Florida...Week 2

I went to the beach today! It was kind of cloudy and really windy, but finally I saw the ocean that's been 5 miles away all week. Driving around Singer Island was really pretty.

Last night I went to the Hardrock Seminole Casino (where Anna Nicole Smith died) and lost $30 to the slots. The slots were not my friend. And, like Michigan, no free drinks while gambling. What the hell? Only Vegas has the right idea.

My dad is down here this week for business too, so I'll probably go out with him in Fort Lauderdale.

Now my cold needs to go away so I can thoroughly enjoy the rest of the week in Florida.

80 Degree Weather!

There is just no beating 80 degree weather in late October, seeing palm trees all around and watching lizards scampering around the sidewalk. Besides the numerous amounts of people over the age of 65 and the sometimes backwards southern way of thinking, I'm not sure why we mid-westerners don't all live in Florida. The other day I was able to read by the pool for a couple hours then go relax in the hot tub. Lovely.

All that nice stuff being said, Florida is not all that fun. I can't (or at least am not) really going out at all after work, mostly because there is no one to go out and eat dinner or have a drink with. The relaxing is nice, but I wish some of you could be here to go out with me and enjoy it.

The Marriott Courtyard here is West Palm Beach is decent. I have to use Ethernet which is sucky, and lack of fridge means I have to eat out all the time, but the rest is nice. Pool, hot tub, king size bed, and functioning business center are some of the highlights. And...ready for a shocker? I worked out today! For a whole 30 minutes!

I also found out today that instead of going to Prospect Heights for the week after Florida, the whole team is going to Boulder, Colorado for the week. Then, when again we would be going to Prospect Heights the week after Colorado, I'll be hitting up Philadelphia instead. I've never been there, and I hear they have good cheese steak and I can get my picture taken in front of the Liberty Bell, so it should be a cool time. East coast, midwest, Rockies, east coast, all in four weeks. I'm definitely getting around :-)

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

I liked the La Quinta Inn and would definitely stay at one again. Also, Flatlander's in Linolnshire was a really good restaurant/brewery that had really good food in huge portions and good beer www.flatlanders.com . I believe Darwin and Jess would agree. Definitely get the beer cheddar soup.

Tomorrow I'm flying out of Midway and spending two weeks in the West Palm Beach, Florida area. (We're staying at the Marriott Courtyard in West Palm Beach and working week 2 in West Palm Beach, but in Palm Beach Gardens for week one). So far I've heard I need to go a restaurant called Banana Boat. Anyone else know of good places out that way? I'm quite excited to get out of Illinois just as it's getting chilly and spend some time in 80 degree weather, although it would be nice if some of you could join me relaxing on the beach. I know, I know, I'm there to work. But might as well enjoy the scenery.

It was great getting back to Champaign this weekend for fall fun. I missed everyone and everything and wish I could stay a little longer. I need to get a Halloween costume before I come back next time! Any ideas?