My Travels

2025 marks the first time I've been in the state of Iowa. Hopped onto an United Airlines flights to head towards Eastern Iowa Airport  and get into Cedar Rapids. Surprisingly, the taxi fare from the airport to Cedar Rapids was near $100. Luckily the Uber fare back to the airport was a third. I hadn't realized that Cedar Rapids is essentially the University of Iowa. The University is the major employer for the area. Since I was here for the week for a work obligation, my experience in the city narrowed down to the eateries in the city. Also, the weather was nearing 0 which didn't entice me to investigate the surrounding areas. Direct flights into Eastern Iowa Airport on United was mostly from Chicago or Denver. I had a long layover at ORD so I opted to stay inside the United Club. I hadn't realized how busy the lounges have gotten and when I went into a lounge, I was informed only one of the three Clubs were taking day passes. At Denver International Airport, all clubs w...

I had taken advantage of a Southwest Airlines Companion Pass promotion in the prior quarter and so I used my earned companion pass to Maui. I had hoped to used it more than once but it worked out this way. I was able to find a Jeep through Enterprise . I didn't know if I would need a Jeep but there are parts of Maui that a 4x4 is easiest and I was able to get the new hybrid Rubicon.  I checked into the Hilton Grand Vacations Club Maui Bay Villas . It is one of Hilton's newer timeshare properties and still in construction on their final phases. If you are expecting a full resort, this isn't quite the property. I characterize the property as a high scale apartment complex with beach access. Unfortunately for me, the week prior the island experienced a mudslide due to heavy rains. Between the fires last year and the mudslides this year, Maui is not having a good time of it. The hotel was in the path of the mudslide but they cleared alot of it during the weekend. The mudslides...