My trip to Semiahmoo and the beauty of having a dog

Just last week I did something I haven't done in a long time.  Even though my golf game has been lousy, I played in a major golf tournament.   I've been battling tendonitis in my left thumb, which isn't a good thing either.  I've arguably had the worst stretch of my illustrious golf career.   I've missed the competition, your name being called out on the first tee, and just being around great players.

Bonfires every night weather permitting

One of the reasons I signed up for this event is because I have never been to Semiahmoo Resort, and what a great place it is.  I was expecting a little more modern resort, but then realized how time flies and this place has been around a lot longer than I realized.  I also was looking forward to playing both Semiahmoo and Loomis Trail, truly one of the best tracks in the northwest, with water on every hole.

It was a milestone of sorts for me during these three days.  My scorecards had a little bit of everything, double bogeys, triple bogeys, I even sprinkled in a 9 on a par 5, something I've never done in competition before.  It almost became comical, and all I could do was laugh.  At the same time, an older guy I played with the last day dropped more F-bombs than I can remember.  I hope to never be paired with him again.

We played in the pouring rain on the final day,  and it reminded me of my junior days at Sahalee Country Club, where we used to sit and wait for it to stop raining, but it never did.  It was refreshing, considering we don't see that much rain here in the desert in Southeastern Washington.  It felt like home again.

When I traveled for this event I realized its a lonely existence being out there on the road.  I frequented the Oyster Bar that sits right on the property.  It was also telling how much I missed my dog.  Bella is a huge part of everything I do.  She travels with me to our place in Lake Chelan, she gives me the look when I leave, she greets me when I come home, she constantly brings me her Kong.  She is truly the epitome of a companion, always there when you need her.

When I arrived home after being gone all week I was expecting her to snub me and be disappointed with my play.  It was virtually the opposite, I've never seen her more excited.  She was ripping around, sticking her butt up in the air, jumping on the couch and wanting a hug.  Her buddy was home.  She could care less how I played, or the numerous train wrecks I displayed in the tournament.

The beauty of having a dog.

When you hire an advertising agency

When you hire an advertising agency you are putting your business in the hands of an expert in the field.  You are creating more time for yourself to focus on the vision of your company.

Many people hire an advertising agency to provide a different perspective and plan with your marketing and branding.  An Advertising Agency can provide an unbiased view of the marketplace, thus more efficiency in your return on investment (ROI).  You are also eliminating numerous reps from different mediums calling on you, and of course every one of them will tell you their product is the best in the market.

You hire an advertising agency to free up time.  Most small businesses don't have a marketing department.  You are gaining expertise and someone who has close ties with research, tools, and knowledge in the industry that many small business don't have.

When you hire an agency you are putting your marketing and advertising in the hands of someone who really cares.  A big portion of their business is built on referrals, and doing the best they can for your business is the ultimate goal.

This is Sun Valley

It has to be one of my favorite spots in the continental United States.  It has everything the outdoors person would want, and beauty second to none.

This is Sun Valley, Idaho.

My trip this last weekend was a last minute one, a time to do some homework before the Great Wives Ski Trip coming up on February 24th, and a chance to spend some quality time with me.  It's needed sometimes you know.  Unfortunately for me history was made, Bald Mountain was closed two days in a row because of avalanche danger, the first time in over 25 years.  We made up for it with two great days of skiing on Saturday and Sunday, you would never know it poured down rain two days in a row, this is the beauty of Sun Valley.  It's hard to find a resort anywhere that does a better job of grooming their slopes.

Ketchum is more of a dinner town, unless you want to shop for expensive items, one of the draws to Sun Valley for the high affluent one.   There's plenty of great restaurants to choose from, Ketchum Grill, The Pioneer Saloon, and Michel's Christiania Rest, I had the pleasure of enjoying fine dining at all of them.  I enjoyed some live music at the newest addition to Ketchum, The Limelight Hotel, a spectacular modern beauty situated in the middle of town with an Aspen flare.  It brought some controversy to the town when it was being built, but as my friend John said, "it brings us a city we didn't have".

Live music at the Limelight

I had a chance to catch up with John from the good ol' days, he is a great ambassador for the town and the mountain.  38 years in Ketchum can accumulate a lot of good history. We told a few old stories too.  Some not worth sharing.

The Lookout with John

 It was awesome to catch up with my cousin Susie, who lives in nearby Bellevue.  We shared some cocktails at legendary Whiskey Jack's, she even brought her friend who has settled in nicely in Hailey from Wenatchee, WA.

Susie and Me

 We capped off our visit with a nice day of skiing on Saturday, and lunch at the legendary Roundhouse, situated halfway up the mountain from the River Run Gondola.  I felt like a local on Sunday morning with my friend Steve.  We skied hard from 9am until 11.  That's all you need on this mountain.  It's about as good as it gets.

It's Monday morning and my legs are sore.

This is Sun Valley.