Pine Beetles, a Dilapidated Forest, and Lots of Disc Golfers: Travel Blog, Day Three, June 16

Trudging down the perilous Berthoud Pass from Winter Park, we embarked upon a day in the Frisco/Dillon/Silverthorne area; the Gateway to Summit County, Colorado. Our destination was Frisco Peninsula Recreation Area Disc Golf Course, consistently rated one the best courses in the state. It was our chance to test the theory.

We got there around 10 a.m., and by the time we got finished we were glad we didn't wait to get on any longer. The course began with very little fanfare--it was much more open than I imagined. The holes had great variation combining hiezers and anhiezers equally. Although there was only one tee box, the pars varied between 'amateur' and 'pro'--to tell you the truth, all of them should have been par 3's, even for amateurs. It was not a terribly difficult course, but as I understand, it is a shadow of its former self.

As I mentioned in my last blog post, the pine beetle has been on a rampage throughout the colorado forests; throughout western forests for that matter, creating a forestry and logging industry that cannot keep up with the business. This course was hit particularly hard. As you threw holes like 1, 4, and 10 you could see the tree stumps where towering pine trees once graced the mountainous skyline. The course would have been much tighter five years ago than it was yesterday.

The course seemed heavily played. It was very well marked and had some sort of seating on every hole. Lake Dillon skirted the course along the front 9 but did not come into play with the exception of one tee shot where you had to throw over about 30 feet of it from the tee. Not terribly intimidating.

Although I really enjoyed this course, one thing found me quite disturbed; the people were not friendly. That really bothered me; as a Colorado native, I take pride on Coloradans being the friendliest people in the union, bar none. But on this particular Tuesday morning, they let me down. To boot, the course was overrun with people when we finished 18--there were 4 groups waiting to tee off on #1 as we were leaving--that's not a trait in a golf course that I admire.

Regardless of the faults i nitpicked, the course was playable, enjoyable, and designed with rational thought and precision. I will go back and play it again if I have the chance--but hopefully the people will be singing a different tune when that day comes.

Caught "The Hangover" in a Dillon theater at the end of the day--I have not laughed that much since Clinton was in office.

Up next: Pioneer Park DGC at Sulfur Hot Springs along the Colorado River--

[Nascar Dave]

Beau Jo's, that's it. I just remember how to get there and that the beer is as good as the pies. Man, I'm ready to go to the mountains myself.

[Ryan S. Flahive]

Not board, just killin' time while we relax.

'More advanced plastic'? It might just be a cliche', but 'its not the arrow, but the Indian'. I've played ball golf with $1,000 clubs and $200 dollar clubs, and my score rarely changes--I take the same attitude into disc golf when it comes to a $10 disc vs. a $20 disc. And I have been following your thread on 'the more you spend the better you get', quite an interesting conversation...I don't discount your theory...I'm just too cheap to spend $20 bucks on a disc. At least I'm honest.

I've never thrown a whippet but am willing to try anything. As you well know, I'm not picky.

By the way, the ace was with 'less advanced plastic'--DX Cheetah, 174--I bought it used for $4. works great.

I'll drink a few for you, don't worry 'bout that. Lets hit Roses on the 27th? What do you think?

Dave: the Pizza joint is called Beau Jo's--its Colorado Pizza Pie--I've been going there since I was a kid and would never go into the mountains without stopping in for a 5 pound pie! Thanks for the reminder!

[Nascar Dave]

Oh, hit the micro Brewery / Pizza joint in Idaho Springs, in the old down town section. Sorry, don't remember the name. Peace.

[Ryan S. Flahive]

Hey What!?