With the fall TV season upon us now I am wondering if anyone uses a SlingBox and watches shows/TiVo on their computer while traveling? If so, are you happy with it? Pros? Cons?
Thanks.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Harrisburg
HOTEL
* It's an older Residence Inn, with a bunch of separate buildings. All buildings are two stories, without exterior entrances (ie, no elevators). But the rooms are nice.
* There is NOT a fitness room. I think the front desk told me they could send you to a near-by gym. Exercising in your room will require furniture rearranging. Courtney says there's a greenbelt trail a short drive away, but I didn't have an opportunity to explore.
* They're doing construction next to the hotel. I was in a building next to it, and I didn't notice noise until I'm already awake in the morning (and usually just the beep-beep of trucks backing up).
* Restaurants, Wal-Mart and Target aren't too far away. Turn right onto Penhar, then right on Chambers Hill Road then left by the Target sign. This takes you through a strip mall with Target and a bunch of other stores and up to some roads that contain gas stations, restaurants, etc.
* For you outdoor lovers, there's a Bass Pro Shop along the highway as you're heading into Harrisburg (in the same area as Macy's ... apparently a his-and-hers shopping experience?).
GETTING AROUND
* Traffic on I-86 into/out of downtown was bad during rush hour. I think my max speed was 40 mph.
* During off hours, it took about 15 minutes to get from the Residence Inn to the newspaper.
* Directions from the hotel to the newspaper: Turn left out of the hotel parking lot. At the stop sign, turn left and get into the right lane. Turn right at the stop sign and get into the left lane. Access to Highway 322 West and I-86 South requires a left turn onto the ramp, which spits you onto Highway 322 heading into Harrisburg. Go straight but get into the middle or left lane, which automatically puts you onto I-86 South toward Harrisburg. Take the 2nd Street exit (watch out: the exit lane is used as an entrance lane, too, so people are trying to merge into traffic as you're trying to exit); as you come off the ramp, be in the middle lane as the road curves to the right. DO NOT turn right at the stop light: go straight, which is 2nd Street. Get into the right lane. Turn right on Market Street (between the outdoor bus plaza and the Hilton). Go past the bus/train station and under the viaduct. The newspaper's parking lot is the first left turn after the viaduct (as Courtney's workflow audit says: turn left at the cow reading the newspaper).
* You need a badge to get up/down the elevator. Courtney has one that we shared this week. Don't know what you'll need to do if he's not there, as the guard at the front desk wasn't very helpful when I got there Wednesday. I just called Courtney and he came downstairs to get me.
* Getting back to the hotel: Turn right out of the paper's parking lot onto Market Street. Market becomes 1-way after the viaduct, so you're forced to turn right. Get into the left lane so you can make the next left turn. Go all the way down to Front Street, where you're forced to turn left because of a bridge. Be in the middle lane. Take I-86 North toward Hershey; the interstate kind of blends into Highway 322, so just watch the signs. The Penhar exit for the hotel is shortly after you get on 322.
* Do NOT follow the Mapquest instructions of using 13th Street to get in/out of downtown. The folks at the newspaper say 13th Street is the "hood" and told me that if I take that street, don't get out of the car.
* Airport is about 15-20 minutes from the hotel. The route back to the airport requires a lot of sign reading to get on the right exits.
* It's an older Residence Inn, with a bunch of separate buildings. All buildings are two stories, without exterior entrances (ie, no elevators). But the rooms are nice.
* There is NOT a fitness room. I think the front desk told me they could send you to a near-by gym. Exercising in your room will require furniture rearranging. Courtney says there's a greenbelt trail a short drive away, but I didn't have an opportunity to explore.
* They're doing construction next to the hotel. I was in a building next to it, and I didn't notice noise until I'm already awake in the morning (and usually just the beep-beep of trucks backing up).
* Restaurants, Wal-Mart and Target aren't too far away. Turn right onto Penhar, then right on Chambers Hill Road then left by the Target sign. This takes you through a strip mall with Target and a bunch of other stores and up to some roads that contain gas stations, restaurants, etc.
* For you outdoor lovers, there's a Bass Pro Shop along the highway as you're heading into Harrisburg (in the same area as Macy's ... apparently a his-and-hers shopping experience?).
GETTING AROUND
* Traffic on I-86 into/out of downtown was bad during rush hour. I think my max speed was 40 mph.
* During off hours, it took about 15 minutes to get from the Residence Inn to the newspaper.
* Directions from the hotel to the newspaper: Turn left out of the hotel parking lot. At the stop sign, turn left and get into the right lane. Turn right at the stop sign and get into the left lane. Access to Highway 322 West and I-86 South requires a left turn onto the ramp, which spits you onto Highway 322 heading into Harrisburg. Go straight but get into the middle or left lane, which automatically puts you onto I-86 South toward Harrisburg. Take the 2nd Street exit (watch out: the exit lane is used as an entrance lane, too, so people are trying to merge into traffic as you're trying to exit); as you come off the ramp, be in the middle lane as the road curves to the right. DO NOT turn right at the stop light: go straight, which is 2nd Street. Get into the right lane. Turn right on Market Street (between the outdoor bus plaza and the Hilton). Go past the bus/train station and under the viaduct. The newspaper's parking lot is the first left turn after the viaduct (as Courtney's workflow audit says: turn left at the cow reading the newspaper).
* You need a badge to get up/down the elevator. Courtney has one that we shared this week. Don't know what you'll need to do if he's not there, as the guard at the front desk wasn't very helpful when I got there Wednesday. I just called Courtney and he came downstairs to get me.
* Getting back to the hotel: Turn right out of the paper's parking lot onto Market Street. Market becomes 1-way after the viaduct, so you're forced to turn right. Get into the left lane so you can make the next left turn. Go all the way down to Front Street, where you're forced to turn left because of a bridge. Be in the middle lane. Take I-86 North toward Hershey; the interstate kind of blends into Highway 322, so just watch the signs. The Penhar exit for the hotel is shortly after you get on 322.
* Do NOT follow the Mapquest instructions of using 13th Street to get in/out of downtown. The folks at the newspaper say 13th Street is the "hood" and told me that if I take that street, don't get out of the car.
* Airport is about 15-20 minutes from the hotel. The route back to the airport requires a lot of sign reading to get on the right exits.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Tulsa is OK by me
Greetings from green and sprawling Tulsa, OK. Lee and I are here doing AdSpeed support team (actually, she's doing most of the work, and I am learning along with the rest of them).
We've eaten at some pretty sweet spots so far. First off is a restaurant at Utica Square, a shopping area that has a Neiman Marcus, Williams Sonoma and other stores of that ilk, as well as eateries such as The Wild Fork, a very delicious and eclectic place. I had a Pear Salad (with bleu cheese, walnuts, pears ["I wasn't expecting beets," I remarked to Lee. She pointed out that those were the pears. Oops.], and of course lettuce. It was delish. I also got the vegetable stir fry (onions, two types of mushrooms [stay away, Amanda], broccoli, peppers and more), which had a nice kick to it. Had to order some extra water. If you like berry cobbler, skip it at the Wild Fork. Well, skip it if you prefer a pie crust as opposed to a cake-like one. Lee got the tuna, which, she said, was "overcooked," but that was her only complaint. We sat on the breezy and tree-lined patio, which shared a grassy courtyard with Starbucks. From our plastic seats, we got to hear a David Gray soundalike strum his guitar and croon the evening away. It was quite lovely.
If you like BBQ ribs -- and some of us do -- then eat at Elmer's BBQ on Peoria, near 41st street. Its tagline is "It Be Bad!" and if this be bad, then I don't want to be good. For a true Southern BBQ experience, get the sweet tea and baby bick ribs. You won't be disappointed. Sides included cole slaw (crunchy and sweet) and potato salad (which appeared to have mashed potatoes).
There's also a good Greek place within walking distance of the paper, as well as various delicatessens. Oh, and there's a bonafide drive-in movie theater off the highway that plays double features (the theater does this, not the highway).
Hotel-wise, we are staying at the Candlewood Suites near 71st Street, about 30 minutes from the paper, taking traffic into consideration. There is weekly maid service and no breakfast. The laundry machines are free, according to the front desk; soap must be purchased. There is a workout room with one elliptical, one bike machine, and one walky thingy. (Brain getting fried.) We are hoping to stay at the Hampton Inn down the street (my fave hotel chain); it's directly across from the mall (hello, Macy's) and in back of the DSW shoe store.
For a kick, visit the ginormous stone hands that grace (ha ha) the entrance of Oral Roberts University. The U is next to a Star Treky-looking hospital. Very '70s sci-fi, if you're into that kind of thing.
I've got 3 more weeks here. I'm looking forward to exploring more of this city.
And yes, Virginia, there is a Panera Bread.
p.s. Some recommendations from an OK native I met on the plane: Pomodori's Italian restaurant downtown at 5th and Cheyenne. The Utica Square area in general (music Thursday nights) between 15th and 21st on Utica Avenue. The Wild Fork (mentioned above) and Queenie's (a neighborhood place) are both there. There is also an Asian restaurant on Utica called Teckai's (inexpensive rolls on Wednesday nights) -- not sure I got the spelling right on that one. Lambruzco's deli at 41st and Peoria. If you like beer, McNelly's has beer tasting (not sure where this one is). Kilkenny's nearby is also a good little pub. The Brady area north of downtown is a "fun" area with lots of restaurants. Lola's is supposed to have good music. Cherry Street is known for its antiques, bead shops, etc.
We've eaten at some pretty sweet spots so far. First off is a restaurant at Utica Square, a shopping area that has a Neiman Marcus, Williams Sonoma and other stores of that ilk, as well as eateries such as The Wild Fork, a very delicious and eclectic place. I had a Pear Salad (with bleu cheese, walnuts, pears ["I wasn't expecting beets," I remarked to Lee. She pointed out that those were the pears. Oops.], and of course lettuce. It was delish. I also got the vegetable stir fry (onions, two types of mushrooms [stay away, Amanda], broccoli, peppers and more), which had a nice kick to it. Had to order some extra water. If you like berry cobbler, skip it at the Wild Fork. Well, skip it if you prefer a pie crust as opposed to a cake-like one. Lee got the tuna, which, she said, was "overcooked," but that was her only complaint. We sat on the breezy and tree-lined patio, which shared a grassy courtyard with Starbucks. From our plastic seats, we got to hear a David Gray soundalike strum his guitar and croon the evening away. It was quite lovely.
If you like BBQ ribs -- and some of us do -- then eat at Elmer's BBQ on Peoria, near 41st street. Its tagline is "It Be Bad!" and if this be bad, then I don't want to be good. For a true Southern BBQ experience, get the sweet tea and baby bick ribs. You won't be disappointed. Sides included cole slaw (crunchy and sweet) and potato salad (which appeared to have mashed potatoes).
There's also a good Greek place within walking distance of the paper, as well as various delicatessens. Oh, and there's a bonafide drive-in movie theater off the highway that plays double features (the theater does this, not the highway).
Hotel-wise, we are staying at the Candlewood Suites near 71st Street, about 30 minutes from the paper, taking traffic into consideration. There is weekly maid service and no breakfast. The laundry machines are free, according to the front desk; soap must be purchased. There is a workout room with one elliptical, one bike machine, and one walky thingy. (Brain getting fried.) We are hoping to stay at the Hampton Inn down the street (my fave hotel chain); it's directly across from the mall (hello, Macy's) and in back of the DSW shoe store.
For a kick, visit the ginormous stone hands that grace (ha ha) the entrance of Oral Roberts University. The U is next to a Star Treky-looking hospital. Very '70s sci-fi, if you're into that kind of thing.
I've got 3 more weeks here. I'm looking forward to exploring more of this city.
And yes, Virginia, there is a Panera Bread.
p.s. Some recommendations from an OK native I met on the plane: Pomodori's Italian restaurant downtown at 5th and Cheyenne. The Utica Square area in general (music Thursday nights) between 15th and 21st on Utica Avenue. The Wild Fork (mentioned above) and Queenie's (a neighborhood place) are both there. There is also an Asian restaurant on Utica called Teckai's (inexpensive rolls on Wednesday nights) -- not sure I got the spelling right on that one. Lambruzco's deli at 41st and Peoria. If you like beer, McNelly's has beer tasting (not sure where this one is). Kilkenny's nearby is also a good little pub. The Brady area north of downtown is a "fun" area with lots of restaurants. Lola's is supposed to have good music. Cherry Street is known for its antiques, bead shops, etc.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Overheard -- and had to share
I thought there should be a post where we could share the funny things we've overheard while on the road -- on the plane, in the airport, on site, in restaurants, etc.
I'll kick things off with bits of the conversation two older gentlemen were having in the Dallas airport last week. They were sitting right behind me, so I couldn't help but overhear.
The first comment I heard went something like this:
Guy 1: "How many Jews do you think there are in Salt Lake City?"
Guy 2: "About 20."
They talked a bit more, then I heard:
Guy 2: "Is there actually a lake in Salt Lake City."
Guy 1: "No, there's no lake. It's named after the salt flats."
At this point, I had to chime in: "There's a lake!"
Guy 2: "What's it called?"
Me: "Great Salt Lake."
Guy 1: "Where is it?"
Me: "Outside of Salt Lake City."
They were headed to Park City, then going south to the parks. One of the guys knew about Java Cow in Park City, but he didn't know there was a lake in SLC?!?!?!?
So, what funny things have you overheard?
I'll kick things off with bits of the conversation two older gentlemen were having in the Dallas airport last week. They were sitting right behind me, so I couldn't help but overhear.
The first comment I heard went something like this:
Guy 1: "How many Jews do you think there are in Salt Lake City?"
Guy 2: "About 20."
They talked a bit more, then I heard:
Guy 2: "Is there actually a lake in Salt Lake City."
Guy 1: "No, there's no lake. It's named after the salt flats."
At this point, I had to chime in: "There's a lake!"
Guy 2: "What's it called?"
Me: "Great Salt Lake."
Guy 1: "Where is it?"
Me: "Outside of Salt Lake City."
They were headed to Park City, then going south to the parks. One of the guys knew about Java Cow in Park City, but he didn't know there was a lake in SLC?!?!?!?
So, what funny things have you overheard?
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Tallahassee
Dining
Kool Beanz Cafe: (921 Thomasville Road): You've got to checkout this eclectic little diner! The menu might be classified as worldly southern, and the menu varies from day to day with a few staples available every day. Prices are a little high by traditional lunch standards, but you won't be disappointed. Don't be afraid to mix and match pairings on the menu. If you'd rather have the creamy grits, they'll be glad to swap them out with the wasabi mashed potatoes.
Samrat Indian Restaurant: Indian food isn't the first thing I think of when I'm looking for a place to dine. That's my way of saying I'm not an expert on what is good and what isn't, but Matt Chatterley and I ate at this little restaurant at 2529 Apalachee Parkway, and we both thought it was pretty good. The decor is nothing to jump up and down about, but the food made it a good experience.
Carlos Cuban Café: Located a few blocks from the newspaper at 402 E. Tennessee, Carlos Cuban Café is a family-owned restaurant with a sparse decor, but the smells that greet you at the door are enticing. Unfortunately, I ordered badly, deciding on a marinated shrimp salad. It was basically iceberg lettuce with some shrimp thrown on top and few peppers and onions scattered around the plate. I should have opted for more traditional Cuban fare. Matt Chatterley liked his sandwich, but I'd have to try it again and order something different to recommend it.
Barnacle Bill's Seafood Restaurant: I'm not sure Barnacle Bill's could pass an honest-to-goodness health inspection, but the food was pretty darn good. The restaurant is at 1830 N. Monroe, within a couple of miles of the old capitol building. One Internet review of the placed raved about the "Little Hotties" that grace the establishment. Far be it from me to mention something so crass in my review, but I will say that the Parmesean Oysters were pretty tasty — Matt even liked them. We both had different variations of the skillet dinner. Mine had shrimp and scallops mixed with sausage, onions and peppers on a bed of rice. Very good.
Crisper's: This is one of those fancy fast-food salad/salad places. It's located a couple of blocks from the paper at 1241 Apalachee Parkway. The salads are creative and good, and if you want to counteract the salad, they have a pretty good bakery with good cookies and other desserts.
Morelia's Mexican Dining: It's not Austin, but Morelia's is a pretty good Mexican food restaurant. It's located at 1400 Village Square Blvd. in a shopping center. I had the Morelia's nachos, and they were fairly standard piled high with guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes and jalapeños. It was way more than one person could eat. Margaritas were pretty decent too. They come in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large and Super. I got the medium, and it was pretty big. I can't imagine how big the super size was. I may have to do more research so I can report back accurately on the blog (only because I want to keep you informed, of course).
Miller's Ale House: (722 Apalachee Parkway) Miller's has a varied menu ranging from salads to baby-back ribs to seafood, including a raw bar. Jeff Robertson said the ribs were pretty good, and Carol-Lyn Jardine gave the hushpuppies a thumbs up. I can vouch for the raw oysters. The restaurant is loud, and it has a large outdoor (but covered) dining area with bar, which offers a decent selection of beer on tap.
Cabo's Grill and Bar: (1221 Apalachee Parkway) If you're a surfing fan, and who isn't, you'll want to check out Cabo's collection of classic longboards. The food is not bad either. The menu is varied, featuring Mexican food, hamburgers and seafood, and the atmosphere is beach-bummy and loud, but it's local and worth checking out for lunch or dinner.
Cypress Restaurant: (320 E. Tennessee) Cypress is an upscale restaurant located a couple of miles from the Residence Inn. The food is excellent and well-presented, but expensive. If you have a significant other in town and want to win a few brownie points, make a reservation. I had the beef tenderloin (rare, of course), which was served on some Yukon gold mashed potatoes and a homemade steak sauce. For dessert, my wife tried the flourless chocolate cake, served with homemade Madagascar vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.
Other things to do
Wakulla Springs: This natural spring located about 15-20 miles from Tallahassee is the largest (by volume) natural spring in the world and sits on a national park. It's close to 200 feet deep, and there are underwater caves that stretch for miles (so I'm told). There's a protected area for swimming, and it is reminiscent of the olden days with diving platforms and a small beach area. A historic lodge overlooks the spring, which stays a constant 70 degrees year-round. The water flowing out of the spring forms a river and a protected environment. For $6 per person, you can take a boat ride on the river and get up close and personal with alligators, manatees, turtles and many species of birds. Entrance to the park is $4, and there are a lot of nice picnic spots.
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge: This large wildlife refuge is only about 10 minutes from Wakulla Springs. Entrance costs $6. We spotted a young black bear just after we entered the park, but other than that and some kind of catlike creature that skittered across the road in front of us, we didn't see much except for a lot of birds. The park borders on the Gulf of Mexico, so you can get down to the ocean, but there's no beach to enjoy. There is an old lighthouse, but you can't go in and it's not that impressive. If you enjoy hiking, this might be a fun place to go; otherwise, try the beach somewhere else.
Kool Beanz Cafe: (921 Thomasville Road): You've got to checkout this eclectic little diner! The menu might be classified as worldly southern, and the menu varies from day to day with a few staples available every day. Prices are a little high by traditional lunch standards, but you won't be disappointed. Don't be afraid to mix and match pairings on the menu. If you'd rather have the creamy grits, they'll be glad to swap them out with the wasabi mashed potatoes.
Samrat Indian Restaurant: Indian food isn't the first thing I think of when I'm looking for a place to dine. That's my way of saying I'm not an expert on what is good and what isn't, but Matt Chatterley and I ate at this little restaurant at 2529 Apalachee Parkway, and we both thought it was pretty good. The decor is nothing to jump up and down about, but the food made it a good experience.
Carlos Cuban Café: Located a few blocks from the newspaper at 402 E. Tennessee, Carlos Cuban Café is a family-owned restaurant with a sparse decor, but the smells that greet you at the door are enticing. Unfortunately, I ordered badly, deciding on a marinated shrimp salad. It was basically iceberg lettuce with some shrimp thrown on top and few peppers and onions scattered around the plate. I should have opted for more traditional Cuban fare. Matt Chatterley liked his sandwich, but I'd have to try it again and order something different to recommend it.
Barnacle Bill's Seafood Restaurant: I'm not sure Barnacle Bill's could pass an honest-to-goodness health inspection, but the food was pretty darn good. The restaurant is at 1830 N. Monroe, within a couple of miles of the old capitol building. One Internet review of the placed raved about the "Little Hotties" that grace the establishment. Far be it from me to mention something so crass in my review, but I will say that the Parmesean Oysters were pretty tasty — Matt even liked them. We both had different variations of the skillet dinner. Mine had shrimp and scallops mixed with sausage, onions and peppers on a bed of rice. Very good.
Crisper's: This is one of those fancy fast-food salad/salad places. It's located a couple of blocks from the paper at 1241 Apalachee Parkway. The salads are creative and good, and if you want to counteract the salad, they have a pretty good bakery with good cookies and other desserts.
Morelia's Mexican Dining: It's not Austin, but Morelia's is a pretty good Mexican food restaurant. It's located at 1400 Village Square Blvd. in a shopping center. I had the Morelia's nachos, and they were fairly standard piled high with guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes and jalapeños. It was way more than one person could eat. Margaritas were pretty decent too. They come in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large and Super. I got the medium, and it was pretty big. I can't imagine how big the super size was. I may have to do more research so I can report back accurately on the blog (only because I want to keep you informed, of course).
Miller's Ale House: (722 Apalachee Parkway) Miller's has a varied menu ranging from salads to baby-back ribs to seafood, including a raw bar. Jeff Robertson said the ribs were pretty good, and Carol-Lyn Jardine gave the hushpuppies a thumbs up. I can vouch for the raw oysters. The restaurant is loud, and it has a large outdoor (but covered) dining area with bar, which offers a decent selection of beer on tap.
Cabo's Grill and Bar: (1221 Apalachee Parkway) If you're a surfing fan, and who isn't, you'll want to check out Cabo's collection of classic longboards. The food is not bad either. The menu is varied, featuring Mexican food, hamburgers and seafood, and the atmosphere is beach-bummy and loud, but it's local and worth checking out for lunch or dinner.
Cypress Restaurant: (320 E. Tennessee) Cypress is an upscale restaurant located a couple of miles from the Residence Inn. The food is excellent and well-presented, but expensive. If you have a significant other in town and want to win a few brownie points, make a reservation. I had the beef tenderloin (rare, of course), which was served on some Yukon gold mashed potatoes and a homemade steak sauce. For dessert, my wife tried the flourless chocolate cake, served with homemade Madagascar vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.
Other things to do
Wakulla Springs: This natural spring located about 15-20 miles from Tallahassee is the largest (by volume) natural spring in the world and sits on a national park. It's close to 200 feet deep, and there are underwater caves that stretch for miles (so I'm told). There's a protected area for swimming, and it is reminiscent of the olden days with diving platforms and a small beach area. A historic lodge overlooks the spring, which stays a constant 70 degrees year-round. The water flowing out of the spring forms a river and a protected environment. For $6 per person, you can take a boat ride on the river and get up close and personal with alligators, manatees, turtles and many species of birds. Entrance to the park is $4, and there are a lot of nice picnic spots.
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge: This large wildlife refuge is only about 10 minutes from Wakulla Springs. Entrance costs $6. We spotted a young black bear just after we entered the park, but other than that and some kind of catlike creature that skittered across the road in front of us, we didn't see much except for a lot of birds. The park borders on the Gulf of Mexico, so you can get down to the ocean, but there's no beach to enjoy. There is an old lighthouse, but you can't go in and it's not that impressive. If you enjoy hiking, this might be a fun place to go; otherwise, try the beach somewhere else.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Austin
Austin is an awesome town for eating. It would be impossible to list all of the good choices, but here are a few to consider:
Hudson's on the Bend — You'll want to save your per diem for a few days before you go to Hudson's, but it will be worth it. Hudson's is a five-star restaurant specializing in wild game and fish. The Espresso-Chocolate-Chili rubbed Smoked Elk Back Strap is unbelievable. Presentation is excellent, and the menu is very creative. You'll spend at least $50 for dinner, and it won't take much to get up to $100, but it's truly a dining experience.
Chuy's — There are more good Tex-Mex restaurants in Austin per capita than any other place in the world. Chuy's is one of my favorites. Make sure you ask for the Jalapeño Ranch dressing for your chips. There's a rumor that they serve pretty good margaritas too. : )
3. Other choices to consider: Austin Java, Shady Grove, Guero's.
Hudson's on the Bend — You'll want to save your per diem for a few days before you go to Hudson's, but it will be worth it. Hudson's is a five-star restaurant specializing in wild game and fish. The Espresso-Chocolate-Chili rubbed Smoked Elk Back Strap is unbelievable. Presentation is excellent, and the menu is very creative. You'll spend at least $50 for dinner, and it won't take much to get up to $100, but it's truly a dining experience.
Chuy's — There are more good Tex-Mex restaurants in Austin per capita than any other place in the world. Chuy's is one of my favorites. Make sure you ask for the Jalapeño Ranch dressing for your chips. There's a rumor that they serve pretty good margaritas too. : )
3. Other choices to consider: Austin Java, Shady Grove, Guero's.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Skycap Charges
I noticed Sunday that American Airlines and United are charging $2 to skycap your luggage (tip not included, of course) at the Salt Lake Airport.
Anyone notice this elsewhere? Any other airlines charging? I'm sure they all will eventually.
Anyone notice this elsewhere? Any other airlines charging? I'm sure they all will eventually.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Extra Delta Skymiles anyone?
Delta is offering up to 2,000 skymiles for people that watch five videos and vote on their favorite. It looks like there are four rounds. I just watched the first set. The destination was Budapest and all of the videos were actually interesting. Well worth the few minutes it took to watch them.
Here is the AJC story today: http://www.ajc.com/search/content/travel/otherdestinations/us_stories/2007/08/03/delta_0806.html
But, you can just go to www.delta.com/challenge to play.
Here is the AJC story today: http://www.ajc.com/search/content/travel/otherdestinations/us_stories/2007/08/03/delta_0806.html
But, you can just go to www.delta.com/challenge to play.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Tip request: Tulsa, OK
Places to eat? Directions from the airport to the hotel areas? Things to do? To avoid?
Thanks,
Danielle
Thanks,
Danielle
Friday, July 27, 2007
Travel tips from Newsweek
As a traveling "newbie" (my first trip is coming up, though), I don't have any personal experiences to share. But The July 30 Newsweek had a few tips for air travel. I'm sure all your experienced folks already know all this.
Title of the article: Happy Tarmac Sitting!
Most-delayed big-city airports that get fewer than 70 percent of flights off on time:
* Chicago O'Hare
* Portland, Maine
* NY Kennedy
* Newark (NJ) Liberty
* Charlotte-Douglas (NC)
* Philadelphia
I'm guessing no one is surprised by those.
To see 10 hours in airplane hell, there's a YouTube video (Delta Flight 6499) that some guy posted about his 10 hours spent on a plane on the tarmac with no food and plenty of crying babies due to unspecified mechanical problems and weather. Haven't watched it (am scared to), but I'm sure it's a dozy.
Newsweek offered these travel tips:
* Research before you buy your ticket
- Avoid busiest airports and busiest times (duh!)
- National Air Traffic Controllers Association (www.natca.org) offers airport-specific reports on how to avoid delays, like "fly mornings at JFK, weekends at Logan"
- At flightstats.com, you can check specific flights and see records of on-time departures and cancellations.
- Check avoiddelays.com, which publishes rankings of the "worst offenders": airlines, flights and airports that had most and longest delays last summer.
- Fly as early in the morning as you can to get in/out before troubles start.
* Book a good ticket
- Passengers who use online travel agents and consolidators to get low prices may be the first people bumped.
- Airlines may work harder to find new flights for their own frequent fliers and those who bought tickets directly from the airline.
- Paper ticket helps you jump to a different carrier more quickly.
- Nonstop flights may be worth the extra money.
- Allow two hours between connecting flights.
- Give yourself a buffer day.
* Use your airport time
- Check in at curbside. (Did I hear AA is charging for this now?)
- Make sure cosmetics and liquids confirm to TSA rules.
- Some airlines take cell phone numbers so they can text message passengers information about changes.
* Bring a sandwich, extension cord (ie, you can't avoid delays)
- Make sure phone is charged.
- Bring phone numbers of all major airlines.
- Bring a good snack with you on the plane. If the flight doesn't have a meal, then you won't get food while stuck on the runway.
- Carry an extension cord so if you're stuck for several hours at the airport, you won't have to crowd around the one outlet by the gate to charge your phone or power up your laptop.
* Be nice, but be tough
- Don't take out your frustrations on a hapless airline employee
- If don't get satisfaction after delay or cancellation, follow up later with a written complaint to the airline. They don't always give the best consolation prizes on the spot, but confronted with your disgruntlement a week or two later, you might get a travel voucher.
Title of the article: Happy Tarmac Sitting!
Most-delayed big-city airports that get fewer than 70 percent of flights off on time:
* Chicago O'Hare
* Portland, Maine
* NY Kennedy
* Newark (NJ) Liberty
* Charlotte-Douglas (NC)
* Philadelphia
I'm guessing no one is surprised by those.
To see 10 hours in airplane hell, there's a YouTube video (Delta Flight 6499) that some guy posted about his 10 hours spent on a plane on the tarmac with no food and plenty of crying babies due to unspecified mechanical problems and weather. Haven't watched it (am scared to), but I'm sure it's a dozy.
Newsweek offered these travel tips:
* Research before you buy your ticket
- Avoid busiest airports and busiest times (duh!)
- National Air Traffic Controllers Association (www.natca.org) offers airport-specific reports on how to avoid delays, like "fly mornings at JFK, weekends at Logan"
- At flightstats.com, you can check specific flights and see records of on-time departures and cancellations.
- Check avoiddelays.com, which publishes rankings of the "worst offenders": airlines, flights and airports that had most and longest delays last summer.
- Fly as early in the morning as you can to get in/out before troubles start.
* Book a good ticket
- Passengers who use online travel agents and consolidators to get low prices may be the first people bumped.
- Airlines may work harder to find new flights for their own frequent fliers and those who bought tickets directly from the airline.
- Paper ticket helps you jump to a different carrier more quickly.
- Nonstop flights may be worth the extra money.
- Allow two hours between connecting flights.
- Give yourself a buffer day.
* Use your airport time
- Check in at curbside. (Did I hear AA is charging for this now?)
- Make sure cosmetics and liquids confirm to TSA rules.
- Some airlines take cell phone numbers so they can text message passengers information about changes.
* Bring a sandwich, extension cord (ie, you can't avoid delays)
- Make sure phone is charged.
- Bring phone numbers of all major airlines.
- Bring a good snack with you on the plane. If the flight doesn't have a meal, then you won't get food while stuck on the runway.
- Carry an extension cord so if you're stuck for several hours at the airport, you won't have to crowd around the one outlet by the gate to charge your phone or power up your laptop.
* Be nice, but be tough
- Don't take out your frustrations on a hapless airline employee
- If don't get satisfaction after delay or cancellation, follow up later with a written complaint to the airline. They don't always give the best consolation prizes on the spot, but confronted with your disgruntlement a week or two later, you might get a travel voucher.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Ice is amazing
Just an FYI, really...
I was in Eugene, OR last week. There's a great restaurant you should visit for lunch (Cafe Yumm!). They make the most delicious rice bowls. Anyway, they have this sauce called Yumm! sauce, that I wanted to buy and bring home. Thanks to the darn terrorists, I can't carry it on, so I had to pack it. Anyway, the sauce must remain refrigerated, so the wife of a guy on-site gave me some Ziploc bags to store ice. I packed the Ziplocs with ice, stuck them with the sauce in the big plastic laundry sack from the hotel, thinking, heck, it will only be 3-ish hours for me to get to the airport, fly to SLC and drive home, so it should be OK.
However, as it so happens to the best laid plans, my 6 a.m. flight was canceled, and I had to wait for the 10:00 flight (of course, this happened after I checked in at the airport). THEN, when we landed in SLC, my luggage wasn't on the plane. So, I had resigned myself to the inevitability of throwing away my Yumm! Sauce. My luggage arrived at my place at 10:00 pm Saturday night. I was coming down with a cold, and I was busy reading Harry Potter, so I decided that the sauce was ruined and it could wait to be unpacked and thrown away Sunday morning. So, Sunday morning, I opened my suitcase only to find that there was still ice in the Ziploc bags!! Of course, some of it had melted and leaked onto my clothes, but my Yumm! sauce was saved. I couldn't believe it. Next time, instead of ice, I might just buy frozen peas and try those instead. So, three cheers for insulation!! Just in case any of you want to transport anything chilled from location to locations...
I was in Eugene, OR last week. There's a great restaurant you should visit for lunch (Cafe Yumm!). They make the most delicious rice bowls. Anyway, they have this sauce called Yumm! sauce, that I wanted to buy and bring home. Thanks to the darn terrorists, I can't carry it on, so I had to pack it. Anyway, the sauce must remain refrigerated, so the wife of a guy on-site gave me some Ziploc bags to store ice. I packed the Ziplocs with ice, stuck them with the sauce in the big plastic laundry sack from the hotel, thinking, heck, it will only be 3-ish hours for me to get to the airport, fly to SLC and drive home, so it should be OK.
However, as it so happens to the best laid plans, my 6 a.m. flight was canceled, and I had to wait for the 10:00 flight (of course, this happened after I checked in at the airport). THEN, when we landed in SLC, my luggage wasn't on the plane. So, I had resigned myself to the inevitability of throwing away my Yumm! Sauce. My luggage arrived at my place at 10:00 pm Saturday night. I was coming down with a cold, and I was busy reading Harry Potter, so I decided that the sauce was ruined and it could wait to be unpacked and thrown away Sunday morning. So, Sunday morning, I opened my suitcase only to find that there was still ice in the Ziploc bags!! Of course, some of it had melted and leaked onto my clothes, but my Yumm! sauce was saved. I couldn't believe it. Next time, instead of ice, I might just buy frozen peas and try those instead. So, three cheers for insulation!! Just in case any of you want to transport anything chilled from location to locations...
Monday, July 23, 2007
Atlanta car rental...
This is more of a funny (kind of) story than a travel tip...
I recently rented a car from Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Atlanta (not at the airport) while my car was being worked on for a few days. It was a Suzuki Reno. I couldn't figure out how to put it in park the first day I had it. (tip: push down on the gear shift to get it to move to reverse or park.) When I went to return it I stopped to fill it with gas. I couldn't figure out where the button was to release the cover thingy to the gas tank. I looked everywhere, but decided to just get the manual out to look it up rather than waste anymore time looking like a complete idiot at the gas station. I opened the packet the manual was in while I was pulling it out a bag of CRACK fell out too!!! I was pleased to know I had been driving around with crack in the glove compartment for four days. I don't think I'll ever be able to rent a car now without checking the glove compartment. lol.
FYI: The gas cover release button is down on the floor by the door on the driver's side.
I recently rented a car from Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Atlanta (not at the airport) while my car was being worked on for a few days. It was a Suzuki Reno. I couldn't figure out how to put it in park the first day I had it. (tip: push down on the gear shift to get it to move to reverse or park.) When I went to return it I stopped to fill it with gas. I couldn't figure out where the button was to release the cover thingy to the gas tank. I looked everywhere, but decided to just get the manual out to look it up rather than waste anymore time looking like a complete idiot at the gas station. I opened the packet the manual was in while I was pulling it out a bag of CRACK fell out too!!! I was pleased to know I had been driving around with crack in the glove compartment for four days. I don't think I'll ever be able to rent a car now without checking the glove compartment. lol.
FYI: The gas cover release button is down on the floor by the door on the driver's side.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
If you enter the airport from the north side, use the credit card you used to rent your car, and you won't have to pay the toll.
Leaving the DFW airport to take the 635 loop north/eastbound, I found this route the easiest:
From rental car area, take your first right (out of car lot), first left, first right (at light), then left at light (at this light, there is a sign pointing you to turn right to pick up the 635. Do not turn right. Turn left instead. You will start to see signs for 635).
If you like Panera Bread (like I do!), there is one just west of highway 80 on a right-side exit while you are on the 635.
If you like ice coffee, the bartender at the Olive Garden on Greenville Ave (just off 635 loop eastbound from DFW) pours a mean one.
The Hampton Inn near the south entrance to DFW is nice and clean and easy accesible to the airport. The Fairfield Inn at the north side of DFW is skanky with limited parking.
Leaving the DFW airport to take the 635 loop north/eastbound, I found this route the easiest:
From rental car area, take your first right (out of car lot), first left, first right (at light), then left at light (at this light, there is a sign pointing you to turn right to pick up the 635. Do not turn right. Turn left instead. You will start to see signs for 635).
If you like Panera Bread (like I do!), there is one just west of highway 80 on a right-side exit while you are on the 635.
If you like ice coffee, the bartender at the Olive Garden on Greenville Ave (just off 635 loop eastbound from DFW) pours a mean one.
The Hampton Inn near the south entrance to DFW is nice and clean and easy accesible to the airport. The Fairfield Inn at the north side of DFW is skanky with limited parking.
Welcome, Travelers
I reminisced recently with fellow trainer Lisa about the scrumptious blackberry cobbler served at the Country Tavern in Kilgore, TX. As our conversation progressed, I wished aloud there was a Web site that posted trainer-tried-and-true information on restaurants, hotels, airport ins & outs, driving routes, and other tips on making our traveling lives easier.
I now propose this one: Trainers' Traveling Tips. It has no official affiliation to DTI. It's just something I'd like us, as a community of travelers, to be able to use to gather and give information to help each other out. If you know a shortcut from DFW to Longview, let us know. If you know a great server at a local restaurant, give us her name. If the traffic in Houston is bad between 8 a.m. and noon, give us the 4-1-1.
I think it would work nicely this way (if you have a better idea, try it and see how it plays out): Simply create a post for the city and state you want to tell us about, and write about it. If the city you want to write about already has a post, add a comment to that post. That way, we can keep the site organized by city.
If you want to post to the blog, you must have a blogger account; you can create one at blogspot.com. If you prefer not to create a blog account, please email me your information, and I will post it for you.
Thanks,
Danielle P
I now propose this one: Trainers' Traveling Tips. It has no official affiliation to DTI. It's just something I'd like us, as a community of travelers, to be able to use to gather and give information to help each other out. If you know a shortcut from DFW to Longview, let us know. If you know a great server at a local restaurant, give us her name. If the traffic in Houston is bad between 8 a.m. and noon, give us the 4-1-1.
I think it would work nicely this way (if you have a better idea, try it and see how it plays out): Simply create a post for the city and state you want to tell us about, and write about it. If the city you want to write about already has a post, add a comment to that post. That way, we can keep the site organized by city.
If you want to post to the blog, you must have a blogger account; you can create one at blogspot.com. If you prefer not to create a blog account, please email me your information, and I will post it for you.
Thanks,
Danielle P
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