HOGs Can Load Up on Harley-Davidson In Memphis

About a year ago, two friends of mine from the great Northwoods of Minnesota and Wisconsin, headed south to tour the Mississippi Delta with me for a long weekend. As we sped south out of town my Wisconsin friend noticed The Southern Thunder Harley dealership and store and noted she wanted to stop there on the way back to the airport on Sunday.

Her husband had always wanted a Harley and had finally bought one just a couple of years ago. He had barely broken in his cycle when he had a serious, although not fatal accident. I think my friend had hoped this may slow him down, but instead he became an even more avid rider and was collecting memorabilia from all the clubs. Since he may never make it south, she wanted to surprise him with a piece of Southern Thunder.

Well, I guess the fun in the Delta got to us and we came back a different way and forgot all about stopping before we headed to the airport. So, no Harley-Davidson souvenirs for Todd!

Had I know then what I know now (sounds like a country song doesn't it?), I would have told her to stop by the Harley-Davidson shop on Concourse B in the rotunda at Memphis International Airport (MEM). They represent the Blues City club which may not be as famous as Southern Thunder, but certainly evokes Memphis, home of the blues!

Since I am seeing my friend this afternoon I'm taking her a Blues City Harley-Davidson shot glass to give Todd. I hope this makes up just a little for forgetting to head to Southern Thunder on the way home!

In Search of a Healthy Breakfast at MEM

Luckily I don't have to travel much on weekends, but this Sunday morning, after an exceptionally busy weekend filled to the brim with a Board meeting, I had to jump on a plane and head to Kansas City for a couple of days.

As I bet a lot of you have done, I made promises to myself on New Year's Day that I would take better care of myself this year. And part of that "better care" is eating a healthy breakfast every day. Well, like most New Year's resolutions, this one has been spotty, but today I decided to keep the resolution and search out a healthy breakfast at the Memphis airport before my plane boarded.

Sunday mornings are a bit slow these days at MEM and it only took a short time to get past security so I had plenty of time to scout out my options. It became clear quickly that the words "healthy" and "breakfast" were never used together on the ads designed to bring you in to the food vendors on Terminal C. Moe's had breakfast burritos, Cinnabon was sending their normal "come hither" fragrances my way, and the sit-down restaurant offered eggs, bacon, biscuits, and gravy.

Luckily the Starbucks way down at the northern end of the terminal finally met the bill. Their oatmeal only has 140 calories and certainly fills you up on a dreary winter morning. They gave me a bag with the topping options: nuts, dried fruit, brown sugar which, if you add them all, will give you another 250 calories, so be careful. This was the only healthy option Starbucks offers in Memphis. None of their stores past security offer the egg sandwiches or wraps.

Wonder how airports rate for healthy food options? Check out the 2014 Airport Food Review. BWI got the highest marks with 92% of their restaurants offering at least one "plant-based" option. I'm headed to Charlotte's Douglas International Airport later this week and glad to see they scored 73%.

Do you have some suggestions on where to get healthy breakfasts at the airports you use? Share them with us so we don't have to go on our own searches!

Become an Airport Shopper

Ever hurried out of the house to catch a plane and remembered, just as the flight attendant asked you to turn off your cell phone, that you left your favorite pair (or only pair) of earrings at home? Or have you jumped in the car in 65 degree weather heading north to DC or NYC and forgotten to pack a jacket or sweater? Or, maybe like me, you tried to pack light so didn’t bring a briefcase and don’t want to look like a lightweight when you walk into the meeting carrying your computer in your hands? Or, as I imagine many of you have done, you left your cell phone or computer or iPad or Kindle charger at home.

Perhaps you have arrived at an airport and wondered where you can get a hot breakfast? Or a healthy meal? Do you wonder if you can go to your gate or do you need to get your stuff before you trapse those extra, what seem, miles?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you just need to become an airport shopper.

Not all your shopping has to be around looking impressive for your job or being sure you have the food in your stomach to make it through the next stop. You may just want to bring home a souvenir for your kids, or a gift for your hostess in your destination city.

But, who has time to figure out where in the airport to go to get the one thing that you really need. After all, you are in town on a mission, whether it is for fun or profit, and the last thing you want to do is waste time going from shop to shop looking for that one thing you need.

Well, I’m here to help you figure it out. And, I hope you will help others figure it out too! I’ll share what I learn as I travel but I can’t be everywhere, so please chime in and share what unique, essential, last minute, surprising purchases you made in an airport too! Be sure to give the airport name, terminal location, store name, and what you bought. Upload a picture of the store or item so we can all be sure we head to the right place.