Playing the Trail

Four of us trekked to Opelika, Alabama to play golf for the last two days. We played the Auburn University Club on Sunday and the Lake Course at The Grand National, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail., on Monday. The Auburn Club was great, a wonderful layout with firm, slick greens. But the highlight of the trip was Grand National. Unfortunately, my golf game really wasn’t up to the test, especially with cold weather, wind, and tough rough. In fact, I played just downright awfully—just don’t ask me about the rock. But it was a great first glimpse at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

In the early 1980s, Dr. David Bronner, the CEO of the Retirement System of Alabama, had a vision to diversify the state’s pension fund and help out the economy. After hiring Robert Trent Jones, Sr., a renowned course architect with over 500 courses to his credit, the state set out on an ambitious project to build 378 holes at eight sites at one time.

The $145 million investment seems to have paid off. Alabama claims the trail has had more than a billion dollar impact. Over 200,000 non-resident golfers play the course every year, spending more than $185 per day. And there are now 26 courses.

By contrast, Georgia’s own network of eight state park courses is foundering. There are gems, Arrowhead Pointe in particular. But most of the courses are losing money and Georgia’s leadership is considering privatizing all of them. While the golf, at least on my part, wasn’t exactly stellar, the trip was great fun, a badly needed escape from reality. And it was a great lesson in what can happen when someone with vision and leadership can ask “what if.” I’m jealous that a neighboring state has outshined my home yet again. Next thing you know, we’ll be losing college football games to Alabama schools, too. Well, never mind.

At The Fair

There’s something about the fair— a midway with carnies hawking “the world’s smallest woman”, livestock shows complete with 4-Hers and blue ribbons, pig races, and virtually anything you can imagine deep-fried on a stick. What more could you want? Do the calories in a wedge of chocolate dipped, frozen cheesecake on a stick count if you eat them at the fair?

I hadn’t been to the Georgia National Fair in years. So when the opportunity arose last week, I just had to go, and I had to take the Nikon. Strangely enough, this was to be the setting for my first ever attempt at fireworks. I don’t know how I've been taking photographs this long and never tried them before, but thanks to a shutter release and a tripod, I managed a few frames of the fireworks, the lake, and the midway in the background. The wind didn't cooperate, blowing the fireworks back over my head and the smoke right into the lights of the fair. So the setup that I had at first selected, with my 24-70mm f2.8, had to be modified. The slow and considerably less sharp 18-200mm f3.5 was the widest lens I had, and my only recourse. The fireworks shot posted here was a 13 second exposure at f5.6 at 18mm. The trip was fun and the results weren't too bad. I couldn't bring back enough funnel cakes and fried Snickers for everyone, but I hope you enjoy these shots.

Meet Cleo

I'm a sucker for kittens and puppies. Anyone who isn't should probably be shipped off immediately to Guantanemo Bay as a threat to national security. So when I saw this black and white ball of fur in the hands of a friend, at a golf course no less, I was instantly hooked. "They're going to take her to the shelter tomorrow," she said, and it was all over.

She was supposed to be a gift for the kids, but I've hesitantly let them play with her, knowing full well that she's mine. And what else would I do with my kitten, besides get her to chase every piece of string in the house, but to photograph her.

In case you were wondering, this was taken with a 70-200 at f2.8 and I used two SB800s fired in commander mode for lighting. Cleo wasn't too sure about the speedlights, but she's already a ham.

Granted, many will think this a silly post. No, it's not a matter of national security, bad economic policy, or even college football. It's much bigger... in a tiny package. In two days, Cleo has me wrapped around her black and white paw. She's fearless--that will come in handy with my kids--and full of mischief. My kind of pet.