If I told you we woke to a 28 degree morning, you'd probably think we were well on our way home to Michigan to spend Thanksgiving with our families. Nope.

Once again we find ourselves stranded at the Ace Run Ranch. Not because of the engine on the Winnie, or the brakes, or even the batteries... those are all fixed and ready for the 2001 season. Right now blizzards in the mountains and in Michigan are keeping us on the east side of the Appalachians. Word is that the snow won't let up for several days so it doesn't look like Al, Dave and I will be making it home for Thanksgiving. Once again we are stuck, camping in Don Johnson's back yard. Not that we're complaining. Don has been my guru on fixing the Winnie's engine, brakes, and testing and installing a new battery yesterday. He has let us camp at the ARR (Ace Run Ranch) without complaint for a total of about 5 weeks this year and counting. Don is another example of how the Winnicrew wouldn't have been able to tour the nation playing disc golf without the help of our discin' pals everywhere. Thanks to all of you who have helped us out again this year.

So... Al won the Fall Colors Classic last weekend in Newport News, Virginia. I tied for second with Chris Hyzell and Brian 'Madog' McRee. Dave was 5th. After the tournament we learned that there was snow to the south of us -- in Raleigh -- about 100 miles south! It was getting dark and the batteries were still acting up on the Winnie. We decided to head back south 40 miles to the ARR for the night, get a new battery, and check on the weather. We ended up driving through white-out conditions on the way to Don's.

While we were away, Dons wife, Francine, had been calling the dog pound, veterinarians, and anyone else she could think of trying to find Hyzer. She got word that a dog fitting Hyzer's description was hit by a car five days earlier. I went and walked the stretch of road they mentioned for a few hours but didn't find any sign of him. The road commission doesn't keep any record of removed animal carcasses.

Not knowing for sure really sucks, but I've resolved myself to the fact that I won't see him anymore. I know from when Sue's dog 'Blue' died last year that I can expect a bunch of condoling e-mails over the next few weeks and even months and I would appreciate the sentiment. Instead though, it would mean a lot to me if I could get my readers to call the Johnson family -- Don and Francine -- and tell them that it's nice to know that there are people out there who will extend a helping hand to people when they're down on their luck. Besides the loss of my dog, all the money being spent to fix the Winnie, missing the Veterans Park Open, not playing very well lately, and being stuck in Virginia instead of spending Thanksgiving with my family, I can still be thankful that Don and Francine were kind enough to give us so much help during these times.

Their number is 757-934-8028. They don't know I'm asking you guys to do this, so don't tip them off.

On the lighter side:

• Our teeny little heater is doing a heck of a job keeping the Winnie warm at night.
• Everything on the Winnie is working great now... except the radio, that's next.
• We still have plenty of coffee.
• I have a seemingly endless supply of TV morons to watch on 'Jerry' and 'Ricki.'

Got a question for Todd and the Winnicrew? Send it here. Be sure to include "2000 Tour" in the subject header.

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