Life is a Cabaret

Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome!

Last evening Terry and I went to see Cabaret at the 5th Avenue Theater. It's been a number of years since I've gone to a stage production and I really enjoyed the show. The cast and set were both great. Berlin in the 30's - politics and sex - how can you go wrong? Of course the REAL second act of that particular political drama was panned by the critics and several tens of millions of the walk-ons never walked-off... But that's a different story.

Before the theater, we had supper at the Pink Door in Post Alley near the Pike Place Market. It's a very cool Italian restaurant...Terry suggested the place as did Leah and Chris. Terry said the halibut was the best she's ever had and my NY steak was very good. I also had a bean soup that was very, very good. Unfortunately we had to dash before dessert.

It's cloudy and quite cool again today; but I see blue sky to the west and it is supposed to warm-up markedly in the next couple of days with ample sunshine midweek. I reckon I'll go have a workout and if the sun breaks through will go for a walk of some sort. I may mosey up to Green Lake. I drove by the other day and the park looked quite nice. Lots of power walking babes.

Terry and I are hopeful that Marian will be released from Virginia Mason this week.

Stay tuned...

Juneau's Day to Gloat

Looks like Juneau wins the weather prize for today - partly cloudy and around 40. It's 36 here ar the moment (windchill of 25) and it's supposed to rain and blow tonight and tomorrow. Snow in the hills.

Not much to report...drank coffee, worked-out, walked around, ate supper. It was wet and cold most of the day. But I did download a few pics from Monday's urban hike - so here they are...

Walking Around

I've been taking it easy. The latest from Virginia Mason is that Marian will be discharged next Monday, March 31st. She was in good spirits yesterday; but not yet ready to come home.

Day before yesterday I took the bus from Ballard over to the University District. Walked around there for an hour or so and took some nice pics of all the cherry trees in bloom on campus. It was a lovely day - although about 10 degrees cooler than average. I walked back to Ballard on the trail that follows the ship canal from Lake Union to the Ballard Locks. Quite fun. Took some pics at Gasworks Park and along the canal.

Yesterday started out nice - I walked down to the Locks in the morning. In the afternoon I took the bus downtown and procured tickets for Cabaret this coming Saturday. I had to wait on 3rd Avenue for a half-hour to catch a bus back and by then it was raining, blowing, and about 45 degrees. BRRRRRRR. I came home and took a hot shower.

I'm sore today from working out...first time I've done any lifting in about a month and it doesn't take long for the muscle tone to go. The gym is quite good however and I'll go punish myself again today.

Welcome to the Emerald City

A bit of a stressful drive from Portland to Seattle yesterday. There was a big pile-up right in the middle of Tacoma that set-me-back about three-quarters of an hour. And between Milton and downtown Seattle it was raining like a bull pissing on a flat rock (this expression courtesy of Ms. Terry Harrigan who observed the same phenomena in Ballard minutes before I discovered it on my own). I would have pulled over; but was too scared to change lanes so locked-on to the car in front of me and hoped for the best. By the time I got to Ballard the sun was shining. Such is Spring in the Great Northwest.

I'm now ensconced in Hotel Harrigan. Slept like a baby. Terry and I went over to see Marian at Virginia Mason last evening. She is in good spirits, seems to have a reasonable appetite, and not much pain - except when the PT/OT monkeys work her over. We're all hoping and expecting discharge before the week is out.

Right now I'm at Tully's Coffee House on Market Street in Ballard. After a read of the news and a latte I will leg-it back to the apartment and get my gym gear. The Ballard Gym is in the neighborhood and I'll see about weekly or a month pass. Then I'll take the bus to town to begin training as Marian's in-home PT. I don't rightly recall dad's exercises when he had his hip replacements.

The FUN agenda for the next few weeks is in development. Cabaret is playing at the 5th Avenue and Terry appears amenable to a night at the theater. Also, opening day for the M's is right around the corner and MAYBE the gals and their pals could come-up from Portland for a game. And there is a Roman artifacts exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum which both Terry and I would like to see.

As usual, my main entertainment will be walking around taking pictures. This activity - or at least the enjoyment of it - is highly weather dependent. So I will play it by ear. It's actually quite nice this morning; but there are supposed to be showers in the vicinity later today.

Ah, yes, one last little amusing anecdote from Portland

BLONDS AND MAPS

A couple of days ago I was having my morning coffee at an establishment on Broadway and two attractive 30-something blonds came into view. One of them was carrying a map. They stood on the corner and both of them studied the map intently. It was clearly a Portland walking-map. The map was rotated 90 degrees in one direction - and then the other. They methodically faced north, then west, then south, then east like a pair of towheaded radio antennae.

Then they crossed the street to the opposite corner and repeated the process in every detail. A brief consulation ensued; and then they lit-out down Broadway toward the hotel.

I finished my coffee and started back to my room. And along come the blonds at full-tilt headed back in the opposite direction - engaged in heated debate. Apparently the initial bearings had proved faulty and they were headed back to ground zero to recalibrate.

I offer no sociological or biological explanation for this odd behaviour and leave it to the reader to draw his or her own conclusions.

More later...

Hangin' with the Gals

The Portland food fest continues. The gals and their guys and I went to Paley's Place last night and had a wonderful supper and fabulous time. For appetizers we consumed fresh oysters, escargot, and steak tartare; Leah and I had an outstanding pumpkin and squash soup; various salads appeared and disappeared; entrees included lamb stew, halibut, and pasta; and I believe we managed to vanquish 5 out of 8 desserts on offer. Martinis, champagne cocktails, a good Bordeaux, and various liqueurs aided in digestion. A fine evening indeed.

This morning Leah and Amanda came to the hotel around 10 AM and we immediately set-sail for Nordstrom's. The gals appeared to be shopping-deprived; but I believe they made up some lost ground today. After Nordy's we assaulted Macey's and had enough energy left-over for sorties to The Gap and several other establishments in the Pioneer Mall. It was quite fun.

The sun is shining today and Portland is in high spirits.

Yesterday I walked for a couple of hours on the riverfront and took a few pics of the Cherry Trees in bloom. Tonight I plan to take it easy. Maybe a glass of wine or two in the lobby bar and then room service.

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday and I think I'm going to have brunch with the gals and then will head back to Seattle. I spoke to Terry yesterday and she will be expecting me in Ballard between 1 and 2 PM. Her mom is doing well after surgery; but may be in a rehabilitation bed for a few more days.

I will be checking my email less frequently in Seattle. I expect I will go down to the Tully's Coffeehouse on Market Street every morning where they have wi-fi.

Next post: DATELINE BALLARD.

Just Another Great Day - With One Little Exception

I had a pretty quiet day. Went for a walk - I actually have a regular route from the Benson. Worked out for an hour and a half or so.

Tonight I had an excellent supper at Hula Hands in North Portland with Amanda, Leah, and Chris. Everyone seems to be in good spirits and thriving.

I suspected that Barack Obama was going to be staying at the Benson - there have been local cops and Secret Service guys around all day. When I got back to the hotel after supper I went to the lobby bar for a nightcap and fell into great company.

Karen Russell, an attorney from Seattle, and the daughter of NBA great, Bill Russell, was holding court. She is working on the Barack Obama campaign and organizing a breakfast fundraiser for tomorrow. On my other side was an AP photographer, Rick, (whose last name I have already forgotten) and his wife. Rick is stationed in Portland; but has worked the Obama campaign on the road. He has done several stints covering the White House and just got off the campaign trail a couple of weeks ago. My impression is that he is regarded as an AP elder.

And then...in walks Senator Obama. The room was not crowded. The Senator was greeting some of the staff from the hotel. I looked at the AP guy and said "Can I just walk up to him?" He said "Sure." So I did and shook his hand. I told the Senator that I stood for him in my caucus in Juneau, Alaska. He smiled and said "That's why I won Alaska." He seemed totally at ease; but also looked really tired. I'm still amazed by the experience.... I will send him more money tomorrow.

After the Senator disappeared all the guys from the press bus filed in. Several of them were old colleagues of Rick's and came over for a drink. One guy was talking about the Senator's Philadelphia speech...how he was poised at his camera waiting for the candidate's wife to tear-up - and how it was a speech that would go down in history. This guy was really WIRED - think of working the last day of an Alaska legislative session with your priority bill on the line wired. And I suspect that's the way these guys operate for days and weeks and months on end. Couldn't do it myself - at least not anymore.

So...I had a great day...with a most interesting twist.

Senator Obama has a big rally in Portland tomorrow. My daughter Leah got a ticket and is going to attend. I'm feeling proud to be a Democrat these days...

Portland Food Fest

Ah, back in the City of Roses. I like this place and the Benson Hotel is beginning to feel like home away from home.

I got in about 5 PM on Tuesday...a long day that began with a 5 AM wake-up call at the flea-bag hotel I was staying at in Phoenix. But Alaska Airlines delivered me to Seattle on time and flying first class does make a difference as far as minimizing fatigue and general post-911 travel stress. It appears that I did lose my aerosol suntan lotion to the TSA functionaries however. They left me a nasty note. The drive from Seattle to Portand was nice - even had a little sun.

I hooked-up with Art and Sher Snowden for supper on Tuesday evening at a GREAT restaurant called the Bluehour located in the Pearl District. Art brought a bottle of Silver Oak Cabernet to the party. I had a seafood bisque that was wonderful as a first course and a very tasty New York steak with a delightful red wine based sauce. And Baked Alaska Lemon Tartlet for dessert.

I slept in until almost 9 AM yesterday, walked around town for a couple of hours, had a workout and then met Jane up by her office at 4 PM. We went to her place and walked to the Rhodedendron Garden in her neighborhood. It's still a little early for most rhodies, but the garden was still beautiful. There are natural springs in the area and they are all linked together in a series of streams and lakes. And there's a very attractive 18-hole golf course that I would like to try out... The lakes are inhabited by a fair sized population of geese and ducks - all of whom are seriously on the mooch. These are not bashful birds.

Jim Larson came over to Jane's around 6:30 PM and we went to a very good Greek/Mediterranean place in Sellwood. The appetizer menu was extensive and we had several that were great. For an entree I had leg of lamb with a very well seasoned tomato based sauce served over pasta. Yummy.

Then I got to ride around with Jane and John for a bit as we tracked-down their daughter Morgan over by Lloyd Center. Morgan had been out with friends for Thai food and was hanging-out in what is, to John's and Jane's way of thinking, an undesirable neighborhood. Morgan was unrepentant. John and Jane were NOT amused although I confess I was. The first thing that tickled me was that she was out for Thai food - a cuisine the existence of which I was unaware at her age.

John, Jane, and Morgan are off to Puerto Vallarta tomorrow for a week in the sun.

I think I did make progress in convincing Jim to come to Juneau in July with his daughters. Oh yeah, and it's possible that I MAY have volunteered Dougie to do his BBQ thing and Eric to house the Larson clan. I have agreed to serve as the Juneau Event Coordinator.

I'm waiting to hear from Leah and Amanda today regarding tonight's gastronomical expedition.

Life is good.

Southwest Wrap-Up

I'm staying at some cheesey hotel and the g.d. wireless system interrupts me every 10 minutes with a come-on for some g.d. thing...so bare with me here if this entry is garbled.

My Avis guy told me I put about 1500 miles on the rental car. And they were damn good miles.

Here's the trip as I see it. Elmo's evaluation system

Categories:
Accomodations
Activities
Other

Rating:
* Wouldn't go back/do it again for money or on a dare
***Perfectly acceptable
*****You get in my way of doing it again - I'll kill you

CASA GRANDE (Francisco Grande Golf Resort)

Accomodations *** The resort and golf course are not world class. But the staff are really great and the golf course is certainly adequate for my game. The occasional whiff of offal from the feedlots is not real condusive to either good golf or good digestion.

Activities ****1/2 The Juneau Golf Club folks are great - and that's why you're there. The bullshit is about 4 feet deep for the tournament; but it's all in great fun. I can't wait to do it again.

Other** The country around the resort is nothing to get excited about (see note above re: feedlots).

PALM DESERT (Laura's Condo)

Accomodations**** About the nicest resort I can imagine. There are a LOT of similar gated communities with golf courses...so I would suggest checking-out rentals in the area as opposed to staying at a resort or hotel. As for me...I plan on staying on Laura's good side...

Activities:*** I begged Laura to let me take her out for a nice supper; but she was having none of it (although she is a great cook). I know from a few years ago that there are great restaurants in the area; but I cannot speak to any on this trip. The Palm Desert Sunday market was very fun.

Other**** The communities in the valley are all oases (is this the plural of oasis). The water that is lavished on golf and other amenities is really pretty amazing - but boy is it nice.

LAUGHLIN (Harrah's)

Accomodations**1/2 The cheap room was why I went to the place - $24 a night. And the cheap room is the best reason to go there. I thought maybe I would warm to a casino atmosphere more than in the past - but the opposite was true. I found the floor of the casino even more annoying than before. The staff are unfriendly and the patrons catatonic. You can't even have a conversation with yourself in peace with the bloody LCD screens on the bar. On the other hand, Harrah's has a great gym and pool area. And a Baskin Robins.

Activities* Unless, of course, you're a gambler. The golf sucked - there are nice courses but they're all private and/or really expensive.

Other* A river runs through it (the Colorado)...otherwise it's a wasteland.

SEDONA (Radison Resort)

Accomodations*** The billing of a 9 hole Executive Course is bogus. It's a crappy pitch-and-putt gig. But the rooms are OK (mine was kinda dark) and the restaurant and bar are a cut above average. The next time I go back I will look for a rental on a golf property - I think there are a lot of them. Still, for a night or two this place gave good value at $131 a night on Priceline.

Activities**** The red rocks are magnificent and the Forrest Service has a network of excellent trails. There is lots of shopping to be had particularly for artwork (both in town and in outlying areas) ranging from the affordable to the outrageous. And I believe there is good golf although I did not partake on this trip.

Other**** The old mining town of Jerome is DEFINITELY worth a few hours. And I did not check-out the petroglyphs and other attractions that are reputed to be cool. Plus you are within a couple of hours of the Grand Canyon.

A DAMN FINE three weeks. In summary, if I had known what I now know, I would probably have trimmed a few days off of my time in Casa Grande, added as many days as Laura would allow in Palm Desert, skipped Laughlin, and added a few days to Sedona and vacinity.

So there you have it!

Next report: Dateline Portland, Oregon.

Hasta Luego.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

What a difference a day makes. It was in the mid-60's yesterday; and today it snowed - off-and-on all day. And tonight it's freezing.

Yesterday I did about 10 miles of hiking on various trails. Took a ton of red rock pics...but I won't bore you with any more until I can more thoroughly photoshop them. My dogs are yapping. My hands are still swollen and blistered from golf; and now my feet are in the same condition. Gotta toughen up!

But today was a horse of a different color. I drove up to Jerome, Arizona - about 30 miles southwest of here. Sedona is about 4500 feet in elevation and Jerome about 5300 feet. It was snowing like hell by the time I got to Jerome. Visibility about 1/4 mile. I didn't really know where I was going; so almost pulled-off the highway at one point to wait for the snow to subside.

The trip was well worth it however. Jerome was a big mining town up until the 1950's, became a ghost town, and has now been reclaimed by a bunch of entrepreneurial minded old hippie types. Although from what I can tell a lot of the old hippies have become fairly gentrified.

All the major structures date from the 1890's through about 1920. In the snow, it actually reminded me a lot of Juneau - it's built on a steep hillside with winding streets. And while many of the establishments have been renovated and are on the National Historic Register; it's more to a standard of Juneau 30 years ago than to Juneau's current St. Thomas/Cruise Ship look. In other words, Jerome retains a certain degree of seediness that I always find appealing. It's definitely a work in progress.

I was wearing my deck shoes which are shit in the snow so immediately legged-it into a restaurant for shelter and coffee. I think the place was called the Red Rooster. I got there just as the breakfast crowd was in full-swing so sat at the bar and ordered breakfast. I had an absolutely fabulous crepe Lorraine - a crepe topped with scrambled eggs, spinach, bacon, tomatoes, and Guyerre.

The clientele was a mixed bag. Tourist types like me, some respectable looking locals, and a couple of young musicians who I expect work one of the local gin-joints and had clearly pulled an all nighter. The young gals behind the counter were delightful. I found the ambience quite charming and the whole town appealing.

I poked my head into a fair number of galleries. A mixed bag. A lot of predictable stuff - think of typical Alaska gallery prints where coyotes are substituted for bears and red rocks for glaciers; but also a fair amount of whimsy. If I owned a house; I might even have bought something.

I imagine that Jerome's charm in my mind is partly by way of contrast with the main gallery district in downtown Sedona which is all in red-stucco modern structures, incredibly crowded, and impersonal. Sedona has a bunch of quirky folks wandering around - psychics, new age types, and the like; but my tastes run to the more traditional eccentrics of which I suspect Jerome has more than its fair share.

Bottom line: Another great day.

Tomorrow I'm off to Phoenix and will overnight at an airport hotel. I've got a Tuesday morning flight to Seattle and will immediately drive to Portland. Looking forward to seeing the gals and all my other Portland buddies.

More later...

Buenos noches.

Sedona Arrival

A great road trip today. I headed east from Laughlin to Kingman, Arizona and then hit the interstate all the way to Flagstaff. It got more scenic as I headed east...and by the time I got near Flagstaff - there was snow! Not on the highway - but in the meadows.

Flagstaff is near 7000 feet - and the wind was blowing and it was NOT hot. In fact, it was cold for an Alaskan in flip-flops and shorts.

From Flagstaff I took Hwy 89 to Sedona. It is spectacular! See the pics I've posted. You drop from 7000 feet to 5000 feet in a few miles. As you drop in elevation you see the foliage change as the temperature rises. And then you get into the fabulous red rocks...a strata that seems to be about 2000 feet or so from top-to-bottom as near as I can tell.

I checked into my resort and then drove down the road about ten miles and took a hike up "Doe Mountain." I even saw a couple of deer on the road on the way to the trail head. It wasn't a long hike; but the elevation gain was substantial. And the wind was blowing about 30 mph.

The weather is supposed to hold for one more day (although it will be windy) so I plan on a good long hike tomorrow.

Bottom line: Today was a damn fine day.

Hasta Manana.

Another Roadside Attraction

Another beautiful day. I attempted to play golf at a nice course; but was told I would have to wait over an hour to get on so I went back to the cow pasture course for 18 holes. Practiced my irons - had a good time.

On the way back, I stopped to look at a "historical marker" that I had noticed the day before. It told me that if I would only take the time to drive 15 miles into the middle of nowhere I could visit the Oatman Mining District which was a hot-spot of gold mining in the area from around 1900 until 1930.

I went for it. What I found was a peculiar little end-of-the-roaders' place where a hundred or so folks are attempting to earn a living by selling trinkets to tourists in a former mining town called Oatman Junction. It's on Historic Route 66. And it's only redeeming feature is that they have a half-dozen or so Jackasses that wander up-and-down Main Street. For a buck you can buy a couple of carrots to feed the Jackasses.

The Jackasses appear to be thriving. The rest of the residents - not so much. And I wouldn't turn my back on a Jackass who thought I was holding out on the vegetables either.

Tomorrow I'm off to Sedona. I'm going to put golf behind me for the moment and hope to do a little hiking and get some good pictures. But the weather is supposed to turn...so we'll see.

Hasta Luego.

Traffic Accident

Not too much to report today...with the one exception below.

I played 18 holes at a cow pasture course on the Arizona side of the river today. It was a completely nondescript course as was my round. But fun nonetheless. The weather was beautiful and I hatched a few more freckles.

Last night I was having a glass of wine at a bar in the casino when I witnessed the most amazing vehicular mishap I have ever seen. A kindly looking 70 or 80 something woman T boned a 50 something LARGE woman who happened to come around a bank of one-armed bandits at the precise moment grandma came cruising by in her Little Rascal (or somesuch).

The LARGE lady, upon impact, fell back against the bank of slot machines and commenced to wail loudly. The casino staff were there in an instant. I believe a staff attorney may have been the first on the scene.

Grandma was most apologetic - and seemed sober - although there is no doubt in MY mind that her attempt to carry a drink in one hand with a cigarette in the other while navigating the confines of the casino floor was a contributing factor to the mishap.

Given the lack of traffic signalization on the casino floor, it is difficult to assign responsibility in these circumstances. In any event, when I left the scene it appeared that the staff were busy appeasing the LARGE lady by offering her a variety of compensatory packages including, I believe, a free room. At that point I made a discreet exit.

I am tempted to try this scam myself. There are lots of Little Rascals on the casino floor these days.

Vaya con Dios

Lick it!

Well adios Palm Desert - Hello Laughlin, Nevada.

It took about four hours to drive from Point A to Point B; and it was a pretty barren stretch of country I moved through. Including such exciting places as Desert Center (aptly named) and Needles. But it's sure nice here on the river in Laughlin.

Before leaving the subject of Palm Desert, however, there is one little story worth telling. Two nights ago Laura's neighbor, Bob, wandered over to the patio for a few minutes. Bob lives in New York (with the accent to prove it) and is a big-time manufacturer of envelopes. He looks about 70 or so and has a fair paunch and is fond of cigars and cocktails - so my actuarial instincts tell me he could drop tomorrow or hang on for another fifteen years or so - give or take.

The reason I mention all of this is that among the various amusing B.S. stories he peddled was the statement that when he kicks-the-bucket it is his intention to be cremated. Oh yeah, and then have his ashes poured into the glue vat at the envelope factory.

Soooooooo...for the foreseeable future, whenever you are paying your monthly bills and have the occasion to lick a few envelopes...please think of my friend Bob.

Well, reckon I'll mosey downstairs and have a workout. They have a nice gym. Then to decide whether I want to blow my entire gambling wad of a hundred bucks today or save it for later.

Adios amigos!

Palm Desert

I got into Palm Desert about cocktail time on Saturday. We had cocktails. Laura's resort/condo complex is fabulous. It's got the most elaborate, beautiful, and immaculately maintained landscaping I have ever seen.

The weather has been perfect. Near 80 in the day and in the mid-50's at night. We can sit on the deck for evening cocktails until well after sunset and it's warm enough for coffee on the deck at sunrise. Her unit is two bedrooms with a full kitchen, nice living room, and all the amenities you would expect at such a place.

We played 18 holes on the Executive Course (parr 63) yesterday and both Laura and I played well. I believe I hit a 94. I've never played a course with so much water. Canals and water features are on every hole. There are a lot of small waterfalls as the water flows from one level to another although there is not a lot of elevation change on the course. It's quite amazing.

We grilled burgers last night and this morning Laura made a great egg casserole. Yummy. Today is a day of rest. I might wander out to the pool - one of many, many, many on the property - after this post. And then, before you know it, the clock will be pointing to cocktail hour. Laura just took her friend Rachel who is headed back to Juneau today out to the airport. I understand there is a winter storm warning for Juneau tonight. Heh. Heh.

Tomorrow morning I will up-stakes for Laughlin, Nevada.

I've posted a few pics from Palm Desert.

Stay tuned, kids!

Alaska Open Highlights

Sorry I've been off-line for a couple of days. But it was because I was having too much FUN!

I drove up to Palm Desert from Casa Grande on Saturday. It was a nice drive though a tad barren in places. I drove west on the interstate to El Centro, California and then north on California Hwy 111 to Palm Desert. The interstate segment was all desert. Don't know why anyone would take the 3:10 to Yuma - or go there at any other time for that matter. There are sand dunes just west of Yuma that I suppose could be fun for 4-wheeling or other off-road stuff...but it's just not my cup of tea.

Highway 111 goes through the heart of America's Salad Bowl - the Imperial Valley. I know veggies are good for us - but it makes you wonder to see all the cattle feedlots and other stuff sitting next door to your dinner salad.

The highway then winds-up the eastern shore of the Salton Sea - which is a bizarre body of water that appears devoid of life. I guess it's pretty polluted. There are a few sorry-ass campgrounds and picnic areas; but not a lot of water-related recreation that I could see. I've posted a couple of pics from this wasteland.

But I digress...

The purpose of this entry it so stick a fork into the 2008 Alaska Open.

I have struggled to come-up with an apt comparison and have settled on the Golden North Salmon Derby as I recall the boozy boatnik events of thirty years ago or so when I would go out with my dad and his buddies. Lots of hearty (read drunken) fellowship by mostly middle-aged folks having a real good time.

I expect that many of the stories I heard last week have been told for many years. And all have been polished to a very high degree of perfection. Bullshit is King for four days and four nights and all the longtime participants have their established roles.

Laura's afternoon Happy Hours are clearly a key element in the whole drama.

Bottom line: I can't wait for next year!

Day Three of the Tournament

A great day despite the fact I played poorly. But apparently it was good enough to earn me second place in the men's "D Flight" category. I trousered $125 which I promptly donated to the Junior Golf Club.

I am too pooped-out to process and post pics; but I took quite a few at the awards banquet. So stay-tuned for a tourney summary coming in the next day or so.

Tomorrow is a travel day. I'm going to head west on I8 to El Centro and then up the east side of the Salton Sea to Palm Dessert. I'm looking forward to a road trip. Ten straight days of golf has taken its toll on me.

I think we'll play Laura's Executive Course on Sunday.

I may not post tomorrow...but certainly will the following day.

Day 2 of the Tournament

Well, I moved up in the standings by hitting a 105. I THINK I am in the final four grouping for the "D Flight" category. Hah!

This has been a wonderful week. Everyone is pleasant - all the contestants and the staff of the resort. I played today with the same senior crew from yesterday and they could not have been more delightful - in a crusty senior sort of way. But I do well with seniors!

I'm going to be a picture taking fool at tomorrow's awards banquet. So, America, stay on the edge of your seats.

There's more to come!

Day 1 of the Tournanent

Well, I ain't carrying the red lantern; but I'm not in first place either...

A great day on the course...had a wonderful time. I hit 108 which I think ties me for 5th place in the "D" Flight. I played with some older gentlemen; I was the only one of the foursome who hit off the blue tees as opposed to the senior tees. On a couple of holes the difference in distance is really significant...a tad demoralizing to see your decent tee shot only 50 yards or so in front of the rest of the group's tee. But I held my own...

I'm really pooped tonight. A week of golf and sun has taken its toll. I'm going to go have a hot bath and call it a night.

Tomorrow night a bunch of us are going into Casa Grande for some good Mexican food. Should be fun.

I will report-in tomorrow evening unless I have too much fun at supper.

The Scramble Day

Played a scramble round today. The good news is I don't think I hurt my team; the bad news is I don't know that I helped much either. I did sink about a fifteen foot birdie put and made one clutch pitch from about 50 yards that led to a parr save. My driving was definitely the weakest on the team - no surprise there. Each team has an A flight, B Flight, C Flight, and D Flight member. As a rookie with no handicap I was the D Flight guy for the team. I think we finished in the top third...but no payola.

I'm posting a few pics from Laura's hospitality suite. She was the charming hostess as always. It was great fun. Tonight was "Italian night" for supper...OK...but standing in line for steam-table food is never my favourite pastime. Tomorrow night is Mexican Fiesta night...

The weather was great today...a little chilly in the morning (first tee at 8 AM), but it warmed-up to be quite pleasant. Supposed to be nice tomorrow too.

The regular tournament starts tomorrow. Wish me luck!

You Make Your Own Luck...

Another great day. Not particularly on the golf course...although I did OK...hit a 112 from the blue tees.

Laura Beason, on the other hand, hit a hole in one. Again - not on the course - but in securing the "John Wayne Suite" on the top floor of the resort. A good friend of hers got the suite as an usprgrade upon check-in (they must be over-booked) and when he showed up at her hospitality suite she talked him into changing rooms. He was amenable to this on the condition that she would host future hospitality suites. A condition that she was more than happy to comply with - since she had every intention of doing so anyway.

The suite is truly amazing...bigger than my apartment in fact. A huge living area with dining table and a deck that runs around the building 180 degrees.

You will see pics from towmorrow evening's hospitality get together.

I played a round today with a delightful couple from Calgary. They were both excellent golfers...seems like they both gave themselves chances for birdies on many holes and made parr on most. Not me. But I sure enjoyed playing with them.

Got registered today. My initial handicap is 39. Which I believe means that I can subtract 39 from my real score for the purposes of the tournament.... So if I hit 112 (like I did today) my tournament score would be 112 minus 39 or 73. Which makes no sense to me because the course is a parr 72. But what do I know... I'm sure someone will explain it to me.

The good news is that I now have a GHIN (pronounced JEN) number and can enter my scores into a national database under the United States Golf Association to generate a somewhat reliable handicap. I have arrived....

I love my life.

Elmer

What a Difference a Day Makes

The wind blew and the shit flew - as the late Rep. Ernie Haugen from Petersburg used to say...

Today it blew about 30 miles per hour all day. I hit balls on the range, practiced pitching and chipping, and hit the putting green for an hour and a half or so. Then I played 9 holes late this afternoon. I should have had a pool day. It's HARD to figure out what your ball is going to do in a 30 mph wind...but generally speaking...it's not good.

Laura Beason drove over from Palm Springs. It sounds like it was a white-knuckle trip. Lots of sand reducing visibility and tumbleweeds rolling over the highway. YIKES!

I guess it was nasty all the way to San Diego.

The bar was loaded with Juneau folks this evening. And most of the Juneau folks were also loaded. I'm ashamed to say I didn't recognize most of them. But I yukked it up with Mark Notar and his regular golf buddies. Had a very good supper...Breast of Duck Muscovy. The best meal I've had at the resort.

The forecast is for the wind to die down by tomorrow, although it's only supposed to be around 69 degrees. I might actually have to wear long pants! Then it's supposed to be in the mid-70's for the rest of the week. Should be poifect.

Last night the wind shifted and all of a sudden it got REAL RIPE. Apparently there is a cattle feedlot not too far away; but generally downwind. OOFTA! I thought a cow had crapped on my balcony. The Old West lives on!

Assuming the weather is acceptable, I will play 18 holes tomorrow. And Laura is going to host a cocktail hour. I promise you pictures from that event.

Elmo

Elmer Hits His Best Round Ever!!!!!!

It was unbelieveable. I hit an 88! It was, admittedly, from the short "green" tees - between the ladies red tees and the standard blue tees - but still -I was thrilled. I have never hit under 100 before - from ANY tees.

I played a round with an elderly couple (both over 80) and their nephew. The nephew is a good golfer. We played from the forward tees in deference to the elders. I parred two parr five holes, three parr four holes, and three parr three holes. Never done anything like it! The green tees are about 600 yards total shorter than the blue tees - but even so...I KNOW it was the best round I've ever played. I was hitting the fairways regularly with my driver.

Life is good.

Yesterday was also fun...but not nearly as rewarding. I played OK by my standards - with a couple from Penticton B.C. They were great company. We only played a twilight 9 holes.

Last night was fairly active here. A big bachelor party before today's wedding. It was jumping a couple of floors above me. Lots of young males looking mighty subdued this morning. But the wedding came off - so whatever transgressions that may or may not have occurred apparently were overlooked or forgiven. A good sign for their marriage I would think....

The resort is braced for the arrival of the Alaska contingent. Shaved ice, sunscreen, and Alaskan Amber are being trucked-in from all parts of Arizona. I, myself, have inflicted serious damage on the local Pinot Noir reserves; but I have been assured that reinforcements are expected from California.

No new pics - aside from the resort the landscape around here is pretty barren. But I expect some very amusing people pics here shortly.

I understand Juneau is under a winter storm watch. Heh. Heh.

Elmo