Shangri-la Resort in Monkey Island
Posted on October 4, 2023 by Ching under Pickleball, Travel.
The Shangri-la Resort is a place unlike any other. I can see why so many retirees are flocking to this area. Grand Lake is exactly that — grand. With pickleball, tennis, golf, boating — the area has so much to offer. It’s no surprise why our retired friends are spending a lot of time there.
Brian and I discovered this pickleball haven last year when I played in the Shangri-la pickleball tournament for the first time. I was impressed with how beautiful the surroundings area. The only thing that would make it better is if there were actually more than six courts. While six permanent pickleball courts is probably sufficient for their needs most of the time, I’m thinking they’ll need a few more as more and more people flock to this area.
Brian and I arrived on Friday in time for the open play. We got to hang out with our friend Kumar Krishnan, who was hosting us for the weekend. Not many tournament players came for open play so we ended up just mixing in with the Todd Kerr’s Friday night mixer. Todd is the director of the Anchor racquet club.
The weather was beautiful and the sunset absolutely breathtaking. I can’t imagine a prettier place to play pickleball. Speaking of pretty, the resort pool is also beautiful. We didn’t get to experience it this trip but I’m thinking we will have to stay at the resort next time and take advantage of all the amenities.
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar is another place that I would like to try at some point. The restaurant was already closed for the season when we were there but I heard it is a pretty fun summer time hangout spot.
Anyway, if you are looking for a pickleball getaway, I highly recommend checking out the Anchor. They have pickleball pretty much everyday except Wednesdays and Sundays. The outside courts are free for members to use and the guest fees are reasonable. The mixers are also free for members and just $15 for non-members. Having visited a couple of times now, it kind of makes me wish we had a house there. Maybe someday. Until then we will just visit whenever we can and keep on dreamin’ – GNG.
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Doc’s Bar and Grill
Posted on October 2, 2023 by Ching under Food and Drink, Pickleball, Travel.
We ate at Doc’s last year when we were in Shangri-la for their inaugural pickleball tournament. It was our first stop again this year. The menu changes on a regular basis so the list of dishes is vastly different than when we were there last year. Here are some pictures of the food we had this time.
The food was fabulous as always and the company even better. Just like last year, we were with Kumar Krishnan, his wife Sujatha, their daughter Priyanka, and Cody Kent. It is Kumar’s tournament but, if you ask him, Cody is the brains behind the operation. He single-handedly runs the tournament desk at the event. Cody’s wife Dana had to work this weekend so she didn’t come out but we gained Fernando Martinez and Amanda Ades who joined us for dinner after the Friday night open play/mixer at the resort.
There weren’t as many players from Wichita this year so I am glad that Fernando and Amanda made the trip. The tournament venue is just breathtaking and I want to be able to share the experience with as many people as I possibly can.
I’ve decided to significantly reduce the number of tournaments that I am playing in next year (seriously, as of right now zero) but Shangri-la is probably one that I will still do just because it’s more of a vacation than a tournament. It’s just so beautiful out there. Until next time. GNG.
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Mixed Doubles Mini Tournament at the Pickle Club
Posted on September 28, 2023 by Ching under Pickleball.
I ran a mixed doubles mini tournament at the Pickle Club a couple of weeks ago. It was actually a reschedule from June and I decided to play in it because it would a good opportunity for me and Chris to practice before our Bartlesville tournament. We had six teams participate and I actually remembered to take pictures of everyone this time. Here’s all the teams:
Sarvi and Michael
Leah and Kafer
Fernando and Amanda
Jenny and Zach
Lesli and Greg
and, lastly me and Chris
We played five games to 15 (win by 1) in pool play so everyone got to play against all the other teams and then we seeded everyone based on pool play performance for the single elimination bracket. Bracket was also one game to 15 (win by 2) until the medal rounds. The championship and third place matches were best 2 out of 3 games to 11, win by 2.
We got to play a lot of games and it was so much fun. We ended up having to play against Jenny and Zach in the championship and then Michael and Sarvi played against Fernando and Amanda for third place. Their third place match was actually way more intense than hours. Anyway, everything ran according to schedule and I think we just went a few minutes past 5 pm, which is what I had budgeted.
Anyway, now that we are in the cooler months, I’m back to playing at the Pickle Club again. If you’re not already a member, I highly recommend checking out one of the open play sessions on Sunday and then eventually joining. It’s probably the best place to play in town. I love it there.
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Waffle House
Posted on September 25, 2023 by Ching under Food and Drink.
I’m not really sure about the appeal of Waffle House. I’d never been to one (and neither has Brian) so it seemed like something we should cross off our list.
There was one by our Airbnb so we decided to go check it out before heading home. Honestly, it’s not really anything spectacular so you’re not missing one. However, I’m not one to just take other people’s word. I like to decide things for myself so check it out we did.
I’m not sure if all Waffle Houses are set up the same way. The interior is small and like a diner where you can eat at the counter. Except the kitchen is open so you can watch as they make your food. I like that part because you can see exactly what they’re doing and they can’t mess with it. LOL.
I had a sausage, bacon, egg, and cheese bowl. Brian got biscuits and gravy – his usual everywhere. I’m not sure why I didn’t get a picture of it.
I also ordered a waffle for us, after all it is Waffle House, but it wasn’t really earth-shattering. It was better than the hotel waffles we’ve been having but I’ve had better. Anyway, at least now we can say we’ve been to one.
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Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar
Posted on September 22, 2023 by Ching under Food and Drink, Travel.
Brian and I found this great pet-friendly restaurant in Grapevine, Texas with a fabulous patio. It made me kind of wish we had Saki with us. It’s called Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar and, now that I have looked it up, I guess technically Glade Parks is in Euless, Texas but we were in the area for a pickleball thing at Chicken N Pickle – Grapevine so I just assumed we were in Grapevine. It literally just a few minutes away from the CNP.
Obviously, no pets inside the restaurant but their giant patio is almost as big as the inside that’s where they seat people with pets.
At the center of it all is this massive fireplace where groups can congregate.
It was a nice day so we sat out there and enjoyed other people’s dogs.
There was a sangria flight/sampler on the menu so I went for it. I believe these are (from left to right) the white peach, pomegranate red, and raspberry rose. They were all refreshingly delicious but I liked the white peach the best.
Here are a couple of pictures of our dinner. You can probably guess that the one with a lot going on is mine and the other, very plain-looking one is Brian’s. Food was pretty good. Service was friendly. We will likely go back next time we find ourselves in that part of Texas again.
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