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McGrath’s is a chain, so like many chains I wouldn’t call it a place to travel to another state to visit :)

However, my wife and I try to make it here a couple times a year since it’s just a 40 minute drive for us. Enjoyable atmosphere, and good food. If you’re in the area, and their menu appeals to you, go for it!

Well I finally made it to Vegas, so now I don’t have get that funny look from people anymore because I won’t have to say “I’ve never been to Vegas” anymore :)

I had a good time. The shows are amazing (saw Spamalot while I was there) and the free stuff is cool (like the water fountain at the Bellagio).

I would go back, but only as part of a larger trip to see other things (I was there for business).

How would I sum up Vegas? Well when I got home my wife asked me the same question, since she didn’t get to go. Essentially going to Vegas is like drinking $500 champagne in little plastic champagne glasses.

We drove out to Nairn Falls while on vacation in Whistler (June, 2007). This park has a nice little campground (some lots back to a cliff/hill overlooking the river) with hiking trails, and notably a hike leading to Nairn Falls. It’s a short hike to the falls (think it was about 40 minutes round trip). The falls are beautiful!

The natural dirt path is somewhat narrow at times and on one side is a steep hillside going down that ends at the rivers edge (don’t go down there).

However, if you’re in Whistler, you’re craving pizza (or some cheap food, and believe me, there isn’t much in the way of GOOD cheap food in Whistler) then stop by Avalanche Pizza. They aren’t easy to find since they have a real small shop (standing room only with only 4 bar stools to sit at and eat), and they are in a little courtyard that is easy to miss.

The pizza was great! They’re crust is a little thicker than I’m used to (but NOT deep dish style thick), but the taste is fantastic, and the price reasonable (one big slice plus a soda for $5.50).

When my wife and I travel, we want to eat good food! We ate at this Italian restaurant in the village one night and had a FANTASTIC dinner! The place is pricey, but worth it (our bill for dinner, 5 drinks, and one dessert was about $110 before tip).

If you like good food, eat here, you won’t be sorry (but your wallet may be ;)

We recently stayed at the Edgewater Lodge on our first trip to Whistler in June (2007). This is apparantly the only hotel accomodations available in Whistler that is on the water (of course, there may be condos that you can find to rent, but no other hotel).

The Edgewater is a small cozy lodge (only 12 rooms) situated on a mini-peninsula on Green Lake just a couple mile north of Whistler Village.

That staff is friendly and really work hard to make your stay pleasent! The restaurant was fantastic! We only ate there the first night (we like to eat somewhere new every night when we travel).

There are nearby trails and of course the lake. Next to the lodge is an outfit that has various activities; from renting canoes/kayaks, to small sail boats. They also have horseback riding trips, and there is an eagle expert (can’t recall his name) that has demonstrations (including flight demonstrations if the eagles are in the mood!).

We really enjoyed our stay here and I plan on returning! The picture I’ve included is a view from our room!

Most people I know that tell me “You gotta go to Whistler!” always talk about winter and skiing (both fun things of course). However, I’m not big into winter sports, so when a friend said to check out Whistler in the Summer, my wife and I thought “Why not?”

We just got back from 4 days in Whistler, we were there the beginning of June. Now in June you can get a mix of weather, we had 2 days of HOT 80+ F (hey, when you’re from Seattle, 80 is “HOT” :) followed by 2 days of about 67F with off-n-on rain. I’ve been told that starting July you pretty much get “gauranteed” (as much as anything is) sunny/hot days.

Would I go again in June? DEFINITELY! There is plenty to do, and actually, there are more things to do in the Summer than in Winter. The hiking is beautiful and there are guide outfits that will take you to the more hidden trails. Horseback riding, water sports, canoe/kayak the River of Golden Dreams, and more!

Check it out; the lodging is cheaper than in the winter, and the beauty of Whistler in Summer is just as stunning as it is in the Winter!

but I wouldn’t confuse it with a destination spot for a traveller. People live there, it’s a nice place, but I’m sure you have nice places where you live now, so why would you plan a trip to see Turlock? That’s like planning a trip to Lodi or Escalon (there I go again ;)

This is one of those places one should visit in their lifetime. I’ve been there a couple times, and would like to see it again someday!

There is much to do and see, as well as plenty of opportunity to relax. Check it out!