Carnival

It's not every day that a carnival unexpectedly starts setting up next to my office.

Bullet Points

I tend to use bullet points a lot, but many programs don't have the option. Maybe our future keyboards will have one.

Here's a shortcut if you ever need a bullet point.

(Hold down) Alt (type in)0149

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East Bay Suites - Grand Marais

East Bay Suites in Grand Marais. We stayed there 13+ years ago for about $25, with a "bathroom down the hall". Since then, they've completely removed the old hotel and built a new one. (Prices have gone up a bit.) It's very close - walking distance - to everything you'll want to see in Grand Marais. Great service and lots of classy extras. We'll definitely stay there again.

Fish-n-Chips - Grand Marais

Lakeside view. Casual atmosphere. Reasonably priced. Fresh Whitefish and Herring from Lake Superior fried up with a side of fries. Very tasty. Go there. Dockside Fish Market

Fishin' Chics - Grand Marais

Captain David Williams gave us an entertaining 90 minute tour of Lake Superior. He also offers charter fishing and full outfitting services for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. www.fishinchics.com & www.bear-track.com

Worlds Best Donuts - Grand Marais

They simply are the best donuts. I don't usually eat donuts for breakfast, but in Grand Marais I do - sometimes more than once a day. Conveniently across the street from Sven & Oleys. World's Best Donuts

Minnesota - Grand Marais

You may have seen the bumper sticker. Probably the most famous restaurant on the North Shore. Very good pizza! Sven & Ole's Pizza

Minnesota - Betty's Pies

Save room for pie at Betty's Pies too. We all had our own favorite, but the 5-Layer Chocolate Cream was VERY good.

Minnesota - North Shore of Lake Superior

If you head north of Duluth, take the scenic route on Old Hwy 61. I ate half of the smoked Cisco in less than 5 minutes. I'm sure that the Brown Sugar Trout will be just as good.

Russ Kendall's Smokehouse at 149 Scenic Drive, Knife River, MN 55609.

Minnesota Travel - Duluth

If you're in Duluth, try Grandma's Saloon and Grill right off of Lake Superior. It's the home of Grandma's Marathon. Their Marathon Spaghetti is the best I've had in a long time.

Discount Travel sites

Think twice if you're traveling with kids and use discount travel sites. Just because "Suites" is in the name of the hotel, you still might end up with just a regular room and not the privacy you expected. Also, some don't allow a smoking room choices. Lesson learned.

Chicago Attractions

Here are a few attractions you might want to check out on your next trip to Chicago.

A cooking class at The Wooden Spoon on 5047 N. Clark Street. We had a lot of fun learning to cook various appetizers, and even a better time eating them.

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You can't go wrong with breakfast at LUXBAR at 18 East Bellevue Place. Try the Eggs Benedict or any fruit plate.

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An hour massage at Heavenly Massage at 1163 North State Street. Beautiful new facilities. Great massage.

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Gino's East of Chicago at 162 East Superior Street. Some of the best pizza we've ever had.

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We waited over 30 minutes to get Garrett Popcorn. Yes, popcorn. It's that good.

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If you want to know what it feels like to ride your bike through downtown Chicago traffic, look up Bobby's Bike Hike. It was the highlight of our trip.

Hotwire

I used www.hotwire.com to book a hotel on a recent trip to Chicago, and saved about 50% off of the prices listed on the hotel's website. It's similar to Priceline, but you don't bid. You pick the time, price, and location. Once booked, you find out where you'll be staying. We were very happy with the Affinia Chicago Hotel. It was a beautiful hotel with great service, very close to the Water Tower.