michigan

i don't recall the last time i could say this, but my latest trip was to a state i had never been to before!  in and of itself that is kind of exciting, but i was pleasantly surprised by the state, and hope to spend more time there one day!

it was snowing from the time i arrived to the time i left, and yet oddly, the roads were passable at fairly high speeds.  i immediately tested them, having flown into detroit with an hour and a half drive to lansing, where our conference was being held.

i arrived safely and without even one white knuckle, and felt so confident that i even opted to go on a little adventure the following night.  there was only one DDD location within reasonable distance, so i drove an hour each way for a five dollar burger at krazy jim's blimpy burger in ann arbor, mi.

i wish i'd had more time to spend in ann arbor...i liked the vibe, but alas, i didn't want to push my luck too far.  i found blimpy burger easily and reviewed the ordering instructions.  see, the 'kitchen' at this place is like a very small aisle at the back, where you pick up a tray and proceed to order your meal...in order.  first comes the fried items; french fries, onion rings, mushrooms, etc.  then come the grilled items; number of patties, bacon, onions, etc., then the bun, then the cheese, then the condiments.  you can't tell the fry guy what kind of burger you want, and you can't tell the grill guy what condiments you want on your burger unless you want some serious humiliation thrown your way.

i had studied the ordering etiquette, and felt pretty good, if a little nervous.  but i approached the fry guy and placed my order for onion rings,  then the grill guy for my double with bacon on an onion roll, (and when he was ready) blue cheese, then the condiment guy for my mayo.    truly, i sounded like a local and i couldn't have been more proud.

the burger was good.  i won't go so far as to say great, but the environment and clearly local population made it a worthwhile stop.

the rest of the short trip was uneventful - it was an in-n-out trip for me, but i was so impressed with how polite and genuinely warm the people were, as well as the service level at the hotel.  i haven't stayed in a non-hilton/marriott hotel in a long time, and i was mindblown at how attentive and proactive the staff was at the lansing radisson.  this hotel knows good service, and that's something i have come to truly appreciate in all my travels.

i hope i have another opportunity to visit michigan and to get a broader measure of the state!