After a weekend break, this past weekend I made the trip to Clearwater, Fl. The weekend was long and tiring.I played through five different courses. Here's the run down:
North East Coachman Park, Clearwater FL - Almost was not able to play here due to Phillie's spring training event down the road. However the people overseeing the parking allowed me to park without the enormous parking charge for the event. Anyways, the park, halfway through I met Robert who was walking around the park. Pray for him as his wife has Alzheimer's.
Cliff Stephens Park, Clearwater FL - Where to start other than the wind and water. My disc kept finding the edge of the water leaving my jeans wet.
Hammock Park, Dunedin FL - Short course and no one around.
Food and a 6.4 mile walk along the nearby causeway ended the evening. Checked into a free hotel stay...and by free I mean because of the months I have lived in a hotel over my life.
Taylor Park, Largo FL - Sunday I took a little bit different approach than normal. I played in one of the local leagues. The group I joined up with were previously from Michigan coincidentally enough. Allen, Andy, Dave, and Justin, were my guides, all of them had amazing skill. Although not much discussion happened due to the focus on the game. Saw my first Florida snake and thankfully did not get eaten by the gators in the lake. My only throw that landed in the water was where the 13 footer's hangout. Fortunately for me, someone was already wading through the chest high lake, alive, and was willing to toss out my disc (with much gratitude). I ended with a halfway decent score of 65.
The great walls of plastic. Largest selection of discs I have ever seen.
Youth Park, Pinellas Park FL - Last stop of the weekend before the drive back. I had the opportunity to talk with and encourage Andre. He made me look forward to playing in Colorado.
Unfortunately on the drive home, I am sad to announce, I did not win the Daytona 500. I passed #16 and made my move for the victory. However, moments before I had to exit for the pit stop and claim some sleep, Greg Biffle's car reclaimed his position. Or rather, should I say, the semi did.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
The Spirit of Innovation
Really, I saw the Spirit of Innovation! Translation for those of you who do not speak blimp...I saw the Goodyear blimp! That was a first for me.
Another first was cutting my hair.
Also, if you are ever in need of fruit and fireworks just stop by the corner of 1 and 95 at an old gas station.
You really wanted to know all this right?
Another first was cutting my hair.
Also, if you are ever in need of fruit and fireworks just stop by the corner of 1 and 95 at an old gas station.
You really wanted to know all this right?
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Ocala, Orlando, and Jacksonville - FL
Yet again, the weather was great for disc golf. Here's a quick summary of the weekend.
Ocala Greenway in Ocala, FL - Jay and Skyler. And that is, Jay, as in Jepheth.
Gordon Barnett Park in Orlando, FL - There was a tournament in progress, however I was able to pick up a few floating discs that I was in search of.
Jacksonville, FL - Visited a friend, Ben, that I have not seen in nearly five or six years. Lunch was great and catching up with Ben and his family was even better. Thank you!
Ronnie Van Zant Memorial Park in Green Cove Springs, FL - Ben, Tony, Jimmy, Nick, and John. Pray for Ben's friend that is waiting for a transplant. I was a little bit nervous playing with this group because it was the first time I played doubles and they were well above my skill level.
Ocala Greenway in Ocala, FL - Jay and Skyler. And that is, Jay, as in Jepheth.
Gordon Barnett Park in Orlando, FL - There was a tournament in progress, however I was able to pick up a few floating discs that I was in search of.
Jacksonville, FL - Visited a friend, Ben, that I have not seen in nearly five or six years. Lunch was great and catching up with Ben and his family was even better. Thank you!
Ronnie Van Zant Memorial Park in Green Cove Springs, FL - Ben, Tony, Jimmy, Nick, and John. Pray for Ben's friend that is waiting for a transplant. I was a little bit nervous playing with this group because it was the first time I played doubles and they were well above my skill level.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Thursday, February 07, 2013
Atlantic Breeze
This past weekend I played Moccasin Creek park again. Had the opportunity to chat and play with David from the prior week for the first half of the course. On the second half, I joined Jeff. Jeff had some nice parks next to the basket. We talked a bit about him growing up in a catholic school and he expressed little interest/concern about God or eternity. However he was willing to take a gospel track.
Also, I replayed the Reed Canal course. The first time round the course I played alone and hit chains but didn't stick on one of the short holes. Finishing up there looked like an opportunity to play with a couple guys, but it turned out they were still waiting for five other guys. I ended up playing through. Randomly at toward the end of the course a couple kids were curious about the game and introduced some of the basics of the game and let them throw some of the discs around.
After the Reed Canal course, I took the coastal route back. The cool Atlantic breeze with the windows down offered a good atmosphere to reflect on the past weekend and think ahead to the coming week.
A few days into the week I had the opportunity to play ultimate frisbee. First of all, wow, I'm out of shape. Three games felt like a killer and my legs are still sore. It took me by surprise when I showed up that most people actually brought cleats to play. What surprised me more was talking with one of the guys who mentioned he did a qualifying race for RAAM. If RAAM wasn't already on my list I would like to do, it is now. To put RAAM into an intriguing perspective: the introduction of the steamboat reduced the round trip between Louisville, KY to New Orleans, LA to 8 days [ref]. In that same amount of time, a few people have demonstrated the ability to cycle the United States, coast to coast.
Also, here are a few other pictures from the Daytona Speedway...
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| Moccasin Creek Disc Golf Course |
Also, I replayed the Reed Canal course. The first time round the course I played alone and hit chains but didn't stick on one of the short holes. Finishing up there looked like an opportunity to play with a couple guys, but it turned out they were still waiting for five other guys. I ended up playing through. Randomly at toward the end of the course a couple kids were curious about the game and introduced some of the basics of the game and let them throw some of the discs around.
After the Reed Canal course, I took the coastal route back. The cool Atlantic breeze with the windows down offered a good atmosphere to reflect on the past weekend and think ahead to the coming week.
A few days into the week I had the opportunity to play ultimate frisbee. First of all, wow, I'm out of shape. Three games felt like a killer and my legs are still sore. It took me by surprise when I showed up that most people actually brought cleats to play. What surprised me more was talking with one of the guys who mentioned he did a qualifying race for RAAM. If RAAM wasn't already on my list I would like to do, it is now. To put RAAM into an intriguing perspective: the introduction of the steamboat reduced the round trip between Louisville, KY to New Orleans, LA to 8 days [ref]. In that same amount of time, a few people have demonstrated the ability to cycle the United States, coast to coast.
Also, here are a few other pictures from the Daytona Speedway...
Sunday, February 03, 2013
Daytona International Speedway
My head was encapsulated in a helmet. The time came to climb through the window of the car because it lacked doors. The car lacked a good deal of other key features a typical person would expect in a car. However, what this car lacked in features, it made up in tone. Tone of a thirsty growl of an engine with six hundred horsepower. The crew's thumbs went up and gave the clearance to proceed.
If I wasn't already strapped in, the shear acceleration ensured that my back was pinned against the seat. The car shifted through the gears as it neared a fast approaching curve. I have never taken a turn this fast. In fact, I have never been in a car going this fast. Then again a speedometer is one of those missing features, but the engine was cruising at 6000 rpm.
If one compared this to Cedar Point, the start was Top Thrill Dragster followed closely by the first turn of the Millennium Force. Of course, the folks of this sport would say the first curve of the Millennium Force turns the wrong direction.
This sport is NASCAR. This is the Daytona International Speedway.
If I wasn't already strapped in, the shear acceleration ensured that my back was pinned against the seat. The car shifted through the gears as it neared a fast approaching curve. I have never taken a turn this fast. In fact, I have never been in a car going this fast. Then again a speedometer is one of those missing features, but the engine was cruising at 6000 rpm.
If one compared this to Cedar Point, the start was Top Thrill Dragster followed closely by the first turn of the Millennium Force. Of course, the folks of this sport would say the first curve of the Millennium Force turns the wrong direction.
This sport is NASCAR. This is the Daytona International Speedway.
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| Running at 170 mph |
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