocks (formed by glaciers a few miles away).

The other views that make Forest Hills somewhat unusual...

Are the trains active?  About every 25 minutes.

 
 
As for the course, other than trees lining most fairways that typically weren't too dense, the course was a friendly one.  Being the golf brat that I've become, I continued to expect slow greens given this was, after all, a muni course.  It took me about 13 holes to concede that the greens were fast after putting too many three foot putts 6 feet past the hole.

Although most holes were straight forward, I was surprised by this sand moat surrounding the green...surprised architects don't do this dastardly thing more often.

 
 

By the back nine I began to regret my decision to walk and carry my bag.

Hard to tell from a photograph, but there were some tough hills to climb.  Thank goodness for this find on the 14th tee box...

On this quite warm day, I also appreciated the mature and beautiful trees.

The 18th par five had an unusual obstacle to clear so I had to provide you with a photo of the hole.

  

I was sure hoping to have to bomb one over a moving train, but the timing was off.

The clubhouse offers a nice shady place to watch the golfers play in or wave to a conductor...

Not sure I would go out of my way to play this course but if you're lucky enough to be stopping through La Crosse or Onalaska on your way to or from Minnesota, this is a gem for $31 with incredibly maintained greens. 

Afterward I met Mike at our new campground, Pettibone, set right on the Mississippi.  Several things make this place stand out but the first thing you notice is the manager checking you in is also your bartender serving $1.25 Blue Moons!!!

She may even serve your kid, if he's old enough.

I love this very reasonably priced peaceful waterfront campground!

As we walked the campground we came upon this couple who were on their way to a Jazz festival downtown...

Can't imagine carrying costumes in the RV on top of everything else, but last week they donned costumes for the local Renaissance Faire too!

I am so glad that Mike was absent the day they taught the rest of his class not to speak to strangers.  Otherwise we may not be going out on the Mississippi this afternoon.  We wandered up the river yesterday to a nearby marina and Mike made fast friends with a boater there.  Kent came by our campground shortly after we'd met him and invited us out on his boat today.  Should be fun!  He even invited Peanut along, but the little guy has chores to do...

Campgrounds have serious mowing jobs!

That's it for now.  Until the next post...