My Travels

I'm here for school and opted to stay near campus for the weekend residential. I haven't used points in awhile and used it for this stay. I normally wouldn't but there seems to be a convention and all hotel rates are really expensive in the area. Typically around $100 on the weekends, it was double for this particular weekend. Staying in the Hilton Checkers and it is a roomier stay this time around. I was given a corner room on one of the top floors, the views ain't bad. I really need to start remembering to bring VGA cables with me since hotels are beginning to let you tap into the flat panel TVs. The multi-media port on the credenza would have been nice to watch some DVD movies. I was also surprised to see a welcome snack of petit fours as well as turn down service. I know it sounds strange but I do enjoy having turn down service and have missed it when the hotels starting pulling back these kinds of services. Grabbed dinner with some classmates at Roy's . Star

Went out to State College, PA to visit a friend. Flew on United through Dulles Airport to State College University Park Airport . With my short layover, I was happy to see that Dulles had an ATT hotspot. Most airports seem to support Boingo or T-Mobile. Being an ATT wireless and DSL customer, it came in handy as I bypassed the internet access fee and surfed the internet while waiting for my little prop plane. Having never been to this part of Pennsylvania, I found State College airport similar to other college town airports. Small but serviceable with people who are super friendly and helpful. After a quick shower and walking around 30 degree weather, grabbed brunch at The Original Waffle Shop . A three store chain, it is wildly popular with the local college crowd. I had the banana pecan waffle and it was made very well. No soggy parts anywhere, it was all crisp with plenty of nuts. :) A word of advice, alot of places are cash only in this small town and no major banks are

Came out to Phoenix to visit and didn't realize that the BCS Fiesta Bowl is on the Monday of the weekend I'm in town. It would explain why all the hotels are either booked or have really high rates. Due to scarcity, stayed at the Hampton Inn in Chandler . I usually don't stay out this way but the price was right.  Slightly older and located within a business park, the hotel served its purpose. I was pleasantly surprised to find a fridge which worked out well with taking home leftovers from dinner.  The only new thing I noticed was the breakfast. Seems like the waffle makers are becoming popular and they have this batter dispenser which makes it more efficient. You don't have batter sitting out and you don't waste a lot of cups to hold the batter.  Went out to Sierra Bonita Grill for brunch. I had the banana chocolate muffin with my cowboy hash, very yummy. Even swiped some chile verde biscuits from another plate. Apparently, the restaurant is going through some man