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Monday and Tuesday, August 7-8—All About Golf, with Some Theater Thrown In

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After breakfast on Monday, a tee time was made for later in the day at Peninsula SP Golf Course. Kay cleaned the interior of the motorhome and I cleaned the inside of the car and tidied up outside to keep our site from looking too junky. With a 3 PM tee time, we arrived early. The starter added a father and son to the tee time, and neither had played golf in 4 years; needless to say, it was slow going. Kay handled the scattered shots and slow play much better than I, and ended up with a decent score for 18 holes. I realized after 8 holes that I was chicken-winging during the swing, resulting in some not so good shots. After straightened out the error, things got better. We arrived back at the RV park/campground, ate sandwiches, and had an early evening.
Practicing putting, Peninsula SP Golf Course

One of the beautiful holes, Peninsula SP Golf Course

Long, steep par 3, Peninsula SP Golf Course

The Green Bay as seen from one of the tee boxes, Peninsula SP Golf Course

Kay making another excellent chip, Peninsula SP Golf Course
A north-to-south bicycle ride from Egg Harbor to Sturgeon Bay followed by a shopping trip to Walmart was planned for Tuesday, but with 10+ mph wind from the SSW, the ride plan was abandoned. Instead, we had a big late breakfast, and drove the route to Sturgeon Bay; this proved to be a good idea as it was discovered that a south-to-north route was preferable as the prevailing wind would be at one’s back, and the route is generally more downhill! Walmarts are the same everywhere, mostly, and after surviving the shopping experience, we drove back to Egg Harbor, and I walked and played two 9-hole rounds at Stonehenge Golf Course where I was joined on the 6th hole by Wisconsin Slim—he was NOT a good playing partner. With two par 3s and the remainder holes par 4s, the fairways were relatively narrow and straight with very small, elevated greens which made it virtually impossible to stop a chip or pitch shot without rolling over the edge. And, the greens were the most lush I’ve ever played on, like thick carpet, and the ball rolled straight and true if a bit slow.
Carved wooden statue, Stonehedge Golf Course, Egg Harbor, WI

Wisconsin Slim approaching my ball, Stonehedge Golf Course, Egg Harbor, WI
After a sandwich/wrap, we drove to the Peninsula Players theater to see the Broadway musical, Bridges of Madison County—it was fantastic, and as good as any off-Broadway show we’ve seen. The whole experience was great, as we waited beforehand on the shores of Green Bay (of Lake Michigan) watching the sunset while enjoying an adult beverage. The Peninsula Players is America’s oldest resident summer theater, having been in existence for the past 79 years. The new stage house, which opened in the summer of 2006, has a full fly tower, a grass roof, cushioned seats, and solid walls that can be raised and lowered based on weather conditions. The new theater also has a radiant heated floor that allows performances well into October. We were impressed!

Peninsula Players Theater

Watching the sunset over the Green Bay before the play, Peninsula Players Theater
Setting sun as seen from Peninsula Players Theater shoreline

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Saturday and Sunday, August 5-6—Cycling Again

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It has rained parts of every day since we arrived, and Saturday was no exception. However, as the start of school nears, many folks are trying to get in a last weekend in Door County so the small resort villages are packed with people with a constant stream of traffic on the roads and streets. Even the wildflower lined backroads were busy as I cycled a 17-mile loop from the RV resort/campground. Despite the crowds, once one leaves the coast, Door County teems with orchards, row crops, and fields and forests. It felt good to ride again, though I was quickly out of air on the hills, and had butt fatigue after 13 miles!
One of the county roads I cycled in upper Door County
While I cycled, Kay took a trolley tour of upper Door County, seeing the various villages and points of interest, and hearing about the history.
Upper Door Country Trolley Tour

One of the many inlets found on Green Bay

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Sunday was a busy day for us beginning with church at Calvary United Methodist Church in Egg Harbor.  The congregation consisted of an almost equal number of locals and visitors.  After the service, we were treated to fellowship time, with good food and great conversations.
Before church at Calvary UMC, Egg Harbor
I opted to cycle from Jacksonport to Whitefish Bay on Door County’s eastern shoreline. Cycling the local roads through the fern-floored woods was like being in a rain forest.  And then, it sudden opened up to Lake Michigan, with colorful kayaks plying the smooth waters on the leeward side of the Peninsula. Further, the shoreline turned rock bluffs and caves, and even further, into grass-covered dunes and small beach. It was in this area that I took a spill when the thin front tire sank into a sandy section of the trail—the bicycle came to a sudden stop, but I didn’t—just a few scratches and a bruised ego! Just beyond the dunes area Kay and I arrived at the same time, where I loaded the bicycle and we took a long route back to the RV park/campground.
Door County’s eastern shoreline

Whitefish Dunes SP beach, Door County, WI

Cliff near up the lake from Whitefish Bay, WI

Caves along Door County’s eastern shoreline
 Sunday evening was quiet as Kay streamed Game of Thrones and I read.

Wednesday through Friday, August 2-4—Experiencing Golf in Door County, Wisconsin

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Kay reacquainted herself with Egg Harbor Wednesday morning, and bought tickets to various plays in at the area after dropping me off at the Peninsula SP 6-Hole Short Course and Learning Center.

Kay found these sculptures while exploring Egg Harbor

This course was a hoot and is perfect for honing one’s short game; the longest hole was 114 yards and the shortest was 58 yards—the “fairways” were immaculate, the bunkers excellent, and the greens challenging—all this for $8 a round.

Getting ready for Peninsula SP 6-hole Short Course
Rain kept us indoors most of Thursday. Locals tell us that this has been the rainiest year in memory, and all would welcome some relief! Recent activities were written and posted in the blog, and photos were downloaded and edited. Down time is always good. We joined Stan and Fern on their last night in Egg Harbor with a prime rib dinner at the Glidden Lodge Beach Resort—great food overlooking Lake Michigan on Door County’s eastern shore.

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Stan and Fern pulled out early Friday morning; it was really nice getting to know, and we look forward to many great times together back in Hot Springs Village. After integrating the ingredients for vegetable beef soup, the rest of the day was rather quite day, but we paused long enough to play the Peninsula SP 6-Hole Short Course. Kay really enjoyed it, and sharpened some of her short game skills.
Kay hits one on the 58-yard 5th hole, Peninsula SP 6-hole Short Course

Tuesday, August 1—Beginning Life in Door County, Wisconsin

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Door County, Wisconsin, and specifically Egg Harbor RV Resort and Campground, will be our home for at least the month of August. We are settled in, and enjoying the cooler weather though it is hot today with a high of 75°. While outside enjoying the nice north country air, I spotted a gentleman across the “street” who looked a whole lot like Jim Watts. After a few minutes, he turned so that I could see his face, and sure enough it was Jim. I yelled for him and he turned, but walked away. After a couple of minutes, Cheryl came by and we renewed old times; Jim joined us a few minutes later. Jim and Cheryl were our hosts in the Ozark Ridge Runners RV Club, and we shared several great rallies with them. We enjoyed a great visit, catching up on our respective lives, families, etc.
Kay, Cheryl, and Jim at Egg Harbor RV Resort/Campground

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The pantry was replenished via a quick trip to Walmart in Sturgeon Bay, after which Kay and I joined Stan and Fern Jensen at the Peninsula SP golf course for a round of golf. We were pleasantly surprised by the great fairways and nice greens, and “twilight” golf fees were only $33 including cart. The course was crowded, but there didn’t seem to be any significant wait times between shots, or holes. Beautiful Green Bay (Lake Michigan) views were available from several tees and greens, and added to the wonderful round. A brief thunderstorm halted play for a few minutes, but otherwise, the weather was good. Sandhill cranes and turkeys were observed and didn’t seem the least bit awed by our errant shots. Kay and Fern both played really well, and Stan had his usual good game.
Sandhill Cranes at Peninsula SP Golf Course

Hole #8 at Peninsula SP Golf Course

Stan, Kay, and Fern Putting at Peninsula SP Golf Course

Monday, July 31—Northward Bound, Further Continued

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Today, we drove to our final destination, Egg Harbor RV Resort and Campground, in Door County, Wisconsin. After departing Rock Cut State Park, we crossed into Wisconsin after only about 10 minutes. The 260-mile drive was again uneventful—thank you, Lord—as we drove through Oshkosh, Appleton, and Green Bay before entering Door County, and then through Sturgeon Bay before arriving at Egg Harbor.

Our back-in site was as nice as advertised, and we set-up and organized the RV site for the next 5 weeks, relishing the 75° weather. (NOTE: Set-up included deploying stabilizing jacks and slides, hooking up electricity, water, and sewer, setting up gas grill, camp chairs, and side tables, unloading bicycles and gear from car and setting up bicycle rack, and removing tow bar and bicycle carrier from car.

After showers and changes of clothes, we joined Stan and Fern Jensen from the Village for happy hour. Stan has been coming to Egg Harbor since he was a kid growing up in Chicago, and they are relatively new RVers, having purchased a very nice Newmar Ventana early last year; this is their second trip to Egg Harbor in the motorhome. We made plans to play golf tomorrow and bade farewell. We enjoyed another quiet evening in the comfort of the motorhome.

Sorry, no photos today.

Sunday, July 30—Northward Bound, Continued

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First, Happy Birthday, Harper.  Our older granddaughter turns 5 today—where has the time gone!

Lifting the stabilizing jacks, drawing the slides in, and unhooking from shore power, we were driving north again by about 8:30 am.  Continuing through picturesque rural Illinois, the 290-mile drive was uneventful—just the way we like—as we arrived at Rock Cut State Park in Rockford, Illinois, about 2:45 pm. Again, we hooked up only to 50A electricity, making setup quick and easy. (NOTE:  The motorhome has sufficient onboard water and sewer capacity for us to travel several days without refilling/dumping.)

Rock Cut SP, Rockford, IL

Rock Cut SP, Rockford, IL

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Cycling at Rock Cut SP, Rockford, IL (2017)

We stayed at Rock Cut State Park in 2014 as we toured Wisconsin and Michigan. Somewhat interestingly, we lived less than 10 miles from there in 1956 and 1958. I remember cousin Walker and I fishing in a Belvidere park, and catching a large bass on summer morning, that was 59 years ago! Kay and I biked here three years ago, and we tried again today. I made it over 8 miles, but the roads are so bad that maximum speed down the many hills was limited to about 10 miles per hour, making the uphill climbs challenging to say the least. We enjoyed another evening in camp chairs in the shade doing what we do best—nothing—followed by the season finale and perhaps series finale of Grantchester!

Cycling Rock Cut SP, Rockford, IL in 2013

Kay cycling Rock Cut SP, Rockford, IL in 2013

Saturday, July 29—Northward Bound

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Though not in a big hurry, we departed about 8:30 am, towards Carlyle Lake, Illinois, our destination for overnight. An uneventful drive of some 280+ miles led us along I-55 north to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, across the Mississippi River into Illinois, and northward on a small two lane road through mostly agricultural country. It is such a shame that Illinois is so readily identified with Chicago—the rural country we drove through was neat, clean, and very picturesque.

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Crossing the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau, Missouri

We arrived at the US Army Corps of Engineers Dam West Campground at Carlyle Lake about an hour east of St. Louis, and found it to be a lovely campground with a friendly and helpful campground host. Since we were just hooking up to 50A electricity, setup was quick and easy. We left the campground in search of tonic water, and had to drive 8+ miles to find a decent tasting brand.

Enjoying the cool afternoon at Dam West Campground, Carlyle, Illinois

Back at the campground, we relaxed in camp chairs under the awning before driving to dinner at one of the local fish houses. The catfish was very good, but the thousand island dressing at the salad bar was a bit old, and I suffered with stomach cramps and related maladies most of the night.

Kay enjoying happy hour!


Friday, July 28—Errands, Visiting the Simanks, and Harper’s Birthday Celebration

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Sure enough, the forecast proved accurate as rain began shortly after dawn.  With a couple of errands to complete in the Federal Building, we were off to Memphis. First, a stop at the US Army Corps of Engineers Security Office provided an opportunity to get a civilian Department of Defense identification card, allowing us to partake of a a few privileges afforded DoD retirees such as using RV campgrounds on Army, Air Force, and Navy bases. Then, it was across the hall to the credit union to close a 44-year account. (Of note was the friendliness of all the folks in the Federal Building from the Homeland security guards to Corps staff—quite a change from what I experienced in Little Rock!)

Following those errands, we drove to Germantown to visit Sandy and John Simank; Sandy has very serious surgery a few weeks ago, but is recovering very nicely.  We have sure missed visiting with them since moving from Norfork. Then it was off to lunch at Popeye’s, a non-event since our food was never prepared!

Harper greeted us at the door of their house, and she is growing like a weed. Kay hit grand slam home run with her presents, as she was elated with the Barbie dolls and Barbie swimming pool. Lunch was at a sushi bar nearby, and Harper loves sushi, eating almost two dozen sushi rolls—the apple did not fall far from the tree (her mother). After a great late lunch, one of our best ever visits was concluded.

Harper and Jenny blowing bubbles
Harper playing with Barbie and Barbie swimming pool

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We drove back to the campground in West Memphis, and enjoyed another night of peace and quiet before our departure north tomorrow morning.

Thursday, July 27—Enroute, Again

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Tom Sawyer had an open slot, and we had so little left to do that we decided to leave after lunch. Refrigerated and frozen foods were packed along with other last minute items. The house was readied for our absence, and we were literally “locked and loaded”. We hooked up the Honda CR-V at shopping center parking lot on the east side of the Village, and were off to West Memphis to celebrate Harper’s 5th birthday a couple days early. The 3-1/2 hour drive was uneventful, and after checking in, we parked and set up, enjoying a bit of peace and quiet before a full day of activities on Friday.

Tom Sawyer RV Park (West Memphis, AR) looking towards the Mississippi River
Beautiful clouds portending rain, Tom Sawyer RV Park, West Memphis, AR


Saturday through Wednesday, July 22-26—Washing and Packing the Motorhome

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Great on the back!

High temperatures and equally high humidity has us ready to head to a cooler climate. Unable to find anyone to wash the RV, Kay and I opted to do the job ourselves today.  Our storage facility has a decent wash rack, with an elevated platform on one side.  Armed with a hose, washing liquid, brushes, and towels, we were able to complete the job in two hours, soaking wet from perspiration as much as the wash water. The motorhome was again stored awaiting a few days to begin packing (we are allowed to park the RV in the driveway for 72 hours; consequently, we will move it to the house on Tuesday for packing).

We were surprised with a visit from Aker, Ridge, and Karyn just before lunch—our final visit for a few weeks.  Aker and Ridge are growing entirely too fast, and both enjoy beach time.  Balboa beach offered warm water and sand, and despite the crowds, we had great time; Ridge is definitely a water kid, and is swimming like a fish, and Aker is getting more and more acclimated to the water, though still quite cautious.

Aker contemplating some mischief
Kay went to church on Sunday, and I stayed home recuperating from washing the RV and watching the final round of The Open.  Jordan Spieth is an incredible golfer and seeming an outstanding young man!

Monday was exercise day for Kay and golf for me.  Golf again was on the agenda for Tuesday while Kay volunteered to assist in preparing meals for the hungry at Jackson House in Hot Springs.  After golf, I moved the motorhome to the house, and set it up to begin preparation and packing for the trip north. We had a 50A outlet installed when the house was constructed, so the motorhome was fully operational as air conditioning was much needed in the sweltering heat and humidity. We also replaced the leaking “air” mattress (similar to Sleep Number) with one from our master bedroom. Water was drained from the fresh water tank and it and the pipes were sanitized, the hot water heater was drained and flushed, and packing began. Fortunately, we have numerous packing lists, and they prevent an otherwise daunting task.

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Wednesday morning was filled with a haircut, a medical appointment, and shopping.  I played golf in the afternoon while Kay accumulated here clothes and shoes. Except for refrigerated and frozen foods, and last minute items, we are about ready! Rain was forecast for our original “depart” date, Friday, and we discussed and opted to leave on Thursday afternoon IF we could finish packing and IF Tom Sawyer RV Park in West Memphis had an open slot.