Wednesday night we played in the couples golf event. We had a great time with Trish and Dan and Wanda and Tom. It was the first time I had played golf since March and the first time for a couples event since June of 2006 in Atlantic. We did well as a team and won prizes. Enjoyed Pizza after in the grill.
Yesterday Butch and I went on a road trip after he played golf with his co-workers in the morning.
We went to Alpena,Pop.10,465, 23 miles east of Hillman, to do some shopping. Alpena is a big surprise for a town of its size although I imagine the population swells considerably in the summer months. Besides that it is the largest town around for quite some area. In looking around we spotted 3 McDonalds and it is the largest WalMart Supercenter we have ever seen anywhere. It took a long time to walk from one side to the other and they were busy although not crazy busy like in other places. It also seemed to be well staffed and that is another contrast. And the clerks were friendly, courteous and helpful! We also stopped at a Super K-Mart while in town. I have always liked K-Mart. The parking lot and the aisles of the store were empty of people. It is really sad but I told Butch this store isn't long for this world. A business cannot stay afloat without customers. We purchased some shorts for Butch and he picked up some golf balls on sale, another story there.
Thunder Bay Golf course eats golf balls all day long! By my standards it is a tough course. I like my golf easy so I plan to center all my golf around Butch's help. The couples golf is a scramble which means you all share the burden of playing the hole. On this course I need all the help I can get. There is water, sand and lots of distance. I will say the greens are the best I have played anywhere. They are not razor fast and they have enough character to make you think about how to play it but not so much that you 4 putt every hole. End of story.
We purchased the bulk of our groceries at WalMart, simply because we are familiar with layout and products but we also stopped at Perch's IGA, a small grocery store in another part of town. They have an excellent meat department. We purchased a steak for supper and a couple pounds of hamburger for Runza casserole. (Butch can hardly wait.) We will definitely be buying our meat there and as we get better acquainted with the store we will buy other things as well. Oh and the prices! We are finding nearly everything comparable to prices in Iowa. Colorado always had us cringing when looking at price tags but Michigan is much, much better.
We came back to TBR (Thunder Bay Resort) and Butch grilled our steaks. Long time since we have had a steak. After supper he went on a couple of electrical service calls. I am working on a wedding afghan and I am really liking it. I may have to make one like it for myself. So we are settling in and getting acquainted with our new surroundings.
Having fun in Michigan ...till next time...
The ferns and the evergreen.
This is an example of the traffic flow on the street where I walk. Hillman water tower is barely visible on the left side of picture. Make it larger by clicking on it for a better look.
Not taken this morning but beautiful all the same.
Hole number 3 through the trees
This is a shade garden made up of plants that do well in the shade.
Flower garden near the number 4 tee box
It looked so good I had to take a picture. Tasted as good as it looks too! Iowa Chop, Coleslaw and Sauted Spinach
Butch tees up.
If you look very carefully and make this photo larger by clicking on it you can see our MoHo and bicycles behind the trees. This is a shot from the other side of the #3 green.
This shot of 'trees kissing' was taken near the hot tub. I plan to get some folks sitting in the hot tub before I take pictures of it.
Butch is earning his keep doing some electrical work. I was helping...Yes, I was!!
Quilt Retreats are one of the many activities offered here. The quilters look so intense so they must be having a good time! When one is concentrating intensely the look on your face can be a bit misleading.
Chatting as they make their way to their vehicles. Hey! There are young people who will carry those clubs for you guys!
This is the backside of our car. I could throw a rock and hit the # 4 tee box or the # 3 green. Butch loves being close enough to hear the ping of a club making contact with a golf ball throughout the day.
The practice range is across the street west from our RV. Everything is handy and close. I had planned to count the steps from number 1 tee box to our RV but as it happens we are at the far end of the RV park so it is about a city block walk. Too many steps to be impressive. For our friends who do not have RV's you could gather up a foursome and stay in the suites,villas or chalet. They are all set up to accommodate a number of people or not. Depending on your choice..
The seniors played this morning and Butch was among them. These two fellows were looking for a golf ball. Imagine that!!
