Golf Trip

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity, along with several of my workmates, to play TPC Las Vegas golf course. Me and another chap from work drove to Las Vegas on Friday, arriving by the late afternoon. We awoke early to meet up with the rest of the Woodward crew, and got in a minibus at 7 a.m. that took us out to the golf course.  

We played a team format, and I was paired up with a chap called Fernando. We played a better-ball, scramble format, where both players take shots, and then select the best position to take the next shot from. It was a really hot day, with temperatures topping out at 104. To make conditions tricky, there was also a 25 mph wind. Even with all that, and a very difficult professional standard golf course, Fernando and I played pretty well, and managed to win the competition. We finished 2 over par, and picking up a $450 first place prize, between us.

A smaller group of friends from work went out for a meal on the Friday night, to a Benihana restaurant, and finished the night in the Sahara casino, where most of us were staying. 

Chicago - Stace Blogs!

A work trip to one of Woodward's factories in Rockford took me to Illinois for a couple of days. 

I flew into Chicago airport and drove into the city, where I was met in the downtown area by Elizabeth and Emma.

 The two locals, who live in a nearby suburb, met me for a pizza dinner: deep dish, Chicago style, of course, and then took me on a walking tour.

We visited The Bean (top photo), took in the skyline, and walked along the Chicago River that meanders through the modern skyscrapers and old buildings that make up this famous city.

After a lovely couple of hours of walking and catching up, it was time to say goodbye and drive the almost two-hour drive north to Rockford.

 

Desert Camping - by Stace

 Rigo had wanted to get a group of chaps together to go camping for some time, so on Friday, I finished work early, met up with Luis, and we set off into the Mojave Desert in search of our weekend camping spot.

After we left the main road, we headed into the desert, where we camped in the middle of nowhere.

The nights were very cold, after the fires had gone out, and the winds picked up as the sun went down and hammered the tents. 

The sunrises in the desert were stunning, as we woke on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

During the day, we went on some short hikes, did archery, pistol target shooting, and ate and drank.  

I also saw my first tarantula in the wild. And no, this is not my hand shown here, giving the size reference. 

Rigo's Bronco was made for this kind of adventure. Late Sunday morning, we headed back across the desert to the main road and made the 90-minute journey back to Santa Clarita. A good time was had by all.