This article is classified "Real"
The sound was deafening. As I fled the scene, thunderous explosions of
white (with red trim) were all around me. The vast, smoke-filled area
was filled with commotion -- the crowds were shouting and jumping, the
people were rushing aimlessly with reckless precision.
No, this was not a natural disaster, a riot, or even a European soccer
match; this is a bowling alley. For ten days, I lived the life and
experienced the motto: "I am, therefore I bowl."
This article describes and embellishes my sojourn across the midwest
United States in search of the Perfect Bowl. Leaving from Michigan, I
basically wandered westward until I hit Nebraska, moseyed south to Kansas,
then stumbled eastward through Ohio, and finally back up to ol' Michigan.
Before You Leave
----------------
No matter how much time you plan for departure, it won't be enough. There
are always at least two things you forgot to do before you left (and many
times the next rest stop isn't for another 42 miles), and there are at
least four mysterious things you forget to bring with you that will nag at
your subconscious until you discover that you need one of them.
Deciding on a City
------------------
Sometimes it's fun just to pull into a town which sounds cool. When
cruising from Illinois to Iowa, I saw a sign for a town called "Rock
Island." Being a good Jethro Tull fan, I realized I had to bowl there.
Another thrill is finding cities with the same name as your home town.
For example, although I didn't find too many Rochesters (I currently live
and work in Rochester, Michigan), I did find two other Troys (I grew up
in Troy, Michigan).
Other times, I had a target city in mind. Major cities like Kansas City,
St. Louis, Omaha, Indianapolis, and Des Moines were on my list of cities
to bowl at right from the start.
How to Find a Bowling Alley
---------------------------
OK, so you've decided to pull off the freeway and into an interesting-
sounding city. Here are three handy methods to find bowling alleys:
1) Drive around until you find one. Pros: sheer joy and an
intense burst of satisfaction when you stumble across one.
Cons: you may never find one and run out of gas trying.
2) Find a telephone book, write down some addresses and phone
numbers, and then drive around until you find them. Pros:
still fun when you find something on your own by following
street signs and building numbers. Cons: not as adventurous
as driving around using "the Force."
3) Stop at a gas station and ask someone. Pros: you'll usually
find bowling alleys the quickest this way. Cons: if you ask
someone who doesn't know, the directions will invariably be
horribly wrong and you'll be worse off than Method 1, above.
The following are general notes and tid-bits about surviving a ten-day
Alley Rally across America:
Credit Cards
------------
Let's face it, these things are becoming a necessary evil in today's
society. They're very handy but you can get yourself into all sorts of
trouble if you aren't careful. By observing a few simple ideas, you can
safely use credit cards to enhance and prolong your journey.
First, try to dedicate one credit card for each need (i.e., one for
gasoline, one for lodging, etc.). This makes the bookkeeping much easier;
you'll be able to track how much you have spent in a particular category
and know how much you have left at your disposal.
Second, stick to the first rule! It's very easy, and very tempting, to
waver from your resolutions and charge little bits here and there ("Aw,
it's only fifteen bucks, what's that going to hurt?"). Trust me, it'll
hurt more than you think.
Third, make sure you have the toll-free numbers to check your balances.
Some cards have the number printed on the back, while others only have
it on your monthly statement. From time to time you're going to forget
how much you've spent so far, and this number will let you know if you're
going to run into trouble.
Cash
----
Try to bring as much cash and travellers checks as possible. If you can
use credit cards for lodging and gasoline then your cash is for bowling,
food, and souvenirs.
Per bowling alley, figure:
o $8 for a series (three games) - this should be an over-
estimate, but if you bowl at a prime time, this might not
even be enough
o $10 for food at the grill (again, this should be plenty)
o $10 for drinks at the bar (if you do more than that, then you
should not plan on more than two or three alleys per day!)
Other expenses to consider:
o Toll booth change (see below)
o Food away from the alleys (breakfast, most likely)
o Telephone calls, if you don't have a calling card thing
o Coin-operated laundromats, if you don't pack a lot of clothes
o Post cards and stamps, if you want to keep in touch with anyone
What to Pack
------------
There are certain things that one must pack for an Alley Rally, and if
you plan on sleeping in your car, then additional items are required. At
a minimum, pack the following:
o Towel(s) - I brought three, just in case.
o Bowling ball(s), bowling shoes, and any additional bowling gear
you require (like those wrist guard things, etc.)
o A watch or a clock. If you go across the country, you're going
to cover different time zones. Try to keep track of what time
it is, or you may either arrive at an alley too early in the
morning or too late in the morning, depending on what time of
the morning we're talking about.
o Camera - those "disposable" cameras are great in the daylight,
and you don't have to worry about anything; $12 for a Kodak
FunSaver 35-mm 27 exposure with built-in flash and everything.
(They don't take good long-range photos at night, however.)
o Lots of cassettes or CD's to play in the car. I brought about
40 tapes and ended up playing them all at least twice. You're
going to be on the road a lot!
o Notepads, notebooks, or something to take notes about the alleys
you encounter. (I brought a laptop computer along, and used it
in the lounges to collect my notes and generally look "cool.")
o At least one decent map of the area you plan to cover. I got a
good map of the United States at the local AAA office. Sure,
it's much more fun to just drive and discover what you come
across, but at some point you're going to find yourself in a
gasoline station at two in the morning asking the attendant,
"What state is this, where in the state are we, and how do I get
to Des Moines, Iowa?"
o Sunglasses.
o Bathroom stuff (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, etc.) Don't forget
anything or assume that a motel will have stuff there, because
while most of them have soap, very few of the less expensive
ones stock shampoo, and none sold toothbrushes (try gas
stations if you need to buy one of those).
o Aspirin or other pain relief; if you plan on hitting a lot of
bowling alleys, and/or if you plan on covering a lot of miles
each day, then you're going to be sore.
o A few decks of cards, for when you need to wait around for a
pair of open lanes or if you really want to make your highway
driving experience an interesting one.
o Clothes (plan on one outfit per day, but you can always just
stop at a coin-operated laundromat somewhere and wash
everything.)
o Empty bags to put stuff in later.
If it's not too warm outside, fill a large cooler with ice and bring things
like half-gallons of milk, orange juice, two-liters of soda pop, distilled
water, etc. Keep this cooler in your trunk. This way you can bring along
some boxes of cereal, a few spoons and bowls, and you've got your breakfast
and snacks right there with you.
(NOTE: I tried to bring two gallons of ice cream along too, and was very
happy I thought ahead to store each in its own plastic bag - they didn't
last the first day of the trip. So, I ended up eating two gallons of ice
cream in the lounge of the first alley I came across! The lesson I learned
is: Don't bring ice cream on an Alley Rally unless you plan on touring
either Antarctica, the Alaskan tundra, or Northern Canada.)
Other kinds of food you can pack:
o Pop tarts
o Corn chips, Nilla Wafers, and other munchies - great on the road
o Breakfast bars (those Carnation things are pretty good)
In addition, if you plan on sleeping in your vehicle, you'll probably need
some additional gear:
o Pillow(s)
o Sleeping bag, blankets, et al.
o More towels
Sleeping, Showers, Etc.
-----------------------
While generally considered a useful activity in its own write, sleeping is
often awkward at best in Alley Rallys. For economically-minded bowlers,
rest stops are a sure thing, as long as you're also not into personal
hygiene. Otherwise, as you travel along the highways, be sure to keep tabs
on the lodging billboards for something inexpensive.
Along the way I came across Model 6's around $26, Super 8 Models for about
$35, and Budgetel's for around $45 (these prices are after taxes are added).
The bargains are further away from the major cities (a Model 6 in the
middle of nowhere may cost you $25, whereas one just outside of St. Louis
would run around $35 or more), and likewise try to avoid ones near airports.
If you're going for the rest stops, the ones along Interstate 80 in Northern
Illinois were the best I came across. These were impressively organized and
very spacious, with playgrounds for the kids and lots of tourist information
for the family. The ones in southern Indiana along Interstate 70 were also
very nice. Conversely, most of the rest stops in Iowa and Nebraska were not
much more than covered bathrooms.
Regardless, you can always wash up and take care of business at any of
these, and they all were mostly safe to sleep at. When choosing a site to
sleep, try for a parking spot about three or four away from a lamp post.
This way your car is still very well lit but without the direct attention-
attracting light.
If you're really in a pinch for a place to crash (not literally, of course!)
then try a subdivision of a decent-looking town. If you arrive moderately
late, park inconspicuously near the end of a street somewhere, and head out
again early in the morning, you won't have any problems at all.
The best places to shower and clean up on a non-motel Alley Rally are truck
plazas. For instance, along Interstate 70 there are a bunch of places
called Bobbers Auto/Truck Plaza. They have private showers, food, and
gasoline. Make sure you brought your towel and bathroom stuff!
Gasoline
--------
Besides the bowling, the most important thing in an Alley Rally is gasoline
(but just hope that it is not as rare as in the Mad Max films, because at
some point in your journey you'll probably feel as though you're in one).
If you can swing it, dedicate one credit card for gasoline purchases -- you
get a very handy souvenir receipt with all sorts of handy information for
calculating your miles per gallon, miles per day, dollars per gallon,
dollars per day, et al. This also frees up your cash for food and bowling
expenses, which are going to be enough anyway.
Toll Booths and Toll Ways
-------------------------
Get a good road map of the regions you're going to cover and make note of
where the toll-ways are. There's always a way around them, even though
often times the gasoline you spend driving in circles trying to avoid the
toll is many times the 40 to 50 cents you'd plunk into the toll booth. But
heck, it's the principle of the thing to avoid paying those tolls!
Fun Way to Not Fall Asleep on the Highway
-----------------------------------------
If you plan to cover a lot of distance, you're going to be driving a lot.
Here are some fun ways to avoid becoming another statistic. Many of them
involve counting or tracking something; this is a good exercise because
you need to remember not only what number you've left off at, but also
what it is you are counting in the first place.
o Count how many out-of-state license plates you come across,
keeping in mind what state you happen to be in at the moment.
Try to remember what ones are new (plates from states you
haven't seen before) and figure out if they've travelled farther
from their home state than you have.
o Put your car stereo in continual Scan mode. As it cycles
through the radio stations, try to identify which stations
weren't there the last time through the scan. For even more
fun, try to tell when a station is no longer available.
o Count the number of:
- disabled automobiles off the side of the highway
- motorists who are pulled over for speeding
- police cars waiting to nail somebody for speeding
- trucks you can pass during a given time interval, and then
calculate your truck per time ratio (i.e., something like
0.5 trucks per min.)
o See if a mile is really as long as they claim it is: use your
odometer to measure from one highway mile marker sign to the
next, and see if its honestly one mile or if they're cheating
you out of a little bit of real estate.
(An alternative method is to drive as close to 60 MPH as
possible and use your (digital) watch to check if it takes you
exactly one minute to go from one highway mile marker to the
next.)
Weather
-------
Especially if you drive across different time zones, you're going to
encounter different weather patterns daily. To this I say: Enjoy it!
Worship the power of the sunshine, celebrate the ecstacy of the rain,
dream into the soft, furry clouds, marvel at the mysteries of a wave of
snow, cherish the openness of a clear blue sky.
Since you can't really do much about the weather, it certainly helps if
you can develop a strong positive attitude to whatever nature brings along
for you!
Bowling Tips
------------
First, don't wear yourself out! Pace yourself for a lot of bowling. I
averaged 4.5 bowling alleys per day with three games per alley, which is
a lot of bowling. If you're not used to bowling a lot then be sure to take
it easy until your body gets used to all the commotion.
(On the other hand, if your wrist hurts too much or that trick knee is
starting to act up again, then take care of yourself first - those alleys
will still be there in the morning!)
Second, take the time to work on the little things of your game that you
didn't have the time for before. For instance, techniques like approach,
delivery, follow-through, and trying to knock down *all* of the pins (those
white wooden things at the end of the bowling lane) instead of most of them.
Little things like that.
Third, enjoy the people around you. They're probably not going cross-
country on a crazy Alley Rally - they're just out to the local bowling
center for some fun with friends and family. Bowling near an energetic
bunch can be a great experience, especially if they include their alley
neighbors (i.e., you) in their festivities.
Fourth, each alley's grill, snack bar, and/or restaurant has its own
specialty, something that they're proud of. Any place can sell you a hot
dog; find what makes this alley's food services unique and sample a piece
of their best.
Computerized Scoring
--------------------
Personally, I hate the computerized scoring systems. It takes all the
suspense and fun out of it when the things scores everything for you.
But then again, I come from a warped background, largely because we have
created so many bizarre ways of bowling (many of which require dice,
calculators, hats, tokens, erasers, or playing pieces).
The computerized scoring systems are pretty handy if you just play regular
bowling games, except they usually do not allow practice frames. If you
bowl in a number of alleys then you will get to know how to work these
computer things, because you'll sure come across a lot of them.
Non-Bowling Tips
----------------
Believe it or not, there *is* more to life than bowling (at least that's
what someone told me once.) After a satisfying day of alley hunting, take
the time to enjoy the night life your current locale has to offer. The big
cities are a lot of fun (with a wide variety of tempting attractions from
pubs to movie theatres to huge shopping malls), and their suburbs often
have great downtowns of their own. While sometimes you'll want to just
collapse in a motel room somewhere and sleep, the energy of exploring a new
city is often very invigorating.
Alley Summaries
---------------
Now that we've discussed a little about surviving bowling on the road,
let's review some of the alleys I came across. This list is by no means
complete, as sometimes my note-taking skills suffered as a result of
driving, bowling, and whatever else one might do when one is out on ones
own across America for ten days.
Troy Lanes
----------
1950 E. Square Lake Road, Troy, Michigan 48098; (810) 879-8122
Prices: Regular Open Bowl ... $1.00
Fridays ... $0.94
Shoe Rental: $1.00
Number of Lanes: 40 lanes
Computerized: No
Food Specials: clogged arteries, heartburn
$3.75 for hamburger/cheeseburger, fries, medium soda
Etc.: Two pool tables and two electronic dart boards
This is our "regular" place every week.
Rose Bowl Lanes
---------------
2309 Franklin, Michigan City, Indiana; (219) 872-9930
Prices: M-F 9am to 5pm ... $1.25
Evenings, Weekends, Holidays ... $1.60
Shoe Rental: $0.75
Number of Lanes: 16 lanes
Computerized: Yes
Food Specials: Built-in restaurant/bar; soda pops $0.60
Dunes Bowl
----------
Gary, Indiana; 938-5301
Prices: $1.75 per game (at least on Friday evenings)
Shoe Rental: Yes
Number of Lanes: 44 lanes
Computerized: No
River Rand Bowl
---------------
191 N. River Rand, Des Plaines, Illinois 60016; (708) 299-1001
Prices: M-F 9am to 5pm ... $1.75
Sundays 9am to noon ... $1.50
Otherwise: Adults $2.25, Juniors $1.75, Seniors $1.25
Shoe Rental: $1.25 adults, $0.75 juniors/seniors
Number of Lanes: 36 lanes
Computerized: No
Food Specials: Cheeseburgers are very good here
Town and Country Lanes
----------------------
3636 11th Street, Rock Island, Illinois 61201; (309) 788-9555
Prices: M-F until 5pm ... $1.35
Evenings, Weekends, Holidays ... $1.85
Shoe Rental: $1.00
Number of Lanes: 48 lanes
Computerized: No
Etc.: Neat wooden atmosphere; it appears like the alley is
divided into two halves from the entrance/lobby area.
Family Fun Center
-----------------
4500 Blackhawk Road, Rock Island, IL 61201; 786-2700
Number of Lanes: 20 lanes
Computerized: No
Etc.: They have Junior leagues on Saturday Mornings in-season
Milan Lanes
-----------
2020 West 1st Street, Milan, Illinois; (309) 787-1117
Prices: M-F before 6pm ... $1.00
Evenings, Weekends, Holidays ... $1.75
Students and Seniors ... $1.50
Shoe Rental: $1.00
Number of Lanes: 32 lanes
Food Specials: Rudy's Tacos, and the Hole in the Wall Lounge
Soda pop from vending machines is $0.60
Etc.: They have Red Pin Bowling - solid red pins inserted into
the pin feeder units; if a red pin appears as head pin
and you get a strike, then you get a free game next time
(maximum limit of 5 per nite).
Val Lanes Recreational Center
-----------------------------
100 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines, Iowa; 274-0493
Prices: M-F 9am to 5pm ... $2.14 plus tax
Evenings, Weekends, Holidays ... $2.62 plus tax
Shoe Rental: $1.67 plus tax
Number of Lanes: 36 lanes
Computerized: AMF AccuScore w/cool graphical preview system which
suggests the best strategy to pick up the spare
Food Specials: Soda pops for $0.85, $1.25, and $1.50; good pizza for
$3.50; nachos are $2.50
Etc.: This place has a LaneWalker device which automatically
oils the lane about five feet into the garden, then it
retreats back, walks sideways to the next lane, and then
proceeds to oil it. Continues down the whole alley until
the operator unplugs it.
Des Moines Bowling Center
-------------------------
10300 Hickman Road, Des Moines, Iowa 50322; 278-2442
Prices: M-F 9am to 5pm ... $2.10 adults ($1.85 youth)
Evenings, Sundays, Holidays ... $2.45
Shoe Rental: $1.50
Number of Lanes: 36 Brunswick lanes
Computerized: No
Food Specials: Soda pops for $0.80/$1.00; cheese dogs for $1.40
Check out Jamie Lea's ... they have subs, club
sandwiches, 1/4 lb. turkey/ham/roast beef/corned beef
and swiss sandwiches
Leisure Lanes and Family Restaurant
-----------------------------------
4811 L-Street, Omaha, Nebraska; 733-4800
Prices: Adults ... $1.75, Juniors/Seniors ... $1.35
Bumper bowling ... $1.90
Flat rate of $10 per hour per lane
Shoe Rental: $1.00
Number of Lanes: 36 AMF lanes
Computerized: AMF AccuScore system
Extra Frames: $0.25 each, added to the bill when you're done
Food Specials: Soda pops for $0.99/$1.25/$1.50; their BLT sandwiches
are good ($2.75); hamburger $2.25, cheeseburger $2.60
West Lanes
----------
151 North 72nd Street, Omaha, Nebraska; 556-3344
Prices: M-F until 6pm ... $1.75
Evenings, Weekends, Holidays ... $2.18
Shoe Rental: $1.00
Number of Lanes: 24 Brunswick lanes
Computerized: AMF AccuScore system
AMF/King Louie Northland
------------------------
217 N.E. Vivion Road, Kansas City, Missouri; (816) 454-BOWL
Prices: M-F until 5:30pm ... $2.25
Evenings, Weekends, Holidays ... $2.60
Sometimes have specials on Sundays and Mondays
Number of Lanes: 32 brunswick AstroLines
Computerized: Brunswick 2000 automatic scoring systems
Food Specials: Soda pops for $0.95/$1.39; Tater tots are great for $0.95
Fish sandwich $2.05
Etc.: 7 pool tables, huge arcade room
Gladstone Bowl
--------------
300 N.W. 72nd Street, Gladstone, Missouri 64118; 436-2695
Prices: M-F until 5pm ... $1.75
Sunday 9am to noon ... $1.10
Evenings, Weekends ... $2.25
Shoe Rental: $1.25
Number of Lanes: 24 Brunswick AstroLines
Computerized: No
Food Specials: Sodas are $0.84/$0.94/$1.64; they have a lot of great
breakfast food (bacon/eggs, toast/jelly, etc.) as well
as classic snacks, sandwiches, etc.
NKC Pro Bowl
------------
505 E. 18th Avenue, North Kansas City, Missouri; 221-8844
Prices: M-F before 6pm ... $2.00
Evenings, Weekends, Holidays ... $2.50
Note: Pre-pay policy if not a league player - the lanes shut
off when the games are completed
Shoe Rental: $1.25
Number of Lanes: 48 Brunswick AstroLines
Computerized: Brunswick 2000 scoring system
Food Specials: Soda pops are $0.65/$1.00, incl. strawberry soda and RC
Etc.: Huge arcade room; Bowler's Emporium Pro Shop; Palm
Beach Cantina; 11 pool tables; full restaurant-type grill
AMF/King Louie Strike and Spare
-------------------------------
13001 Hwy. 40, Independence, Missouri 64055; 356-1900
Prices: M-F before 2:30pm ... $2.25 plus tax
M-F between 2:30pm and 5:30pm ... $1.49 plus tax
Evenings, Weekends, Holidays ... $2.60 plus tax
Youth and Seniors ... $1.90 plus tax
Shoe Rental: $1.50
Number of Lanes: 32 Brunswick lanes
Computerized: AMF AccuScore with graphical shot preview
Etc.: The house balls are color-coded by weight (a specific
color for each weight), and are stored together (thus,
all of the 14-pound balls are together). Furthermore,
the grip sizes are marked (small, medium, large).
Higginsville Bowl
-----------------
2105 Pine, Higginsville, Missouri; 584-2123
Number of Lanes: 6 Brunswick lanes
Computerized: No
Etc.: The proprietor claims that Higginsville Bowl is the
second oldest indoor bowling facility in America. The
mechanical pin machines installed around 1956, and the
building itself is over 100 years old.
I found this place on the way to Confederate Park
memorial/tourist trap attraction (but never did end up
making it to the museum, however).
West County Lanes
-----------------
15727 Manchester Road, Ellisville, Missouri 63011; 227-1469
(west of St. Louis)
Prices: M-F 9am to 5pm ... $2.00
Evenings, Weekends, Holidays ... $2.50
Note: Pre-pay policy if not a league player - the lanes shut
off when the games are completed
Shoe Rental: $1.50
Number of Lanes: 24 Brunswick lanes
Computerized: Brunswick 2000 AccuScore system
Food Specials: Sodas are $1.00; the polish dogs are good ($1.50), and
the $5.25 pizzas come with a variety of toppings
St. Clair Bowl
--------------
5950 Old Collinsville Road, Illinois; 632-2400
(east of St. Louis)
Prices: M-F until 6pm ... $1.90 (Seniors ... $1.75)
Evenings, Weekends, Holidays ... $2.25 (Seniors ... $2.00)
Tuesday special from 1pm to 5pm ... $1.00
League bowlers special rate of $1.50 at all times
Shoe Rental: $1.50
Number of Lanes: 50 Brunswick lanes
Computerized: Brunswick 2000 AccuScore system
Food Specials: Sodas are $0.60/$0.90; the chicken breast sandwich is
good ($1.85), and the cod fish sandwich is fine ($1.75)
Etc.: Huge token-operated arcade room with prize tickets that
are cashed in at the prize counter for misc. junk
Features the Island Oasis lounge/restaurant upstairs
The alley is dark, and there's not a lot of seating
or lounge areas around the lanes
Bel-Air Bowl
------------
1703 North Belt West, Belleville, Illinois 62223-5010; (618) 233-1703
(east of St. Louis)
Prices: M-F before 6pm ... $1.85
Evenings, weekends, holidays ... $2.25
League bowlers ... $1.50 (junior league bowlers ... $1.00)
Number of Lanes: 24 Brunswick lanes
Computerized: Brunswick AS-90 scoring system
Food Specials: Sodas $0.65/$0.95; the mozzarella sticks are good ($3.75)
Etc.: Moderate-sized arcade room
Panorama Lanes
--------------
200 South Belt West, Belleville, Illinois; 234-2511
(east of St. Louis)
Prices: M-Sat until 6pm ... $1.75 (Seniors, Juniors ... $1.40)
Evenings, Sundays, Holidays ... $2.10
(Seniors, Juniors ... $1.75)
League bowlers ... $1.00
Shoe Rental: $1.00
Number of Lanes: 32 AMF Sure-Pik lanes
Computerized: No
Food Specials: Panorama Service Bar has sodas for $0.65/$0.80/$1.00
The Arbor Restaurant features meat loaf, yankee pot
roast, fried chicken, mini-tacos, toasted ravioli, etc.
Raceway Lanes
-------------
4503 W. 16th Street, Speedway, Indiana 46222; (317) 241-2561
Prices: M-F 9am to 6pm ... $1.39
Sat, Sun 10am to 6pm ... $1.59
Sun-Thurs 6pm to close ... $1.59
Other evenings ... $2.09
Shoe Rental: $1.35
Number of Lanes: 48 AMF lanes
Computerized: Brunswick 2000 scoring system
Food Specials: OK Corral sells value meals (fish, chicken, bbq, 1/4 lb.
burgers, with fries and 16oz soda) for around $3.75
Etc.: Keith Buther's Pro-Line Bowling Supply is the pro shop
Sunset Bowl
-----------
9525 Crawfordsville Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46234; (317) 291-5333
Prices: M-F before 5pm ... $1.60
Evenings, Weekends, Holidays ... $2.10
Shoe Rental: $1.25
Number of Lanes: 16 AMF Sure-Pik lanes
Computerized: Brunswick 2000 AS-90 scoring system
Food Specials: Routine bar and grill-type facilities
Etc.: Four pool tables; small arcade room
Western Bowl
------------
6441 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241; (317) 247-4426
(I-465 + US 40/W. Washington exit)
Prices: M-F 8:30am to 1:30pm ... $2.00
M-F 1:30pm to 5:30pm, and Sundays until 1pm ... $1.25
Evenings, Weekends, Holidays ... $2.40
Shoe Rental: $1.50 (juniors $0.75)
Number of Lanes: 80 Brunswick AstroLine lanes
Computerized: AMF AccuScore system
Extra Frames: $0.25 each, added to the bill when you're done
Food Specials: Soda pops are $0.90/$1.10/$1.45; mozzarella sticks $2.40
and the fish platter is good at $3.95
Etc.: Kegler's Old 40 Corral is a cool restaurant/lounge; The
Arcade Round-Up is a large arcade room; 6 pool tables;
2 lounge areas and a meeting room. Don Mitchell Pro Shop.
The front desk is like a hotel front counter, complete
with blue jackets and name plates.
Expo Lanes
----------
I-465 and S. Emerson, Indianapolis, Indiana
Prices: M-F until 1pm ... $2.00
M-F 1pm to 5:30pm, Sunday until 1pm ... $1.25
Evenings, Weekends, Holidays ... $2.40
Number of Lanes: 40 + 40 Brunswick lanes (back-to-back, split in half)
Computerized: AMF AccuScore system
Extra Frames: $0.25 each, added to the bill when you're done
Etc.: The usual food stuff, and all of the extras you'd come
to expect from an 80-lane alley (arcade room, pool hall)
Poelking Lanes South
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8871 Kingsridge Drive, Centerville, Ohio 45458; (513) 435-3855
(south of Dayton)
Prices: Regular open ... $2.50, Holidays ... $2.50
Juniors M-Sat until 5pm ... $1.80
Seniors M-Sat until 5pm ... $1.20
Ladies Mon and Thurs from noon until 5pm ... $1.80
Shoe Rental: $1.25
Number of Lanes: 52 Brunswick lanes
Computerized: Brunswick 2000 scoring system
Food specials: Soda pops for $0.70/$1.00; Ron's Pizza House has good
pizza, sandwiches, spaghetti, etc.
Troy Bowl
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1530 McKaig Avenue, Troy, Ohio; (513) 339-3315
(north of Dayton, south of Toledo)
Prices: Daytime ... $1.85
Evenings (after 6pm) ... $2.00
Shoe Rental: $0.75
Number of Lanes: 18 AMF lanes
Computerized: AMF AccuScore system
Etc.: They have a small deli-type counter for food and sodas
Al-Mar Lanes
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1010 N. Main Street, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402; 352-4637
Prices: Mon, Wed, Fri 11am to 5pm ... $1.25
Tues, Thurs 11am to 5pm ... $0.75
M-F after 5pm, Weekends ... $2.00
Shoe Rental: $1.25
Number of Lanes: 16 Brunswick lanes
Computerized: Brunswick 2000 scoring system
Etc.: They have one pool table, and a standard bar/grill type
place for sodas and snacks