Remember the Alamo?

On our way back through Texas, we had a chance to stop in San Antonio, to see the Alamo. Or so we thought. Not only did we get to "experience" the Alamo, we had an opportunity to see one of the coolest urban downtowns ever.

After we found a place to park, we walked down to the street from our parking garage to look at the map and directions on a street corner. But down from the street corner, we noticed waterfalls, tropical flora, and people bustling around below us. It was the riverwalk, the famous San Antonio Riverwalk, and we were amazed at how beautiful and fun it looked. We decided to find the Alamo later, and followed the sights and sounds of the water below us. It was perfect weather, sunny and warm, but not too hot. We treated ourselves to Haagen-Daaz, and just relaxed for a bit. Why couldn't we live close to something like this, we wondered?

There were strolling mariachis, riverside cafes galore, shops, boutiques, and even little boat rides the went up and down the river. We didn't want to leave! But we knew that the Alamo wouldn't be open all day, and it was almost 5pm, so we decided to find our way there.

Luckily, it wasn't very far away at all. It stood majestic in the middle of a downtown urban jungle, not quite what we were expecting! It almost reminded me of Europe, seeing all of their old buildings in between the modern and new ones. It seemed to be holding up well.

We had less than half an hour before it closed, but as the experience was free, we went ahead and saw everything we could in that little window of time. But it must have been spring break in Texas, because it was very busy with families and children on a Monday afternoon.

Although the Republic of Texas only lasted a short time, people there seem to be very proud of their state. It was interesting to read about the history of the place, the famous battle, and how early last century, the Alamo was actually used as materials warehouse before it was declared a museum and heritage site.

Overall, Janelle and I were very impressed with San Antonio. Not only do they have a great downtown area, warm weather, and close proximity to the beach, but housing costs are very low!!! We even stopped by a new housing developement in the area and found a very cute house in a great new neighborhood for an amazing price. Now if only we had friends or family down there!

The Lone Star State

Janelle and I took our first trip to Texas ever last week, and man, it is a big state! We drove all the way to Corpus Christi (on the Gulf Shore) from western Colorado. It took about 22 hours to get there, via Durango, CO, Albuquerque, NM, El Paso and San Antonio, TX. It was an interesting drive, full of beautiful scenery, new cityscapes, mountains, plateaus, and glimpses of Mexico across the Rio Grande in El Paso! We even had to drive through a border patrol hanger (even though we never crossed any international borders) and had a Border Patrol officer look into our car and ask if we were US Citizens!

We had a great time. We spent the greater part of 3 days on right on the beach on Mustang Island, with our tent literally mere yards from the water and waves. Although it wasn't quite as sunny as weather.com had promised, it was still sunny enough to get us kind-of tan and even burned in areas. It was also really windy, and we found out later that Corpus Christi is world reknown for wind surfing!

We ate at Whataburger--the local burger joint, played some mini-golf, walked up to a real-life aircraft carrier, managed to pretty-much avoid the obnoxious college spring break crowd, and even had the chance to gawk at the prices some people pay for stupid plastic beach-related paraphernalia at the tourist shops that entice you in with their gigantic fake sharks, mermaids, fountains, etc. connected to their cheap-o establishments.

But, alas, vacations can't last forever, and in fact this one didn't even last a full week! We made our way back through San Antonio and Fort Worth, TX, Oklahoma City, OK, Amarillo, TX, and Pueblo, CO. And in case you're wondering why I didn't bunch Amarillo in with San Antonio and Fort Worth, it's because Texas is friggin' huge and we had to cut back through it from Oklahoma City!

Desperate for sun and sea!

Well, when temperatures dropped below freezing and the sky in Greeley turned to slush, we just couldn't take it anymore! So, we searched weather.com until we found the warmest place on a beach within a 20 hour drive-- Lovely Corpus Christi, Texas! And, ladies and gentlemen, that is where we are headed. Although known for our last minute spontaneity, we believe that this could quite possibly be the craziest roadtrip we have heretofore proposed. We began our circuitous route just 12 hours after discovering the famed balmy waters and 82 degree temperatures of our destination. We hope to arrive by Saturday noonish to bask in the glory of it for two days before heading back home by way of Oklahoma City. We are sure to encounter an adventure or two along the way. We'll keep you posted!

Pictured: Us on the beach with our strong steeds, as you can see, Pilates sure works miracles! (ha!)

Not so loyal anymore!

You know those so-called "loyalty cards" that your local chain sandwich shop, coffee house, ice cream joint, etc. have planted by the cash register? I'd venture a guess, from a business standpoint that is, that their existence is assumably to entice you to keep coming back and become a regular customer at their store in exchange for some free sandwich, ice cream, or coffee.

Well it's really easy for the businesses to hand out the cards, and even for them to punch or stamp away at the cards...but they sometimes seem to have difficulty actually holding up their end of the bargain.

I recently have had-- on two separate occasions, I might add, and at two different businesses--problems with my so-called completed "loyalty cards". As a frequent business traveler, I can rack up stamps fairly quickly at certain establishments, and hence, become a fast regular. And of course, I save my cards for when I would have to pay the bill instead of my company! I think of it as a travel perk.

I love Quizno's toasty subs. Er, at least I did, until they treated Janelle and I like thieves a about a month ago. So, I had completed two whole cards at Quizno's, which meant Janelle and I could each get a free sub for lunch one Saturday. We strolled down to our local Greeley Quizno's, ordered our favorite subs, and when the lady at the cash register rung us up and read us our total, I grinned and gave her our 2 cards. She frowned, staring at the cards like they were counterfeit, flipping them over and squinting her eyes to read the fine print, and finally told us that there was no way she could possibly accept them. When we asked why, she stated that they couldn't be valid, because there was no restaurant stamp on them. Supposedly the issuing restaurant has a stamp with their location information on them to "validate" the coupon. She promptly showed us her stamp. When I told her that I had procured both cards at different Quizno's restaurants in two different states, and had never seen one with a validation stamp, she simply stated that she was "the manager, and it's not our policy to take unvalidated loyalty cards, so [we] would just have to pay for our subs." I couldn't stand it. After telling her that we were not paying for our subs, nor that we would ever eat there again--we left, upset and hungry.

I guess lightning does strike twice. Last night, after a long, hard day of spring cleaning, I told Janelle I'd take her out to Coldstone for ice cream. I knew that I had a free one coming to me, and it seemed like a great time to use it. I mean, you have to buy nine ice cream dishes there before you get the free one, which at Coldstone takes at least $50! So anyway, after we finally figured out which concoction to have made before our eyes, we were handed our Strawberry Cheesecake delicacy in a waffle bowl just before making it down to the cash register. As Janelle went to find us a table, again I smiled as I pulled out my special card. It took so long to fill up, but now I can prove I'm loyal enough for my free $5.47 frozen delight, I thought to myself. So I handed my card to the cashier guy, and waited for my "thanks for comin' in!" But that's not quite what I got. He said, "Yeah, man, we don't take these anymore...yeah, in fact, we just had a meeting today and we were told that we couldn't redeem anymore of these loyalty cards...so sorry...I don't know why." I attempted to control my rage. I knew that it wasn't this guy's fault, and that it was very possible that there were hundreds of other people out there that had faked these little things, so as to change the manager's mind about them. I don't know. But I paid my $5.47 for the ice cream that Janelle was already enjoying, and I cringed at the fact that I was paying into the lie. What kind of loyalty is that? How can they expect their clientele to be loyal to them, without them being loyal back?? What is this world coming to?

Winsor Pilates 101

After watching the Winsor Pilates info-mercial almost a year ago, I gave in and purchased their workout DVD for the low, low price of $9.99 with our selection of two free gifts since I had called within the next 20 minutes! It looked so easy! All we had to do was this 45 minute fat-burning workout every day for 10 days, and we would lose 10 pounds or a dress size! After that, we could work out only 5 days a week, alternating programs, and sculpt our bodies in mere months!

Well, after simply putting off starting the intense workout program for the last 11 months, we finally decided to give it a try a couple of days ago. What were we thinking? Well, Janelle and I have been trying to figure out a way to get back into shape in time for summer, and this seemed like an easy way to do it. We figured we should at least give it a try! Who knows?

So after 2 days, we are feelin' it! It's a lot harder than it looks, and wow, it works those abs! We better start shedding the pounds after this!

Yearning for Yellowstone

I know that this picture is actually of Grand Teton National Park, not Yellowstone, but it's a great picture, and only a few miles south of Yellowstone, so it works! Anyway, Janelle and I are planning a trip there this coming July, and we are so excited to experience the great outdoors in the untamed West!! And with all this cold weather we've had recently, I've also been yearning for a warmer climate--one in which I can go camping, swimming, and all things summer! But alas, it is still months before that time comes. But I can dream, can't I?

Eight Valentine's, but what did we do last year?

On this, our 8th annual Valentine's celebration, we decided to explore the downtown night life of Denver. The trip, which began with us both ordering extra hearty portions of pasta at The Olde Spaghetti Factory, was a wonderful success. We explored the adventures of the 16th Street Mall, where Chris tried desperately to get me to try on a full-fledged wig at none other than "The Wig Store," ( I refused!) and where we later ran into a friendly gentlemen who willingly recommended restraunts to us, as well as congratulated us on our engagement and ordered a horse-drawn carriage for us which we politely declined.

We stayed at the Comfort Inn within walking distance of the Colorado Performing Arts Center, and it was for once, quite comfortable. We had tickets for the Colorado Symphony Orchestra Pops performance of the Most Romantic Classics, Part Deux. Despite the location of our nosebleed seats we enjoyed the symphony immensely and are still humming our favorites from Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera. It was also a chance for Chris to give me my annual "What's that instrument?" lesson seeing as none of the symphonic band members were playing the ukulele. (How odd!) We rounded out the evening with late night cheeseburgers and hot wings and by watching the women's moguls in Torino. We really had a wonderful time, and were reminded once again about what a wonderful time we always have together. I love how we never get bored of one another!

At any rate, the events of this Valentine's did spark a spirited conversation about all our previous celeberations. After much wracking of our ancient brains we have been able to recall everything we have done each Valentine's, except for last year! There was the 1st Valentine's, spent squished in the back of Drew's white chariot with Mike and Becca on the way to Broomball, such fun! The second Valentine's, performing with the hula halau at the Sounds banquet, and a late night dinner in Indy at the Loon Lake Lodge-- yummy. The third Valentine's, when Chris sent a dozen roses to me in Ireland, Justin sent a dozen to Lori, and lo and behold Barrett sent a dozen to Suzanne (meaning?!). The fourth Valentine's, going to the Sounds banquet with my beautiful date Becca and eating hardened steaks at Texas Roadhouse with Chris. The fifth Valentine's, eating surrounded by children at the Rainforest Cafe in Woodfield Mall and a lovely visit from Nate and his then current babe, Ann. The sixth Valentine's, Awesome Italian in downtown Chicago, ushering Blueman Group at the Briarstreet Theater and drinks in the Signature Room with Kris and Bridgit. But last year, well that remains a mystery!

It is clear however, that many of our favorite occassions were spent with dear friends. So, even though Valentine's is a contrived holiday created for florist's and candy-maker's, I think this year, with cards from friends and from family, Chris and I realized that Valentine's is just a really great excuse to say again, "Hey, I love you, and I really mean it!"