Puerto Vallarta, Tequila Night

First of all, and I'm guilty of it myself, it's called "Puerto Vallarta" (PV), not "PuertA Vallarta", or "Puerdo Vallarda". If you know that now, you'll be that much further ahead of the game when you get the call-up from the vacation minors to the big-leagues of vacation destinations. 

International, check. 

Ocean, check. 

Hot weather, check. 

Resort set-up, check. 

Secluded cove wedding, check.

At least one alcohol to country's credit... ow, my liver hurts. 

I arrived in PV in the early afternoon of a Friday. As soon as I stepped off this plane...

... I began to sweat. It was gloriously hot and I had to wait for my friend and airport pickup. No problemo, Señor. I'm on vacation time now and don't mind slowing it down and waiting a bit. 

Once snatched (not by a rogue gang of Mexicans) from the quaint and perfectly perfunctory Ordaz aeropuerto (see what I did there, threw in a bit of my high school Spanish, there will be more), it was a short walk to a non-gouging cab and quick, if not bumpy, ride to PV's very lovely Marriott Casa Magna Resort & Spa. I mean, can it get much better?!?!? You don't see this kind of construction in winter-locked MN. 

We proceeded, quickly, to drop off my bag and change into swim trunks and sunscreen. I did the swimsuit install myself, but quickly learned that spray-on sunscreen at outdoor beaches is ideal...leave that creamy lotion s$&t at home. Next up - Hit. The. Beach. 

("Fat guy on a little rope...") 

After copious amounts of Vitamin D, it was time to meet-up with other wedding attendees and head to dinner, then a cocktail reception to follow. 

We made our way into PV's Old Town, up treacherous and exciting hillsides to a local restaurant called "Ah Carumba!". While I will admit it didn't look like much from the outside, as soon as you hit their backside, ocean-facing deck, the game was on. This was an amazing view to take in a glorious PV sunset. But, don't take my palabra for it...

The food was good, not great, but good. I'd also come to find out the service level in Mexico is above-average and attentive, but not prompt. It's something to get used to for most Americans, but also a subtle way to remind you you're on vacation. 

Alright, some more gratuitous sunset shots...

After a relaxed dinner, with a margarita or two, it was time to meet much of the wedding roster for a cocktail reception. This was just a short, albeit steep, walk from the dinner spot to a place named "Si Señor". 

Turns out to be another gorgeous Old Town spot, and inside also surprises with old steps leading up to many hidden levels. True to the blog post title, the tequila really began to flow.  Each of us were handed glass goblets of a lime-laden base drink, where upon a waiter would walk over to you and physically pour straight tequila into the brew. It was very good at the outset, but packed a wallop by night's end. Dios mio!

Pics at this time of "Tequila Night" were becoming less numerous, less quality, and more for keeping out of a public blog. I'll let your imaginations run away, but add a few of the useable ones...

Yeah, I don't think you want me to explain. I do know one of the feet, but my old wrinkled feet didn't make the cut. 

The evening ended with a relatively short, bumpy cab ride back to the hotel, with only a short stop at an ATM so yours truly could withdraw some pesos...and pay the cabbie.

Having enjoyed meeting the wedding party and tucked into bed, I couldn't wait for the events of the next day, when everyone would be taking a charter boat to a hidden cove for the ceremony and reception. Sign. Me. Up.  

Puerto Vallarta, Preface

What do you do when a trusted friend says something to the effect of, "...I have the hotel room in Puerto Vallarta for the whole weekend, come down if you want"?

If you're me, you weigh the pros and cons, mostly a cost vs. fun proposition. Quickly, I realized this would be relatively low cost for high, high fun. One could imagine or it might have seemed like it took more convincing, but this was almost a no-brainier. Three nights in 90+ degree weather in late November, international travel, sand, sea, tequila, a wedding to attend, and so much more. It was an easy choice. 

So, that will set up the next few posts, in which I'll simply recap each day/night. This includes my first night there, which I'll call "Tequila Night"; the second which everyone will rightly call, "The Wedding"; and the last night, which I'll call, "The Boardwalk". Here's a glimpse...

Sit back and wait for the full posts. 

Wonderful Fall Day, Minneapolis, MN

The Commodore, St. Paul, MN

It happened. A friend told me about a place I'd never heard of. And it wasn't like it some new hip club or fantastic bar, it's a restaurant and bar in St. Paul Minnesota that's been there since 1921, The Commodore. 

So, I did what anyone would do in my situation, I had to visit. We went there on a terribly rainy & windy evening, but were pleasantly surprised by their unique, old-school decor, interesting clientele, bountiful beverages, and wonderful food options.

We had drinks and three apps (the food kind, not the phone kind) to tide us over; Lobster Deviled Eggs, Croquettes, and a very traditional Shrimp Cocktail. Everything hit the spot, was thoughtfully prepared, and delicious this night. 

And that doesn't even discuss the actual space. It's a throwback to an early time and no place in the Twin Cities is like it...

(Does that lady even know what an iPhone is?)

And though I would never normally, I have to mention the bathroom. It was a very well done, clean, unique take on something so mundane. I'd like a bathroom in my home one day to look like this...

Who even decorates like this anymore? It was very fun to be ensconced in it, and drink it all in, literally and figuratively. I will be back.

SRAM World Headquarters, Chicago, IL

If you work in or follow the bike industry, you most likely know about this company, with its world headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. You may know that they've recently moved into a new building at 1000 West Fulton Market. I have to say, it's a wonderful space and seems like an inviting place to go to work each day. Check out the photos below, and I think you'll agree.

Calder Flamingo "Stabile", Chicago, IL

I didn't know much about this large format artwork in the Federal Plaza, but a quick Wikipedia article later and I feel well-informed. 

This piece is called a "stabile" in contrast to moving "mobile" (like the things that hang from babies' cribs) pieces popular at the time. The artist, Alexander Calder, wanted to break up the right-angles of all the steel and glass structures nearby in creating a more fluid, flowing form, that would be clearly anchored in place. Additionally, he wanted to use more than just the black and grays of the buildings and chose a bright color, now known as "Calder Red". 

 

You can also walk all around and under the piece, getting a sense of scale and seeing unique perspectives. 

Finally, though the piece was officially unveiled on the plaza in October of 1974, Calder clearly "signed" the piece and dated 1973, which is the year he completed it. I also find it interesting that, to my eye, his letter "C" is first in his signature. 

I'm not a huge art buff, but recognized the name when I saw it. I'm pretty sure if you are considering the purchase of any of his works now, you already have your name on a museum and can afford whatever you desire...though the current owners of his works may not be willing to sell. I certainly doubt the city of Chicago would. 

Pint-sized Chicago Architectural Tour

What to do with a free day in Chicago? Walk the city and take pics of anything that strikes your fancy. Of course, what you'll find in Chicago is likely unlike any other city, save a few. Take a tour with me, won't you?

Out of Union Station, find the Lyric Opera of Chicago, right on the river front. 

Famous Marina Towers. Yes, plural. If you look really close, the building in the foreground is hiding its twin.

The Monadnock building is considered one of the first skyscrapers ever built. 

Though it now looks small by today's skyscraper standards, it used very thick concrete lower walls to support the floors above. 

And finally, what I will likely always call the Sears Tower, but is technically now the Willis Tower.