Retired? From "WORK" - YES . . . From "Bowling" - not so much!

As just about anyone who knows me knows, bowling has been an integral part of my life, including much of the last 30 years of my career.  Since 2014 I channeled my love and passion for the game working for the Bowling Centers Association of Wisconsin (BCAW).  Having failed retirement from BCAW twice, I was genuinely looking forward to this road trip as a final cutting of the chord after I completed my last contract project for them in early April.

I'm fortunate that David has always been supportive of me and my life choices . . . but especially over the last 10 years with BCAW!  He has also seemed to enjoy the ride and the people we interacted with both professionally and socially.

Even my sister Pam became a key member of my "team" especially on our Wisconsin Vintage Alleys Tours.  I feel so very blessed to have the love & support of so many great people.

Because of my deep interest in most things "bowling" that I seemingly can't just walk away . . . forever.  Road trips often include an element of small rural towns that remind me of how bowling flourishes in Wisconsin in spite of the harsh winters and glorious summers.  Any trip down Main Street USA could include a small town bowling alley . . . even better if it still looks like it did back in the 1960's (or earlier).

As with each of my prior retirements (May 2022 and May 2024), I was committed on THIS TRIP to avoid looking for bowling distractions along the way.  It's not unusual for me to use my GARMIN GPS (aka TOOTS) to do a search to see if there might be a bowling center in a town I'm passing through.  But for this 25 day SW Road Trip, I knew if I allowed myself to get caught up in such, I would never get to where I was needing to be on any given night.

But when you're driving literally down Main Street and pass this sign, how can I just keep on going without curiosity getting the better of me?  So yep, I turned around and went to check it out . . . especially when I then used TOOTS and didn't see that Fairview, OK had a bowling center.  Sometimes these "former bowling alleys" are some of the best vintage era finds.

When I walked in GB's Grill & Lounge, there was so signage or mention of bowling anywhere.  I asked the bartender who started to tell their story, but realized from my questions, she needed to ask the guy in the kitchen.  He was so very nice and gracious to take me around the 12 lane center, explaining how bowling had pretty much died coming through COVID in 2020 and that the owner was already selling off some of the machinery for parts.

I reminisced with him about these old AMF "Lazy Susan" ball tables, which were just like what we had in my home center back in Virginia in the 60's & 70's.  As much as I had hoped maybe I could help the proprietor make a connection or two to bring this old girl back to life, a month later (to the day in fact) I learned "GB" had closed his business for good.

As much as in the moment that day I was a little disappointed in my lack of discipline to drive right past this place, I was glad I did turn around and go back to spend the hour or so seeing and photographing this place.  Too many towns and villages are losing bowling centers, so any time I get to document one before it ceases to exist is time well spent.

A couple of weeks later I was driving through the high Colorado plains heading for Great Sand Dunes National Park.  My routing took me zigging and zagging through the town of Walsenburg.  I don't know why, but this place just "felt like" it should have an old bowling alley, so I did use TOOTS to do a search . . . Crown Lanes popped up and it was less than .5 miles away.  Well of course I had to do a drive by, even if it was early in the afternoon on a Wednesday.  It was closed, as expected and an internet search and phone calls to the listing phone number provided no insight as to operating hours or if they had already closed for the summer with league season over.

So I continued on my way to the national park, keeping in the back of my mind, I would no doubt have to come back through Walsenburg to head on north to the next general area on my itinerary.  I enjoyed my visit to the Great Sand Dunes and on my way back towards town (more than 90 minutes away) I tried the phone number again . . . and got an answer.  I was excited to be speaking to one of the two owners.  He told me he was just getting ready for the 7pm league and to feel free to stop by.

With a name like Crown Lanes, I could only HOPE they would have vintage era Brunswick Gold Crown equipment.  They didn't disappoint!  I enjoyed my conversation with Ron who told of the history of bowling here . . . how the lanes were installed in the 1960's into an old 1940's car dealership building and that his parents bought the place in 1963. Ron & his brother Fred have been continually operating the family business since 1978.  As the league bowlers started arriving, it was fun to interact with them, including some of the old-timers who have been bowling here for decades.

This random stop (twice!) didn't come without a price however.  The lost time (probably close to 2 hours for the full day) set me well behind my goal of reaching Eads, CO by nightfall.  Heck, it was nearly dark when I finally pulled myself away from Crown Lanes!  My next couple of hours of adjusting my itinerary resulted in a rainy slog trying to find overnight accommodations (hotel or campground) somewhere near La Junta.  With intermittent cell coverage, David was able to provide an assist from back home.  Finally at around 9pm, I settled on a campsite at the local KOA.   It was a stark reminder why I can't allow myself to be distracted by bowling alleys along the way . . . but this one was surely worth the time and effort! 

So learning my lesson . . . I did pass by this place which was literally a block away from the campground I visited to shower in Cortez, CO the next day.  It is doubtful they were even open but I didn't invest any time to research the inside or their operating hours.  Heck for all I know, they too might be permanently closed.

PBA super star Kyle Troup

Still a fan of bowling and some of the professional players I enjoy following, I was fortunate to catch the early rounds of the PBA Playoffs while staying at my friend Debbie's ranch.  Having their "guest house" all to myself in the evening, allowed me some wind-down time after our full day of exploring the beautiful New Mexico mountains.

PWBA Tour Stop in Topeka, KS
Diana Zavjalova & Verity Crawley

I did have a couple of options for my return home to Milwaukee the last days coming through Kansas and possibly Nebraska.  I decided that I would swing east through Kansas and stop by one of the qualifying rounds of the PWBA tournament in Topeka.  I enjoyed watching the Friday evening 6-game block . . . THESE LADIES CAN BOWL!  Their talent never ceases to amaze me.  I wish them all a great upcoming tour season.

This all played out well since there is a US National Park Service site there too.  Booking a hotel was easy and using my Wyndham Rewards points, very affordable.  It also set me up for a pleasant 12 hour/650 mile drive home the next day.