Gotta find some golf weather!
Bailing on the Midwest
I fell out of Wisconsin and through northern Illinois almost as fast as the temp. I had a good (if brief) visit with my cousin and his family in Hinckley, IL. We had hoped to play golf, but the weather wasn't cooperating. I looked at a weather map and took off for Memphis.
Kennett, Missouri
About 70 miles north of Memphis, it took me about eight hours of driving to get here. That's a long day for me. Augie and I stopped and played ball several times. That, plus a lunch/gas stop, made it bearable... barely (wah!).
I had a HH stay scheduled at MO Putts, an indoor put-put course. When I read that description I knew I had to see it. No one was there when I arrived around 5pm. I called the number from the HH listing and the dude who answered said he'd be right over.
When he showed up, he informed me that the course was a party/event venue, and only open by appointment. I payed for three games, and he played along with me, telling me the story of how he ended up running a putt-putt in Kennett. It was a good story, but I'm too lazy to type it. Ask me about it when I see you next.
11/3/2023
More Augie...
Most requested subject matter. Are you telling me I'm boring? Me? I'll have you know that Augie is mesmerized by my yarns. Humph!
King Cotton
I use Waze as my navigation GPS. Today, I have it set to avoid freeways as I head further south. Leaving Kennett on county roads, I was immediately surrounded by cotton fields in all directions.
King Cotton
It's also harvest time, so I got a peak at how it's packed and shipped. I had never seen this, but it makes perfect sense.
King Cotton
These 'bales' are six to eight feet in diameter. They are lined up along the county roads for miles, awaiting truck rides to New Orleans, and boat rides to... everywhere.
Mallard Pointe Golf Club, Sardis, Mississippi
Another free HH overnight stay, another first-rate golf facility. Hilly, tree-lined, fairways with many elevated greens and tee boxes. I played fairly well, shooting 84 from the senior tees, even though it was all Bermuda grass again. The fact that my scores are similar those I shot when I was younger, has convinced me I'm playing from the correct tees. The game is just better when you don't automatically have to hit your 3-wood after every drive. Temp: 75 - yummy!
11/4/23
Tunica National Golf and Tennis Club, Robbinsville, Mississippi
The course is immaculately groomed and maintained. VERY much the air of a first-rate country club. Great bar and restaurant (where I watched football after my round). In keeping with the airs of the place, Harvest Hosts guest were directed to a discreet, gravel parking lot behind the indoor tennis courts. Wouldn't want the members to be exposed to trashy "camper-types" parked out front. It was a great spot tho, with a tremendous grass yard for some "ballin'."
11/5/23
Tunica National Golf and Tennis Club, Robbinsville, Mississippi
Augie approves.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
This HH stay marked the beginning of my move back north toward Kansas City, to visit another college pal, and eventually Denver, to spend most of November visiting with friends and preparing to watch the Lions play on Thanksgiving. Tonight's stay was at the "Hot Springs Off Road Park." This is a very cool facility with 50+ miles of trails for FWD vehicles, from dirt bikes to mud buggies. Gravytrain was not rated for any of the trails, so Augie and I just set up camp for a quiet night. Quiet because there was no one using the trails. I'm sure that is not always the case.
11/6/23
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Received some sad news from my friends in KC tonight. Sadly, they experienced a death in the family, and my visit could not have been scheduled for a more inconvenient time. This news got me looking past KC for a warmer-weather route to Denver.
Tulsa Air and Space Museum
I decided to take a hard left out of Hot Springs, and head west for Oklahoma. The drive through Northwest Arkansas (the Ozarks) was jaw-droppingly beautiful. I had no idea. Arrived at the museum too late to tour it, but I had a great, warm evening.
11/7/23
Amarillo, Texas
The drive from Tulsa was much longer than I like to bear - about 8 hours, all told, and I was exhausted when I arrived at my HH stay for the night: The Texas Route 66 Visitors Center.
11/8/23
Amarillo, Texas
The Visitor Center is right at the end of Amarillo's "Route 66 Historical District." It's a few blocks of bars, nightclubs, and tourist gift stores, but at the other end, was "Sam Houston City Park." I was exhausted, but Augie was raring to go, so we went to the park, and I tried (unsuccessfully) to wear her out.
Amarillo, Texas
On the way back to the Visitor Center, I passed a "Whataburger." I have a friend who swears that this is the best fast-food in the world, so I felt I had to stop and try it. Apologies, but it was just another burger... delicious, but then, I love all fast food. I will say the milkshake was top-notch though.
North to Denver
Headed out, bright and early, to a KOA stay in Raton, New Mexico. About half way there, driving through a small Texas town called Dalhart, I heard and felt a "bang." At first, I was horrified that I had hit something, but Gravytrain quickly notified me that I had zero air pressure in my left-rear tire.
Poop.
I pulled into a convenience store that I was passing. It was pretty easy to verify the blowout. Double-poop. Then... I looked up the street, and about 50 yards ahead was "Dalhart Tire Service." Convinced that it had to be a mirage, I walked down and talked to them. I was on my way in less than an hour! The tire was a complete loss. There was a ragged hole you could put your thumb through. Under warranty though, so the whole adventure cost me only $35. What?
11/9/23
Thanks dashboard Buddah!
More musing on my blowout.
I was in a town.
It was daylight.
I was driving 35mph.
It happened right in front of a parking lot with easy parking, and plenty of level, clean, space around the vehicle.
It happened 50 yards from a tire center.
I was on my way in less than an hour
If it had happened 20 minutes earlier, I would have been on a back road in Texas, driving 75mph, 30 miles from anywhere, with no cell service. If I survived, it would have taken (at least) all day to get back on the road.
If it had happened 20 minutes later, I would have been on a back road in New Mexico, driving 75mph, 30 miles from anywhere, with no cell service. If I survived, it would have taken (at least) all day to get back on the road.
Sheesh...
Capulin Volcano National Monument
I learned about National Monuments when my Pops and I visited The Chiraicahua National Monument in Arizona. These are sights that were perhaps, too small or remote to qualify for National Park status, but are often - perhaps even usually - more impressive. While I was still counting my blessings about Gravytrain's shoe problem, I saw several cone-shaped formations on the horizon. Then, there was a sign for the Capulin Volcano National Monument.
Capulin Volcano National Monument
This extinct volcano is believed to be among the youngest in North America, and is part of a field of 1000s of volcanos and thermal artifacts that litter the 8,000 square miles between Clayton Texas and Raton New Mexico. It is an almost perfect example of a cinder-cone volcano. I was disappointed to find that, on this day, the road to the summit was closed for maintenance, but this is a place I hope to return to someday, because the summit view of the entire volcanic field is said to be amazing, and there are several great hikes around the Monument.
Raton, New Mexico, KOA
Non-spectacular campground in a non-spectacular setting, but they have hot showers and laundry facilities - both of which I welcome before my return to Denver tomorrow. I told the manager that I wanted to be close to the laundry and have good wifi. This spot is literally steps from both the laundry door and the wifi source. Laundry complete, and Augie walked and worn out, I will now snuggle in for Thursday Night Football and count my blessings - if I have enough time. It's been a fortunate day for me... and I loves me some me!