aloft a-go-go - captain's blog

Captains Blog- Carnival

Perfectly situated on the very tip of Cape Cod is the serene community of Provincetown, Massachusetts. Long before the days of the Pilgrims, this region is thought to have been inhabited by European fisherman from the Basque region. The ocean is deeply intertwined in the identity of this town. Due to its geography, no matter where you go, you are near the water. The tip of the cape seems to attract a bit more of an idiosyncratic personality type than the more conservative Martha's Vineyard region to the South. The community is small and most residents know each other. This town is mostly composed of affluent individuals and young families who spend their summers here. Most have homes for the winter in places like Aspen and Southern California. The community is composed of many gay people who have been flocking to the area since as long as anyone can remember. In 1915 the Provincetown Players was established and the area became a thriving theater community. The theater company began a long tradition of art schools and alternative lifestyles in the area. The fishing community is still thriving and the mix of the two create the perfectly eclectic Cape Cod experience.

In these pictures you will see the monument Teddy Roosevelt had commissioned to be built commemorating the arrival of the pilgrims. It is a 252 foot tall granite tower which sits atop a 100 foot hill. The tower is illuminated by night and is quite pretty. You will also see pictures of the annual "Carnival" which heads right down Commercial Street through the heart of town. The Carnival attracts 60,000 of the most diverse group of people one could imagine.

A few aloft advantage points:

• Provincetown is pretty small but it is great to have a bike. Call before you go and setup a rental.
• There is little or no parking at the beaches so ride your bike.
• The Red Inn- Best dinner scenery in town
• The Lobster Pot- Best clam chowder in town
• Cafe Edwige- Best meal I had- make a reservation
• Bike to Race Point Beach

Visit http://www.ptownchamber.com for more information, or email me.

Captains Blog- The End of the Road

I have driven over 4,000 miles and spent more than 70 hours in the Jeep this past week. It's been a great section of this amazing road trip and I have seen a ton of America. As great as it has been, I'm ready to spend a little time with my feet on the ground- preferably in the sand.

Look where I get to spend the next week! This is called Provincetown, Massachusetts. It is located on the tip of Cape Cod and is where the pilgrims actually landed first. You can click on the picture below to make it larger. You are looking back towards the mainland and Boston. I am here for a town festival which is called Carnival. It lasts all week and I will have the go-go setup and will be out and about with some cool swag to hand out. If you will be around on Thursday, come out and see me at the town parade.

 

Captains Blog- N.B.T.A.

I was in Boston all week for the National Business Travelers Association Convention. With a name that long you might think it is a really serious event, not so. Basically this was a convention of thousands of people who are and represent business travelers in various capacities. There were airline representatives, hotel employees, and many various industry representatives from chafer services to computer booking agencies.

Being representatives of Starwood and aloft hotels we worked hard and put on a great show. The go-go was full from an hour before open to long after close each day. Everyone was interested in what such a cool Airstream trailer was doing in the middle of the convention hall.

There were representatives of all Starwood brands on cite and they were really good about bringing clients over to aloft. It was neat to meet Starwood representatives from all over the world.

Here's some Starwood talent and people who came by to learn more about aloft hotels:

Since the hours were quite short for the convention we were able to get out on the town a little. For those of you who might be going to Boston for the first time here are some restaurant pointers.

If you want to splurge a little I highly recommend going to Mistral on Columbus Avenue. They have great tartar which is my favorite. Another good place for dinner is the Atlantic Fish Company located at 761 Boylston Street. This is a good seafood place and you can sit outside and do some serious people watching. If you are looking for a little more of a laid back atmosphere, check out Seaport Bar and Grill. It is located at the Wharf at the World Trade Center. It has a rooftop deck with live music and a fun atmosphere.

Caaptains Blog- Boston

I am in Boston for the National Business Travelers Association Convention. The go-go is setup inside the Boston Convention Center and it looks pretty cool. I had some time today to poke around town and take in some of the sights.

For every event I attend there are certain supplies I have to find. Lemons and Limes always prove to be the most difficult to find. In the northeast the supermarkets aren't so "super." There are a lot of little markets but finding three dozen lemons and limes in a foreign city can be a little challenging. I like to pretend I am on the television show "The Amazing Race." On this show the cast members are sent on a challenge in each city they visit and have to perform a task. I failed miserably at my task today. I spent the majority of my day off visiting markets in and around Boston. China town is huge here and it is pretty close to my hotel. When I googled "market" on my phone it sent me there. At the first few stores, no one knew English and I could not find them. At about the fourth market where I went I found a man who spoke English. He explained to me that Asian people don't use lemons nor limes much when they cook. He then showed me what they had:

These just wouldn't work. They were too bruised and a little gross. So I found a Whole Food's on my phone. I got on the Boston subway (for the first time) and braved the underground. I had to make three transfers to get to North Boston yet things were going well when I got to my last transfer. I got on the train and sat down. A train operator quickly came by and told me the next station, the one I needed, was closed. At this point I was tempted to get a cab and just give up. But I thought to myself "Amazing Race." So I made two or three more transfers and found the Whole Foods. I'm pretty proud of myself if I may say so.

I looked for this all day, you're darn right I'm going to take a picture!

Here's some shots of Boston and Harvard Square.

And here is a sneak peak at the NBTA Convention. Notice Starwood has the best booth.

Here we come!

Captains Blog- Good Ole' Chi Town

I was back in Chicago on Monday and Tuesday, I was there for a Starwood event. Fortunately I was back at the W Lakeshore. This is a great property. It has great views of the water, the location is right by the beach, and the talent are amazing. Since I was there for a short time and working a lot I did not really leave the hotel. The restaurant Wave, on the ground floor has really good food. There is also a Whiskey Sky bar on top which I've heard is the place to be. I can tell you from first hand experience the Bliss Spa is not to be missed. Though it might have been nice to see some of Chicago, I couldn't have been stuck in a better spot. Thanks to all the great talent who made me feel at home.

Captains Blog- I'll stick to driving

After a long day of driving through horrible winds and gripping the steering wheel so tight I got tendonitis, I am stopped in South Bend, IN, for the night. I am on my way back to Chicago and as I was pulling into town I saw a few indications that Notre Dame was here. After a complete well duh look from the guy I inquired about this to at the check in counter my suspicion was confirmed.

I have never seen Notre Dame, other in the movie Rudy. To be honest, not only did I not know it was located here, I don't think I could have even pointed out Indiana on a map three months ago. I am excited to be here and wanted to check out the campus.

I asked the front desk clerk how far campus was from the hotel and he said, "Three miles." I said "Three miles there and back?" He said, "Yes." Since I was in my running gear I thought for sure he didn't mean three miles each way.

So I hit the pavement. After driving all day it feels nice to get out, stretch my legs and explore a little. About a mile into the run I became concerned I was heading the wrong way. I saw a mother and child heading across a parking lot and asked them for directions.  She looked at me for a second, smiled, and looked into her small car with a bit of bewilderment. She then began to offer me a ride which I quickly declined and explained to her I was trying to get some exercise. She pointed me in the right direction stating it was a good ways over there and I thanked her and headed on my way.

I have been running for three days now. This is my usual pattern. I will run for a few days then lose motivation, find something more fun to do, or just get too busy. In an attempt to break this cycle I pushed onward. Just a moment after I left the lady in the parking lot I pod Irene, as I not so affectionately call her, said, "Half way done, one point five miles to go." I had already run a mile and a half; I was supposed to turn around at this point to complete the three mile loop. I did no such thing.

There is a phenomenon which occurs in the mind when one thinks he has invested too much in something to quit before it is over. In mountaineering it is called summit fever." This is a well known problem to people living in the mountains as many people parish because of it. Summit fever is when you have hiked so far up a mountain and you get so close to the top that you can practically smell it. This is usually the most dangerous part of the mountain. It is not really dangerous because of the terrain but because it is in the afternoon when storms are formed in the mountain. Summit fever is when a climber gets so caught up in reaching the summit he or she ignores all signs to quit climbing.

At this point, oh so early into the run, I had summit fever.

As I kept running I saw no sign of a University. This is not a huge city people. One would think they might want to put up a sign or two in hopes of attracting, I don't know, say... a tourist (I hear they spend money). So I kept running. Irene, in her ever so calm voice begins to count down the miles. I see a sign; it's for a golf course, a Notre Dame golf course!

At this point I am pretty excited. Then I hear, "300 yards to go." I was about to reach three miles and a little screwed at this point. I kept running and the fact that the fairways on the golf course were parallel to my path was another sign of "Oh damn."

So finally I see the sign for Notre Dame. I tried to keep running until I was actually on the campus (Keep in mind I still had to get back). As I got closer a group of girls came from behind and passed me. They all looked pretty young to be in college. As I look closer I realize they are a high school girl's soccer team. I just got passed by a high school girl's soccer team! At this point I was pretty embarrassed yet not too ashamed to ask them for a sip of water, since I was about to die. Suddenly their coach passes and is really cute. I decide my overwhelmingly dry mouth better stay that way in order to prevent drooling.

Notre Dame is a pretty campus, and the only one I have ever seen without water fountains.

After a quick look around, and I do mean quick, I started the trek back to my hotel. I kept reminding myself I had run a marathon just a few years ago, this should be nothing. Dammed Taco Bell, this was not fun. This was me stuck on the other side of town from my hotel, no cabs in sight, and three (OK, five) months of completely no exercise.

I ran a little, I walked a lot. Along the way I passed a garage sale. If I had taken my wallet I would have been the proudest grown man to ever own a bicycle designed for a seven year old girl.

So I made it back and am now waiting for the delivery man to bring me the biggest order of Chile con queso and giant burrito South Bend has to offer. He better get here soon.