Bowling, The Wright Way - February 2006 by Don Wright
On The Road Again

I long ago switched to my two Dell computers. Yep, that's a plug. I learned a long time ago that when you find a really good product - advertise it. If I could be a spokesperson for a product, Dell would be it.

Getting off of a typewriter and not having to use carbon paper (you kids ask your parents what carbon paper is), and not having ugly correction tape marks on a copy was a big deal. Some people swear by spell check. I never had trobble with spelin.

Of course both Sweetie and I have been bowling more years than I have been writing and that's what this column is all about. Sweetie was traveling to WIBC Nationals long before I retired from the Army. But, once I retired I decided to travel with her and state and nationals were always our favorite times of the year.

My first trip with her was to St. Louis in 1982. What a great trip. It was my first time to see the St. Louis Arch, The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, and of course we found a great Italian restaurant about one block from the stadium. Our table was usually reserved for Tommy Lasorda.

In 1984 we had the chance to go to Niagara Falls. I grew up about 80 miles from there and for a time lived at Old Fort Niagara. We drove from Texas to New York with our best friends who had never been there. What a great tournament and vacation. I got to show everyone Old Fort Niagara, we took the Maid of the Mist through the falls, and had some really great food of the region. If you haven't had a New York fish fry, or a beef on wick, a Del Monico steak, or an Italian sausage sandwich, you haven't lived.

1985 was Toledo and Tony Packo's. I was a big M.A.S.H. fan and I watched Klinger (Jamie Farr) brag about Tony Packo's for so many years I had to see it. The food was fantastic, the atmosphere was great and I can't wait for another trip. Also, the Toledo Zoo is everything it claims to be. Just watch out for the huge elephants and some guy in a flannel shirt. (Family joke).

Between 1985 and 1994 we had some great times. But, 1994 we went to Salt Lake City. What a beautiful city and state. On the way I made a stop in Cheyenne, Wyo. A friend of mine always wore baseball caps I really liked, so I stopped in Cheyenne and bought a baseball cap with a King Ropes logo. I told the sales lady that I drove all the way from Texas just to by that hat. She believed me and Sweetie has always hated the hat.

Salt Lake was one of our favorite places. We have been back two more times and have seen the entire state. Wonderful people, great food, beautiful scenery and I highly recommend it.

In 1996 we went to Buffalo, N.Y. It's significant because Sweetie bowled her career best game starting with nine strikes and finishing with a 279. We took a two week vacation with family living in Upstate New York and had a great time.

Starting in 1992, I participated yearly in the ABC National. Many of our stops were duplicates of Sweetie's, but we always had a great time. My 1992 stop was Corpus Christi and my 2006 will also be Corpus Christi.

In between great locations we made a few stops in Las Vegas and of course every third year we were in Reno. We like Vegas better than Reno. Although we like the bowling stadium, Reno doesn't offer the shows that Vegas does. If you are not a gambler, which we are not, Reno only offers bowling.

I missed the 2002 stop in Billings, Montana. Our grandson was graduating and that took precedence. I really was looking forward to Billings because we have friends we have never met living in Great Falls. We wanted so much to meet them and have dinner.

Also, I am a fan of Native Americans. I have studied them and have Native American art and paintings and was hoping to add to my collection as well as my knowledge. I'll make it sooner, or later.

What makes bowling so much fun is the friendships and travel. Not to mention FOOD. We always travel with friends and our best friends, Dee and Jerry Northrop have traveled with us each year since 1983. Now our daughter travels with Sweetie and our son in law travels with me. We look like a convoy of Gypsies going down the highway with Willie singing "On the Road Again," or David Allen Coe doing, "If That Ain't Country, I'll Kiss Your…".

Sweetie has had some health issues and it's questionable about Reno this year. I am scheduled for Corpus Christi and she will be changing the CD's as we Boogie on Down to Bowling'.

Ya just gotta love this sport.

See you on the lanes.