Chicago, Chicago

Dateline: March 3, 2008

Wow! If you've never visited Chicago, you've really missed something special. I visited in conjuction with a training assignment and only got the barest taste of what Chicago has to offer, but I love what I got.

First and foremost, I stayed at the fabulous Hilton Palmer House on E. Munroe. This fabled hotel is not to be missed. Not only is it a feast for the eyes and senses, it has a wonderful history. Also not to be missed is the enchanting Lockwood Restaurant (http://www.lockwoodrestaurant.com/) inside the hotel. Thanks to Chef Phillip Foss I can say I've dined. The food is truly world class.

Not to be outdone, Chicago also served up Petterino's, 150 N Dearborn StChicago, IL 60601(312) 422-0150, a truly welcoming pre-theatre treat! Kudos to Tim, my urbane and elegant server for recommding the tomato bisque. http://www.petterinos.com/

To top it all off, I saw Wicked (http://www.wickedthemusical.com) at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theater, 24 W. Randolph Street. It met all my expectations.

Beatiful Vancouver

Dateline: February 15, 2008

I am just back from a training trip to British Columbia. I got to visit Burnaby, BC, a small town just outside Vancouver. This picture is from the departure terminal in the Vancouver Airport. The airport is fantastic. There was a waterfall in the arrival terminal!

BC is just lovely. The weather was cold but clear and very nice in all. Burnaby has a very large Asian population which makes for excellent food choices. I stayed at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown which has a great Asian food court and market. You can get all your favorites and some new things too! The congee (jook) was great! Check it out http://www.thecrystalmall.ca/.

Happy trails!

Desert dreams

The hubs and I visited my in-laws in Arizona for Thanksgiving. It was my first time in Phoenix/Scottsdale and I enjoyed cool weather and didn't suffer from dryness.




We had a lovely dinner, reconnected with family and made some new friends. Best of all, we got in a round of golf at Troon North, a Tom Weiskopf course. It was a great afternoon on the links with fantastic views of the desert and the resort community.

I didn't see a single lizard or coyote!

North Carolina Golf

I played 18 holes of golf at a local course named Knights Play. This is Hole 8. Isn't it beautiful.

Knights play is a very challenging par 54 course (all par 3 holes), hilly with contoured greens.

Dining out in Cary, NC

Mike shucking oysters at Tony's New Orleans Style Oyster Bar, a raw bar. This is something I've only encountered in the Eastern US. Fresh seafood cooked while you wait. Yumm

Edinburgh Drive, Cary, NC

Hey, I'm quick blogging from the Raleigh Durham area. The area is gorgeous!

This pic is a covered bridge leading to the Hilton Hotel across the street from the Courtyard by Marriot where I'm staying. You can smell the pine everywhere.

There is a quiet little stream along the edge of the stream and deep woods making for a lovely background. There has been very little rain this year and locals are concerned about potential woater shortages.