Archives 2021

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Threshold Brands Locations I Have Visited

Martin 0 Comment

I am no longer working at this company.  It was a good ride and it was appreciated that they allowed me to work remotely and travel in my van.  I enjoyed the friendship of the individual franchise owners.  


April at MaidPro The Villages (FL)
Feb 2022

Kathryn at MaidPro Orlando East (FL)
and Sir Grout Central Florida
Feb 2022

Mark Sewell (and crew)
at MaidPro Orlando West (FL)
Feb 2022








Candace at MaidPro Tampa (FL)
Feb 2022

Eric & Kelly at Pestmaster Sarasota (FL)
Feb 2022
Omar at MaidPro Coral Gables (FL)
Feb 2022

Rick at MaidPro West Palm (FL)
Feb 2022


Andrea & Carlos at Men in Kilts Miami (FL)
and MaidPro Miami Beach (FL)
Jan 2022

Michelle & Eddie at MaidPro Naples (FL)
(Second Visit)
Jan 2022





















Keith at MaidPro Lakeland (FL)
Jan 2022

Christian at MaidPro Garner (NC)
Dec 2022

Todd at MaidPro Raleigh North (NC)
Dec 2021

Travis at MaidPro Edina (MN)
Oct 2021




Chris & Alicia at MaidPro Andover (MN)
Oct 2021

Brent at MaidPro Maple Grove (MN)
Oct 2021




Coralee at MaidPro Boise (ID)
Sep 2021

Byron at MaidPro Sandy (UT)
Sep 2021
Eddie at Men in Kilts Fort Collins (CO)
Sep 2021





Denise at MaidPro Broomfield (CO)
Sep 2021
Christ & Nikki at MaidPro Hershey (PA)
Jun 2021







Rodney at MaidPro Pooler (GA)
Oct 2020
Sean at MaidPro Marin (CA)
Sep2019







Jonathan at MaidPro Culver City (CA)
Sep 2019













George & Brie (and Charlie) at MaidPro Lombard (IL)
Jul 2018

Sandy at MaidPro McMurray (PA)
Jul 2018
Matt & Tanya at MaidPro Nova Scotia
Jul 2017

Stephanie at MaidPro Central Austin (TX)
Mar 2017















Ricardo at MaidPro North Austin (TX)
Mar 2017

Michelle at MaidPro Naples (FL)
May 2015
Kearney Lincoln Omaha Disc Golf To Missoula and Back Nebraska

Driving from Omaha, NE to Kearney, NE

Martin 0 Comment

I had the weekend to get from Omaha, NE (G on the map) to Denver, CO (B).  While planning the trip, I decided I’d stop in Kearney, NE (A) for the night.  Lake Hastings Park, one of the top disc golf courses in Nebraska, was near there and just off the route (I).  Kearney (pronounced Car-Knee) also had a course and some live music spots.  It is about half way across Nebraska and would a perfect place to stop for the night.  This turned into a fun, full day of the trip.

Played a quick 9 holes at  my local course in Omaha before heading out to Lincoln, NE.  Lincoln was not originally on my itinerary, but it was on the way and would be a good place to stop for my coffee. I ended up wandering around the capitol building which turned into it’s own little adventure that deserved a separate post! It was an excellent excursion!
Played a round of disc golf at Lake Hasting Park in Hastings, NE.  This was one of my favorite courses on the trip.  It had some a good mix of shots through trees and over/around water.  It was set in a beautiful park.  It was quite hot out that day and I was able to take a dip in the lake to cool off!
Saw this stretched across the highway as I approached Kearney. I had to go see what it was.  The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument is a rest area, monument and museum that houses a historical experience that tells the story of Nebraska and the Platte River Valley in the development of America.  Unfortunately, the museum itself was closed.  I did find the rest area full of history and historical stories.  I enjoyed walking around, reading the plaques and learning more.
Kearney, NE is the sandhill crane capital of the world! Every year between March and April, over 600,000 Sandhill Cranes make a stop in Kearney on their way north.  Unfortunately, I was there after this event but I heard stories about it.  They say the sound itself is pretty amazing.  Maybe I’ll pass this way again during this migration event some day.
 
Made it into Kearney later in the day and explored downtown a bit.


Everyone was very into the
University of Nebraska volleyball game
Explored Yanney Park and enjoyed the sunset from there.  The park had a little lake, a bunch of waling trails and a lookout tower.  The new “Gardens of Yanney Park” was under construction and should be a beautiful place to walk around when it’s done.
Went to Cunningham’s Journal for some live music before calling it a night.
Roadtrips

I Am Blessed With So Many Red Dots

Martin 0 Comment

Mid way through 2015, I started allowing Google to track me.  I have my privacy settings in such a way that each time I attend somewhere new, Google puts a red dot on a map.  This is my map as of mid November 2021.

One of the features of these red dots is that I can click on one and it will bring up where I visited that day.  It shows the daily road map and also includes any pictures I took that day.  I love randomly clicking on dots and re-experiencing adventures both when I’m in need of a pick me up and also when my daughters visit.  They like seeing my trips.
I feel blessed that I have been able to travel.  I am blessed because I work a job I enjoy and have learned how to be successful at it while on the road.  I am blessed because I get to visit friends and family that I haven’t seen in years and in some situations, decades!  I am seeing places I never thought I’d see and others I hoped I get to see someday.  I have been able to play over 100 different disc golf courses throughout the United States, some of which were used as PDGA tournament locations.
Getting on the road has always been a dream of mine and to be able to do this, while still young enough to throw a disc and while working a job I love, makes the dream even better.
I am blessed and I’m looking forward to adding more red dots.

Disc Golf Nebraska

The Many States of Disc Golf – Nebraska

Martin 0 Comment

According to the PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association) website, there are approximately 107 disc golf courses in Nebraska.  These are the 5 disc golf courses I have played in Nebraska.  

Cottonmill Disc Golf, Kearney, NE
Aug 29, 2021
Centennial Park, Kearney, NE
Aug 29, 2021
Lake Hastings, Hastings, NE
Aug 28, 2021
Hanscolm Park DGC, Omaha, NE
Aug 26, 2021

Yes… that’s an ace on the scorecard!!

Aug 27, 2021

Aug 28, 2021
Seymour Smith Park, La Vista, NE
Aug 26, 2021
Lincoln To Missoula and Back Nebraska

Lincoln, NE Capitol Building Excursion – Aug 2021

Martin 0 Comment

I headed out early from Omaha (G on he map) and although it was not on my original itinerary, I decided Lincoln, NE (H) would be a good place to stop for my morning coffee.  It was on the route heading west, is the capital of the state and would be a good break after knocking out about an hour of driving.

Although quite hot, it was a beautiful day and I headed towards the Capitol building. Definitely a different looking building than other capital buildings I’ve seen.  You know, the ones with big marble pillars, two wings and a large dome in the middle.  This was a tower with a dome on top.

I was walking the sidewalk around the block looking across the lawns and admiring it up on the hill when a car pulled up next to me.  A woman rolled down her window and yelled out, “I think it’s open today!”.  I had to look around to see if she was talking to me!  I thanked her and she drove on. 


Well that was weird, but, I guess I have to go see if it’s open.  

Loved the big Bison head door handle


It was open, so I went in.

I found a creepy elevator. 

I pressed “B”.  It went down.  And there I was.  Who knew that at some point in my life, I’d find myself wandering around the basement of the capitol building in Lincoln, Nebraska. Very cool brick work with the curved ceiling.  It had very cool acoustics as I walked a bit through the halls reading the senator names on the office doors.

I went back in and pressed the top button. I went to the top and I found there was an outdoor walkway around the top.  I gazed out across Nebraska.  It’s flat.

What a fun, unexpected excursion! 


I got my coffee.  Explored a little of the area.  And headed on my way.

(I was not the only one in the Capitol building. Top to bottom, there were other tourists and tours and I felt it to be a safe environment)

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge Omaha To Missoula and Back Iowa Nebraska Bridges

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge – Omaha, NE – Aug 2021

Martin 2 Comment

I went to see the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.

The Nebraska side of the bridge is located at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Visitor Center.  Across much of my trip, I came across locations related to Lewis and Clark over and over.  They were everywhere out there!  Unfortunately, much of the walking area of the center was under construction and fenced off.
 
As you walk out of the visitor center and under the bridge, you come across the troll.  I found it funny as that’s the second troll under a bridge I’ve seen this year.  
 

Troll under the Pedestrian Bridge
Troll under a Wheeling, WV bridge

We got along.
The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge stretches 300 feet across the Missouri River from Omaha, NE to Council Bluffs, IA.

I walked the bridge to Iowa.

p

Looking from Iowa to Nebraska


It was windy over the Missouri River.  It had the cables rattling.
This guy was on the Council Bluffs side of the bridge.  Not sure what he was looking at.
Omaha Runza To Missoula and Back Disc Golf Nebraska

Exploring Omaha – Day 1 – Aug 2021

Martin 0 Comment
Pretty cool that I find myself in Omaha, Nebraska!
I grabbed some coffee at a neighborhood coffee shop and spent my morning working from my AirBnB.
I had a recommendation from my brother to eat a Runza while here.  The original Runza location is no longer around so I went to the closest one I could find for lunch.  Runza started in 1949 by Sally Everett in Lincoln, NE.  The operations were expanded by her son and are still run by her grandchildren.  The Runza Sandwich features bread that is baked fresh daily stuffed with ground beef, onions, spices, and cabbage.  I added mushrooms, onions and cheese to mine.  It’s kind of like a Nebraskan cheese steak.  I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next one.
Went back to the AirBnB to work through the afternoon then headed out for some disc golf.  I played two courses.  The first one was a short nine hole course at Hanscom Park Disc Golf Course about a quarter mile from my home.  I really enjoyed having this nearby as I did go back a few more times during my stay.  It was close and I could get through a round in about 30 minutes.  AND…. I SHOT MY FIRST ACE so why not go back!

Shot my ace on hole 4 at Hanscom Park Disc Golf Course.
It was a short hole of only 135 feet but I had to wind it around numerous trees.
From here I headed to Seymour Smith Disc Golf Course which was about 30 minutes away in La Vista, NE.  It is one of the better rated courses in the area and is a more challenging 18 basket course.  Loved that I was disc golfing in Nebraska!

I had decided, while in the planning process of this trip, that I’d treat myself to a steak dinner in Omaha.  After golfing, I went home, cleaned up and headed to The Drover.   Certainly not a high end joint.  The inside was very dark with cowboy motif. There was a salad bar.  The steak was OK.  I’ll go elsewhere the next time.

Went by Pageturners Lounge per Michael’s recommendation.  Excellent little venue.  There was a duet playing which ended with Pink Floyd’s “If”.  Always enjoy live music!
Disc Golf Iowa

The Many States of Disc Golf – Iowa

Martin 0 Comment

According to the PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association) website, there are approximately 300 disc golf courses in Iowa.  These are the 4 disc golf courses I have played in Iowa.

Pickard Park Disc Golf, Indianola, IA
Aug 24, 2021

Ewing Park, Des Moines, IA
Aug 23, 2021

Westside Park, Dyersville, IA
Aug 21, 2021

Toledo Community Disc Golf, Toledo, IA
Aug 21, 2021
Old Market Omaha To Missoula and Back Nebraska

The Old Market in Omaha – Aug 2021

Martin 0 Comment

I arrived into Omaha late in the day and spent my first night exploring the Old Market.  The Old Market in Omaha is the most historic and most entertaining neighborhood in the city.  There are all kinds of shops, galleries, restaurants and taverns along its cobblestone streets.  I found it to be a great place to interact with some locals and people watch.

My first stop was at a local tavern called Mister Toad.  I was hoping to find some live music and this seemed to be the only place that had any in the area.  According to the website, there was a piano player that night.  Unfortunately, I didn’t think he was very good and neither he nor the bartender were very friendly.  I did like the bar itself.  There was some cool stuff on the old brick walls and in one room there was pew seating and bookshelves.  I stayed for one beer and then went exploring.

I continued exploring, walking in and out of stores, sitting on benches people watching and just enjoying the fact that I was in Omaha, Nebraska!
I enjoyed a store called The Lotus.   The Lotus is a new age shop with fun gifts, home made soap, unique clothing and other interesting items.  The owner, Loralee, welcomed me in and even offered me a glass of wine.  I stayed there and chatted with her for quite awhile.  I bought some soap and a back pack and continued on.
Just a few doors down from The Lotus was a bar called The Monster Club.  I was intrigued so went in.  I probably spent close to an hour here.  The bartenders were very friendly and engaged in conversation, the beer selection was excellent and the collection of monsters was outstanding!  They refer to themselves as ” an homage to horror in popular culture”.  Loved this place!  I ended up wandering around the bar looking at things and taking pictures.


Great mural!  How many movies can you name?

We had issues.

Stranger Things!

They were playing
“Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein”

When I left the bar, it was dark.  I wandered around Old Town a little while longer before heading home.


Happy cow!
This guy was great!! The deep tones of his cello were eerie as it echoed down the streets.
Listen to the cello in Old Town Omaha
Relaxed on the porch of my Omaha residence before going to bed.