Author Archives: Neil

National Park Kick: Grand Canyon

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Neil

Our favorites: Do: Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point (12 miles; 3,000′ elevation change – very strenuous and worth every bit!) Eat: Dinner – El Tovar Dining Room

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You find the coolest people in the most remote places.

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Neil

The craziness of the Grand Canyon can’t really be described in words so I won’t bother trying. You have to go there yourself. I’ve noticed a phenomenon common to almost all national parks: the more difficult the place is to … Continue reading →

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National Park Kick: Joshua Tree

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Neil

Our favorites: Do: Ryan Mountain Trail; 49 Palms Trail Eat: Brunch – Crossroads Cafe (Joshua Tree, CA) Stay: Harmony Motel (Twentynine Palms, CA)

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Welcome to the desert

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Neil

We’re currently on Interstate 40 heading toward Arizona after spending about 50 miles on a section of the original Route 66. Yesterday was a busy day of hiking. 6.6 miles total on four separate hikes. The most spectacular one was … Continue reading →

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Virgin America. Two Thumbs Up.

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Neil

  Virgin America may have surpassed JetBlue as my favorite American airline. Our flight was delayed 75 minutes because of storms 12 hours earlier in the day … way to go O’Hare! When we arrived at our gate, the staff … Continue reading →

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The departure day is here!

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Neil

The day is finally here! Early this evening we’ll be heading off on our great Southwest road trip. Before we go, I’ll take a moment to introduce our co-pilots, husband ad wife duo, Emily and Jake, who arrived in Chicago from … Continue reading →

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Kick of the Week: San Francisco

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Neil

Our favorites: Do: Alcatraz (book well ahead!) Do: Bike rental in Golden Gate Park (Wheel Fun Rentals) See: Coit Tower (view from the top) Drink: Top of the Mark Eat: Brunch – Squat & Gobble Eat: Dinner – L’Ardoise

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Grand Ambitions

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Neil

A couple months ago, we thought it might be a great idea to spend the night at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. You typically have to plan 13 months ahead to stay in the hotel lodge at Phantom Ranch, … Continue reading →

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Kick of the Week: New Orleans

Posted on March 17, 2012 by Neil

Our favorites: Do: Voodoo/Cemetery walking tour (ask for Creole Gwen, and beware of Priestess Miriam!) Do: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve Drink: Cure See: Louisiana State Museum  – Katrina and Beyond exhibit Eat: Brunch – The Lucky Ladle Eat: Dinner – Sylvain

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Our first road trip rule: Book ahead

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Neil

On the very first night of our first trip together, we learned an important money-saving tip: Always book hotels ahead of time. We left Chicago on a Friday night after work and headed toward South Carolina. Our idea was to drive as … Continue reading →

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