Coastal Surfing - North & South America, Texas, & Australian Surfing

Caller.com has some video footage of some locals surfing the Dolly Swell.  Make sure to give it a peak. http://www.caller.com/videos/detail/storm-surf/

Dallas hit the surf yesterday, snapping a few shots of the Dolly Swell.  Hopefully he will make it out a few more times this week.  Check out the gallery for more of his shots.  Unfortunately, I’m missing out on the swell.  Stay safe and a big thanks to Dallas.

Monday.  Enough said.

An abandoned fishing trawler could damage a famous Bali surfing break and cause the next ASP tour destination to be changed.  Padang Padang is well known for producing great swell and is the choice of the Rip Curl Pro, the next spot on the ASP surfing circuit.

More…

I was recently doing some work in the Las Colinas area of Dallas, Texas for Adobe, Inc.  The conference was at the Omni Mandalay Hotel, Las Colinas.  The hotel offered the best service of any hotel I have stayed in. 

• Front desk phones answered promptly (usually after the first ring)
• Entrance doors held open
• Cookies and milk waiting in my room each evening
• Hot coffee, juice, and my choice of paper delivered to my room each morning
• Large fitness area
• large pool with hot tube and children’s play area
• Friendly concierge and front desk staff - in fact, the front desk noticed that I requested a double bed room (my wife and kids came with me) and a room with a view.  They held my room to tell me that they had a room on a lower level, but that it was larger…would I like that one instead.  I took them up on their suggestion and it turned out the room was huge!  Great job front desk!
• Free high speed Internet

In order to receive many of the guest services mentioned above, you need to signup for the Omni Select Guest Program.  If you plan on staying at an Omni hotel, make sure you take the time to do this.  Visit this link, sign up to become a member (free), and next time you stay at an Omni hotel you will receive all kinds of great benefits.

Food Review

My hotel was about four miles from a Red, Hot, and Blues BBQ restaurant and I had heard great things about this place.  The family and I headed to the Arlington location for some BBQ pork ribs and beef.  

We started with the nachos - and for a BBQ joint, the nachos were mouth watering good.  Piled high with cheese (the real stuff not that liquid mystery cheese you get with movie nachos) peppers, jalapenos, and beef (not hamburger…but real BBQ style beef).  Man-oh-man were they good. 

After the nachos I polished off a 1/2 rack of dry-rubbed ribs.  My mouth is watering just thinking of the tender pork rib meat falling off their bones.  WOW!  My meal also came with ranch styled baked beans and green beans, although you can choose two sides from a number of choices.

My wife ordered the beef and sausage combo and judging from her plate, rather enjoyed her meal.  I refused to let my little ones order Mac & Cheese and while one ordered corn dogs (two full size dogs and some fries) the other ordered the sweet pork ribs.  Both portions were too large for the kiddos, but I had no problem helping them clear their plates.  

Did I like it?  Well…two days later I had to wrap my jaws around some more Red Hot & Blues ribs.  Good Stuff!  The prices are great, the food is wonderful, and my kids said the waiter was "one cool guy." 

Surfers: Joel Parkinson, Taj, Jordy Smith, De Souza, Mick Fanning, & Kelly Slater

"Yeah…I Just Fell" - Mick Fanning

"I’m 36 years old and maybe that’s my prime…something special is happening." - Kelly Slater

This has nothing to do with surfing, but it makes for a good story. A short video about "Christian" the lion.  A bit "mushy," but interesting.