DGCR Meet - Highbridge

[superberry]

Well, we make it an annual pilgrimage anyway to spend Memorial Day weekend at Highbridge. How many else would be interested?

Head up Friday, play all day Saturday and Sunday, and head to Sandy Point on Monday on the way home.

[jhgonzo]

This year will be my 3rd consecutive Memorial Day weekend at Highbridge...we've secured the Honka House, and apparently Jon plans to have the hot tub installed by then, but I'm hoping more that he will have either installed Whitetail Pines or at least finished The Bear (Chestnut is apparently expanding to 18 as well). Even though my semi-large group will be filling the Honka House, Jon was also working on lodging in the basement, which is completely separate from the rest of the house (i.e. not accessible from inside), and there's already showers and a few rooms down there.

So it appears at least our paths may cross up there this year, Tim. My friend is the one setting everything up with Jon at Highbridge. We'll be up there for probably 7 or 8 days, trying also to hit Sandy Point, maybe Mont du Lac and Telemark, plus plenty of touristy stuff around the forest and Lake Superior.

[harr0140]

I'm jealous!

[tallpaul]

I pmed Tim asking for dibs on staying at the Honka House....only to learn now that Mr. Gonzo would have been my correct contact. That thing will hold like 50 people for sleeping. Any space for Tim and I, jh?

[jhgonzo]

I know the HH main floor and loft will comfortably lodge about 20 or so, and we're expecting 15+...I'm all for letting my DGCR buddies shack with us; I'll check with the ones making all the official arrangements (and vouch for ya), since some people seem to be weirded out by meeting in person "that guy from the Internet."

Although, if Jon made any progress in the basement lodging like I alluded to above, that'd hold an entirely separate group...but I have no idea if he's gotten it any better from the predominantly concrete with drywall and no lighting like it was last year.

I'm pretty confident I can get you guys in there for the weekend. Fair Warning: My group likes to party at night, and we also have a huge fireworks show on either Saturday or Sunday night. But "knowing" you guys like I do, I'm sure a late-night bonfire, drinks, fireworks, and music won't disturb you too much. I just gotta convince the trip organizers that you aren't the type to help yourselves to stuff that isn't yours (a la War Eagle), and since I've met Tim in person and talked to both of you pretty extensively here, like I said, I can vouch for your coolness.

For starters, I'd check with Jon at Highbridge to see if basement lodging is up, and then either PM or e-mail me if that doesn't pan out, and I'll work on convincing everyone in my party that we can: a) Trust you; and b) Accommodate you. I'd actually love to have both of you guys up there, and it'd sure beat rustic-style camping or staying in the flophouse-style dorm down by Chestnut Grove!

[tick]

I was in the Honka House basement in early December, and except for the stuff that was temporarily being stored there, it was no different than always. Just today, Jon told me "15" was the number that filled the HH. There are two small rooms and "living room" space in that basement which can be used if a person does a little (re)arranging. The toilet and showers are supposed to stay accessible to those (like me) who are tenting nearby. My campsite is right down the hill beside #8 Gold. DGCR's who have posted in this thread so far are all more than welcome to pitch a tent there.

[superberry]

It's cool, I'll come on over for the party at Honka and assuredly contribute, but will be just fine camping out at a site and sleeping in the back of my truck.

We make the voyage with 5 of us in my truck, not too often needing a second car. I can think of 3 others beside myself that are in for sure as part of the ritual.

I missed it last year, but look forward to camping on the course rather than over by the campground.

I HOPE BEAR IS COMPLETE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!

[tallpaul]

I'm in, one way or the other. Though, I do wish it were another weekend; as their is a fun "alternative tour" event at Token that same weekend....darn it!

[superberry]

Highbridge blows out Token though!!!

[jhgonzo]

Only a few weeks away!!! Bump.

[tallpaul]

I'm hoping to bring a crew of @5; I'm thinking we may have 15+ all together, if I get my guys on board. I'm looking forward to it. You two still in? ...Super and Gonzo? Tic, you in; perhaps Steve K?

[jhgonzo]

Oh, I'm definitely still in! I'll be up there mid-Friday of MD Weekend and staying through either Wednesday or Thursday, hopefully hitting up some other courses in the vicinity like Telemark, Sandy Point, and I'd love to get out and review Mont du Lac, time permitting!

I'm super excited! I haven't heard if The Bear is completed, but I'm guessing not...last I heard, efforts were being made to put in tees for the hybrid courses like Granberry, and also some more work on the Honka House (hopefully that hot tub!).

[Cgkdisc]

Telemark was pulled permanently on May 5th so you can skip that one.

[tallpaul]

That's a shame that Telemark was pulled. Glad I got to play it once. I threw one on the roof of one of the buildings there; and my buddy had to climb up on one of the balconies and then onto the roof; but he did; and got it back. The staff their seemed to have little knowledge; interest in disc. One of the resort workers watched us for a couple of holes and talked with us; but wasn't that interested. When we went in to the pro shop; there was no one around for a long time and had we been d-bags, we could have walked out with the store. I am interested in Mont du Lac as well. Gonzo, if you want another "off the beaten path course," go to Pleasure Island. Ferry ride is expensive, and course has no tees; just 5 buckets in a sand, quarry. We took turns inventing holes and played 18+ holes. I think I'm only going to be there for three days; so Mont du Lac would be the only thing besides High Bridge courses I can possibly attempt. Always leave there beat up, just from trying to play each of those courses. Haven't played Bear yet; looking forward to playing what's done on that one. Some new holes at Chestnut too, I think. Little school course in Ashland I haven't played either. Definitely looking forward to High Bridge courses themselves.

[Martin Dewgarita]

I might be interested in this little shindig. I've never been to Highbridge, it's definitely on my list of places I must go. Must do some research and some scheduling, I might be in.

[tallpaul]

Just talked to a couple of my crew; looks like we're coming up on Friday afternoon/evening. Probably won't get to play Friday; but will be ready for action come Saturday; and for some fun on Friday evening. Anything scheduled for your crew; jh? Flip doubles, or a scheduled singles match(es)?

[jhgonzo]

Nah, we usually just wing it--and I concur, playing all the courses up there in one weekend will leave the body aching--but with how many people we'll have I'm sure we can scrape something together for a fun little event!

[jhgonzo]

So what's our DGCR head count for this little excursion? How many in your group, Paul? I assume Tim will have a few buddies in tow? Tick's still in? If anyone knows Marty Scholz, he's told me on Facebook that he's coming out. I don't even know the exact count for my group since I'm not the official trip coordinator, but it'll be somewhere between 12-15.

Not like the head count really matters...I'm just getting really, really anxious for this trip and wanted an excuse to post in this thread again!

On the plus side, I don't have to drive down to Chicago anymore to drop off the lil' munchkin, so it looks like we'll be heading out late Thursday/VERY early Friday, staying through Wednesday...and then taking Mackinac down to FLIP CITY!!!

DG vacations > any other type of vacation!

[tallpaul]

Bunch of my local crew is headed to Sandy Point for the same weekend. Looks like I'm going with them for Friday play; with another few of my buds picking me up there and getting to High Bridge late on Friday (most of them have to work on Friday). I know there's four of us for sure; have some other feelers out there; could be a Green Bay group too; but head guy of that group is currently on a nice trip; playing in Washington state. Tic has said he's in; and I asked him to get word to Steve Kinde as well (from Axl Dog Acres). I met one of Tim's crew at a little tourney in Kiel yesterday, and he's excited about it too. I'll be making some phone calls in the next few days; but, our crew may be just my dye hard boys. Talked with Shuie on here today; his cousin bought him tickets to a jam band extravaganza in Peoria or he would have come.

[harr0140]

I wish I could come. Have an awesome time!

[tallpaul]

Sorry you can't make it harr; I'll have a beverage in your honor. :)

[jhgonzo]

I thought it'd be cool to have a separate social group for this (and any future) DGCR Highbridge meet-ups, so I went ahead and created one:

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/group.php?groupid=189

[superberry]

I'll have a truck full of beverages and 4 others. One of the players got hosed by his girlfiend who made other last minute plans - FLOYD, YOU'RE GONNA MISS IT!!!!!!

We will be rolling in hopefully between 3-4pm on Friday, camping on one of the private tracts just off hole #2 of Blueberry. From reading the latest review of Bear it doesn't seem it will be open, but we'll keep our fingers crossed and be ready to hit up Blueberry with a quickness as soon as we arrive. Maybe a nice long round with a large group on Friday until dark will be the way to kick off the weekend. See y'all there.

If anyone is coming from Madison area - PLEASE BRING MORE ALE ASYLUM - Madtown Nutbrown and Hopalicious!!!!!!!

[superberry]

I will pay you back if you show up with some cold Ale Asylum, don't fret!

[juanbond]

I'm considering trying to get up to Highbridge this weekend... Any of you have sleeping space for one more person?

[tallpaul]

Not in my tent. :) Half of us camping; can't speak for the other half.

[jhgonzo]

I'm considering trying to get up to Highbridge this weekend... Any of you have sleeping space for one more person?

Pretty sure we'll be jam-packed in the Honka House, but there's usually extra crash space in the bunkhouse down by Chestnut Grove. You can call John Jokinen, the owner, at (715) 274-2500 and see what he expects for availability there, and there's always rustic camping available if you've got a tent!

[juanbond]

Pretty sure we'll be jam-packed in the Honka House, but there's usually extra crash space in the bunkhouse down by Chestnut Grove. You can call John Jokinen, the owner, at (715) 274-2500 and see what he expects for availability there, and there's always rustic camping available if you've got a tent!

Thanks for the info, I'll give him a call...

What kind of lodgings are we talking about for this bunkhouse? I definitely need my own sink and paper towel dispenser, as well as a functional bidet. j/k

[jhgonzo]

Not sure what the bunkhouse is like since we've always stayed in HH. There is, however, a public facility in the basement of Honka. Let us know if you're heading up!

[superberry]

Juan, pass through Madison on your way up and bring up a case of Ale Asylum Hopalicious and Madtown Nutbrown and I'll cuddle with ya!

Seriously, if you happen to stop for fuel anywhere that sells these beers, I'd be much obliged and you can hang at our campsite all you want. Maybe I'll pick up a few extra steaks just in case.