The New Confederacy: Jefferson, Snead & Hollywood

Needing another troika of days away, our duo headed south to the Old South's number one city -- Richmond, VA. Generally, they avoid I-95 with the fervor of drunks avoiding the water wagon, but the direct route offered by the East Coast's worst interstate was just too tempting. Just south of DC, in the precincts of Dale City and the commercial wonders of Potomac Mills, they were soon reviewing the definition of the verb "rue" to see if it would suffice for their dark mood. Indeed it did. Still, all things must pass, even on I-95, and after a delay of stop-and-stop-and-stop-and-go traffic they were able to make it at long last to Virginia's capital.

Thursday, March 29, 2013 -- Having left just as "rosy-fingered dawn" was painting the eastern Jersey horizon, even with the delay they pulled into Richmond just in time to get some of the last luncheon offerings of Sally Bell's Kitchen on West Grace Street. Sally Bell's dates from the 1920s, though its decor and attitude is more modern -- think 1950's. The offered box lunch is as charming and unique as the single-room atmosphere, which is overseen by mature southern ladies who are quite charming themselves.

Our duo had planned to have their box lunches (sandwich, potato salad, half deviled egg, wafer with walnut and cupcake) in the nearby Monroe Park, but the weather proved to be more Jersey Spring than Virginia Spring (overcast, cool winds, hints of rain), so they enjoyed their vittles in their B&B which was just a short drive uptown.

The Kensington B&B is a small, comfortable place, with elegantly decorated common rooms overseen by a friendly host. Our duo stayed in the separate Carriage House which would perhaps be better enjoyed by twosomes looking for... shall we say, "romance"? Our duo, having gorged on romance earlier in their decades together, found the studio room nice enough and deemed it certainly sufficient, but missed a comfortable reading chair and a bigger bathroom, and found the channel operation of the little TV to be often inscrutable. Still the Kensington can be recommended -- attractive prices, good location, reliable and easy to get on Wi-Fi, very nice breakfasts, and private parking.

James River in the distance

Veranda at Maymont

Energized by the box lunches, our duo took a quick drive to one of Richmond's most popular sites  --Maymont , a Gilded Age mansion dating from 1893. Being pre-Spring, even here, in the geographic top of Dixie, the expansive and fabled grounds (best viewed from the veranda) could only be imagined in their better-season splendor, but not so the 33-room house. The house tour is very worthwhile. Most interesting is seeing the rooms still full of the collected art, furnishings, dishes, lamps, etc, that were the everyday surroundings of the Dooley's, the childless couple who lived there until the 1920s. Both Jake and Stone were struck by how livable the house seemed.


Leaving the mansion just as it closed (5pm), our couple hoped to do two things: find a drink and get a haircut. The need for a drink is self-evident (and should have been included in the "Self-evident Rights of Man," as outlined some time ago by a famous Virginian), but a haircut? Ever since she got dynamite haircuts some years ago in places as diverse as Liverpool, Florence and Sequim, Stone likes to get her hair cut in shops distant from Jerseylicious, where she usually gets not only a great cut but also picks up on some of the local vibe.

They headed to Carytown, a part of Richmond termed by the Chamber of Commerce as a "Mile of Style," but it might also be described as an urban retailing district full of small shops and eateries. More certain of finding a good martini than a good cut, our adventures stumbled upon (and they had yet to have a drink!) a venue that provided both martinis and an upscale coiffeur. Karina's salon was able to fit Stone in if she could wait some 20 minutes, and the bar at Cstreet Restaurant offered a perfect environment in which to wait. Stone's call to the chair came earlier than anticipated, so the hairdresser suggested she bring her martini with her. Properly and proudly bald, Jake stayed at the bar, finished his martini, then tasted a Macallan single malt (only $10 for a generous pour), and passed the time happily conversing with the not-yet-busy restaurant host and another (not-bald) barfly.

Such serendipity augured well for the rest of the evening, and indeed, after a brief respite at the B&B, Jake and Stone had a nice "gastro-pub" dinner at the Magpie, where the chef disclosed to Jake that he happened to have received his training in Jake's hometown of Boulder, CO (termed "America's Foodiest Town" in 2010 by Bon Appetite).  The Magpie offered interesting and good food, nice drinks, good service, and a cool room. Back at the B&B sleep came easily.

Friday, March 29, 2013 -- There is plenty of history in Richmond, including golf history. In 1949 Jake's favorite old-time golfer Sam Snead won his second PGA Championship at the Heritage Country Club, about 10 miles north of downtown Richmond. The course was subsequently acquired by Henrico County, renamed the Belmont Golf Course, and now everyman-golfers like Jake can walk where Sam walked. And best of all, the course is pretty much the same as when Sam played it. Belmont is a A.W Tillinghast design, and the Tillinghast Association web site states: Today the public can essentially play the same course over which Sam Snead won the 1949 PGA.

Belmont is a short course with 13 par 4s, three par 3s and only two par 5s, and no hole measures more than 504 yards from the back tees. But the meandering streams, seemingly omnipresent and often deep-faced bunkers, and heavily contoured greens give everyone their money's worth -- even more so if, like Jake, you can get the senior rate and pay a mere $24. Belmont must be one of the best bargains in "historic golf," and no golfer should visit Richmond and miss it.

While Jake tried in vain to mimic Snead's silky swings, Stone meandered through the 280 acres of nearby Bryan Park. It was too early in the season to see the azalea gardens in bloom, but the terrain is varied, with several nice walking trails, and the 100 year old park sports some history, including the site of a planned slavery insurrection in 1800 known as Gabriel's Rebellion. 

After their walking adventures, Jake and Stone headed for Dots Back Inn, which is less than a mile from Bryan Park. Dots was featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and has become, as it bills itself, "a destination diner." Even arriving after 2pm, the end of the lunch rush was still evident as they had to wait several minutes for a table. Once seated, Dots lives up to its rather sassy rep. The food is good, but the atmosphere is perhaps even better: Local, with a capital "L." You can't be in a hurry to eat at Dots, but who wants to be? Dots is not to be missed.  (At the cash register you can sign your credit card charge with the provided ballpoint promotional pen which gives the phone & address of Dots and this (most sassy) statement:  "We've upped our standards... Now up yours!")

Hollywood Cemetery and James River

 It's not often that a working cemetery gets a lot of visitors, but that is the case with the 135 acre Hollywood Cemetery whose winding paths traverse a hilly, picturesque, hillside location overlooking the wide rapids of the James River. The grounds are so expansive that it is suggested visitors drive rather than walk, and for $1 a map and suggested driving route can be obtained at the cemetery's office. The heavily treed cemetery is simply bursting with funeral statuary, fortress-like mausoleums, obelisks tall and short, and even a giant stone pyramid in memory of the thousands of Confederate Soldiers buried here.

President Monroe's "Birdcage"

But most impressive is the list of famous people interred here, including Presidents James Monroe (who gets an impressive, if rather flamboyant, iron tomb nicknamed the "Birdcage") and John Tyler (who gets what must be the tallest obelisk around), Jefferson Davis (who gets a statue and a large garden setting), and Confederate Generals George Pickett and J.E.B Stuart. Burials are still available here "for a most reasonable fee," obelisks probably not included.

Our duo finished the evening with a dinner at La Parisienne, a downtown bistro that does most of its business in the mornings and afternoons with the business crowd. But Jake and Stone found the dinner quite satisfying, and walking to the restaurant from the car gave them their only view of the tall office buildings of downtown Richmond.

Saturday, March 30, 2013 -- The spring weather that they had hoped for finally arrived on Saturday. After another very nice breakfast at the B&B, shared with two young Danish women who were next to visit Williamsburg, Jake and Stone put Belle Isle in their sights. On the weekends especially, you must arrive fairly early (before 9 AM to be safe) to get a parking place on Tredegar Street beneath the Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge. From the parking area the unique pedestrian bridge to Belle Isle is boldly visible, suspended on steel cables beneath the giant bridge above.

Suspension Bridge to Belle Isle

Walking the suspension bridge itself, which dangles quite high (but very safely) over the James River, is a thrill itself as geese, ducks and cormorants fly about beneath. Once on the island, most walkers/bikers/runners head on the trail to the right, but Jake and Stone headed left and were rewarded with a view of the Richmond skyline and a quiet, solitary amble through the bushes and trees.

The main trail basically goes around the 54 acre island and could be easily walked in a hour, but most everyone lingers here and there to see the remnants of a granite quarry, an iron milling factory and foundry, a hydroelectric plant, and most haunting of all, a civil war POW camp where thousands of Union Soldiers tried to survive often brutal conditions.

But the main attraction of Belle Isle is the fields of large smooth rocks between the island and the mainland where no one seems to be able to resist a bit of rock jumping, and several hearty souls (on the quieter south side of the island) could be seen sunning themselves. On the north side of the island (taking the trail to the right off the foot bridge) are two sets of rapids, and a nice view of Hollywood cemetery across the churning water. Jake and Stone, who always enjoy a good walk, found Belle Isle to be belle indeed.

Back at the B&B they looked for a neighborhood place for lunch and found (thanks to Google Maps) Chiocca's, virtually around the corner on Belmont Avenue. On the sidewalk outside this easy-to-miss deli/bar was a chalkboard sign that said, with a wonderful economy of words: "Eat Meat."

Inside our duo found another local scene to match the wonders of Lucy Bell's and Dots. Chiocca's seems to be part college hangout (Virginia Commonwealth University dominates a good portion of Richmond), part local pub, and all sandwiches and brew. Their less-than-spacious booth had ripped seat covers and a beat-up table, but this hardly mattered in this semi-rathskeller sort of old mom-and-pop place, as the service was friendly, the sandwiches tasty and big, and the beer selection in both bottles and tap more than ample.

Statue of TJ in Upper Lobby

If there is a polar opposite to Chiocca's it is The Jefferson Hotel. In 2001, Forbes magazine called it the best hotel in America, and it is one of the rare hotels to receive both Five Diamonds from AAA and Five Stars from Mobil. Now over 100 years old, this Gilded Age icon demands a visit. Glamorous, historical, gracious, and just downright beautiful, the hotel's lobby is ringed by polished marble pillars and has a sweeping staircase said to have inspired the slightly more famous one in Gone With the Wind. No less than twelve presidents have stayed here -- from Harrison to Obama -- so it seemed like a good enough place for Jake and Stone to rendezvous with the Labetts, good friends down from their DC-area home for an afternoon/evening visit to Richmond.

After three martinis and a craft beer at TJ's, the bistro/lounge just off the hotel's lobby, our duo-turned-quartet headed to Carytown for some walking, window shopping and perhaps a snack or two. On this Saturday before Easter the sidewalks of Carytown were very busy, so it took little more to get this foursome out of the crowds and into the Secco Wine Bar where they sampled some tasty Mediterranean cheeses and meats, accompanied by a bottle of Spanish wine. Secco offers dozens of wine-by-the-glass as well as nine or ten beers, and is an unassuming place (not always the case with "wine bars") with a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere.

Dinner that night was at Chez Foushee, a well-thought-of and well reviewed-restaurant in downtown Richmond on Foushee Street. The restaurant's room is simple but classy, and our quartet enjoyed the attentive service, the excellent food that is not limited to French fare, and the nice selection of wines. One of the best things about Richmond (the relative low cost of just about everything) was evident here as well, as the bill was under $50 a person. It proved to be a wonderful way to end a wonderful day.

After wishing the Labetts a safe journey homeward, Jake and Stone returned to their B&B, rose the next morning to another fine breakfast in the quietly elegant breakfast room, and then headed back to Jersey. The Easter Sunday traffic caused them to detour westward off I-95, thus increasing their mileage home, but at least they were constantly moving rather than debating the merits of a lane change in crawling traffic (that would, once accomplished, inevitably prove to be the wrong choice), or trying to appreciate the countryside when traffic was completely stopped. And, once off I-95, the extra hour on the road home let them happily review their three-night visit to Richmond, which they agreed was very rich indeed.

Other Places

Double-Trey in Boston's Back Bay

Having survived yet another year of wedded bliss, for their anniversary #33 (double-trey) Jake & Stone decided that Boston would fit the bill. Not able to do a whole week as last year in Pinehurst, they sought a destination within a four-hour drive that might have stuff to do inside should it be cold. And cold it turned out to be. Daily high temps in the teens and a wind chill that made "chill" a misnomer of understatement. But they are of hardy/foolish stock and decided to look on their wind-tunnel walks through town, carefully scheduled to never be longer than 25 minutes, as salubrious.

Thursday, January 24, 2013:  Careful to avoid I-95, their more northerly route from Jersey proved to be less direct but more relaxing. Parking in the center of Boston is always an issue, but they found Bestparking.com a help, and found a convenient garage that sheltered their car for three nights for $61 total. 

Just Wind Chillin'

Shelter for themselves was provided by the Inn at St. Bololph. What they liked most about the place was the ideal location (two minute walk to Prudential Center) and the stylish rooms. The inn seemed virtually brand new, the little kitchen area was well stocked with urbane glasses, dishes, etc, and the BR area could be closed off with pocket doors. Style was the focus here -- modern and minimalistic, it could be accused of being cold, but Jake & Stone found it rather cozy. This inn is not for everyone, however. The rooms must be booked by credit card and the cancellation policy is pretty severe. Regular maid service isn't provided. There is no "front desk," per se, and entrance to the inn and to the rooms is done by codes punched into a keypad. The staff (never more than one person, in a basement office, but friendly and helpful) can be easily summoned if needed , but overall the feel here is of apartment living rather than that of a hotel or B&B. Jake & Stone both found this atmosphere enjoyable as it reminded them of earlier days in their apartment on the edge of the fondly remembered Gramercy Park in NYC.

The inn's interior amenities were all top-flight -- great bed, nice bathroom stuff, sensible lighting, and most importantly, Wi-Fi that was easy, fast and reliable. On the negative side, the TV was rather finicky (and didn't have the Golf Channel, which threatened to send Jake into withdrawal until he figured out how to see Tiger and the guys on his laptop), one morning the hot water didn't work (management was aware of it and working on it), and the provided continental breakfast is housed in a rather small room, with an espresso machine that does all sorts of wonderful espresso, but no good old American java. (Part of the inn's "style" it seemed.) Overall, Jake & Stone were most happy with the place and would stay there again.

Dinner that night was at Piattini, 226 Newbury St, which was an 11 minute walk from the inn: http://goo.gl/maps/0CEuQ. Piattini bills itself as a "wine cafe" and its wine-by-the-glass ($8) selection was outstanding. Especially appreciated by Jake & Stone was a small business-sized card  that accompanied each glass of wine so they could recollect: "just what was that wine we had?" A good idea more wine bars and the like should emulate. The food (eg, small scampi $12; fusilli primavera $20) was good as well.

The main event that evening was "Pop Rock Live" at the Berklee School of Music's Performance Center, but a four minute walk from Piattini:  http://goo.gl/maps/iM1JE. The show highlighted Berklee students doing covers of pop rock classics, from Aerosmith (note this) to Bonnie Raitt to Michael Jackson. Berklee being one of America's top music schools, the show was a terrific show of musical talent, and it was especially cool to feel the vibe in the room -- students, family and friends clapping wildly for their fellow students and performers.

As a nightcap on their way home, our duo had two nice vodka martinis (Chopin $13; Stoli $11) at the bar of the nearby 40 Dalton Street in the Hilton Boston Back Bay. (BTW, on the bar TV the Knicks were playing (and about to beat) the Celtics; J&S rooted in wise silence.)

Friday, January 25, 2013:  Feeling the need for a breakfast that was more than continental, Jake and Stone crossed the street to the eminently convenient Thornton's, for a good breakfast of eggs, toast and several cups of American Joe.

The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit

It was a brisk but doable walk to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts: http://goo.gl/maps/NN7Qq. First on the list to see were some paintings by John Singer Sargent. In the new Art of the Americas Wing Jake & Stone discovered no less than about a dozen paintings by this prolific artist. The highlight (and the biggest Sargent work on display) was The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit which was wonderful to see in person. But what made the experience even more special was that the painting was displayed with two giant blue-and-white vases left and right of the frame -- the very vases in the rather haunting painting! Jake and Stone spent quite some time in the new wing and can recommend a visit to see that wing alone. They also went downstairs into the museum's lower level to see an exhibition of photographs by Mario Testino, the famous fashion photographer. Stone had a better appreciation of the photos than did Jake, but then she knew many of the subjects, while Jake could recognize only a few -- but he did spy Tom Brady. They also had a drink and snack at the museum's Garden Cafeteria which was both relaxing and classy.

The main event of the evening was a hockey game at Boston College between the BC Eagles and the University of Maine Bears. Dinner was planned for 5:30 at the Metropolitan Club which, according to  Jake's careful planning, was very close to the BC campus and the hockey arena. However, his misreading of the Green Line subway map got them on the wrong side of the rather expansive BC campus, and they had to double-time it, asking students for directions all the way, to the Conte Forum where they picked up the tickets. Then, with the aid of Stone's trusty I-Phone mapping abilities, they hustled again across the cold and hilly campus to the restaurant, making it only 30 minutes later than planned. The food (eg, bowl of clam chowder $12), drinks (Chopin martini $15.50(!)) and atmosphere were very nice.

Seats at the Glass

Even with taking a cab from the restaurant they still got to the hockey game late and found BC behind 1-0. No one expected this to last as BC is the defending NCAA champions and rated #3 this year. However, the tide never turned and BC lost, in a shocker, to Maine by a final of 4-1. Still, Jake & Stone had a great evening. Their seats right at the glass ($20 each, weeks ago purchase) provided them with a view of the game that let them appreciate the speed and athleticism on display. A couple of years ago, on an anniversary trip to Kingston, Canada, they had seen a Canadian minor league game and were surprised at how much better these college kids were. The BC Pep Band, the crowd, the game, all made for a memorable evening.

Taking the correct Green Line back to the Back Bay, they had wanted to have a drink at the Top of the Hub, but it being Friday night the place was jammed with those damn out-of-towners, so they headed on back to their stylish, cozy place on St. Bololph Street. By now the snow, merely hinted before, was now active enough to grace the city scenes in wintry garb.  A great night for sleeping.

The Boston Public Library
(aka: "Stone" and Marble)

Saturday, January 26, 2013:  Breakfast again at Thornton's, where there was a short wait for a table. Then it was off for a guided tour of the Boston Public Library. Their tour guide was engaging, friendly and knowledgeable, and the hour-long tour was fun and educational. The library is an architectural masterpiece by Charles McKim with murals and art work by several artists, including John Singer Sargent. 

"Get Poor Charlies off the MTA!"

Thinking they had earned their Braving-the-Wind-and-Cold Badges, our duo opted for the "T" as a way to get quickly and easily down to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.  The Boston subway's easiest way to travel is by "Charlie Card," available at the several ATM-like machines at each stop. As Jake suspected (being old enough to remember seeing the Kingston Trio on TV), the Charlie Card is named after the folk hero of the song by the Kingston Trio. See here for details, via the munificence of YouTube.

The Gardner Museum is but a five minute walk from the Museum of Fine Arts, but is an altogether different experience. Isabella Stewart Gardner was a collector of art of all sorts, and seemingly a good deal of her 2,500+ collection is on display here, in what was at one time her home. It is a unique experience to wander through all these treasures displayed exactly as she wished, and the courtyard alone is worth the price of admission. Still, by the end of their walking, Jake & Stone felt slightly overwhelmed by the chock-o-block art. This is a place perhaps best enjoyed by artistic omnivores.

However, two things at the museum can be recommended without qualification. First is another Sargent work, El Jaleo, which, it must be admitted, is displayed with an artistic eye almost the equal of the artist's. Not to be missed. Second is the Cafe G. For many years now every major museum has had a cafe, and often the food is less than artistic, the service less than inspiring. Happy to say, Jake & Stone found the whole scene at Cafe G to be simply great. The food (eg, soup $9; 2 coffees $7), the service, the room, the wine (glass $10), even the bottled water, were all delightful. Also not to be missed. But sign up early before you are hungry.

For their anniversary dinner our Couple of the Year headed out walking again (the winter wind having abated to just a brumal breeze), this time to Hamersley's Bistro, officially in South Boston, a 15 minute  walk from the inn:  http://goo.gl/maps/NtLPX. Hamersley's is a well regarded restaurant and it lived up to its rep --very good food (eg, haddock $28; pasta $21) with proper bistro ambiance and service. This restaurant also does the right thing. When the waiter-suggested half-bottle of wine was not truly what they wanted (he said the reisling was dry, but it didn't seem that way to our celebrants), there was no trouble ordering a different half-bottle (fume blanc $29) and paying for only it. And when their anniversary desserts didn't really work, the waiter noted their half-finished plates and told them (unprompted) that there would be no charge. No wonder Obama stopped here when he visited Boston last year.

Sunday's checkout at the inn was a breeze, as there was no checkout! Like all the guests, Jake and Stone just packed up, jumped in the car, and were quickly on the Mass Pike headed home. But their anniversary was still being celebrated when they stopped, as they always do, for some good old Dunkin' Donuts coffee. Their Styrofoam cups clicked silently in the car as they toasted each other one final time, smiling the smiles of the happily married.

Other Places

Goldilocks, North Carolina

Another anniversary, another trip. For Jake and Stone, 32 years seems to have flown by in only 30, or maybe 31 years, so they were looking for some place new and special: It had to be drivable, offer some golf, some walks, good food, and be not too hot and not too cold; it had to be just right. Goldilocks turned out to be the Pinehurst area (where?) of North Carolina.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012 – Their only disappointment happened before they left NJ. Their promised Prius rental from Lawrence Toyota didn't materialize, so they got a less gas-efficient, but very nice Toyota Camry at a reduced rate. Having long ago decided that they would travel I-95 only at the threat of being pistol whipped, they headed west and down I-81 to Lynchburg, VA, for a nice lunch at the Depot Grill. Jake especially enjoyed his Caesar salad, which was highlighted by fresh, shaved cheese. This restaurant, which sits down at the edge of  the James River next to the “live” RR tracks, is at the bottom of one of the several steep hills that dominate this interesting looking southern town, and can be recommended for good food and service.

Source of the fresh eggs

Having left home at 6 AM, and gotten their necessary local Dunkin' fix on the way to the interstate highway system, Jake and Stone rolled into Southern Pines, NC, after a fairly leisurely, if long, drive at around 5 PM. Their accommodations proved to be quite wonderful: spacious 2BR, brand new kitchen, fireplace, sheltered patio, private entrance, and – what's this? a dozen eggs in the fridge and a note from their hostess saying the eggs were from the chickens up on the little hillock out back. Jake and Stone had planned to eat breakfast out, but the fresh eggs prove too tempting and too delicious, and made for great breakfasts.

Dinner that first night was at one of Southern Pines' several very good restaurants, Ashten's. Of special note from the menu was the yellow fin tuna and the martinis. (But then, Jake and Stone have rarely met a martini they didn't like.) Ashten's is not large, but has both a restaurant area and a pub area. We enjoyed the pub (where we could witness our martinis being shaken), and the food is the same in both venues.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 – After their egg-centric breakfast, Jake and Stone drove into Southern Pines to see it in full daylight. Later, Stone took a nice 4-mile walk in Weymouth Woods, a nearby Sandhills nature preserve. Weymouth has a nice, modern and friendly visitor center, good, well-marked trails, the chance to walk alone through soaring pine trees, and the possibility of seeing the red-cockaded woodpecker, an apparent must-see for dedicated birders.

So classic it looks good in B&W

While Stone walked among the pines, Jake did the same at Southern Pines Golf Club, where he played with two guys from Canada down in Pinehurst for “the season.” Established in 1906(!), this Donald Ross classic is somewhat similar to the above mentioned woodpecker, in that golf aficionados will drive hours just to see and play its historic rolling hills, admire its terrific hole routing, grumble at its typically devilish greens, and grin all through the day. Highly recommended. 

After their respective pine-infested walks, and back in Southern Pines proper, Jake and Stone prepare for dinner at “home” by having some pre-dinner nibbles and drinks at Swordfish, a brand new fish eatery across the street from Ashten's. Here the highlight was the wood-fired grilled octopus, though the Greek meatballs and baba ganoush were good as well. Worth a look-see, especially for seafood and Greek inspired treats.

Soaring pines at Midland CC

Thursday, January 26, 2012 – Up early on a morning that was cold (34 degrees) but warming quickly. Jake and Stone got some java at a cute little coffee hut (a little bit bigger than a toll-taker booth on the NJ Turnpike) called Pony Espresso, then took an early morning stroll through Sandhurst Park, a small, local park next to a housing development. Back at the ranch they had another egg-centered breakfast, then off for the morning's activities. Jake played the 9 holes at the Midland Country Club, which despite being part of a 55 and older real estate development, proved to be a good walk on pine-lined fairways and a fun course to play. Especially at the price of $12. Stone had an even better price (free) at the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens which has about a dozen separate little gardens, lovely paths, and sculpture and art displays.

It was time to finally go into the town of Pinehurst, which bills itself as the birthplace of golf in America, and is basically a town dominated by golf and the Pinehurst Resort. Undoubtedly the biggest, and likely the most historic hotel at the resort, is the redoubtable Carolina Hotel, within the precincts of which Jake and Stone had a nice lunch in the Ryder Cup Lounge, which was not nearly as stuffy as one might imagine. After some window shopping at the “the village” of Pinehurst (a five minute walk from the hotel), they walked (about 30 minutes, but a lovely stroll among historic cottages, B&B's, and some large, but sequestered homes) to the Pinehurst Golf Course megaplex.

Our favorite twosome

Here is the famous Pinehurst No. 2 course (there are 8 courses in all), a bronze statue of Payne Stewart (he won the US Open at No. 2 in 1999), the iconic “putter boy” sculpture (that is actually a sundial) that sits beside the biggest putting green Jake had ever seen, a very large golf pro shop with some really expensive items, and the Donald Ross Grill, where Jake and Stone got some drinks to sip as they partook of the putting green view from the pub's expansive veranda. After a walk back to the Carolina, it seemed they were just in time for tea and cookies in the lobby. They sat and sipped and munched as if they belonged.

For their anniversary dinner, Jake and Stone had a wonderful meal at Elliot's on Linden, in Pinehurst. A stylish place, with a nice wine-by-the-glass list, and an emphasis on local fare, it proved to be just right for their celebratory dinner.

Friday, January 27, 2012 – The Sandhills area of North Carolina is most famous for its golf, but the Sandhills also boast America's oldest continually operating pottery community. Seagrove, NC, is the center of an area that has potters who can trace their craft back through eight or nine generations. In Seagrove proper, and all along what is termed “Pottery Road” (Route 705), there are nearly 100 individual potters and their shops.

Hickory Hill Pottery

Though many of the smaller potters were closed for the season, Jake and Stone found two places where they bought some pottery. The first was Hickory Hill Pottery, a rather inexpensive shop off the main road that seems to be run as a sort of lifelong hobby/passion. The second was Thomas Pottery, a more professionally run shop that had some very nice (and more expensive, but not crazy expensive) pieces and was right on Route 705.

Back in the Pinehurst area, Jake again played 9 holes (for $12)  at Midland Coiuntry Club, this time with Stone walking along and occasionally giving advice on how to properly putt the ball into the hole. When challenged to do better than Jake, she did so several times -- but their marriage survives. On the way back home, they stopped in at the Mid Pines course, where Jake happily found out he could make a tee time for early Saturday morning, and that Stone could also walk the historic course with him.

No. 3, par 3, Mid Pines Golf Course

Saturday, January 28, 2012 – Jake and Stone arrived a little early for their 8:27 tee time at Mid Pines Golf Club only to be informed by the golf pro that things will be delayed due to a “frost delay.” (Jake saw no evidence of what Jersey golf courses would call "frost," but thought that perhaps down here the bar is set a little lower.) The pro said they should be able to get out at around 9:30, so Jake and Stone decided to search for a full breakfast in Pinehurst. Saturday mornings in late January find this village-like town to still be slumbering, but our couple stumbled upon the Villager, where breakfast is indeed being served. This little place was full of locals (because it is the only breakfast place around?) who nod and shake hands with each other, and served a really nice, fresh breakfast. It got crowded after Jake and Stone sat down, and it seemed like the kind of (small) place that can often get so, but no one seemed to mind waiting.

The apparent frost had apparently melted away as our couple returned to the Mid Pines course for their morning of golf and walking. To their happy surprise, they were the first ones out on the course and walked and played their 18 holes alone. Mid Pines is the sister course of its more famous neighbor, Pine Needles (which hosted the U.S. Women's Open in 1996, 2001 and 2007), but its being in the shadow of the more famous venue allows Mid Pines to be played by everyday players at reasonable costs. It dates from 1921, is revered as a rare, unchanged Donald Ross classic, has a first-hole view (elevated tee, distant green set on a little hillock, a wide fairway framed by Georgia pines) that makes one feel lucky to play golf, and a continuing beauty and hole-variety that is most memorable. It's impossible to not have fun, no matter the score. 

After their golf and walk, Jake and Stone had a very nice lunch at Sweet Basil back in Southern Pines, which proved to be as good (and popular) as advertised. They did some shopping, shared an ice cream on a bench in the sunshine by the train station, and enjoyed the passing scene. Their final dinner was back at their home-away-from-home, then it was up in the morning to begin the drive back north. They stopped for quick visits with old friends the Farleysteins and Da Labetts in Virginia, arrived back home around midnight, and went to bed smiling.


And a postscript: Fans of Roger Miller's music, please note the picture below and sing along:

Other Places

One (2, 3, 4 or 5) in a Thousand

Wolfe Island (where?) is the first of the Thousand Islands. The Thousand Islands themselves are a geological train wreck of islands that jumble their way down the St. Lawrence River as it flows out of Lake Ontario northward toward the Atlantic. When Jake and Stone visited Kingston (Ontario) last January they rode the winter ferry to Wolfe Island and thought the island  might prove to be a good HQ for a summer visit. It proved to be so.

On the Cottage Patio

Saturday, June 25, 2011: The drive northward from NJ proved to be painless, especially once past Scranton, PA. Leaving I-81 north at Watertown the drive got quite scenic on Route 12-East as it runs through some pretty towns, skirting Chaumont Bay on Lake Ontario. At Cape Vincent (NY) we joined two other couples on the smallish ferry ($15 for us and the car) for the 10-15 minute, rather windy and choppy  trip to Wolfe Island. Canadian Customs proved to be both friendly and efficient, and we drove quickly and easily (there are but two main roads on Wolfe Island) to Cedarcliff, our rented cottage.

We had rented our place pretty much on faith, as we could find precious little info and absolutely no pictures on the Internet, but things turned out wonderfully, especially the setting. Here's a picture from the patio of  Stone going down the steps to investigate the cottage's little docking area. The cottage proved to be homey and clean, with a spectacular cliff-side view of Lake Ontario and Kingston across the way. Birds sang and zoomed around the trees and bushes, the breeze was making for small whitecaps on the lake, and some sturdy kids were swimming off the cottage's little dock down lakeside. And what's this? A 9-hole golf course right across the road! What do you know -- our landlady owns the course and says we can play for free. Oh, Canada!

In the little town of Marysville, less than two miles down the coastal road, we buy Jake's favorite Canadian brew (Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale), a newspaper, get some ($5/gallon) gas, and then head back to the cottage to lounge on the provided loungers overlooking the lake, waiting to be joined by our BFF couple -- "Dalabetts", who are driving up from the DC area. They arrive and unpack in time for us four to get the ferry over to Kingston, where we go to dinner at Chez Piggy. The nighttime ferry ride back to Wolfe Island is cool and bracing, and we all glad we had properly fortified ourselves with some martinis. 

On the Alston Moor G.C.

Sunday, June 26, 2011:  Stone, Jake and Mr. Dalabetts get up early enough for some free golf across the road at Alston Moore. The course sits among several gigantic wind turbines that are part of Wolfe Island's wind farm. We soon grow used to their presence and actually end up admiring their engineering elegance. The 9 holes prove to be a good, long walk, and during our two hours on the course we experience sunshine, clouds, two five-minute rain showers and a breeze that comes and goes with a dedicated capriciousness that was downright Scottish.

After brunch in the cottage we all four take the ferry (which is free, both ways) into Kingston for a walk around town. We visit the B&B Jake and Stone stayed in last January, walk up and down Princess Street, buy some Cuban cigars at Smokers' Haven on Wellington Street, pick up some goodies to eat on an outside bench at Pan Chancho, then get the 5 o'clock ferry back to Wolfe. While waiting in Kingston for the ferry, Mrs. Dalabetts had noted a map that showed a ferry from Wolfe to Simcoe Island, so once back on the main road out of Marysville we went hunting for what would be our third ferry ride.

Cable Ferry to Simcoe Island

The ferry to Simcoe Island proved to be the smallest we discovered. It had room for two cars, and worked "on demand." That is, you show up, and the ferry comes over (if on the other shore) to take you across. $2 for the ride. And this is a "cable ferry." It pulls itself across the water using a submarine cable. We four rode over with one other passenger who happened to be a census worker for the Canadian government. He told us Wolfe has about 1300 residents, and Simcoe about 60, down from about 75 ten years ago. He warned us that there are no services on Simcoe, but that at least we wouldn't get lost, as there was but one real road -- Nine Mile Point Road.

Simcoe Island charmed us all. Birds a plenty (the ubiquitous red winged blackbirds, herons, swallows, an apparent osprey nest, goldfinches and others we couldn't identify), lots of open space and sky, side "roads" named after the farmers who lived there, a bench by the side of the road "for the weary" (said the sign) provided by "Hildegard and Walt", some rundown shacks (fishing?) along side some very fine homes, and one herd of cattle.

Back at our lakeside ranch on Wolfe we rustled up a fine dinner, accompanied by a happy sangria mix done by Mr. Dalabetts. Adjourning to the patio, we sat outside to watch the long sunset over the lake and the Kingston skyline, sipped some coffee, smoked our cigars and watched the stars come into view.

Dalabetts always travel with good music and this night on the patio we listened to some of three CD's they brought along: "Rare Bird Alert" by Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, and two by Canadian boys-- the old: Leonard Cohen's "Greatest Hits," and the new: Robbie Robertson's "How to Become Clairvoyant."

As the gloaming finally flowed into deeper night and we all headed to our bedrooms to flow into sleep, the Great Lake flowed next to us as well, silently and inexorably, toward the Great River. Little wonder we all slept so well. 

Monday, June 27, 2011: Blue skies and abundant sunshine. Great day for a bike trip. The phone number for the bike rental place in town didn't seem to work, but luckily we got there just as Bill, who runs the rentals pretty much out of his garage, was getting ready to leave. The bikes were nice 21-speed jobs, and we get them for $15/each for the rest of the day, back by 5 pm.

On the Ferry to Cape Vincent (NY)

Out of Marysville we head out on Rt. 96 (the more "main" of the two main roads on Wolfe Island), then turn south onto Rt. 95 (the other main road) toward the ferry terminus across from Cape Vincent (NY). We saw right away why people come from all over to bike Wolfe Island. As we started out, there were no cars for about 5 minutes, then a flurry of cars for about 2 minutes, then nothing. We realized that the cars were heading to the Cape Vincent ferry -- about the only reason anyone seems to drive this road. In fact, Mr. Dalabetts timed it till we had another car come up behind us, and it was an astounding 30 minutes of car-free riding.

Out of Cape Vincent, NY

Biking Rt. 95 on Wolfe Island

The riding is basically flat and very rural, lots of farms and wind turbines, birds and cattle. It is hot in the sun so we take a break about every 10 minutes for water and rest when we can find some shade trees. It's about 6 miles to the ferry, which we arrive at just in time to save us an hour's wait. American Customs and border crossing is a breeze. Just out of Cape Vincent is a much recommended two mile bike ride beside the lake toward Tibbetts Point and its lighthouse. A simply lovely ride. We rested and recouped at the lighthouse area, then biked back to Cape Vincent where we had a quality lunch (sandwiches, wraps, pasta, salad) al fresco at Taste of Design.

Back on Wolfe and headed home we stop at Pykeview Meadows, a bison farm, to look at the buffalo. At the farm's little store we buy some bison beef (expensive, but then, it's all organic and oh so local) for dinner later tonight. Back home Mr. Dalabetts and Jake decide that if Canadian kids can stand to swim in the lake by the dock, so can they. The water is not that cold, but rather cool and very refreshing. The bison dinner proved to be very good indeed, the buffalo tenderloin and burgers tasting much better than what Jake remembers having years ago in Colorado.

At night again watching the sunset from the patio we spot a baby skunk slinking in the grass near the weeds. None of us have ever been this close to a skunk before; it is maybe 15 feet away from our table. Our talk suddenly becomes whispers and we all freeze, watching this little thing (quite adorable, really) sniff and waddle its way around the trees and grass in the growing darkness. As the skunk turns around the corner of the house it is almost too dark to see it, but that doesn't keep Mrs. Dalabetts from getting a flashlight and seeking out its trail -- from a safe distance. She does spot it (now named Pepita) in the house's garden, it's white stripe clearly visible in the flashlight's glow. Then Pepita sniffs her way into the darkness and finally out of sight and light.

The weather forecast for tomorrow is for rain. We'll see. The weather has been great so far. Even with today's constant sunshine it was only in the upper 70's, and always cooler than that in the shade. The usual island breezes always help.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011: The Wolfe Island Bakery provides us some fresh breakfast goodies. Today we all plan to drive around the area a bit. We head back to the ferry to Cape Vincent (again catching it with little wait time), then drive along Route 12-East again, but this time beside the St. Lawrence River, up to Clayton (NY). Here we visit the Boat Museum, but find we don't have the time to do justice to  a visit, so we nose around the gift shop for a bit, then head out on the road again.

We soon get to I-81 and head north over the Thousand Islands International Bridge, but exit before we get to Canada onto the Thousand Island Park Road on Wellesly Island. On this large American island we head to its southern tip to see Thousand Island Park (TIP).  Founded as a Methodist summer community in the late 19th century, TIP is often billed as a "step into the past" because so much of its 19th century architecture remains intact. TIP has a grand hotel, a wonderful lakeside setting, and many fine homes. However, Jake had hoped to find another sort of Chautauqua, like the one he and Stone visited last summer, and TIP proved to be not nearly as nice. Many of the homes needed some TLC, the roads were often unpaved, and the public spaces were in need of some upkeep. Still it was interesting to walk around, many families were enjoying the relaxed atmosphere, and the library and historic hotel were interesting to visit.

We had hoped to eat at the hotel, but it doesn't do lunch, so we headed up to Hacker's Pub and Grill at the island's main golf course, the Thousand Islands Country Club. The food here was good enough, and the beer better than good enough. At the surrounding tables French was the dominant tongue of the day, but we didn't need to parlez vous Francaise to understand that most were complaining, apres golf, about their golf game, or laughing about someone else's.  It was an enjoyable mise en scene.

The major goal of our road trip was to take one of the cruises on the St. Lawrence River out of the Canadian city of Gananoque, which we had heard were superior to the river cruises out of Kingston. The only cruise we could get on (it was late in the day and the border crossing on the bridge was longer than we anticipated, and we had stopped for ice cream) was a one hour trip. What an hour! The cruise was simply stunning. The pictures can't do it justice. Islands just big enough for a single little house; larger islands with a single mansion and a 3-boat boathouse; islands with several homes; islands with no homes; islands with homes, roads and boathouses galore; islands with nothing but three or four trees and some birds. This is an archipelago like no other in the world. And everywhere is deep greens and blues (nod to James Taylor). To miss this would have been to miss the essence of: "The Thousand Islands."

Back at our cliff side bungalow we had dinner on the patio, watched another sunset spread nearly 180 degrees across the entire distant horizon, waited for Papita to show up (she never did), looked at the stars again (the Big Dipper looked almost fiercely bright) and then started to go to bed. Suddenly the predicted rain was on us, drumming the cottage's metal roof -- sleep music for the weary.

Pretty Par-3 at Riverfront

Wednesday, June 29, 2011: Mr. Dalabetts and Jake head to Riverfront golf course while the girls drive to Big Sandy Bay. Riverfront is Wolfe Island's other 9-hole course, and truth to tell, it is quite a bit better than the free one across the road from our cottage. It is in better shape, has a really nice par-3 that would be welcomed on any golf layout, and is generally more fun to play. But it is Riverfront's views that seal the deal. St. Lawrence River views abound, with now and then, a "Laker" (freighter) coming into view as it heads up or down river. We get done early enough that we head back to our "home course" for a quick additional 6 holes before heading into town for lunch.

At Big Sandy Bay

Meanwhile, at Big Sandy Bay, Stone and Mrs. D. have a nice day among the flora and other coastal ecology. It is a bit of a walk from the parking lot to the beach, but the path is easy and interesting. On this day the wind has driven the water so high up on the skinny beach that there is precious little beach space to walk, but the views are terrific.

We all four rendezvous at the Island Grill in Marysville for a nice lunch and then head home.

Sometimes good things happen; sometimes really good things happen: In Marysville after lunch Mr. D. picked up a local tourist paper and sees a listing that says on Wednesday, June 29, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers will be in concert at Watertown, NY. (!!) Stone and Jake demur, but Dalabetts make a couple phone calls to get ticket and venue info, and then are off to Watertown to see the show.

The concert proves to be fabulous -- almost two hours of great comedy and bluegrass music. Jake and Stone had a nice night themselves with a trip into Kingston to see Woody Allen's "Paris at Midnight," followed by drinks and food at Tango, before heading back home on the nighttime ferry.

Sometimes really good things do happen. Especially when on a vacation with friends.


Thursday June 30,Wolfe Hote 2011:  It's getaway day for Dalabetts, so we all go into town for breakfast at the General Wolfe Hotel, then we get our cars on the ferry to Kingston where Mr. and Mrs. D continue their Canadian journey towards Toronto while we head toward Amherst Island in search of a wine trail Jake has heard of. The lakeside drive from Kingston westward along Loyalist Parkway is lovely in the mid-morning sunshine. After a longer drive than we anticipated we just make the ferry (again!), with the closing gate almost hitting our bumper. The on-board toll taker ($9) jokes that people from Jersey are always late.

It is our Jersey license plate that also intrigues two passengers who strike up a conversation with us as we look over the railing at the blue-blue water of Lake Ontario. As often happens in these friendly Canadian confines, we are soon in steady conversation with this husband and wife couple -- Keld (born in Denmark) and Maria (born in Italy) -- who tell us about Amherst Island, including the somewhat disappointing news that our sought after wine trail is not on this island, but further down the road in Prince Edward County.  We decide to see what we can of the island before getting a ferry back to the mainland, and take them up on their offer to drop by their waterside trailer for a drink.

Keld and Maria's Trailer

Keld and Maria have told us not to miss visiting Topsy Farms, a sheep farm, where we might buy some quality wool products. But when we  arrive we are informed by the shepherd(!), that the owners are out working the fields and will be gone all afternoon. We drive back down the road and easily find Keld and Maria's place by the lake. They have 400 feet of water frontage, a cute 30' trailer that serves as their P/T summer home, and a sailboat Keld hopes to get in the water over the weekend. Sitting in lawn chairs beneath the shade of several large trees, drinking a beer or two beside the gin-clear lapping water of the lake, we have a easy conversation about this and that before we have to head back to catch the next ferry. We exchange emails and hope to stay in touch.

Prince Edward County View

Once back on the mainland it is a bit more of a drive to Prince Edward  County, which is, confusingly, a Canadian municipality composed of several towns, and technically an island, though it can be easily driven to (don't ask). We opt for the free ferry instead of driving, and right away are struck by the beauty of the place. After seeing just the little we had time for, it is easy to see why Prince Edward County is such a favorite vacation spot for Canadians. It is full of  provincial parks, water vistas, B&B's, birding sites, charming towns, a bunch of wineries, and at least one very lovely place for a late lunch: The Inn at Top of the Mountain Resort. The name says it all -- especially when you are lucky enough to dine on the sun splashed patio with its gay umbrellas and restful lake view.

Our good luck of just making it onto ferries ran out when we got back to Kingston, so while Stone caught some shut-eye in the car waiting in the ferry queue, I walked over to the government liquor store in search of finding the Prince Edward County wine we had had at lunch, but it was out of stock. The liquor store (officially, the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario)) was jumping with customers, for tomorrow is Canada Day.

Friday, July 1, 2011: It is another day of sunshine and we head out fairly early for the Riverfront golf course, hoping to beat the holiday crowds. A fledgeling golfer, Stone is happy that we can play alone as a twosome, and we have a happy two hours on this delightful 9-holer. After lunch at home and a snooze, we head into Kingston to see the Canada Day activities, which are centered in Confederation Park across from the Kingston Town Hall. All around town most everyone sports a Canadian flag in hand, or on their hat, or in their hair, or on the baby's stroller, or on their motorcycle helmet, or on their guitar case.

There is the usual array of food vendors and several bands provide the music in the park as the day progresses. A local guitar playing duo (The Torres Project) does several artistic covers of hit songs, and afterward we ask if they have any CD's available. Sadly they don't, but they do have a presence on Youtube. Indeed, their cover of "Layla" shows two posters on the wall -- Hendrix and the Beatles -- no wonder they're so good! And here's an original tune that's worth a listen.

As the Canada Day festivities wound down we walked over to Chien Noir, one of the restaurants we wanted to go to last winter but missed, and had a terrific dinner on yet another patio.

Back on Wolfe Island as the day ends we seek out a yoga retreat we had heard about. Shanti is a couple miles from the ferry terminal and has a lovely setting. Stone, who recently did some yoga time with a lifelong BFF at the more famous Berkshires retreat, Kripalu, wondered if she and her pal might do this place next time. Certainly worth more investigating.

The day ends with us on our lakeside patio watching the distant Canada Day fireworks over Lake Ontario. As night gathers around us we can see small displays here and there on the broad horizon as the smaller towns and suburbs celebrate Canada's 144th birthday. Then at 10 PM the big show begins in Kingston, off Fort Henry.

When the booms and blooms are over, Jake and Stone are left in the quiet darkness to look at the abiding Great Lake and each other. They can't really see in the dark, but they can feel each other smile. Tomorrow morning they'll finish packing and drive home.

 

Other Places

Let's Go (See the) Mets!

To Sweetness! baseball used to be quite foreign

To her this American game might as well be Ecuadoran

But then sometime last year while she was sleeping

Into her dreams Wright, Ike and others came creeping

Soon she was watching the post-game on SNY

The pre-game too with Bobby O, my-oh-my

Last year she took to players who this year are gone

Like Frenchie for one, and she always liked Angel Pagan

Now in Rochester even the spring is cold and quite snowy

So she cooked up an idea -- at first she feared it too doughy --

But some more time in the brain -- her's is hot as an oven --

The idea popped up perfect as if bewitched by a coven

The Mets, spring training, and Florida's Port St. Lucie!

The idea was more than just tasty, why it was downright juicy

Sweetness! called her dad and soon they were flying on jets

To Florida! In March! To cheer on the Mets!

In Fort Lauderdale where they landed the traffic was fierce

And the veil of parking for dinner took an effort to pierce

But just off 1A they found the Cafe Blue Fish

Where natives love their seafood like the Chosen love knish

Later, in Port St Lucie on dear old Route 1

Their choice of Best Western proved an astute one

The room was big enough for two, though not quite a true suite

Two TV's, big beds and fast internet made things complete

Breakfast on Sunday morning should be more than just bread

So Sweetness! and Jake disdained the motel's free spread

And instead headed down to Jensen Beach where they found

Jan's Place where eggs, biscuits and orange juice all wear the crown

Half a block from Jan's Place

Then it was off for a stroll on the beach quite near by

They saw surfers and sun tanners but no swimmers, why?

Up by the concession stand flags did flap in the breeze

Red and blue flags, and a sign to read if you please

Red means dangerous swimming and blue means sea pests

What could the latter mean? Surely not the many bikinied breasts

The lifeguard told them the pests were Man-of-War, type Portuguese

And against their hurtful sting there were no good warranties

Jake and Sweetness! had seen some strange seaweed on the shore

And it's a good thing they didn't investigate more

For from the blue balloons these critters use to float

Dangle tentacles that sting "like a bee" -- from the lifeguard a quote

Soon it would be game time so they hurried back to St Lucie

For it was Mets v. the Red Sox! No time to be loosey goosey!

The ticket was a hot one, so their seats were out on the berm

And there were so many Sox fans our duo often did squirm

From the Berm Beyond Right Field

But the game was a good one with home runs galore

Two by the Mets, and Bosox had three, yes that's one more

But Boston's were solos, while Ike's, a two-runner

And when Duda hit the game winner, why it couldn't be funner

So thought our duo until at Duffy's they had dinner

Where they actually met a World Series winner

Ron Darling was there and they both shook his hand

Even in Florida flip-flops old Number 12 looked grand

But the excitement was not over for Sweetness! and Jake

The tuna at Duffy's was good but more was at stake

For next door bowling who else did they see?

Why it's Ike! (Sweetness!'s heart skips a beat) and the tall Pelfrey

This historic night of Sunday seemed like a dream

They stopped on Route 1 to celebrate with ice cream

For Sweetness! the night could be made better by nada

Unless, that is, they had managed to see young Mr. Tajada

The next two days were nice too, in the Florida sunshine

So don't think that these short verses seek anything to malign

Or that Monday and Tuesday were anything worse

It's that Sunday has used all the "epic" verse....

On Monday, early, Jake went to a big time golf course

Seeking the cool of the day for his blood most Norse

It was a lot of money for his game, which is not great

Still he managed to shoot a very fine 98

The Ryder Course at PGA Village

The Mets game on Monday was against the Tigers of Detroit

The 2-1 loss was not exciting, though nothing was truly maladroit

And our duo got to see Mr. Dickey and his famous knuckle ball

Which danced up to the plate, bringing a chuckle to all

Dinner that night was down in Stuart, a town somewhat strange

For it has a traffic circle, intersected by a track for choo-choo trains

Their hoped-for restaurant was closed on this Monday night

So Jake and Sweetness! ate elsewhere, the food unfortunately slight

Tuesday was started with breakfast down again at Place-de-Jan's

Of her killer orange juice they had become rabid fans

And dinner that night proved a good local thrill

Back down Jensen Beach way at Caps Island Grill

Tween breakfast and dinner was their final Mets game

Though a split-squad affair the fun was the same

They sat four rows from the field, the best seats of the trip

And could even see the relief pitchers adjusting their grip

The Nats won this game four to three

But our duo was not that unhappy

for they didn't have to suffer and see

Oliver Perez pitch up in Kissimmee

The flight home was the usual delayed affair

But this father and daughter just didn't care

And so what if this is doggerel in its rhyme

Their time together was together time

Other Places