destination tba

Year End Catch All

2008-12-31T15:00:00.004-06:00

I have not been very good about updating the blog lately, so here it is in a nutshell...

After Seattle I finished out the year with the beach, Denver, Chicago and the beach again for Christmas. In the end I went on 17 trips and was gone a total of 82 days in 2008. All of them had highlights and a few lowlights...mostly due to airline cancellations and delays. It has been a great year of catching up with old friends, scratching places off of my travel wish list and enjoying a little rest and relaxation. I am not sure what 2009 will bring, but I look forward to the adventure. Happy New Year!

Seattle, WA

2008-10-03T13:20:00.003-05:00

On the spur of the moment I found myself booking a trip to Seattle. It is a place I have always wanted to explore. I lucked into 4 perfect days of blue sky and sunshine. I went on the Underground Tour, to the Mariner's game, to Pike's Place Market, on a harbor cruise, up in the Space Needle, kayaking on Lake Union... A lot to pack in, but a great overview of the city. The first two nights I was at the W Hotel and the last night at the wonderful Grand Hyatt. The temperature was just perfect and the scenery was spectacular. I really loved it and look forward to my next visit.

Chicago, IL

2008-10-03T13:14:00.003-05:00

Every September I head back to Chicago for ITME/The Motivation Show. The show is where all of the big players in the travel industry come together for three days. Cruise lines, hotels, ground suppliers, tour operators and clients/buyers. There are a lot of parties and networking events to attend. It is a great time of year to be in the city and to hang out with old friends. I will take any excuse or reason I can get to visit the Windy City. I love the energy of being in Chicago and hope to live there again someday.

Austin, TX

2008-10-03T13:08:00.003-05:00

I spent September 9-12 floating this lazy river and relaxing at the amazing Hyatt Lost Pines. The resort is very secluded and you feel like you are tucked away in a private little oasis. The first few days there was no one around, but the last night the place was bustling with hurricane Ike evacuees and their pets. A very cool property and a nice trip.

Birmingham, Alabama

2008-07-22T20:33:00.008-05:00

In mid-June it was off to Birmingham to visit some of my favorite people in the world. They wake me up earlier than I would like, but at least I know a fun-filled day is always ahead. In July, they came to St. Louis for their first visit since they moved a year ago. We had a great time. I only wish we lived closer to each other.

Lake Tahoe

2008-07-22T19:14:00.006-05:00

July is almost over, and I have yet to do my June posts. Early in June I went to the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe for the "Tournament of Champions". It was the first round of golf I have ever played in my life. The scenery was beautiful and the guys in my group were fun, but one day of golf was plenty for me. After completing the first hole I felt I had a good idea of the experience...and then I had to go seventeen more holes. The second day I opted to just enjoy the view and relax. People always think I look like I play golf...let this be proof I don't. But I am glad I gave it a shot and may even try it again someday.

Some quick facts about Lake Tahoe: It is the second deepest lake in the USA, tenth in the world. Its deepest point measures 1,645 feet. The average depth is 1,000 feet. It is 22 miles long and 12 miles wide...with 72 miles of shoreline. A breathtaking and majestic creation.

New York City

2008-05-29T19:47:00.014-05:00

May 24-26, 2008. I spent Memorial Day Weekend in New York for a wedding. It was a great celebration of family and friends. The highlight of the weekend was the walking tour I took at Ground Zero. There is not much to see, so it is really more of a talking tour. If you are interested in checking it out, here are the details. It leaves from the Tribute Center several times a day and costs $15.00 (donated to the Memorial Fund). Groups are small, only 15-20 people per tour. All tours are given by New Yorkers who have some connection to 9/11. It could be a survivor, someone who worked in the towers, a person who lost a loved one, a volunteer, a rescue worker... Our tour was led by Joe, a firefighter from Engine Company 10, Ladder 10--the fire house right next to the site. He was buried under the South Tower, but survived after many surgeries, most of which were on his brain . He had a thick New York accent and attitude, which made the experience that much more special and unique. He is quite a character.

Here are some of the facts he told us (if I can remember them): Almost 2,800 people lost their lives that day on the 16 acre site that is now called Ground Zero. That includes those in the Twin Towers, on the planes and around the area. Three buildings actually fell. The South Tower, the North Tower and the World Trade Center #7 building, which fell at 5:20pm. That last building has already been re-built today because it is technically not in the 16 acre site considered part of the Memorial. All 7 buildings in the WTC area were destroyed. Three collapsed and four were crushed by them (including the Marriott hotel which was split in half). A single building will go up on this site and it will be called the Freedom Tower. It will be taller than the Twin Towers. Nothing will be built on the footprint of the old towers because they are viewed as sacred gravesites. Instead, reflecting pools with all of the victim's names will go on those footprints. There were only about 100 bodies recovered. Of the remains found, only half have been matched to DNA...which means that about 1,400 families still have no closure to this awful event.

Joe also told us some interesting things...The towers each had 99 elevators in them. Only one elevator in each tower went from the 1st floor to the 110th floor, and that was reserved for emergency use only. Over 50,000 people worked in the two towers. The morning of 9/11 was the first day of school for the public school system. It was also a voting day. Those two factors were a blessing because only an estimated 28,000 people were at work by the time the first plane hit at 8:46am. Over the years there were 19 babys born in the towers and 17 murders. The towers were 130 feet apart on an angle. Only once were they connected and that was by a French tight rope walker. He went back and forth eight times before he was arrested. Another man made special climbing clamps, clipped into the window washing track, grabbed some suction cups and made it half way up before the cops realized he was not supposed to be there. They lowered a window washing basket and the man refused to get in saying the basket did not appear safe to him. So, he climbed the rest of the way to the top to be arrested. They wanted to fine him but could not find a rule that outlined the amount, so they went with $1.10...a penny for every floor.

Joe told us all about when, why and how the buildings were built. He also showed us a model of the way it used to look (which he bought on ebay). That was very helpful since all we were looking at was a giant hole in the middle of the city. It is hard to comprehend what happened that day and how our lives have changed because of it. I did not directly know anyone that lost their life on 9/11, but seeing the posters and photos in the Tribute Center is almost more than a person can handle. It is a very moving experience and one I will never forget. Joe told us his story for almost 2 hours and I hung on every word. The tour was supposed to only be 60 minutes, but no one wanted him to stop talking. I had so many questions, but could not find the words to form them or the courage to ask him. Even after it was over, we all just hung around in silence. There are 200 people who give these tours. You could go on each person's tour and never hear the same story. I am so glad to have met Joe and feel so lucky to have heard from a hero like him.

Los Cabos, Mexico

2008-04-23T12:00:00.010-05:00

I spent April 15-18 staring at the beautiful Sea of Cortez. That is really all I did, and I loved every minute of it. I stayed in the Grand Club of the Fiesta Americana Resort. Yes, it is as good as it sounds. A private pool and concierge, outdoor library, lounge with drinks/snacks and a governor's suite with a jacuzzi on the balcony and a view of the crashing waves. To complete the perfect picture I cannot leave out Carlos, our pool attendant. He had a way about him that made me want to put him in my suitcase and bring him home. The service at the resort was outstanding.

There is something really cool about seeing a dusty desert landscape meet a magnificent blue body of water. Ususally you see a palm tree by the beach, but in Los Cabos you see cactus...lots of them. One resort is more lavish than the next. It really is paradise, with a side of guacamole on everything. Loved it. Can't wait to return.

Chicago

2008-04-07T10:16:00.006-05:00

I started off April with a business trip to Chicago, and stayed the weekend to visit friends. When I moved to St. Louis I promised myself I would get back to the Windy City at least every other month. It has been 3 years since I moved and I am starting to only get back there every few months. Life just gets busy. Work gets hectic, friends move out of town, people get married, babies are born and time rushes by. Still, there is nothing like getting old friends together and going out for a night on the town...especially in a great city like Chicago. You know what they say, "Home Sweet Home, Chicago".

Montego Bay, Jamaica

2008-03-19T15:17:00.014-05:00

March 13-16 I participated in a familiarization trip to the Rose Hall Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. I had never been to Jamaica before, so I envisioned a bunch of Rastas with dreadlocks walking around saying, "ya, mon". Turns out that is exactly what it was like.

I do feel like I learned a few things. For example, I had no idea there was a Red Stripe Light Beer that is actually more popular than the regular Red Stripe. They also have a soda called Ting that tastes kind of like Fresca. Mixed with vodka it becomes Ting with a sting. Other interesting facts...Dreadlocks need to be washed at least once a week. Rastafarianism is a religious movement and smoking marijuana is a sacrament that aids them in their meditation. Right.

Over 2 million people live on this 146 mile long x 21-55 mile wide island. The average yearly rainfall is 78 inches, so it is very lush and tropical. Their local language is called Patois. It is basically very literal English that is hard to understand because of the accent. For example, if you were a guy without a girlfriend, but you didn't care...No Woman, No Cry. Reggae music is everywhere, even at the airport. Bob Marley merchandise is sold on every corner and in every store. He is the ultimate Jamaican, no doubt about it. Lastly, you can grab an inner tube at 2am and wade in the lazy river at the resort's water park--and no one will tell you to get out. In fact, they will even bring you a towel.

Overall it was a really fun trip and a nice experience. I am glad to check Jamaica off my list and may even go back someday, mon.

Cancun & The Riviera Maya

2008-03-04T13:27:00.004-06:00

At the end of February I took up residence under a beach umbrella in Mexico and read about the snow and ice back home. The first part of my trip was pure relaxation at a fantastic resort called Ceiba Del Mar. It has only 88 rooms and is a secluded hideaway in the Riviera Maya. They were nice enough to put me in a Master Suite, which was as good as it sounds. While you do absolutely nothing, the discreet staff brings you fruit kabobs and cold drinks. Breakfast, tea and the newspaper are delivered through a little nook by your front door at the exact time your specify. I was even able to see the eclipse without a cloud in the sky. Not a bad way to spend a few days.

The second part of my trip was a site inspection for an upcoming client incentive trip at the Sun Palace Resort. Suddenly I had to wear a wristband, search for an empty beach chair and even spread out my own towel. No more fruit kabobs, but still plenty of cold drinks. Back to reality I guess. At least it was a VIP wristband. The Sun Palace is a very nice resort in the main "vacation zone" of Cancun. The upside of moving from the Riviera Maya to Cancun is the crystal clear blue water that you could stare at for days. I used to cringe over a trip to Cancun, but I have to say that hurricane Wilma really cleared out all of the stuff I did not like about it. Today all of the resorts are brand new and beautiful. I would actually almost recommend it. All in all...a great trip.

My Favorite Place

2008-02-13T11:59:00.004-06:00

I decided to begin February with a trip to see my most favorite people. We had a great time and I hope to make that a regular stop in my travels this year. Thanks for making me laugh and feel really loved. I miss you guys and hope to see you again soon.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

2008-01-31T14:08:00.000-06:00

Santa Fe, the land of enchantment. I never figured out why they say that, but I did have a nice time. I stayed at the quaint 157 room La Posada Resort. Back in the 1930s, adobe style casitas where built around a mansion owned by the Staab family. The casitas were used as aritsan studios and the business was called La Posada...Spanish for "inn" or "resting place". Today it is a Rock Resort & Spa. It is located in dowtown Santa Fe, two blocks from the historic plaza.

This was a nice trip, but not one I would put down in my all time favorite travel highlights book. The good part is that there are still 11 months left in 2008. It can only go up from here.

2008--Destination TBA

2008-01-31T13:48:00.000-06:00

I must admit I have had a pretty good life..all 36 years of it so far. I have a great family, wonderful friends and good health. I have traveled all over the world, had many fascinating adventures and learned an amazing amount of things. One of the things I have learned about myself is that I need to live more in the moment and take life one day at a time. That brings me to my goal for this year...to take it as it comes and to try to enjoy every minute of it.

This year I plan to head out on at least one trip a month...just because. I will visit friends and family. I will return to places that I love and explore places I have always wanted to see. Hopefully along the way I will find peace, happiness and recharge my soul. My blog this year will be dedicated to that journey. You are invited to come along and enjoy the ride.

Everything Has A Beginning

2008-01-30T19:17:00.000-06:00

When we walk to the edge of all of the light we have and take that first step into the unknown, we must believe one of two things will happen...there will be something solid for us to stand on or we will be taught to fly.
--Not sure who said it, but I like it.