I’m writing this from my hotel room – which by the way is really nice! What a peaceful retreat to have during such a whirlwind trip. My day started at 330am when I left my house to get going.
I was pretty anxious about delays and epic FAIL in flights… but American Airlines for the win!! Everything was 10-15minutes early and all smiles. HOORAY!!
I had a short layover in Texas (Dallas) where I ordered a side of chips & queso thinking it’d be a yummy little $4 snack. Um… they gave me a TUB of cheese!!! 
This made me laugh a lot – I mean it really is all bigger in Texas, I guess! SCRAPBOOKER NOTE: I like taking some screen shots of googlemaps on my iphone of where I’m at when I travel. I zoom in and out – just love seeing that blue dot somewhere new.
So Texas didn’t hold me captive this time, it would seem the DFW airport is just much more in sync with me than the Houston one. good to know. Onward! Two unremarkable flights and about 9hrs after I left my house (and two romance novels) later… Columbus!
A few notes:
- Ohio is a whole nother country! They have all of these restaurant chains I’ve never seen and many I’ve never heard – most don’t exist in California! Driving in I said it’s the land of sugar and carbs – oh sweet temptation there are so many carb-a-licious options!
- Tim Horton’s apparently isn’t just a kind of Keurig Coffee – it’s a real place! (I had lots of giggles over this… I thought it was just a random coffee brand!)
- They have Jimmy Johns here! (another thing I don’t have in Ca) I will be having this.
- I must resist Dunkin Donuts (sugar + carb overload!) honestly it’s just not that good – but somehow the whole “we don’t have that at home” messes with me every time I’m near one!
- There are trees everywhere… but it is so flat! I’m used to trees + hills. Very lush and green, rainy and absolutely lovely here.
- There really are Ohio State merchandise stores everywhere.
- I’m reminded how much I like to explore and check out new places. This is going to be a fun adventure
- THEY HAVE CRACKER BARREL HERE! (sorry… more on this obsession tomorrow – it’s another ‘we don’t have that in CA’ thing)
The hotel/convention property that the Simon Says Stamp Create event (the whole reason I’m here) is being held at is amazing. I love every detail, it’s all just really beautiful! Bonus? For $10 you can get a piece of cheesecake and a glass of milk delivered to your room. WIN!
Speaking of win… check out my beautiful blue rental car.
I normally do NOT rent cars on trips like this – I just taxi in then deal with whatever I’ve got within walking distance. However this trip a) cracker barrel b) great rate through Costco and c) realizing it’d be easier to have a car all factored in. This one is so cute! It’s also very tiny. A carry-on suitcase BARELY fit in the trunk!
Excited to get this adventure kicked off – starting with a dinner with some of my Simon family!
I’ll be back tomorrow with the “behind the scenes” day before the event report…
I would totally trade you Jimmy John’s for In ‘n Out Burger!
So excited you’re blogging about my city, and glad you’re enjoying your stay!
I didn’t know about the Create event until reading this post just now. Disappointed the classes are sold out, but if I can, I will drive up to SHOP on Saturday. Sounds like so much fun.
So funny! I’m in Pennsylvania, nowhere near Ohio I’m on the other side. We don’t have In n Out burger or Sonic, among others. Yeah, Dunkin Donuts, very overrated. I get it, though. Sounds like your working trip is off to a great start. Can’t wait to read more. Michelle t
Yeah, as a former resident of Texas, I’m gonna say that DFW is more in sync with EVERYone than Houston. I remember a trip that included the Houston airport several years ago, and it was the worst airport experience EVER. Glad DFW was your layover this time. Mmmm…big ol’ tub o’ cheese… 😉
May – Do not miss Skyline Chili!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE this stuff! I recommend the Chili Dog! Enjoy!
LUV J.J; not a Canadian thing; Tim Hortons….HUGE in Canada..if you don’t know the history of how this started, you may want to read up on this; N.B used to have the most franchises in Canada, but not sure about 2013; looking forward to tomorrow’s post & have a great trip
So glad you get to go to Cracker Barrel!! I am in Southern CA (where they don’t exist) so my sweet hubby knows whenever we visit his family in Arizona or move our son in/out of Boise State (and now another son in/out of Creighton Medical) I HAVE to go to Cracker Barrel! He thinks it’s funny but goes along with it – can’t wait till I go again in August…..
Welcome to the Midwest! If you were to travel to the north to Michigan, it wouldn’t be flat :0) Green and lush and lots of hardwood trees. Tim Hortons is better than Starbucks in my hubby’s eyes. We enjoyed them in Canada before they traveled south of the border. Cracker Barrel – I feel my arteries hardening from the fats – LOL Enjoy your visit. And the car is a must here in the Midwest. Public Transportation isn’t big in the middle part of the country.
Love the little car!!! Have a wonderful trip
What a great update! Thanks. Glad your travel was better this time. I’m kind of glad there’s not a Cracker Barrel nearby (SoCal) ’cause it would be very tempting. There is one where we go visit relatives in AZ, so I can indulge fairly often. Have a blast!
Another welcome to the Midwest!!! (I am in Illinois, north of Chicago.) It’s so fun to read your observations. I love to explore new places. Enjoy!!!
Really wish I could have made it to this event! Loving your travel commentary, and really kind of jealous that you got a giant queso. I recently moved to Washington state and haven’t found very many fine establishments that serve queso.
Speaking as someone who reeeeeally wanted to attend the Create event, but couldn’t make it happen…please keep the BTS coming! It is so fun to hear and see what’s happening, and I love your impressions of this area of the Midwest. Would like to check out the restaurant options in California…I love healthy food!
SO FUNNY! I love your style. I can’t wait to read more about your adventure. I agree…. I always have to stop at Cracker Barrel!! I like the store part. You never know what you might find….
Have fun!!!
Hey May – I’m actually just down in Cincy, so I go up to Columbus every now & then. If your hotel is near Worthington/Dublin area I HIGHLY recommend finding the Honey Baked Ham store on Sawmill Rd. They have this cafe attached that is AMAZING! Also, if you’re closer to downtown, check out Schmidt’s – an amazing German restaurant. And if you have the opportunity – you should try Skyline Chili as Lisa said – but order a cheese coney – not a hot dog. Have a great time!
So jealous! I hope to be able to attend next year, it just wasn’t in the budget for this year ;).
It’s so funny and cool to me that even within the US you have different brands. I take photos in grocery stores because I love seeing all the differences!