Archive for North America
Weather Festival Blows into Norman
Posted by: | CommentsThe National Weather Center is hosting the National Weather Festival this weekend in Norman. Read about it in today’s Oklahoma Gazette.
“Ever wonder if those weather watchers who charge into the teeth of the storm are brave, crazy or a little bit of both? You can ask the chasers who have entered their vehicles into the festival’s storm-chaser car show, affording visitors an up-close look at chase vehicles and their gadgets and gizmos, some of which get beat all to hail by Mother Nature’s fury.”
Allerton Hotel in Chicago – Windy City Lodging
Posted by: | CommentsDuring a recent travel trip to Chicago, Illinois, 
my lovely wife and I slept comfortably and affordably at the Allerton Hotel. Right on Michigan Avenue near the water tower and the Hancock Building, the hotel’s location on the northern end of the Magnificent Mile couldn’t have been better.
Our room was average in size for big-city lodging, but tastefully appointed and quite comfortable with a large bathroom, desk and flat screen TV. The staff we dealt with were friendly and helpful. And, most importantly, our room was clean.
Let Chicago Float Your Boat
Posted by: | CommentsOne of the highlights of my recent long-weekend excursion to Chicago, Illinois, caught me by surprise.
I was eagerly anticipating gawking at the skyscrapers along famed Michigan Avenue and looking down on the city from the Sears, now Willis, Tower or the Hancock Building. I couldn’t wait to eat a hot dog at a White Sox game on the south side and munch a pretzel while watching the visitors beat the Cubs at Wrigley. I was excited to see what may be my favorite painting in the whole world at the Chicago Institute of Art and look at the distorted reality that reflects in the Bean in Millennium Park. But one of the things I most enjoyed was a boat cruise along the Chicago River which winds its way through the towering structures on its banks.
While several companies offer floating city tours, we chose the Wendella tour. A fun and relaxing way to see the city, the tour lasted 90 minutes and came complete with a guide who provides a running commentary on the history of the city and its architecture with a few funny quips and “so and so big celebrity lives there” moments thrown in. Our tour included a short cruise through the lock out onto Lake Michigan which afforded great views of the skyline. A note of caution, we cruised in the evening so the setting sun was behind the buildings and our photos suffered – example below. A morning cruise with the sun rising over the lake would undoubtedly offer a prettier picture.
At $25 per person, the tour may seem a bit pricey, but in my opinion it’s worth the money.
A cautionary tale - cruise in the morning so the sun is at your back instead of right in your eyes
Pet a Porcupine a Norman’s Little River Zoo
Posted by: | CommentsEach Wednesday this summer, TravelBlur is teaming with The Oklahoma Gazette to feature an Oklahoma City metro-area travel attraction.
This week’s article highlights the Little River Zoo.
“You can pet a porcupine, feed a kangaroo and get friendly with a 17-foot albino Burmese python at Norman’s Little River Zoo.”
Taco Taco is a Favorite Favorite in San Antonio San Antonio
Posted by: | Comments
I love me some good Tex-Mex food and San Antonio, Texas, is no stranger to creative Mexican cuisine. While there are tons of eateries, some good others not so much, clustered in the tourist district along the famous River Walk, my favorite San Antonio grub comes from a small, unassuming place far from the visitors’ usual haunts.
Located near the intersection of Hildebrand and McCullough Avenues, Taco Taco impresses not with its decor, but with tasty breakfast tacos so good Bon Appetit declared the place as home of the best tacos in America.
Local friends tell me lines of hungry fans often snake around the restaurant on weekends just waiting to fill up on their favorites from among almost 20 different types of breakfast tacos. With homemade tortillas wrapping up your favorite ingredients, it’s easy to wait in line to dine on these heavenly tacos.
Weather or Not, National Weather Center is on Alert
Posted by: | CommentsEach Wednesday this summer, TravelBlur is teaming with The Oklahoma Gazette to feature an Oklahoma City metro-area travel attraction.
This week’s article highlights the National Weather Center.
“When the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain, the meteorologists at Norman’s National Weather Center, 120 David L. Boren Blvd. on the University of Oklahoma campus, are on high alert to anticipate Mother Nature’s sometimes-nasty moods.”
Calling On The Oklahoma Museum of Telephone History
Posted by: | CommentsEach Wednesday this summer, TravelBlur is teaming with The Oklahoma Gazette to feature an Oklahoma City metro-area travel attraction.
This week’s article highlights the Oklahoma Museum of Telephone History.
“Alexander Graham Bell might be surprised by how much his invention has changed since that first telephone call to Mr. Watson. Lucky for him, he could track his machine’s evolution at the Oklahoma Museum of Telephone History.”
Politics Can’t Tarnish Capitol Art and Architecture
Posted by: | CommentsEach Wednesday this summer, TravelBlur is teaming with The Oklahoma Gazette to feature an Oklahoma City metro-area travel attraction.
This week’s article highlights the art and architecture at the Oklahoma State Capitol.
“The Capitol’s art collection serves as a visual textbook of Oklahoma history. Paintings and sculptures scattered about its floors celebrate the people and events that shaped the state. No artistic commemoration is more important than the painting marking the moment President Theodore Roosevelt signed Oklahoma’s statehood proclamation. Visitors can view the original state constitution near the Supreme Court chamber.”
Female Fliers Remembered as Pioneering Pilots
Posted by: | CommentsEach Wednesday this summer, TravelBlur is teaming with The Oklahoma Gazette to feature an Oklahoma City metro-area travel attraction.
This week’s article highlights The Ninety-Nines Museum of Women Pilots.
“They pushed the boundaries of human flight and sometimes pushed the boys out of their way to get there. The female pioneers of aviation still soar at the Ninety-Nines Museum of Women Pilots.”
Martin Park Hidden Among City Hustle and Bustle
Posted by: | CommentsEach Wednesday this summer, TravelBlur is teaming with The Oklahoma Gazette to feature an Oklahoma City metro-area travel attraction.
This week’s article highlights Martin Park Nature Center.
“Visitors and wildlife share four trails that wind through the tall trees and patches of prairie comprising the 141-acre city park. Guiding attendees to the best vistas, 3.5 miles of trails include several wooden bridges crossing creeks and gullies, leading to an observation tower, sunshine gazebo and meadow trail arbor.
“Wandering the woods and grassy meadows, it’s almost possible to forget that housing additions, retail shops and major traffic routes surround the quiet confines. “
