An amazing adventure

So...it's been a while since I had the time to update my blog and I am doing so in between eating a slice of vegi pizza with a side of fresh fruit from Publix....yum,yum.
After Santo Domingo it was off to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh PA the following weekend.
PHL was a mad rush to get to the Liberty Bell for my photo-op and back to the airport all within a three hours time for my return to the ATL to do it all over again the following day.

Sunday I was lucky to get on a flight to Pittsburgh as the Steelers had a home game and quite a few people on my flight was attending the game. A sea of Yellow and Black seems to be a the PIT airport showing their team spirit. i was nervously hoping I could get back to the airport before any Steeler Fanatics even leave the stadium.

Thankfully my sister Pauline in Pittsburgh came and pick me up from the airport thus making my transit to the downtown area and back a breeze. The illusive tandem bike was found here thanks again to my sis who scoped out it's location before I arrived. A passerby was nice enough to occupy the back seat.
We then venture in a cable car up the Duquesne/Monongahela Incline for a photo at the top which over looks the city. The weather was mild and the athmosphere was electrifying. I wanted to partake in the Steeler Fans festivity which seems to be happening at almost every bar in the area.

Unfortunately, I had to dash back to the Airport early to get a flight before the possibility of getting bumped by the Steeler fans returning to the ATL. No idea if they won or loss that day.

No rest even on a beautiful afternoon with sunny 70 degrees weather in the  ATL.

Off we go to New Orleans on a Thursday afternoon for a pix on

Burbon Street

and back to Atlanta in a matter of 5 hours.

Friday morning we are off again this time to Managua, Nicaragua.  Our photo-op there was at La Concha Acustica.  Sad to say it had rain recently and the area around it was flooded. The main purpose of the place was for outdoor concerts and events however it had not been in use for a long time and was in dire need of pressure washing. 

We stayed at the Hilton and took the opportunity for some much needed R and R by the pool.  We savored the few hours of relaxation before heading back to the airport the following day.

No time to loose and much to gain we arrived from Managua and hop on a connecting flight to Seattle WA. Our WARRior(World Airline Road Race) friend Steve who works for Alaska Airlines took us to get our pix by the Ewing and Clark building by Lenora St. Sadly my Pentax camera accidently fell and no longer functions. Thanks to my BlackBerry Storm I was still able to function for the remaining photo challenges.

Steve then took us to the last required pix in Seattle, the Fremont Troll. This was at 7am in the morning and we were a little fearful there would be people loitering under the bridge where the Troll was residing.  Thankfully all was peaceful and quiet while we got in the hands of the Fremont Troll for yet another photo-op.

We then raced to the airport for a 9am flight to Anchorage, AK on Alaska Air. We arrived in Anchorage approximately noon time for a rendezvous with a moose, a bear and a raven (who came up with these ideas?).

Luckly the bear and the raven was just a picture cut-out a Downtown Theatre that was closed due to only seasonal performances.

The moose however, we had to go find at the local Zoo. We were told, if we stay around long enough on any given day we could actually spot one on the street or in someone's backyard. No thanks.  Those animals are quite hugh and mean especially if their young is on hand.

Polar Bear showing his good side at the Zoo.

  

So we arrived in Anchorage at noon on Sunday and was back in our second home (Delta Air Lines) by 9pm.
Our next stop, Chicago. Beautiful, windy and a shopper's paradise. If only I had time and money....oh well.
First stop directly from the airport on Monday morning was a visit to one of Frank Lloyd Wright house. On our way we had a bonus find of Hemmingway's birth home.

Next stop, before a well desired rest in a comfy bed that I am so looking forward to at the Swissotel was the top of the Willis Tower, standing 110 stories. Willis Tower is the tallest building in North America and on a clear day four states- Illinois, indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin can be seen from the Skydeck.

Standing on the glass ledge which extends over four feet outside of the 103rd floor is not for the faint hearted. Global  Gal Debbie faced her fears and step out on the ledge to join me for our kodak moment.

If you are going to take the elevator ride to the 103rd floor, just do it. Of course this is easier said than done for some people.  I loved it.

By mid afternoon we were tired but, after a hot shower at the hotel we managed to make our way out to dinner and a little shopping down the Magnificent Mile.

Tuesday morning we are back on our prefered carrier of choice, Delta Air Lines and our home away from home to the ATL.

Following week Global Gal Lisa and I were off to Omaha Nebraska for our last travel photo. We overnight in Detroit at the Westin Hotel where we had a view of the Aircrafts.

Saturday morning we arrived in Omaha by 9:30am with the mission of getting at photo with the Joslyn Castle in the background.

Joslyn Castle was an easy find in our little rental car and left us with a couple our to do a little sightseeing in Old Town.

 

A lone sculpture of  Doe in Old Town.

Ghost Riders enjoying the mild weather in Omaha.

We arrived back in Atlanta were the following monday we created a snowball fight (imagine that snow in 69degrees weather. It was a very funny scene, take my word no picture to show...tooo funny.
Global Gals Lisa, Debbie, Marva, Sara and I  worked for 62days as a team. We had more fun than frustration even when we had to sleep in airports or hotel sofas. Through 11hours flight and 3hours car rides we trully enjoyed our experiences.


Global Gals 2010

Between us all we accomplish all 100 photos with minutes to spare, literally.

Many thanks to my family, friends and coworkers who have supported the Global Gals on our fun yet challenging journey of 62days while we treck around the world in support of Delta Air Lines partnership with the United Way. Thanks for all your pledges which will aid in supporting the United Way WorldWide Relief Fund.
Much thanks also goes out to The Hilton Staff in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, in Managua Nicaragua and in Anchorage Alaska. To my seat mate in 10C on the New Orleans flight who gave us a ride to the French Quarters, thanks for going above and beyond. There are too many folks along our journey to name names however I do appreciate everyone's generosity and good will.
Will post in 2weeks the final result of the photo challenge and also the pledge contest. It is now almost 11pm night, night.