Well, coming to the end of the road as a business traveler, at least as an employee! I will be retiring July 5th, 2013. Next Tuesday, May 28th, I will head out to Temecula, CA, for the last time as an employee. May not be my last business trip, but will most likely be my last business trip as an employee.
I have been traveling for business for 30 years, first as a Sales Representative in New England, and later throughout my career in Publishing as a Marketing Manager, Editor, and Sr. Manager/VP. Overall, have really enjoyed seeing the country, both from the air, automobile, cabs and limos, an occasional train, and even a ferry or two! Nothing better than traveling and getting paid for it! Have gotten to see places and things I never would have, and have met so many really good people all over the country. Some folks who have hosted me in restaurants and hotels as service employees have become good friends, and I hope to maintain those friendships after retirement, even if only at a distance.
Now, there have been many misadventures, and usual travel disruptions/challenges. However, more funny and fun stories than horror stories.
So, maybe this coming week, as I have time, I will update y'all on my last week of official business travel as an employee.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
There is Blanton's Bourbon in Temecula!
Last November I complained about there being no Blanton's Bourbon in Temecula, CA. Well, a few months ago, one of my colleagues, who is always looking out for me, found a restaurant/bar smart enough to have The Greatest Single Barrel Bourbon in the World behind the bar. Gourmet Italia Restaurant serves great Italian food, wine, and Blanton's Bourbon. Alex, the founder/owner, is a great host, always making you to feel welcome and at home. If you ever find yourself here in Temecula, CA, make sure to look up Alex, have a great dinner, along with some Blanton's after dinner if you like great bourbon.
THERE IS BLANTON'S BOURBON IN TEMECULA, CALIFORNIA!
THERE IS BLANTON'S BOURBON IN TEMECULA, CALIFORNIA!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Skiing in Keystone, Colorado
My son and I stayed in Keystone, Colorado, February 20th through February 23rd. We skied at Keystone Monday and Wednesday, and at Beaver Creek Tuesday. Weather was great, ski conditions perfect, and spending time with my son was the best.
David planned the entire trip. All I had to do was show up (well, and write a check). He reserved a great condo in the Ski Tip/Ski Ranch community at Keystone (www.Keystone.com). One of his criteria was that the condo have a newer television. The TV in the living room was a 47" LG, very much like the TVs at my house. Each bedroom also had smaller flat panel TVs--very nice. The other key criteria for the condo was to not have to carry our luggage and other stuff too far. The condo had an attached garage so it was like being home. Very nice!
We arrived Sunday night, checked in, unpacked, went to our favorite Mexican restaurant in Keystone, Dos Locos (www.doslocoskeystone.com), played a little Wi golf (Pebble Beach, David beat me by two strokes though I did have a hole-in-one), and went to bed. Monday morning, we got up, ate some breakfast, and hit the slopes.
Oh yeah, have to give a shout out to Virgin Islands Ski and Snowboard Rental in Silverthorne, Colorado (http://virginislandsski.com). It is a great ski rental shop, filled with employees/skiers who provide very efficient service. The best part is they are all real characters. We have seen and been served by many of the same employees for years. Is always like seeing old friends when we stop by.
Really, the next three days were very similar. Dave and I ski from the top of lifts to the bottom, without much stopping in between. So, the pattern was, ride the lift, ski a blue or black run to the bottom of the next lift, ride up to the top of the next mountain, repeat, repeat, repeat. This pattern works very well if when you are in good enough shape to do this over and over all day and there aren't too many other people skiing so you don't have to stand in lift lines very long. Skiing the week before a major vacation like President's Day week keeps the lift lines to nothing. Regular time on the treadmill, bicycle, active exercise gets your body ready for the constant skiing.
So, it was a great three days. Keystone and Beaver Creek are both large ski areas with a good variety of slopes. Conditions, as I said earlier, were perfect though a bit of new snow would have made them a bit better.
My son and daughter learned to ski at Keystone in the early 1990's. I highly recommend Keystone to families, and skiers of all skill levels. There are very good beginning "bunny" slopes, great ski schools/instructors, and all the steep slopes most better skiers can handle. And, there is a wide variety of rental properties, from hotel rooms to ski in-ski-out condos, all connected to a very convenient community bus system.
Now, David and I are already looking forward to next year, and hope my wife Kathy, daughter/sister Nina, and David's wife Carley decide to join us.
David planned the entire trip. All I had to do was show up (well, and write a check). He reserved a great condo in the Ski Tip/Ski Ranch community at Keystone (www.Keystone.com). One of his criteria was that the condo have a newer television. The TV in the living room was a 47" LG, very much like the TVs at my house. Each bedroom also had smaller flat panel TVs--very nice. The other key criteria for the condo was to not have to carry our luggage and other stuff too far. The condo had an attached garage so it was like being home. Very nice!
We arrived Sunday night, checked in, unpacked, went to our favorite Mexican restaurant in Keystone, Dos Locos (www.doslocoskeystone.com), played a little Wi golf (Pebble Beach, David beat me by two strokes though I did have a hole-in-one), and went to bed. Monday morning, we got up, ate some breakfast, and hit the slopes.
Oh yeah, have to give a shout out to Virgin Islands Ski and Snowboard Rental in Silverthorne, Colorado (http://virginislandsski.com). It is a great ski rental shop, filled with employees/skiers who provide very efficient service. The best part is they are all real characters. We have seen and been served by many of the same employees for years. Is always like seeing old friends when we stop by.
Really, the next three days were very similar. Dave and I ski from the top of lifts to the bottom, without much stopping in between. So, the pattern was, ride the lift, ski a blue or black run to the bottom of the next lift, ride up to the top of the next mountain, repeat, repeat, repeat. This pattern works very well if when you are in good enough shape to do this over and over all day and there aren't too many other people skiing so you don't have to stand in lift lines very long. Skiing the week before a major vacation like President's Day week keeps the lift lines to nothing. Regular time on the treadmill, bicycle, active exercise gets your body ready for the constant skiing.
So, it was a great three days. Keystone and Beaver Creek are both large ski areas with a good variety of slopes. Conditions, as I said earlier, were perfect though a bit of new snow would have made them a bit better.
My son and daughter learned to ski at Keystone in the early 1990's. I highly recommend Keystone to families, and skiers of all skill levels. There are very good beginning "bunny" slopes, great ski schools/instructors, and all the steep slopes most better skiers can handle. And, there is a wide variety of rental properties, from hotel rooms to ski in-ski-out condos, all connected to a very convenient community bus system.
Now, David and I are already looking forward to next year, and hope my wife Kathy, daughter/sister Nina, and David's wife Carley decide to join us.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
So, I'm In Temecula, CA, on a Wednesday Night in Early November
My new boss runs a business based in Temecula, CA, and I'm here for a few days. Flew out from Cincinnati, OH, Monday morning, spent Monday in the office I manage in Culver City, CA, then drove down here Tuesday morning. For those few of you who haven't made it to beautiful Temecula, it is an old desert city, probably 60-70 miles west of Palm Springs, 80 miles or so southeast of Los Angeles, and about 50 miles northeast of San Diego. Hard-pressed against I-15, Temecula has all the popular big-box stores, national restaurant chains, and an Indian (think American Indian, not Bollywood Indian) Casino. There is an old town, which is kind of cute, and some wineries near by (won't see any of them and am suspect of California wineries in the middle of the desert). Temecula boomed in the early and mid-2000's as the California/American dream of home ownership spread, and people were willing to pay $400-$700K for houses here so they could own one and drive an hour or two to their jobs in San Diego, Los Angeles, etc. Now the houses are worth about half, and the chance you can sell one is slim. Nice weather though, mostly sunny, hot in the summer, but nice most of the rest of the year.
Went out to dinner tonight with a 10-12 colleagues, restaurant was named Harry's Pacific Grill. Nice place, large, next to a very big mall here in Temecula. Walked up to the bar, bartender asks me what I'd like, I ask what kind of boubon they have, he says what do you like/want, I say Blanton's, he says never heard of it, I say how about Woodford Reserve, again a blank stare, so I say what do you have and he says Maker's, at which point I want to say you don't have any bourbon, but I order a gin and tonic instead. Don't act like you know something when you don't!
Later, the waitress takes my order, I order a steak, she asks what sides I'd like (2 come with the dinner), I say I'll have a caesar salad, she says is it okay if the salad comes with the dinner or else she will have to charge me extra. I said no, don't bother bringing me the salad! How stupid is that! Classless, shows they don't really have a clue.
Food was fine, wine was good, but will never go back there on my own!
Wanted/needed a decent bourbon before going to bed so went to "Old Town" Temecula. A bar named "The Edge" was recommended by the young lady at the front desk. Pretty cool place, but we repeated the bourbon quest there. Nice, attractive bar tender had no clue about real bourbon but the did have Gentleman Jack, a fancy Jack Daniels, so drank that. Didn't know the bar was also a comedy club, but found out after listening to a couple of the "comics" that it really wasn't! Pretty pathetic.
So, one more day night here, then heading home Friday out of San Diego. At least there is some real bourbon waiting for me at home in Loveland, OH.
Dave
Went out to dinner tonight with a 10-12 colleagues, restaurant was named Harry's Pacific Grill. Nice place, large, next to a very big mall here in Temecula. Walked up to the bar, bartender asks me what I'd like, I ask what kind of boubon they have, he says what do you like/want, I say Blanton's, he says never heard of it, I say how about Woodford Reserve, again a blank stare, so I say what do you have and he says Maker's, at which point I want to say you don't have any bourbon, but I order a gin and tonic instead. Don't act like you know something when you don't!
Later, the waitress takes my order, I order a steak, she asks what sides I'd like (2 come with the dinner), I say I'll have a caesar salad, she says is it okay if the salad comes with the dinner or else she will have to charge me extra. I said no, don't bother bringing me the salad! How stupid is that! Classless, shows they don't really have a clue.
Food was fine, wine was good, but will never go back there on my own!
Wanted/needed a decent bourbon before going to bed so went to "Old Town" Temecula. A bar named "The Edge" was recommended by the young lady at the front desk. Pretty cool place, but we repeated the bourbon quest there. Nice, attractive bar tender had no clue about real bourbon but the did have Gentleman Jack, a fancy Jack Daniels, so drank that. Didn't know the bar was also a comedy club, but found out after listening to a couple of the "comics" that it really wasn't! Pretty pathetic.
So, one more day night here, then heading home Friday out of San Diego. At least there is some real bourbon waiting for me at home in Loveland, OH.
Dave
Friday, October 8, 2010
On My Way Home From Los Angeles This Friday Afternoon
So, I'm flying home from Los Angeles today. At this moment the plane is 35,000 feet or so above Missouri, as far as I can tell. Flight was delayed at LAX for an hour this morning (after boarding) due to an electrical problem on plane. Apparently it was one of those "non-essential" lighting issues. After doing a "CTRL-ALT-DELETE" on the 77 on-board computer systems this Airbus 320 has, everything was okay for a minute but not for good. We had to wait for paperwork saying the plane isn't functioning perfectly but good enough to get us to Cincinnati. Seems as though all is well so far!
Interesting that this Airbus has 77 computers but no entertainment system of any kind on it. Suppose there are music channels (I'm listening to the shuffle of Dave Shaut's iPod) but no video, no movie, no live, satellite TV, nada, zip, nothing! Clearly it is a plane designed for long hauls. Amazing, 2010, I want my live TV when I fly coast-to-coast (actually anywhere).
Got me a 1st class (free upgrade) window seat. Love the window seat flying out of LA, or any West Coast city. Scenery is beautiful, first out over the Pacific Ocean--and it was pacific today--very calm, then as we take the left hand turn, Southern California is before and below. The coast line, then Palm Springs, then the huge expanse of the desert. About an hour into the flight, Las Vegas, Arizona, The Grand Canyon--all very nice. Saw the snow-capped mountain near Flagstaff today. The southern desert of Nevada and Utah is adorned in red rocks and canyons--very pretty, spectacular actually. This flight crosses southern Colorado/Northern New Mexico. There was some snow on the mountains but not as much as normal.
Once you leave Colorado, the Great Plains extend almost all the way to Ohio! Flatland, dotted with green fields, some of them round due to the circular irrigation systems. Not as dramatic as the far West, but amazing for the scale. It is where we all get a lot of our food from, so there is that!
Have flown this route many times, hundreds in the last twenty plus years. Still enjoy a window seat to take in our great country. If you haven't had a chance, do it sometime, fly coast-to-coast in a window seat on a sunny day. Worth the price of admission!
Hope y'all have a good weekend!
Dave
Interesting that this Airbus has 77 computers but no entertainment system of any kind on it. Suppose there are music channels (I'm listening to the shuffle of Dave Shaut's iPod) but no video, no movie, no live, satellite TV, nada, zip, nothing! Clearly it is a plane designed for long hauls. Amazing, 2010, I want my live TV when I fly coast-to-coast (actually anywhere).
Got me a 1st class (free upgrade) window seat. Love the window seat flying out of LA, or any West Coast city. Scenery is beautiful, first out over the Pacific Ocean--and it was pacific today--very calm, then as we take the left hand turn, Southern California is before and below. The coast line, then Palm Springs, then the huge expanse of the desert. About an hour into the flight, Las Vegas, Arizona, The Grand Canyon--all very nice. Saw the snow-capped mountain near Flagstaff today. The southern desert of Nevada and Utah is adorned in red rocks and canyons--very pretty, spectacular actually. This flight crosses southern Colorado/Northern New Mexico. There was some snow on the mountains but not as much as normal.
Once you leave Colorado, the Great Plains extend almost all the way to Ohio! Flatland, dotted with green fields, some of them round due to the circular irrigation systems. Not as dramatic as the far West, but amazing for the scale. It is where we all get a lot of our food from, so there is that!
Have flown this route many times, hundreds in the last twenty plus years. Still enjoy a window seat to take in our great country. If you haven't had a chance, do it sometime, fly coast-to-coast in a window seat on a sunny day. Worth the price of admission!
Hope y'all have a good weekend!
Dave
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Paris, Beaune, Megeve, and Chamonix, France, and Courmayeur, Italy
Kathy and I traveled to Paris, France, and a few other cities there in late August and early September. Despite all the domestic travel Kathy and I have done over the years, we had never been overseas (sounds like an old-fashioned term) before this year. We have been to Hawaii, the Carribean, Canada, and Mexico, but never to Europe. One of my friends lives part of the year in Megeve, France, about an hour from Geneva, Switzerland, and has invited us to visit him and his wife for years. We decided 2010 was the year to go.
We left Cincinnati Wednesday, August 25th. Direct flight to Paris, about 8 hours. Good flight, had a good meal an hour or so after take off, all the red (or white) wine we wanted, a couple of Benadryl, goodnight for a few hours! We arrived around 6:30 in the morning Paris time. Made our way through customs, got our bags, got a train from the airport downtown, we were on our way. Pissed off my first Parisian by not putting my bag on the overhead rack on the train, even though there were plenty of seats. Young lady gave me a dirty look! Oh well, old, ugly American! Got to the main train station, switched to the Metro (subway), got to our station, walked up to the Champs Elysee, two blocks to the Marriott, and checked into our room around 9:00 AM. All good so far!
Everyone told us to not go to sleep--stay up, push through, etc. Well, we did. Unpacked, left hotel, walked toward Arc de Triomphe, had a little breakfast on a sidewalk cafe. Best part of Paris, watching the people walk by. Great people watching. Sidewalk cafes/restaurant chairs all face the street, so you can see and be seen. Really cool!
Okay, a confession, we walked to the Arc de Triomphe, looked around, went back to hotel and took a knap for a couple of hours! But, we got up, went to Notre Dame Cathedral, spent the rest of the day there, as well as walking around the neighborhoods nearby. Was really cool. Had a little rain, but nothing too bad. Went back to hotel, rested, changed, then went out to dinner.
More entries to come--I'll make this a serial.
Here are some links to pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/dshaut/BeauneFranceHeartOfBurgundyWineCentral?feat=email#
http://picasaweb.google.com/dshaut/ParisPicturesAugust2010?authkey=Gv1sRgCNj3zOuyvfDQjwE&feat=email#
http://picasaweb.google.com/dshaut/VersaillesFranceAugust2010?feat=email#
http://picasaweb.google.com/dshaut/MtBlancAndChamonixFrance?feat=email#
Dave
We left Cincinnati Wednesday, August 25th. Direct flight to Paris, about 8 hours. Good flight, had a good meal an hour or so after take off, all the red (or white) wine we wanted, a couple of Benadryl, goodnight for a few hours! We arrived around 6:30 in the morning Paris time. Made our way through customs, got our bags, got a train from the airport downtown, we were on our way. Pissed off my first Parisian by not putting my bag on the overhead rack on the train, even though there were plenty of seats. Young lady gave me a dirty look! Oh well, old, ugly American! Got to the main train station, switched to the Metro (subway), got to our station, walked up to the Champs Elysee, two blocks to the Marriott, and checked into our room around 9:00 AM. All good so far!
Everyone told us to not go to sleep--stay up, push through, etc. Well, we did. Unpacked, left hotel, walked toward Arc de Triomphe, had a little breakfast on a sidewalk cafe. Best part of Paris, watching the people walk by. Great people watching. Sidewalk cafes/restaurant chairs all face the street, so you can see and be seen. Really cool!
Okay, a confession, we walked to the Arc de Triomphe, looked around, went back to hotel and took a knap for a couple of hours! But, we got up, went to Notre Dame Cathedral, spent the rest of the day there, as well as walking around the neighborhoods nearby. Was really cool. Had a little rain, but nothing too bad. Went back to hotel, rested, changed, then went out to dinner.
More entries to come--I'll make this a serial.
Here are some links to pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/dshaut/BeauneFranceHeartOfBurgundyWineCentral?feat=email#
http://picasaweb.google.com/dshaut/ParisPicturesAugust2010?authkey=Gv1sRgCNj3zOuyvfDQjwE&feat=email#
http://picasaweb.google.com/dshaut/VersaillesFranceAugust2010?feat=email#
http://picasaweb.google.com/dshaut/MtBlancAndChamonixFrance?feat=email#
Dave
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Full Body Scanners--Really Efficient
Haven't been traveling much lately. Cincinnati International Airport has full body scanners. Pity the fool who gets to look at my body! Anyway, went through the line today, was so backed up that TSA sent me through the old fashioned metal detector, and I passed with flying colors! Witnessed someone in the full body scanner standing there for what seemed to be 45 seconds to a minute--guess the TSA person viewing the scan was enjoying what he/she saw! Very slow, not very efficient. Also saw a young man and woman who chose the pat down instead of the scan. The young woman was wearing a very skimpy sun dress--not sure what she was concerned about--not much left to the imagination. But, I feel so much safer now!
Since 911, feel like everyone should be wearing a speedo/bikini, get through security, then get dressed.
Let's see how Atlanta security/ goes Friday.
Since 911, feel like everyone should be wearing a speedo/bikini, get through security, then get dressed.
Let's see how Atlanta security/ goes Friday.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Some Miscellaneous Thoughts On Recent travel
Haven't posted anything here for a long time. Mostly because I haven't been traveling much. So, here goes, a few things I remember from trips I've taken the last few months.
Delta: Anyone who has flown in the last year or so knows there are fewer flights to choose from and most flights are full. Forget the concept of changing flights, and be ready for healthy change fees. I will say Delta has treated me pretty well. Though I've lost my Gold status, and am now a mere Silver Medallion, my Million Miler status helps a bit. Delta (www.delta.com) has gone back to putting a priority tag on my bag, so they don't throw it on the ground and step on it as many times as they do those bags with no bright yellow tags. My new "upgrade" is getting to sit in an exit row, preferably the last exit row so I can recline my seat. Feels like First Class to me! Oh, except that last night on the way to Denver, I asked to buy two Woodford Reserve (www.woodfordreserve.com) bourbons but the flight attendant told me in no uncertain terms he could only sell me one at a time! Okay, so it isn't like 1st class! Delta flights are more competitively priced out of Cincinnati now, which is also an improvement.
February Ski Trip with Son Dave: My son Dave (he lives in Portland, OR) and I flew to Denver in early February then drove up to Breckenridge, CO, to ski for a few days. We stopped in Dillon so I could rent skis and buy lift tickets at our favorite ski shop in the world, Virgin Islands Ski and Snowboard Rental (www.virginislandsski.com) . We love this store and have been renting/buying things there for years. The crew in the store is an eclectic group of ski bums and they provide fast, friendly service every time. If you ever ski in Summit County, Colorado, stop at Virgin Island Ski Rental to get your equipment, or just to say hi. They also have a clean restroom!
Next stop was at City Market, owned by Kroger, so my Kroger card works there, which is nice. We picked up some groceries, then made at the liquor store next door for some other necessities. Finally, properly provisioned, we headed up the road to toward Keystone and Breckenridge. You turn off the main road just before getting to Keystone to cut over the hill to Breckenridge. Got to meet a very nice Summit County Sheriff who noticed I was going around 50 in a 35 MPH zone. Fortunately, he gave me a warning and let me go on my way. Very friendly of him.
We checked into our condo, a one bedroom about two blocks from the main business street of Breckenridge. Nice, clean, affordable, meeting all our expectations.
We had four great days of skiing, two at Keystone, one at Beaver Creek, and one at Breckenridge. Keystone (www.keystoneresort.com) is our family's favorite ski resort. Dave and Nina learned to ski there in the early 1990's, 1991 or 1992, we have stayed at many of the Keystone rental properties, and had a great time every time we've been there. Keystone offers a wide variety of terrain, from very easy to very difficult. And, as part of Vail Resorts, lift tickets are good at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, A-Basin, and Beaver Creek. Our day at Beaver Creek was really good. Beaver Creek is a really high-end ski mountain and resort. The terrain is fairly demanding, but there is plenty for folks who don't want to ski steep stuff. There is a Ritz Carlton resort hotel at the base of one of the mountains. Always nice to get Ritz Carlton service, even if you are only using their bathroom! Breckenridge (the ski area) was not our favorite. Nice enough, but seemed you had to navigate to the bottom of the mountain a lot, which meant dealing with the largest crowds (it was Saturday) we have seen anywhere in a long time. We enjoyed the day, and were able to ski right back to our condo which was nice.
Was really good to be with Dave for a few days, doing something we both love to do. We are already looking forward to next year's ski trip to.....not sure yet. Was also nice that Kathy and her mom came up for a couple of days just to hang with us before and after skiing.
Stuart, Florida: Kathy and I visited our Loveland, OH, neighbors, Walt and Ann Wurster at their beach-side condo on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, Florida, the last week in February. Though the weather wasn't great by typical Florida standards, it was a welcome relief from the record-setting snowfall's we left behind in Ohio. Walt and Ann's condo is right on the beach, and one can sit all day long in their living room or on their deck watching the ocean. We spotted dolphins each day, not far from shore, which is always fun for us landlubbers! We also played golf two days, one day well, one day not so well, but fun anyway. One night we went to a nearby Benihana Steak House, had a great meal with our friends and the two other couples sitting at our table. Thanks Walt and Ann for letting us share your paradise for a few days!
Beverly Hills: Two weeks ago I was in Los Angeles visiting the office I manage there. The office used to be in Beverly Hills but we moved it a year and a half ago to Culver City, not too far from LAX. When the office was in Beverly Hills, I always stayed at a very cool, small hotel, The Avalon Hotel (www.avalonbeverlyhills.com). Over the years I got to know the staff really well, and, as they do for all guests, they treated me very well, like I was actually somebody, if you know what I mean. Now that our office is 8 miles away, I've been staying at a Courtyard by Marriott in Culver City, right next door to the office. On this last trip, I chose to stay at The Avalon, to renew some relationships, and because I was able to get a pretty good rate. Suffice it to say, I had a great time, mostly due to the hospitality of the best mixologist in Beverly Hills, and probably in Southern California, oh what the hell, the world, Ian Porter. Ian is a great guy, loved by all his customers, and is the master of the bar! The entire staff is great, and if you ever have a chance to spoil yourself when in the LA area, stay at The Avalon for a couple of nights.
One night I ate at my favorite Mexican restaurant in the world, Frida's (www.fridarestaurant.com), on Beverly in Beverly Hills. They have great food, good service, and the people watching is as good as it gets, for lunch or dinner. Beverly is the main street of Beverly Hills, with many restaurants and shops, and only a couple of blocks away from Rodeo Drive. When the weather is good, you can sit outside at Frida's, and many other restaurants on Beverly, enhancing the people watching part of the experience.
Another night, back at The Avalon, in Oliverio, the hotel gourmet restaurant (and bar), I had an octopus appetizer that was to die for. If you've never had octopus, I highly recommend it. Have had it twice, both as appetizers, and have loved it both times. Not talking sushi here, talking cooked, and it doesn't taste like chicken! Very flavorful, just delicious.
Was really nice to spend three nights in Beverly Hills, walking around in the evening, reconnecting with some locals at The Avalon bar, and the commute to the office wasn't bad, only took about 25 minutes.
And That Leads To Denver, Where I Am Now: We are here for Easter, visiting my mother-in-law, for a few days. Weather is good, nothing else to report at this time. I will make more frequent post, for those two or three of you who read any of my blogs.
Dave
Delta: Anyone who has flown in the last year or so knows there are fewer flights to choose from and most flights are full. Forget the concept of changing flights, and be ready for healthy change fees. I will say Delta has treated me pretty well. Though I've lost my Gold status, and am now a mere Silver Medallion, my Million Miler status helps a bit. Delta (www.delta.com) has gone back to putting a priority tag on my bag, so they don't throw it on the ground and step on it as many times as they do those bags with no bright yellow tags. My new "upgrade" is getting to sit in an exit row, preferably the last exit row so I can recline my seat. Feels like First Class to me! Oh, except that last night on the way to Denver, I asked to buy two Woodford Reserve (www.woodfordreserve.com) bourbons but the flight attendant told me in no uncertain terms he could only sell me one at a time! Okay, so it isn't like 1st class! Delta flights are more competitively priced out of Cincinnati now, which is also an improvement.
February Ski Trip with Son Dave: My son Dave (he lives in Portland, OR) and I flew to Denver in early February then drove up to Breckenridge, CO, to ski for a few days. We stopped in Dillon so I could rent skis and buy lift tickets at our favorite ski shop in the world, Virgin Islands Ski and Snowboard Rental (www.virginislandsski.com) . We love this store and have been renting/buying things there for years. The crew in the store is an eclectic group of ski bums and they provide fast, friendly service every time. If you ever ski in Summit County, Colorado, stop at Virgin Island Ski Rental to get your equipment, or just to say hi. They also have a clean restroom!
Next stop was at City Market, owned by Kroger, so my Kroger card works there, which is nice. We picked up some groceries, then made at the liquor store next door for some other necessities. Finally, properly provisioned, we headed up the road to toward Keystone and Breckenridge. You turn off the main road just before getting to Keystone to cut over the hill to Breckenridge. Got to meet a very nice Summit County Sheriff who noticed I was going around 50 in a 35 MPH zone. Fortunately, he gave me a warning and let me go on my way. Very friendly of him.
We checked into our condo, a one bedroom about two blocks from the main business street of Breckenridge. Nice, clean, affordable, meeting all our expectations.
We had four great days of skiing, two at Keystone, one at Beaver Creek, and one at Breckenridge. Keystone (www.keystoneresort.com) is our family's favorite ski resort. Dave and Nina learned to ski there in the early 1990's, 1991 or 1992, we have stayed at many of the Keystone rental properties, and had a great time every time we've been there. Keystone offers a wide variety of terrain, from very easy to very difficult. And, as part of Vail Resorts, lift tickets are good at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, A-Basin, and Beaver Creek. Our day at Beaver Creek was really good. Beaver Creek is a really high-end ski mountain and resort. The terrain is fairly demanding, but there is plenty for folks who don't want to ski steep stuff. There is a Ritz Carlton resort hotel at the base of one of the mountains. Always nice to get Ritz Carlton service, even if you are only using their bathroom! Breckenridge (the ski area) was not our favorite. Nice enough, but seemed you had to navigate to the bottom of the mountain a lot, which meant dealing with the largest crowds (it was Saturday) we have seen anywhere in a long time. We enjoyed the day, and were able to ski right back to our condo which was nice.
Was really good to be with Dave for a few days, doing something we both love to do. We are already looking forward to next year's ski trip to.....not sure yet. Was also nice that Kathy and her mom came up for a couple of days just to hang with us before and after skiing.
Stuart, Florida: Kathy and I visited our Loveland, OH, neighbors, Walt and Ann Wurster at their beach-side condo on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, Florida, the last week in February. Though the weather wasn't great by typical Florida standards, it was a welcome relief from the record-setting snowfall's we left behind in Ohio. Walt and Ann's condo is right on the beach, and one can sit all day long in their living room or on their deck watching the ocean. We spotted dolphins each day, not far from shore, which is always fun for us landlubbers! We also played golf two days, one day well, one day not so well, but fun anyway. One night we went to a nearby Benihana Steak House, had a great meal with our friends and the two other couples sitting at our table. Thanks Walt and Ann for letting us share your paradise for a few days!
Beverly Hills: Two weeks ago I was in Los Angeles visiting the office I manage there. The office used to be in Beverly Hills but we moved it a year and a half ago to Culver City, not too far from LAX. When the office was in Beverly Hills, I always stayed at a very cool, small hotel, The Avalon Hotel (www.avalonbeverlyhills.com). Over the years I got to know the staff really well, and, as they do for all guests, they treated me very well, like I was actually somebody, if you know what I mean. Now that our office is 8 miles away, I've been staying at a Courtyard by Marriott in Culver City, right next door to the office. On this last trip, I chose to stay at The Avalon, to renew some relationships, and because I was able to get a pretty good rate. Suffice it to say, I had a great time, mostly due to the hospitality of the best mixologist in Beverly Hills, and probably in Southern California, oh what the hell, the world, Ian Porter. Ian is a great guy, loved by all his customers, and is the master of the bar! The entire staff is great, and if you ever have a chance to spoil yourself when in the LA area, stay at The Avalon for a couple of nights.
One night I ate at my favorite Mexican restaurant in the world, Frida's (www.fridarestaurant.com), on Beverly in Beverly Hills. They have great food, good service, and the people watching is as good as it gets, for lunch or dinner. Beverly is the main street of Beverly Hills, with many restaurants and shops, and only a couple of blocks away from Rodeo Drive. When the weather is good, you can sit outside at Frida's, and many other restaurants on Beverly, enhancing the people watching part of the experience.
Another night, back at The Avalon, in Oliverio, the hotel gourmet restaurant (and bar), I had an octopus appetizer that was to die for. If you've never had octopus, I highly recommend it. Have had it twice, both as appetizers, and have loved it both times. Not talking sushi here, talking cooked, and it doesn't taste like chicken! Very flavorful, just delicious.
Was really nice to spend three nights in Beverly Hills, walking around in the evening, reconnecting with some locals at The Avalon bar, and the commute to the office wasn't bad, only took about 25 minutes.
And That Leads To Denver, Where I Am Now: We are here for Easter, visiting my mother-in-law, for a few days. Weather is good, nothing else to report at this time. I will make more frequent post, for those two or three of you who read any of my blogs.
Dave
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Attention, This Is Your Captain Speaking, Please Go To The Restroom in the Terminal Before Boarding
Thanks Dan Cupril, for posting this article. Seems All Nippon Airlines is looking to save fuel on all flights going forward. As this article points out, all passengers are being asked to relieve themselves before boarding, to reduce weight, and fuel. Like anyone gets on a plane with a full bladder, or something else! Oh my, what is next? Please don't eat one day before flying, no drinking either? Hard to make this stuff up!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1218473/Airline-goes-green-asking-passengers-use-toilet-boarding.html
Enjoy!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1218473/Airline-goes-green-asking-passengers-use-toilet-boarding.html
Enjoy!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Should Wi-Fi Enabled Phone Calls Be Allowed on Planes
Interesting article in USA Today about using Voice over Internet (VOIP)/WiFi calling on airplanes. Though US carriers who offer WiFi service are blocking VOIP, the block isn't ironclad, as noted in the article. European carriers are allowing VOIP calls and so far, according to this article, passengers like it, and aren't revolting.
Not so sure what I think. Nice to be able to call, but I know there will be passengers who will be on the phone for an entire flight across the country, just because they can be. What do you think?
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-09-28-wi-fi-cellphones-airlines_N.htm
Not so sure what I think. Nice to be able to call, but I know there will be passengers who will be on the phone for an entire flight across the country, just because they can be. What do you think?
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-09-28-wi-fi-cellphones-airlines_N.htm
Friday, September 25, 2009
Fees Fatten Airline Coffers
Here is an article about airline fees and how the fees have added $3.8B in revenue this year.
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-09-24-airlines-fees-revenue_N.htm
Necessary evil? Not sure but certainly seems fees are here to stay.
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-09-24-airlines-fees-revenue_N.htm
Necessary evil? Not sure but certainly seems fees are here to stay.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Top Ten Ways Pilots and Airlines Can Make Flying Better
I created this Top Ten List in the early 90's for a sales meeting presentation. Looked at it recently and realized that it is still relevant today.
So, the Top 10 Ways Pilots and Airlines Can Make Flying Better are:
Number 10, Only sell half the seats
Number 9, Shoot any passenger who carries on more than two bags
Number 8, Serve free booze before and during all flights, and especially in the baggage claim area
Number 7, Install 1 bathroom per passenger
Number 6, Fly at WARP 6 Speed, whatever the hell that is
Number 5, Make all seats first class
Number 4, Make all mothers traveling with children under 21 fly on separate planes
Number 3, Leave on time, arrive on time
Number 2, Shut up and fly the plane
And, the number one way pilots and airlines can make flying better is:
Remove all pictures of grandchildren from the purses of Grandmothers!
So, the Top 10 Ways Pilots and Airlines Can Make Flying Better are:
Number 10, Only sell half the seats
Number 9, Shoot any passenger who carries on more than two bags
Number 8, Serve free booze before and during all flights, and especially in the baggage claim area
Number 7, Install 1 bathroom per passenger
Number 6, Fly at WARP 6 Speed, whatever the hell that is
Number 5, Make all seats first class
Number 4, Make all mothers traveling with children under 21 fly on separate planes
Number 3, Leave on time, arrive on time
Number 2, Shut up and fly the plane
And, the number one way pilots and airlines can make flying better is:
Remove all pictures of grandchildren from the purses of Grandmothers!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Portland, OR Restaurant Recommendation from My Son Dave
My son Dave and his wife Carley recently went to a new restaurant in Portland, OR, where they live. Here are his comments:
Carley found new restaurant in outer SE--The Observatory. A couple blocks east of the Academy Theater. Cool interior, great food. I had an OR albacore burger, Carley had the veg burger. Both were great. I had an Amnesia IPA...great little place and really reasonably priced.
Here is more information from Yelp:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-observatory-portland
Carley found new restaurant in outer SE--The Observatory. A couple blocks east of the Academy Theater. Cool interior, great food. I had an OR albacore burger, Carley had the veg burger. Both were great. I had an Amnesia IPA...great little place and really reasonably priced.
Here is more information from Yelp:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-observatory-portland
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Wishbone Restaurant--A Denver Classic!
Our family has been going to the Wishbone Restaurant located at 97th and Federal for years and years. It is a classic fried chicken restaurant where you will never be disappointed by the consistent quality of the food and friendly service. Now, we aren't talking gourmet food here, but the food is homestyle, fried chicken, gravy, and of course, Texas Toast ready for honey from the bottles on every table. There is more than chciken, in fact a lot more, but I've never eaten anything else there. We were there last Friday night for small retirement party (sister-in-law Betty finally hung up the chalk after many years of teaching little rascals). Most of the family had some kind of chicken dinner though my niece Becky had the Orange Ruffy and we all shared an appetizer plate of mushrooms, shrimp, mozzarella sticks, and great onion rings. My brother-in-law George had a large plate of Chicken Gizzards and he seemed to enjoy them. Offered me some but I passed! And, 4 1/2 year old Reyliana had a very tasty toasted cheese sandwich. If you must, but don't know why you would, there are hamburgers and other routine sandwiches.
If you are in the north Denver suburbs, and have a hankering for some really good fried chicken, The Wishbone Restaurant can't be beat. Check it out!
www.wishbonerestaurant.com
If you are in the north Denver suburbs, and have a hankering for some really good fried chicken, The Wishbone Restaurant can't be beat. Check it out!
www.wishbonerestaurant.com
Don't Put Anything In The Seatback Pocket
I've been on a flight or two lately where the flight attendants have told all passengers to not put anything in the seatback pocket--no newspapers, no magazines, no phones, no glasses, no water or pop bottles--because it was a safety issue. Here is an article that appeared in the New York Times recently about the FAA rule and how Skywest is enforcing it on some flights.
On the Road
Interestingly, I flew on Skywest from Salt Lake to Denver last Thursday and the flight attendants didn't say anything about using the pocket. So, very inconsistent at this point in time.
Seatbacks in Position and Empty, Please
WHAT’S going on here?
Skip to next paragraph 
Chris Gash
The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday that airlines whose flight attendants had been telling passengers that no personal items of any kind could be placed in seatback pockets were “following our guidance, if they are enforcing this with travelers.”
The agency’s response came after numerous inquiries following a flight I made from Denver to Tucson operated by SkyWest Airlines, on which the flight attendant announced before takeoff that, as a safety measure, nothing could be placed in seatback storage pockets — no eyeglasses, no ticket stubs, no iPods or bottles of water or magazines.
“Under new F.A.A. regulations, you may not place anything in your seatback pockets,” she announced as passengers boarded the regional jet. The only things that could be in the seatback pocket, she said, were “company-printed material,” like the in-flight magazine, the safety card and presumably the air-sickness bag. All “personal items” had to be stowed in the overhead bin or under the seat.
The immediate assumption was that a flight attendant or the regional airline she worked for had decided that passengers could no longer use seatback pockets to tuck things away — and the F.A.A. did not initially dispute that.
“It’s news to me,” Les Dorr, an F.A.A. spokesman, said when asked Monday morning about such federal prohibition on using seatback pockets. But late Monday afternoon, Mr. Dorr sent an e-mail message saying that the agency had been issuing “guidance” to carriers to that effect, telling regional agents who work directly with airlines that “nothing should be in the seatback pocket” except in-flight magazines and the safety information card put there by the carriers themselves.
Several major carriers said that they knew nothing about this and had no immediate plans to enforce it.
“The seatbacks are absolutely there to be used for personal items,” said Robin Urbanski, a spokeswoman for United Airlines — which was the airline of record for the flight I took, though it was operated by SkyWest, and the ticket was purchased on US Airways.
Marissa Snow, a spokeswoman for SkyWest, confirmed that the airline was enforcing the prohibition after being instructed to do so by “our local F.A.A. office.”
The airline, a big contractor to supply regional airline feeder flights, is based in St. George, Utah.
“The F.A.A. is clearly what prompted us to do this,” Ms. Snow said of the regional agents who she said issued the guidance to SkyWest. She added, however, that SkyWest now planned to ask the agency to “take another look at this.”
Longstanding federal law says that a plane cannot leave the gate until a crew member verifies that each item of baggage is safely stowed in a suitable compartment, including the overhead bin, or under a passenger seat.
That regulation does not mention seatback pockets. However, a 51-page 2007 F.A.A. directive on cabin safety does address “proper stowage of carryon baggage” and says in part, “nothing can be stowed in the seat pockets except magazines and passenger information cards.”
Ms. Snow said that SkyWest and inspectors who worked with the airline locally used this language as the basis of the ban on putting passenger personal possessions into seatback pockets. The prohibition “came more into focus” in recent months, she said.
Similar incidents have been reported recently on online travel forums.
“It’s an F.A.A. law. Get used to hearing me say that,” a post on FlyerTalk quoted one flight attendant on an American Airline regional flight as saying recently about another airline’s seatback pocket prohibition.
Tim Smith, a spokesman for American Airlines, said that no one available early Monday evening knew anything about the F.A.A. guidance.
Some airline executives, who did not want to be named because they were speculating, said that two recent phenomena might be behind any airline’s decision to enforce such a ban, with F.A.A. approval. One is that new fees on checked bags have created more carryon volume, and some passengers may be overloading seatback pockets — though they said they had not considered this to be a problem.
The other is that airplanes are landing and being turned around for the next flight on tighter schedules. Forbidding passengers to use seatback pockets “saves time for the cleaning crew,” one said.
E-mail: jsharkey@nytimes.comInterestingly, I flew on Skywest from Salt Lake to Denver last Thursday and the flight attendants didn't say anything about using the pocket. So, very inconsistent at this point in time.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Hotels Cutting Costs, Operating More Efficiently
Here is an interesting article about how hotels are cutting costs and operating more efficiently. These changes are improving profits, and will continue once revenue starts growing again.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/hotelcheckin/post/2009/08/68496304/1?loc=interstitialskip
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/hotelcheckin/post/2009/08/68496304/1?loc=interstitialskip
Monday, July 27, 2009
Travel--Not So Much Fun Anymore!
I haven't been traveling much over the last six months, saving a bit of expense money in what has been a down year for my business. I can tell you that when I do travel, or should say fly, unless I get upgraded, flying is not a lot of fun. The number of flights airlines are offering have been cut, meaning almost all planes are full, and that airlines are crowding as many people on planes as possible. Also, at least in Cincinnati, Delta is concentrating flight departures and arrivals, so security lines are very busy for short periods of time, making the whole experience even worse than it already is. I will say the TSA workers are much more pleasant than they used to be, probably because they are now secure in their government jobs. Okay, so I'm being a bit sarcastic, but the whole airport experience pretty much sucks these days! Oy!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Airlines Thinking About Selling Standing Room Tickets
Yes, that is where we are headed, SRO tickets on airplanes. You will be able to strap yourself to a pole or wall. Airlines will remove seats so they can sell more Standing Tickets. Really heading for the cattle-car days. Man, I just can't wait to be on a plane with people packed in tighter than they are now, jostling around, moving from one foot to the other, stretching their arms, etc., etc., etc.
Interesting article.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2009-07-06-standing-room-flying_N.htm
Interesting article.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2009-07-06-standing-room-flying_N.htm
Monday, June 22, 2009
Best Buffalo Wings I've Ever Had--In Portland, Oregon
I was in Portland, Oregon, all last week, three days for business and the last four on vacation. Portland has many very good restaurants, cafes, and bars, of all price ranges. Saturday, after playing golf with my son Dave and his friend Mike, we went to Fire on the Mountain Buffalo Wings in North Portland near Interstate 5. There is also a location on Burnside Avenue. Fire on the Mountain offers all the normal temperatures of wings but also offers a lot of great flavors. We had Jamaican Jerk, Soon To Be Famous Spicy Peanut, and Bourbon Chipotle. They also have Rasberry Habanero and Buffalo Lime Cilantro. For beverages there are some very good micro brews, as in most Portland restaurants and pubs. If you ever get to Portland, (everyone should at least once) and have a hankering for some very good wings, make sure you find Fire on the Mountain. You won't be disappointed!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Off to Portland, Oregon, for a Week
Will be heading to Portland, Oregon, Sunday for a week of business and vacation. Portland is a very nice city and we are looking forward to staying downtown this trip instead of out near the airport and my son's home. I will post some pictures and review some of the restaurants we visit. Also will be visiting some wineries next Wednesday, always fun. Stay tuned!
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