Okay, we’re here now.\u00c2\u00a0 Check-in was as slow as usual in HNL, but security was quick and professional, so we got through in time to go to KBC for some wings, pizzas and beer.\u00c2\u00a0 The two pizzas were $20 USD each (ouch!), but were excellent.\u00c2\u00a0 All told, we ended up dropping $31 USD each for everything including a good tip for the cool server dude.\u00c2\u00a0 We met Kevin and Naomi at the gate, and we were shortly boarded.\u00c2\u00a0 The center overhead bins in the 767-300-2 (four-door\/no overwing exits) were a little small for the Kifaru X-Ray with side pockets, so I had to pull the laptop power supply and ultrapod out and put them inside the pack for the bin to close.\u00c2\u00a0 On takeoff, a bad baby immediately set to screeching and wailing inconsolably, but after bevvie service, the turbulence set in and I was rocked to sleep.<\/p>\n
The landing at YVR was OK.\u00c2\u00a0 We were off the plane and through customs quickly, but got stuck at baggage claim with only half our stuff when some issue with the baggage carousel belts cropped up and sruff stopped coming up from the underworld.\u00c2\u00a0 A long wait later, and Taro and Kevin’s uglybags showed up and we were through customs and headed to the domestic termional for breakfast.\u00c2\u00a0 All the work between the food court and departure concourse has been completed, and there is a significant increase in seating and tables, and a really nice new washroom.\u00c2\u00a0 There is also a nice upstairs seating area and observation deck.\u00c2\u00a0 I got a classic breakfast and a side of milk at A & W for $11-something CAD.\u00c2\u00a0 We went over to the domestic-side Pacific Coach bus desk and got checked in and ticketed for our rond-trip to Whistler.\u00c2\u00a0 In talking to the desk lady, Derek heard that there was some issue with an unruly passenger on an inbound flight after us that caused a security warning to trigger, and NO landings were being allowed at YVR , and ALL flights\u00c2\u00a0were being diverted.\u00c2\u00a0 Luckily that incident wasn’t before we landed!\u00c2\u00a0 Whew!<\/p>\n
I knocked out on the bus before we even got over the first bridge\u00c2\u00a0outside the airport, but when\u00c2\u00a0I briefly floated out of the haze at the last stop in town, the bus was quite full.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0The ground was rain-damp all the way out to the brief rest\u00c2\u00a0stop in Squamish where a new giant lumberjack graced the\u00c2\u00a0visitor center.\u00c2\u00a0 Leaving Squamish and rising from sea level,\u00c2\u00a0snow began to appear alongside the road, and was soon in full effect\u00c2\u00a0amongst the trees.\u00c2\u00a0 The covering of snow\u00c2\u00a0on the ground in\u00c2\u00a0Creekside and Whistler Village was fairly significant, but not very fresh.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0It appeared that\u00c2\u00a0the temperature down in\u00c2\u00a0the village had been much above freezing for quite a while.\u00c2\u00a0 There was a light drizzle falling when we got off hte bus, and the sound of dripping and draining meltwater filled the village square while we waited to get our room keys.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
After dumping our gear and checking out the large, but antiquated unit, we headed across the village to Gone for some hearty soups, andwiches, and stews for lunch.\u00c2\u00a0 I had the beef stew with sourdough bread and a large Cafe Mocha for about $12 CAD.\u00c2\u00a0 Very good and volumnious.\u00c2\u00a0 It is easily evident that the ingredient quality is pretty good, and there is a lot of time and care put into making the food.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0After food, we walked up the the mountain center to get our lift tickets, then headed back to the unit, stopping for a little shopping along the way.<\/p>\n
There is precipitation predicted from today for as far out as the forecast goes, but the freezing level is supposed to be rather high tomorrow and throughout the beginning of the week, meaning except for the very highest parts of the mountains, this precipitation will fall as rain and not snow.\u00c2\u00a0 This is a little troubling.\u00c2\u00a0 Hopefully we can find somewhere to ride that isn’t raining.\u00c2\u00a0 Krapp!<\/p>\n