Off to the snow, oops, I meant Seattle

[file51]

Well only 10 hour's, several family visit's, and a lunch which will probably keep me going for a few day's to go before making the pit stop trip to Seattle.

Flying JQ *Class to HNL where I will surely enjoy the 6 hour layover (albeit in the limited comfort of the HA Premier lounge) before joining the 5+ hour flight to SEA on HA.

From there it will be one full week in the snow (from recent reports, record levels of the white stuff has been hitting the ground in the past week) then off to SFO for a few hours to meet up with a friend who is flying out then onto LAX where I will get to spend some time at the House of Mouse (addiction of mine from way back, I mean heck, how many Aussies have held an Disneyland annual passport for 9 of the past 10 years...).

From there it will be back up to SFO for a couple of days then over to Waikiki to thaw out a little prior to my return home, and back to work...

All domestic flights, aside from the HA flight will be with AA in either F or P class.

Aside from the ramblings I will go on with in here, I have set up my own photo gallery and blog site which you are free to have a look around... http://www.thehungrytraveller.net (in case you missed it, there is a large focus on food, I can't compete with the likes of QF009 and his vast knowledge of fine wines and champa's, so food it is...)

OK, time to go enjoy Christmas day with family and friends, I trust everyone at AFF has a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

 

[coyote25]

Have a great trip file51 something about snow around christmas and new year's gets me feeling merry and even youthful

Obviously snow in December is close to impossible to experience in Australia.

 

[winetraveller]

As I look out the window I see huge mountains of the stuff. Most of it I shoveled off the sidewalk (sorry the pavement) and our driveway. Unfortunately when you look closely its brown and melting.

Merry Christmas to all.

 

[vet]

Enjoy, Files. Taxman and I are off to Tahoe soon.

I'm planning a trip on Hawaiin to Sacramento compliments of Amex' bonus points. What's their baggage policy for skiis?

 

[file51]

Just a quick update.

Sitting in the HA Premier lounge in HNL.

The JQ flight was uneventful, left 20 minutes late and made up some time arriving 10-15 minutes after the expected ETA. VH-EBB was packed to the rafters, not a single free seat was observed in both Starclass or Economy.

The crew was a real mixed bag, a couple of Sydney based staff, including the CSM who btw did a great job at ensuring everyones needs were met. Along with a large proportion of Thai crew. I hope this doesn't come across as being rascist, however some of the crew's english skills were very ordinary which I found a little difficult to get around, the same could be said for several other passengers near me getting quite frustrated asking for something as simple as a Lemonade, or bottle of water that is not cold.

A couple more hours then Seattle here I come, will post more once my head catches up with my body.

Vet, in regards to ski's, I am not sure but am happy to ask upon my return flight in 2 weeks time.

 

[Febs]

Take care mate - I was there last week and the locals don't exactly get those levels of snow too often. The roads can be a bit hairy, especially when they don't salt/plow!

 

[file51]

Take care mate - I was there last week and the locals don't exactly get those levels of snow too often. The roads can be a bit hairy, especially when they don't salt/plow!

Will update a bit more later, flight was delayed last night due to heavy snow, so didn't get to my final destination till midnight, then up at 6am en-route to Port Angeles and into Olympic National Forest.

Was snowing very heavily till the early hours in the morning and yes, I hear you about the road salting and plowing. Apparently there are less than 100 snow ploughs in the Western Washington area, and they are all in use 24/7 at the moment, mainly on the interstate system.

 

[Febs]

Apparently there are less than 100 snow ploughs in the Western Washington area, and they are all in use 24/7 at the moment, mainly on the interstate system.

27 in the greater Seattle area is what I heard...compared with 400-500 in states where they regularly get snow!

 

[drron]

Ah but a short time in the snow is enjoyable.Now working in Dubbo and accommadation doesnt have working air con!

 

[winetraveller]

Will update a bit more later, flight was delayed last night due to heavy snow, so didn't get to my final destination till midnight, then up at 6am en-route to Port Angeles and into Olympic National Forest.

Was snowing very heavily till the early hours in the morning and yes, I hear you about the road salting and plowing. Apparently there are less than 100 snow ploughs in the Western Washington area, and they are all in use 24/7 at the moment, mainly on the interstate system.

I would doubt that there are only 100 ploughs. Here in Massachusetts the local authorities supplement their equipment with contractors who own a truck big enough to lift a blade. Last week when we had our storm and the majority of the clearing work is done by these guys.

If you are driving on the interstate system you can fall in behind the ploughs as they clear, you'll usually find a convoy doing so. This is the safest way to do it.

In terms of actual driving, if it's icy or you're driving on compacted snow drive at a speed that means that you feel you don't have to use the breaks much at all, a cruising speed. At least in Washington the traffic won't be too heavy.

Try driving from New York to Boston in a blizzard, not much fun!