Today was a fun day. I set two different alarm clocks this morning, making absolutely sure I would not sleep through my $150 ticket for a ferry ride across Lake Michigan. But after I was up and ready to head to the ferry in Ludington (Michigan), I couldn’t help feeling excited at saving a full day of driving and hotels off my trip back to Minnesota. That, and re-living memories of crossing Lake Michigan with Derek Place and Erik Koob very early in my course collecting adventure.
It was on that trip with Derek and Erik, several years ago, when I got to play my first disc golf courses in Indiana and Michigan. Got to play one of the top ten-rated courses in the world: Flip City. I was thinking a lot about Derek and Erik while traveling across Lake Michigan today. How lucky I was to have the opportunity to enjoy a little disc golf vacation with them before we all got even more busy with work, kids, girlfriends/wives, etc.
After making it to Manitowoc (Wisconsin) and getting my “land legs” back, I got about the business of course collecting while pushing as far West as I could before dark and the next round of rain. I started with a quick 20 holes at Jaycee Park Quarry in Sheboygan, followed by a not-as-quick round of 18 holes at H.A. Meyer Nature Park in Plymouth. Not as quick, due to the fact that the wind was HOWLING…and the air temperature went from jeans and sweatshirt weather on the ferry to a temperature of 85 F by the time I was playing in Plymouth. I was shedding layers as fast as I could, but that hot weather was not something I had planned for in early October in Wisconsin.
After surviving the course in Plymouth, I made my way to Ripon, to play a quick, very windy nine holes at Murray Park, then snuck in a quick six holes at Mile Bluff DGC in Mauston before the next round of thunderstorms arrived in the area. And arrive they did, as it was quite an impressive lightning show, with the air temperature dropping by more than 30 degrees Fahrenheit! But I got to watch said show from the comfort of my hotel room for the evening. One more day and I’ll be home!
Magic Number = 564 (1,436 Courses Played)
About Tonn’s Travels
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 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.