Sunday, March 30, 2014

Southern California Fun

We started the new year out right with a party at the Palm Springs TT. We had a great time with great friends and great music. Then came the Humana Challenge Golf Tournament. PGA West on the last day of the tournament.

PGA West Palmer Course

This year we got to go to the Appreciation Party. It was held at the Jackalope Ranch.

Humana Party at Jackalope Ranch Rockey 20140121_1

Great food, entertainment, and grounds.

Humana Party at Jackalope Ranch 20140121_2

Dick & Rockey Humana Challenge Party

After the great lunch we headed to Pio Pico TT in Jamul, CA for our first of the year pool tournament.

Here is the view of the park from our hike up the hill (really it’s down there).

Pio Pico TT from our hike 20140126

This is the view from the “phone booth”. Yes I said phone booth, you can hike up here and get some cell service.

Pio Pico TT from the 'Phone Booth' 20140125

From here we headed to Wilderness Lakes TT for the second pool tournament of 2014. We had some foggy mornings.

Foggy morning Wilderness Lakes TT 20140219

And sunny evenings.

Sunset Wilderness Lakes TT 20140217

After the tournament we went on a couple of day trips. Our first excursion was to March Airfield Museum.

Memorials March Air Force Museum 20140219The entrance to the museum has war memorials throughout the grounds. This one is the memorial for the Canine Corps.

Memorials  & Rockey March Air Force Museum 20140219

Karen is by another memorial.

Memorials  & Karen March Air Force Museum 20140219

They have a number interesting displays. They received a console from the NASA’s Space Program and have it set up with flight simulators. Dick really enjoyed flying.

This was a highlight of the museum. It is the SR-71 Black Hawk.

SR-71 Black Hawk March Air Force Museum 20140219

Here is another view where you can see just how big it is. That is Bill looking into the cockpit.

SR-71 Black Hawk & Bill March Air Force Museum 20140219

On another day Bill & Karen and Dick & Marla joined us in Perris to tour the Orange Empire Railway Museum.

Orange Empire Railway Museum 20140223

We got to ride on 2 trains and a trolley.

Rockey Marla & Dick Orange Empire Railway Museum 20140223

The train ride takes you a short way into town and back. Trolley takes you through the grounds. We walked through the Engine House and car barns with Norm who knew everything about the trains.

Norm & Car Barn Tour Orange Empire Railway Museum 20140223

We look pretty bored but it was nothing like that he was very interesting and had so many stories to tell. Our next stop was the Grizzley Flats Engine House. It houses a 3 foot narrow gauge steam locomotive, passenger cars, and related artifacts dating from the 1880’s.

Ward Kimball donated the narrow gauge train and barn.

Ward Kimball donated narrow gauge train & barn Orange Empire Railway Museum 20140223

Steam engine.

Ward's narrow gauge donations   Orange Empire Railway Museum 20140223

The narrow gauge railways served many mining, agricultural, and lumbar communities in the West.

Ward's narrow gauge donations & Rockey  Orange Empire Railway Museum 20140223

Our next pool tournament is in Palm Springs in March. The weather is great, the food fantastic and the games fun. Hope, Kathy, and Mike are waiting to play.

Fun while waiting at Pallm Springs annual pool tournament 20140312

Friendly competition between Earl and Richard.

Friendly competition at Pallm Springs annual pool tournament 20140311

The winner’s of 9-ball. Richard F., Vic K., and Ed R.

SONY DSC

Jack & Jill winner’s Darol & Ruth, Budd & Beverly, Vic & Marilyn.

SONY DSC

After the Jack & Jill tournament on Friday a bunch of us went to Mario’s for dinner.

Jack & Jills dinner at Mario's 2014 Palm Springs TT_3

Saturday was the Singles tournament. The winner’s are 1st Joe H, 2nd George R, and 3rd Bud H.

SONY DSC

Last day Sunday is Doubles. The winner’s are 1st is Bob Munson, 2nd Joe & Bob, and 3rd was Richard & Doug.

SONY DSC

Next week we head into AZ to visit with friends and take in a birding festival in Cottonwood.