“Destination – Golf”

My golfing partner and I enjoy traveling just as much as we enjoy playing golf.  So it only made sense that we should combine travel and golf.  

And that my friends is exactly what we have done! 

Golf and travel have become a part of who we are as a couple.  We have traveled the world and played over 200 different courses.  Traveling and playing golf has provided opportunities for us to play in Pro-Ams games and see some pretty spectacular places.  

Not to mention we have made some down right awesome golfing friends!  

Since retiring we have been playing our next round – or “Act 3” as I like to call it.  We have been RVing to as many golf courses in the United States as possible.  Once we play them, we then rate and review them – from a recreational golfer’s perspective of course.  

While the great thing about all this is we are playing a lot of golf at some really fun courses, the extra bonus is we are seeing so much of the U.S. along the way.  

We just completed a three month road trip and you can bet there was golf along the way.  

• We played golf in West Virginia at Highland Springs Golf.  
• In Indiana we tackled a round at Heron Creek Golf and Meadow Valley Golf Club.  
• We hacked and sliced our way though a couple of rounds in Pennsylvania at Hickory Heights Golf Club and Honey Run Golf Club.  
• We enjoyed our time on the track in New York at Harvest Hill Golf Course.  
• And while in the NE we enjoyed a round in New Hampshire at a fun little 9-hole course at Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa.  
• In Maine we played with best friends and golfing partners for over 30 years Frank and Steve, at Pine Hill Golf Course.  

Our golf rounds were fun, full of laughter, and have created some fond memories.  But we also did a lot of sightseeing.

First on our list was the Amish Country of Indiana.  I really had no appreciation or real understanding of the Amish community prior to this leg of our journey.  But thanks to Google, I have done my research and like any other “English”, I now have a broader respect and appreciation for their way of life.  Not to mention they make absolutely delicious baked goods!  (I’m speaking from experience of course!)

Next on the list was a quick visit to Hershey, PA with a stop at Hershey Chocolate World, where I learned about the kindness, generosity and business savvy of Milton S. Hershey.  This man was a great humanitarian and philanthropist, who did some pretty incredible things to make this world a better place!  I mean the man did found Hershey Chocolate – and as my golfing partner will attest to, I do love me some chocolate!!      

After indulging in all things chocolate, the road led us to New York and Niagara Falls.  I am not sure anything I write or any picture I post would do Niagara Falls justice.  

For me, this stop was spectacular!  

My breath was blown away upon my first up close glimpse of the majesty and power of the water falling over the rocks and the mist filling the air.  Our dear friends, Jan and Mike, were the best tour guides – being Buffalo natives and all.  They were true Buffalo Ambassadors showing us all the little secrets of their lovely home city.  They even included a stop at the famous “Tim Horton’s Coffee shop”.  Double double anyone?  (That’s for our Canadian friends!)

Our explorations of New York did not stop in Buffalo.  We traveled further northeast and wondered around the Thousand Lakes area.  

Again – pictures and words just don’t compare to how beautiful the landscape of this neck of the woods is.  We hopped on an excursion boat to take in the shoreline of the St. Lawrence River, which included a stop at Bolt Castle.  

I am always in awe of what a man will build for the love of his life!   

Next destination was Vermont and a stay at a city park on Lake Memphremagog in the town of Newport.  The fall colors were in full glory.  We were a bit bummed to have gray skies and cool weather in the forecast.  Although the weather didn’t cooperate completely, we did get in a hike or two.   

Next stop – New Hampshire and more hiking and motorcycle rides through the fall foliage.  I have seen the colors of fall in northern Minnesota, and this area was just as colorful.  

Our leaf-peeping road trip wouldn’t have been complete without stopping in Maine and visiting Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor.  We met up with our good friend Eric for this leg of our journey.  He loves Maine and wanted to ensure we enjoyed ourselves.  Our days were filled with hikes, scenic road trips and plenty of Lobster.  

We had cold lobster rolls, warm lobster rolls, fresh steamed lobster, lobster soup and lobster ice cream!

In Bar Harbor the street planters were still lush with cinnamon-hued annuals, and a cascades of greenery sparkling with white flowers. 

Acadia National Park was the icing on the cake. The natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States was beyond my imagination.  

Combined with the peak in the fall foliage I found myself lost in the beauty of Mother Nature.   

One of the things that continued to stand out on this travel for me was the short distances of traveling from one state to another.  It reminded me of living in Europe and how close many of the countries are to each other.   

I read once that the world is bigger than your front porch. This trip was yet another validation of that statement.

My Reads from the Reds – Dr. Seuss was right when he wrote – “Oh the Places You’ll Go!”  

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting.    Written by Kathy Festa