NYC/Jersey

Finally, after a year and a half of living in the east coast made it to New Jersey to see family. Spent a day in NYC. An easy ride on the New Jersey Transit system and checked out some of "the city's" holiday spirit.

Rockefellar Center Xmas tree

There were a lot of people sightseeing, shopping, ice skating. Got a little overwhelming at times.

Made it over to Times Squate where the ball drop for New Years occurs. Saw the stage set up for the big event. I still can't get over that people choose to go stand in the cold for hours with no beverage just to count back from 10. Watching it on TV sounds much better to me.

The stage where they will do the countdown for the ball drop

Spent some time with family in New Jersey. My cousin Em lives in Hoboken;
a nice escape from the craziness of New York City. Loved checking out the shops/restaurants/bars of this area.

Hoboken-quite the contrast from Manhattan.

Cousins : )

The Cake Boss Bakery is in Hoboken. Personally have never seen this show, but people were lined up around the block to get in.

Great views of Manhattan from Hoboken.

Not sure why I hadn't bothered to head this way before. It's an easy, inexpensive trip. Definitely will have to make it back this year.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Viva! Las Vegas! Went to Sin City to celebrate my 33rd B-day and run in a half marathon. I definitely did not prepare like I should have for the half, but I managed to finish, jogging about 7miles and walk/jogging the last half. Kate, Kristall, and Jason were all nice or crazy (depending on how you look at it) enough to run with me.

(I really wanted to find a party hat for my b-day, but had to go with a St. Patty's day one)

The half marathon course started at Mandalay Bay went down Las Vegas Blvd, over to the Fremont District and back towards Mandalay. Running down the strip and seeing the lights of Vegas was a pretty neat course.

There were 45,000 people running which made it nearly impossible to run at times. Bands were set up along the course to play music for us "runners" I found that most of the time they weren't playing when I went by, which I found to be very frustrating.

Of course couldn't go to Vegas without doing a little gambling and having a some fun. Wish I could say that I won big, but no such luck. Thanks to my family, Kristall and Jason, Robbie and Nicole, Lela, Mark for all the fun.

It's Christmas time so a little holiday spirit Vegas style.

As always has a lot of fun! Next year I'll have to prepare better. Anyone interested in running next time?

Washington, D.C

Took a quick trip over to DC to see our nation's capital, the monuments and museums.

First night there I ventured down to the National Mall. Loved seeing the monuments all lit up at night.

The Capital

Washington Monument
Usually they have tours here, but due to the earth quake that hit the East Coast a few months ago they are currently fixing some structural damage.

World War II Memorial
I particularly liked the way this one looked when lit up at night

And of course who could forget good ol' Honest Abe

Lincoln Memorial

Of course also saw the sights in the day light. Here are the memorials for the Vietnam and Korean Wars.

I enjoyed walking around the "Mall" even though the weather could have been nicer.

Also went to Pennsylvania Ave to see the White House.

DC also has a lot of museums which are free! I managed to make it to the Holocaust museum, Natural History Museum,and Air and Space museums

There is definitely a lot more museums to see and even more in the museums that I did make it to.

My Hotel was right near China town with lots of restaurants and shops near by. I even figured out the "Metro"

A pink building and interesting architecture

Night time in DC

Was able to meet up briefly with my cousin. Next time will have to go when the weathers a little nicer.

Chicago, Illinois

Ventured over to the "Windy City", which by the way is the 11th windiest city in the country. Other reasons for the name- politicians with long winded speeches and encouraging travelers to escape the heat and enjoy the breezes off lake Michigan.


Never realized how rough the waters of lake Michigan are!

Chicago offers a variety of sculptures and art for one to explore. The one I was most familiar with was cloud gate, but there were definitely other interesting pieces. Including the one that has faces of residents on it and then spews water every few minutes.


It's like "Where's Waldo?" Do you see me?


Wonder how one got chosen for this...

Had an opporunity to check out the Museum of Art. Which has both very beautiful and interesting pieces, plus I got in for free thanks to Bank of America.


Chicago's architecture is very different from other places that I have been. It seems that they have an anything goes policy here in that there are so many styles of architecture.



Did an architectural tour. Very interesting and fun. Would recommend any one who goes to Chicago to do this tour


Guess if you are going to be a city in the midwest you need a building that looks like a corn cob

Ventured over to Navy Pier which had lots of food and excitement. They have replaced the original 1890's world fair ferris wheel





Chicago is also the start of Route 66. I happened upon the sign indicating this while wandering around

Of course I had to go check out some of the night life. Went to a local Blues club called Buddy Guys



Buddy Guy was there performing that night which I hear is a rare and unusual treat



Also went to Second City, a improv and skit comedy club that has had many famous names walk through its doors including Alan Alda, Steve Martin, John Candy, Steve Carrell etc

Of course couldn't leave Chicago without trying some Chicago style deep dish pizza. Yum!



Great vacation!!! Will have to venture back at some point as there is definitely much more to see. Would like to say thanks to Janeen for taking time to show me around and Justin for coming to "Second City"

Provincetown, MA

Meghan and I took a day trip out to Provincetown or P-town. The ferry takes you from Boston to there in just 90minutes.





P-Town is located on the end of the cape and is a really cool artsy/gay community.



Ha,Ha! Giant penis art.




We had a yummy lunch, walked around town, checked out a bunch of fantastic shops and then went down to the beach and soaked in some sun





We wished we had more time here and decided next time we are spending the night! Provincetown looks to have an awesome night life. Hell, they even had a dance club open at 4pm!





I'm definitely going back! Anyone want to join me?