1st 2 days of the tour. Hectic :)

bfdlad

bfdlad

T-Wheels
Silver Member
Well its been a hectic first 2 days on the road, I got punked that Nick had missed his plane and would miss our first clinic in Salt Lake City. I went through the wrong security gate at the airport after standing in line for almost an hour and had to run All around the airport to get to my terminal on time. We could not find the car rental place (Fox) which is hidden away from all the others in SLC. At this point I have ran a few miles with bag, etc.
We did a clinic and a show all in the same day and Nick stay around after to play in a mini tourney they had and they had asked him to play in it. So Johnny and I got a ride back to the hotel around 11.30pm and left the car for Nick. However, once in my hotel room I realized that I had thecar keys in my pocket. CRAP! So we arranged a ride for Nick and now have to get a way back to the car this morning. I could not get a hold ofthe pool room owner who had said "No problem just call me when you are ready" So I call my newbuddy "Pickpocket" a fellow AZer and he says no problem I would be happy to. Very nice of him by the way but the owner called right after and said they were on their way. Great people at Batters Up in SLC if you get a chance go and hit balls there all great people and friendly.

So Nick has been got to get the car for an hour and I call him and he says that he has extended our checkout and that he will be on his way soon. He decidedto havebreakfast there at the poolroom as they do a good breakfast. So here I sit waiting for his return and once he is here we head up to Pocatello, ID. Justa 2 1/2hr drive up the road where we have a clinic at Pockets of Pocatello that starts at 6pm to 10pm.

Johnny is getting a little ancy asthe Masters coverage starts at 1pm and he really wants to watch that.

As some of you know I like my Bud Light. It had a couple yesterday during the day on an empty stomach while the clinic was going on. I felt nothing, maybe its the altitude? No they have "Near beer" here in SLC. its about half the alchohol that normal. So thats why ifyouare in SLC and findyourself at a bar and drank 10 beers and not feeling anything its because you really only had 5 but paid for 10 :) Just some travel advice.

I am already missing my family and have 23 more days left. Having a great time though really except Archer seems to think I am his little toy that he can wind up and let go when he is bored. Just poking me in the ribs, making funny noises all of a sudden and asking questions like. "What would you rather bee or a wasp?" If I say my neck is stiff, he tells me its (misothelioma) SPelling? if I cough, I got misothelioma, If I need the tv volume up its mesothelioma. I guess that comercial got on his head :). Thats all for now. I have been waiting for them for an hour and now they are rushing me to get going.
 
HA ha ha! These guys are awesome! Fun times! I Highly recommend it! ps.. Didn't I tell you BYOB here in UT!? :p

Have a safe Journey!
 
Thanks Britton, Just arrived in Pocatello, ID. Not seen anything yet other than the hotel. I will let ya know but thisseems like a nice little town so far.
 
If you guys are coming to St Louis, let me know and I'll see what I can do again. Plus I'd love to sit down with Johnny so I can help him straighten out the ABP :smile:
 
PickPocket said:
Hey Mark... Did the Snow find ya this morning?! ....cause yea... it FOUND US!
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Yep, it started last night as we were on our way back to the hotel. Its nice to have the snow every now and then as I don't see it much in Phoenix. :)
 
watchez said:
If you guys are coming to St Louis, let me know and I'll see what I can do again. Plus I'd love to sit down with Johnny so I can help him straighten out the ABP :smile:
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Hey Watchez, I think before the year is out we will try and get back that way. Thank you for your help at the casino and hope it can work out again.
 
deadstroke7 said:
Someone should do a reality show - it's got to be at least half as good as Jersey Shore...
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I have been talking about that for some time. I think it would be a hit, there are so many little things that go on all the time. Some funny, some exciting some sad. Jokes, pranks, fights its all there. Just can't afford what it costs to have a couple of people tag along and do the filming.
 
So I left off yesterday as we had just arrived in Pocatello. Well not much happened really after that, we headed over to the Pocket of Pocatello for dinner before the clinic. I think we all know what your odds are of getting good food in a pool room. I would say its 50/50 and we were pleasantly surprised at the Pocket. They have the standard poppers, fries burgers etc but they also have a nice selection of salads, steaks, ribs and they are just introducing mexican food too and they have just built a new kitchen.

I am making a concious decision on this trip to try and eat better than I usually do. its really easy to get caught up in fast food morning, noon and night. So I went for a chef salad and it was awesome, fresh crisp lettuce, toms, cheese, ham and eggs. I know that you might think its hard to screw up a salad and you would be right but I have seen it done.
Nick had nachos and said they were really good and thats what The pocket are known for.
Anyway, the people for the clinic had started showing up and gathering ready to go at 6pm. So we headed down to the area it would be held and met everyone and got the clinic started.
So now I am on my own again just sat off to one side with a bud light and people watching. I see that the place is cloudy and although it had not dawned on me before Idaho does not have a smoking ban and the place looked like the pool rooms of old. Part of me thought it was kinda cool but after an hour or so itwas getting a little too much. However this might be the last time I ever see a smokey pool room again. Iwillbetelling my kids how it used tobe as they will probably never have that experience.
The owners are great people yet again Juan and Angie. Theydideverythingthey could to help us and make the clinic a success. Here is what is different about these pool room owners. Iwastalking aboutthe smoke andthey said "Yeah, we are trying to move to a non smoking place" WHAT?? seems every other pool room owner is dreading theday the No Smoking ban comes to their town and these guys are pushing to make it happen.

So the clinic is over and Johnny wants togo back to the hotel so Nick and I stay around a while to chat and end up staying til about 1.30am I enjoyed it and always like meeting new people. So we make our way to the door and see snowflakes coming down as we exit. "WOW, I hopethis don't go onall night and slow us down tomorrow for the drive to Bozeman" Nick says. We took off and drive about a mile down the road when we realize that we are on a one way street. Just guess what direction we are going in? Yep the wrong direction. Lucky for us there was not a soul out at that time so, Nick got us back on track without getting a ticket or getting into a wreck. I'm hungry again and have one thing in mind and that is a sausage, egg and cheese crasauntwich from Jack in a box. No joy finding one open so ended up with a big mac and a1/4 pounder. So much for that whole eating healthy idea eh?
Awoke this morning to a winter wonderland, its beautiful. Just enough to look good and not enough to make driving a problem. We will be heading up the road on a 4-5 hour drive to Bozeman, MT where we have the rest of the day off Whoo hoo. I will be back later I am sure.
 
I might be able to do that now..
bfdlad said:
I have been talking about that for some time. I think it would be a hit, there are so many little things that go on all the time. Some funny, some exciting some sad. Jokes, pranks, fights its all there. Just can't afford what it costs to have a couple of people tag along and do the filming.
Click to expand...
 
Mark...You're on your way to Bozeman right now (it's 1:30 MDT). Hopefully the snow did not slow you up too much. The weather channel showed a blizzard in Bozeman (completely normal for this time of year)! LOL Of course it was 75 and sunny last week, and everyone was out playing golf. Both Pocatello and Bozeman were my stomping grounds for 20 years, and I know all the players. I hope everything goes well in Bozeman, and for the rest of your trip out that way!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

bfdlad said:
So I left off yesterday as we had just arrived in Pocatello. Well not much happened really after that, we headed over to the Pocket of Pocatello for dinner before the clinic. I think we all know what your odds are of getting good food in a pool room. I would say its 50/50 and we were pleasantly surprised at the Pocket. They have the standard poppers, fries burgers etc but they also have a nice selection of salads, steaks, ribs and they are just introducing mexican food too and they have just built a new kitchen.

I am making a concious decision on this trip to try and eat better than I usually do. its really easy to get caught up in fast food morning, noon and night. So I went for a chef salad and it was awesome, fresh crisp lettuce, toms, cheese, ham and eggs. I know that you might think its hard to screw up a salad and you would be right but I have seen it done.
Nick had nachos and said they were really good and thats what The pocket are known for.
Anyway, the people for the clinic had started showing up and gathering ready to go at 6pm. So we headed down to the area it would be held and met everyone and got the clinic started.
So now I am on my own again just sat off to one side with a bud light and people watching. I see that the place is cloudy and although it had not dawned on me before Idaho does not have a smoking ban and the place looked like the pool rooms of old. Part of me thought it was kinda cool but after an hour or so itwas getting a little too much. However this might be the last time I ever see a smokey pool room again. Iwillbetelling my kids how it used tobe as they will probably never have that experience.
The owners are great people yet again Juan and Angie. Theydideverythingthey could to help us and make the clinic a success. Here is what is different about these pool room owners. Iwastalking aboutthe smoke andthey said "Yeah, we are trying to move to a non smoking place" WHAT?? seems every other pool room owner is dreading theday the No Smoking ban comes to their town and these guys are pushing to make it happen.

So the clinic is over and Johnny wants togo back to the hotel so Nick and I stay around a while to chat and end up staying til about 1.30am I enjoyed it and always like meeting new people. So we make our way to the door and see snowflakes coming down as we exit. "WOW, I hopethis don't go onall night and slow us down tomorrow for the drive to Bozeman" Nick says. We took off and drive about a mile down the road when we realize that we are on a one way street. Just guess what direction we are going in? Yep the wrong direction. Lucky for us there was not a soul out at that time so, Nick got us back on track without getting a ticket or getting into a wreck. I'm hungry again and have one thing in mind and that is a sausage, egg and cheese crasauntwich from Jack in a box. No joy finding one open so ended up with a big mac and a1/4 pounder. So much for that whole eating healthy idea eh?
Awoke this morning to a winter wonderland, its beautiful. Just enough to look good and not enough to make driving a problem. We will be heading up the road on a 4-5 hour drive to Bozeman, MT where we have the rest of the day off Whoo hoo. I will be back later I am sure.
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Thanks for the detailed trip description. I like hearing of your ongoings and the little stupid things as well. :thumbup:
 
Scott Lee said:
Mark...You're on your way to Bozeman right now (it's 1:30 MDT). Hopefully the snow did not slow you up too much. The weather channel showed a blizzard in Bozeman (completely normal for this time of year)! LOL Of course it was 75 and sunny last week, and everyone was out playing golf. Both Pocatello and Bozeman were my stomping grounds for 20 years, and I know all the players. I hope everything goes well in Bozeman, and for the rest of your trip out that way!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
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Scott, we were up this way last year (No Snow) but this time the snow got us. More details to follow.
 
Just arrived in Bozeman, PHEW! We are staying at the Western Heritage Inn. They kindly have sponsored this leg of the tour and so if you are ever in Bozeman and want to support someone who supports our sport please give them a shot.
What a strange trip. Nick has been wanting to take a different route to Bozeman. Its the route that takes you through the edge of Yellow stone Park. When we saw the snow this morning Johnny and I figured that that was no longer going to be the plan as the snow would obviously be worst when we got to higher altitudes. Not only that after we ate breakfast I looked at the clouds and the color of the sky around the mountains and said to Johnny "This don't look good to be going that route, there are alot of twists and turns and if there is a blizzard we might get stuck" He looked and agreed. We told Nick our thoughts on the travel plans but he dug his heels in and would have none of our opinions since he has been wanting to do this since we decided to go on this tour. Nick is the elder statesman and to be honest Johnny and I are like kids with our Dad. We carry his bags for the most part and even if we don't agree we usually let him have his way with little fuss.
So Off we go, all is well for a while then the snow begins to fall, the wind is blowing the car the road is turning white and the tracks from previous cars have dissapeard. A sign on the side ofthe road says "Chains beyond this point" OMG! I knew it. "Nick, I told you this was gonna happen" Its getting worse out there so I begin to text people while I can our location and time. Just in case we get burried in a blizzard for three days (Hey it happens) Then all of a sudden it clears up a little but the weather conditions are still so that its hard to take any pictures of the beautiful scenery. Just as I think we are ok, Here comes the storm again this time its way worse than before. Now I am freaking out, I have a fear of being standed in the wilderness or sliding off the edge of a cliff. "I knew this was gonna happen, I think I mentioned several times about the sevear weather warnings but does anyine listen to me??" Johnnysees I am going on tilt a little and loves it so he says casually "Well we are past the point of no return now, there is no turning back" then he waits just a couple of seconds andsays "Nick, how come you are not taking any pictures? I thought that was the whole point of this" Well at this point we can barly see the hood of the car. Nick says nothing. Then he carries on, talking to me. "Look at this, Nick got us at deaths door, possible stranded at best and he ain't even taking any pictures. What you think of that?" I know that he is winding me up so I pay no attention. Then the weather clears up again, still snowing but nothing like before and the roads are clear. The scenery is really unbelievable and the snow adds something to it. So we begin to stop and take pics and Nick takes some video with his iphone. Johnny and I take the opportunity to have a little snow ball fight well really we were just throwing snowballs at Nick :) and take some pictures with each other to remember the trip with some nice views behind us. If I can figure out how tot ake the pics from a text I will put them up here. We have nothing to do tonight and Johnny wants to go see the new American Pie movie and Nick is going with him. He just called to see if I was going but I think I am gonna sit this one out.
Oh, one last thing I forgot about last night. Nick, myself and the owner of the room were just hanging out and chatting and an older rough looking lady came over and grabbed my hand. She was asking something about Rosa Parks but not sure what she was wanting. She asked if I knew about rosa Parks finally I understand. I said "Of course I do" Then she askes my age. I tell her 41, she looks at me and says "Then you don't understand" She lets go of my hand and yells at the top of her voice "And now I'm not gonna give you any P&*$y tonight!" I am stunned, I look the owner and at Nick and they both have a shocked look on their faces like "Where the hell did that come from" I should have said nothing but could not help saying "Hey, I would rather knock one out in the bathroom right now than go anywhere near you" Nick thought that was very funny and couldn't wait to recount the story to Johnny this morning while driving. So while I was having my little fit, nick at one point said. Is it because that gal last night wouldn't give you any?" Then proceeded to laugh at it all over again.
Well thats all fornow. its 6.42pm in Montana and I am gonna see if there is a poolroom around. More to come.
 
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