Bad to worse to great

Bad...

I failed my first toll booth. I didn't understand the signage and ended up driving through the toll station like someone who had already paid instead of stopping and paying. In my defense, GPS lady told me to keep left and zip through. I suppose if she told me to drive off the bridge I'd do it too. Anyway, I was feeling a bit sick about it being a visitor in the country and all and not wanting the border services folks to have my licence plate photo posted to a Most Wanted board. At the next toll gate I confessed my sin to the attendant.

"Oh no, they're going to take your first born for that!" he said with a laugh. Then he wrote me up a pink note and told me I could pay the fee online within seven days, no problem. Actually, I found out, I can't do that. Only residents of the US can do that. I have to mail a cheque (ahem, check) for $1.90 to the toll collector.

to worse...

We found our way to the Best Western River North in downtown Chicago without any other hiccups. It's one of only two downtown Chicago hotels that has free parking. We were early for check in and unfortunately we couldn't have our room. Nobody was getting a room because the hotel had some issue with their water supply. So we walked to Starbucks to chill for a bit. Actually, we walked, got chilled, and then warmed up with the hot java. My blood boiled a bit when I knocked over my coffee onto my sleeve. Then my arm was cold and wet. I took a picture so I would never forget my first Chicago experience.

At three we returned to the hotel and checked in. The front desk informed us that the water was just coming back on and it might take some time for the hot water to start flowing. Inside the room I pulled my coffee stained t-shirt off and went to soak the sleeve in the sink with some stain remover (my mom packs everything, thank goodness.) I turned the tap and nothing happened. Harumph. The phone rang. It was the front desk telling me that the water was actually taking a little longer than anticipated. Fine. We unpacked the wine and cheese.

It wasn't terribly long before the water was flowing but it was icy cold from both taps. I gave it another 20 minutes/glass of wine and then tried again. Still icy. Feeling like I couldn't properly start my Chicago visit without a good, proper hand washing I called the Best Western 1-800 number and crossed my fingers for a free night's stay.

"We can move you to another room, miss. A suite," Best Western said. My ears perked.

"And the hot water is running there?" I asked and then added, "I mean, I don't want to move just for the sake of moving." Because really, a room change from a small king room to an oversized king suite with fridge is no upgrade if the room still doesn't have hot running water. I was assured that the water was a-okay.

...to great!

And that is how I got us a room big enough for me to do three cartwheels in. Really, I tested this out. I tried to get my mom to capture the acrobatics on camera but something didn't work so all you get to see is a still pic.

The King Suite, unlike our standard king room includes breakfast at the hotel restaurant. And housekeeping knocked on our door with free bottles of water and chocolates for our pillows. I'm happy with that.

We walked around and shopped a bit tonight. There is a bitter cold wind that makes me wish I'd packed a warmer jacket but at least at the end of the day I can return to my room, take a hot shower and do a few cartwheel and somersault passes to warm up.

Putting the WI-ne in WI

Say "Wisconsin Cheese!"

Yesterday we left the suburbs of Minneapolis and arrived in Baraboo, Wisconsin. We were looking forward to this next leg of the trip because it was when we would finally meet Daniel, one of the staff members at the Best Western Baraboo Hotel. Daniel emailed me after I booked my stay to ask if I had any special requests or needed any suggestions for planning my stay in town. His friendliness and excitement to share his knowledge about the places to visit in the area was such a treat.We took his recommendation to eat at the Log Cabin last night and were glad we did. Great food, cheap, and so much to look at inside!

Baraboo WI sits just south of Wisconsin Dells which is a summer hotspot known for its waterparks. I'm not really sure why they decided to hang their hats on waterparks and not on the beautiful landscape and smattering of wineries.

Our day started with a made-to-order breakfast from Bonzos, the restaurant that is adjoined to the hotel. This was included as part of our stay, which was a super nice perk and change from they cold cereal, waffles and serve-yourself toast and pasteries that is the norm.

And they called it, Puppy Love

After our heart breakfast we headed out and browsed around downtown Baraboo, stopping at a couple of different gift shops and a neat used bookstore. I might have been more interested in the wares at the bookstore if it were not for the fact that my suitcase is already bursting and heavy. Most memorable about that shop though was the golden retriever who was snoozing by the door and greeted visitors with a happy tail wag. I bent down to get better acquainted with the pooch and melted when it put a paw on my arm for a doggie hug.

 After two hours downtown we took a 20 minute drive south to Wollersheim Winery for the tour and tastings. The tour was $5 and there was a free flight of samples. We also took in a flight of reds for an added $3 and sampled their top red for $2. The tour was interesting. Wollersheim is the oldest winery in the US. The first guy to own it sold it after losing his crop to the harsh Wisconsin winter. He then moved to California and is considered the father of the Napa Valley wine region.

The winery and its grounds is a beautiful space, even in February. The sun came out for a bit in the afternoon as we stood outside and I was delighted to feel its heat on the backs of my legs. Again, I was left scratching my head a bit when the tour guide said that they did not offer the place out for events (i.e., weddings). I thought back to my summer last year in Kelowna and Osoyoos and could picture the same kind of crowd taking in this small gem of a region. With Wisconsin being known for its cheese it seems like a perfect pairing. The guide explained that the family that owned this particular winery wanted to "keep it about the wine-making", which I guess I can respect from an artisan point of view.

So my favourite wine from Wollersheim was their chardonnay. I purchased it and their white port, which was also delicious. We weren't happy though when we stopped at the grocery store on the way home and found most of the bottles on the shelf cheaper than at the winery. Again, weird business practice.

Self portrait of what I would look like with a grape vine growing out of my head

In the middle there is a cave where at various times the owners lived and stored wine.

Amara, you must bring Christian here to try the port!

Sorry, they don't do parties here.

Wollersheim specialties

Spring Breakaway 2013: Day 1.5

On Thursday (or as some may know it, Valentine's Day) I left work behind for my week plus 1 day of vacay. Hardly five blocks from the office I was rear ended by a taxi cab. My poor Truck! Damage is limited to the bumper. I suffered a headache and maybe some minor whiplash. I am not familiar with the condition so I am only guessing. Truck isn't saying much about it.

Yesterday morning (early morning) I  picked up my mom and we departed on our spring breakaway trip. We stopped in Fargo for lunch, which was samples at Costco. Fargo, ND has by far the friendliest Costco I have ever visited. The sample ladies thank you for sampling their goods and they want you to take seconds. It's worth the trip.

We arrived at our La Quinta hotel in Brooklyn Park, a suburb of Minneapolis in the early evening. For every hotel I booked on this trip I put "Tourist Info and Milk and Cookies" in the special requests portion of the reservation form. Much to my delight, there were cookies at the front desk when we arrived. Much to my disappointment, they haven't been around since. The hotel has been full of disappointments. I went down to the fitness room this am to do time with the treadmill. The machine was inopperable. I tried the faux BowFlex and it just fell apart. I then moved on to the bike. The seat needed tightening so it would stay level and the computer wouldn't wake up. I inquired at the front desk about this. The staff discovered it needed batteries. I rode for a few minutes until the seat became unbearable.

After breakfast we headed to the outlet mall. Yay! Didn't but much. Tomorrow we move on to Wisconsin.

Tommy Hilfiger sweater, a splurge of $47 and an Owl pendant from The Loft. Tommy Hilfiger Jeans and a skirt from The Loft were also purchased.

That turquoise ring (real turquoise!) is from my sister. She brought it back for me from her honeymoon in South America. The bracelet was FIVE BUCKS at Anne Taylor.

Say Cheese for 1.5lbs of Lindt chocolate!

Wine. Bible. Canada.

If you find yourself in America and in front of Birthday Cake Oreos, buy them. Buy a case load of them. They are delicious and hard to come by.

True Dat.

I won't have to buy coconut oil for a long, long time. Best thing about coconut oil? It doesn't spoil! Also, you can brush your teeth with it.

Costco chips. $2.99.Yum.

Oh America. God bless you and your Red Neck food products.