Duluth, Minnesota

Spent most of the day in and around Duluth, MN. sightseeing and checking out a golf course. The place has some mighty fine old homes, or should I say mansions up on the hill sides of Duluth. Yes Duluth reminded me at times today of San Francisco with the steep hills going up from down town and away from the Lake (Lake Superior). There were many very large homes on these hill sizes that all looked to have 4-5 baths, 6-8 bedrooms, that kind of large and of big old stone and brick some incredibly layered shake roofs. Superior is much smaller and more old town looking and right now undergoing some down town development and remodeling and refurbishing....................... Even being where we are on Lake Superior, the far western finger of the lake and on the tip of that finger it's still looks very large. Looking at the map Superior looks to be the biggest of the Great Lakes, it's very large that's for sure. Speaking of fingers we ate lunch at a place called Pickwick's on the Lake or overlooking the lake near down town Duluth. For an app we had deep fried Walleye Fingers with a wasabi sauce with just the right amount of spice. Walleye seems to be the fish of choice in the area, fingers were great but I never ordered Walleye because I thought they were so full of bones and I hate boney fish. The fillet fingers were just right in by book................ Might play nine tomorrow morning, Bev feels up to it and we're not playing with Allan and Kathy until Tuesday or Wednesday so the practice would do Bev good. No executive course's in the Midwest I guess, couldn't find one in Iowa and asked at the pro shop today and they said none that they knew of in the area here. I guess out there in Arizona where all us old folks and executives live they have a lot of them because we need a quick round now and again and a short course............................. They have a casino in down town Duluth, yes right smack dab down town in an old 3 story building and you know us we just had to give it a look see. Good thing we did, after a rough start Bev ended up winning right at $100 and Mikey won $525 so the kitty grows and that's a good thing. In and out and take the winnings is our new motto, don't wait until you give it all back, stick and move! It's been a real good trip in that respect so far, knock on wood so I did.

Back on the road again

We left Des Moines yesterday oh around noon by the time we had a late breakfast with Bev's brother Mark and filled the tank and finally hit the road. The wind was a real SOB, it threw the motor home around like a pinata at a Mexican birthday party. My arms were so tired by 2:00 p.m. from fighting the steering wheel we pulled over after just a few hours, somewhere just north of Storm Lake, Iowa. Just happen to be a casino nearby called Diamond Jo Casino and it's a very nice place and served some great dinner. We set up the motor home in a parking area along with 6 or 8 other motor homes for the evening and then out of nowhere the freaking rains come again. The wind subsided for just a few minutes while the rain poured and then the wind came back and we had literally sheets of rain rolling across the parking lot, holy mackerel Andy! Looks very cloudy this morning and dark grey but the wind seems to be down somewhat so hopefully we have better travel conditions, if not we stop and wait for a nice day, oh well that's being retired............................ We had another great visit with our family in Des Moines and so glad we rescheduled a bit to be there for my brother-in-laws retirement party, it was a wonderful evening filled with honors and well deserved honors for someone who has given so much for conservation and the state of Iowa through the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. A couple of rounds of golf, some great dinners with family and a couple of rewarding trips to Prairie Meadows made it all the better, yep made a few bucks thanks to that casino......................... Should make Minneapolis/St. Paul early today and maybe Superior by evening if I shut this computer off and get behind the wheel soon, kind of a lazy morning for both of us. Went to bed very early last night, like 10 p.m. and up at 5:30 a.m. and now it's going on 7:00 and time to get going. Hopefully more interesting stuff tonight!

Wednesday a.m.

In a way I'm kind of glad at this time we are under some very large trees in the Adventureland RV park and my satellite can't get a signal. Sure I miss the news, I mean real and in depth news and what you get on local network channels via antenna is very very limited and not in depth at all. FOX News or even CNN News would sure be nice on a day like today this being yet another in a string of sad days in America over the past 3 or 4 years, and let me just leave it at that on this 2013 journey in the motor home. As a Christian I deeply sadden for this corrupt world we live in................................ On a brighter note we had another wonderful meal last night with Mark and Susan (Bev's brother and his wife)and much conversation into the bedtime hour. There was a lot of common ground in our conversations and that was a good thing, naturally we stayed far away from politics so as to make the evening that much more enjoyable. Once again we had rhubarb pie and ice cream for desert and I can say this is something I could get used to, a real Midwest treat if I do say so! One Midwest treat I'm really getting tired of is the gloomy skies and rain and storms, at times all these can really be a bummer let me tell you. You do realize very soon how much "Sun Shine" each morning is something glorious to wake up to and blue skies 98% of your days is so taken for granted. I really in a way don't see what all the crap is about some temps in the 100's, what's the difference if you sit in the air conditioned house and go to the air conditioned car and back to avoid the heat? Here in this you sit in the house and run the air because it's so freaking humid and run to the car getting soaked by the rain and back into the house to get out of the rain once more...The difference is I'm not soaking wet, muddy, and in the dark! We all have our good and bad weather days no matter where we're at, but I sure feel better waking up to sun shine each day especially for 325 plus days out of the year........................................ You may have wondered why I started putting in all these periods (.) in like I have been lately, well for some reason in doing this blog even when and if I separate the paragraphs when it's finished and published it all runs together and no paragraph breaks. Now I've decided to put in a string of (.'s) to denote a paragraph or change of subject and hope it's not too confusing because as you know if you follow or read much of my stuff on FB etc. I notoriously us a sting of .... probably too often and where they shouldn't be used.....that's just me!.................... Another lazy day for me, thought maybe we'd be golfing today but shit the rest of the world has to work during the week and can't always take off to joint me on the links. Beverly has been busy and in some ways (financially for sure) that's a good thing, but I'm sure she's getting anxious to get out on the golf course once more. We will be doing some of that when we get to Superior, WI. for sure and that's just a few days away after tomorrow. On tap for tonight is a what I believe is going to be a traditional Japaneses dinner prepared in front of us, this is in combinations with and for Mason's birthday party (Bob and Jill's son). The next two nights will be with the whole Des Moines family, the dinner tonight and then the BIG and it's going to be just that I hear 190 guest retirement party for Mark. It will surely be a very proud moment for his family and a wonderful tribute and send off into retirement to a hardworking, dedicated, conservationist in the State of Iowa. I can see already this will be a very hard thing for him to leave and give up completely, Mark may never really be retired!

Sunday, golf for the boys...painting for the gals

Saturday was laundry day and we have nice facilities right here at Adventureland RV park so it was close and quick. Started reading the book Bev got me, The Duck Commander Family and it's pretty good if you like Willie and the boys. After a pretty lazy afternoon we met Bob and Jill and the kids for an evening of horse racing at Prairie Meadows race track and Casino. I used to spend weekends at Turf Paradise in Phoenix as most of you know but pretty much gave it up in the past few years except for the big triple crown or breeders cup races. Why you ask, because I stopped winning. I used to win at least now and again but then it got to where I couldn't pick my nose let alone a winning horse. Well the same held true this night, not one ticket cashed and I don't believe I ever had so many of my choices finish last or next to last. Unfortunately if went that way for all of us and we did not leave there winners by any means. Bev came close on one race but played it wrong, Matt had been texting and messaging back and forth on FB etc. with Jill and Bev and he said to bet the 7 horse in the next race. We no one wanted to take him up on his long shot pick until I told Bev "hell go put a couple of buck on his selection" so she did. The horse went off at 43-1 and finished 2nd, too bad Bev only bet to win and not across the board since it paid $88 to win! Can you say "Captain colors"?................ Sunday was golf for the guys and painting for the gals, only problem it was raining like hell when we woke up and poured right up until we got to the golf course at 10:00 a.m. The was just fine through the round of golf and into the late evening hours, the course was very nice and I enjoyed the round of golf even though I didn't worth damn. The gals went to this place call Social painting where you pay $35 and drink wine and paint a picture on your canvas, it was the second in a series for all but Bev who was doing her first attempt a this sort of thing. She loved it and painted a picture surely worth hanging in our home, very nice job Beverly!................ The day ended with a fantastic dinner at Steve and Christiana's which included homemade ice cream and homemade rhubarb pie's which Susan brought, all in all a fine day with our family in Des Moines............... Mark gets in town tonight and tomorrow it's a cook-out at Bob and Jill's and we'll get to visit with Mark starting tomorrow and then Tuesday dinner at Mark and Susan's and maybe another round of golf somewhere, hope the body is up for it. Things will start winding down here and after Tuesdays big retirement party we hit the road for who knows exactly where? We need some good weather and a bunch less humidity soon!

Des Moines

We arrived in Des Moines Thursday afternoon, got all set up at Adventureland RV park and then ended up going to our second "concert in the park" so to speak. Our nieces and nephews invited up to Jasper county winery for this annual outdoors concert, some wine, some beer, some pork sandwiches and some good music was just right for our first get together with family. Bev worked today since for some reason she's been busy as hell ever since we hit the road, it's a good thing we have a "office on wheels" with all she needs to conduct business. Busy is a good thing because busy means paychecks and we do like to get those. While she worked I did some shopping for a golf visor with Callaway on it and found one at Golf Headquarters (formally Nevada Bobs) in Des Moines............... After that I got a haircut at Marty's Barber shop 30th and Walnut across from the Iowa State Fairgrounds. I heard about this one man operation from Bob Carico last year when we were here and decided to go back and see if the old boy remembered me and our conversations, sure enough he did. It wasn't the fact that I was from Arizona but the fact that I was from Arizona and formerly from Davenport when things clicked for him. No shit he remember stuff and the conversation continued, no just for the 15 to 20 minutes for a haircut but I sat in the chair over 1 1/2 hours! Where all the topics came from or started I have no idea but the gambit was huge, I'll name a few of the subjects. Iowa Hawkeyes(naturally, baseball, Joe Montana, Hayden Frye, Kirk Farenz, Bill Cosby, Zig Zigler, windmills, the grid, Albuquerque MN, Las Vegas, NM, Camping World both Mesa and Albuquerque,motor homes, riding lawnmowers, Lute Olsen, UofA and how much we both despise the joint and their fans, the I-club, the Izaak Walton league, corn feeds and smelt fry's, Marks retirement party, and probably needing a haircut next year about this time! I think that was about all and I can't believe I even remember all these topics of discussion................ Tonight if was Jake's and Jethro's BBQ across the street from the resort and then bet a few horses at Prairie Meadows, what a nice track and clean mutual areas, the place should be one of the best one day because it sure has the facilities for the horseman and their animals,..............Back to the motor home shortly after the races ended and taking care of FB updates and the blog. Tomorrow is another day, we called Susan about going to the farmers market in the morning, but her message indicated having some other plans so we'll be sleeping in and hopefully see Susan after Mark returns from his travels Sunday night. Really looking forward to golf with Steve and Bob on Sunday, Panarma I believe is where we'll be teeing off, new Callaway visor, balls, 3 wood, lets get it on!

Last day in the Quad Cities for this year

We spent a great night last night with good friends Dave and Marilyn Naab. We started off with Gyro's for dinner and then a nice evening in Lincoln Park for the Rock Island concert in the park series. The night culminated with a long few hours of discussions on just about everything under the sun or stars as in this case. We always have great conversations with Dave and Marilyn, it seems we're all usually on the same page for the most part. Plenty of laughs and few problems solved but ideas abound! It was either leave when we did or get the bacon and eggs out for breakfast............... We have a dinner scheduled with nieces and nephews I think for tonight, Beverly will be finalizing the plans this morning I guess. Tonight will be our first Mexican food dinner since leaving Arizona, we did have a Mexican breakfast Sunday but it's been a welcome break from Mexican food so far for Mike................... This will be our last night in Davenport for another year, it's been another good time with family and friends and we'll miss them for another year. In saying that I can't help but feel we live in just a God awful place, Phoenix Arizona that is, because since we moved to Phoenix 29 years ago I can count on my two hands how many times friends and family from here have come visiting. Hell we owned a one acre resort with all the amenities including pool with water fall, BBQ area with wet bar, sun deck with gas fire pit, spare rooms including quest house(RV) but don't get me wrong we owned this for ourselves and family not just to lure visitors! Maybe just a touch of sour grapes on my part, I guess we just miss our families and friends while living so far from all of them. We're fortunate we can travel like this and spend the time with them and will continue to do so. By the way over and above those two handfuls would not include the yearly visits from Russ and Cheryl who have visited at least once a year ever since 1985 whether it be just up the road in Laughlin, NV or Las Vegas or our home in Phoenix........ I was going to wash more of the motor home this morning, I did about 1/3 of it the other day and the wheels and tires yesterday but feeling a bit lazy and my back is really hurting. I need to rest my back so I'm reading to do some golfing when we get to Des Moines, look our boys! All in all we had another good time here and enjoyed so many visits with my Mom and spending time with her and my brother and sister. I know she won't remember probably none of the visits or the lunches but I will, it was good seeing her. I so wish she didn't need so much care so I could have her out our way for a couple of months like she used to do in the past. I worry about her care if she was to visit us, if I could afford it I'd hire a full-time nurse/care giver to accompany her but I can't. When Nancy retires we'll have to have her and Mom out for a winter visit maybe, that would be nice. I know now she realizes something is wrong, it scares her at times not knowing what's happening to her. You can explain to her she's losing her memory but then she doesn't remember even talking about losing her memory, sad and I can understand her being scared. Even that all being said the visits were good and the time was in the moment and that was good, we're fortunate she still remembers some long term and names and faces of family and friends. I will miss her when we leave but will continue to call her weekly or close to it.

Rock Island Arsenal

Went golfing today even though my back was killing me, pain bills kind of worked. Scott DeMeyer made the tee time at the Rock Island Arsenal golf club for brother Russ, Scott and myself. The Rock Island Arsenal comprises 946 acres (383 ha), located on Arsenal Island, originally known as Rock Island, on the Mississippi River between the cities of Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois. It lies within the state of Illinois. The island was originally established as a government site in 1816, with the building of Fort Armstrong. It is now the largest government-owned weapons manufacturing arsenal in the United States.[3] It has been an active manufacturer of military equipment and ordnance since the 1880s. In 1919-20 100 of the Anglo-American or Liberty Mark VIII tanks were manufactured, although too late for World War I. It is designated as a National Historic Landmark. Established as both an arsenal and a center for the manufacture of leather accoutrements and field gear, today it provides manufacturing, logistics, and base support services for the Armed Forces. The Arsenal is the only active U.S. Army foundry, and manufactures ordnance and equipment, including artillery, gun mounts, recoil mechanisms, small arms, aircraft weapons sub-systems, grenade launchers, weapons simulators, and a host of associated components.[4] Some of the Arsenal's most successful products include the M198 and M119 towed howitzers, and the M1A1 gun mount. The Golf club on the island was always a private club until September 2010 when it was opened to the public in order to avoid bankruptcy since it had been going down hill. Right now I'd consider it a diamond in the rough as far as it is in great shape as golf courses go and still not known to a lot of the public so it's not all that busy. There are four bridges between Davenport/Bettendorf (the Iowa part of the Quad Cities) and Rock Island/Moline/East Moline (the Illinois part of the Quad Cities). There is the Centennial bridge, the Bettendorf I-74 Bridge, the I-280 bridge and then the Government bridge which connects Davenport and the Island over the Locks on the river, lock and Dam #15. The easiest and quickest way to the Arsenal golf club from Davenport is the Government bridge so naturally that's the way Russ and I went to meet Scott at the course. Yep....it was time for a barge and tug to go through the locks and Dam so the bridge actually swings open while the tug pushes the barges through and then shuts once the barge has cleared. We were only a few minutes late for our tee time and it ended up not being a problem for my very first trip onto the Arsenal Island and the golf club there. I remember after 9/11 the security across the nation really tightened up and I'm sure it did on Arsenal Island since it had always been one of the top 13 places in the United States as far as targets for terrorist and enemies of our country. Where I'm from it was the Hoover Dam that really tightened up security with check points before and after with vehicle checks and searches etc. but I was really amazed at the lack of security getting onto the island. Yes there was regular military type guard shack but manned by "Arsenal Police" and not military and all they did was scan my drivers license and didn't ask even to see Russ's or cared that he was even in the car along. All I'm saying is it seemed to me to be too easy to get on and off the Arsenal Island especially it being a military base and ordinance facility. I enjoyed the round of golf, it was a long challenging course with one hell of a lot of trees, big trees for this desert dwelling golfer! Yes I hit a few of those trees with some good bounces and some not so good ricochets so to speak. Dinner with Russ and Cheryl, lunch with my Mom, sister and brother tomorrow and a concert in the park in Rock Island with friends Dave and Marilyn Naab tomorrow night and I'm sure some very good conversation. Thinking about it, it had been quite a few years since I golfed on a military facility, Keesler AFB in Mississippi and/or Malmstrom AFB in Montana...........ironic, Keesler in Mississippi and the Arsenal on the Mississippi.