Oh Chicago. Ever since I was a kid I've been visiting, and for as long as I can remember you've been my favorite city. That's a lot coming from someone who grew up in Boston. Chicago often plays second (or third) fiddle in the debate of best American cities, and it's a shame. It's Midwestern roots make the city appear less appealing than a Los Angeles or New York, but those same roots are what make Chicago amazing. Mainly: cheap beer, friendly people, and PLENTY of places to eat. 

You could certainly spend days exploring Chicago, but time is of the essence. And in the Midwest, Summer is the best time to go. Chicago Summers are like no other, so let me give you a rundown of the single best day you could have in the city (scroll over the photos to get my analysis): 

Morning: If you're a morning exerciser (I am not) you could wake up and take a nice run along Lake Shore Drive right next to Lake Michigan. Or you could get your start the right way, with giant Cinnamon Rolls. Head over to Ann Sather on Belmont to get your fix. They'll give you heaping portions for only a few bucks, so fill up. You can amble over to the Brown Line "L" a block away that will haul you downtown to the Loop.  

Mid-Day: Get ready for a flurry of activity. The Loop is filled with tourists so you have to make wise choices. As a rule of thumb I generally skip Michigan Avenue, but there are a couple of things that are must see. First, invest an hour and take an architectural river tour of the city. There are a number of companies that have boats, but my choice has always been Wendella. You get unparalleled city views and great rundown of Chicago's history. Well worth the $35 sticker price. 

After your boat ride you may be hungry, so stretch those legs with a 5 minute walk across Michigan Avenue to Bandera. The restaurant is slightly hidden on top of some shops, but that doesn't mean there won't be a wait. Well worth it for the best rotisserie chicken in the world. I know, roasted chicken isn't always a craving, but these birds are truly succulent. 

Did you booze during lunch? Well if you didn't (or did, whatever) you should zig back across Michigan Ave. to the Trump Tower. Chicago's newest controversial skyscraper has come with it's fair share of growing pains, but it's honestly one of my favorites. Even if you're not staying at the hotel you can still get up to the Terrace on the 16th floor. There you'll find an outdoor patio with overpriced drinks and pretty incredible views. You're not high enough to get a full city view, but instead you're amongst some of the classic buildings that define Chicago. Make it a quick stop though, the $10 beers don't pay for themselves. 

As you make your way back North you'll need to get one more viewing party in. Chicago is home to several very-high observatories, but the best is at the Hancock Building. Though not the tallest building in town, the Hancock is north of most buildings so you get a complete view of the city looking South. Just make sure it's a clear day, the clouds can move in pretty quickly off the lake. 

Evening: Here's where things get really fun. By now you're in the midst of happy hour, so you'll have to make your way back to the North Side. There are plenty of places to drink, but the best bar food in town can be found at Lucky's Sandwich Co. Featured on Man v. Food, Lucky's is home of the stuffed sandwich. Long story short, they put the french fries right in your sandwich. Yes, it's as good as it sounds. And if you can finish 3 of those suckers in 30 minutes you get your picture on the wall. Good luck with that.  

Once you're done with another meal I promise you'll be able to make the 2 block walk to your next destination, Wrigley Field. Depending on how deep into the summer you're visiting, it should be pretty easy to snag tickets to watch Chicago's lovable losers, the Cubs. While Fenway is still my favorite, Wrigley is a close second. The place is steeped with tradition and certainly lacking the luxuries that stink up newer stadiums. If you like beer and baseball, then this is your spot. I still don't understand the infatuation with the 7th inning stretch, but hey I'm not a Cubs fan. 

Late Night: Hopefully you paced yourself during the baseball game so you still have a little room left in the tank. Make sure you do a neighborhood tour of bars (including my favorites Justin's, The Schoolyard, and Southport Lanes) before one final meal. You can't go to Chicago without getting deep-dish pizza, right? Wrong. Take a stroll over to Dimo's Pizza on Clark to get excellent slices of normal pizza. The difference? They don't have a menu. Whatever concoctions they have on display are what's for sale, so feel free to get adventurous. Everything there is good, and your stomach will be thanking you for not eating too much dough after a long day. 


So there you have it. My favorite things to do in my favorite city. What do you think? Where else would you go? One thing I know, you won't out eat me in Chicago. It's just...not...possible.  

For whatever reason, timing has been in my favor for the majority of my travels. Wherever I've gone things have have been happening, and they've all been by chance. Despite leaving my weekend off for relaxation I was excited to get out to Minneapolis, which was hosting the 2014 MLB All Star Game. 

Let's start with Minneapolis itself. Minnesota was a new state on my list, and locals always sing it's praises in summer (not so much in winter). Downtown Minneapolis has a lot going on. A bars line the streets leading into Target Field and the Target Center, home of the Twins and Timberwolves respectively. If you find yourself in the stadium area, make sure to go to Gluek's Restaurant, which has been serving beer in Minneapolis for 80 years. They've got about 100 foot bar and serve phenomenal beer towers. While the beer is good, there were some flaws in town. 

My two second assessment of Minneapolis is: it's a city that's a few years behind the times. They've got a ton of good infrastructure set up, but have failed to capitalize on the opportunity. The brand new ballpark should lead to a revamped neighborhood of restaurants and apartments, but it doesn't. Instead there are blocks of run down warehouses (that would make awesome living/office space) that are either vacant or filled with strip clubs. Tons of strip clubs. More than I've ever seen in one concentrated area. Right in the middle of downtown. There's a time and a place fellas. These negatives make Minneapolis a city that "could be", and if you were wise you'd keep your eye on it. Someone will recognize the potential and make the investment. You'll see. 

A great event can often overcome the negatives you find in a great city. I happened to be in Minneapolis during the MLB All-Star game, which is an exciting time for all baseball fans. Does the game count? Technically. Should it? Probably not. But that's not the point of the event. The Midsummer Classic celebrates the history and pageantry of the game, which often goes unnoticed in an era where fans are always looking for more action. 

I was around the park the night of the Home Run Derby, and despite a rain delay I still couldn't scalp any tickets ($180 for the upper deck is a out of my budget). Regardless, it's a unique experience to be in town when the All-Star festivities take place. A surprising amount of fans come in to take in the weekend so you get to mix it up with people from all over the country. Whether your team is in first or last you'll be able to wear your colors proudly because the celebration is about baseball as a whole. Everyone is knowledgeable and wants to talk about baseball, which isn't very common these days. 

From a TV perspective the All-Star game is boring. An exhibition that determines home-field advantage for the World Series (a prize that only two teams really care about). If you find that your city is hosting, however, you should definitely try to be part of the celebration. You might even run into a celebrity (we saw Andrew Zimmern, I'm sure you can do better), and if you're lucky you can get some cheap seats to the game. I've been lucky to experience it twice, and you can be sure I'll be back if I get the opportunity. 

It's summertime, and in the wise words of Vince Vaughn, "It's Wedding Season!". As fate would have it, I got to take some time off from driving and actually attended a wedding this summer. Two to be precise. One close to home in Colorado, and one not so close to home in Virginia. When I booked travel I didn't think about the specifics, I just knew we were going to "the Richmond area". That was partially true, but the end destination was a small town called Lexington, VA. Never heard of it. Never planned on going. But after 13 hours of travel I was there. 

As a city guy my first reaction was "oh great I'm in the middle of nowhere". Which was a pretty accurate assumption. In the two hour drive west from Richmond we only encountered one relatively populated area (Charlottesville, a really nice college town). We ventured into town and, despite the blistering heat and humidity, we uncovered a charming Southern relic. Lexington is home to two colleges (Washington & Lee, and Virginia Military Institute) and seems to be suspended in the Antebellum days. I mean, the biggest attraction in town is Stonewall Jackson's gravesite. You get the picture. 

Lexington proved to be quite fascinating for a day trip. Washington & Lee has an old-world Southern feel, almost like a Civil War battlefield turned into a college. Downtown Lexington has a couple of boutique shops set up in repurposed stone buildings. It gives the feel of life in a different era, and is a really great break if you're looking for life to slow down for just one day. 

If, for whatever reason, you find yourself in Central Virginia give Lexington a try. It's only a blip on the radar, but some people do call this town home. Seeing life from their perspective is powerful and broadens our understanding of the United States. Sound idealistic? It is. But venturing off the normal path can make all the difference in your travels. 

I've been proud to call Denver my home for the past two years, but that wasn't always the case. It took a while for me to warm up to life in a small city. Naturally right as I warmed up I hit the road on my road trip. Luckily my tour swung through Denver for a week, and it was a relief to get back up to the Mile High altitude. 

Normally I'd review my favorite parts of the city, but in the interest of time I won't do that for Denver (I could go on for days...everything is great there). This time I'll only review THE BEST place in the Denver area. That place is Red Rocks Amphitheater, and it was what officially convinced me to move to Colorado. 

Situated just 15 miles west of Denver in Morrison, Red Rocks has served as an incredible outdoor entertainment complex for over 70 years. Each year Coloradans wait for the snow to melt so that the summer series can kick off at RR. The site hosts both concerts and outdoor movies in the summer, which guarantees some action on practically every night of the week. 

Anybody who is anybody has performed at Red Rocks over the years. I'm talking about The Beatles. Neil Young. Dave Matthews Band. Coldplay. U2. The list goes on and on. These performers play in plenty of places, but few provide the atmosphere of Red Rocks. The two massive rock walls on either side of the crowd coupled with a star-filled Colorado night sky instantly change a good performance into something special. It's hard to put into words, but every time I go to a show at Red Rocks I always look back into the crowd and can only say one word..."wow". 

During the day the park also serves as a fantastic recreation spot. There are plenty of hiking trails in the area, and it's free to come and check out the amphitheater. They'll even let you on the stage so you can get the full rock star experience. 

I went to my first Red Rocks show when I was 17, and from that moment on I knew I had to take an opportunity and move to Colorado. It has worked out phenomenally for me, and I'm thankful that this wonderful amphitheater serves as a reminder of all the good things that have happened to me on this adventure. I love living in Denver, though I find that very few people ever end up visiting the city. If I ever do move away I'll spend each summer checking the concert list at Red Rocks and planning a trip to Colorado. If you're a music or outdoors lover, you should definitely make those same plans.   ​

If Portland is the Bachelor's degree in the Pacific Northwest, then Seattle definitely qualifies as a doctorate program. The final leg of our West coast I-5 drive ended in Seattle, and we only had to endure a few more rain droplets before we were in the clear. I came into this trip with a blank slate (and full stomach from my Aspen trip) so the sky was the limit. What I found there surprised me. ​

Surprise #1: Seattle is WAY hillier than I expected it to be. All of the city streets filter down to the waterfront, which makes for a tough climb when you need to head a few blocks north. Bring good shoes and be forewarned. 

Surprise #2: The famous "Pike's Place Market" is a tourist trap...worth seeing. I knew this area would be crawling with people during the daytime, but I'm a dedicated Starbucks fan so I gave it a go (if you haven't read ceo Howard Schultz's book Onward, it'll change the way you see the company in the best way). The market is definitely crowded and filled with overweight tourists staring off at nothing, but there's something very charming about it. You get a very authentic Farmer's Market feel where you can chat with stand owners and try fresh fish and fruit. They'll charge you an arm and a leg for the goods, but it's an endearing tradition that I enjoyed. 

Surprise #3: The Space Needle is pretty inaccessible. Now I had a connection who took me to an observation deck not open to the public, but from what I saw there were very few people milling around the Space Needle on a clear day. It's set just far enough north that you'd have to make a trek to get there, and there's not a whole lot around it in that particular neighborhood. Seems odd for your most recognizable landmark. 

Surprise #4: Seattle has a much more defined downtown area from an architectural standpoint than expected. When I picture Seattle I think of Denver or Portland, with a small Financial District surrounded by the cultural neighborhoods that make the city great. While those neighborhoods do exist (sadly we didn't have much time to check them out), there are a lot more hi-rise buildings clumped together in the downtown are than I would've ever imagined. It's not stopping either as Amazon is putting up new headquarters close to the Space Needle. Seems like an odd choice, but I suppose the hilly areas to the north still get great views above the buildings. 

Surprise #5: Whether you like it or not, Husky Stadium is awesome. I've always secretly admired the University of Washington's stadium despite them putting a licking on my beloved CU Buffaloes every year. The recent $250 million renovation that was completed last year certainly spruced up the stadium, but they didn't need a dime to preserve their best asset. The stadium sits right next to Lake Washington, so if you're up early enough you can pull your boat up to tailgate. Doesn't get any cooler than that ladies and gentlemen. 

Other than those things, the trip went as expected. The seafood and local beer was excellent. It didn't rain, but looked like it was going to rain constantly. There were more Starbucks locations per square mile than I've ever seen anywhere (great for me, sucks for those who don't like "corporate" coffee). Seattle has a very "ends of the Earth" atmosphere, which makes it a great place to either end a trip or to pivot your trip. For us, it marked the end of the West Coast and the beginning of our trip back East. The West was certainly won, but it was time for some relaxation at home. 

Contrary to popular belief I'm not considering my travels this summer a "vacation". It's work for me whether you like it or not. Because I've been working so hard, I naturally had to take a real vacation to blow off some steam. There's no better place in the world for a little R&R than Aspen, Colorado. 

This year our family decided to make a group pilgrimage through the Rockies to attend the food industry's most exclusive event, the Food and Wine Classic. I wouldn't consider myself a "foodie" per se, but I am part of the food television generation. We love to see the innovative cooking techniques and unique ingredients we see on various cooking shows used in the meals we eat. Sorry we're not sorry about it. The F&W Classic is a celebration of everything high-end in the food industry. And even if you're the lowest guest on the totem pole (as we were) you still get the red carpet treatment. 

The event's real purpose is to sell wine. Purveyors from all over the world come to Aspen with their wine in order to impress restauranteurs and bar owners looking to pick up new labels. Personally I enjoy drinking the wine more than chatting about it, so to draw in the rest of the consumer population F&W puts together a series of cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs. These are our rock stars, and these demos are an intimate live look-in to our favorite cooking shows. We were lucky enough to see Giada De Laurentiis, Michael Symon, Jose Andrés, and Tim Love up close and in person. On top of that there are two daily "Grand Tastings", which are basically tents full of unlimited beer, wine, cheese, seafood, liquor, deserts, ANYTHING YOU COULD WANT TO INGEST. Take a look at these photos to get a better idea of the scene: 

The key to successfully dominating this event is one word: pace. Pace yourself. I, for one, did not pace myself when I took down four glasses of wine during a chocolate pairing at 10am on Friday. I followed that with about a pound of artisan blue cheese, and washed that down with a few Patron mojitos and some Stella Artois. Ok, I was like a kid in a candy shop. By 6pm on Day 1 I was wiped out. Luckily if you've been eating all day there's no need for dinner reservations! 

I managed to survive the rest of the weekend despite setting the (unofficial) world record for bleu cheese consumed in a 72 hour period. Making the 6-hour gridlock drive back to Denver, you feel a certain satisfaction of rubbing elbows with food's elite in such a beautiful town. I'm glad that I was able to knock this festival off of my checklist, and even happier to have my family there with me. Will we go again? That remains to be seen. Should you go if you get the chance? ABSOLUTELY. 

Hands down the most exciting part of my trip has been the chance to visit cities I never had a reason to go to. Places like Austin and San Francisco were ones that I was planning to visit, but Portland was never even on the list. Just no real interest even though I'm Despite a devout Portlandia fan. 

A short drive up I-5 through Shasta National Forest puts you through the heart of Oregon and into Portland. The drive is actually really nice if you can make it, as the dusty plains of Northern California turn into lush forests and overcast skies. It's definitely a refreshing change. 

The best way to describe Portland is...weird. And I think the residents like it that way. Full disclaimer: I did not see the sun for 3 straight days when I was in town, so I don't know if that helps my review.  It's clear that the entire city is very community-based, making it a much better place to live than to visit. 

With that said you have to recognize what Portland is good at. In a way they've given us a snapshot into what I believe will be the America's future. You have a small, yet defined, downtown set in a beautiful natural area. An extensive and effective public transit system that can take you anywhere in town (Portland boasts a smartphone enabled train and bus tickets). And most importantly, a focus on local shops and restaurants building out smaller neighborhoods surrounding the city. Portland's commitment to building vibrant neighborhoods really shows, though it takes a keen eye to pick out some of the better neighborhood bars and restaurants. 

You can pretty much find a specialty shop for just about anything. I decided to trudge a few blocks through the rain to Mac! Mac & Cheesery for some comforting lunch. Another night we stumbled into local favorite Bunk Bar for some awesome Cuban Sandwiches. Or maybe you like craft beer? Then make your way down to the Thristy Lion Pub to catch a Timbers game with the local fans. Those places catered to what I like, but there are tons of other places ranging from Bacon specialties to high-end sushi (to high-end vegan, who knew). The theme remains consistent: if it's not local, it's not Portland. 

I'm really glad my travels brought me to Portland, because it is a long way to go for just a visit. If you're really hankering for an adventure, make your way to Oregon. It might be rainy, and it might take a lot of work to find the good spots, but if you're willing to put in the effort you'll be rewarded. Who wants the easy things in life anyway? 

The majority of our team was pretty bummed to find out our event in San Francisco was cancelled. Not the road warriors though! Our path to Portland lead right through San Fran, so we made sure to take advantage of a few free days. 

Because we had the truck and trailer we had to park well on the other side of the bay in the suburbs. Wasn't a problem though as the BART train took us directly into the Financial District. For a major city San Francisco is very inaccessible by car, but the BART and CALtrain are filled with people at all hours of the day. 

Once we got into town I was curious to see what the buzz about SF was. This is the home of America's fastest growing businesses, with tons of young (and very smart) people moving there every month. What could possibly be the big draw? 

The answer is opportunity. There are so many jobs and new ideas flowing in SF that draw people in. Your networking opportunities are unlimited, and at any time you could be drinking next to a high level executive from a major technology company and not even know it. There's a certain mystique about that type of community, and the residents remain hopeful and work VERY hard. From the get go it was very apparent that life in San Francisco is business first, business second, and play second. 

With that said, if you are in SF to play there's a lot of unique things to see. We spent our first day in the Financial District and took a walk to the Ferry Building and Fisherman's Wharf. I definitely recommend the Ferry Building for a visit, inside you'll find an extensive food market similar to Chelsea Market in NYC. A short walk along the Bay and you'll hit Fisherman's Wharf, which I HATED. It's an old fish market that has been devoured by tourists and now features such culinary delights as Hard Rock Cafe and Red Robin. Pass on this if you can. 

San Francisco is a great city for wanderers, and when it's 2pm on a Wednesday and you have nothing to do this helps tremendously. The neighborhoods throughout the city are diverse, and they change very quickly. One minute you're in an Italian neighborhood, the next you're in Chinatown. And make sure you bring good shoes. The hills are no joke. Silent killers. 

I was lucky enough to crash with a good friend who lives in the Marina District, which happens to be the hottest new neighborhood for young professionals. It's filled with great restaurants, bars, shops, and astronomical rent prices. The Marina is only a stone's throw from the Golden Gate Bridge, and for a few bucks I rented a bike and decided to ride across it. This is by far the most touristy thing you can do in the city, and it was AWESOME. The Golden Gate is truly an engineering marvel, a great accomplishment of mankind. There isn't a single bad view around or on the bridge. Just be prepared for the throngs of people crowding the narrow two-lane walkway. Definitely worth the frustration though, look at these views: 

My favorite part of the trip was something that will only amount to another check mark on my list. I'm desperate to go to a baseball game in every park in America, so I'm trying my best to knock off as many as I can this summer. I was lucky enough to snag cheap tickets to a Giants day game, and AT&T Park proved to be a great place to take in the action. Situated right next to the Bay, the stadium has a backdrop and feel unlike any other park in America. Boaters and canoe riders can come right up to the outfield walls, and if they're lucky they'll catch a splashed HR ball. The SF fans are invested in the game, which makes all the difference in the park's atmosphere. Though I'd say going to a baseball game would be a creative cop out on an adventurous trip, but catching a game in SF is really an adventure in itself. 

Even though it was only 3 days, my trip to SF was exhausting. The walking will wear you out, and the high prices will lighten your wallet. The chance to see such a unique place, however, will always be a great memory. 

Lately my craft has been driving. Seems to be an odd job for a college educated 24 year old, but these were the cards I was dealt. I'm certainly not thrilled to be driving a truck all summer, but I've vowed to be committed and stick it out. I want to see all of the lessons I can learn from doing a "non-traditional" job. 

In two months time I feel like I've gotten a handle on my job. Understanding turning radii and how to park a 45 foot vehicle have become routine. Navigation and travel time estimation can be done on the fly. Once you hit the highway you can cruise along and only stop for gas and bathroom breaks. It feels good to have that type of accomplishment, regardless of how difficult the task may be. 

Then one day you're driving in Wyoming racing the clock to get back to your home in Colorado. You've been hauling ass and nightfall is about to hit. Nothing new. Until you see smoke coming from your trailer. And as you pull over you see that you don't just have a flat tire, you have a tire that EXPLODED going 75mph. 

For me, there were a lot of ways this could go. My initial reaction is worry. When will this get fixed? How? How much will it cost? Do we have cell phone service? Then my adrenaline kicks in, my heart rate skyrockets, and I do everything in my power to fix the situation as quickly as possible. 

This trip has shown me that in reality I'm not in control of my fate. My old self would have freaked out. My new self saw what happened and had patience. We knew we didn't have the tools to fix the tire (or a spare, whoops) so we had to change course. We called a repair service, haggled with them, and had them come out to our location 25 miles from the nearest town. In an hour and a half the tire was fixed, and we were on our way. 

The fact is, we all get flat tires in our lives. Some are slow leaks that could be prevented while others are massive blowouts that completely alter our course. It could be you find out your job isn't what you wanted and you feel stuck, or you're laid off and looking for your next opportunity. Either way, there is no point in worrying. Instead of focusing on how to immediately "fix" the situation, we should remain calm and take a look at what's going on. What tools do we have that will get us back on our road (or career path)? Do we know how to use them? And most importantly, should we call for help? 

From there you can get yourself back up. Remember though, things aren't going to go your way all the time. Sometimes we need to alter our course based on when we get a flat. And that's ok! You do have the skills to get yourself back on the road no matter how difficult the situation, and if you enjoy the journey instead of focusing on the end result you'll be amazed at where you can go. Did I think that I would have a summer job driving a truck after college? Nope. But has it taken me to places I never imagined I would go? Absolutely. So go out into the world with confidence, and enjoy the ride!    

After our 1,200 mile drive across West Texas we were rewarded with a week in beautiful San Diego. Technically it was their “June Gloom”, but I didn’t care. There was enough beer and beach to go around. After my scientific calculations, here are the 10 best spots to hit when you’re in SD: 

Tucked away on Pacific Beach, World Famous is a must if you can get a table for Brunch. Stellar lobster tacos and craft beers will cure your hangover. 

Another unassuming Pacific Beach boardwalk spot. Stop by here for a sandwich or breakfast burrito (served all day) and make sure you sit at the rooftop bar. The people watching below is top notch. 

We stumbled on La Puerta for lunch on a weekday, which was good because we could easily snag a table in this Gaslamp hotspot. Though they’re a Mexican restaurant, I ordered the bacon-wrapped hot dogs. I made the right decision. 

There are a few companies offering bay cruises in San Diego, and I happened to find Hornblower by chance. Their cocktail cruise is a perfect way to get a few drinks in while enjoying the best city views from the water. 

Easily the best fish tacos I’ve ever had. Swing by this local’s only spot for fresh seafood and a ton of beers on tap. Fire pit seating is great for a group as well. 

Home of the Padres, Petco is actually one of the cooler parks I’ve been to. Plenty of great food and beer options within the park (get the tri-tip nachos if you can find them), and our game also hosted Padres Beerfest. If only they could put a better product on the field…

Wonderland is an upstairs oasis from the packed Ocean Beach neighborhood. Get there before sundown because they have sprawling window seats that have perfect views of the sunset over the Pacific. Live music and succulent beer-can chicken will make any night solid at Wonderland. 

This is the most deceiving neighborhood in town. Yes, there are some awesome Italian restaurants, but it’s also home to the trendiest new American bars and restaurants. Make sure you get a reservations, they’re surprisingly hard to come by. 

PB is the best neighborhood for dive bars and sandy restaurants. The beach itself is worth the trip. Not too big and not too small, you’ll always find a spot to put your towel. You can surf, play beach volleyball, or just relax any day of the week. 

By far my favorite bar in San Diego. Barrel Republic takes the frozen yogurt model and applies it to beer. They have over 40 beers on tap, and you pay for them by the ounce. You can try a few, or all of them if you’re adventurous. This is hands down the best way to try all of San Diego’s fine craft beers.