Travels with The Rayman

Well, we’re legal for 22 years today.  Yep.  Got married in mother-in-law’s back yard in Montclair, CA.  Hired a man of the cloth out of the yellow pages, brought down a cake on Southwest Airlines (stashed it under the seat…those were the days), had family attend and that was that.  Only, that wasn’t only that.

After the ceremony and the food (which we catered), Ray’s mom’s boyfriend, Charlie, who had been drinking heavily all afternoon, left the party and got on a wreck going home.  So we sped to the hospital and sat there for hours waiting for him to be released.  Amazing that he was not charged with a drunk driving citation.  The police probably must have chalked it up to an “old man” getting in a wreck.  Charlie was a sweet guy and if anyone looked innocent, it was him.

But I digress.

So, today when I woke up, Rayman was gone.  Then he returned.  He had been at the gym.  Really.  What a guy.  The gym at the crack of dawn.  After getting ready for the day, we headed out to downtown Corvallis.  It was beautiful but cold.  Discovered their farmer’s market.  Wow.  It was fabulous.  Duck, rabbit, produce, at least 3 different singing groups, lots of dogs, cheese, wine.  They had it all.  And it was held on the promenade that runs along the Willamette River. Fun morning.  Then we picked up Ryan and went wine tasting.  Actually, to be more precise, they went wine tasting.  I was the designated driver.  Beaumeister was my company.

 

 

Oregon is a great place.  Of course, it wasn’t raining.  The rain is arriving about the time we tee off at Bandon Dunes on Monday.  I’m quite sure of it.  It is in the forecast.  But today, well, it was glorious.  Warm.  Sunny.

We stopped in McMinnville and enjoyed a Spanish tapas lunch.  Practicing our eating for Spain next year.  Bacon dates, calamari, pork, potatoes, manchego cheese with honey, apple, EVOO and spicy nuts.  And Spanish wine to wash it down.  Yummy stuff.

 

So, let me digress.  Last night after dinner at a Brazilian restaurant, we scurried back to the hotel to watch Bill Maher on HBO.  Turned it on and some lame movie was in his time slot.  OMG.  This was a total and complete bummer.  So, I spent the evening reading a book entitled “Do Me”.  A book of short stories.  I will let you, dear reader, figure it out.  Thought it was a good choice for anniversary trip!!  Then I woke up at 2 a.m. and couldn’t go back to sleep.  Rayman was writhing and wiggling around and he hadn’t even read the book.  Well, this a.m. he explained that zombies were after him and needed a pair of scissors because the only way the zombies could be killed is by cutting up newspaper.   Really, folks.  I’m not kidding here.   My dreams were centered around winning a contest that involved tits and that’s all I’m going to say on that subject.  Oh, I can tell you that Rayman was driving me to Santa Maria to drop a car off at a gas station and that is where I met a woman that loaned me a dress and wedge shoes that figured prominently in the plot.  I was worried that he had not notified his office that he was going to be late for work.  Additionally, I didn’t notify my office either.  OMG.  I was beside myself.  I was probably wiggling and writhing too.  I was still awake at 4.  But enough about sweet dreams.

So, guys being guys, I learned a lot about college football today as I escorted the two around the countryside.  Did I mention that Rayman joined a wine club.  Yep.  Van Duzen…know for it’s pinots.  And Van Duzen also happened to be Beau’s favorite winery as I left him off the leash and he bounded around the grassy knoll with free abandon.  Not a care in the world, that dog.  Van Duzen was perched on a hill only accessible by a dusty dirt road.  The car was trashed by the dust and gravel.  So, when we returned to Corvallis, we headed for a car wash that required us to stay in the car.  Beau was totally traumatized as he hit the back seat floor and stayed there until we emerged from the other end of the car wash tunnel.

In the name of full discloser, we did not get lost today but that was because Ryan told us where to go.  Therefore, I have absolutely no tales of  being lost in space and so I apologize because those stories add so much color and interest to a blog.

We did see a standard poodle prancing down Main Street with it’s master’s purse in it’s mouth.  That was a great scene and one I endeavored to record on my iphone but alas, when I turned to go around the block, I was foiled by a dead end street.  Ugh.  So, no proof of sighting.

Drats.

Tomorrow we head south to Bandon Dunes.  It sits right on the ocean.  Here’s a link for those with any interest in where we will be.

http://www.bandondunesgolf.com/pages/bandon_dunes/49.php

 

 

In blogs past I have used my humor, such as it is, to share my travels with the Rayman.  Today, I stop and hit the restart button to switch gears a bit.

California is a fabulous place, really.  And while it is no surprise to most of you, one of the reasons that I love this state is that it is a blue one.  But enough about the ocean.

We spent last night in Vacaville.  For heaven’s sakes, who names a town “Cow Town”?  No chamber of commerce involved in that one.   But I digress.

The night was murderous for sleeping.  We checked into a Hampton Inn that sat right next to an on ramp to the 80 freeway.  OMG.  All night long I attempted to sleep with my fingers in my ears.  It was so loud because all the drivers were ACCELERATING to merge.  Ugh.  Oh, well.  This morning we found a dog park at a park in Vacaville and it was lovely.  A crisp morning but not really cold.  There was a lake, hawks, swans, geese, runners, walkers, horse trailers, and the dog park.  Beau was the only visitor so we had the run of the place.  Great start to a morning.  We then jumped in the car, returned to the hotel, cleaned up, checked out.  And zoomed on to that on-ramp just outside our hotel window.

Driving up highway 5 is a very pretty ride.  It is fun to watch the vista change as well as the flora as you move north.  From a wide, flat valley to a windy, hilly terrain.  And the trees from almost none to forests.  Much like leaving Sacramento for Tahoe.  It’s much more pleasant though because the traffic is light in comparison.  I spotted a sign for the Sacramento Wildlife Refuge so we decided to go and see some birds.  Only the place was closed because of the gov’t shutdown.  Really.  It was a National Preserve.  The House Republicans are wacko birds.  And that’s the truth.  Glad we didn’t decide to swing by Crater Lake on this trip.

So, we turned back to the highway and continued north.  While Ray drove, I googled Yelp and found a restaurant in Redding that sounded good.  And boy was it.  Moonstone Bistro.  Duck confit tacos with a mango salsa.  Yummy.  Rayman had a flatiron steak.  We ate our main meal at lunch.  And we followed it up with an apple pie ala mode.  Yummy times two.

Lake Shasta is really low.  Down substantially because of drought.  It looks a bit sad.  Our water woes continue in our fine state.  And did I mention the new grapes being planted.  And the trees?  Miles of them along the highway.  But what about that water?

At the north end of the lake, there is major construction going on and we didn’t see why they were doing it.  Palms greased, perhaps.  The metro areas need it more than up here.  Still scratching our heads on that one.  Actually, the Salinas valley needs it more than up here.  You take your life in your hands when you drive 101 to Salinas as the ag trucks jut out from side roads onto 101.  No on ramps at all.  They need to put the freeway over or under that stretch.  It is way dangerous.

But I digress.

We drove by a heavy machinery auction site today.  I suggested we bid on a flatbed truck.  But failing to come up with a good reason, that idea melted away.  Then we saw an RPOD.  It was like a….let me just give you a website to view.  http://www.allseasonsrv.com/cf/shopmast/productdetailp.cfm?productid=1063

Maybe we could get one of these?  Well, the Rayman does suffer from claustrophobia so that might not work.  But we discussed it.

We passed one small RV driven by a lone older woman.  Pretty cool.  You go girl.  A free spirit afraid of not much, I’d say.  Actually I admire people that are unafraid.  Not unafraid like bungie jumping.  But unafraid like going somewhere alone…unafraid.  Many of my friends are afraid of many things.  It stops them from doing things.  Heck, it stops me too.  I’m not immune.  However, I am finding that I am less afraid that many of them.  I think it allows me more freedom.  May be wrong about this.  Just saying.

Redding is a lovely town (100k people, I think).  What I love about Redding is that the Sacramento River flows through it.  The Sacramento River is so impressive, existing as it does in our parched state.  I could live in Redding if I had a house on the river.  Watching water flow by would be relaxing, soothing.   And the Sundial Bridge is a must-see and a must-walk on attraction.

After Redding, you start climbing.  Before you know it, you are at 2,000 feet.  Rayman has a ski app that gives altitude.  Very cool.  Here in Mt. Shasta, the elevation is 3,700.  Getting up there.  A bit of huffing and puffing when climbing the stairs to our hotel room.  But the climb is worth it.  Our room looks directly at Mt. Shasta.  OMG.  What a fabulous mountain Mt. Shasta is.  And it is with snow now.  Beautiful, wild sight.  So, well, volcanic looking.   We arrived here about 3 ish.  One of the first to check in.  After getting settled, we set out on a hunt for earrings.  Now, people, I have big lobes.  Both in my brain (I saw the yesterday), and my ears.  So, I prefer non-dangling earrings.  But I am here to report that there were no non-dangling earrings in the town of Mt. Shasta…that I could bare to wear.  About 5 sets and none of them were suitable for the Traveling Princess.  I needed new earrings because I forgot my earrings.  They are sitting at home.  Ugh.  So, the search will continue as we move north.

Rayman was in charge of Beau while we walked the two blocks of what constitutes “downtown” Mt. Shasta.  It is an interesting town.  Fully 50-67% of the stores are of the “hippy” variety.  You know.  Incense, buddha heads, long flowing tye-dyed robes, mid-Eastern and Asian cheap artifacts.  The busiest store was the mid-Easter and Asian store.  I’ve never seen so much junk in my life but it smelled pretty good.  And all these people still stuck in the 60s and many of them hadn’t even been born yet.  A sight to behold.  Everyone should visit this store.  It is a scream.  There were 4 stores that were quite nice.  That was it.  So, Rayman stood outside as I rummaged through all these places looking for non-dangling earrings.  He met a couple that had been in their motor home for 2 years.  They lived in the bay area, sold their home, and went on the road.  They have been across the country and have seen everything they wanted to see.  They are contemplating buying a house and settling down.  Only they think maybe they will park their rig in the bay area and when the weather turns cold, perhaps they will go to San Diego.  Great story.  They said they have thoroughly enjoyed their sojourn.   Chase the weather and change the scenery.  It does have appeal as an idea.

Alas, not everything is perfect.  Uncle Ralph was on his way to the dentist in Paso this a.m. and he became disoriented.  The Dr. was called.  He was whisked away to the hospital.  Spent most of the day there.  Came home with a monitor on his heart that feeds data directly to San Francisco where it is being monitored.  If it acts up, he’s off to the hospital again.  As we drove, texts were issued and received.  Phone calls made.  Very unrelaxing.  The good news tonight is that he is home and his mind is more at ease.  We contemplated returning.  May still need to but right now all is well.

And then, the Rayman struck.  He said, “There is a wrinkle in our plans.”

“What?  I inquired.

“Ryan has to work on Thursday.”

“WHAT?”

“Well, he texted us a few days ago and mentioned that he had to know what day to ask for as his day off.  I didn’t ….get back to him.”

“WHAT?”

At this point let me skip ahead and say that this is the second time in as many times that we traveled north to see Ryan and things have gotten “screwed” up.  I was not a happy camper.  What is it about that two highly intelligent men can’t get travel arrangement right?

All this resulted in us extending our stay one more night in Corvallis so we could see Ryan for more than 4 hours.  OMG.

So, now it is time to watch the Daily Show except that I turned on the TV and he was ending his show.  OMG.

I’m tired and I think I’ll sign off now.  And that’s the way it was, Tuesday from northern California.

I think humor may return tomorrow.  Our plan is to go to Klamath Falls, drop Beau off for doggie daycare and then play golf at Runny Y resort where we are staying.  After golf, we spring the doggie from doggie prison (his interpretation, I’m sure) and go back to Runny Y to spend the night.  There was a frost delay today until almost 10 a.m as reported to me by the pro shop.  So…we have an 11 a.m. starting time.  Luckily I packed my silk underwear.  Just saying.

 

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When last I checked in, we were in Mt. Shasta.  Oh, so much has happened.

Let me count the ways.  We left Mt. Shasta and headed north on a fabulous fall day.  Just a few hours north, and we arrived at Running Y Resort.  Here’s my favorite picture of the trip so far.  I snapped this after our round of golf.

 

Running Y Ranch is a golf resort right outside Klamath Falls.  We had an 11:00 a.m starting time.  Perfect.  The course was in great shape and so were we.  Both played exceptionally well for our skill set.  Our cart ran out of charge so we called the pro shop and they zipped right out with another.  While riding the course we saw all kinds of birds and fowl.  Geese, ducks, hawks.  Many, many hawks.  On the back nine it got windy and cold.  We each had a Snickers and coffee for lunch at the turn.  Hey, we are on vacation.  Then we repaired to our room, fetched Beau and drove into Klamath Falls for earring shopping.

Klamath Falls isn’t much.  Their idea of a department store is Wal-Mart.  And I don’t shop at Wal-Mart.  However, we found a darling shop and scored some Brighton earrings.  NO SALES TAX here.  Should have held out for diamond studs.  Then we galloped back the Ranch, got cleaned up and went to the dining room for dinner.  One of things that we noticed is how many federal parks there are and all of them were closed.  Such a shame.  Crater Lake was closed.  The town nearby had virtually no visitors because of this.  There are federal forestry stations.  Federal parks.  Federal forests.  We are so lucky to have had Teddy Roosevelt because he was the President that used the powers that he had to get all that land set aside for that generations to come would be able to visit and enjoy nature’s beauty.  Did you know that when he was President, he camped in the open under a Sequoia tree with John Muir in Yosemite?  And he stood up all his patrons whom had gathered at the Lodge in Yosemite so that he might have private time with Mr. Muir?  A fascinating President.  He is one of my heros.  To read more see     http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/people/historical/roosevelt/

But I digress.

Yesterday, we awoke to a bone chilling wind so we ate at the hotel and while waiting for our breakfast, the fire alarm went on.  And it kept going.  Rayman ran to the room to see how the Beau was handling the ridiculously loud noise.  No problem.  In the meantime, the siren stopped as soon as all guests were thoroughly awake.  I met a couple from Medford that had lived in Laramie and Durango and all kinds of interesting places.  They were archeologists.  She was an archeologist/poet.  A fascinating conversation ensued and twice the server was waved away because they had not yet settled on their order.  Fun times.  Oh, and Rayman’s ears kept ringing.  Drats.

We were glad to race toward Bend once we checked out.  There we went into a Patagonia store and while the Rayman was trying on a shirt, he broke his delicate glasses.  OMG.  So, we went down a few blocks and found a place called Eyes on Wall Street, an optician shop.  They did not have a replacement part but they were very nice.  Before departing Bend, we decided to have a cup of coffee to warm up and found a place that had a restroom that was not a Starbucks.  Rayman inquired within if dogs were allowed.  No.  Afraid not.  However, they suggested we open the fence and go to the backyard.  Check this out.  Didn’t even suspect something like this.  OMG.  We sat in the chairs on the grass and enjoyed our lattes.  And Beau had a ball.

 

Then we were off in search of ice cream in Sisters, OR.  On the way, I snapped these pictures.  Quite beautiful, this state.  Found a store, got our ice cream and headed west over the mountain and down to Corvallis.  However, this is a totally inadequate description of the drive.  The drive was a two lane highway that was tree-lined all the way.  When the trees broke, their were mountain vistas.  Wowie zowie.  Every turn in the road exposed more beautiful scenery until I had to ask the Rayman to pull over.  Time for a few photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we got down off the mountain, we drove by Green Peter Dam.  I kid you not.  The Dam provided a lake and the lake had a rest stop.  We stopped.  Here’s a pic.

 

This was near Sweet Home, OR where there I stopped a sign that announced a covered bridge.  I found the bridge and it wasn’t much.  Then we proceeded to Corvallis where we arrived before dark.  Forgot to eat dinner and by the time Ryan showed up, it was too late to eat.  How did that happen?  Don’t know so we had red wine and chocolate and almonds instead.

Visited with Ryan until the lids got heavy and bid our adieus.

This a.m. we met for breakfast and discussed world affairs.  Plenty to discuss.  Then we found an eyewear store that could fix his glasses, met up with Ryan for a walk with him and his doggie, Lucy, and Beau.  Now the guys are golfing.  I’m staying in to rest and read because I just want to do that and it gives them a little time by themselves which is something I have historically done.  A nice touch, I think.

We are here for three nights.  Then it’s on to Bandon!!  Our anniversary is tomorrow and Ryan has the day off so we plan to go wine tasting, eat at a tapas restaurant and generally have a great time.  May see the movie, Gravity.  I’ve volunteered to the be the designated driver.  Our anniversary gift to ourselves is the golf a Bandon on Monday and Tuesday.  Just so fabulous to get to see the kid too!!

 

 

Okay, people, I’m going to give you my version of events today.

 

 

As a dog, I am quite privileged.  My masters, Rayman and Traveling Princess, decided to bring me along on their 22nd anniversary trip to Oregon.  Bowser wowser!!  The morning was frantic.  Packing clothes, taking the car to the garage for something called a master break cylinder.  Boy, I was relieved, when I found out it involved the car and not me.  More packing ensued.  Traveling Princess aka mom, took me and our fish, Beethoven, to Uncle Ralph’s house.  It was very exciting because a cat named Caesar was there.  I tried to be friendly but Caesar was a bit aloof.  And Uncle Ralph wanted me to sit a lot.  I wanted to play with Caesar.  Oh, well.  When we returned, mom and dad (Rayman) threw things into the car and off we went.  We got lost trying to find a Dr.’s office.  Mom got directions on the phone and they were wrong.  A call was placed and directions received.  When they pulled up to the office, mom dropped her driver’s license and healthcare card between the seat and the console and couldn’t get it out so she left it with to do.  Then mom went inside and was gone for the longest time.  Dad found the license and card, took it in to the office then fed me, watered me and gave me a walk.  What a nice dad I have.  When she returned she was in a very good mood and off we went again.  She reported to dad that the Dr. thinks she needs to up her salt intake and she needs to get an EEG to verify that her brain is functioning properly which he expects the test to reveal.  Yippee.  She actually got to see the scan of her brain and was really excited that it was indeed there in her head.  And the Dr. assured her that lapses of memory when busy or flustered are fairly normal for a woman her age.

 

We stopped in the InNOut Burger in Atascadero and I got to sniff a lot of really interesting things as they ate outside and let me be with them.  Then it was off again in the car for hours.  We stopped at a gas station but I was not allowed out.  What’s with them already?  Don’t they know I need to stretch and walk too?  They then hightailed it out of the station in King City and the next thing you know, we were stopping in Gilroy (I had some quality sleeping while traveling) and they let me out to walk, stretch, drink water and lift my leg, so to speak.  Bow wow!!

Off again we went.  Mom drove us to Vacaville and we checked into a Hampton Inn where I was greeted with great enthusiasm by the night crew.  And actually, two people at the InNOut place stopped to admire me.  I’m very special and many people take note.  And I do work hard to be special because I’m given treats when I do what they order me to do.  Sit, down, release, stay, heel.  These are many of the commands they utter and when I do them, I’m rewarded.  Pretty cool.

You probably wonder what it is like traveling with these two.  Well, they talk a lot.  To each other.  Every once in a while they say hi to me but mostly they talk to each other.   Mom told dad all about the head Dr.  He was really tall and slender and had enormous feet, a substantial neck (vertically speaking).  His fingers were very long too.   She told him she was very pleased to meet him and he said it was good to have an appointment where good news was evident.  But I digress.

They talked about Obamacare.  They talked about the light traffic at night.  They talked about the planned golf on the trip.  Mom made a hotel reservation for tonight.  That took a long time.  As a dog, I’m not very impressed.  Now if they talked about cats, dogs, dog food, cats, food…well, I’m all over it.  Much of their conversation was concerning Uncle Ralph’s well being and current news events.  They also looked back and remembered when they met, where they went, what they did.  Mushy but sweet.  Apparently.

So, here I am.  At the Inn, stretched across the bed, luxurating in grand style.  And so happy to be included in the latest adventure.  When mom and dad arrived, they poured some red wine and drank it while eating dark chocolate.  Mom spilled wine on her nightie…and then spent time trying to get the wine out.  After that, well, that’s when they looked at the route tomorrow and figured we’d only be on the road about 4 hours.  Bow wow.  That is great news.  We are heading out in the morning for Mt. Shasta and they have their restaurant for dinner picked out if it is OPEN on Tuesday.  And we’re staying in a really cool place there.  Bow wow.

http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/US/CA/Mount-Shasta-hotels/BEST-WESTERN-PLUS-Tree-House/Hotel-Overview.do?propertyCode=05243

 

 

 

 

 

Today began our annual “Boulder Babes” reunion.  We are a group of 8 women that spend the best part of a week together sans husbands/men.  And we all golf.  And we are of a certain age.  And we know how to have a good time.

So…after reuniting at the rental that sits on the beach in Aptos, we walked to the restaurant down the street for dinner.  Literally we are on the beach.  There is a patio, a “fence” of big rocks and then the sand.  Pretty cool.

But I digress.

We arrived and the restaurant did not have the reservation.  Upon further inspection, they had our party of 8 down for Monday nite.  Only problem is…it was Sunday.  No problemo.  The restaurant was mostly empty and they made accommodations.  Meanwhile, we bellied up to the bar and ordered drinks and wine.  Then we were seated and immediately a glass of wine was overturned…and much of it landed on my brand new pants and on the chair of Carolyn, who was sitting to my left.  After much ado, the table was swabbed and wine re-poured and we proceeded to ordering dinner.

After dinner the fun began in ernest.  The bill was presented.  We sounded like a bunch of wet hens.  Was the bill right?  Was the tip included?  Why was it $53/person?  Bantering and quibbling ensued.

Now all this was complicated because the restaurant was so dark, who could see?  We were trying to see the bill, check it correctness, pay it.  Linda was the accountant for the evening.  She collected money from 5 of us and credit cards from 3 of us and off she went to the front desk to pay the bill.  Then the server, Marin, brought the infamous black bill holder to the table.  When we three credit card people inspected the cheques, we discovered that we were each charged $121.  WHAT?  Better yet, WHAT THE HECK?  About this time the conversation went something like this.

Donna, “I can’t see the bill.  It’s too dark in here.”

Dianna, “I can’t see it either.  Wait, I have the wrong credit card because the last four digits don’t match.”

Sue, “I can’t see it but it is way too much.  $121.

Donna and Dianna, “What?  $121.”

Donna, “This is wrong.  I can’t see.”

Dianna, “It is way to dark in here.  But the bill is wrong.  Where is Linda?”

Sue, “Where is Linda?  This is wrong.  The three of us are paying for everything?”

Donna, “Someone needs to get us a light.”

Sue, “This isn’t right.  Why are we paying for everything.”

Editorial remark:  Much wine and drinks had been consumed.  5 pinots, 2 bottles of chardonnay, a separate glass of chardonnay and that does not even include the two gray gooses, a vodka martini, and a glass of pinot ordered at the bar.

So back to the action.

Sue, Dianna, Donna in unison and quite possibly too loudly, “Where is Linda?”

Kris, “I talked with the manager.  She will be here in a minute.”

Manager, “May I help you?”

Kris, Cathy, Carolyn, Dianna, Donna, Sue, Judy (actually everyone but Linda) chime in with their own version of events…simultaneously.   That poor manager.  She was flummoxed.

Finally, I offered my flashlight app to Donna who could then see the bill.  Then Linda returned with all the cash in hand.  What?  The manager ran away saying she would take care of everything.  Linda tried to explain herself.  We were, at this point, fairly bewildered.  Kris left to smoke.

OMG.

The manager returned.  The credit card bills were $53 each, the correct amount.  The iphone was passed so that the blind could see where to sign.  Linda had all the cash in her hand which she handed to the server along with the credit card bills signed.  And about that time Carolyn and Cathy decided that we were not that far away from needing professional assistance, a helper.  A younger person that could handle things.  A handler.

We were a scream.  We were the loudest biggest table in the joint.  We were also the most confused and bewildered.  It was a blast.  We had a great time being the Boulder Babes.  Ain’t life great?

One final point.  I tried to get the Babes together to read this to them and ask for input, but it is like herding cats.  So, I post it as I remember it.

 

A few weeks ago, I experienced what few people on the face of the earth get to experience and that experience was an experience I shall never forget.  Okay.  Well, I exaggerate because I just googled the stats and there chance of doing what I did is only 1 in 33,000. So, my accomplishment was not as noteworthy as I thought.

But, that’s okay.  Let me digress further.

So, we were playing golf at the Dragon course in Clio, CA.  The Dragon at Nakoma Resort up in the mountains.  The Sierras.  Beautiful place.  The course was as tough as nails.  And I was struggling.  But not as much as my friend Judy.  She was having all the luck.  And I was very jealous because my luck was not good that day.  Golf is a funny game and luck does play a part in it.  Sometimes you can have a good hit and end up with a disastrous lie.  Other times, you can skull the ball and end up smelling like a rose and there does not seem to be any rhyme nor reason to it.  This can lead to frustration.

So this is how my day went.  My luck was bad.  My shot making was questionable.  So, on one of the first holes, I hit a good drive (meaning I made good contact with the ball) a bit to right of the intended target.  So when we drove up to take a look, this is what I discovered.  You may need to scroll to view the entire picture.  If so, do so.  Exhibit number one.

 

 

I mean, really , people.  What are the chances of my ball going through all that junk and coming to rest in the middle of those two trees?  I don’t think I could even place it there and have it stay.  What the heck?  Okay, so the shot was not all that great.  I admit it.  Now, I’m pretty sure that there is no way I can hit my ball out of the middle of those two trees.  But on further inspection, look at all that grass and stuff that the ball had to go through, presumably, to end up where it ended up.  Holy cow.  That is bad luck.  Very bad luck.

So, what happened?  I took an unplayable lie and my penalty and proceded to hit a really good shot through the trees (not those trees) and the ball came to rest on the edge of a sand bunker in front of the green.  Great.  But wait.  I had to stand on the edge of the bunker, teetering, and managed to hit the ball into the bunker.  From there I hit out of the bunker across the green and this left me with a dangerous downhill lie to putt over a juiced up green.  Well, I managed to screw that up to a farthy well.  Ended up with a 7 or an 8 on a par 4.  Now admittedly, my score was a reflection of my poor skill but it also reflected a penalty stroke for a very unlucky lie and I think I got flustered and the rest is history.

Here is how I could have handled it.  Click to view.  Or paste it into your web browser.

pro-golfer-pulls-off-unbelievable-swing-climbs-a-tree-and-shoots-a-perfect-backwards-one-handed-shot-into-the-fairwayded-shot-into-the-fairway/

Meanwhile, Judy continued with her luck bouncing away from danger at every turn.  So, when we approached the 8th tee box, I was a bit down on my luck and licking my wounds.  Kris teed off.  Great shot onto the green.  Judy teed off.  Great shot on to the green.  The other Judy (let’s call her lucky Judy) teed off. It flirted with the sand but bounced left and ended up on the green.   I approached the tee box and said, “Well, it looks like all the luck has been used up” or something to that effect.  The other women were very encouraging saying things like, “Oh, you can do it.”

So, I teed off.  The ball missed the trap on the right and rolled up on the green and DISAPPEARRED INTO THE HOLE.  OMG.  I couldn’t believe it and no one really said they saw it go in because the flagstick was on on the downside of the green.  And I wasn’t sure but it sure looked like it.  So we all got in our carts and lucky Judy ran to the hole and screamed, “IT’S IN THE HOLE.”  We all jumped up and down screaming.  What a blast.  What a hoot.  Here’s some pictures we snapped.  Exhibits two and three.

 

And that is how I got my second hole in one.  With my good friends on a devil of a course, perhaps slightly hung over, with a tooth extraction that was hurting, down in the mud because of my bad luck.  And the ZAP.  Just like that.  A golfing miracle!!!

Too much fun.

That night, I bought a round of drinks for the whole group (12 total) and we all celebrated my luck.  What a hoot.

Below are the 3 witnesses to this happening.