Spaulding Smails

Freshwater: All Star Topwater 6'0" model with Shimano Sedona spinning reel and All Star Jig 6'6" with Shimano Catana baitcaster. I fish mostly from my kayak, so I prefer the short rods. I have three of the 6'0" setups that I take on overnight river trips. All 20 lb green braid with 12 lb fluorocarbon leaders. Saltwater: Two Waterloo Salinity 7'0" with Concept Z reels. 30 lb yellow braid with 15 lb fluorocarbon leaders.

Actual anniversary is in June. We thought the logistics of in-laws watching the kids wasn't going to work, but now it might. @Masflo I'm intrigued by the Playa Largo. Please provide an update when you get back. That may be in play if we go in June. If August, leaning towards San Francisco or San Diego for a long weekend.

Looking for some good options for a 15 year anniversary trip this August. Thinking Thursday - Tuesday, so five nights. I have more than enough Southwest points plus a companion pass to get to any Southwest destination and more than enough Marriott points to stay at any Marriott property (including Autograph Collection and Ritz Carlton). We don't travel much anymore, so I'm kind of stumped on where to go. We like activity and good food when we travel. We'd prefer to make our own choices over being stuck at a hotel and limiting ourselves to their restaurants. I'm open to a big city or a laid back beach resort and anything in between. Direct flights from Austin a plus, but not required. Also willing to rent a car and drive a few hours to get off the beaten path if necessary. I know it's hurricane season, but I'm not opposed to rolling the dice in the Caribbean. Suggestions?

Porque te toque a ti mismo

Yep. Especially if they get into golf. My oldest enjoys playing, so when I do play, it's with him. He enjoys baseball, hunting and fishing more than golf, so we tend to do that more. And I a'int complaining.

Co-ed softball two years ago. Hit a double to knock in a run. Throw goes home, so I advance to third. Play is going to be close and ball is tailing towards me. Slid (feet first) into third base. Kind of rolled my body so my back was to the throw coming from the catcher. Put my right arm down to brace myself and SNAP. It sounded like someone spit a branch over their knee.

Shot a 74 at Kizer about 12-13 years ago. I had a friend that worked with me, and once daylight savings kicked in, we walked as many holes as we could at Kizer or Clay on Wednesdays after work. Straight from the truck to #1 tee, off and rolling by 5:20 PM. We usually got 18 in. Maybe more during June / July / August. Started fairway-green-3 putt on 1. Fuck. Holes 2-18, I hit every GIR. Got home in two on 14 as well. Hole 1 was a 3-putt. Holes 2-13 were 2-putt pars. 14 was a 3-putt par (doh). 15,16,17 were 2-putt pars and on 18, after sticking my approach below the hole with a 15-ft uphill putt for bird, I managed to 3-jack for bogey. So, a smooth 74 with 18 GIR and 39 putts. Sixteen pars and two bogies. The odd thing is, I've always been a pretty fucking decent putter. I burned lips all day long, they just never fell. Shot a 74 at Lions that same summer, but that was all over the place with five birdies, four bogies and two doubles. Had kids shortly thereafter, and my golf game went to shit. Now, I'm lucky if I play twice a year and I'm glad when I keep it in double digits.

Great thread topic. We just bought a place in Junction, but I'd like to have a spot to hit during the week. Junction is just a bit too far for an afternoon hunt. Curious to see what we can scare up on a few hundred acres (low-fenced). Setting up three feeders and blinds this weekend, and we'll start feeding protein next week. Back on topic, I'm on the prowl for a dove / duck lease within an hour of ABIA. I'm looking for somewhere that I can lock in without being plopped down with hunters I don't know. Would like to have 3-4 gun spots. This would be for my business partner and me with the intent of taking our kids / employees / clients a few at a time. Willing to pay $5K+/yr depending on location / setup.

So, did you bid 30 or 31 with that hand, Al? That's pretty awesome. I don't think I've ever had six of a suit let alone all seven.

I did, but not much. TON of rock about 12" below grade there. I dug until I hit rock and said "fuck it". Maybe half a sack per hole at most. I really should have poured a grade beam around the perimeter, but I had just enough slope to make that a pain in the ass. I'm just going to set some 2x6s vertically at grade and hope a fox doesn't burrow under there.

Got the chicken coop framed up Saturday of Easter Weekend. All cedar framing. 1/2" hardware cloth with 2x2 cedar stops going on next weekend. Need to enclose the laying area and put on the metal roof. Lots of details remain, but off to a good start.