More Golf Pictures

I just can't help it. Even though my yard is covered in snow still, I'm eagerly anticipating golf. Enjoy these pictures from recent golf trips to Brainerd, MN.

The first one is from the Pines Golf Course, hole #4 on the Lakes 9:


This is hole # 5 at the Madden's Classic course:

This image is hole #12 at Deacon's Lodge:


In case you hadn't guessed by now, those are the 3 courses on the docket for this years trip.

Blog Updates

Well, It's been awhile since I've posted anything on this blog. In fact, since I last posted, I've been skiing twice, and am finally tired of winter. I think I'll have to find some golf pictures soon. It's almost golf season. Of course, I say that with over a foot of snow on the ground still. So, it may be awhile. But I can hope. Here's a picture to jog memories of what green grass and unfrozen water look like.


That's a picture at Cragun's Resort near Brainerd, MN. The courses up there are good reminders that I have no chance for a professional golf career.

Snow Coming

Since Minneapolis is supposed to get about 6" of snow tomorrow, I thought I'd celebrate the news with pictures of where I'd like to ski. This one would make me twitch a little, but I'm still stupid enough to do it.


This next picture is from one of the back bowls at Vail, which I have skiied. Good stuff back there. I need to get back to Vail.

Christmas Eating

by Craig Wilson (USA Today columnist)

I hate this time of year. Not for its crass, commercialism and forced frivolity, but because it's the season when the food police come out with their wagging fingers and annual tips on how to get through the holidays without gaining 10 pounds. You can't pick up a magazine without finding a list of holiday do's and don'ts. Eliminate second helpings, high calorie sauces and cookies made with butter, they say. Fill up on vegetable sticks, they say. Good grief. Is your favorite childhood memory of Christmas a carrot stick? I didn't think so. Isn't mine, either. A carrot was something you left for Rudolph. I have my own list of tips for holiday eating. I assure you, if you follow them, you'll be fat and happy. So what if you don't make it to New Year's? Your pants don't fit anymore, anyway.

1. About those carrot sticks. Avoid them. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving eggnog.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnogaholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with Gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello? Remember college?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between Christmas and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like
frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa,
position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. You can't leave them behind. You're not going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a
slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the
mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it all cost. I mean, have some standards, mate.
10. And one final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips. Start over.

But hurry! Cookie-less January is just around the corner.

Funny Break

I received this in an email from a good friend of mine. Enjoy.
--------------------------------

AMAZINGLY SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES

1. If you are choking on an ice cube simply pour a cup of boiling Water
down your throat. Presto! The blockage will instantly remove itself.

2. Avoid cutting yourself slicing vegetables by getting someone else to
hold while you chop.

3. Avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat by using
the sink.

4 . For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed
for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins.
Remember to use a timer.

5. A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you
from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze
button.

6. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives, then you
will be afraid to cough.

7. You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't
move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the
duct tape.

8. Remember: Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

Daily Thought:

SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES. NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS

Fire!

Well, I found the fire video. Nothing but flames for 15 seconds. Enjoy.

The back end of Rimrock Lake had this waterfall coming into it. Over the small ridge behind the lake is Rainbow Lake, where we spent 3 nights.

Of course, I have to post another picture of a campfire. There's just something about staring into flames that is relaxing. If I can find the video of the campfire I took, I'll post that next time.

Campsite Video

This video is from the our campsite at Rainbow Lake. The panoramas were amazing. There's no sound, I'm too cheap to buy a camera with it. But use your imagination.