Ummm.... Where did Mark Go?

Well... it has been some time since I last posted anything on this blog.  So where the hell did I go? Well I was on a trip around the world for the last 180 days and I have seen all the places in the 1,000 places books. So time to catch up right? Wrong!!!! Wishful thinking. What I would give to do a trip around the world. Someday, hopefully.

So really, what have I been doing? Well for one, being lazy!!! Shame on me. I should be writing on my blog on a regular basis. So this is my promise to my readers to get more posts on a regular basis. It appears that my last post was in September and let me catch you up on where I have been since and where I plan to go in the near future.  I will post more details on these visits over the next few weeks.

One of my goals was to visit Fenway Park in it's 100th year of operation. I did not get the chance to attend a game during that year, but I did have the opportunity to get a guided tour of the park, which was much more fun for me rather than sitting through a game.

100 years of Fenway Park (1912-2012)

The famous "Green Monster"

October brought a chance to make a quick weekend visit to New York City. The hotel that we were staying at has a view right into the construction site for the new World Trade Center and access to the 9/11 Memorial.

9/11 Memorial Reflecting Pool

 In November I visited one of my favorite cities, Chicago. What can I say about Chicago other than fun, fun, fun. Where else can you get great food and on the cheap?  Chicago is home to the original Pizzeria Uno, for which I still have yet to try. One should never miss the Art Institute of Chicago, located near Grant and Millennium Parks.  Some of the most famous works of art are housed there, not to mention that you need a week to see the entire museum.

American Gothic at The Art Institute of Chicago

Don't forget to get a great view from atop the world famous Willis Tower. Wait, you say you have never heard of the Willis Tower? Well perhaps you may know it better as its former name, The Sears Tower.

Views from 103 floors up The Sears er... Willis Tower

January is where things get crazy, or rather "Goofy." Yes it is official, you can call me Goofy, I completed the Goofy Challenge which is an event held annually at Walt Disney World near Orlando, FL.  The "Goofy" combines a 1/2 Marathon run on a Saturday and a Full Marathon on Sunday for a total of 39.3 miles combined. But really, who can say that they have been to all four Walt Disney World theme parks in about than 6 hours time including a quick ride on Expedition Everest. (To those die hard Disney fans, I know you have.)

That is one Goofy fella!!!

So after I go to Disney in January what would my next trip in March be....? You guessed it, another trip to Walt Disney World he he he.  This time to enjoy all that the parks have to offer, and not to just run through them.

How many times has this boy been to Disney? Lost count.

In May, Stu and I took a last minute trip for Memorial Day weekend. But where too? Our options were 1. Las Vegas (Could not find an affordable flight.) 2. Montreal (Could not find an important document to cross international borders.) 3. Just get in the car and drive!!! We went with the third option. Sadly it rained almost all weekend long during our trip, but we still made the trip worth it. We ended up in North Conway, New Hampshire; Burlington, Vermont; Lake George, New York; and Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Our last day on the road included a drive down Route 2 which is part of the Mohawk Trail. The highlight was a hike up part of the Appalachian Trail to Massachusetts' highest peak Mt. Greylock.

Top of Mt. Greylock, that white stuff is snow in May!!!

I had a bit of free time to myself after our road trip, so I decided to do some Boston touristy things and walked along the Freedom Trail. Have to say, it's a good way to learn about the city that I live in.

Follow the red brick road.

What future trips do you have to look forward? July will be my company trip to Mount Washington, New Hampshire and August will be my trip to California for the Disneyland Half Marathon.

Still have a lot of places to go.  Stay tuned for more details on the above trips, some of my past trips, and those to come.