Arkansas

Been to Little Rock where I visited President Clinton's library. I highly recommend!

Liverpool - 17 March 2010

This isn't in the book, but I guess it is a must see for Beatles' fan.

We didn't plan to be in Liverpool on St. Patrick's Day, but it was a fun day to be there. My hotel was very centrally located. I could walk to the Cavern Club, dozens of pubs, and the waterfront. Parts of Liverpool at very run down and look depressed, but part of this city is thriving.

UK 15 March

I was working, but took detours to knock two cathedrals off of my list from "1000 places to see before you die."



Cathedral Church of St. Andrew in Wells - interior picture is from this church

Salisbury Cathedral - outside pic is from this church

I was amazed at how large the Salisbury Cathedral is. You can see the steeple for miles...and miles...and miles. And it is impressive standing in front of it.

London 13 March

Back in London - yeah!!

I am staying at a different hotel this time and I love it. The location is awesome - I can see the London Eye and Big Ben from my window. I can walk to the offices of three clients - BIS, Parliament and DECC.

I spent the afternoon walking, which included a wander through Trafalgar Square, past Parliament and Westminster Abbey. I had afternoon tea at my hotel. I like afternoon tea!

I saw Private Lives at the Vaudeville theatre. This is a Noel Coward play that I've seen before. It was awesome! It is a comedy, and was very funny. It starred Kim Cattrall and a British actor that I hadn't heard of before.

The worst part of the day - a few body parts STILL hurt from skiing in Vail two weeks ago. I couldn't walk as much as I wanted because I have a sore knee and ankle. I guess I better take it easy....but that is hard because there is always lots to see in the city - even stuff I've seen before is fun to see again.

Vail day three

Injury report:
Sore left hip (from arthritis, not a fall)
Sore left ankle (from a fall)
Sore right knee (from a boot problem)
Sore right thumb (no good reason for this)

I took it very easy this morning and concentrated on my skills. I did not fall today or yesterday. Skiing today was better also because it wasn't as busy. I never had to wait to get on the lift. We spent lots of time waiting in lift lines yesterday. The waiting was very hard on my feet. My ankle injury yesterday was from falling in the lift line - not falling while skiing.

Vail kicked my butt. But I would totally come back.

Good-bye Vail 2010. Hello Park City 2011.

Vail day two

I should have kept track of the number of times I said "wow", "amazing", or "awesome". Vail is 10 times more beautiful than I could have imagined.

The altitude has been difficult to get used to. I am very tired. But it has been an exciting trip.

I am struggling to come up with a good metphor to compare skiing in Minnesota with skiing in Vail - but I just haven't been able to put it in words. The skiing in Vail is so much more challenging than I've ever experienced before. I love the long runs - we don't have them in Minnesota - but they are exhausing.

I am so glad I am here. I do hope to come back next year- we are talking about making this an annaul trip - but I need to get myself into better shape before I return to Vail.

Vail

Vail is one of the places listed in my book. This is my first trip here and so far it is awesome. However, I have not yet been skiing. I am a little nervous since I just started skiing again after a long absence.

I am not going to fall and injure myself. Or anyone else.

Repeat after me....

I am NOT going to fall and injure myself.

Vail Village is very cute and quaint. This is exactly the type of trip I really needed.

Some people think I am crazy for leaving the snow of Minnesota for the snow of Colorado; but it is very different here. There are actual mountains!