Wedding out West

A week ago, I made my first trip to Utah. A friend of mine was getting married in Park City. This was a very non-Mormon wedding, in case you are curious.

Saturday was mostly spent in the air or on the road. I was heading for BWI (Baltimore Washington International) by 330am. We took off around 7, and I hopped around to Vegas, Phoenix, and then to Salt Lake City. That night we had a fairly tame “bachelor party”. It entailed little more than an embarrassing outfit for the groom-to-be and a trip to Main St to visit a couple pubs and bars.

Sunday we jolfed…or tried to. Those of us who could keep under 80 or 90 did, I was not among the elite. Despite my hackery, I enjoyed the beautiful non-humid sunniness of the area. The venue: a fantastic layout of green amongst hill sides of brown brush. The Pete Dye course at Promontory is long. I played from the 2nd longest tees, and it was still probably about 7600 yds. I will admit the ball does travel farther than to what I’m accustomed. Most of the holes were fair and fun. The 299 yd par 3 was a bit daunting due to 260 or so yards being all carry over a canyon of tangled flora. My shot du jour was an uphill decelerating double tap (or hit and carry) flop shot. ..not good for the score, but good for laughs.

Hole 2

Have enough club?

My retirement home?

The early part of Monday, we toured the Olympic Park from the ’02 winter games. The highlights were riding a rolling sled down a twisting chute, and seeing the skiing tricksters practice aerial maneuvers into a bubbling pool at the end of the jumps. Later, we attended a wonderful wedding and reception. (the real reason for the trip)

Summary: Great trip, fun, and memories with a few familiar faces from good ole MethCo.

Not the Usual Excuse... and time out of PA

Typically, I don’t have anything worth posting. This time, however, I’ve wanted to mention a few things for the past several weeks and just haven’t had the opportunity.

The last two full weeks of July were spent on a command inspection of Fleet Industrial Supply Center Puget Sound, a Naval facility in Bremerton WA. The base itself was nothing to see. The buildings and layout were very drab. The highlights were its well furnished fitness center and the Sam Adams Brewhouse just across the street from the quarters at which we stayed. Despite being the “dry” season, it was cool, rainy, and gloomy for the first week we were there. Eventually this gave way to some pleasant, sunny days in the high 70s. Washington being called “The Evergreen State” is quite apropos. Evergreens and lush flora cover every mountain and hillside in sight. That is, of course, except the snow-capped peak of Mt Rainier jutting enormously into the sky as if it were so much closer than it really is. I toured Seattle and the campus of U Dub. The city is cool, in general. Watching the fish being tossed about at Pike Place Market is a standard attraction. Shops, clubs, bars, and cafés line the main thoroughfares. Before I left, I had some Irish fare at Fado Irish Pub. I find myself quickly becoming a fan of ciders i.e. Magners (Bulmers in Ireland), Woodchuck, and Strongbow. I recommend Magners the most. This makes me very much want to take a trip to Quip’s for wing night. Mmmm…

Following the two weeks in the Northwest, I went on vacation with my family and girlfriend. It was a good time in Ocean City MD. Time was spent playing some golf, getting mildly sunburned, playing cards, and walking the boards.