Dad's Visit: Golf at Chambers Bay

Thanks to one of Josh's colleagues, we booked Dad in to play a round of golf at Chambers Bay in Tacoma.  For those not in golfing circles, Chambers Bay hosted the US Amateur Golf Championship and is scheduled to host the US PGA Open in 2015.  It is a Links course, described on the website as follows:

"Centuries ago on the Linksland of Scotland where native grasses meander between the coastal sand dunes and the sea, the game of golf was born.   Providing both inspiration and challenge, the elements defined the experience.  That tradition continues today at Chambers Bay."

Both Dad and I like to rise early, and since it was predicted to be a hot day Dad took an early tee-time of 7.45am.  That meant leaving Seattle at 6.15am to get there in good time.  He borrowed Fred's father golf clubs and borrowed a driver, arriving in time for a shuttle bus to take him to the first tee along with 3 other players signed up for that time.  One of the men was a local celebrity (we have been unable to track him down but he appears to have been a pro or businessman of some standing, getting VIP treatment) and Dad enjoyed the golf a great deal.

Dad (figure on the right) warming up by the tee-off point.

Another view of the course as they move off.

The sun finally makes it over the ridge to light our walk.

While Dad spent 4.5 hours going around the course, Wren and I planned to take a small walk /scoot around a section of the golf course and then head up to the Chambers Bay Grill.  Unfortunately, I misheard the information about the trail length.  I thought it was 3/4 mile but it was 3-4 miles.  Wren and I bravely scooted and walked 3.5 miles up and down around the entire perimeter BEFORE BREAKFAST!!! 

Wren taking a break with injuries.

8am.  2.5 miles to go.

To make it worse, after a mile of scooting, Wren had a bleeding blister on his heel.  I told him to take off his shoe and carried it.  Every second person pointed out that my child was "missing his shoe!"  (Americans are very helpful and nosy and worried about bare feet so there was a perfect storm of helpfulness along the trail).   The bare foot made it hard for Wren who usually uses his shoe to drag behind him as a brake on the downhills.  And there were Some Steep Downhills!

"I have not dropped my shoe"

This hill is too steep to scoot UP!

Warning of the steep hill!  Will the bare foot be enough of a brake?

No!  This hill is too steep to scoot DOWN!

Thank goodness the food and coffee at the Grill were worth waiting for.  In fact, it was such a wonderful destination that I would consider driving down there one day just to do the walk and brunch again.  Wren ordered the kids bear pancake and it was one of the most entertainingly presented meals he has seen.  He ate it ALL up.  My eggs were great although I forgot to hold the bacon (or I did, but it came anyway).

Chambers Bay Grill - Kids Bear pancake 10/10

After the walk and breakfast it was only 9.30am so Wren and I headed over to Point Defiance Zoo (or Poindefine zoo, as Wren calls it), making it back in time to meet Dad for lunch again at Chambers Bay.  Dad enjoyed his meal of seafood but should have had the burger as they looked excellent.

Dad and Fred's Dad's clubs have lunch at the Grill

Dad and Wren at the entrance to the Pro Store

It was a very happy day and I am so glad we made it down there.  Now Dad has left I am looking back on it as one of the real holidays of his vacation.

"Mom, can you write a birthday list now."

Wren's birthday is many months away but he has asked me to write his birthday list.  Now.

He says:  "I will have for birthday a ghost yard, a graveyard and a moving zombie that crawls and maybe a carousel but they cost $200 or something.  I also want a cookie jar for Halloween and I would also like some dollars on money for the iPad Dragonville game because I accidentally deleted a dragon. 

I would like a Magic the Gathering deck builder box.

A kids' knife to do cooking cutting work.

A new hat from the hat shop because I lost my hat.

And a building structure like a castle that I can play in my room.

And I would like a 5 cents and that is all."

Where God Comes down

This morning the kids and I went on a walk on the way to school.   We passed an intersection in Wallingford where the community has painted a section of street with a large "street mural" of a turtle.

The turtle on Interlake and 41st

As Wren scooted past he looked at it and said portentously:

"That is where God comes down to meet the world!  Because it is bright with light.  God comes down there and he is part monster and part animal.  He is half of everything mixed up.  He is half a scooter and half a flower.  He is half and leaf and half a dog.  He is all things mixed up.  He comes down there because he knows all about who GOD IS and he even made museums [we saw Buddha and Ganesh carvings at SAM last week] because he is in museums and knows all about where god is!"

What can you say to that?  Perhaps we should avoid Catholic school.

Dad (who lives in South Africa) was visiting for 3 weeks and Wren and I enjoyed a great deal more culture, dining and recreation than usual (and somewhat less work and sleep).

Dad is very interested in Asian art, in particular in "Netsukes"
We visited the Capitol Hill SAM Asian collection in search of them.
Wren's favorite section of the SAM Asian Collection was the snuff box display.

Wren was very interested in all the Gods and Icons in the museum.
This is a very ancient bronze of a demon.

 Meanwhile, as the weather has turned colder and Beezle shivered from time to time, I took him to a dog shop in search of winter gear.

"I am not going out with Beezle in a coat."  said Joshua.  He is of the opinion that that is what fur is for.  I consider Beezle in need of another one, however, at the dog store all the coats were designed for shorter bodied dogs and they referred us to Weener Dog websites where we might find better apportioned clothing.   I am also considering cutting up a favorite OILILY sweater both boys have outgrown to make Beezle his own coat like this.

Devil Dog - Beezle Tries on a devil sweater that is too small.