Oktoberfest

New amigos: Diego y Raul from the Canary Islands

I don't think I will EVER be able to drink another Lowenbrau in my life, but Oktoberfest was pretty damn amazing! We got there at 9AM, it opened at 10AM, so we were able to get a prime table in an awesome tent! Aside from all of the German songs, they love singing that "Hey Baby"song from Dirty Dancing so I was able to join in at the top of my lungs! The waitresses are capable of carrying 8+ liters of beer with nothing but their bare hands! No small feat considering I could barely lift mine with one hand. I was surprised that the festival is more than just beer tents (there are 12 large tents and probably 10 smaller beer gardens in total) but its a full on carnival complete with roller coasters and all of the various fair attractions, not that I wasn't in any shape to get on a ride. If you love beer, brats, and BMWs, Oktoberfest should be on your bucket list, but consider the before and after shot below as fair warning.

Schwabing!

After missing our connection in Amsterdam, we finally caught a flight to Munich to start our beer drinking adventure. The parking lot at the Munich airport was pretty impressive. I have never seen so many Audis, BMWs, or Mercedes in one place in my life! We finally got to our hotel and hit the city for a little sightseeing. Just a low-key night with beers and pretzels in the Schwabing neighborhood. I managed to find a pretty cool Land Rover that was willing to pose with me. The Schnellbahn (their subway) is very easy to use, although its pretty old and it smells. Next stop > Oktoberfest!

I was in front of the Governors mansion in Juneau, which (fun fact) is surrounded by rhodendrons from Seattle. I couldn't see Russia from the property (Tina Fey is a boss) but I did manage to get a few photo-ops. After many trips up here, I finally has a successful seafood experience. Dinner at the Gold Room in the Baranof hotel was killer. The halibut was perfection! Another successful trip to Alaska!

Checked, But Never Claimed

Here I am back in Juneau, AK looking at the gun Wyatt Earp checked, but never claimed. The Red Dog Saloon is a bit of a tourist trap, but for good reason. Its been around since the mining days, and its one of Juneau's oldest drinking establishments. The collection of taxidermied animals is impressive and somewhat scary. The people here are some of the friendliest I have ever met. The weather is some of the foulest I have ever been in, and I have been to the organic grocery store twice already!

The Week After Mardi Gras

The French Quarter, the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans, feels magical (even if you are nursing a wicked hangover). Jackson Square, named after Andrew, was full of life, music, and color. The people watching is on par with Vegas. St. Louis Cathedral is absolutely beautiful. I learned some valuable life lessons in New Orleans including:

1) Always politely decline a Hurricane

2) Always refuse a Hand Grenade

3) A strong cup of black coffee and a beignet makes everything better!

Staying Classy in San Diego

The USS Midway might be one of the most impressive military museums I have ever been to. The flight deck is loaded with aircraft including, yes its true, and F-14 Tomcat! Access felt almost unlimited. We almost got lost in the mess deck! The pier where she is docked is right by the shops, restaurants, and bars at Seaport. The whole area is a must stop for anyone hanging out in downtown SD.

San Diego Knows How to Make the Rules

"They carry AND transmit several diseases", they also like to poop on unsuspecting tourists! I'm surprised I made it this long in life before it happened. Birds Are Evil.