Tropicurl aftermath

Well that was fun. We actually won a game which I guess is a bonus. There were two types of teams there, ones having fun and ones who were very serious. We happened to play three of the latter in four games. As the kids say, whatever. My team had fun.

Pittsburgh CC did a nice job with the ice and the hospitality. The hotel was okay but a bit of a drive although the advertised DUI checkpoints were not a factor. We either took the shuttle or had a DD. We also made our way back and did most of the late night partying at the hotel. The club does not make anything from the bar as it is run by the ice facility. So no reason to drink late at the club and then drive.

Made a couple of side trips to Pittsburgh proper as well. Hit the Oyster House and Church Brew. Both were good and worth the trips. Never did make it to Primanti Brothers even though there was one across the street from the hotel. Maybe next year.

Would like to go again. Not sure the weekend of the 4th is a great time for the event but they have to live with the schedule of the ice rink.

Now we are home for about 10 days and then off to the wilds of Canada.

Later,
JH

Summer curling

Thursday we are off to Pittsburgh and the summer bonspiel called Tropicurl. Even though we are going, only one of us is curling. Mrs. is resting her back for the summer so she will be providing moral support, taking pics and perhaps having a glass of wine or six.

This is the first trip to curl in Pittsburgh. I hear they do a great job with getting the ice ready and they started that process today. They have their own scraper this year. Also hear that hanging out on the deck overlooking the river (not sure which one) is a lot of fun as well. Hopefully the weather will be good.

Already scouting out brew pubs and the like to visit. I want to try and make a trip to Primanti Bros. to try out the food. Need to do some draw scoping to figure out which games to win or lose.

As always it will be throw the rock and see what happens. Sure there will be updates and pics posted to FB.

Later,
JH

A good weekend

Made it to the first event final. A really good weekend of practice for the upcoming Clubs. Just couldn't quite get the rocks in the right spots in the final and finished runner up. Not bad at all.

It was fun and the boys played well especially Joel at lead. Now just have to carry that momentum to Utica this weekend. This week will be getting organized and then we leave on Saturday morning. Practice on Saturday evening and then first game is Sunday afternoon.

Also have to get out and get rid of the snow sometime later today. Maybe I better go check the long range forecast for this weekend.

Later,
JH

Team practice

Three quarters of the team are playing this weekend at Ardsley in the McKay-Douglas. It will be good to get on the ice together prior to next weekend. Derek still in Denver so he is the missing piece. They have 26 teams so should be plenty of games.

First time in years that I will be traveling back and forth for this event. Typically get a room there even though it is only 45 minutes or so. But with the big travel week coming up decided to go the cheap route.

First game is this afternoon.

Later,
JH

Off to Norfolk

This weekend is the Norfolk mixed which is a great event and a little sad with only 10 teams playing. Also, this will be the first visit to Norfolk since Elisabeth passed. It wont be the same without her watching from the warm room.

Coach Ray and Mrs. Coach make their first appearance of the year on the ice. DC will also be there and he will be playing with 1 of 4 from the Coach Ray brood who is in town for some reason. I predict there may be some late nights spent in the bar at the club. Good to help out Norfolk financially.

Even get Monday off as a holiday to recover. First time in 20 years I think I have had President's day off. I get one extra holiday a year which moves around based on the calendar.

Later,
JH

Snowy weekend

Yes, DC I did have a bit of a problem with a man in a kilt but so did John DeJong. Actually there was a good idea floated this weekend. Create a "trophy" for all the snow rollers. Getting historical names might be a problem but someone would rat out others that belong if their name was going on it.

Otherwise it was a fun weekend. It did snow on Saturday night and into Sunday but not much. The steak dinner was great along with Lou's meatballs which were especially good as a midnight snack. No dice but lots of darts and cribbage. Coach Ray will be unhappy to hear that after our cold and hard work they have decided to not pay for the satellite anymore. Norfolk did lose quite a few members this year and they are worried about finances.

Hopefully they get a good turnout for the mixed to help them along.

Later,
JH

Northern Bound

Off to the Great White North of CT this weekend. Norfolk men's bonspiel where the weather is cold and the snow falls in July. Okay, not really but it is called "The icebox of CT" for a reason. Predicted single digit lows for the weekend.

Should be a lot of fun as always. DC will be there as well I think and Coach Ray usually is but couldn't make it this year. There will be curling and darts and Canadian dice. There is curling on TV as well and the great steak dinner cooked over an open wood fire.

There probably won't be any blogging as Norfolk has yet to enter the technology age. Even cell phones don't really work up there.

Later,
JH

PCC Stone wrapup

We won that game to put us into the second event rat race. Then won the next two on Saturday. I think the boys were a bit tired and played out and we dropped the third game on Saturday to be out.

I didn't really like the draw. It punished you for winning a game by setting up a much longer road to get to Sunday. I understand what they were trying to do but they need to tweak it if they are doing it again.

Overall, a good time and the new guys did a great job. David, lead, started in January and Sean, second, started last January. Both adapted well to the ice and being in a different club.

The Golden Handle starts Thursday. At least I am not skipping, so just hit the broom and sweep some rocks.

Later,
JH