Colorado- continued.....

Pueblo was pretty uneventful. Ride down was south on I-25 through Castlerock and Colorado Springs. The drive to this point is beautiful- mountain scenery (sometimes you see elk or deer, and an occasional rock chuck). Once you get past Colorado Springs, the surroundings are more barren- sagebrush, dry grasses, and dirt.
Pueblo is a good sized city. They have your usual stores- WalMart, Home Depot, Party America. I drove around a bit, and ventured into older parts of town that were trying to revitalize, but probably having a tough time with due to the current economy (not too many people opening new businesses right now, but I am sure there will be soon, as bargains are everywhere on leases!) I didn't stick around after my appointment with my customer. I headed back to Colorado Springs, had lunch, and saw two accounts there. Then it was back to Denver!
Friday I went to Greeley, CO. This is in the north-east central portion of Colorado. I ventured the back roads after my appointment and stopped at an old fort (will add the name at a later date), that was being renovated and rebuilt. I talked for a few minutes with the help (probably a volunteer). He was kind enough to explain the renovation and talked about the other events they do there, such as the black powder shoot that was going on at that time. I dropped $10 in the donation container, picked up a couple brochures, and went on my way. I had lunch inside the airport. The fryer was out, so I was not able to order rocky mountain oysters. I had to settle for a salad and baked potato. I couldn't have fries either :( I had a glass of wine, then headed to the gate to wait for my plane, which was 45 mins. late. By the time I got home I was pooped! Only two days of rest, then on the road again. This time- Montana!

Colorado

Last trip to Colorado on the company!

Came in yesterday and staying through Friday. I will be going as far south as Pueblo, and north to Cheyenne. The weather isn't too bad. There have been tornado warnings here for a week!

I worked around Denver yesterday. Went out to Parker to see a new account. when done, I drove east while talking on phone.

The landscape was dotted with farm or horse estates and lots of green grass. I turned at some point and went north until I couldn't go any further and turned back west. I ran into a huge shopping complex and decided to drive through it to canvas prospective shops for business.

I ended up stopping at Fish City Grill to have dinner. The place wasn't too busy, so I asked if the mall was fairly new. My waitress said it was very slow due to a tornado coming through the area the week prior. She said a couple of the stores were still closed because of storm damage, and that customers were staying away.

The food was great! I had my first Oyster Nacho. Sounds sick, but was really superb. It is a tortilla topped with fried oysters and chipotle tartar sauce and fresh pico de gallo. I would recommend this restaurant, especially if you like seafood.

Today I drove to Loveland (north of Denver about 45 mins) to see an account. When done, I took the scenic loop through Estes Park and back into Denver. The mountain road started out with green lush hills, and turned into sheer rock mountains. I passed a store called the Dam Store. It looked like it would be fun to shop. They have a tower above the store that you can go up to see the scenery. As you come into Estes Park, the mountains begin to move back to reveal a reservoir and the valley, with the city sitting in the middle.

I had dinner tonight at Mojitos somewhere near 6th Ave and 1120 E in Denver. It was Cuban food. First time I have had a Cuban meal. I had LECHON ASADO Marinated pork shoulder topped with mojo and sautéed onions, slow roasted to perfection, served with Moro rice, and Tostones (Plantain Fritters). The food was good. The pork was awesome! The place is known for it's Mojito's. I had a grapefruit and rum mojito and liked it!

Tomorrow I go to Pueblo! Will try to recap rest of week and get off the beaten path to see something new.

Ta-ta!

Chicago May 2009

I went to Chicago to attend a candy show at McCormick Place. I flew into Chicago Midway airport, which was closer to the McCormick Center than O'Hare. I was able to purchase a round trip ticket on the shuttle for $40. I stayed at the Best Western Grand park Hotel. My initial feeling on seeing the hotel from outside, was that I had made a mistake picking this hotel. It appeared old and needed updating (including the lobby area). My room was the 7th floor, which ended up having a view of Grant Park and Michigan Ave. The room was fine. I couldn't get the wireless Internet working (I think it was my computer, not their system, but maybe too weak of a signal on that floor and at that end of the hotel).

Grant park was interesting. Everyday around 4PM, the locals would flock to the park with their dogs. It was almost as if there were a dog parade ;) During daylight, many people used the park for jogging, and the workout stations placed throughout the park along the trails.

On this evening, I met a friend who was also in town for the candy show. We should have asked for recommendations for dinner, but left the hotel with only a tourists pamphlet. The booklet proved to be worhtless, except for letting us know where we were in relation to our hotel. It did not help in finding dining places. We walked from 1100S to 200S and back (The waitress at our restaurant told us it was about 2 miles each way).

I got up early on Tuesday and headed to the candy show. I had to walk two blocks to the Hilton to get on the free shuttle to the event center. I had no idea there were other events going on at the center, and got on the wrong bus. Luckily, it went to the McCormick Center and I was able to ask for directions to the candy show. You have to have a badge to get into the show. I had arranged with two people to come out to give me a badge to gain entry. I had no idea both of them were coming into Chicago later in the afternoon on Tuesday, so I was stuck on the outside of the show until I found some people I knew to get me in. (Next time, I will ask everyone involved what their ETA will be, so I don't have to wait.

The show is for candy manufacturers and their customers. The manufacturers belong to a group that puts on the event. They pay a fee for booth space and dues to the organization. The customers pay a small fee to come to the show. Non-members pay $300 to get into the show.

My main reason for coming was to network.

I ate dinner at the Mei Restaurant that is attached to the hotel, but not part of it. Besides me, there was only one other person dining in the restaurant (I guess I should have payed attention to this). I asked if they could turn the tv to American Idol (it was finals night). They obliged, but did not turn on the volume (duh- it's a music show). The food was marginal. I had a ribeye steak with vegetables. I think the vegetables came out of a bag (pre-frozen). The steak appeared to be boiled instead of grilled. It was very fatty, not a lot of flavor. I would not eat here again or recommend the place to others. When finished I went to my room and went to bed so I could get up early on Wednesday morning.

I had to take my luggage with me to the show since I was checking out and my flight was at 5PM. The event center had a coat/luggage check in so I didn't have to haul it around or worry about it during the show. I networked until 2pm, then found the shuttle and made my way back to the airport where I had a bite to eat prior to boarding.

I did not get a chance to see much of Chicago on this trip. When you are there alone, you don't venture too far from the familiar. Maybe what I did see and do will help someone else enjoy their trip to Chicago.

Chi-ca-go....Chi-ca-go

Hey- I will be venturing to Chicago, IL next week. Checking out the McKormick center. There is a huge-HUGE- candy show in town the 19th through the 21st. I will get in Monday afternoon and will stay through Wednesday evening. I am hoping to do some networking! I hope the weather cooperates!

Pictures of the Sand Point, ID and Spokane, WA area

Barn picture is on the Dufort Road, which is between Spirit Lake and Sandpoint in Idaho. The second picture of water and a Bayview boat ramp is at Farragut State Park on Lake Pend Oreille. The campground looks very nice and features bike trails.

The picture to the right is Spirit Lake. This is a gorgeous lake just north of Rathdrum, ID (about 45 mins out of Couer D'Alene, ID). I drove to the top of the road and enjoyed the view and the peace and quite.

The last picture is the Mormon Temple in Spokane, WA. It sits outside of town at the base of a beautiful mountain. From the parking lot, you can see for miles. This is a smaller temples than most, and I was surprised when I came out of the mountain and there it was!

Sand Point, ID

So I took a small tour of the back country while in Idaho. I started in Coeur d'Alene and worked my way up to Sand Point. Coeur d'Alene is beautiful in it's own right! It is nestled in the foothills, so is surrounded by trees. It boasts several good-sized recreational lakes, along with multiple top-rated golf courses. It's Main Street is quaint and walkable with various art and tourist-type shops, not to mention the restaurants. My favorite restaurant is the Cedars. If sits on the river with almost 360* views. The plank Salmon is to die for!
I left Coeur d'Alene and headed north on HWY 95 towards Rathdrum. Then off to Spirit Lake via HWY 41. The lake was gorgeous! Most of the shoreline was dotted with homes and cabins. the road was paved and there is a public boat launch and picnic area at the entrance to the canyon. The water was very calm and the surrounding countryside reflected on its surface in splendid color. I would assume the fishing is awesome if looks mean anything.
From Spirit Lake, I traveled north on 41 until I came to Dufort Road and I followed this through the countryside until I was back on HWY 95. Then it was a clear shot to Sand Point.
Upon entering Sand Point, you cross the Pend Oreille Lake, which is magnificent. It stretches through and around mountains of pinion and wild grasses for approximately nine miles.
I stopped in Arlos, which is a New York style Italian restaurant (I really only needed to use the restroom) I ordered a glass of wine, then felt obligated stay for dinner. The owners tom and Lisa Guscott were very friendly. I got a tour of the place, including their resident mom and pop geese (mom was actually sitting in a flower box on the deck protecting a couple of eggs!).
The food was good. The atmosphere fun (they have a guy named John Kelley play guitar and sing in the evening. Kind of a reggae, blues kind of music. He has a great voice. I would recommend this place if you want to eat in a quaint, semi-quiet food joint.

Rain and Sleet and Hail and Cold Weather!

So today I flew into Spokane, WA. What a dismal and cold day! I left temps in the 60's to come into 45 temps, rain, hail- BURRRRRRR.

I spent a little time driving the city (looking for grocery stores). My VZNavigation quit once (This seems to happen every trip at least once- I guess it loses a signal.) You would think that a GPS type system would work anywhere?? Go figure.
I am staying in town at the Double tree. It is right in the center of the city's event center, and borders the river. There are walking trails and benches along the river for those who choose to jog or walk, or just sit and enjoy the sound of the city. If you have a convention at the center, this isn't a bad place to stay and you are right on top of it. You can walk to restaurants (but the hotel has a Spencer's Steak House- so why would you go anywhere else?). I have a convention type show here this week, so it seemed like a great place to stay. The hotel is OK- nothing special everything is clean and neat, but an average hotel.

I am looking forward to tomorrow, since I will have time to motor around all day and see some of the terrain. I am hoping the weather will get better and the temps will rise about 15 degrees.
Will add some more info about Spokane tomorrow--ta-ta!