Montana-continued......

So I found out the re-enactment of Custer's Last Stand was Friday and Saturday not Thursday. So, I headed to Great Falls, stopping at Lewis and Clark Caverns (Hwy 2) for lunch. I did not do the cave tour, as it was a 2 mile hike and cost was $12, which I did not want to part with.
I passed the Parker homestead on the way to the cave and stopped to venture inside and read the road sign. The home was wood with a sod roof. It had been supported to keep it from caving in, but looked very original.
After lunch, I returned on HWY 2 to and headed to Great Falls. I went off I-15 at Toston Dam, which was about 5 miles off the highway. It was a quaint campground with boat ramp along the Missouri River. The road was dirt, but was well maintained. I then veered off I-15 again at Holter Lake. Glad I did! This lake is tucked up inside the foothills. It is part of the Missouri River waterway. The lake is large and was inviting me to jump in, but I refrained, since I had no swimming suit.
I stayed in Great Falls at the Hampton Inn, which is a very nice hotel. Rooms were very fresh and clean. I wish I had been able to stay the weekend, as this weekend is the yearly River Run. They charge $85 to float the river, but everyone does it! Hair and boats are painted and decorated for the event, so it is kind of a parade and spectacle. There are street bands, BBQ's, etc. Very fun atmosphere.
Weel, this is last trip for a while- talk later-BYE

Traveling USA Information and Directory Site!

Traveling USA Information and Directory Site!: "http://www.travelingusa.com the link"

Montana!

My flight got me into Butte, Montana at 10:30 pm Monday (pronouced Beaut, not butt). Coming in the night before my appointment, would enable me to be rarin' to go for my 5am alarm and one and a half hour drive to Helena Tuesday morning. (I had to fly into Butte, because it was the cheapest and most centrally located airport in the state- not too many options for flights into or out of Montana)
Tuesday, June 22nd there was frost on my car windows when I left the hotel: it got down to 31* F, then rebounded to low 70's later in the day.
As I drove to Helena, what used to be a breathtaking mountain pass, was marred by the ugly pine trees that have been killed by the beetles. I am not kidding! There were so many dead trees, it looked like autumn- so many orange trees! What a devastation. I can only imagine that with all the dead trees and wet spring, the fire danger will be extreme this summer and fall. After Helena, I drove to Missoula and on to Hamilton. Hamilton is a very quaint town. Lots of neat shops! After my appointment there, I went into Missoula and had lunch at El Cazador for Mexican food- yum-yum! I had the Chili Verde plate with salad instead of rice. They make a wonderful homemade salsa!
Then on to billings. I arrived after 10pm- what a long day, and what a tired butt! LOL
I finished my appointments around 3pm, then did what most girls do- Shopped at the mall :)
They have a great mall! Most of the shops are occupied!!!
Tomorrow, I drive to Bozeman, then to Great Falls. I am contemplating coming back to a town just south of Billings to watch the re-enactment of Custer's Last Stand. They start at 1pm, so not sure if I would be able to make it back. If I do this, I would have one hellova drive to Great Falls afterwards- but thinking, I may never get a chance to see it again, so leaning towards killing myself with all the driving. I will let you know when I post this weekend! Ta ta!

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!