John Madden's Travel Blog

Up and at em! Pow wow photos taken on May 15th

2011-05-24T08:15:00.001-07:00

A photo taken by Judy, of my good friend (Kenneth - KP- Poole) and I at
the Comanche Little Ponies Pow Wow, in Lawton, OK, May 7, 2011 in Lawton, OK.

KP is wearing the black baseball cap and there is a young man between us.

We are Gourd Dancers ( http://library.thinkquest.org/3081/gourd.htm )

My first outing since surgery last year.

The black shoulder strap is for a "wound vac" that helps heal from
surgery.

It was a good weekend.

Ahoe,

John

I'm still standing!

2011-05-24T08:02:00.000-07:00

Hello from the depths of my Heart,

After a long bout of ill-health I'm back. It's been a long stretch of bad road - but I'm on the mend and ready to get back to blogging.

Life IS GOOD !

John

Las Vegas, NV

2010-03-09T15:30:00.000-08:00

My very good friend, Kenneth Poole ( KP ) and I combined a working trip to Las Vegas with a few rounds of golf.

The weather was wonderful, our golf was....well less just say we had a good time.

We also visited one of our favorite places to eat. Hooters.

We figured, this is Las Vegas, the town of beautiful women, showmanship, glamor, top rated shows and if any Hooters would be a showcase Las Vegas was it.

What a joke!

It was in the Hooters hotel/casino all the way back in the corner.

You know those white tops the ladies wear, how bright they are, how nice all the ladies look and how the ladies flow with confidence? Wrong!

This was not the case at the Las Vegas Hooters. The white tops were dingy, I mean it looked like they needed to be washed in bleach more than once. The ladies looked like they needed to get their hair washed and the "make over" class had been missed.

It was nothing like we've seen in all other Hooters.

The majority of the crowd, yes we know we were a part of it, looked like they had just got out of detention. Where were the yuppies, bikers, college students, and families? Had we walked into a "twilight zone" and not know it?

The food was okay but not like we're use to.

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest....we give Las Vegas Hooters a 3,5.

Okay, enough about the lack of Hooters grandeur.

We played two "links" courses. That was a first for me and while I only have these two under my belt, they're not my favorite gold course. I like seeing a fairway, grass, green if in season, some idea of where the green is other than....over that way somewhere.

The first one was the Callaway Golf Center at 6730 Las Vegas Boulevard South.

Their web site shows this beautiful tree lined, grassy fairways and sand traps. We didn't see it....no beautiful trees or grassy fairways. It's an interesting 9 hole links course. The club house is great with a golf shop, friendly restaurant and bar.

The carts are gasoline powered and the course is well laid out. It's well laid out, a championship par 3 course, nine hole with holes from 110 to 185 yards.

We rented clubs, for $20 I think, cart for $10, round of golf $19 and off we went.

I had a brain freeze that day and forgot to take my camera. How in the world does a professional photographer forget to take his camera with him?

The staff was great, very helpful and we'd go back in a heart beat.

Next we had two days at the Revere Golf Club, 2600 Hampton Road, Henderson, Nevada.

It's a 36 hole course that will challenge you, delight you, and bring out all your golf emotions. It's a blend of fairways, desert, lots of sand traps, rocks, rolling hills, rolling greens and staffed by some of the nicest people you'll meet.

Club rental was $65 and that covered both days. Don't remember the cost for a round or the cart, but they were much higher Calaway.

The view of Las Vegas and surrounding area was awesome and worth the trip itself.

KP doing his best.

This is another course we'd go back to just given the chance.

Golf is a new experience for me. It's a long time passion for KP and together we kid, encourage, torment, and have fun.

John Madden

McBride's Steak House

2009-12-10T08:22:00.000-08:00

If I'm in Wichita Falls, Texas, have any time, this is my place to eat. The steaks are truly mouth watering, tender and a meal you'll remember.

The menu is small, service is great, price is right, parking can be a problem, it's a quiet, family and friends type of restaurant.

I take anyone who is with me there and they are always thankful. They always want to go back!

The photo above is a pencil drawing near the cashier....check it out. It shows how the early Native Americans referred to the area, the water and their enjoyment of it.

PS...they have mints at the cashier that don't cost anything and for some reason they always taste better than anywhere else I get them.

John Madden

I rate it as high as I can!

Mamma Mia!

2009-11-03T22:05:00.000-08:00

We have season tickets to the Broadway shows that come to Amarillo, Texas and this was one of the very best.

For me going to shows started in college, at Eastern New Mexico University, in Portales, New Mexico.

Every since then I've enjoyed plays, concerts, live entertainment (including ballet...Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov...folks these men were as atheletic as anyone I've ever seen on any field of sports) and seeing people dedicated to their dream and craft.

We, Judy, KP, Carolene and I saw the movie. It was outstanding.

The play was just as outstanding in a new and extremely entertaining way.

See if you can get in on season tickets of or for plays, concerts or any entertainment. The arts are called "arts" reason.

Artists are working at the art they love.

John Madden

Larry The Cable Guy

2009-11-03T22:00:00.000-08:00

KP (Kenneth Poole) and I went to see his Hero....Larry The Cable Guy.

I'll admit I wasn't looking forward to this that much. Even thought it was my idea when I saw he was going to be in Amarillo.

KP is not only a good friend, but we enjoy doing things together. After talking to his wife, Carolene, I got the tickets and began wondering what had I got myself into?

We had floor seats, not bad at all. However the seating gang at the Amarillo Civic Center did not have their stuff together, as to where what seat was...with reference to where seat number 1 was and number 18 was.

We were seated at one end, told we should be on the other end. Moved, only to be told, we were told wrong and that we'd have to move.

Come on folks....let's get our stuff together, okay?

The show was great! Yes, I was surprised and really enjoyed myself.

Two couples (they were not what one might think of as "redneck" by any means) in front of us were as much fun as the concert. The two ladies laughed more than their men.

I became a Larry The Cable Guy fan, bought the hat, the CD and look forward to next time.

If you want to be entertained (disclaimer: some language will hit you as foul...it is...deal with it or don't go!)

This guy is FUNNY....

John Madden

The Gatlin Brothers

2009-11-03T21:41:00.001-08:00

A blast from the past. It has been years since the Gatlin Brothers music was out and about, so to speak.

They were in Amarillo recently and our group (Kenneth and Carolene Poole, Judy and I) got to see them.

Larry is an ENTERTAINER! He interacts with the crowd, jokes with his brothers, in a humorous way draws attention to anyone coming in late, laughs, talks about his past challenges and thanks those who encouraged and helped him along the road and makes it an evening you'll remember for a long time.

His brothers are great, they're full of fun, humor and musical talent.

Their show is full of gray headed, super intelligent, appreciative, sing-a-long fans who can be heard saying, as they leave the show "money well spent."

Do yourself a favor, check them out if you get the opportunity. You'll be glad you did.

John Madden

Coyote Bluff Cafe, Amarillo, Texas

2009-11-03T21:25:00.000-08:00

Located at 2417 S. Grand St., Amarillo, Texas 79103, (806)373-4640.

Tuesday - Saturday

11:00 AM - 2:30 PM

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Food: American (Traditional)

No credit cards.

Casual dress

Alcohol: Beer and wine only

No reservations.

Price range: good

We came across this via a gentleman who told KP (good friend Kenneth Poole) it was recommended to him by a local hotel.

We decided to give it a try on our Wednesday night "Hamburger night" (not always a hamburger, but a good excuse to eat out).

The service was good to very entertaining. We enjoy being waited on by someone with a sense of humor. It's well and alive here!

Food was well worth the drive across town.

It's not fanciest place you'll ever go to but it's one of the neatest, has a great atmosphere, not a lot of room, but people line up to get in.

Give it a try. You'll be glad you did.

John Madden

Gabriel's north of Santa Fe, New Mexico

2009-09-24T19:55:00.000-07:00

* Atmosphere

* Good food: food of the Southwest and Old Mexico

* Great service

* Tableside guacamole : made right in front of you.

* Ease of access: exit 176, Hwy 84/285

LINK

* Five miles north of the Santa Fe Opera

Every time we're in the area, we go here to eat. The food is great and we love watching them make the guacamole at our table. Unlike so many restaurants, they give you enough for four people to eat and not have to worry about everyone having enough.

The chips, which is an important part of a mea are fresh, crispy and never ending.

The atmosphere is casual to as formal as you want. We're seen people in tux, cowboy, hippie, slacks to t-shirts and shorts.

The service is very good and right at your elbow when you want a refill.

There is an art studio next to the restaurant, but we've never been there early enough to go in. It's on our list of things to do.

If you want an pleasant evening, good food, good service and an enjoyable atmosphere this is your place.

Gabriel's is a four motorcycle hands down.

John Madden

Landmark Grill at the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas, NM

2009-09-24T19:31:00.001-07:00

This is a must.

We were told there was an hour and a half wait. It was only fifteen minutes.

The wait is after you're seated, a waiter/waitress appears, you see a menu, order food, watch other people (we love watching people) and then get food.

That's the 90 minute wait!

The food is well worth the wait.

Our waitress, Stacy, was also well worth the wait. She was friendly, outgoing, funny, and has a personality that lights up a room.

She's a student at New Mexico Highlands University, in Las Vegas। She's also a member of MARIACHI VAQUEROS de la SIERRA that performs at many functions.

The evening was well worth the drive from Pendaries (check blog for eating experience at the Lodge)!

Per a quote from their website:

"Unparalleled in service and delicious food, the Plaza’s own Landmark Grill serves breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week in an elegant yet casual Victorian dining room. The Grill specializes in charcoal-broiled steaks and chops, New Mexican, and the occasional alligator on the menu!"

To eat here is for the eating experience, food quality, good service as well as atmosphere. It's not fast food by any means. It's quality with a touch of lace boarded by Old West History.

We were not interested in the alligator. The steaks were mouth watering as was everything else.

The price is a little on the high side, but all things considered, it's not bad. Even for a couple of tight wads like KP and I.

It's an evening out, not just a meal and a four motorcycle rating.

John Madden

Pendaries Golf Course

2009-09-22T21:12:00.000-07:00

Pendaries is a beautiful course!

The course is open from April 15 to October 15. Mark your calendar, check out your GPS, head to Pendaries for clean, fresh mountain air and outstanding golf.

It's at 7,500 feet, 6,080 yard from championship tees and 5,060 yards from the forward tees.

This is a great outdoor experience!

All around you are trees (ponderosa pine, aspen and others) cheering for you to have a great round of golf.

The staff is friendly, a fully stocked Golf Shop, snack bar, a modern fleet of golf carts, the view is inspiriting, course is challenging, homes in and around the course are spectacular, view of the mountains is limited to a few holes, view of the sky is everywhere and a bad day here is better than most great days elsewhere.

Deer are part of the gallery. Deal with it. You'll enjoy their comments.

Like water, you'll not only see it but be challenged by it.

Homes to wish for add to the glamor of the course.

Makes me wonder if God plays this course.

My very good friend and the man responsible for me taking up this game....Kenneth Poole.

Thank KP and looking forward to many more rounds of golf at Pendaries.

John Madden

Hermitage Golf Course, Nashville, Tennessee

2009-09-22T21:10:00.000-07:00

My second golf outing while in the south was at the Hermitage Golf Course

Our youngest son, Shane, and I got lucky and on the day we had a tee time the rain stopped.

The humidty was so thick it looked like fog। "Pops, when it heats up it'll burn of" Shane told me.

The course is so beautiful, lots of trees, sand traps, water opportunities, more green grass than all of Amarillo, Texas, but very little breeze. A little breeze would have been welcomed, to say nothing that a wind of 10 or more miles per hour would have helped.

My past experience with heat and humidity was heat caused humidity to acellerate, not burn off.

After five plus hours and 12 holes it had burnt off so much we gave up and went to look for air conditioning, something cold, with lots of ice, shade, no heat and no humidity.

By the time we agreed to call it quits I looked like a drowned Grandpa.

The course is extremely beautiful and challenging. Which I don't need at this point in my attempt to learn the game of golf. I'm enough of a challenge to contend with.

So much water (trying to figure out how to pipe it to West Texas without it costing anything - water seems to have a magnetic pull on my golf balls), lots of sand opportunities, trees with targets on them and enough grass to cover all the yards in Amarillo.

The staff was great, especially the three Southern Gentlemen who prepared and took care of the carts.

We had a great conversation with them.

Two had severed in the Air Force (our Dad spent over twenty years in the Air Force, which makes my brother, Lynn, sister, Candy, and I AFB's - Air Force Brats).

We are proud of that honor.

The other gentleman wished he had been physically able to serve। He works with prison ministries.

That threesome show up as "Assets" to everyone they come in contact with.

Thank you gentlemen for making our Pops and Son golf outing an even greater experience.

John Madden

Jackson Country Club Golf Course, Jackson, Mississippi

2009-09-22T21:07:00.001-07:00

My first venture into golf while on vacation in Mississippi and Tennessee was in Jackson, Mississippi at the Jackson County Club.

The Jackson Country Club is a eighteen hole golf course designed by designer John Fought.

My brother-in-law, Ronnie Smith, told me "I haven't played much. I use to play a lot, but not anymore."

My ancestors (Cherokee) would say 'he speaks with a forked tongue.

I had an idea that those words clearly told me Ronnie was a "ringer."

I'm a newbee golfer (this was my 15th round of golf) and if I shoot anywhere below 120 or near 100 I've had a good round of golf.

Ronnie, who hasn't played very much (and am I glad) shot a 79.

I shot 108 and was thrilled.

Okay, let's start a little closer to the beginning. I brought my golf clubs (via Southwest Airlines) to Jackson, Mississippi so maybe Ronnie and I would get an opportunity to play a round.

Vision this:

Newbee (me) with new golf bag (US Army), used- but not much - Arnold Palmer irons, Woods and looking somewhat fashionable.

Ronnie's (ringer) golf bag looked like it was older than me (65), clubs - irons and woods - have no idea but lots of miles and years on them and he looked more fashionable.

Get the picture?

Newbee (me) looked like a new biker with more chrome on his ride than smarts in his head.

Ronnie (ringer) looked like a newbee who stumbled onto the golf course.

I smile every time I think of that picture.

It was fun, the course is very beautiful.

The more I play golf, the better review I hope to give on the course. For now all I can say is I'm having fun learning and like sharing with others.

As the old phrase goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. So, here is the Jackson Country Club course.

My sister, Candy, is blessed with Ronnie as a husband, father of their children and a nicer guy, you'll have to play a lot of golf to find a better one.

Even if he is a ringer. Just kidding.

John Madden

PS: When you see Ronnie as him about "Barney's lake."

Panderies Lodge

2009-09-08T12:42:00.000-07:00

Panderies, NM:

We tried to eat at the Lodge twice.

Notice I said....TWICE!

The first time, KP said let's eat in the bar. It was crowded and with only one waitress and one bartender.
This combination made for a long wait.

The waitress was not friendly. No smile was going to cross that face.

She waited on people as she saw, not in the order they came in and found seats. When we brought that to her attention she informed us "I'm the only one here."

We and and everyone in the place already knew that.

Attitude is everything, especially when your tips depend on it.

Maybe the waitress and bartender haven't read that in the "How To Make Friends and Influence People" book for restaurants.

Judy went to the bartender and told her we had been there longer than some who were being serviced and the bartender rebuked for her effort.

KP when to the bar to see if we could order drinks at the bar, prior to the waitress waiting on us and the bartender rebuked him his efforts.

Had we just walked into some kind of time warp?

At one point the bartender walked to the center of the dinning room and said in her authoritative,loud,unfriendly and if you don't like it....voice "there are only two of us so you'll just have to be patient."

Several possible customers responded to her shy outbreak and exited the hostile atmosphere.

So we're sitting there and thinking "how could that have been said, differently, that would not have offended an already restless room full of hungry dinners?"

Earl Nightingale, where are you (and your course) when you and your course are needed?

The saving grace was a lady who magically appeared at our table and said "I've never done this before and have no idea what I'm doing."

She had a smile,laughed and the cape of the bullfighter, being held in front of a angry bull, disappeared as if a fairy had just waved her magical wane.

She told us she was from Albuquerque worked in mortgage and hoped her volunteering to help would offset her wine bill at the bar. She was fun, full of life and every table she went to became a festival instead of a cell in a dark and deep cave of a colony of bats.

She was great, helpful, smiling, laughing and before to long our food and drinks appeared,

What a difference sunshine makes in our lives.

We forced a sizable tip into her hands, even as she objected saying she wasn't a waitress and tried to walk away.

NOTE: When KP or my Judy offer you a tip, take it or they're likely to pin you and make you take it.

Once the food arrived it was good as were the Margaritas and Pina Colada.

The second venture into no-mans land, of the Lodge, was on Sunday evening. We opened the door to the bar and quickly were comforted by the bartender, again. We were told they were having a Mystery Theater, it required tickets (we didn't have an opportunity to ask about buying tickets), the bar and resturant upstairs were closed until 7:30 PM (almost two hours later) and escorted outside.

Okay, we're not really into bartender/waitress abuse so we loaded up and drove about thirty minutes into Las Vegas, NM.

For the life of us we couldn't figure out why they would schedule a Mystery Play evening that required closing the bar and restaurant on a holiday.

Labor Day weekend is sill considered a holiday, isn't it?

Ratings: One Motorcycle

- John Madden

2009-09-07T19:48:00.000-07:00

Santa Rosa, NM:

Joseph's Restaurant was our first stop. We needed to eat and we've stopped there several times before. The food has always been pretty good. The service depends on how busy they are, the youth full age of the waitress, how many of their friends stop by to visit and of course attitude. This time we had a happy,friendly, not to busy to wait on us and enthusiastic young lady.

Rating: Four motorcycles!
Food was good, service was good and we'll stop there again.

Hubbard Museum and history

2009-09-02T07:10:00.000-07:00

If you like museums you need to go to the Hubbard Museum of the American West.

I'm a museum groupie. They are some of the most interesting places to spend your valuable time.

There are so many outstanding displays and you can fill that "wonder what it was like in the Ole West" question that roams around in your mind.

Joel was a Cowboy/Western movie star. How many times do you get to see something that not only belonged to but was used by a movie star?

Guns were a way of life in the ole west. Personally I love seeing any and all guns. Just think how far firearms have come.

This Colt 45 SA (single action revolver) was given to a ranch hand by Billy The Kid.

The knife was his.

Have you been to Lincoln, New Mexico?

Go. It's full of Billy The Kid history.

Commemorative Winchester rifle that was made to pay tribute to Chief Crazy Horse of the Oglala Lakota Sioux.

My wife, Judy, and i both grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota. South Dakota is the homelands of the Lakota and history is everywhere.

Visit the Crazy Horse Memorial.

Go to South Dakota, it's an awesome and very beautiful state.

The museum has so many pieces of the American West for you to see.

Charles Goodnight was very instrumental in the American West. Among many things he did is credited with inventing the first chuckwagon.

Goodnight is also responsible for the Loving-Goodnight cattle trail. His home is just East of Amarillo and the city of Claude, Texas is the historical caretaker.

Enjoy your travels and as us bikers say 'keep the rubber side down."

John Madden

Love to eat

2009-08-28T15:59:00.001-07:00

Amarillo, Texas.

I have to start out in Amarillo with the best place to eat.

Cafe Marizon, at 705 S. Polk St., is one of my all time favorites.
Phone: 805-374-3058

A good place to eat has to have more than food. It has to have character, staff and an owner who cares.

Scott Camarata owns the cafe with his wife Shana. We eat there a lot and Scott is an very friendly, outgoing, and
gracious individual. His staff is always friendly, work to give you a good experience and the food is very good.

The walls are loaded with old photos of early Amarillo, old hat boxes and other things that five it character and
an atmosphere that allows you to relax, enjoy and not feel rushed.

Check it out and you'll become a fan too.
Rating: Four Motorcycles!

Ruidoso, New Mexico.

A couple trips ago we found "Cornerstone Bakery" at 359 Sudderth Drive.
Phone: 575-257-1842

Sue Detrick is the managing partner and she's a treat all by herself.

The food is beyond good and when my wife, Judy, asked for a change on an order, she was told
"I can do it, but it might look pretty."

The chief not only prepares great food but he's concerned about how it looks. He doesn't have to worry, becasue
it doesn't stay as a piece of artwork very long. It's mmmm good.

I'm a desert freak, so to speak. I believe in the saying "eat desert first" even if I don't do that. Their pies are mouth watering, got to have more good and the crust is from another planet. It's so good!

Give Sue a hello and be prepared to eat so much you're stuffed.

Ask her how she ended up in Ruidoso?

Rating: Four Motorcycles!

While in Ruidoso check out "In-Ka-Hoots" at 1203 Sudderth Drive. It's owned by Pat and John Sellers.
Phone: 575-257-8082

Shancee the Shih-Tzu is the "greeter."

I've only met John and he's as nice of a man as you'll ever come across.

Their place is a haven for jewelry, home decor, western art, antiques, gift items, floral and etc. It's a nice, neat, well laid out, and very comfortable place.

Unlike most men, I like to look (called shop - I have no problem with my masculinity) and being an artist, I'm always interested in good art. They have it.

John Madden

Welcome to my travel blog!

2009-08-25T15:52:00.000-07:00

For years travel has been a big part of my life. Dad was in the Air Force so we moved around a lot, spent four years in Germany, I've been a Boy Scout all my life and I've grown to enjoy traveling.

Probably because of that I've had this idea of a travel something in my mind for some time. Judy, my wife, and I have two very good and dear friends, Kenneth (KP) and Carolene Poole. We spend a lot of time together, travel, Wednesday night hamburger nights, movies and have talked about putting together a diary of places we like to eat.

As a result of modern technology, the knowledge of my good friend/fellow photographer Steve Douglas, this travel blog has become a reality. He did a blog for me for a tour with the Kwahadi Dancers to Europe this summer.

Now it's time for a travel blog.

Come along with me as I travel from here to where ever. We'll share places to see, things to do, places to eat, people we
meet along the way and just have fun.

Have you ever been to a rodeo (either a pro or ranch rodeo), Pow Wow, motorcycle rally, ran the rapids of a river, visited old churches, looked through old windows wondering what they could tell you, traveled Route 66 (there was a TV show about it many, many years ago), gone to air shows, or many other wonderful things I get to do and love to do?

Come along and let's see what we can see.

You might even have some suggestions and you can let me know about them. Doesn't mean we'll get to go or do them right away, but we'll put them on our "Bucket List."

Sometimes we'll travel by a Harley-Davidson, a Ford Harley-Davidson pickup, a Chevrolet pickup, plane, train (hopefully), horseback (if possible), hikiing us to be one of my favorite means of travel-but those hikes and other things have given my feet reasons to ride instead plus other means of transportation.

We'll look for the best places to eat. I love to eat so I list it as one of my main objectives in life. Maybe find a golf course or two. I just took up the game and am enjoying the challenge of learning it.

No telling where we'll stay. However camping and I parted company about twenty years ago. The mind still thinks it can and wants to but the body over rules most of the time. We'll stay with friends and relatives when ever possible to save money and eat their food.

Some of our travels will be with the Kwahadi Dancers of Amarillo, Texas.

We'll post photos as we travel and you can make the trips with us.

John - Judy Madden, Kenneth - Carolene Poole.