Archive for the 'Travel' Category
I’ve been inspired by Shoemoney’s Conference Travel Tips, so I thought I would add some of my own. As you can see by my photo, I’ve attended a few conferences.
Tip #1: Check your luggage – Everyone will not agree with this tip but this is my opinion. By checking my luggage I can take a bigger bag than I need for all that conference booty that I like o pick up (pens, shirts, hats, CDs, etc…). I used to pack a carry-on size bag and no checked luggage but I found my self needing more room on the way back. I do suggest packing a small carry-on bag that contains toiletries and an extra change of clothes just in case the big bag goes missing. Also, don’t overpack or you will pay dearly at the check-in counter.
Tip #2: Hang out in the back of the plane – On a long flight, forget sitting the whole way. Get up and go to the back where the stewardess sits. My legs are a little long and its hard for me to sit for more than a couple of hours. The flight crew are people too and they get about as bored as you do. Usually they enjoy the conversation. My last flight the stewardess shared her magazines with a couple of us. Don’t forget the back of the plane is where all the food is stored – all you have to do is ask!
Tip #3: Use public transportation and save money – I have used public transportation in many of the big cities and it truly offers a cheaper alternative than taxis and rental cars. I rarely rent cars and taxi drivers don’t like credit cards (not that I trust them with my cards). If you’re concerned with safety, call the hotel and ask them about the local public transportation and it’s safety. I have found hotel staff very helpful in this area. I must admit that I haven’t mastered buses and I don’t like to take them but I have. Stay away from the St. Louis subway/train unless you feel really comfortable in big cities – scary ride. Practice situational awareness at all times!
Tip #4: Down time / find things to do – There are times when conferences get really boring and I can no longer stomach stepping foot on the floor. When this happens, you need an alternative. I have recently found geocaching to be a great way to see the “city” and have some fun! It’s amazing what can be found right next to ya – and you never knew it was there. If geocaching doesn’t grab you, try looking in the local phone book. Its full of history, site seeing info, maps and my favorite – discount coupons!
Tip #5: Early departure times – I like to leave early. This allows me to get to my destination in time to check the area out before it gets dark. It also allows time to change flights if some unforeseen event occurs that prevents immediate travel. What I really like is getting back home in time to sit and decompress before real life sets in again.
Tip #6 (Last one): Home is home, treat it like so – Travel has a way of changing my outlook. It’s almost like I’m living two lives – conference life and real life. When traveling you eat different foods, you hang out with different people, you stay in hotels that you might not be familiar with, you do totally different things than when at home. When I get home from travel, it’s hard to break out of that mode. The kicker is that your family expects you back the same way you were when you left. You have to find your own process for getting back to normal but of all the tips this is one you have to try and master.
I hope you enjoyed my tips. Pleas add your own. Maybe the rest of us can learn something new!
This is the entrance to the basement of the Coeur d’Alene Eagles basement. So what’s so important about a door? I’ll tell ya. This is possibly the entrance to the best breakfast served in Coeur d’Alene, ID. This door is only open on Sunday for breakfast but it’s well worth the visit.
We saw a sign on the street for breakfast and decided to open the door. we found a set of steps leading into a basement. There is a strange feeling that comes over one when you think about whether to try the steps or not. We took the steps into certain abyss, but to our surprise we found tables with people sitting and eating. Most of the people were older but not all. We were a little stunned and trying to figure out if we were in the right place and if we were welcome. A voice from the right says, “You’re in the right place”. We moved to the front and paid our whopping $6.00 (this could be the cheapest thing in the whole city). The serving line moved fast and we were in front of these nice older ladies ready to take our order. I asked for eggs (fixed with peppers, onions, and real eggs), bacon, a sausage link, slice of french toast, and some hash browns. The food was really good and the atmosphere was excellent. This is truly one of the hole in the wall places that would be so easily looked over.
Side notes: the paint on the walls is a really strange burnt pink color, you service your own plates, you can have as much food as you want, everyone is extremely friendly, the workers donate their time, the money is given to charity, no one wears gloves or hairnets (just like I like it), and there were several people that came into the room on crutches and canes.
If you are ever in Coeur d’Alene, ID on a Sunday morning, and you don’t make the stop, you’ve missed out!
This will be my stopping point this weekend and I’m looking forward to seeing this beautiful place. I will be staying at the Coeur d’Alene Spa and Golf Resort. I doubt that I will go to the Spa and I doubt that I’ll get to play golf. I will take the local hiking trails for a try. Also, I believe there will be a boat ride on the lake scheduled. I would love to go fishing but I hear that a temporary out of state license is very expensive.
My trip will consist of meeting with executive personnel from police and sheriff’s departments around the US. The group is always exciting and full of adventure. I just hope it doesn’t snow.
This is one of the strangest houses you will ever see. It’s built like a goose and it’s eyes glow. It’s been featured in Car and Driver, New York Times, Oprah, and HGTV Extreme Homes. The home was started in 1935 and finished in 1940 and features egg shaped windows and blinking eyes.
This home has been through many stages including serving as a monkey house!
If you’re a geocacher, take a gander!
First off, I’m not a rock climber. I have dabbled in the past and found that my fear of heights far outweighed my interest. I think it’s really more of an issue with skill and getting into hard spots that bring out the fear. For instance, many years ago I wedged my body between two rocks cliffs and got stuck near the top. It’s a strange feeling to be stuck several feet above the ground and not know how you’re going to get out of the situation. I eventually had a couple of friends that helped me out. Shortly after that we climbed about a fourth of the way up a fire tower on the outside beams. Eventually we reached the steps and used them. One of my friends at the time liked to get to the top of this tower and stand on the outside railing and walk around(maybe 1.5 inches wide). If he would have fell from that high up, it would have been all over.
Today I took a trip to Red River Gorge in Slade, KY. At the end of the day we stopped at Miguel’s Pizza. Miguel’s caters to the rock climbers that come to scale the cliffs in the area. Miguel’s speciality is pizza. The pizza was very good with lots of choices. However; the atmosphere is the trick. Behind Miguel’s is a small camping area that was covered in tents. Miguel’s only rents to rock climbing campers. The price is right at $2 a day per tent! Also behind the place is extra eating area complete with sinks for cleaning up and brushing your teeth. Miguel’s doesn’t even want you to throw your trash in the can. Instead they have signs everywhere that inform you to put your cardboard (pizza serving bottoms) in the fire pit. Inside, there is plenty of gear for purchase including a selection of used geekie type clothing.
Miguel’s is definitely a destination place. I will be back!
I caught these two on ‘digital’ film while touring the USS Midway in San Diego this past October. I just happened to peer over the edge into the parking lot and caught these two working feverishly trying to get into this locked car – obviously without a key. It appeared like they were trying to retrieve something from the back seat. Did I mention that they were working really fast? I think they were avoiding getting caught. Maybe they were repo’ing something.
Tomorrow, I will be traveling back to San Diego and will keep my eyes open for these two bandits.
It was a perfect trip. The kids were great. They hardly complained or fought the whole trip. We made it to all 4 theme parks and Typhoon Lagoon. We witnessed fireworks at Magic Kingdom, character meals, and Cindrellabration. We mastered the “Fast Pass” and the resort transportation system. We also took in a Cirque Du Soleil show, La Nouba. We purchased a meal pass for each of us prior to arriving. The pass cost approx $700 for the 4 of us, but it was a great deal. We ate at Disney’s best restaurants and never spent a dollar. This included one meal over $160. On average our meals averaged approx $65. Consider $65 x 2 = $130/day x 7 days = $910. That’s a $200+ savings and no hassle of paying cash after a meal.
After the resort stay was over, we made our way to Cocoa Beach for a little R&R. I really enjoyed playing in the ocean! It was a nice break before coming home.
Now on to fishing and then Alaska!
More exciting travel! We will be leaving tomorrow for Disney World and I can’t wait. I’m sure the kids will enjoy. Although, I think I’m more excited than they are. After returning from Florida, rest for a week and then off to fish for the weekend. I will be cutting the fishing trip a day short and flying off to Anchorage, Alaska. I’m planning on trying to do a little Salmon fishing, but business trips don’t always work out that way. Did I mention Glacier National Park in Montana? I can’t wait for that one either. I plan on taking lots of pics of all of the above.
Next week I will be traveling to Altheimer, AR. Doesn’t sound like too much fun but I guess it will have to do. The week after that I will be in Goshen, IN. I can’t decide which I would rather do – Altheimer or Goshen. I guess I don’t have a choice, so i’ll do both.
Altheimer – delivering 6 computers, Segway demos, and Firearms simulator demos.
Goshen – Firearms simulator demos.
The firearms simulator is housed in a 36′ trailer which we pull with a big Chevy truck. Can you say white knuckle terror? Sometimes that’s what it feels like. Especially when you forget what your doing and run up on a traffic jam and have to slam on the brakes only to stop within about a foot of the car in front of you. I hope that doesn’t happen again!
I do like working with law enforcement. They are so appreciative of anything you can help them with. Plus it’s always very interesting.
