I love to travel and I have been to some very wonderful places in my life... and there are many more that I want to visit!
Chicago Late Summer 2009 (Sep 8 - 15, 2009)
Can you believe it; I've already got my hotel reservations made and my airline ticket purchased. See you in September!!
Southern Edge 2009 (Jun 18 - 26, 2009)
Houston, Baton Rouge, Mobile, Pensacola and PCB are ready for me!! Southern Edge Road Trip 2009...whoa!!! My write up is soon to come...what a awesome trip!!
Chicago Spring Tour 2009 (May 27 - June 3, 2009)
I just can't get enough of this wonderful city and my great friends I seem to make here. Needless to say I had another great time! My trip started with a smooth flight to O'Hare on American Airlines. I was greeted at the airport by a great friend of mine in Chicago who is always super and gave me a lift to my luxury downtown hotel. This trip I had to stop at Hot Doug's "The Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium". I always have a weakness for the local fare. This place has been featured in many programs from the Travel Channel to CBS Sunday Morning News. I would say in my unprofessional opinion it was quite good. Next stop was my hotel, the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower. This hotel is simply beautiful inside and out. ItĂf¢eTMs now one of my favorites as all my downtown Chicago stays have been. Over the next couple of days during my downtown stay I was able to do the architectural boat tour on the Chicago River. That was very interesting and a must do for anyone that has a love for architecture as I do. I was treated to some wonderful dinners one of which was at the top-rated Avenues-The Peninsula Hotel Chicago. The food there is unforgettable and the service exquisite. I also got a chance to eat at Tavern on the Rush as well as Dorado in Andersonville. I couldn't get away without making another trip to the Original Mother's on Division Street. Another very fun and interesting must see while downtown is to go to the Chicago Tribune Tower and see the Tribune Tower Rocks. For those that are unfamiliar with this, this is a collection of rocks and stones from places of great significant importance from around the world. Near a 150 different ones, including a piece of the White House, the World Trade Center, the Great Wall of China, the Parthenon and many more. Check it out if you get the chance. After being downtown, I went to my Chicago O'Hare hotel and spent that time at the Hyatt Regency. A nice hotel but will go elsewhere next time. While in Chicago I did see some very nice friends I made on previous trips and did meet some new friends that I hope to see again. I can't wait till my next trip to Chicago in September. Thanks again Chicago for being so nice to me!
Chicago Winter Wonderland Trip 2008 (Dec 16 - 21, 2008)
"My kind of town, Chicago is!" What memories! What a better way to start off my trip with a stop a Superdawg drive-in. No matter where I go I have to have a taste of the local fare. What a unique retro experience as this drive-in dates back to 1948. Once again I stayed downtown. This time my accommodations were to say the least "out of this world". With the help of someone very dear to me I was able to stay at the Trump International Hotel & Tower. Those that know me know I have a thing for architecture & history. Staying at the new Trump Hotel was like a dream come true from the world class views to the design to the spa and fitness center. This was a true 5 star experience. I really didn't get out to do to much because of the cold weather. I'm not much of a winter weather person unless I have skis strapped to my feet. I did take a couple of evening walks in the snow by myself. I spent another day walking around the cold streets of downtown with a friend and taking photos on the Saturday before I left. Put my camera in my hand and I'm having a good time. I also made it out for a couple outstanding dinners with a dear friend. One night I made it to cozy place called MK The Restaurant, another to a restaurant on the 70th floor of Lake Point Tower called Cite Restaurant as well as a couple of other places, none of which I will soon forget. Great views, wintery weather and my Chicago friends were awesome. Thank you once again Chicago for having me and thank you to those old and new friends that ventured out in the frigid weather to visit with me. I hope to see you all again in the spring.
Chicago in the Fall 2008 (Sep 25 - 29, 2008)
Downtown Chicago is simply fantastic!! Unlike downtown Dallas, downtown Chicago is full of excitement, action, and beauty anytime of the day or night. I had the joy of visiting Chicago in the end of September and the weather was beautiful. The hotel accommodations at the newly opened euro chic Dana Hotel & Spa (State & Erie) was well worth the price for a downtown hotel. The rooms are impressive, the hotel staff 5 star and the spa... relaxing. Starting my day there with a run down along the waterfront was a must. When I wasn't enjoying my time with great new friends, there are all the downtown sights to see & do... shopping along Magnificent Mile, Sears Tower Skydeck, Art Institute of Chicago, Hancock Building, Navy Pier, and Millennium Park. Oh, don't forget the food and drink... Riva on Navy Pier, Gino's East, Portillo's, Weber Grill, The Original Mother's and so many others. Thank you Chicago and all my friends I made this visit, I can't wait to go back just don't look for me in January or February (burr).
