Domestic Travel
Published: 10/22/2011 at Richard Gonzalez
T-minus 7 days. Please forgive me in advance, but I'm in full countdown mood for my vacation. Typically, the idea of boarding a plane and flying some 20k feet doesn't excite me, but for whatever reason this trip that I'm taking in the aforementioned seven days is a long time coming. If I have caught your attention, you may be waiting for me to divulge where it is that I'm going -- and I promise that at some point I will, just not right now.
Domestically, I have seen quite a lot. A cross country trip with my family when I was 14 took care of most of the country -- but it was one of those trips that was planned out by adults with a certain time limit pre-calculated for each spot. But, when someone asks me if I ever been to New Mexico, I can say with full confidence that I was...even though I can't recall one single thing about it.
So, due to the fact that I've spoken about taking a trip inside the walls of the good ol' USA, that should have narrowed your thoughts on where I'm going. But before I let the proverbial cat out of the bag, I want to share some spots that was in the hunt for being the host of my holiday escape.
Bare in mind that I did go the route of maybe going to a Caribbean island, but the truth is I've done that...and due to the fact that I live int he tropics, it really didn't offer up that 'something new' factor. So, here was my short list:
Boston, MA - My hometown. Every time I visit, and it really isn't as often as I would like, I hear Bruce Springstein's song about it being my hometown. I have long lasting friendships that still reside there and I make it a point to stop by when I'm local to some of the many bars and restaurants. But other then that, Boston is a sea of history. The Freedom Trail that runs 2 1/5 miles takes visitors to see Revolutionary War era sites. Fanuel Hall, the North End, the Boston Commons all must sees. If you're interested in a great spot with a lot of history this is the place...just not for me on this trip.
Denver, CO - I love to ski -- even thought I'm not particularly good at it, nor have I done it in like 20 years, but I love the mountains and the countless hours that it would unquestionably take me to ski down them. Denver offers that and a few other things as well. Union Square got a major overhaul as well 16th Street pedestrian mall, the downtown Theater and a $120 million dollar History Museum which is under construction. The cold mixed with some fantastic museums kept this on the list...but that plane ride moved it further down.
New Orleans, LA - I must confess, I almost hit the buy button when this destination came up on my radar. First off, it’s not that far from home -- which means that its not a long plane ride. Second, it has some kick ass food like a Po Boy or Muffuletta sandwich which I'm really sure what it is, but sounds great. Cafe du Monde is a place that I've wanted to visit for their donuts...and I don't even like donuts. I have been to Europe, and although that was out of the question, New Orleans is the most European city in the US. The French Quarter and low-octane Garden District and the museums will fill that aspect of my getaway. But above all this, the number one reason why I picked New Orleans as one of my top choices was the jazz. I love jazz and this place has it all. The Preservation Hall or Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse being two of the places where jazz reigns supreme.
Alright, so there it was the moment of truth. Like I stated I was going to purchase that ticket to New Orleans when a co-worker of mine mentioned that he went to Northwestern and had just come back from a visit with some old college friends. He spoke to me about the city of Chicago. I had always wanted to go there, for no other reason but to watch a Cubs game. He spoke to me about the area and I was hypnotized. So I went on and did some research.
The plane ride is about 3 hours...which is right on the borderline of too long so that is strike one. And quite honestly, that was the only strike that I could come up. Yes the weather is cold...and by cold I mean something out of this world cold. But after living in south Florida for 10 years and dealing with the heat for 10 months out of the year, a chance to wear long sleeves and a jacket is tempting. The second was the things to do...and there are a lot. Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Museums, bars, and of course, deep dish pizza...who doesn't love pizza?! Millennium Park, and Navy Pier, and some fantastic jazz clubs waiting to be discovered.
So, that’s it. I'm going off to Chi-town, the Windy City. I'm certain that I will be smashed in the face with that wind -- my friend who is originally from New York and so has some experience with the winter -- has said it is NOTHING like you know. That wind cuts right through you. Well, bring it on! I have my thermals packed and ready to go.
T-minus seven days...still.
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