Don’t Poke the Bear

November 3

Our golf game today is with Kathy and Rick at Bear Mountain Resort, and as the name would imply, a Jack Nicklaus design, but this time with his son Steve.  Intertwined with the Westin Hotel/Resort, the golf operation is right on the mark, providing excellent service, and two fantastic golf courses, but also a huge real estate development surrounds the courses, although we saw no homes while playing.  The Mountain course was built first in 2003, followed in 2009 by the Valley course which we are playing today, but the only problem is, it is pissing rain outside, and the forecast is for that to continue all day.  However Kathy has checked with various weather forecasting providers, and the most promising claims the rain will subside around noon.  The course advises that there is a 1 hour delay, so our 10:30 is now 11:30…….perfect timing for Mother Nature to turn off the tap.  We are sitting around ready to go by 11:00 and ask the starter if we can go……”Be my guest” he said, “There is nobody else out there.”

Even with the serious overcast sky blocking 95% of the view we have been told about, and pissing rain, we stand on the first tee and our jaws drop…….this would be one of many, many, jaw dropping views we would experience during the round.  Each hole was beautifully designed, taking advantage of the natural terrain, rock outcroppings, and huge mature trees, and although quite soggy, the course was in lovely condition.  The rain never did stop, but it did slow to a rather pleasant drizzle for a good portion of the round so we played on.  The greens were diabolical…….we watched the automatic ball return on a few occasions when there were uphill putts to the hole, impossible to hit an approach shot close unless you knew the green and pin location in advance, but tee shots were a dream, and many from elevated tees. All in all it was a great day of golf, although it would be nice to play this one again to see the views, and not be swinging the club with three layers on.  A beer and a snack in the lounge capped the day, said our goodbye’s to Kathy and Rick who were fantastic hosts, and headed home.

We were pretty gassed after the round, and decided to have a cosy night in Plan B……pulled out one of our home made prepared meals (pasta), and watched the election results.  
I am in the market for a new mask…….my current black cloth cloth number is very stylish, but the ear loops are made from thicker gauge elastic, and could be slightly longer.  Just in passing, I checked my reflection out in a store window, and immediately thought, Prince Charles…….definitely have to fix this.  

I have chatted with a few of our neighbours in the BIG RIGS, and they are here in this location for the next 5 months.  All used to go south to either Arizona or California, but have now chosen Victoria as their winter home……..not that we had any trouble booking sites for our short stays, but apparently it is really difficult to find locations for the whole winter. This location at Salish RV Park is the best……we can be downtown in ten minutes, and at any one of half a dozen great golf courses inside 30 minutes…….I can see why it is sold out for the balance of the season.

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