Wandering Around Minnesota and Wisconsin

Augie loves her some prime ball chasing' country!

Black Bear Golf Resort and Casino 

I rolled into Duluth on a gray, rainy, Friday. It It was apparent that golf wasn't happening, so I figured I could pass the night watching (and perhaps wagering on) college football games. Much to my surprise, the casino had no sports book! What? I ate the casino buffet (all you could eat ribs), and tucked myself in for a night of thunder and lightning.

The Royal Pines Inn

Saturday dawned to another sunless day. Harvest  Host stays are limited to one night, and since I was running low on battery power, I decided to check in to the cheapest hotel I could find, watch college games and get a shower. It was about what you'd expect for $89 bucks, but despite being very old and decrepit, it was sparkling clean. When I first saw it I thought I'd be taking a shower and sleeping in Gravytrain, but the bed was new and clean too, so it turned out to be a good investment.

The Twin Cities

This lovely lady is my 97-year-old Aunt! I arrived on the day my cousins were celebrating her birthday! My cousin's guest room was occupied by her brother and his wife, so she was apologizing that I'd have to sleep on the couch. I reminded her that I had my own bedroom with me, so I slept on the street with a power cord stretching from the garage across the sidewalk. I needed the power because Augie would be spending time in Gravytrain (my cousin is allergic), and it was 93 (what?) in Minneapolis when I got there. The power allowed me to set up the AC in Gravytrain and Augie was comfortable.
10/1/2023

Dodge Center Minnesota

This is where my Pops was born and raised. I spent a few summers here when I was a kid, picking beans out of corn fields and learning Spanish curse words from the immigrants that did the same work. This is my Pop (RIP) and his younger sister who I stayed with for a few nights. Thanks Auntie!
10/3/2023

Oak View Golf Club

Another Harvest Host stay. Pulled in at about 1pm. It was 60 and partly cloudy, but the wind was a howlin'! it had been awhile since I had played though, and because there was no one on the course, they told I could take Augie. So, yeah, let's go!
10/5/23

Augie Goes Golfin'

I've always assumed that she would love it - with all the running around and everything... but I was wrong. As soon as I got in the cart I apparently disappeared. I hit my drive and took off. She stood looking around for a second, then turned and headed back to Gravytrain. I shouted and waved and finally got her attention. She followed me back to the first fairway and waited until I hit my second shot. Once again, when I took off in the cart, she went back to Gravytrain. This time I let her in and finished the round. It was a funky little 9 hole course with some tricky holes - a lot of fun to play.

Oak Summit Golf Club

I pulled in here around 2:30. They gave me a sweet camping spot, but I wasn't able to play because of their final night golf league tourney. Grumble. It looked like a cool course with a lot of elevated tees. Augie walked the first four holes just before sunset.
10/6/2023

"Thrashers" - Neil Young, 1979

"The light of day was on them, I could hear the Thrashers coming ..." 

I left Oak summit and headed south chasing the sun. The weather app said it was still sunny in Iowa (which was only about 40 miles south), so I took a detour on the way to my next HH stay. since I was coming off two showerless days, I also got a shower at a Petro Truck stop. It was a great experience. $16 bucks got me a clean private room with a freshly cleaned sink, toilet, and shower, plus clean fresh towels.
10/7/2023

Interlaken Golf Club

My bad luck with golf stays continued when I pulled into this place and found it packed to the gills. They were having a charity tournament! If I hadn't taken my sun tour in Iowa, I would have been there in time to play in it. It turned out to be a fun day though, sitting at the bar, watching the Twins lose, and grazing on the spread laid out for the participants. The bartender and I were betting on putts, as we had a great view of the 9th green from the bar. Nice stay though in a level, private spot by the cart shed.

Interlaken Golf Club

Another reason I wish I could have played. Check out this awesome golf cart. It's sort of hard to make out in this photo, But the clubs go right between your legs (where the gas tank is on a motor cycle), and right up through the handle bars. Probably could have injured myself - missed opportunity.

River View Campground

Spent $40 bucks for this sweet little spot with water and electric. They also had free laundry and an average shower, but good wifi, so I watched the Lions win (again!) here.
10/8/23

Heartland Country Club

Had a fun round of golf here. Another nine hole course, but that was fine, as it was 51 and windy. The barn is the clubhouse, and it's also the local sports bar, so I got to eat deep fried bar foods and watch the Packers lose to the Raiders on MNF with a bunch of Packer-hating Vikings fans. Another bonus - this Harvest Host even provided a free electric hookup.
10/9/2023

"Thrashers" - Dan Graves, 2023

"I was out in the third fairway, I could hear the Thrashers coming ..." 
10/9/2023

The course reminded me of the first time I played the Bowing Green course - not much maintenance... but cheep. This farmer followed me most of the round.

The Prairie Islands

I rolled out of the Heartland (Country Club) into Winona Minnesota bright and early. I was headed to the Prairie Island Campground (above) right on the banks of the Mississippi, but I had a short way to go, and a long time to get there, so I found this little breakfast restaurant, "Anacabes," that I had seen in Google Maps. It had great reviews, with many mentions of their biscuits and gravy, so I had to go. Glad I did - they were great. Then Auigie and I got chased out of a city park (where dogs are not allowed, according to a very obvious sign that we walked right past). Had some friendly banter with the sheriff who ran us out, and he sent us to the city's off-leash dog park - which ended up being right next to my campground
10/10/2023

Valley Golf Club, Mondovi, WI

Had a great HH stay here. I knew this was going to be the last good weather day for a bit, so I was anxious to play. There was no one in the clubhouse, but there was an honor box and golf carts lined up with keys in 'em. I took one and headed for the first tee. The owner pulled up on a mower in the first fairway. I told him I was a HH guest and he told me he'd see me after the round. I played pretty well - even had a birdie! Afterwards, he set me up in a level spot with free electric hookup, and left the clubhouse open for me so I could shower! "Just lock up when you're finished." Country folk are friendly.
10/11/2023

Justin Trails Resort, Sparta, WI

Another great HH stay - but the weather finally caught up with me. This place is a cabin resort with access to a major cross-wisconsin hiking and  biking trail, as well as trails of their own. They are also a well-known Frisbee golf venue - in fact the only other guests at the resort were there from Ohio specifically to play the Frisbee course. I met them at breakfast - which the host provides for $15. They also had wonderful showers, which they gave me access to. The photo above is the view I had all afternoon long, as I watched TV and listened to the rain.

Cool Rain

Two rainy days at the KOA in The Wisconsin Dells. I watched football, did laundry, filled my propane tanks, and waited for better weather. This was the last day of their season, so I was drummed out of camp Sunday morning...

Devil's Lake State Park

Finally starting to see a little color. This campsite was just a few bumps down the road. I was in and set up for a full day of NFL football. Go LIONS! Not many campers - Winter is Coming.
10/15/2023

The Courses at Lawsonia, Green Lake, Wisconsin

This 27-hole complex is a real beauty. Augie and I had another marathon ball toss while I waited for the wind to die a bit. It was 56 and sunny, but the cold wind kept me off the course. Around 2:30 the wind stopped, and I got out to play the "Links" nine. Another great day of fall golf, and another quiet peaceful night with an excellent Harvest Host.
10/16/2023

Madison, Wisconsin

Staying with college buddy and his wife in Madison for a few weeks. Their two children (one of whom is among my actual godchildren), and their seven children live in the area, so the next several days will be spent watching the end of flag football season and the beginning of youth hockey - not to mention the run up to halloween!
10/17/2023

Madison, Wisconsin

Augie has taken over another household. "This is MY bed."

Madison, Wisconsin

I have squeezed the last good weather out of Wisconsin. 10 rounds since I entered the state on the eleventh, and mostly played in warm, sunny weather. 

Madison, Wisconsin

Played 18 with my buddy, his son (my unsanctioned godson), and HIS two sons. Another great day with three generations of frustrated (and frustrating) golfers.

Madison Cottage Grove), Wisconsin

Been fun. Gotta go. Time to head south.
11/1/2023