Friday, July 2, 2010

Human Powered Works of Art

The "supreme organizer" of the Klamath Kinetic Races is dressed in a bright orange shirt and skirt with a black tail, kitten ears, and feather boa. She's prancing around the mud pit making sure all is organized.

The emcee is wearing a hat that looks to be three feet tall but from where I sit I can't make out what it is. Several spectators next to me are dressed up as well - there's a person with a soccer ball mask with green hair riding a bike. There's a man in daisy duke shorts, a red half shirt, black crocs and red socks. If people watching was the best thing about the Klamath Kinetic Races, I wouldn't be disappointed.

But people watching isn't even the best part of the Klamath Kinetic Races - it's the human-powered, amphibious, all-terrain pieces of art that travel down the street, over a hill, through the sand, down a trail, through the mud, and across the water. The racers have worked countless hours on their 'sculptures' with hopes that they'll make it through every leg of the race.

There's the black tie affair with wheels so tall you aren't sure they'll fit through the gates. The bicycle equipped with an inflated canoe for the 'water' part of the challenge. The pop rocket, the purple giraffe, and more. The "artists" are only limited by their imaginations. A local doctor participated, a teenager from one of the local high schools, younger and older artists competing in a fun competition where one of the only rules is "bribery is encouraged."

The Kinetic Races are traditionally held the same weekend as the Klamath Kruise and I've never gone. If I'd known it was so much fun, I would have been going for the last five years. My six year old loved it and there was plenty of spectator participation. In the mudpit portion of the event, they asked kids in the crowd to come and get a squirt gun to squirt the machines off as they go through the gates. I hope this event sticks around! Definitely will make it an annual family outing!




Sunday, June 27, 2010

Starting with a Hole-in-One


Let the record show that on Friday, June 25th, I scored a hole-in-one on a 100-yard par three with a seven iron. It's the second time I've played an actual game and it all happened at Indian Camp Golf Course, just a short 20 minute drive from Klamath Falls. According to the website, this golf course is "designed with simplicity in mind."


The family headed out Friday morning to play this 9 hole golf course located just across the California border. It was the perfect course for a motley crew like ours - experienced like my hubby, beginner like me and my oldest son, and a six year old who swings like Happy Gilmore (although obviously not as far).


It happened at the sixth tee. I lined up with my seven iron and I swung and in a voice of disbelief, my hubby claimed I had a hole-in-one. My son and I argued with him all the way to the green and sure enough, there my ball sat pretty sharing space with the flag.


Mind you, most of the game I was getting 6, 7, and sometimes 8 on holes that are par three. But in a matter of seconds, it didn't matter. My name will be engraved on a plaque in the clubhouse for all to see. I also won three games and I can't wait to go back out again. I recommend this course to those of you who play on a regular basis but also anyone who's been intimidated to try a game elsewhere. The people were friendly and the fees were reasonable ($12/person). They have a few golf carts available but in my opinion, walking is the way to go. They have pull carts available if you don't have your own.

After playing, the family was ready for lunch and we decided to stop at the Polar Bear in Merrill, Oregon on our way back to town. The Polar Bear is a small burger shop on Hwy 39. It has limited seating but don't let that stop you. From what I understand, they've been serving hamburgers, french fries, and shakes since the 1940s. My husband and son both ordered milk shakes (peanut butter and chocolate chip, respectively) and they were delicious, not too thick, not too thin. Our burgers were fantastic and required lots of napkins. This may be the only time you'll hear me say this but order the tater tots instead of the fries. They were cooked perfectly while the fries were mediocre. All in all, our lunch was yummy!
Next time you're looking for something to do, take the drive and enjoy some time on the course. Maybe we'll see you there!