Bowling Adventure

Cameron and I had some free bowling coupons from a friend of ours, so we decided to go on a cheap date, and invite his brother, Don, and his wife, Cindy to join us. Our coupon was for two free hours of bowling, shoes, and drinks for up to 6 people. We thought this was a pretty good deal, and hey- all it would cost was the gas to get us to and from the bowling alley. So we look up where these bowling alleys were in relation to us in Maple Grove. There is one in Eden Prairie, about 19 miles to the south of us. There is one in Brookyln Park, just about 7 miles to the east of us. And there is one in a town called Blaine, about 22 miles to the northeast of us. Obviously, we decided to go to Brooklyn Park. However, we find out that they are closed for a private party the night we are going, so we decide to make the trek south to Eden Prairie.

Everything was arranged. We went over to pick up Don and Cindy, and put Miley to sleep at their house with their oldest daughter Kayla, in charge of her, and her own brothers (the first time I have left Miley with someone younger than me!). So we headed out around 7:10, figuring we would get there around 7:30, and get home around 10.

We get to Eden Prairie, ready to get on our awesome bowling shoes and ready for some stiff competition. Only there is a two hour wait. WHAT?? So we call up the Blaine bowling alley to see what kind of a wait they have there. They say, an hour to an hour and a half. Awesome. We will get there, and by the time we are there, maybe the wait will only be half an hour. So we jump back in the car (about 7:45 pm) and start the 33 mile drive to Blaine.

We arrive at about 8:25, only to find out that they now have a two hour wait. So we have driven around all night, and we could have been 45 minutes closer to bowling in Eden Prairie if we had stayed there. But we are now back at square one. A two hour wait. To bowl for two hours. At this point, I was ready to give up, but the guys decided that we would wait it out. So we put our name on the list, and went to a Culver's nearby to get some food and try to kill some time.

You can tell how thrilled I am to be waiting some more...

We hung out at Culver's for an hour, and went back to the bolwing alley. We hung around, watching other people bowl, looking at some video games, etc. until FINALLY it was our turn to bowl! It is now 10:15 pm. So it didn't take two hours....only about an hour and 50 minutes. :)

Cindy and I trying to kill more time by taking pictures of ourselves.

Once we were finally under way, we had a blast. And yes we stayed the whole two hours (we had to, in order to make up for our hours of waiting!) and finally made it home at about 12:45. Yikes. You know you are getting old when you are still recovering from the night for a few days after. But, it ended up being a fun adventure, with good conversation, and people who were able to laugh about the whole situation. Plus, I bowled a 120, which may just be an all time high for me. :)

Cameron's form, that overtakes the WHOLE lane!

Cindy making her approach....

Don in action!

Me, very seriously deciding on a strategy for my next bowl...

The guys waiting for their turn.

Yes, Cameron did roll up his pants and bowl with a pink bowling ball. Nice.

Lessons learned:
1) Don't go bowling on a Saturday night
2) If you do go bowling on a Saturday night, go at about 6....then maybe you will be bowling by 7:30
3) if there is a two hour wait one place, chances are the waits are equally as bad everywhere else. So stay where you are!
4) Make sure you have enough gas in your car...we went from over half to under a quarter.
5) If you plan on a cheap date (as in free) chances are you will have to spend some money...either killing time at a Culver's or by filling up the almost half tank of gas you burned through.
6) And the silver lining....if you have to wait till 10:30 to bowl, you get to enjoy the cosmic bowling with disco lights, loud music, and fog machines!