New Week, New City!

Well, here I am in one of the U.S.' greatest cities: Chicago! I must admit, this is my first time in this city, and it will NOT be my last! This is the most INCREDIBLE place! It is amazing to think that I get PAID to travel to these wonderful places! I am truly a blessed individual!

Another indication of my truly good luck is the timing of my visit! This last Saturday was "Venetian Night", which is a celebration of the Italian influence in the city, highlighted by a evening lighted boat parade and a fireworks display, launched from barges on Lake Michigan. I was told by one of the locals that this fireworks display is second in size to the 4th of July display. I must say, if this was 2nd, I cannot IMAGINE what the 4th looks like! Unreal! I also made the brilliant move to check on a boat tour of the city that evening, which wound up being an architectural tour of the city down the Chicago River, followed by a trip onto Lake Michigan for a lake view of the fireworks. I cannot begin to describe the wonder and beauty of seeing some of the most spectacular fireworks I have ever seen, and to see them against the majesty of the Chicago skyline! What an experience! If you ever want to take a trip to Chicago, make sure to come during Venetian Night and take this cruise! You will never forget it!

Seeing the Chicago skyline at night is another reason that taking a boat tour of the city toward the evening is a great idea. Try to go on the last tour, or the sunset tour. I assure that you won't be disappointed! The beauty of the sun setting behind the metal mountains of Chicago is breathtaking to say the least! The tour that I took (aboard "Chicago's Little Lady") was a marvelous way to see the city, and learn incredibly interesting facts about the city. There are things that you may never discover about the city if you don't take one of these tours. For an example, we passed a building that in itself was beautiful (a 6-7 story red brick building covered in ivy), but the building was not the impressive part; what occured on that site was. This was the very spot that Abraham Lincoln was given the nomination for President of the United States. The tour guides are incredibly knowledgeable, funny, and insightful. The guide that we had was also somewhat of a local celebrity, as he appeared in a scene of the movie "Risky Business". He was the waiter in the scene where Tom Cruise and Rebecca De Mornay are dining in the restaurant on top of the John Hancock tower. While you may not end up with this local legend as your tour guide, I assure you will get just as good of a tour from any of the guides. This is a great way to see the city!

Another great way is by taking a ride to the top of the Sears Tower. This was breathtaking! The line to purchase tickets and ascend in the elevators is very long, so be sure to go very early, as part of a tour group, or around 5:00 pm, as this is the slow period (as it is dinner time). This is a must do in Chicago. The ability to stand atop (or nearly the top) of the 3rd highest building in the world (and the highest tower in the United States) is something you cannot miss. On a clear day, you are able to see 4 states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin). Unfortunately during my visit, there was not a lot of wind and was therefore quite hazy. Nevertheless, the view is one you cannot describe with words. I have placed a few pics on the site for you to see. This is one terrific site!

Oh, and let me just say that I got one of the greatest thrills a sports fan can have...I attended a Cubs game at the iconic Wrigley Field! "The Friendly Confines", as it is so nicknamed, is one of the most incredible places to see a game! I was able to get a wonderful seat (15 rows from the field, just above the Cubs dugout) and to see a game here HAS to be experienced. The history of the park, the splendor of the ivy-covered outfield walls, and the insane crowd are things that make a trip to Wrigley Field something that must be experienced even if you aren't a baseball fan! It was magical. The energy was amazing, and the fans of the Cubs are some of the most entertaining and wonderful I have ever been around! What a blast!

Needless to say, my time in Chicago has been marvelous! Next stop, back to Mississippi! I will be traveling to Vicksburg, MS (near the Louisiana border) for a project. I am looking forward to my return. It is actually a very lovely state, and hopefully there will be time for me to get to New Orleans while I am there. It is about a 3 hour drive, but it would be WELL worth it!

Home at LAST!

Well, I have managed to make it home for a few days before my departure to another adventure! I came back from New Mexico and immediately made my way back to the beauty and temperate climate of Temecula, CA. I LOVE it there, and I really would consider making that my home down the road. I spend the better part of a week there before returning to Vegas.

I'll be heading out to Chicago on Thursday, which will be very exciting, as I have never been able to explore the city before. Hopefully I will be able to make it to Wrigley Field and catch a Cubs game while I'm there! More from the road later!

Changing of the format

Thus begins the rant of the day:

Ok, so now that I AM the roaming gnome, I thought this would be a good spot to let all family, friends, and anyone else who might be interested, know about my travels around the country and the world as a corporate trainer in the gaming business! Having said that, I will catch everyone up on where I have been in the last two months.

June saw me starting out in Tunica, Mississippi (one week after my knee surgery, by the way!) I flew into Memphis, and drove 30 miles over the Mississippi border to Tunica. It is a very quaint area, and getting to see the Southern leg of the mighty Mississippi River was awe-inspiring! It is quite amusing to have seen the start of the river while living in Minnesota, and now the Southern portion! While on this trip, I was able to shoot back up to Memphis to tour Graceland (Elvis Presley's home), as well as Beale Street, the home of the Blues! The food was AMAZING! I got to eat world famous ribs at the Blues City Cafe (featured on the Food Network). I will post a few pics of the trip for all to enjoy!

Next I went to Espanola, New Mexico (15 miles North of Santa Fe). I was able to spend time in Santa Fe, as well as meeting up with Millie and Ben (my aunt and uncle) and Jeff (my cousin) who lives nearby. The weather was challenging, but it is wonderful to see rain for once! Unfortunately, the system that we were installing was not functioning, so I wound up leaving the property and going to Temecula, California for a week.

Temecula is one of my favorite spots. It is just North of San Diego, one of my absolute favorite places in the world! I was able to visit Zarco's Cigar Lounge in old town Temecula, as well as get to some of the wonderful wineries in the Temecula Valley! I also enjoyed a jazz concert at Thornton Winery, and as most of you know, I am a HUGE jazz fan! I saw Hiroshima and Acoustic Alchemy. They were FANTASTIC! What a great show! An intimate atmosphere in the winery's courtyard, and only about 500 people there! It was like a private concert!

Today, I have returned to New Mexico to finish the project we began a few weeks ago. My fingers are crossed that things will finally be back on track so that we can complete the training. Next week, I will be back in Temecula. YEAH! Mom, Dad, and Kristie are coming out to meet me there! I am so excited!