Disc golf fans, here we are once again!
Coming to you from General Butler State Park Resort in Carrollton, Kentucky, we bring the first of two matches at the Three Rivers Disc Golf Park. State parks in Kentucky are free to enter for day use, and this 18-hole course looks to be laid on what used to be an old golf course that has since been converted for disc golf. The course was designed by former World Disc Golf Champion Avery Jenkins and professional Dana Vicich, with recent renovations made to the tee pads, and is well kept by the state park staff. Our players played the yellow baskets for all 18 holes, but with a slight modification to hole 6 due to their lack of distance throwing capabilities. There is a deep forest between the tee and the fairway, so the players agreed to drop a marker, taking their third shot from that point on the fairway, and continue to the hole.
With today's disc golf match comes an addition to our players' arsenal, courtesy of Disc 'n Dat in Florence, Kentucky for their reasonable selection of used and clearance discs, along with a signed explanation of the speed, glide, turn, and fade numbers. She has added a Discraft Crank 13/5/-2/2 distance driver, a Prodiscus Stari 4/4/-2/0 midrange, and a Latitude Pure 3/3/-1/1 putter. He is now including an Innova Champion Beast 10/5/-2/2 distance driver, a Westside Discs Bear 8/6/-0.5/2.5 fairway driver, and a DGA Rift 2021 Commemorative 5/4/-1/1.5 midrange. How did our players fare on the course this time around?
Course Result:
Halved: 2
Her Holes: 5
His Holes: 2
Course Record: Him 7 - 3 - 7 Her
Holes Record: Him 45 - 46 Her
He was able to get off to a good start on holes 1 and 2 by one stroke each, but it was all downhill from there. He had to take not one, but TWO penalties on the third from an out of bounds cart path not well placed for left-handed players, and those gave her the hole. Bad tree luck on the four meant she was able to take the hole and tie things up. Hole five on quite the slope was halved. Even with the modification and a penalty taken by her on hole 6, a few bad throws by him meant that she was able to take hole 6. Some play into the rough for him made it even worse for hole 7, as she was able to take both that and 8. It looked like the ninth would be the same after a throw into the rough and difficulty finding the disc, but a missed putt by her allowed for the hole to be halved. On this par 29, the shot count was 53-58 in her favor.
The course record is now tied, and she has taken the lead on the number of holes won. Will he be able to get out of this funk on the back nine, or will she take the course lead? Until next time when we find out, be sure to Follow Your Internal Compass.
Freedom Rolling once again presents another Brew Review. This time, we'll be visiting Against the Grain Brewery and Public House in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. First started in 2011 at their location adjacent to Louisville Slugger Field, Against the Grain has been offering a wide variety of beer, along with an assortment of barbecue menu options. We'll be taking a look at a few of their offerings, but as always, please ensure that these, or any brews, are enjoyed in accordance with local laws wherever you may be.
First up to bat, we find the Sol Mate, their version of a wheat beer. After one sip of this brew, you'll find that it is that clean and smooth taste you'd expect from a wheat. There is a bit of a heavy malt to it, but it covers any sort of aftertaste that may come as a result of drinking. If you're looking to enjoy a good summer beer by the river and don't enjoy the hop taste, this may just end up being your "Sol Mate".
Against the Grain is certainly proud of their Louisville location, and what better way to celebrate this than with their hazy pale ale, the "Loo-a-Vuhl". It is unclear where the "hazy" part comes, as the presentation of this brew is a clean yellow. With one sip, you'll find an incredibly strong hops taste, but not really much of anything else. The lower ABV value, 5.5% specifically for the Loo-a-Vuhl, is what makes a beer a Hazy Pale Ale as opposed to the IPA version of the Hazy, but it's definitely teetering on the fence.
Time to show some excitement with Jazz Hands! In comes one of the more interesting styles of brews, a jasmine rice lager known as the "Jazz Hands". Behind the appealing golden color, one sip will remind you of drinking sake, a traditional Japanese rice wine. There is an aftertaste that comes much later, but if you're already in tune with sake, then you'll find it to be familiar. Although there wasn't a food pairing included when trying this, it would be curious how this goes with a sushi roll, or some other form of less-cooked fish entrée.
Unique and sometimes colorful titles are a trademark of Against the Grain Brewery. The brewer must have had a rowdy night prior to the making of their signature Double IPA, the "Citra Ass Down". Trying this particular brew, we can understand why it's so highly lauded. Starting off with that pleasant scent from the citra hops, you won't necessarily get the strong taste of hops you'd expect from a double, but this is a full drinking experience, as the strong hops will come in the aftertaste. You might need a palette cleansing water if you're looking to try anything else, but if it's just this brew for you, we can see why this 8.2% ABV monster is going to be thoroughly enjoyed.
We now take you south of the border, this time for the El Nopal Mexican Lager. One sip of this particular brew will find a much cleaner and smoother taste than what would be expected from a cerveza. It isn't a truly bland experience, though, as the first sip will find a little bit of a hop taste at the top of the palette, just to give that extra kick. This might not be brewed in Mexico, but if you want to take your mind down there, this may just be the way to do it.
For the final offering from Against the Grain, it's time to step over to the dark side, this time for their Black Pilsner. A first look might mislead you into thinking this is a stout, but this won't have the heavy taste. It's clean and smooth, and although chocolate malts are used, the taste isn't very strong, making it a much more balanced choice. The brewers do give a funny tall tale about brewing this in the dark while blindfolded, but whether or not they saw what they were doing, they showed great control in crafting this choice, and is a satisfying choice for those that like to live on the "dark side" of beers.
So if your Internal Compass ever takes you to Louisville, don't shy away from the downtown area, because you'll want to give Against the Grain Brewery and Public House a try.
Back to the links for more disc golf action!
Coming to you from Florence, Kentucky, deep within a housing development at South Fork Park, our two competitors have yet another disc golf match. South Fork Park is a free-to-play nine hole course with all sorts of roughs, creeks, and even a few large hills to challenge our players. The course, along with the entirety of the city park, is very well kept with concrete pads and terrific fairways. Her recent hot streak was snapped with a halved match last time around, but how will they fare this time?
Course Result:
Halved: 1
Her Holes: 6
His Holes: 2
Course Record: Him 7 - 3 - 6 Her
Holes Record: Him 43 - 41 Her
Hole 1 starts out with an awful fairway shot from him, allowing her to win the first hole. Although she ended up in the water in hole 2, the creek was shallow enough to play as it lied while he had difficulty getting across, giving her a two hole lead. He was able to pull it to within one on the third after a couple of tough shots in the rough for her. After a halving on the fourth, a lovely drive from the top of the hill allowed her to win hole 5 and regain a two hole lead. However, a "lost disc" in the woods for her (which was later recovered) led to a penalty stroke, and him to pull within one. That would be as close as he got, as a missed putt from him on seven, a successful long putt from her on eight, and an overshoot from him on nine led to her winning the last three holes. Stroke play saw her dominate at 45-50 on a par 29, which doesn't do much good for their handicaps.
She's almost there; will she be able to pull it to 500 on the next match? We'll see what happens, but until next time, be sure to Follow Your Internal Compass.
From one river to the next, we head south down the Lewis and Clark Trail to Missouri. After spending plenty of time at one of the country's great river, we head a little east to, arguably, its greatest river.
The Mississippi River runs north and south down the center of the United States, serving as a border and/or major water arterial for a total of ten different states. The Mississippi has always had plenty of history, first serving as the western border for the original Colonial America prior to British limitations for governance, and later reinstated once the states gained their independence. Today, call signs for radio and television stations are separated by this mighty river, with most to the east beginning with W, and most to the west beginning with K.
When you hear Missouri and the Mississippi River, most think of St. Louis and the Gateway Arch, or Hannibal, the original home of Samuel Langhorn Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. However, take a ride further south down the river to the city of Cape Girardeau. This city served as an important point during the American Civil War for the Union army, as they sought to hold control of the Mississippi, culminating in a battle in 1863. Some artifacts and ruins still exist, and can be toured. If war history isn't your cup of tea, head to the wall separating the city center from the river. On the city side, enjoy a wonderful mural of Missouri history in general, along with a tribute to several of the state's most famous residents. On the river side, take a lovely walk along the shore, seeing one of the old riverboats once very important to the area.
After experiencing Cape Girardeau, cross the river to Illinois and head south along the famous Great River Road. After passing the city of Cairo, head to Fort Defiance State Park. This is the point where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers meet, along with the borders of three states. Wonderful views exist from a small tower, or head to the rocky point. After visiting, you find a junction of several US highways. Cross the Ohio River bridge and head into Kentucky, towards the towns of Wickliffe and Paducah. While on the bridge, a lovely view of barges and riverboats can be seen. Or perhaps cross the older Mississippi River bridge into Missouri. Either head towards the towns of Wyatt and Sikeston, or do some fishing at Bird's Blue Hole.
So next time you head to the Mississippi River, follow your internal compass. Perhaps it will take you to southern Missouri and the views of the great river.
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