Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Gaylord Palms Resort - Orlando, FL

Last week I visited Orlando, FL for the Wireless Enterprise Symposium. While attending this event I was extremely happy to stay with the great folks at the Gaylord Palms Resort - Florida. The Palms is located about 3 miles from Disney World and about 20 minutes from Universal Studios by bus(a car would take about 3 minutes).
While there I stayed on the 9th floor over looking a 4 acre atrium. It was spectacular to say the least. To the left is a picture outside my room!

The atrium consisted of three restaurants (including a seafood restaurant on the water), an alligator and turtle pond, a Ben and Jerry's, shopping, a wedding chapel and a fort. Yes, a fort. You can see it in the picture.

Alligators, Turtles and Rocks oh my. It was very neat to watch them in the little habitat. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday you could feed them...or be fed to them. Whichever you prefer. Either way there was no cost, so that's a bonus. Only thing was is that they bound the alligators mouths with electrical tape. Steve Irwin would have a fit. Beauty Mate!

The rooms were very nice, the Dasani was free (in a round about way) and the service was top notch. I would stay here again in a second! The food? Did I mention the food? No? Fantastic!

Everything about the hotel was wonderful. The outdoor pools, the convention center and the mini-golf were all something to behold. This is really a place for families to stay.

Below is a picture of the family pool. Notice the giant octopus with the water slide going down his middle? Awesome. The kids loved it (so did JJ!) . You can visit their site here.

Go! You will not regret it. Your wallet will never speak to you again but you will find that it is totally worth it.

Bye.

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Main Street Cafe

If you ever are in Siren, Wi. for, well, whatever, you must stop in at the Main Street Cafe. This, in downtown Minneapolis or Chicago, would be called a "greasy spoon". For a sleepy little town that hops like crazy (come fishing opener) in the summer, this is good food. I had a buttermilk pancake just this morning that was the size of an airplane tire. It was huge...and it was good. $2 for this airplane tire is a steal. You get three for about $4.75. Good luck eating them.

The clientele are what you would expect. Friendly, outgoing and small town. They are the best. Smoking is allowed because it is not Hennepin County. If you don't like smoking, don't go. To tell you the truth, I saw people smoking but never noticed any smoke. In other words, don't worry about it. Just eat!

Huge portions, great people, great service and good food. Go. Located, where else? On Main Street in downtown Siren, Wi.