The Old Works

Just returned from an annual golf trip to Butte, Montana. You ask, how could anyone take a golf trip to Butte? In fact, just 20 minutes west of Butte is the home of "The Old Works" golf course. This Jack Nicklaus designed course is a real treat. It is eminently playable, very inexpensive and run by a happy staff, who aim to please.

The Old Guy at the Old Works, 2007.

We arrived on Wednesday evening with plans to play 18 holes on Thursday, possibly 36 on Friday with 18 on Saturday and then a return home. On the way to Montana, 7 of us stopped and played at Cardston's Lee Creek Golf Course, an excellent credit to that community.

After playing 18 holes in almost perfect weather on Thursday, it was a no-brainer that we re-play in the afternoon. The whole day cost $91, 2 rounds of golf with cart. The hamburgers are world class, order the pepperjack cheese. Friday was a repeat of Thursday and Saturday was, as planned, 18 holes and a return to reality.

Old Works is built on an old Foundry. During the 1980's the U.S. government enacted a law to clean up environmental problems. Called the "Superfund", the government imposed a tariff on industry that was to assist with the clean up. Anaconda, Montana had a huge foundry that had processed all the ore in the Butte area. (You probably remember the huge open-pit mines in the community.) They contracted with Jack Nicklaus' company to build a course.

The Four of us Have Been Taking Golf Trips for 10 years.
Leron Crapo, The Old Guy, Dennis Locking and Kipp Craig.

The course features black shavings in all the bunkers and all the rough. It is spectacular.

It is a long way to travel. This was our 7th year. I want to make the trip again but, particularly want to do so with my sons. (As many of them as can make the trip.)

This year's cast, left to right; Ethan Craig, Simon Kelly,
Trevor Locking, Mike Parker (back), Dennis, Kipp (back),
Sean Smith (Joe Sport's son and my golf partner on the last day),
Chris Law (back), Sean Crapo, Leron (back), Stan, Frank Stanford.

Keep it in the fairway. Until next time.......

Keeping the Spark Alive

The idea for this blog came to me late this afternoon as we hurried around the supermarket getting ready for tonight's FHE. Later this year we will celebrate 35 years of wedded bliss? The question mark simply highlights the fact that marriages are not all wedded bliss but ours has been one of great memories and increasing love.

As we walked through Sobeys today, I found that I could create some static electricity and then innocently put my hand on Gerry and give her a pretty good jolt. Each time I sent out the spark, Gerry would look around and try to identify what was shocking her. Of course, my role was to continue trying to innocently offer my assistance and to get up behind her, touching her leg or back with a full charge. After several successful sorties, Gerry identified the source of her zaps and began to endeavor to avoid them, mostly unsuccessfully.



We continue to fuel the fires of our romance, sense that while our love has matured and changed, it is better than ever. Of course we have our differences, that is what makes our family improve and complete. We have learned that differences of opinion are healthy and that nobody is ever exactly right. We also have agreed that we will commit to one set of principles, that we will put the Gospel first in our lives and will love one another forever and through whatever.

My advice to each of you is to understand that once you make the commitment to marriage, you forsake the option of being single. You, in fact, commit to a relationship that you have the responsibility to make successful. Understand that there will be bumps in the road. We keep our love alive by continuing to romance one another, by being friends, being 100% honest with each other and understanding that when we disagree, we will find a compromise.

I am grateful for my bride. She still takes my breath away. Hopefully we will have another 35.