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San Diego Hotel Deals and Touring PetCo Park

Travel Blogger — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 21:14:35 +0000

Boy, oh boy. This is going to be one heck of a hot summer! Already the greater Phoenix area is hitting the 100 degree mark. From what I’ve been able to determine from watching sporadic weather forecasts on the television, however, we’re actually a bit behind in hitting that century mark on the thermometer.

Whatever the case, I’m off to enjoy the lovely weather and also get to reap the rewards of having done some good research on San Diego hotel deals.

In case you’re wondering, the only reason I spend any time at all trying to find good hotel deals is because I am allotted a daily stipend that includes the amount I spend for food, hotel, local travel (taxis, shuttles, etc.) and incidentals. For the most part, I’m under the impression this is how a majority of corporations deal with their traveling sales folks, like my company does with me.

photo credit: a4gpa

So, when it comes to booking my own travel, I know that the better deal I’m able to get on my lodging, the more budget I’ll have for the rest of the trip when I get to my location.

Perhaps I could really scrimp and save in an attempt to try and make money on my travel, however, I’m pretty sure the powers that be would eventually reduce our budgets if we were consistently traveling for less than they think we should.

This then just allows me to spend a bit more money on my meals, and if I’m able to take clients out, my expense reports are somewhat less scrutinized when we have a bottle or two of wine with dinner.

In fact, I’m heading out to the Gaslamp District tomorrow to take a tour of PetCo Park Stadium with some prospective clients. Unfortunately, the Padres are out of town, so I’ll not be able to grab a game. Hopefully next time I’m in town!

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Anaheim Convention Center Hotel Pool Parties

Travel Blogger — Sat, 22 May 2010 16:59:35 +0000

photo credit: wipeoutpdr

Oh, my. Just got into Southern California after a hectic busy week up in Seattle. The weather’s starting to really warm up (well, duh, summer is coming!) and travel is generally affected by warmer weather.

As if right on environmental clue, there was a bit of delay at the airport getting off the ground this am. While I don’t know for sure we had to sit on the tarmac for an extra 45 minutes because of the weather, I never rule these things out. But we landed at Orange County Airport without a wing or wheel falling off, so blessings are being counted.

Not completely sure what’s happening this weekend in Souther California. My Anaheim Convention Center Hotel seems to have been invaded by about 40,000 high school seniors (and their parents.)

It seems there’s some sort of shin dig happening at Disneyland for those graduating. So, I suppose the prospect of a quiet time pool side today or tomorrow is pretty unlikely. But that’s okay I guess. These youngsters only get to this point once in their lives.

And I’m not quite old enough yet to be all curmudgeonly and have fits because of the energy and exuberance that is already and will likely be on display all weekend long here. So, I’ll just have to figure out how and where to have some fun myself.

Tell you all about it next time. Hopefully!

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Mother’s Day, New Babies, and Lovely Weather

Travel Blogger — Thu, 13 May 2010 02:55:25 +0000

Was really nice to be able to spend a few days celebrating Mother’s Day with my Mom and some other family members. There was also some unexpected, but completely welcomed news as well. It seems my little niece (well, she’s hardly a little girl now that she’s 23 years old!) is going to be celebrating Mother’s Day next year.

Yup, she’s pregnant with a mid November due date. She and Tony are ecstatic, and my Sister is beside herself now that she’s going to be a grandmother. And Mom, soon to be Great Grandmother has already started buying stuff for the new family addition.

photo credit: stevelyon

So, as I sit here in my L.A. Convention Center Hotel room, I’m just reflecting upon all the fun and excitement that will encompass my family for the next year plus. I know they are really looking forward to bringing a new life into the mix. And I’m grateful because it deflects the attention from the fact that I’m nowhere near being able to produce offspring. I suppose being in a relationship might make that easier, of course!

It’s a beautiful day here in Los Angeles. At just below 70 degrees it’s a little out of season for such cool weather, however, I’m not complaining. Even in Phoenix the temperatures have been cooler for the past few weeks. Just the other day the entire state seemed to be experiencing super gusty winds that were clocked at 25 to 30 miles per hour. While no meteorologist, I wonder if those windy conditions weren’t part of that collision of storms that created all the tornado havoc in Oklahoma and Nebraska last week?

Anyhow, I’ll be looking for someplace nice to dine tonight and then I have several appointments in the greater downtown area of Los Angeles. Will check back in and see what’s happening in the world soon!

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My Super Lucky Mother!

Travel Blogger — Fri, 07 May 2010 22:33:48 +0000

I talked the other day about how I try to get up to see my Mother as much as my schedule allows. I always do my very best to make time to see her for Mother’s Day. If nothing else, I have to make the trek from the Phoenix area where I live (or rather where I pay rent!) up to the Cottonwood, AZ area especially for this holiday.

My sister and her husband live in the area so they are able to spend a lot of time with Mom as she gets a bit more experienced in life. If I don’t do my share to come up and see her, Sis tends to give me plenty of grief about it. Grrr!

photo credit: termie

I had mentioned the La Bella Café in my last post and how wonderful their cheesecake tends to be. I was up that way for my last birthday, and Mom, Sis, and some of their friends joined me for a birthday dinner there.

Since the cafe doesn’t have a wine and beer license, you have to bring your own if you are hoping for some nice libations with your meal. And that’s a really cool thing, actually because they don’t charge any sort of corking fee, so one’s dining budget really can go a long way.

Any how, I mention that birthday dinner because Mom had commissioned an entire cheesecake from them to serve as my birthday cake. I couldn’t have been happier! It was based upon the classic tastes and ingredients of a Snickers candy bar. Only it was cheesecake. Only it was fabulously fantastic! And even though their were 2 pieces left over, I was only able to bring one home with me. Mom was sure to claim the other one!

So, I’m sitting at the DFW airport awaiting the quick flight back to Phoenix. I won’t actually be going home, but instead plan to drive right up Highway 17 from the Airport up to stay with Mom for the weekend. We’ll have brunch with her and the rest of the family on Sunday.

After that, I need to get back down and check into my room at the Phoenix Airport Hotel and get ready for the customer appreciation convention and seminars our company is putting on until May 11th. These are always great times for us sales folks to spend with customers from all over the country. Sure we see them several times a year, but when they come to PHX, they all get to see each other.

Should be a great week. Happy Mother’s Day!

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In and Out of Dallas Too Quickly For My Fave: Cafe Brazil

Thank Goodness For the Phoenix Airport Hotel!

Travel Blogger — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 01:03:11 +0000

Since I had to adjust my schedule to come here to Roanoke, VA to deal with some new client issues, I had to rearrange the rest of my travel as well. As I’ve stated, and you undoubtedly know, it’s a pain in the rump to have to make these changes, but what can you do? Good customer service means there are sometimes challenges that come up and if you’re to stay in the good graces of your PAYING clients, you do what it takes to accommodate.

photo credit: Rob Ireton

Well, as it turns out, I’m now going to be heading straight home to deal with some domestic challenges as well. Based upon a call from a neighbor, I just found out that my water heater died. Maybe imploded is a better term. I’m not completely sure as the information I got was there was a sizable flow of water coming out my garage door and flowing down my driveway.

This is one of those reasons I’m glad I rent my house and don’t own it. At least I had someone to call who could check things out in person. The landlord just called me back and indicated there was some sort of freak water pressure issue and not only was my water heater gushing in the garage, but my master bedroom was also under about 4 inches as well!

Yikes! is right!!

I could go and sleep on the couch for a couple of days, but I think I’ll just stay at the nice, dry, clean Phoenix Airport Hotel instead. I’ve been here before, but usually preceding a trip where I have to fly out earlier than I’d want to wake up and drive to the airport.

Well, for the first time, I’ll be staying at the tail end of my journey while the carpets and padding dry out in my house. Hopefully my landlord will also have the new water heater installed before I get home. Okay, you caught me. This is the real reason I’m staying at the hotel. I cannot imagine being without hot water. So spoiled. What can I say!

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Finding Things To Do While In Roanoke

Travel Blogger — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 23:32:49 +0000

So, it looks like I will be staying here in the Roanoke, VA area a couple days longer than I’d hoped. Changing schedules is never that much fun, especially when you have to make tons of calls to reschedule or cancel other, previously confirmed appointments.

But that’s all in a days work, I suppose. Mostly when I need to make such wholesale changes in my schedule of events I do my best to be kind, courteous and explanatory. Not sure why, but when you provide folks with “reasons” for why things need to change, they tend to be much more accommodating to your requests. I learned this a long time ago.

While looking for some interesting opportunities to participate in with my spare time while in the area I stumbled across this 10 Best site. At first I was a little put off by the amount of advertising. And there was an actual pop up ad or two I’ve had the luxury of enjoying since I was on the site as well.

But once you get beyond their business model, you’ll see they are chock, stock full of interesting tidbits of information that will make a stay anywhere more fun. And the amount of choices are pretty astounding as well. There are castles, museums, town squares filled with historical relevance and many other destinations that promise to be filled with knowledge of that areas past.

Additionally, there are listing pages for current events that one might be able to attend while they are in Roanoke. OH! And the food and night life listings will knock your socks off. While I’m not much of a go out to clubs or bars and party kind of guy, there’s a little something for any and everyone at this website.

I’d highly recommend checking the site out for whatever area you might be visiting. Heck, I’d bet there’s stuff listed for the city you live in that you might not even be aware of. I’ll be checking out Phoenix 10 best when I get home from this sales trip.

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A Quick, Last Minute Virginia Trip

Travel Blogger — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:25:51 +0000

Never a fan of last minute schedule changes, I just found out that I need to fly, lickety split, from Minnesota out to Virginia to take care of some new customers I recently procured there.

I’m trusting the Extended Stay Roanoke will have rooms for me. The last time I was in town (when I actually got these new clients) I stayed there and have to say it was a wonderful place to come back to every evening.

Since this quick trip is coming so last minute, I’ve decided to stay the weekend and much of next week. As such, I’ll need to find some things to do in between the meetings (read: hand holding!) I’ll be doing for the job.

Having been somewhat of a history buff for a while now, I think I may try and explore some of the interesting events that have been immortalized in the surrounding area.

One of the most intriguing attractions (to those of us that care about where we came from, of course!) is Roanoke Island. The attraction within the attraction I’m really excited to see is the Roanoke Adventure Museum, where among other things, they talk about the lost colony headed by Sir Walter Raleigh.

An entire colony just up and missing?! Yikes, I say. Sounds more like the plot of a B or C level movie now days, but it actually happened. I’ve read bits and pieces about this event in the past, but am very much looking forward to learning more at the museum.

Fortunately I packed a light, waterproof wind breaker so the high clouds and light showers in their forecast shouldn’t be much of a challenge for me.

Always the adventurer, I’m able to take these scheduling changes and make the most of them. I know I’ve said it before (and if your read these post things I write long enough, I’ll say it again ) one of the main reasons I opted in to a national sales job had to do with being able to boldly go and seek out new places and people. This really is a great country filled with wonderful people and rich, solid history.

Hope to see you out here one day!

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Beautiful Fargo, North Dakota

Travel Blogger — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 15:51:01 +0000

I traveled to Fargo, North Dakota late last night and have been catching up this morning on a lot of my paperwork for the job. I’m staying at the Mainstay Suites over on 44th and have to say that even though I’ve never been to North Dakota before, I’m blown away by the general beauty and serenity I’ve seen thus far.

The weather has been in the mid to upper 60’s with just a few clouds in an otherwise lovely, clear sky. And by clear sky, I mean clear, clean great to breathe in deep gulps of the lovely air that surrounds this place.

When I grew up (more than just a few years ago!) I remember my first trip to Los Angeles. Even though I was a child of 10, one of the things that really struck me was that haze hanging over the greater metropolitan area. I’d never seen anything like that before. And breathing was definitely more labored during the summer I spent in L.A.

So, when I get to beautiful places like Fargo, I really take the time to appreciate just why people would ever consider living so far away from “real” cities. Obviously, that’s a misnomer. It’s just not a big city.

In fact, I’d have to say it’s more of a really large town. I thought I’d check out a bit more about Fargo, ND so I hit their official website. At less than 200,000 people in the general area, my town analogy is pretty much spot on.

And if that’s not enough to convince you, how about the prospect of the local government being run by a part time mayor? Admittedly, I had to chuckle out loud at this concept! I wonder what the mayor’s day job is?

There’s a lot of farming on the outskirts of this town and the larger region in general. Getting the late assignment to come here was a bit of a shock to me considering we tend to only go to larger cities. But I’m really glad I did, and am very much looking forward to doing some exploring on my next trip out. Can’t wait!

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Sunday Departure to PHX

Travel Blogger — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:20:59 +0000

Ugh. I’ve really gotten to that point in life where I don’t care to do much of anything on Sundays. Not because religious challenges or anything like that. It’s actually more to do with the fact that where I live (somewhat rurally area). The nearest neighbor is about 2 miles away, and while that seems like a ways to city dwellers, it’s really not.

Especially when your house faces and is near the road. Unfortunately, my place is at the head end of the through way so there tends to be a lot of traffic that passes by, Monday through Saturday.

But Sundays I’ve noticed over the years are much quieter; less traffic coming or going. A little in the early morning and early afternoon. Guessing that is about the journey to churches and houses of worship.

Otherwise, it’s lovely to sit out on the porch, read the newspaper. Yes, I’m one of those hold outs that likes to touch the page. I know I’ve gotten my fill when I have to get up and wash the newsprint off my fingers.

But this Sunday I’ll be heading down to the Phoenix Airport Hotel because my schedule forced me to grab a very early flight to Los Angeles. I do my best to avoid early Monday meetings. While I don’t actually have to see anyone until 11:30pm, I am not one to run through airports to make deadlines.

But I’m also not much of a fan of giving up my lovely, contemplative Sundays either. Of course, this happens very rarely, so I really shouldn’t complain. But you needed to know that I’m sacrificing for the sake of low stress traveling.

With today’s silly scans and strip searches, anything a traveler can do to make the journey easier has to be undertaken. If that means trading some stress reduction on Sunday for smooth sailing on Monday morning early, then I suppose I’m all for it.

You have anything that really gets to you in the way of travel peeves? Do share!

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The Great Thing About Saturday Travel

Observing the Changes of the Cityscape

Travel Blogger — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:55:41 +0000

Being able to rent a car and drive out to my Anaheim Convention Center hotel was a nice diversion from my normal travel routine. An average trip segment for me usually sees me driving to PHX (which is smart since I live in the greater Phoenix area ) I have a long term parking place that is great, inexpensive and shuttles me to the airport.

Obviously we all know the trials and tribulations of navigating airport security in our now (mostly) familiar post 9/11 world of airline travel. Once on the plane however, I usually have a few moments to just relax, contemplate the sales efforts just completed, and focus on the next stop of the journey.

It’s usually during these times that I try and share some thoughts about the wonderful and exciting world of business travel. Okay, that last statement might be stretching it a bit. But I do my best to share the good, the bad, and what I’d only be able to consider my little insightful observations.

My time in Anaheim was so busy that I was completely unable to spare even a few moments to share some of those observations. Now, however, after dropping off the car and settling in for the flight to Denver I’ve relaxed and am feeling insightful. A nice airline cocktail can often have that affect. Don’t worry, I’m not going to expense that one!

The other day I spoke about L.A. becoming the set for Blade Runner. Being able to drive from LAX down to Anaheim and back a few days later really just confirmed that they are going to start building straight up before long!

As we cruise towards Denver and I’m finishing up this post I find myself reflecting on the changes that I get to see as I revisit the various metropolitan areas around our country. Usually the changes are subtle. I building gone from here; a new one over there. Roads are widened, but rarely narrowed. A different restaurant in the space that I ate last time I was here. That sort of thing.

So, off to Denver to discover the changes, additions, subtractions. After 5 or so days there, back to the California life with a stop in San Francisco. Sure hope Sam Wo’s is still there!

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The Great Thing About Saturday Travel