It has been a little over two weeks since I last posted. I somehow don't think it all that interesting when I am hanging out in Ontario, so there is less urgency to record my activities.
I quite enjoyed my time at Earl Rowe Provincial Park, which is on the outskirts of Alliston, a community that is growing quickly as there is a relatively new Honda auto plan there. The campsite I had reserved was supposed to be a pull-through, but in my opinion that wasn't the case for a rig my size, unless I wanted it set up right next to the road. It was better to back in towards one side, and the fact that I found a fellow camper who was happy to do the maneuver for me, very expertly, was a bonus. As is the case with many of our Provincial Parks, there is no water or sewer connection at the site, only power. They do have a place to fill your water tank on the way in and a place to dump on the way out, but when I am stationary for a whole week, I have to conserve water use and space in my drain tank to a degree. For this reason I did use their shower facility a couple of days. They were quite modern and very clean, seeing as the park was not very busy at this time of year. I met and spent some time speaking with a couple that have been RVing for about 12 years. The husband is the handyman for the campground. They gave some RV lifestyle magazines with me. I did a couple of loads of laundry on site as their prices were considerably lower than the Laundromat in town. The campground I was staying in was across the road and down a bit from the main part of the Provincial Park. I headed over there a couple of times for a good walk. The park is located around a man made lake, which was created in the early 1960's. There was a Terry Fox run and a metal detecting club event going on in the park on Sunday morning.
As seems to be my habit, I didn't get away from Sibbald Point Provincial Park as early as I should have and the drive took a bit longer than I had expected, so by the time I got to the park and was set up, it was getting kind of late in the afternoon. In the morning I had called Osprey Valley to see if I would be able to take a look at the golf course. I was told I could take a cart and drive around for $20.00. I thought I would get there around 2:00 but instead it was closer to 5:00. The good thing about that was the fellow who was working in the pro shop at that point gave me a cart key, without charge. I managed to ride around the course quickly enough to see all the holes and help familiarize myself with it before the tournament the following day. I did come across the beverage cart girl and though a good way to show my appreciation for the free cart was to purchase a beer, it was so cold it was a bit slushy! The course was not busy at all. I didn't run into anyone until I reached the 18th hole! When I returned the cart around dusk, the fellow working in that area shared some local knowledge with me.
I am not as excited to be playing in the A flight as I was in the spring. On most of the courses the 6,400 yards (up hill) is just too long for me to be able to score well. At Osprey, I managed 8 pars, 8 bogies and two doubles, for 84. I placed 16th out of 21 in the flight. If I had been in the B flight at this event, I would likely have placed no worse than T2nd as that flight was won with an 80 and second was 84. I would have been playing a slightly shorter distance so might have managed to shoot 81 or 82. Oh well. The course is very nice and well conditioned. I enjoyed my group and the weather was O.K.
Friday my preparation for the next tournament at Mad River began. I was able to arrange a practice round with the former Club President who is also a member of my home club. She filled me in on all the local knowledge as we went around the course. I played what I though were my tournament tees and she played the ladies tees she usually plays. Once again the layout is too long for me, but the course is very nice, though lacking in any effort for beautification and was lacking in visible wild life. The greens are the fastest I have played anywhere in the world in 2017! I adjusted my Cure putter accordingly.
I went back to the course on Sunday to use the practice facilities again and spent some time speaking with Daniel from the pro shop who was going to be playing his first event on the AM tour hoping to leverage his home course knowledge (he ended up coming 12th out of 26). I could have played the back 9 with the committee but declined their offer.
I wasn't very happy with my group for this tournament as the other three, two golfers and one caddy were all smokers. I have become very sensitive to second hand smoke as I am so infrequently subjected to it anymore. Not that any of them were chain-smoking but when even one was lit up the smoke always seemed to loft towards me, and I didn't feel it was my place to complain to them about it, we were outside after all.
I wasn't playing my best golf on this day, I think the yardage and the smoke in my lungs was getting to me. I wasn't very happy while we were playing the 9th hole there were 6 machines working on the adjoining 18th hole, though the operator of one waved to me, none of them stopped while we were playing our approaches or putting. On the day, I ended up loosing 3 or 4 balls (it is rare for me to loose one in a round), which helped to inflate my score and with 4 holes left, I had pretty much given up, playing the last 4 holes in 10 over par. I had 3 Pars, 8 Bogies, along with 3 doubles, 3 triples and one quad, for 99, ouch. I finished 23rd out of 26. All around it wasn't a very fun day.
Though I wasn't really in a celebratory mood, on the way back to the Provincial Park I did stop in downtown Creemore to check out the brewery. They offer 3 small free samples of their craft beers, though I managed to try 4 and purchased a 6 pack to go, split between my two favorites, which were the Lot 9 Pilsner and Altbier.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Monday, September 12, 2016
Heading Back to Ontario and the GTA AM Tour
The following day I headed north. Finding campgrounds on the Labor Day long weekend was going to be difficult, so I consulted the Boondockers Welcome website and found a site in Erie, Pennsylvania and another one near Milton, Ontario.
Crossing the border was a breeze. There were no other vehicles in the Nexis line up and the guard didn't ask many questions, nor did he want to see inside the trailer!
First stop in Ontario was Niagara-on-the-Lake to have lunch with my nephew, who I hadn't seen in quite some time. It was great for us to catch up with each other's activities. He got a chance to see the trailer "closed-up."
On the way to Milton, I stopped at a farm and picked up an assorted basket of fruit, that included peaches, nectarines, prune plums and pears, all were yummy. I also bought some corn on the cob, tomatoes and a cucumber. It is a great time of year for produce in Ontario.
The place in Milton was a small farm, which has on offer doves for releasing at weddings and funerals and white horses for Indian grooms to ride to their wedding celebrations. They also produce some honey and grow hay for the horses. The property has some woods and trails, so I went for a bit of a walk about. Part of the property had been expropriated for the 407 construction. Developers are interested in the remaining part but so far the offers are not high enough to suit the owner. They were very hospitable to me.
Over the next several days I was able to get reacquainted with some friends and play a few rounds of casual as opposed to competitive golf.
Friday, I headed back to Sibbald Point Provincial Park, where I was in early June, to once again be close to The Briars Golf Club.
It is there that I will play my first tournament back on the GTA Amateur Tour. I played 18 holes, partially in the rain on Saturday and the back 9 on Sunday.
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| Enjoying the sunset and the sound of waves against the rocks. |
It is there that I will play my first tournament back on the GTA Amateur Tour. I played 18 holes, partially in the rain on Saturday and the back 9 on Sunday.
Today was the tournament and I didn't do as well as I would have liked. I had a couple of very bad holes, as I wasn't hitting the ball as straight as usual. The morning started off a bit cool, but warmed up very nicely under clear skies. I was paired with a couple of 22 year old fellows.
One was in his first game on tour and the other had played a few times but not recently. Both needed help with the rules.
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| One Rickey Fowler wannabe. |
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| This little fellow was hanging around the water and dumping stations. |
It is an unusual week for the GTA Amateur Tour as they have two events, this one and another one on Wednesday. I will be heading to Earl Rowe Provincial Park for a one week stay, to cover the tournament at Ospry Valley Hoot course and the one this coming Monday at Mad River.
There, I'm up to date again!
USGA Senior Women's Amateur Qualifier
The whole reason I was in the DC area was to try and qualify for my second USGA Senior Women's Amateur. The qualifier was scheduled for Thursday September 1 at Argyle Country Club. I played a practice round on August 30th. I really liked the course and played it well. There are a few blind shots but not as many as at the Mid-Am qualifier site.
Unfortunately the morning of the qualifier it was raining. I was once again in a twosome. On the second hole, which has a steep hill, with the wet grass and poor breaks on the cart, it spun around. There was a moment where I thought it might flip over and wasn't sure if I should jump out or stay put. I chose to stay put and it didn't flip but spun around 180 degrees, whereby I ended up facing up the hill. Needless to say that was a bit off putting.
At the end of the day I hadn't play my best and failed to qualify.
The good thing about not successfully qualifying for either USGA Championship is I can head back to Ontario and play the last few events on the GTA Amatuer Tour and spend an extra month in the USA during the winter time, and be away from the snow and cold for a longer period of time.
Unfortunately the morning of the qualifier it was raining. I was once again in a twosome. On the second hole, which has a steep hill, with the wet grass and poor breaks on the cart, it spun around. There was a moment where I thought it might flip over and wasn't sure if I should jump out or stay put. I chose to stay put and it didn't flip but spun around 180 degrees, whereby I ended up facing up the hill. Needless to say that was a bit off putting.
At the end of the day I hadn't play my best and failed to qualify.
The good thing about not successfully qualifying for either USGA Championship is I can head back to Ontario and play the last few events on the GTA Amatuer Tour and spend an extra month in the USA during the winter time, and be away from the snow and cold for a longer period of time.
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Visiting Relatives
While still staying at Cherry Hill, my cousins who live in DC came out to see my RV and then take me back to their place for the afternoon/evening. I hadn't seen them in about 5 years.
They were quite impressed with the trailer, having never really been inside one before. They arrived with a dog that needed a bit of a walk, which gave me the chance to explain to them about the different kinds of equipment that were parked there and how they compare to mine.
The three of them and the dog were the largest party I have hosted in the trailer to date. We enjoyed a cold drink and then headed to their place.
They live in a gated community with a community pool, which we availed ourselves of after I got my laundry started. It was quite busy at the pool as this was the last Sunday before the children return to school (grade 5) the following day (August 29th). We all had a nice swim, the water was just the right temperature to be comfortable yet refreshing on a rather hot and humid day.
By the time their daughter and I got back to the house their son and another couple (that parents of the dog) were back from the baseball game. Prior to dinner being laid out (Indian food) I played some ping pong with the younger generation.
The son is quite a good chess player so after dinner and before bedtime we played one game of chess. I brushed about 35 years of dust from my chess memory and although I didn't win the game, it lasted quite a while. He said I was pretty good at both ping pong and chess.
I enjoyed the day and especially the family bed-time ritual, which involved getting up to the bed loft (award winning piece of architecture) and prayer. I vowed to see them again, in less than 5 years.
Once my laundry was done, I was returned to Cherry Hill by Uber, my first time in an Uber car. It was a bit harrowing as the driver, though admittedly tired, displayed some road rage, and his gas needle appeared to me to be on empty, so I wasn't sure we would make it back without running out of gas. Thankfully, I was delivered safely, right to the door of my RV.
They were quite impressed with the trailer, having never really been inside one before. They arrived with a dog that needed a bit of a walk, which gave me the chance to explain to them about the different kinds of equipment that were parked there and how they compare to mine.
The three of them and the dog were the largest party I have hosted in the trailer to date. We enjoyed a cold drink and then headed to their place.
They live in a gated community with a community pool, which we availed ourselves of after I got my laundry started. It was quite busy at the pool as this was the last Sunday before the children return to school (grade 5) the following day (August 29th). We all had a nice swim, the water was just the right temperature to be comfortable yet refreshing on a rather hot and humid day.
By the time their daughter and I got back to the house their son and another couple (that parents of the dog) were back from the baseball game. Prior to dinner being laid out (Indian food) I played some ping pong with the younger generation.
The son is quite a good chess player so after dinner and before bedtime we played one game of chess. I brushed about 35 years of dust from my chess memory and although I didn't win the game, it lasted quite a while. He said I was pretty good at both ping pong and chess.
I enjoyed the day and especially the family bed-time ritual, which involved getting up to the bed loft (award winning piece of architecture) and prayer. I vowed to see them again, in less than 5 years.
Once my laundry was done, I was returned to Cherry Hill by Uber, my first time in an Uber car. It was a bit harrowing as the driver, though admittedly tired, displayed some road rage, and his gas needle appeared to me to be on empty, so I wasn't sure we would make it back without running out of gas. Thankfully, I was delivered safely, right to the door of my RV.
Saturday, September 10, 2016
The United States Capital Region
Next stop was Washington, DC, to see some sights.
I found Cherry Hill Park, the closest one to the capitol. It has won awards for the best campground in America and I can see why. They have great amenities, a variety of types of sites (some full timers) and great staff. High tension hydro lines run across the park, which is used as the dog run, but if you are concerned about EMF's you might want to pick a site as far away from them as possible. They have an 18 hole mini putt course, which is only $1.00 to play and that goes to charity, so it is like it is free. The holes are interesting and it was in very good condition when I played.
They have two huge laundry rooms, though I didn't need to use them as my relatives let me do laundry at their place. They have a splash pad and two swimming pools. The local bus comes into the park but doesn't run very frequently so I drove to the Metro station ($5.10 parking weekdays, free on weekends) and rode the subway from there. It is about 1 hour, 13 stops, into the city center. The cars were air conditioned so it was pleasant. You have to buy a fare card in advance, which the park sells for $10. $2 of that is for the card itself, a bit of a rip off in my opinion but the fairs are reasonable, based on rush hour and non rush hour times. You can refill the card with a credit card or cash at each station. I'm holding onto the card for when I go back. This park is rather expensive but when you consider its location, amenities and that most museums and monuments in DC are free it seems o.k. for the overall budget.
I had been to Washington a few times previously and seen quite a few things, so the plan was to visit new places.
My first night I went into town to see The Nationals play Baltimore in the inter-league, Beltway series. That was my 6th regular season, major league baseball park following: Exhibition Stadium and Rogers Center (Blue Jays), Yankee Stadium (old), Camden Yards (Baltimore) and Fenway Park (Boston). Most of the fans enter through the center field gates, which seems rather odd to me, but works for them.
I was cheering for Washington as the Jays were battling Baltimore for play-off positions. Washington won. The stadium is very nice, with lots of interesting foods on offer. I had a burrito and soft pretzel. Budweiser was giving each fan of drinking age a free beer! What's better than free beer at a ball game?
The following day I spent most of my time at the Newseum, one of the few museums with an admission fee, but it was well worth it and you are able to go back for free the following day if you want to, which I did. They have great exhibits. Some very historic (old) and many newer ones as well.
The 9/11 one was sobering and I'm glad I was able to see something about it, seeing as my plan to visit New York and their full museum well through earlier in the trip. There was another interesting one on the present Presidential Campaign. I think a visit here and to CNN Head Quarters in Atlanta should be mandatory for all Mass Communications/Journalism students, like those at Loyola University in New Orleans.
After the Newseum closed, I spent a bit of time at the Air and Space Museum including watching the 3D IMAX film about D-Day, a battle my father had a small supporting role in, from a distance away. It was very well done.
The following day I returned to the Newseum to take in the few items I had missed the previous day and then did a quick visit to the National Gallery of Art and then went to the Museum of Natural History. At the Gallery, I asked if they had a quick tour suggestion. They gave me a map that pointed out the biggest highlights in the gallery, about 17 works in total. I sought them out and looked at others that caught my eye in between. At the Natural History Museum I watch the IMAX film about the National Parks, seeing as I could have as a goal with my RV to visit many of them. The film was rather disappointing as it didn't cover many of them and they didn't use the 3D film making technique to the fullest in my opinion.
I found Cherry Hill Park, the closest one to the capitol. It has won awards for the best campground in America and I can see why. They have great amenities, a variety of types of sites (some full timers) and great staff. High tension hydro lines run across the park, which is used as the dog run, but if you are concerned about EMF's you might want to pick a site as far away from them as possible. They have an 18 hole mini putt course, which is only $1.00 to play and that goes to charity, so it is like it is free. The holes are interesting and it was in very good condition when I played.
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| Cute sculpture. |
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| Most interesting hole. |
They have two huge laundry rooms, though I didn't need to use them as my relatives let me do laundry at their place. They have a splash pad and two swimming pools. The local bus comes into the park but doesn't run very frequently so I drove to the Metro station ($5.10 parking weekdays, free on weekends) and rode the subway from there. It is about 1 hour, 13 stops, into the city center. The cars were air conditioned so it was pleasant. You have to buy a fare card in advance, which the park sells for $10. $2 of that is for the card itself, a bit of a rip off in my opinion but the fairs are reasonable, based on rush hour and non rush hour times. You can refill the card with a credit card or cash at each station. I'm holding onto the card for when I go back. This park is rather expensive but when you consider its location, amenities and that most museums and monuments in DC are free it seems o.k. for the overall budget.
I had been to Washington a few times previously and seen quite a few things, so the plan was to visit new places.
My first night I went into town to see The Nationals play Baltimore in the inter-league, Beltway series. That was my 6th regular season, major league baseball park following: Exhibition Stadium and Rogers Center (Blue Jays), Yankee Stadium (old), Camden Yards (Baltimore) and Fenway Park (Boston). Most of the fans enter through the center field gates, which seems rather odd to me, but works for them.
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| From the outside. |
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| From my seat. |
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| Video Score Board. |
The following day I spent most of my time at the Newseum, one of the few museums with an admission fee, but it was well worth it and you are able to go back for free the following day if you want to, which I did. They have great exhibits. Some very historic (old) and many newer ones as well.
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| Human cost of Vietnam War. |
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| One of those events I remember where I was when it happened. |
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| View of Canadian Embassy and Capital Hill from Newseum. |
The following day I returned to the Newseum to take in the few items I had missed the previous day and then did a quick visit to the National Gallery of Art and then went to the Museum of Natural History. At the Gallery, I asked if they had a quick tour suggestion. They gave me a map that pointed out the biggest highlights in the gallery, about 17 works in total. I sought them out and looked at others that caught my eye in between. At the Natural History Museum I watch the IMAX film about the National Parks, seeing as I could have as a goal with my RV to visit many of them. The film was rather disappointing as it didn't cover many of them and they didn't use the 3D film making technique to the fullest in my opinion.
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