Txzen

It started a little before, but definitely the year Aquafest stopped was the beginning of the end.

I think that's whats they were trying to do, but somehow missed following the 101. The LA times reports an eyewitness saying the aircraft was 'sputtering' so perhaps there was an additional mechanical issue. For those not familiar with this area, it's actually quite mountainous, and both the 118 and 101 really thread a needle there.

Listening to the audio - they were on a hold at the Burbank area (that's the circling for 15min). They were cleared for '118 West' which they followed. I'm not clear if the plan was to go south and follow the 101 towards Thousand Oaks or not. But it looks like that's the way they were headed.

I can’t imagine trying to pop over from the LAX-Santa Monica area over the mountains to Thousand Oaks in that weather. Not clear from that radar, but it almost seems as if they were circling to wait for a break in visibility (or clearance to proceed), then dragging along the ridge to find a clearing. The whole thing seems foolhardy. Just a senseless tragedy.

We usually stay on the Blackcomb Gondola side of things. We VRBO a small place with a kitchen basically right across from the Fairmont. Not fancy at all, and still expensive but close. There are several nicer places at slopeside which are just out of what I'm willing to spend, frankly, but I prefer to spend my money on food. Spicy Sports (right next to it) is a good rental place, but there are several other options in the area I don't know as well. Food (again, on the Whistler/Blackcomb side of things - have no experience of the Creekside area): Really good BBQ place inside the Fairmont. Casual, almost cafeteria-style but upscale. Fills up quickly. Sometimes has live music. Harajuki Izakaya is great. 21 Steps is also a really nice spot. Splurge dinner at the Fairmont Chalet, fondue for everyone (the restaurant is the summer golf club - need to walk or shuttle to it from the main ski town area). Dubh Linn Gate is ok, nice to sit outside if it's a sunny day. Peaked Pies is good for grab and go. Pizzeria Antico is a nice spot, good pizza, but doesn't take reservations and can be a mess because of it unless you get there early. Pasta Lupino is also solid, but the spot is tiny, and sitting next to the door can be unpleasant. In that same area, Tandoori Grill is actually pretty good, though they seem to have an issue getting the food out if there is a ton of take-out also happening. High Mountain Brewing is ok - oddly small selection of beer for a Brewery, but there's plenty on the food menu to please almost anyone. I'm there over President's day next month and have reservations already lined up a month ago for almost every night. Otherwise, places get packed quickly. The BC Liquor store is really decent - nice selection of wine and hooch.

Avignon is great in and of itself, but it's also a convenient gateway to some truly spectacular bits in Provence - Gigondas (30min drive), lavender fields around Sault (1hr), the spectacular Vaison-le-Romain (1hr, go straight to the upper older medieval town). Not that he's my first choice, but Rick Steves has a nice circular driving/sightseeing tour in that area which is pretty spot on. Or you could get lost and find your own corner of heaven (Bedoin, Villes-sur-Auzon). Wander. Eat. Drink.

Agree with 6th - that's prime location. Stay at the Huntington if you are just with your wife (the suites are relatively cheap, frankly). Big 4 is like stepping back in time - great space, good food, way off the tourist radar (relatively) for some reason.

Original.

PG&E says, ‘Nah. Overrated’.

Lava come down soft and hot You better lava me now or lava me not https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbzIVR1OaAY Lots of things in the world I want to see, some of them probably a little dangerous. Walking on an active volcano not on the list.

If you’re going to try and go medieval, don’t f with the Poles. Lukasz for the win.

Mike Leach calls out his team

...which is why a lot of people I know who move from sprawling, inexpensive Texas don't last long here. And it's far worse now in many ways than it was when we moved 16 years ago.

The Peninsula is a really difficult place to move to right now - particularly if you care about what school district you are in. The fact is it's likely you wouldn't live in Palo Alto, but have to commute in. It's no joke, especially if you need to cross a bridge. In general, it's a mindset change - you will undoubtedly pay more for less house than most places in America, though there has been a bit of a downward trend. That said, it sounds like it's for short term, which frankly might be a nice experience. There's a lot to love about living in this area, with so much in both the city as well as day trips to coast, mountains, or wine country. When it's not on fire, of course. There will be sticker shock from the price of eggs to a gallon of gas, though perhaps coming from Chicago that's more manageable than Austin.

I have a feeling that in the heart of winter, that Banff/LL area can be pretty hardcore with respect to the weather (preface by saying I'm a soft Californian). However, that early snow and harsh winter lead to a long season - Lake Louise ski season regularly goes until May. I think it's a no-brainer for early to late Spring skiing. I was at LL in late April last year and it was just fantastic (and still plenty cold). It's spectacular there, if oddly a little remote. It's only a little bit farther away from Calgary than Whistler is from Vancouver, but it has a more off-the-beaten-path feel.

Yeah, I'm kind of interested in when that 4 months is in the year. I was there a few years ago February time frame, and it was just getting into the really hot time. Would not want my 4 months to be March, April, May and June - that's for sure. I was there for business - interesting city, certainly lots to see and do, though like everywhere the traffic can be oppressive. Having a company car with a driver and staying at a stupidly posh hotel (yes, humblebrag) meant I certainly didn't get to experience the real city. But I did get out to Golconda, Chowmahalla and the Qutb Sahi Tombs. The last two are highly recommended and I would love to go back to Qutb Sahi as (three years ago) there was a considerable amount of reconstruction going on. It was amazing as it, but would love to see it when they are done. I did some solo traveling, self-funded and not posh, after my business trip to Rajasthan (highly recommended). The pollution and poverty is pretty extreme, and when it involves children on the side of the road, it hits me hard. That said, generally the people are absolutely wonderful, and the food is ridiculously out of this world. You think you know that cuisine, but you don't. Got hustled a lot, and that wore on me eventually. I like to interact and talk to people, and Indians are generally also very friendly. But certainly in Rajasthan, the hustle was to feign interest in you and where you were from and then explain they were an art teacher at a local school, and would you like to come see our exhibit?... This happened to me multiple times a day, and when you say no things often turned a little ugly as they were really disappointed that you weren't wanting to come in and spend money. Again, I totally understand given the standard of living, and those hustlers were obviously going to get paid a finder's fee if I came in and bought something. It eventually led me to be less open and chatty with people I met, unfortunately. I've done a fair bit of traveling all over the world in my time, and I found it tough there frankly. Both the poverty and the chaos and congestion can weigh on you a bit. Getting a taxi from the airport is an adventure. I think it would be amazing to live there as a local/expat for a short amount of time. There's so much to see in that country as well, though the time to travel distances has to be taken into effect as at least driving is a much slower process than you might anticipate given their condition and congestion.

How do you organize that? Alphabetical? Chronological? Or Autobiographical?

Agreed the Canary Row in Monterey is tourist Hell, but the Aquarium is world class. It's huge, and if you have the time you can literally spend the whole day there. Great place. Renting kayaks at Monterey Bay and going out the kelp fields right outside the Aquarium is not to be missed, particularly if you want to see otters close up. Carmel is indeed pretty, though it's expensive and heavy on the art galleries and fine dining. But it's generally peaceful, even when overrun by tourists. Sunset at Carmel Beach, or Carmel River Beach, on a nice evening is really fantastic. Point Lobos is an amazing spot, even if you are only interested in short hikes. You need to get there early, as it gets full quickly. Bring lunch as there's nothing else around. Probably some of the prettiest coast line anywhere on the US Pacific. Fight me for it. The 17 mile drive is fine, if perhaps overrated - I think you can do your own self-guided drive around the Asilomar area and have as much fun. Be sure to stop occasionally and climb out on the rocks, looking for tide pools. Frankly, there are less crowds in Pacific Grove, though it's not as fancy, and the food may be better. Fishwife is a good casual place, Passionfish more upscale. Reservations for both are required unless you like waiting.

Fuck all that cut-rate shit. I only buy from New England BioLabs.

Yeah, I'm hearing 4-12. I think the international ones are least impacted.

That’s gotta be on the airlines. Runway closure has been on their radar forever, but the minute it actually happens there’s massive delays and cancellations like it caught them by surprise. But yeah - avoid SFO (in general, bust especially through the end of the month).

At least he’s wearing a helmet?

Can’t go wrong there. Chapeau!

HED Belgium, White Industries hubs, standard 14/15 spokes, brass nipples. Never again will I do a flyweight set more tailored to a Spanish climber named Patxi than myself. Some grams in the wheels is not what makes me slow - I have more issues than that!