skinsk
12-24-2006, 06:23 PM
4 hours on a bus to Incheon. . . 3 at the airport 10 on a plane. . . and then in San Fran the inevitable. . . all flights to Denver cancelled. 100s stuck at the airport. . . each with a compelling story/reason. . . and anear 5 hour line just to talk to someone and rebook (including all flights routed through Denver, United's 2nd biggest hub and 5th largest airport in the USA) . . . a blizzard shut it for 2 days (http://www.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/12/23/holiday.travel.ap/index.html), opening at less than capacity. With flights filled to capacity and planes/staff stretched, the backlog was running into well after Christmas. the earliest flight I could've been booked on was Dec 27. In line, or talking to the "not-so'customer-service-friendly, though clearly taxed" saying Denver was your destination got this really bad look. I was able to get a daypass for my computer's wireless and let folks check e-mail, etc. Nothing for bus/train transportation alternatives. The Dec 27 flights were not welcomed. . . 6 of us in line decided to rent a van and drive. We checked online and packed ourselves in (http://www.koreaontherocks.com/photoplog/index.php?n=329) and booked it (just under 24 hours) on the great American road-trip through Vegas at night, breakfast at an independent coffee shop (http://www.koreaontherocks.com/photoplog/index.php?n=328) in St. George (my choice. . . but later I compromised and ate at a Subway. . .:() Certainly an interesting twist the the long haul home. . . but some much needed adventure. . .
Martha, from Fort Collins, a 52 year-old mother and corporate trainer (software). . . liberal, almost ex-hippy. . . initiated the trip. She had lived in Rifle, Moab (1968!) and various places. Chuck (80+) and Cindy (almost 65) were both from the area, and visiting their 4 kids/1 grandkid. . . they moved to Maui 14 years ago. Cindy still knows 1-70 and drives like a Jeonju Taxi Driver. . ., well, not quite. Say, like Rick.
Clint was from Grand Junction, and was a grad student in SF studying English Literature (emphasis in modern poetry). . . Andrea, 21, already spent one night in SF and had a ticket oout on the 24th, but she was coming in from Japan and had limited time. Her mom was Japanese (born in the US) and she was an exchange student from Smith College (Mass) studying Asian Culture with an emphasis in Japanese.
You know, it was amazing driving through Vegas (the last time I was there was in the 1970s!!) and the more familiar deserts of Utah. . . it was dark through much of the Colorado home stretch, and I didn't have the awesome front view, but I am almost happy for the blizzard. Such amazing people gave me much home about Americans. . . just that we all pulled the van together ($110 each with gas). . . took our shifts, shared phones, etc. . .
I do feel bad for the 1000s who spent at least 2 nights in airports (some with kids. . .)
Peace and Merry Christmas all.
Martha, from Fort Collins, a 52 year-old mother and corporate trainer (software). . . liberal, almost ex-hippy. . . initiated the trip. She had lived in Rifle, Moab (1968!) and various places. Chuck (80+) and Cindy (almost 65) were both from the area, and visiting their 4 kids/1 grandkid. . . they moved to Maui 14 years ago. Cindy still knows 1-70 and drives like a Jeonju Taxi Driver. . ., well, not quite. Say, like Rick.
Clint was from Grand Junction, and was a grad student in SF studying English Literature (emphasis in modern poetry). . . Andrea, 21, already spent one night in SF and had a ticket oout on the 24th, but she was coming in from Japan and had limited time. Her mom was Japanese (born in the US) and she was an exchange student from Smith College (Mass) studying Asian Culture with an emphasis in Japanese.
You know, it was amazing driving through Vegas (the last time I was there was in the 1970s!!) and the more familiar deserts of Utah. . . it was dark through much of the Colorado home stretch, and I didn't have the awesome front view, but I am almost happy for the blizzard. Such amazing people gave me much home about Americans. . . just that we all pulled the van together ($110 each with gas). . . took our shifts, shared phones, etc. . .
I do feel bad for the 1000s who spent at least 2 nights in airports (some with kids. . .)
Peace and Merry Christmas all.