Crazy for some Weed? April 29, 2008
Posted by yp2m in Food, Home, Kitchen, Travel, golf.Tags: canmore, chicken, chili sauce, cilantro, crazyweed, golf, recipe
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We played our last game at Radium Springs and decided to head back. One of my friends had recommended a little restaurant in Canmore so we thought we would drop by for a quick dinner before driving into Calgary. Canmore is a small town established in 1883 as a railroad division point and mining town. You can still see mining shafts on the Stewart Creek Golf Course, just southeast of town. Tourists usually drive past Canmore on the way to Banff but a lot of Europeans have purchased ski chalets and condos here. For golfers, there are two championship courses here and a private one is on its way.
The restaurant we headed for is on the main street and in the shopping district of Canmore. We walked into the Crazyweed Kitchen and sat down on a small makeshift table by the window. It was packed with skiers and people like us, passing through to Banff or to Calgary. I decided to go with my friend’s recommendation, Grilled Chicken with Spicy Chili and Cilantro. It was delicious. My buddies decided to go with the lamb curry and the scallop dish. I never liked ordering seafood when you’re inland, especially in the mountains. If not for the chicken, I would have chosen a steak or a vegetarian dish. Anyways, the lamb curry smelled wonderfully and the scallops were few (which I had expected).
When we arrived home, I decided to try out some cooking of my own. I wanted to see if I could make the chicken dish from Crazyweed’s. I started grilling a breast of chicken on my indoor grill. As it was smoking, I put a bunch of cilantro leaves into a chopper and poured in about 2 tablespoons of sweet chili sauce (that you can buy at a supermarket under the international aisle). I blended the mixture and topped the grilled chicken. Believe it or not, it tasted exactly the same as how I remembered it.
Next time you feel like a chicken dish, try this simple recipe or venture out to Canmore for some weed.
More than Snow in Alaska April 28, 2008
Posted by yp2m in Activities, Shopping, Sightseeing, Travel, cruise.Tags: alaska, arctic tern, birds, calving, cruise, fjords, glacier, juneau, kayak, mendanhall, nature, Sightseeing, skagway, tips, train, Travel, wildlife
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It’s not just snow that you will see on an Alaskan cruise. I remembered a story that I heard a few years ago in Edmonton when I used to travel there for business. A cab driver told me that he had picked up a family of four from the international airport in Edmonton. They saw a show that featured the West Edmonton mall on tv and were curious enough to fly up in the middle of winter. Halfway to the mall, it began to snow. They all got excited in the cab and asked the cab driver to pull over. They got out of the cab and took their sandals off, as they wanted to see how snow felt against their bare feet. “Weren’t they cold?”, I asked. The cab driver said they were so happy to see snow that they didn’t care it was minus 20 degrees outside.
For those of you who are cruising or plan to cruise to Alaska this spring or summer, here are my top picks for the ports you may visit:
1. Skagway – I chose the Whitepass and Yukon Route train ride that took 3.5 hours to climb 2,865 feet in elevation. You get on the train almost at the bottom of the gangway from your cruise ship. It’s a nice relaxing trip with lots of photo opportunities. Once the train gets going, go outside for unobstructed views of the tunnel, waterfalls and bridges. After the tour returns to the ship, walk into town and do some shopping on the main strip.
2. Juneau – I chose the bus tour to Mendanhall Glacier. Once there, you can hike around the area and see eagles and the arctic tern. Did you know the arctic tern flies 19,000 km each way as it migrates between the arctic and anarctica each year? This is the true snowbird that sees two summers each year and more daylight than any other creature on earth. For salmon lovers, attend the salmon bake and try the local beer.
3. Ketchikan – If you missed shopping in Skagway then pick up your souvenirs at this port. The shopping district starts when you get off the pier and extends almost 3 blocks radius. If the forecast calls for a nice day then choose an excursion to the Misty Fjords where you can witness some of the most beautiful inlets and waterfalls. Or try the Ketchikan Duck tour and see Ketchikan in the most strangest and unique vehicle around – an amphibious truck/ boat.
4. College Fjord, Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm Fjord – Cruise ships sailing to these destinations provide a scenic cruising experience. In other words, glaciers are best viewed safely from the deck or balcony suites. Dress warmly and bring a cup of hot chocolate with you as you watch ice break away and become icebergs. This process is called ‘calving’. Bring binoculars and see otters, seals, eagles and if you’re lucky, bears.
5. Whittier – I chose a bus tour that drove through the Anton Anderson Memorial tunnel which is the longest tunnel in North America. In Anchorage, there is a museum to browse through or for the more adventurous, try an ocean kayak tour to Kenai Fjords and see whales, orcas and seals along the way.
I hope you make the most of your Alaskan cruise. If you are sailing through Prince William Sound, be sure to remove your iPod earbuds and enjoy the peace and serenity that the area offers.
Save Money on Golf in Fairmont April 27, 2008
Posted by yp2m in Travel, cruise, golf, money.Tags: alaska, cruise, deals, discount, europe, fairmont, golf
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Here’s where the 3 guys’ golf getaway begins…in Fairmont. Just in case you’re interested in the weather like I was all week, here’s a webcam facing east. Hole # 10 at the Riverside Golf Resort is in view along with the parking lot.
I think the guys are going to have a good time. My first round for 2008 was played on the Wailua Golf Course in Kauai back in February but for the other two, this will be their first round of the season. Both of them belong to a private golf club in Calgary. Chris belongs to the prestigious Earl Grey Golf Club, just off the Glenmore reservoir and James belongs to the Country Club of the Hamptons. I’ve played both of these courses and enjoy the Hamptons course more, but with a guest fee of $150 per round, I can’t afford to play too many rounds there. The guest fee at Earl Grey isn’t cheap neither but after paying the fees, you can go to the executive 9-hole course and play there until the sun goes down. There is only the 18-hole course at the Hamptons and usually after a round there, I just want to throw my clubs in the lake.
If you’re coming to Fairmont and want to save some money on golf, pick up a Golf Pass book for $46 at Sport Chek. There are coupons in there that will save you money at the Riverside Golf Resort and at the Radium Springs course. Another book you can pick up that has coupons is the Tee-Off book that is sold for $37 at the car association club (AAA in the US, BCAA in BC and AMA in Alberta). If you’re going with the Tee-Off book, make sure you travel with your friends because the coupons apply to 2 or more players.
Talking about discounts, I was up late last night putting the latest cruise deals on our site. There are cruises as cheap as $399 to Europe. Check them out. And if you’re set on going to Alaska, watch for my blog on sightseeing in Alaska.
Say Yes to Cloning April 27, 2008
Posted by yp2m in Free stuff, Shopping, Sports, golf, money.Tags: best, callaway, clones, clubs, deal, drivers, equipment, golf, nike, putters, square, wedges, woods
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Since my blog on ‘Buying Preown Golf Equipment’ back on February 25, 2008, a lot of golfers have contacted me by email, asking whether we are going to sell clones or not. The answer is yes, of course we are because we are interested in saving you money.
In my opinion, certain clone clubs are just as good as the brand name clubs they resemble. The only thing they differ in is the price. Take for example, the ZR1 driver from PineMeadow Golf that sells for $99. It resembles the new Ping G10 driver that sells for $299. If we taped up both clubs and tested them side by side, I don’t think most of you will be able to tell the difference. A good clone club should feel the same and perform the same. The only thing I’ve noticed with clone clubs is the sound after impact. In the case of the Nike Sumo drivers, some golfers do not like the sound of the impact which they say, resemble the sound of a baseball bat hitting a ball.
I have been following square drivers since they first appeared on the market. There is a lot of curiosity and interest but not a lot of takers. Nike has just reduced the price of their Sasquatch Sumo2 drivers to $199.95. Nickent has also reduced the price of their 3DX Square driver from $299 to $149. I’m waiting for Callaway to drop their FT-i driver to something I can afford. To me, I would not buy an experimental design for top dollar. I think buying a clone is your best bet, just in case the design doesn’t work for you. PineMeadow offers the 455cc BLOC for only $99.
Another area to save some money are the hybrids. Compare the price of the Taylor Made Dual TP hybrids at $299 with PineMeadow’s Command BK’s at $59. If you think you would like square hybrids, check out the BLOC hybrids at $49, or their Callaway X hybrid equivalents at $49.
They say to shave strokes off your game, you need to have a solid short game. I like the price of the classic grind black butte wedge from PineMeadow for $40 that compares to the Cleveland CG10 wedges that sell for $125.
One more thing about buying clones from PineMeadow Golf, they offer custom fitting for free so that the club matches your playing ability and budget. You can find a selection of men’s and ladies’ clubs on our site under the Best Deal section.
Looking for Budget Coupons? April 26, 2008
Posted by yp2m in Car, Free stuff, Shopping, Travel, freebies, money.Tags: baltimore, budget, Car, compact, coupon, intermediate, reno, rental, richmond, sacramento, savings, truck
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We have 3 coupons under our Travel section to get a free GPS with your rental, a free day and a free upgrade from Dollar Rent-a-Car. I think it pays to bookmark the page if you rent a cars for a business trip or on vacation.
Yet others will insist on renting from Budget, so here are some coupons that may help you save some money:
- Use BCD U030094 and pay only $18.88 for a weekend day when renting a compact car from the airport. That’s a saving of $20.00 off the regular rate of $38.99 per day.
- Use BCD U030172 and pay only $159 per week when renting an intermediate car from a non-airport location.
- Use HOT20 to save 20% off a moving truck.
- Use BCD U030088 and save $5 off a compact car in Richmond, VA or an intermediate car in Nashville, TN or a full-size car in Baltimore.
- Use BCD U030089 and save $25 off the weekly rental of a compact car in Sacramento, or an intermediate car in Palm Springs or a standard SUV in Reno.
Golf Coupons to Save More Money April 25, 2008
Posted by yp2m in Shopping, Sports, golf, money.Tags: apparel, balls, coupon, fairmont, golf
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The guys’ golf vacation planned for Fairmont this weekend is a go! The tee times are booked and the golf bags are being loaded in the car as we speak. To get into the mood, I spent the day looking at golf equipment at wholesale prices. This site is going to go a long way for me, since I am in the market for a new driver and hybrids.
I decided to pack a dozen golf balls with me. This year, I’m trying out several brands of balls to see which ball gives you the best rounds. Last year, I was tired of throwing my money away playing Titleist Pro V1 balls that sell for over $40 a box. The balls I’m playing with include Wilson DX2, Nike Juice, Titleist DT Solo, Top Flite Distance and Dunlop Loco balls.
If you don’t want to pay too much for golf balls, I recommend picking up some Grade A or B balls from a used golf ball store like Knetgolf. But if you can afford to play a nice course then you should treat yourself to a nice box of balls.
Looking for a coupon to save some money? Keep our Shops directory bookmarked and check it frequently for coupons to use. Until the end of April, you can save an additional 10% off golf balls and apparel with a coupon listed in the directory. Also, did you pick up the coupon to save 70% off your restaurant bill? Most of these coupons are good until the end of April, with the exception of some that are good until Mother’s Day.
The Costco of Golf April 25, 2008
Posted by yp2m in Accessories, His, Shopping, Sports, golf, money.Tags: cheap, clubs, costco, golf, square, wholesale prices
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When Costco opened its doors back in 1983, people thought they were going to save a lot of money paying wholesale prices. I thought so too and was I wrong? When you pay wholesale prices, don’t you find that you end up buying more than you really need? I do.
Just in case you didn’t read my earlier blog on packing for the extreme. On Sunday, I am off to a guy’s golfing getaway in the mountains. Unfortunately the forecast calls for snow showers so I’d better dress warmly and don’t catch a cold. I surfed the net today and found a golf outlet that sells golf equipment and accessories at wholesale prices. I had a quick look at their inventory and was impressed at their prices. If you’re looking at getting into golf but don’t want to spend a lot of money then this site is for you. You can pick up a guy’s set for $80 which includes a golf bag, a hybrid, 2 fairway woods and a set of irons ranging from 5-iron to PW or pitching wedge. All you need before you head out for a round are golf balls, a putter and a sand wedge.
If you are looking for a new putter, try the semi-mallet putter they have on sale for $4.99. Or for sunnier locations, get a pair of golf sandals for $25. You can pick up two dozen golf balls for $8.99 and one of those unconventional square drivers for just $30. Is that a steal or what? Visit us and see my list of the top 10 golf deals from this wholesale outlet. PS – We are no longer affiliated with this wholesale outlet but you are welcome to shop there at www.golfoutletsusa.com.
Packing for an Extreme Golf Vacation April 24, 2008
Posted by yp2m in His, Shopping, Sports, Spring 2008/2009, Travel, golf.Tags: compression, golf, golf balls, mountains, rockies, skiers, snow, sweaters, wooly socks
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It’s deep freeze where we are headed this weekend for a guys’ golf vacation. There is no canceling it, unless we are prepared to walk away from our deposit. All I have to do is to remember not to blame my brother-in-law for choosing the BC Rockies and the time of year to go. I always think it’s risky planning a golf vacation in the same mountains where you find avid skiers.
It is going to be a high of 14 degrees celsius on Sunday, the warmest day of the week. Then the weather will make a drastic turn for the worst. Temperatures will drop to single digits and snow showers are forecasted for Monday and Tuesday. We may be forced to play under winter rules.
If you are insane like us and need to pack for extreme weather, don’t be afraid to cross dress yourself. Don’t deny yourself of warmth by bringing dri-fit golf shirts, windshirts and light jackets that only makes you more fashionable on the links. Instead, bring golf mitts (lined with fleece), a wool sweater, a winter hat, earmuffs, turtlenecks, wooly socks, long johns and a blanket to drape over the cart seat.
Remember that you can lose 30% of your body heat if you don’t wear a hat. And visit your local golf store for winter golf gloves. FootJoy is one brand that makes gloves for the occasion but don’t expect to find them in a hot place like California or Florida. Every proshop in Canada carries winter gloves.
On colder days, I choose to play with softer golf balls. Choose a compression of 60, 70 or 80 at the most. If you choose higher compressions, you may lose some distance off the tee. Remember to pack rain gear. You will need something to protect yourself from the elements in case it rains or snows. I know when I am wet, I get colder faster. In my golf bag, I carry waterproof pants, an extra glove in a ziploc bag and a light jacket with a hood.
It sounds like a lot of gear to bring but you will thank me in the end. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Stay warm because I plan to.
Anyone for $4 Sushi? April 23, 2008
Posted by yp2m in Food, Shopping, money.Tags: coupon, restaurant, saving money, sushi
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I like to eat. Can’t you tell? So when there is a new coupon code published on our site, I take advantage of it because it saves me 60% off the already discounted prices. Tonight I picked up a $25 dinner certificate for only $4 at the Roll House in Santa Monica. If you’ve been there before, you know that they will practically make anything you want in a roll. I especially like the seared ahi tuna slices on an inside out roll topped off with almond slices. It’s to die for.
Don’t Pay Retail for a Cruise April 23, 2008
Posted by yp2m in Shopping, Spring 2008/2009, Travel, cruise, money.Tags: boston, canada, cruise, cruise lines, cruise ships, discount, montreal, new england, retail, saving money, wholesale
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You would think that booking directly with the cruise line would save you the most money. But not in most cases. It is like walking into a hotel and making your way across the lobby to the reservations desk and asking for the price of a room. They will simply quote you the rack rate which is like the mrsp or the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.
Cruise lines operate in the same way. If you make it to their website, be prepared to pay retail prices. Unless a cruise itinerary is not popular and is not selling well, they may discount it and call it a hot deal. Otherwise, they have your attention and they are going to market their cruises to you at mrsp.
Lets put this to the test. I am shopping for a cruise to Eastern Canada/ New England, leaving from Montreal on May 17th. We have friends who live in Montreal that we have not seen for a couple of years. They have since had a baby that we would love to meet for the first time. We plan to fly in and stay a few days before boarding our ship that leaves for Boston. In Boston, I have a niece who works at the hospital as a nurse.
When I check the cruise on Holland America’s website, I see that the lowest price for an inside cabin is $1,0618.01, an oceanview cabin from $1,245.01 and it goes up from there. I will compare that with our cruise supplier and see that the lowest price for an inside cabin is only $576 an oceanview cabin from $670 and the most expensive suite is $1,328.00. (I’m ignoring the currency factor because the US dollar is almost par with the Canadian dollar). It is almost like comparing retail with wholesale prices.
I would hate to share my dinner table with someone who paid less than what I paid for, for the same cruise and possibly the same cabin category. I think it was our second cruise when we met a couple that paid less than what we paid and they had a penthouse suite on the top deck. From then on, we learned our lesson not to pay brochure prices and not to buy directly from cruise companies.
There are a number of cruise suppliers on the market. We choose to deal with one in particular because they have a price guarantee. If I find a better price elsewhere, they will match it and give me a free vacation. And as a bonus right now, they will give you the free vacation when you book a cruise with them. That should be enough incentive to get you thinking about taking a cruise this year.
