Feeling like it's time to run again. I've been climbing the walls lately with only a few day trips under way over this long, long winter. Now that spring is starting to creep in ever so slowly - it's time to start planning. And it looks like Chicago is going to be the winner!
We'll be off to see our favorite couple who had the fabulous Las Vegas wedding last November. I've been promising Cat of Chicago that we would visit - and now we will. I haven't been to Chicago in years and Adam has never been - poor boy. He'll be in for a treat! From what I remember Chicago has some amazing food! There is a place that has the best burittos that I think I've ever had (we'll be sure to post when we return as I can't remember the name of the restuarant now). And, of course the famous Chicago deep-dish pizza!
It looks as if the weekend will be May 20th - I'm so excited. We probably won't get to review a hotel during this venture, but there will be lots of other events to write about when we return!
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Monday, April 24, 2006
Weekend vistas
A very mello Weekend for Lizzie. Friday she went out for dinner after having gone to Otts exotic plants nursery. Wow what a lot of strange plants. It's like a trip to a rain forest. And evan more unbelievable is the fact that they dont have a web site. Their facilities are definitely web worthy.
Then Lizzie and I headed out in search of an outstanding meal. Several places we stopped at were very crowded so ended up at a pub, called Ortino's Northside. To be fair, Lizzie and I both had salads, so we don't think we had a great sample of their faire. The portions were ample though, and the food of the other patrons looked very appetizing. The wine and beer selection was very respectable. Will have to make another trip.
Lizzie went out with her good friend on Saturday, and visited the American Grill in Collegeville, not once, but twice in the same evening. Hmm must be good food. All I know, the desert is quite tasty.
Then on Sunday, Lizzie visited the Cold Stone outside of Coventry. We never go away hungry from that place. Lizzie and I would have shared, but she likes chocolate a little too much for me, and the Boston Cream was just calling my name.
And that was the end of Lizzies weekend. But fear not, trips are on the horizon.
Then Lizzie and I headed out in search of an outstanding meal. Several places we stopped at were very crowded so ended up at a pub, called Ortino's Northside. To be fair, Lizzie and I both had salads, so we don't think we had a great sample of their faire. The portions were ample though, and the food of the other patrons looked very appetizing. The wine and beer selection was very respectable. Will have to make another trip.
Lizzie went out with her good friend on Saturday, and visited the American Grill in Collegeville, not once, but twice in the same evening. Hmm must be good food. All I know, the desert is quite tasty.
Then on Sunday, Lizzie visited the Cold Stone outside of Coventry. We never go away hungry from that place. Lizzie and I would have shared, but she likes chocolate a little too much for me, and the Boston Cream was just calling my name.
And that was the end of Lizzies weekend. But fear not, trips are on the horizon.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Philly Cheese Steak
We have been critizied. Sam says we never go any where, so why do you have a travel blog. Well I guess everyone has to start somewhere. It also wouldn't be the best to leave to travel with a house full of kids. So we travel as much as a middle aged couple with kids can. Our most recent over night trip was to Philedelphia. Actually we had two separate trips to Philly. And neither time I believe did we have a Cheese steak. Although I hear they are suppose to be tremendous. I did have one yesterday from the only pizzeria in Oaks, PA. Oaks is about 45 minutes from Philly, or 10 minutes from Valley Fordge. (great bike riding) Actually was a chicken cheese steak with peppers. Sandwiches come either 12" or 18". HMMM. Thankfully I work not too far from their so I can eat them at least weekly. If you get to Oaks, the pizzereia is off of 422 heading into Oaks on the left just past the underpass. Great selection of pizza slices also. Oh they are closed on Monday.
Back to our Philly trips. On the first trip, we took Lizzie's daughter to Philly for a night. I had a business meeting in the evening, so it was convient for me to stay there. The two girls went and had dinner at the Independence Brew Pub by the Reading Terminal Market. Lizzie and I have eaten there numerous times. Quite a nostalgic place. It is quite the hang out on weekends, with several bars and pool tables up stairs. Ah , ya gotta love it...Independent label fresh brew beer and pool....hmmmmm....Homer would be in paradise. Not that Lizzie and her daughter had any beer. Then they went back to the hotel and watched tv in the comfort of their Hilton Gardens hotel, a very fine 3 star hotel. They treat Lizzie jr like a princess...free skittles. I on the other hand had to make my way from the Hilton Gardens to Cherry Hill, NJ which was very accessble via rt 30. The following morning we made out way down to the Reading Terminal Market and had an unremarkable breakfast at the dinner that was located inside the market.
I then left the two laddies to wander around Philly, while I went to my sons Reading Junior Royals finals. What a remarkable game it was indeed. My sons team came in first for the tournament and the season. 4 games that weekend, of which all three were amazing. The boys lost one and won 3, and due to the Delaware Ducks team coming in second they placed first. The finals where at held at the Hatfield arena, which is great because of the wonderful cosy seats. Usually these cold arenas have cold metal bleechers.
While my sons team was winning the playoffs, the girls were busy walking and shopping in China town. Lizzie managed to find an Astro Boy wallet( she loves Astro Boy) She also bought a few little things for the boys. They then hopped a train to meet me in Ambler. This in itself was a treat for Lizzie's daugher.
The second trip, involved taking two of Lizzies sons to Philly. We got to Philly on Saturday morning, checked in to our four star Loews hotel room, and then headed out to Philly. The rooms were adequate, but the staff was really friendly and helpful. Also, if you want to bring your cats or dog, Loews is pet friendly. The bed however, needed a little help. Not quite the memory foam I am used to sleeping on. My back was in terrible shape for the next entire week or so.
Went to the terminal market and checked out the shops. Went back to the hotel and took a nap, paid a 10 fee each to use their luxurious health facilities. Quite a nice hotel gym. If you feel like being pampered and are willing to pay the extra fees, this is quite a nice little spa. Then after napping, we headed to South Street for dinner. We ate at Johnny Rockets, a little diner that is a 1950 ice cream shop type restaurant . Great shakes, and a fun atmosphere make this a great place to bring kids.
After dinner, we walked around a bit more checking out the various South Street shops, then caught a taxi back to the hotel. We all ordered room service and watched a movie.
The next morning we got up, checked out and walked around in search of breakfast. Numerous places that Lizzie had jaunted as a college student were visited, but ended up at Little Pete's diner. Nice breakfast. Not sure if it had a bath room.
After breakfast, we ambled around the shops in Philly(tower records and others) then headed back to Boyertown.
Back to our Philly trips. On the first trip, we took Lizzie's daughter to Philly for a night. I had a business meeting in the evening, so it was convient for me to stay there. The two girls went and had dinner at the Independence Brew Pub by the Reading Terminal Market. Lizzie and I have eaten there numerous times. Quite a nostalgic place. It is quite the hang out on weekends, with several bars and pool tables up stairs. Ah , ya gotta love it...Independent label fresh brew beer and pool....hmmmmm....Homer would be in paradise. Not that Lizzie and her daughter had any beer. Then they went back to the hotel and watched tv in the comfort of their Hilton Gardens hotel, a very fine 3 star hotel. They treat Lizzie jr like a princess...free skittles. I on the other hand had to make my way from the Hilton Gardens to Cherry Hill, NJ which was very accessble via rt 30. The following morning we made out way down to the Reading Terminal Market and had an unremarkable breakfast at the dinner that was located inside the market.
I then left the two laddies to wander around Philly, while I went to my sons Reading Junior Royals finals. What a remarkable game it was indeed. My sons team came in first for the tournament and the season. 4 games that weekend, of which all three were amazing. The boys lost one and won 3, and due to the Delaware Ducks team coming in second they placed first. The finals where at held at the Hatfield arena, which is great because of the wonderful cosy seats. Usually these cold arenas have cold metal bleechers.
While my sons team was winning the playoffs, the girls were busy walking and shopping in China town. Lizzie managed to find an Astro Boy wallet( she loves Astro Boy) She also bought a few little things for the boys. They then hopped a train to meet me in Ambler. This in itself was a treat for Lizzie's daugher.
The second trip, involved taking two of Lizzies sons to Philly. We got to Philly on Saturday morning, checked in to our four star Loews hotel room, and then headed out to Philly. The rooms were adequate, but the staff was really friendly and helpful. Also, if you want to bring your cats or dog, Loews is pet friendly. The bed however, needed a little help. Not quite the memory foam I am used to sleeping on. My back was in terrible shape for the next entire week or so.
Went to the terminal market and checked out the shops. Went back to the hotel and took a nap, paid a 10 fee each to use their luxurious health facilities. Quite a nice hotel gym. If you feel like being pampered and are willing to pay the extra fees, this is quite a nice little spa. Then after napping, we headed to South Street for dinner. We ate at Johnny Rockets, a little diner that is a 1950 ice cream shop type restaurant . Great shakes, and a fun atmosphere make this a great place to bring kids.
After dinner, we walked around a bit more checking out the various South Street shops, then caught a taxi back to the hotel. We all ordered room service and watched a movie.
The next morning we got up, checked out and walked around in search of breakfast. Numerous places that Lizzie had jaunted as a college student were visited, but ended up at Little Pete's diner. Nice breakfast. Not sure if it had a bath room.
After breakfast, we ambled around the shops in Philly(tower records and others) then headed back to Boyertown.
Monday, April 17, 2006
Washington DC Day Trip
Had a short day trip to DC for a class trip. Inspite of a little sickness the trip was very nice. Started out by going to the Arlington Cemetery . Upon arrival we walked up to the Arlington House because Lizzie has a distant relation to General Lee who once lived there. After the Arlington House, we walked down to The Tomb of the Unknowns and caught the end of the changing of the guards. The precision and dedication of the guards is so awsome.
Next we headed down to the bus and to fruitlessly hunt for a coke. Lizzie was still feeling ill from what we thought was the bus ride, but latter found out was a stomach virus that was going around.
We boarded the bus at the designated time and then left to have lunch on a senic vista. Well I guess that is what you can call the park by the Lincoln monument. We found a park bench and started to eat our lunches while looking out onto the Potamac River. Only a few bites into her lunch though, Lizzie became very sick. The rest of the trip she spent sitting in park benches or theatre seats.
After lunch we were dropped off at the Air and Space Museum and then told to meet back at the museum of Natural History to view a movie. We managed to walk to the Hirshorn museum. And at this point we had the most exicting part of our trip(other than Lizzie spewing) was when we witnessed a robin chasing a squirrel around the garden. Not something you see everyday. The bird chased the squirrel into a hedge of bushes and down the entire length of the hedge. Quite a funny site.
Another highlight of the trip was the demonstration of the migrant workers who were protesting the recent changes in legislation. We had to cross through their demonstration inorder to get to our next stop.
We made our way to the Museum of Naturual Hisory to watch a really nice 3D movie about the four animals in Africa. The hightlight for us came at the end of the movie, when Lizzie again had to get sick and was only able to relieve herself by using her sweater.
After cleaning up we made our way back to the bus and headed home.
Well we made it home with no further problems. We will have to make another trip to the capitol when Lizzie feels better.
Next we headed down to the bus and to fruitlessly hunt for a coke. Lizzie was still feeling ill from what we thought was the bus ride, but latter found out was a stomach virus that was going around.
We boarded the bus at the designated time and then left to have lunch on a senic vista. Well I guess that is what you can call the park by the Lincoln monument. We found a park bench and started to eat our lunches while looking out onto the Potamac River. Only a few bites into her lunch though, Lizzie became very sick. The rest of the trip she spent sitting in park benches or theatre seats.
After lunch we were dropped off at the Air and Space Museum and then told to meet back at the museum of Natural History to view a movie. We managed to walk to the Hirshorn museum. And at this point we had the most exicting part of our trip(other than Lizzie spewing) was when we witnessed a robin chasing a squirrel around the garden. Not something you see everyday. The bird chased the squirrel into a hedge of bushes and down the entire length of the hedge. Quite a funny site.
Another highlight of the trip was the demonstration of the migrant workers who were protesting the recent changes in legislation. We had to cross through their demonstration inorder to get to our next stop.
We made our way to the Museum of Naturual Hisory to watch a really nice 3D movie about the four animals in Africa. The hightlight for us came at the end of the movie, when Lizzie again had to get sick and was only able to relieve herself by using her sweater.
After cleaning up we made our way back to the bus and headed home.
Well we made it home with no further problems. We will have to make another trip to the capitol when Lizzie feels better.
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