Inn of the Mountain Gods 08/28/2018

Another day, another golf course. Today,  Larry chose Inn of the Mountain Gods.  The tribe developed and owns this resort.  Originally a nomadic tribe, today their income is derived from ranching and tourism. We made a donation to their economy today.
  My golf game showed a marked improvement over yesterday.  I do not give Larry any competition, but I am looking forward to tomorrow.  The possibilities are there.
  On our first hole, a deer walked out onto the fairway. Just so you know, the deer was safe, she was in the middle of the fairway.
   The humidity was low and temperature was in the low 80's.  We enjoyed our day and afterwards had  good lunch at the Casa Blanca...  a Mexican restaurant  that made you feel you were south of the border. They also made extra special margaritas.
  We are back at our cabin, now.  I bought another bag of apples and we are waiting on the deer. Tomorrow's golf course is the "Rainmaker".

We golfed along Mescalero Lake

We were in France a few weeks ago looking for lavendar

Linda and Pat

Larry, Pat,Linda, Jerry

Larry and Pat

Linda and Jerry

See the deer?

It is pretty

you are in Apache country

Outlaw Golf Course 08/27/2018

If you like mountains, you will love Ruidoso.  If you like to play golf, you will love the Outlaw Golf Course located in Ruidoso.  My brother, Larry, and his wife Pat,  love to play golf and they love to play golf in the mountains of Ruidoso.  I love my brother, so Linda and I come to Ruidoso to see them.  My brother loves me,  so he takes me to one of the hardest golf courses to play in New Mexico.  He just says "have fun".  All golf courses are hard to me.  This is a beautiful place to play.  You are surrounded by mountains.  There all sorts of wildlife on the golf course.  Elk, deer, bears and a mountain lion have been seen.
  After breakfast we loaded up our clubs and headed to Alto Country Club, home of the Outlaw.  We checked in and loaded up our golf carts and went to the driving range.  Personally,  to me, going to the driving range 30 minutes before your tee time is a waste of time and energy.  Your game is what it is.  You will not improve in 30 minutes.  My thoughts are, just save your energy.  Playing 18 holes is an all day job, especially at the Outlaw.  We joined up with Pat's brother,  Bobby Hawkins,  and began our round.  If you were to break my golf down in mathematical terms,  I would say my golf was 20-35-45.  20% good shots,  35% so-so, and 45% awful.  Did I mention the scenery is absolutely stunning and  I don't care what golf course we are on,  Linda and I enjoy playing golf with Larry and Pat.  If you are out this way, stop in, try your hand, enjoy the view.  As this is being written, Larry is grilling steaks and Linda, Pat and Larry are feeding the deer.

Pat, going down range

Bobby, right behind her

Golf course view

Is it not pretty

You need to come see for your self.

Ruidoso Downs 08/26/2018

As we talk about our visit to Ruidoso, I would like to talk a little bit about the history of the town and the area.
  Ruidoso was settled early on in 1840's.  The Hispanos settled in this area and they called the region San Juanito.  The village received its name from the Rio Ruidoso (Spanish for "Noisy River), a small stream that weaves through the city.  Ruidoso is a mountain resort town that lies in the Sierra Blanca mountain range located in south-central New Mexico.  It is also located in Lincoln county, home of the Lincoln County Wars and home of Billy the Kid.  Rodeos and horse racing was introduced and a new wave of families arrived and settled in the village.  The Ruidoso Downs Race Track saw its beginning in the 1940's.  It has developed through the years as a racetrack for both thoroughbred and quarter horses.  Today it is the home of the All American Futurity,  the richest race in Quarter Horse racing.  The Mescalero Apaches are doing well in Ruidoso.  They have built a world class lodge, casino, and golf course, The Inn of the Mountain Gods.  We will be playing golf on that course Tuesday.
  Today Larry got up early, made coffee, and cooked a great breakfast of eggs, cheese grits, bacon, sausage, biscuits and we had Pat's homemade peach and grape jam.  I asked Larry if we could expect this every day.  He just laughed.  After breakfast we went to the Ruidoso Downs track and watched the Quarter Horse races.   We did not bet any money on the races,  just enjoyed  our lunch, and watched the races.  This was my first visit to a horse racing track and I was impressed with the professional way it was run.  The races were uneventful, except for the 8th race when one horse pulled up lame and had to be removed from the track.  We can only hope the horse is going to be okay.  In the 9th race a jockey suffered a spill from his horse during the race.  Fortunately, we believe both horse and rider are going to be okay.
A nice day.  We put out apples for the deer last night and apparently word spread through the deer community that the Hatfields were back in town and apples were flowing like wine.  I am pretending to be writing this journal entry while Larry, Pat, and Linda are cooking supper.  Grilled pork chops.  Larry just brought in the hors d'oeuvres so I am going to wrap this up and join them.  Tomorrow we have a tee time at  Outlaw golf course at 11:30.  Larry and Pat brought me two boxes of golf balls to use.  Is that a compliment or what?

Ruidoso Sunset

Larry, on the information highway

Pat, on the information highway

awaiting for the first race

they are off!!!

everybody stood, no one knelt

New Mexico is waiting 08/25/2018

For the past several years Linda and I have met my brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Pat Hatfield, in Ruidoso, New Mexico for several days in the mountains.  Normally we would go to Lubbock, Texas to visit my nieces, Tami and Traci and their families. (Larry and Pat's kids).   On this trip Linda and I decided to fly to Albuquerque and rent a car.
Our first family trip to Ruidoso was in the late 1980's when we decided to bring the kids out for a white Christmas.  It was a great trip, lots of snow, and everyone enjoyed the visit.  Now it is just Linda and I, Larry and Pat.
Larry and Pat drove to Lubbock on Thursday and then traveled to New Mexico on Saturday.  Linda and I were scheduled to fly out on Saturday.  You can imagine our pleasant surprise, when on Friday, Delta notified us that we would receive a complimentary upgrade on our seats.
  We arrived at the airport and were informed the flight departure from Montgomery had been delayed 15 minutes.  No problem said the gate agent.  We still had time to meet our connecting flight in Atlanta.  While waiting in the terminal,  our departure time was pushed back again.  I called Larry and told him about our delay.  I did not have a good feeling about making our connecting flight in Atlanta.  The gate agent said not to be concerned,  there would be another Delta flight and they would put us on that,but it leaves in 12 hours. I saw our complimentary upgrade flying out the window.  Long story short, after another delay we arrived in Atlanta at D terminal.  Our flight was leaving  from A terminal.  We had about 20 minutes to make our gate.  Our trip through the Atlanta terminal was reminiscent of the O.J. Simpson airport commercials from the '80's.  We got on board just before the doors closed, but had serious reservations as to whether our luggage was as fast as we were.  Weather was good, great flight, the peanuts and cheese crackers were to die for.
When we landed in Albuquerque we went to claim our baggage.  Our suitcase was there, but my golf clubs were not to be seen.  We checked with Delta and were told they were in the oversized luggage area.  Crisis averted.  We went to Hertz, got our rental car, a Sonata Hybrid,  and had a very nice drive into the New Mexico mountains on our way to Ruidoso.  Larry and Pat were waiting.  Larry was grilling hamburgers.  Dinner was served.  Our New Mexico adventure was just beginning.

Deer love apples

View on U.S. 380

Land of enchantment

on the road again