trip to states

[parsonstrish]

I've read heaps of trip reports and always enjoy them. Unsure if I can come close, as I'm not up to what kind of aircraft or type of wine, so mine will be homesy. Although I have tried to take note of the type of a/craft, haven't quite got there.

Flew tsv-bne-syd 10/10 (nice 100 sc), stayed at Sydney Hilton. Arrived at 6pm and the room wasn't ready. Maybe this isn't unusual, but a first for me. The hotel was really jumping, events all over the place. I got into my room at 6:30pm.

Went for a walk sund. prior to going to a/port to take some pics for folks here in US (still here). Saw for the first time, the plovers nesting in the botanical gardens and barriers around them, thought the story and pic's may be interesting to the yanks.

flt. 73 syd-sfo. Flew qf pe in business class cabin (yippee), flt. just a few minutes late in departing. Cabin crew were very chatty and friendly. Surprised to see the meal served on similar dinnerware to business (thanks to my upgrades last yr., can compare). Films weren't of great interest to me, didn't think the choices were all that great. Slept my usual two hrs., even in the business seat, darn it. Got my usual headache and 'are we there yet' thinking.

Arrived san fran. at 10:15 10/11. Travelling with just a cabin bag and my portable luggage carrier. How lovely, to sail past luggage carousels (tried not to be too smug).

Out to catch the courtesy bus to hilton sfo airport hotel. temp. was 11 and coming from nth. qld. loved it. First hilton bus driver i approached i found difficult to understand but finally got the message he was with the other hilton brands, not hilton. Quick phone call to hotel and was advised my bus arriving in 5 min's. Got to hotel probably abt. 20 min's after arrival. Seeing as it was so early, first response from reception I would have to wait until 3pm, but then she changed her mind, wonderful.

Hilton sfo was a Sheraton until started trading late Aug. by Hilton. My first night in bay view room cost $82 before tax. My second night was $169 before tax. Room was spacious, very clean and king bed. Had view of the bay. There was walking track behind the hotel which was useful to get rid of some of the kinks. Had breaky the next morning in hotel, around us$10 for fruit and yogurt. Decided the full buffet was too much. Had dinner at kincaid's monday night, kind of middle of the road restaurant, steak cost in the us$30's. The waitress suggested a chardonay and said if i didn't like it, i wouldn't be charged. When she brought it, i didn't like it, so ordered another one. When i went to pay the bill, i saw that i had been charged. At first I wasn't going to say anything, but had a quick talk with myself and decided to mention it to the front desk folk. They were full of apologies, and cost removed. The yanks can do customer service very well.

All monday, news kept talking about the monster storm on tues. I wasn't feeling too smug then. Due to fly out to boston on Tues. 12th. I have a real fear of flying and weather that is either rainy, etc.

Will leave it there, out for dinner now.

 

[parsonstrish]

Re: trip to states sfo-bos-vermont

The storm arrived on Tues. in SFO and planes delayed or diverted to LAX. My plane was to leave 11:30am. Stayed in the A.C. Small lounge and became quite crowded throughout day with some folk sitting on floor. I didn't bother with food (?) on offer, actually didn't see much. I wasn't given drink vouchers and didn't want them anyway. I got to know quite a few of the folk, not from speaking with them, but listening to their p/calls on cell, even in cell free area. I kind of felt like asking them how names of folk they mentioned on calls were going when they hung up, as I felt I was part of the family by this time. Just a hint of sarcasm here. Pet peeve of mine, loud voices on cell.

We kept being told our plane that was diverted to LA would be arriving, finally told abt. 6pm that plane wasn't coming but we were taking flt. arriving from Miami, departing abt. 7:30-8pm.

Finally on plane, I was in 1E, still able to fit my cabin bag in a bin, so my challenge of no checked luggage still good.

The first few rows received our drink after take off, then terrible turbulance happened and all service stopped. I don't know model of plane as the one I was suppose to take was different, but it seemed like lots of folk passed me going into coach, definitely not the md80. I looked around when I got initially settled and thought this baby is looking older than me. I wasn't feeling confident when the turbulance occurred. Scary. Finally turbulance stopped, thank God. Meal resumed. IMO the meal and the chocolate icecream with strawberries on bottom was best plane food I've had. Maybe I'm easily pleased. With the time difference probably eating abt. midnight.

Arrived boston 4am. I had pre-booked at Hilton a/port. Trying to find the hotel was a whole other story. I couldn't find courtesy phones in arrival so thought how hard can this be. I had printed out directions but I ended up in the wrong parking area. Turned out I had to call Hilton and be guided. Hotel looked quite nice although at that time I just wanted bed. The room for standard cost me about us$330. Smaller room than SFO a/port but still quite clean and lovely. Got to bed 6am and had to wake up at 9am. Able to now see outside my window (on 3rd floor) and able to see a small garden with trees. Always enjoy the outdoor views, especially trees.

Took taxi down to amtrak, I wasn't in the mood for figuring out the bart. Taxi cost $25. Now travelling to Springfield, Ma. to pick up hire car. I pre-booked a roomett compartment. The red cap thought i was crazy for paying $65 extra for 2 1/2 hrs. travel and not in the coach car. I was able to access the acela lounge. Free computers and basic refreshments. Temp. was abt. 5 far. I was pleased to learn that I would have compartment to myself. Had a toilet and sink but seeing as the curtains did not go right back to the wall above toilet and the velcros didn't attach properly, decided to use facility in coach. Lunch was included but gave it a miss.

Train arrived late and I was picked up by Hertz rep. I had been pretty worried about driving in states but decided I wanted to see as much foilage as possible and doing a bus day tour didn't appeal. I was given a nissan altrium (sp?) - hybrid. I decided not to show my concern in front of the rep. and tried to concentrate how to use a gps for the first time. I was very fortunate that the exit to where i was heading was right next to Hertz.

Turns out I managed really well driving (now created a monster, think I could drive anywhere in States, big or small cities). I drove to Rutland, Vermont, about 2 1/2 hrs. from West Springfield. Rutland is abt. 7 miles from Killington ski resort. Snow on mt. Stayed at a great b&b in Rutland, if ever over, I give it 5 out of 5 stars. The room I had had a fireplace and as the temp's ranged -2 to 5f., it got some use. Loved the weather as 35 c. back home. Great home baked breakfast, grits one morning, prefer porridge. Cranberry and cinamon pancakes, creme bulea (sp?) french toast just some of the options, all excellent.

Enjoyed the driving to cute places like Woodstock, Ludlow and other areas. Colour still happening in the leaves. Seemed like fairyland driving and seeing the hills full of colour. Went to the Von Trap museum (sound of music). I hadn't realized they settled over here. Missed Norman Rockwell museum, will go next year.

Did a tour with guy offering backroad vermont tours. Very informative and witty. We went to farm with cattle related to the Scotchish highland breed, not as hairy but still very cute. Can't remember what they are called, but had the word belt in title as cattle had large stripe opp. colour of the other sides in the middle and looked like a belt. white-black-white for ex. This farm is big business and exports the bull cough (hope I can say this) all over the world. The cows in the barn were getting fed. So cute, just like kids, crying trying to get attention to get fed. I made a comment to the farm worker abt. the cow at end of row crying for his feed and I said something like poor little thing. He advised me the poor little thing weighed 1900 lbs. Learned there are black bear in this area I was travelling. Didn't see any, but saw the hunters all geared up. I won't make my views known on this.

Went to the Vermont Country Store one day and full of memoralium from days bygone plus lots of free samples of food. The maple syrup fudge was to die for. I went to their cafe for lunch and had chicken pot pie.

At dinner one night at Little Harry's and had excellent sirloin stuffed with peppercorn and forget what all, cost abt. us$24. Had chardonay and asked what it was as I liked it and it was Lindemans. No surprise as Aussie wine everywhere o/seas.

Left the B&B 19th and sad to leave. Did the scenic trip back to Hertz and took me 5 1/2 hrs. Got there just after 2:30pm and my amtrak left at 2:50pm. My gps gave me the only wrong 2 turns of the trip trying to return the car. I was getting quite concerned as had seat booked on train in business to Penn Stn.

 

[drron]

Driving is the only way to experience the USA.Esecially New england in fall.You definitely will have to spend some more time there next time.Love Vermont.
Keep up the reports.

 

[parsonstrish]

Re: trip to states springfield-nyc

Just made the train to Penn stn. Unusual it was on time, but had 5 min's spare. I booked business class. The foot rest was broken but the chairs were wide and comfotable. Carriage looking a little jaded.

As it was my b'day and I needed a drink after the drive back to Hertz, got a chardonay, not the best. Only had bottles and cost just over us$13. Cheeseburger was just meat and cheese, cost just under us$6, helped kill the taste of the chardonay.

Was dreading the arrival at Penn stn. in peak hr. We arrived at 6:30pm and made my way up to Long Island section. Surprisingly there were the hordes of folk I've seen previously. Got to the Ronkoma train with 5 minutes to spare. Of course chock full of people but able to get a seat.

Stayed with my brother and family in Mt. Sinai, arrived at their home abt. 9pm. Then they had a little b'day celebration for me. They know my favourite pie is coconut cream and my sister-in-law called a friend in Tx. to get the receipe. They bought dora the explorer plates, etc, cute touch.

Tues. my brother took off work and we went down to Pt. Jefferson, abt. 5-7 min's by car from his place. This is a touristy place on the water. Buzzing in the summer. The ferry goes over to Conneticut and you can see the state from Pt. Jeff. Was able to buy some small christmas decorations for my daughters' tree. I always buy something from o/s. Keeping in mind, only one cabin bag.

I shouted my family to dinner back at Pt. Jeff and think it was called Pacers. Third generation Italian family owned, with restaurants in NYC, Italy and two on the Island. The decor was classy, dark wood, fireplace with autumn leaves intersepted with small orange lights over the mantle. It's predominatly a steak place but has lobster, clams, etc. as well. My family usually go to a chain restaraunt or a diner that I prefer not to eat at. Very basic. The bill came to us$156 and very comparable to not fine dining back home but better than average. They served 'real' bernaise sauce I can't always get. Unfortunately, I had to leave part of my meal as too much and something I hate doing.

While at brothers, saw cardinals and it has been yrs. since I have seen them. Lots of bluejays and of course he feeds the squirrels which I'm sure his neighbours just love, not. But the squirells are over. I think they are really cute scampering aroung but I do know they are pest.

Took the train back to Penn and now in the Acela Lounge waiting for my train to Charleston. I've booked another compartment and being senior cost us$232. Meals are included. Looking forward to it, not so much the 5am arrival. Called the accom., Planters' Inn, and asked to pay for room from today so I can get in. They found a small room (probably a closet) for us$199 and then move me to my room in the usual booking time. Appararently this place makes a good coconut cake and on the reservations you can book a slice for us$10 to have in your room. A whole cake cost $100.

This is me trying not to put on more weight on trip. Funny how I kept researching good eating places before I came.