Archive | June, 2019

The Greens are So Tough

26 Jun

We played another round of golf today. But tee-off was 12.24pm as there was a big group already out there when we arrived at ten. So we were advised to tee-off later which we were agreeable. It worked out better because it was chilly again.

But was it better?

The green speed was just so fast! I think it’s at least an 11, and this is a public course. Very well maintained. Although I came back with a slightly better score than yesterday, the putting was just very demoralizing.

Yesterday I three-putted seven holes! Seven holes, so that’s at least an extra seven strokes. Today, I three-putted one hole less. Just can’t handle super fast greens.

Sigh and double sigh… or maybe cry.

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A Day of Activities

25 Jun

We came home for lunch after our golf game. And after a short rest, we didn’t waste time and headed for campus as I wanted to check out the bookstore again.

Then we met M1 for some gung-ho activity, rock climbing!

She wanted us to try it out and we did. It was actually quite fun and tiring. And as if that wasn’t enough, we played some table tennis, enjoying the campus facilities, before walking back.

It was 9.00pm when we reached home and I had registered 16,322 steps on my Mi Band2 by then. No wonder I was tired.

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A Tad Cold for Golf

25 Jun

The golf course, Trysting Tree Golf Club was not too far and we got there within minutes. We rented sets and teed off at ten. As I don’t wear golf gloves to play, I had to sit on my hands several times to keep them warm because the morning was rather chilly. It took a couple of holes to warm up to get used to the weather.

It was quite a challenge to look for each hole as the golf course is not like what we’re used to – trees lining the sides and clear cut buggy paths to indicate and separate. The tee box markers were very obscure and we had to really look to find them. But the condition was superb for a public course, both on the fairways and on the greens.

I couldn’t get the hang of putting because the green speed was so fast, something I don’t get often when playing back home. As a result I had many three-putts.

We even had buggy problems after we crossed over. By the 14th Hole, the buggy was sputtering and dying a slow death. When we reached the 16th Hole, it died and we had to call in for a replacement.

Despite the putting woes and buggy issue, we had an enjoyable outing, so much so, we will play another round tomorrow. As we now know what to expect, I am sure we will fare better tomorrow.

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Let’s Play Golf!

25 Jun

The mini golf yesterday was quite enjoyable. I think the last time we did a round of mini golf was ages ago when hubby and I went to Florida for vacation. Of course during that time, it was just the two of us.

I looked at the score card and had a good laugh. If only our usual games are like that! What pros we were coming back with 11 pars and two birdies (for me) and nine pars and a birdie for hubby. M1 was not quite the golfer unfortunately.

Today we will play a real round of golf. Let’s see the scores after that…

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A Rest Day

24 Jun

Even holidays need a break! It’s Sunday today and we’re keeping the itinerary easy. We slept in longer this morning.

We spent the day without a fixed itinerary so we decided to do something fun – a round of mini golf!

Then it was basically checking out all the stores around town to see lovely packaging design and colorful produce on the shelves. It’s a good bonding time.

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The Crazy Drive

24 Jun

Yesterday we were on the road for slightly over 13 hours, reaching Corvallis at 11.30pm after the day’s adventure.

The drive back heading West after Bend was crazy. There was one stretch through Willamette National Forest that made us felt like we were racing along the Monte Carlo circuit in Monaco.

It went on for an hour or so, as we turned left and right many times on the road that curved almost like Monaco. Along the way, we saw a few more deers and even a dead one by the road side. Oh dear (no pun intended).

This fella paused to pose for me in Bend!

Bend was very nice and we had dinner at McMenamins, trying out their stout and beer. As M1 is now of legal drinking age, we had three drinks. I must say, I still can’t appreciate a Stout, even a good one, so I stuck to beer.

Well deserved drink after a long day

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Snow in Summer

23 Jun

The road to Crater Lake was very straight to drive. We saw a couple of deers along the way. When we got to the area, there was still snow on the ground and the slopes! We had to stop and made two little snowmen. Haha… and this is Summer!

Crater Lake was really, really beautiful and picturesque, totally worth the drive. We spent some time there, trudging through the snow to get to the edge of the rim at the first stop to take pictures and breath in the fresh air.

We made two more stops around the lake before leaving at five, heading towards Bend for dinner.

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Crater Lake

23 Jun

The drive to Crater Lake was very pleasant and scenic. There was hardly any cars and no five-lane highways to maneuver. We drove into Willamette National Forest and at one point, reached 5,000 feet elevation. No wonder my ears felt blocked and I couldn’t pop them. Ugh.

We stopped briefly at the Diamond Peak lookout point to admire the snow-capped mountains. Very pretty.

Next stop was Beaver Marsh Rest Area for a quick picnic lunch and bathroom stop. It was three by then before we drove on to Crater Lake.

Love the clouds!

Straight road to heaven ahead!

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Farmers Market

23 Jun

It was interesting this morning to check out the Farmers Market akin to what we have back home, the ‘Pasar Tani’ which means the same thing. The only difference is the produce of the stalls.

Back home it’s more of daily vegetables, food and made in China gadgets, here I see things like unusual mushrooms, seasonal fruits, exotic jams, honey, cheese and organic produce. Besides these, there were also crafts, plants, flowers, some clothes and coffee.

I bought a jar of Chardonnay Pear jam after taste-testing a couple of exotic combinations. We also bought a pound of roasted hazelnuts, some pastries and a tray of fruits (Mulberries, Golden Raspberries and Gooseberries) to eat in the car.

After trying out the other berries, I think I like the Mulberry best. The Golden Raspberry are a bit mushy in its overall texture and the mini Gooseberries are almost like grapes, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside but not as sweet though.

By noon, we made our way towards Crater Lake.

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A Good Rest

23 Jun

For the first time since we arrived, we didn’t have to wake up so early. We woke up only when we were done sleeping which was really nice.

Yesterday we had to wake up at six to go to the airport. And it was tiring given that the night before, returning from the long drive back from Seattle, everyone slept at 1.00am or thereabouts. This morning we heard from M2 who has arrived safely back on campus in Ireland. Relief…

Today we plan to have a leisurely paced itinerary, starting off with a visit to the Farmers Market and then head towards Crater Lake National Park. Although city visits and their attractions are fun, I enjoy trail hikes and be with nature more because it’s more relaxing. No rush, no need to keep time and just breath in the fresh air. Aaaahhh… nice.

With the good rest, I am ready.

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