Aah…I’m home.
Well okay, I’ve technically had my mail delivered to a Minnesota address my entire fifty years of living on this planet! But I often tell people that since a mammoth month-long road trip from Minnesota, to Vancouver, BC, to Los Angeles, CA, back to Minnesota in 1986? I’ve left a little piece of my heart out along the Pacific Ocean. And last night, an hour or two after sunset, my wife, youngest daughter and I made our way into Seaside, Oregon for the night. Spending hours playing along the beach today, before heading East to Hillsboro, Oregon to begin our nine-week housesit, via TrustedHousesitters.com.
After having 3-4 hours to play along two beaches, as well as thoroughly exploring Hug Point State Recreation Site in Cannon Beach, we decided to divide and conquer. My wife and daughter heading back to Seaside to explore a couple of stores, while I headed North to Hammond, Oregon, to play some disc golf at the 23-hole Columbia Shore DGC.
I didn’t realize until I got to the course that Holes 13-18 were closed for the Winter. But that was okay, as I still was able to enjoy seventeen holes of disc golf at the mouth of the Columbia River. It was pretty neat! Being able to watch some LARGE ships come from the ocean, heading toward Portland (I presume). With bright sunshine and beautiful scenery, about the only thing I didn’t enjoy was the strong wind that was kicking-up off the ocean.
I’m not sure how I did, specific to an estimated round rating. But I was able to shoot what I thought was a solid/respectable -3 (52) over the seventeen holes that were currently open to the public. I did feel a bit bad, however. I caught up to a player in front of me on Hole 19 that wanted to talk a bit. Telling me that one of his relatives was responsible for helping to design/install the course! But I kept looking at the clock, knowing that my wife and daughter might be looking at the clock too…wondering when I would be back to Seaside to pick them up. So I politely told the nice guy that I needed to hustle…keep moving. Versus being able to chat him up a bit more. 🙁
We’re settled in at our townhouse in Hillsboro! Now I need to get about the business of playing the courses in the greater Portland metro that I wasn’t able to play during my last trips to the area in 2016 and 2019.
Magic Number = 92 (1,908 Courses Played)
How it All Got Started: Tonn’s Travels >>
A main purpose of this blog will be to share information, helpful tips and tricks (everything from health and fitness to methods for saving money while you’re out “bagging courses” of your own), and ideas for better, safer course design. But I am also hoping to inspire others with my passion for the sport, via the stories I can share about all of the interesting experiences I have. All of the interesting people I meet. All of the amazing courses I am blessed to have the opportunity to play. If I can inspire even a handful of individuals to get off the couch, get “out of their bubble” or “security blanket” and explore more of this big, beautiful planet we all call home? Then I will consider this effort a success.
About Derek
Derek Tonn is a member of the DGA’s Ambassador Team. His company, Mapformation, LLC, has been DGA’s partner in the development of disc golf tee signage since 2012. The longer our two companies have worked together, and the more Derek has gotten to know all the great folks at DGA, the more he has wanted to formally sing the company’s praises. The more he has realized that “Steady” Ed’s (the father of disc golf and the modern-day Frisbee) vision for the sport and his company perfectly describes his own interests and priorities related to disc golf, and the more Derek has recently been encouraged to share his story.