And the travel season begins.....again

You would think that after five years of official road warrior status, that I would get used to packing a suitcase and hopping behind the wheel.  But yesterday as I was leaving, I found myself packing everything but the kitchen sink, running way behind, and still not remembering everything I needed to bring.  The only thing that I can say I have adapted to with work travel is that a 500 mile drive doesn't seem long anymore....

Here is to a productive, profitable, and somewhat enjoyable year on the road to all my fellow road warriors! 

Bring Hotel Confirmation Numbers With You!

So I rolled into my hotel lady night about 1:30am.  The doors were locked, and I had to wait about 10 minutes for the front desk clerk to come back to let me in.  The parking lot was packed, a sure sign of a sold-out hotel. 

Once inside, he promptly informed me that he had no rooms left.  I told him that I had a reservation.  He told me all confirmed guests had checked in.  So...being patient and kind, confirmed I was at the correct hotel and then showed him my confirmation number.  He advised I had already checked in.  Since I'm standing I'm front of him, and I hadn't remembered to drive the warp-speed work truck, knew he was mistaken.  I showed the kind gentleman my confirmation number and he have me a key.

Upon entry into said hotel room, I was convinced that I would be met by an angry husband wondering what I was doing in their room.  Turns out, it WAS empty.  But the lesson learned here is always have your confirmation number handy.

I use Worldmate, a free app for Android and Apple, that tracks all your travel data, hotels, rental cars, airline tickets, etc on one site.  There are a few other good ones out there too, such as TripIt.

But I'll never leave home without my cell phone, and now, my confirmation numbers!

If you can, mix pleasure with work!

Spending a few days in Texas for work this week and have the pleasure if handing out with my buddy Adam and his family this weekend.  It really makes a work trip go by a lot faster when you can kill the down time with good friends and good times.

I learned a few other lessons last night...while at a Counting Crows concert, you cannot reserve a standing only spot.  Also...sometimes limos are cheaper than cabs...

Audible.com is my best travel companion

Earlier this year I signed up for an audible.com membership as I was tired of heating the same songs on the radio, or Pandora, or wherever.  And thought I should geta little more well "read".  So far, I love audible.com! 

I've listened to over 20 books (at an average of 9 hours per audio book).  This is roughly 180 hours of listening while on the road...and was just granted Audible.com Novice status...are you kidding me?!?  I feel like I should be audio book champ by now.  So I looked up what there Expert status required and its almost a year's worth if time.  Now that is some serious road time, our that person doesn't have a life. 

In spite of my perceived slight, I'll keep listening.  Check it out if you hit the road like me.  You'll either get smarter or at least be entertained.

Southwest Kansas is REALLY flat!

SW Kansas its so flat that I saw an Army helicopter squadron coming from 10 miles away. It felt like I watched them for an hour. Later I drove over an ant hill, I think I squashed the highest point of elevation in Kansas.

Last minute travel stinks

It's not a big surprise that last minute flights and travel expenses are expensive and add up fast.  I just booked a flight for Monday to Chicago...and after looking all over the Web, found that empty first class seats could be gotten CHEAPER than the economy seats that were left (i.e. exit row and economy plus seats only)

So if you have to travel at the drop of a hat, spend a little time online and shop around.

Small Towns....at least they have cable

I find myself in small town Oklahoma tonight.  One hotel to choose from...at least they have cable.  I wonder what people would do when on the road, in a small town, in the only hotel if there wasn't cable.  I know this sounds pretty spoiled, but such is the world we live in...

Schlafly Brewery is a good place to spend a Saturday afternoon

So I find myself in Saint Louis once again....and I'm finally checking out Schlafly Brewery.  What a gray place to spend a warm fall Saturday afternoon...  This is about the best way to celebrate Oktoberfest in the US I can think of.

Well, we are in the heart of Oktoberfest...

So in the last few weeks I've hit the road quite a bit again.  And this leads to me inevitably having to tip a few of the local brews with friends, customers, and sometimes strangers.  Since we are in the heart of Oktoberfest (which traditionally runs in Munich from September 19th through October 3rd), I figured I'd do my best to put together a truly scientific review of some of the best Oktoberfest brews I can get my hands on.  Here's a run down on the last five samplings...

Number 5:     Samual Adams Octoberfest

Obviously Sam Adams is one of the bigger names in the world of craft beer.  But just because The Boston Beer Company, Inc is publicly traded now doesn't mean they can't crank out good beer still.  If you're in need of a little holiday (yes, Oktoberfest is a holiday) cheer and you don't know any other labels in the cooler at your local liquer store, you can't go wrong with this choice.  Pretty mild, not too hoppy, and easy to drink!

Number 4:   Schell's Oktoberfest

Since August Schell Brewing Company has been in business in New Ulm, MN since 1860, it would make sense that Schell's Oktoberfest has stood the test of time.  This is a great beer, a little stronger note on the hops, but is really fun to drink when the sun is shining and the leaves are falling.  Just remember to bring a bottle opener!

Number 3:  Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest

From the home of hte Leinie Lodge in Chippewa Falls, WI, comes a very good Oktoberfest seasonal beer from the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company.  This is a bit spicy of Leinie menu, but has a very good flavor.  The other good news is that you can buy it just about anywhere for about $8.00 a six pack!  Great beer...

Number 2: Boulevard Bob's '47 Oktoberfest

A fairly newcomer to the Marzen Oktoberfest lineup, Kansas City's very own Boulevard Brewing Company has come to the table with a very good option for your fall festivity menu!  Bob's '47 Oktoberfest is a strong, crisp and tasty choice for any of you who like a little color and zest in your beer.  I highly recommend checking this one out.



Last but not least NUMERO UNO: Schlafly's Oktoberfest

If you've ever talked to me about beer before (it's a top five topic in my world), then you'll know that I'm a big fan of Schlafly Bottleworks and The Saint Louis Brewery, Inc.!  They put out great beer all year long.  But if you happen to find yourself in the St. Louis or Kansas City areas, do yourself a favor and pick up a six-pack of their seasonal Oktoberfest.  It certainly is spicy, a little dark, and smooth as silk.  This is a great beer to crack open in front of a camp fire and tell fish stories to all your buddies.

If anyone is looking for any resources on this article, I highly recommend http://www.beeradvocate.com/.  You can also visit any of these companies through their respective websites.  Please note that you must be 21 years of age to puruse their sites.  Drink responsibly everyone, but drink well!



It's been a long three months...

It's been awhile since I've written about my travels.  The last three months have taken me all over the United States, through 18 states and over 11,400 miles of windshield time.  I've seen lots of painted lines on miles and miles of road.  I thought I'd get back on the proverbial blogging saddle by telling you about some of the best....and worst experiences I've had on the road since January.

Top 5 WORST Experiences from the road...

5)  Cheap Motels- I don't do this very often, but on two separate occasions, I just grabbed the first hotel room I could find (at 1:00am).  In both cases, I got an inexpensive hotel, with a bed, bathroom, TV, towels, and hand soap.  But in no way shape or form did I get a good experience.  In both cases, I couldn't wait to wake up from the rock called a bed so that I could check out before the drug dealers checked in.  Lesson #5- you get what you pay for almost all the time...

4) Fast Food Restaurants- This is really a no brainer, but when you're on the road for 48 out of 60 days, it's probably not healthy to eat at McDonald's (or the BK Lounge, or anywhere else your food is served in less than 3 minutes) for every meal.  In spite of this knowledge, I find myself in line at the drive through again.  Someone just kick me...

3) Company Fleet Trucks- Now this one could go either way.  One could make the argument for this item to be on the "pro" side of the column, since I neither have to pay for the truck nor fuel and maintenance.  But since I don't pay these bills, I don't get to pick the level of comfort my chariot provides.  Therefore, it's uncomfortable seats, old-school crank windows and manual locks, and virtually no radio reception.  This equals a lot of bad singing...

Downtown St. Louis

2) 5:00 Traffic- Now if you don't live or drive through a large city very often, this might not mean much to you.  After all, I have yet to find a true traffic jam in South Dakota due to the clock striking 5.  However, I assure you that in many metropolitan areas throughout our great nation truly do have a traffic problem.  If I lived in any one of these areas, I would learn the term "tele-commuter" quite well.

1) Tornadoes you can't see-  I really should say all bad weather.  It's no fun driving in a bad rain storm, but it's really not fun knowing that this storm might bite you too!  This happened to occur to me in Little Rock, AR.  But I again drove in a rough storm outside of Wichita, KS...and there's nothing to stop the storm there!  Bad weather makes driving miserable...from blizzards to hail storms, they're all bad.

Now, Top 5 BEST Experiences from the road...

Damn good Pina Colada

5)  Free Hotel Upgrades- Many of you know that I stay in A LOT of hotels each year.  When you get personal letters from the corporate offices, you know you've paid a few of their bills.  But one of the best perks that comes with brand loyalty is free upgrades.  I'm almost embarrassed at the size of some of the rooms I've stayed in.  Have to say it's nice, since it's my home away from home...but still a bit ridiculous. 

4) Invites for home cooking- Please reference #4 worst from my list...I have been lucky enough to develop some good relationships in the areas where I roam.  I am very appreciative to those folks that understand my life this time of year and know how much I get tired of restaurants, both good and bad.  Nothing beats home-cooking...ever!

Me on Naples Pier- Naples, FL

3) Sunshine and 75- I tell you what, when it's still cold as hell and snowing like a banshee at home, I don't mind having to travel in sunshine and 75 degrees.  One major benefit of my territory is nice weather in February and March (most of the time).  It just makes you feel better.

2) Productivity-  I don't travel that often for pure pleasure.  Most of my miles are driven in chase of the almighty dollar.  So it's nice to see many parts of our country awake from the deep-freeze of the recession.  Lots of people are going back to work...it's good to see!

St. Patrick's Day- Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA

1) COMING HOME!- The very best, I mean VERY BEST, part of my travels is when I get to come home.  Nothing beats the feeling of two little munchkins tackling you as you come through the door.