Final Day at The Homestead

I played the Cascades my final day at the Homestead. Below is a glimpse of the swift flowing creek that separates the 16th and 17th fairways of the Cascades Golf Course. The last seven holes of this course are my favorite consecutive holes anywhere. Nestled in a small valley, playing holes 12 through 18 melts the world away. Life slows as you stroll through this small, but glorious valley. The golf is the icing on the cake.

The 6th and last day of our tranquil vacation – I have been looking forward to this week for a long time. Heck, it may be the only vacation we take this year. I just cancelled my Backroads cycling trip because Maine created such restrictive entry requirements that I cannot risk not meeting them and forfeiting the money I paid for the trip. However, Pete and I may go to Utah instead And cycle in Bryce and Zion parks. This would be plan D because of COVID-19. Plan A was Spain, plan B was Canada, and plan C was Maine.

A few days into this vacation I realized how much I needed this – the tonic for COVID-19 monotony. I never realized how the same routine every day is emotionally draining.  This week in the mountains has given me energy and vitality. I do not want to go back home!  

The morning was splendid with an enjoyable round of golf on the Cascades course with Pete and his two son-in-laws, Alex and Paul.  The last seven holes of that course are my favorite seven holes on any course I have played in the world.  Enjoy the photos. As I sit on the back porch enjoying the cool breeze playing through the trees, I am reminded of this poem I wrote several years ago while at The Homestead. I love this place.

Trees on the Ridge 8.24.14

 
They move waving their arms
As the wind moves across the Ridge
Their dark green leaves creating 
A chorus that sounds like the surf
I can see the clouds moving in 
And smell the rain before I feel it
 
It is August in the mountains 
And I sit alone on the back porch
Drinking the view of the valley
And mountain ranges in the far distance
The air is cool and vibrant
And I absorb its energy and joy 

After golf, I had a wonderful lunch in our cottage, followed by reading and watching golf. We then had our final tea at the Hotel, where we said goodbye to our friend Pete and his family.