Its been a while since I posted a travelogue. Work or family connection finds me in the US a couple of times a year. In February of 2014 I was in the US and travelled through a number of cities. I landed in Boston. Stayed there for a few days, then went to New Haven, CT for a weekend and back to Boston. Nephew was studying there at Yale in New Haven.
Around Boston work sent me to the states of Rhode Island and Smithfield. From Boston I flew out to Salt Lake City in Utah. A couple of days there and then to the beautiful town of Park City where the winter Olympics took place and has perhaps the best ski slopes anywhere in the world. From there I flew through Chicago and finally back to base camp Bangalore.
Last winter was particularly brutal in most parts of the United States. Newspapers spoke about the "Polar Vortex". Following the Weather TV channel I could understand that the first indications of Polar Vortex were picked up in December 2013 and lasted till mid-March 2014. Time magazine was writing about Polar Vortex in March 2014. There were various days of extreme temperature, heavy snowfall and strong winds making the temperature feel ten degrees further below due to the wind chill factor.
As I travelled there was literally a white blanket and everything seemed to be covered in snow. Several cities across the US recorded their coldest temperatures in a decade. Driving was difficult and if the roads were not cleared - well one had to forget reaching a meeting on time. Thousands of flights and trains were cancelled or running behind schedule. Every conversation was around the extreme weather. Every place I visited had temperatures between -3 (warmest) to -28 (coldest). I was prepared for the extreme cold and travel disruptions but as is always the case - there is always a surprise around the corner.
No leaves on trees
Just footprints -
It is unique to see how life goes on despite the cold and how various buildings, monuments, shopping malls, transportation go on about their business. Of course they are no strangers to severe weather.
Some pictures
After arriving in Boston late in the afternoon I went out to the market and wanted to orient myself to the changed temperature and get past jet lag. Some pictures as I walked around Quincy Market. Somewhat deserted. The temperature on this day was around -5 to -6. There are other pictures of Boston from a previous visit on this forum which show the bloom but this visit was in a cold winter time and there were hardly people around.
As I walked around in Quincy market I came across a support group that was showing off a NASCAR. Being a petrohead the vehicle attracted my attention and I spent the next hour just walking around and trying to see all the modifications. The engine, exhaust, tyres, fuel tank, driver cage, brakes etc - everything had been modified.
Pictures below of the NASCAR and a support truck that had come along. I am not a major speed racing guy but these modifications and the effort that would go into making these possible in a safe manner is something worth thinking about.
After a routine tour of the Quincy Market I walked over to the North End and the Columbus Park. Quincy Market was an old market place a century ago. North end has a dozens of Italian eating places.
In spite of the bitter cold kids have their share of fun.
I have played tennis on these courts on previous visits. This time the snow was just melting.
One thing to consider - does every place have a good coping mechanism to severe weather?
Coming up - more monuments and then visit to other New England states.