Arg's Travel Log

[Argonne69]

The temperature has been dropping throughout the day. Going to be below freezing tonight. Consuming a little antifreeze. Quite sweet, but still rather tasty. 

 

 

Edited February 20 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Same 'ol, same' ol. Lol. Another travel day, another battle with the crosswinds. 20 to 30 mph this time. I-10 from Lafayette to Baton Rouge includes a long bridge with narrow shoulders that spans bayous for nearly 20 miles. Kept me on my toes. 

 

Like a dummy I forgot that I had to cross the Mississippi River on a fairly tall bridge at Baton Rouge. White knuckle time. Luckily the right lane turns into the center lane when a ramp on the west side of the the river joins the interstate. At least I wasn't driving along the railing. 

 

Very nice RV resort roughly an hour north of New Orleans off of I-12. Fairly level concrete pads. After two days of having to keep my living room slide in due to the winds it'll be nice to stretch out. The winds are still strong, but I grabbed a back-in site along the treeline that faces southwest, so the living room slide is protected from the north wind by the rig. 

 

 

No real plans today. I booked a round of golf at Belle Terra CC tomorrow, but I'm going to try to move it to Saturday. The overnight and early morning lows are once again going to be below freezing, and I expect a long frost delay tomorrow. 

 

Edited February 20 by Argonne69

[ZephyrS4]

For some reason your pics aren’t showing up for me since Blanchard’s

Edited February 20 by ZephyrS4

[Argonne69]

9 minutes ago, ZephyrS4 said:

For some reason your pics aren’t showing up for me since Blanchard’s

 

How about now? 

 

[ZephyrS4]

Ha….fixed. What did you do?

[Argonne69]

10 minutes ago, ZephyrS4 said:

Ha….fixed. What did you do?

 

I tried using a different method of generating Dropbox hotlinks. Apparently the new method didn't work. Weird, because I could see the inline photos. I changed the URL to the old style, and that appears to have fixed the issue. 

[ZephyrS4]

A lot of permanent looking RVs there…..lol…..what’s the deal with that? Can you rent them or are people living there?

[ZephyrS4]

1 minute ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I tried using a different method of generating Dropbox hotlinks. Apparently the new method didn't work. Weird, because I could see the inline photos. I changed the URL to the old style, and that appears to have fixed the issue. 

Cool…..thanks!

[Argonne69]

Grrr. Tried calling Belle Terre CC and no answer. Even tried the restaurant and administrative numbers, and nobody is home. I tried calling them yesterday and it was the same thing. I have a stinking suspicion that the course is closed due to the cold, and yet their online booking engine continues to allow players to book tee times. Do I want to risk driving 45 minutes tomorrow morning just to find the doors locked? 

 

[Argonne69]

10 minutes ago, ZephyrS4 said:

A lot of permanent looking RVs there…..lol…..what’s the deal with that? Can you rent them or are people living there?

 

Many RV resorts now have small cabins, or destination trailers. The area due north of me has three dozen cottages that can be rented short or long term. Based on the number of vehicles parked, I'd say they're nearly all empty. The RV resort has a nice sized lake, so I assume they do a good business in the summer. 

 

Here's an example of a destination travel trail. They are generally two stories with a low ceiling bedroom in the loft. Technically they can be towed, but most buyers leave them at a "destination" for the season. 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 20 by Argonne69

[ZephyrS4]

Nice….I like it!

[caniac6]

There is a golf community in NC, Olde Beau, that has several areas dedicated to RVs. I believe the people own their places, and most have some kind of structure next to their slabs. Some of the buildings are pretty elaborate. It’s a beautiful location, but the course is a bit quirky. The front 9 is fairly normal, but the back is a bit different. The back side has some spectacular views.

[Argonne69]

31 minutes ago, caniac6 said:

There is a golf community in NC, Olde Beau, that has several areas dedicated to RVs. I believe the people own their places, and most have some kind of structure next to their slabs. Some of the buildings are pretty elaborate. It’s a beautiful location, but the course is a bit quirky. The front 9 is fairly normal, but the back is a bit different. The back side has some spectacular views.

 

There are some crazy setups in RV parks surrounding Phoenix. Owners have a double wide lot. The RV is parked on one half, and the other half has a covered kitchen, and living room with fireplace. It's open on the sides, but one can basically live outside, and then use the RV for sleeping. 

 

Here's the cottage (tiny home) at my RV park. 

 

 

[Argonne69]

I wasn't planning to go out today, but I was basically stuck inside yesterday. I have a nasty feeling that tomorrow's golf is going to be a no go, as it doesn't look like it'll get above freezing until noon. 

 

Took a short drive to Hammond, LA. Gnarly Barley Brewing. Very nice taplist with 20 taps. Going to have a sampling, so starting with their Barrel Aged Wee Heavy, and Hot Cocoa Imperial Milk Stout. 

 

 

Freezing my behind off here sitting in the open taproom. I guess they don't get temps in the low 40s here often. The only door is a giant garage door that's letting all the heat out. Lol. I'm sitting next to a propane heater, which is helping somewhat. They have the back garage door open while they load a truck, and it's creating a large draft through the building. 

 

Edited February 20 by Argonne69

[tw422]

29 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

I wasn't planning to go out today, but I was basically stuck inside yesterday. I have a nasty feeling that tomorrow's golf is going to be a no go, as it doesn't look like it'll get above freezing until noon. 

 

Took a short drive to Hammond, LA. Gnarly Barley Brewing. Very nice taplist with 20 taps. Going to have a sampling, so starting with their Barrel Aged Wee Heavy, and Hot Cocoa Imperial Milk Stout. 

 

 

Freezing my behind off here sitting in the open taproom. I guess they don't get temps in the low 40s here often. The only door is a giant garage door that's letting all the heat out. Lol. I'm sitting next to a propane heater, which is helping somewhat. They have the back garage door open while they load a truck, and it's creating a large draft through the building. 

 

Keeps the beer cold though!

[Argonne69]

Well, I gotta say that this is one of the most ridiculous things I've encountered on this journey. Sitting in the parking lot at Belle Terre Country Club, and the place is a ghosttown. I spoke with someone in the pro shop 3 days ago, so there must be some life here. However, I've tried calling for the past two days and no answer. Their website allows one to book rounds, and has no indication that the course is closed. No way to run a business. If the course is closed because of the weather, the website should reflect that, and/or the booking engine should show no tee times available. 

 

Going to sit here for a short while, and then figure out if there's a course nearby that's open for play. It's still near freezing, so it'll be a while before anyone tees off anywhere. 

 

Nice looking Pete Dye design. 

 

 

[Argonne69]

Well, it wasn't a total waste of a day. After sitting in the parking lot for a short time I saw one of the maintenance crew on the 18th green, and walked over to chat with him. He had no idea if the course was going to be open, but he made a phone call, and sure enough the course would not open today. Oy. 

 

I called Riverlands GCC a mile away, and they were open. Drove over there, looked at the course, and turned right around. Lol. The course was dead flat and if there weren't a handful of flags sticking out of the holes in the small greens one would never know that it was a golf course. 

 

Took a 20 minute drive southeast to Cypress Lakes CC. The pro shop was closed, but a member of the maintenance crew said that they be open shortly. Waited a half hour and the assistant pro showed up. It was 35 degrees with a cold north wind, so I figured there would be a frost delay. He said no, and wished me luck. Not ideal conditions, but I didn't really want to sit around again. It was 40 degrees when I finished my round. 

 

The housing development course was also dead flat, but at least it had some character with water in play on 16 holes. The 1st, 2nd, 9th, 10th, and 18th holes were located in a large open area near the clubhouse, but the remainder routed through the housing development. Bunkering was very light. Seven holes with left/right movement, including two doglegs. 

 

A couple of holes had moderately tough tee shots with water in play, but otherwise it was quite easy with generous fairways and practically no bunkers. Minor misses would catch the generous rough with little tree trouble. Big misses near the clubhouse could probably be found and played, but otherwise you'd be hitting three off the tee after splashing one in a backyard swimming pool. Approaches were also straightforward with lightly guarded greens. A couple of approaches had water short of the green, so don't be short. Lol. Greens had gentle contouring and slope. Not super easy, but you wouldn't break a sweat putting. Up and downs were generally easy chips. 

 

Par 3s weren't bad with water in play on all of them. Variety was lacking with lengths ranging from a 9i to a 7i. Three of the par 5s were meh, but the dogleg 7th was a very good risk/reward hole. The teeshot was an angled drive over water. Risk biting off a big chunk and the green was reachable. However, water near the green added a second level of risk. Short 4s were meh. 

 

Conditions were quite good considering the amount of rain that's fallen in the past few days. Fairways were a little soft, but no wet areas. Rough was cut low. Bunkers were decent. Greens looked great, and were rolling at 10. 

 

Played the White tees at 6248 yds (70.2/124). Plenty of length at sealevel with a strong wind and mid-30s. Good day ballstriking, but drives were going nowhere into the wind. Downwind was a little better, but rollout was limited. Putter was as cold as the air temp. Five bogies. Highlight of the round was seeing a bald eagle on the 17th. It flew over me as I was starting to walk down the fairway. It made a circle, and then landed in a tree halfway down the fairway. I was hoping to get a photo, but it flew away just as I was getting close enough to snap a pic. Pretty impressive bird. 

 

Going to be nice and go with 4 cows primarily because they were open and playable. Lol. Definitely needs more sand, although the water is probably plenty of danger for most players. Par 3s need more variety. The $45 walking rate was just fine. New Orleans isn't known for its great golf, and this is a good example. Better than nothing, but it's very forgettable. I'm just happy that they were open. 

 

Edited February 21 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Cypress Lakes Country Club, Destrehan, LA 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full photo set: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/7pep76s4aq5ctp3advatp/APxz_EWTm8S5gjn1fdMAevA?rlkey=axobosi6bhyt2tgdl70zico2e&st=0pi0qr0x&dl=0

 

Edited February 21 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

With no breweries near the course, and nearly an hour drive back to the Hammond area, I decided to grab a bite to eat. Stopped at St Rose Tavern in New Sarpy for a roast beef, ham, and cheese po boy. Wow, was that good. Didn't think a 6" one was going to be enough, so I went with a foot long. Too much food. Lol. 

 

 

Having nearly frozen to death on the course, I wanted a bowl of gumbo, but unfortunately they didn't have it on the menu. Wound up driving to Pier 51 Seafood. Meh. Don't quite understand why gumbo in New Orleans is so mediocre. OK, it was tasty, but the roux was sooo thin. Roux is supposed to be a thickening agent. Should be like 10W-40 oil at -10 degrees. 

 

 

Edited February 21 by Argonne69

[ZephyrS4]

Oh wow…..that po boy looks dynamite!!!

[ATXGolferGuy]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

Cypress Lakes CC. The pro shop was closed, but a member of the maintenance crew said that they be open shortly. Waited a half hour and the assistant pro showed up. It was 35 degrees with a cold north wind, so I figured there would be a frost delay. He said no, and wished me luck. Not ideal conditions, but I didn't really want to sit around again. It was 40 degrees when I finished my round. 

My wife grew up just down the street from there.  When her parents were still alive I always wanted to play a round there as when we visited the course always looked in great shape from the street.  I think it was a "private" club before covid and at one point in danger of being closed....but someone would have to verify that. 

 

I played a college tournament at Belle Terre many moons ago and remember it being in great shape and a tough'ish course from the tips.  Most of the courses down here in TX/LA, need to be played mid-April and later....the conditions are just so much better and they play very different.

 

Have you played Pelican Pointe Golf Club up the road in Gonzales? It's a solid track with a fair amount of water.  Played a USGA Mid Am qualifier there a few years ago one August and remember it feeling like a cross between the surface of the sun and a sauna all at once. Pretty sure I made Lucas Glovers swamp a** look like being dry. 

[ZephyrS4]

Just looked at their menu…..talk about a po boy selection…..wow! I’d never heard of Leidenheimer bread until DDD last week at a place with po boys…..looks good.

Edited February 21 by ZephyrS4

[Argonne69]

3 minutes ago, ATXGolferGuy said:

My wife grew up just down the street from there.  When her parents were still alive I always wanted to play a round there as when we visited the course always looked in great shape from the street.  I think it was a "private" club before covid and at one point in danger of being closed....but someone would have to verify that. 

 

I played a college tournament at Belle Terre many moons ago and remember it being in great shape and a tough'ish course from the tips.  Most of the courses down here in TX/LA, need to be played mid-April and later....the conditions are just so much better and they play very different.

 

Have you played Pelican Pointe Golf Club up the road in Gonzales? It's a solid track with a fair amount of water.  Played a USGA Mid Am qualifier there a few years ago one August and remember it feeling like a cross between the surface of the sun and a sauna all at once. Pretty sure I made Lucas Glovers swamp a** look like being dry. 

 

Lol.

 

No, I haven't had a chance to play Pelican Pointe. Probably should have called them this morning. 

 

[Double Mocha Man]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

Drove over there, looked at the course, and turned right around. Lol. The course was dead flat and if there weren't a handful of flags sticking out of the holes in the small greens one would never know that it was a golf course.

 

Ah, you need one of those every once in awhile to keep you completely humble. As a kid, near our Ozarks vacation home, I played a sand greens 9 hole course that doubled as a small airport. Bonus was that you could look across the course to the Pro shop / control tower and see which way their windsock was blowing.  Non-bonus was that you had to duck when the Piper Cubs were taking off or landing.

[spud3]

Guessing the New Orleans area has been crossed off the list of possible post-trip landing spots...

[Argonne69]

42 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

 

Ah, you need one of those every once in awhile to keep you completely humble. As a kid, near our Ozarks vacation home, I played a sand greens 9 hole course that doubled as a small airport. Bonus was that you could look across the course to the Pro shop / control tower and see which way their windsock was blowing.  Non-bonus was that you had to duck when the Piper Cubs were taking off or landing.

 

Lol. I grew up playing cheap munis. If the weather had been decent I might have played it. However, the course had so few trees that I didn't want to be out there wandering in a field for 3 hours with the full force of the wind chilling me to the bone. 

 

[Phireside]

You have encountered the wonderful service standards of Louisiana. 

[hammergolf]

4 hours ago, spud3 said:

Guessing the New Orleans area has been crossed off the list of possible post-trip landing spots...

New Orleans has a few great things, unfortunately good golf courses ain’t one of them…..

[hammergolf]

2 hours ago, Phireside said:

You have encountered the wonderful service standards of Louisiana. 

Well, to be fair Arg is the ONLY person currently in South La. that wants to play golf when it’s 35 degrees…. 

[spud3]

3 hours ago, hammergolf said:

New Orleans has a few great things, unfortunately good golf courses ain’t one of them…..

and apparently neither is good mole'...