University Park

part of an orchid wall outside Pattigeorge's restaurant

We met Richard and Ruth for drinks and dinner at Pattigeorge's on Longboat Key, drinks courtesy of Murf Klauber,  then walked next door with him to listen in on the Colony Owner's meeting being held via conference call.   Suffice it to say the meeting was same old, same old and we left about 9:30 with nothing resolved, or even moving in a clear direction.  Enough said.

Today Dave, Richard and Ruth and I played 18 holes at a beautiful, mature Country Club called University Park. (as usual, I drove the trolley instead of playing)  It was like old times.  Eons ago, when we all were able to spend lots of time at the Colony, University Park, Legacy and Forest Lakes were a big part of our time there.  Richard, Ruth, Cindy and Norm, Jesse, Stephen, Melanie, Dave and I  have made wonderful memories on those courses - in the heat, in the rain, in the cold, in the fog....but always laughing.

It was a beautiful day, overcast for the first 9 holes, sunny and oh so humid for the last.  The course is beautiful, teeming with wildlife and a joy to experience.  Afterward the four of us had a lovely lunch at the Grille and headed home, exhausted from the day.

discussing the shot

whose ball is this?

A good son,  keeping his promise to talk with dad in the UK

Ah, finally out of the sand....

keep moving buddy

Sand Hill Crane chick disobeying mom and following Dave

Dave and Ruth had just retrieved one of their balls from a pond when this fellow went gliding by, oh boy...

The squirrels were very "friendly".  You couldn't leave your cart unattended for long without one checking it out thoroughly for anything good to eat.  This guy, below, was very large and strange looking.  He (and I do mean HE) almost looked like a cross between in squirrel and a racoon...

A beautiful day