In mid-January on my way to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico I deliberately arranged a seven hour layover at DFW in order to allow myself enough time to venture into downtown Dallas for breakfast and a walk and to log state #2. That is exactly what I did. With some luck and the help of many a stranger I hopped a bus and by a freak coincidence found Breadwinners which was recommended by a response to my FlyerTalk query. I enjoyed a minimal breakfast which is definitely not the Texas way and went for a brief exploratory walk on the Katy trail. I was truly impressed and would return again if presented with a lengthy layover – an inevitable prospect as an American Airlines frequent flyer. The only drawback to this visit is that my self portrait taken at the restaurant is a black wall. Ah – the pitfalls of a cell phone camera. I unfortunately did not realize this until I was on my flight to Mexico so have no picture to prove that I actually was in Texas. I’m posting this as a visit and I do have a receipt from breakfast but I suspect I will have an opportunity to revisit Texas for a photo op later in 2008.
Be careful what you wish for!!!!
Fast forward to yesterday… John & I are heading to Chicago for a few days with a side trip to Milwaukee planned. (Check back to see if it happens) I booked our flight with a layover in Dallas. My objective was, as always, to maximize my miles flown for the price. In this case there was no difference in fare and the timing worked so there we go. Or in this case will we go? I’ve been monitoring the weather forecasts and was aware that snow was expected in Chicago but really now do I need to read this? “ …Thus a major winter storm, by far this winter's biggest to date, looks likely to produce serious travel problems well into Wednesday. We'll update as new information becomes available.
-Tom Skilling
Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune”
OK… well, it will probably be fine, right? We get to SFO and gawk at a string of cancelled flights to Chicago on the monitor. A consult with an agent at the Admirals Club revealed few options for us. Our flight to DFW has no problems and our connection to ORD was showing an on time departure. Rebooking would result in a hefty change fee. Well, you’re probably rolling your eyes and saying “What a dummy – who would go to Chicago the first week of February, OF COURSE IT’S SNOWING, what did she expect???!!!!!” Whatever.
So we boarded our flight to DFW and had a great time in the 767 first class with nifty reclining seats. Once in DFW we note our flight is delayed over an hour but still scheduled to go. Again, a consult at the Admiral’s Club is in order. “You’re going to Chicago?” he raised his eyebrows at us “why?” We had the option of hanging around the airport and waiting for them to cancel the flight with the more daunting possibility of actually getting to snowy, slushy Chicago and not being able to get anywhere once there or rescheduling for a noon flight tomorrow. “Noon’s good” I say enthusiastically. So now I get my official Texas photos, granted much sooner than I ever anticipated but it’s all good.
Be careful what you wish for!!!!
Fast forward to yesterday… John & I are heading to Chicago for a few days with a side trip to Milwaukee planned. (Check back to see if it happens) I booked our flight with a layover in Dallas. My objective was, as always, to maximize my miles flown for the price. In this case there was no difference in fare and the timing worked so there we go. Or in this case will we go? I’ve been monitoring the weather forecasts and was aware that snow was expected in Chicago but really now do I need to read this? “ …Thus a major winter storm, by far this winter's biggest to date, looks likely to produce serious travel problems well into Wednesday. We'll update as new information becomes available.
-Tom Skilling
Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune”
OK… well, it will probably be fine, right? We get to SFO and gawk at a string of cancelled flights to Chicago on the monitor. A consult with an agent at the Admirals Club revealed few options for us. Our flight to DFW has no problems and our connection to ORD was showing an on time departure. Rebooking would result in a hefty change fee. Well, you’re probably rolling your eyes and saying “What a dummy – who would go to Chicago the first week of February, OF COURSE IT’S SNOWING, what did she expect???!!!!!” Whatever.
So we boarded our flight to DFW and had a great time in the 767 first class with nifty reclining seats. Once in DFW we note our flight is delayed over an hour but still scheduled to go. Again, a consult at the Admiral’s Club is in order. “You’re going to Chicago?” he raised his eyebrows at us “why?” We had the option of hanging around the airport and waiting for them to cancel the flight with the more daunting possibility of actually getting to snowy, slushy Chicago and not being able to get anywhere once there or rescheduling for a noon flight tomorrow. “Noon’s good” I say enthusiastically. So now I get my official Texas photos, granted much sooner than I ever anticipated but it’s all good.
We shuttled to the Hampton Inn in Grapevine and were amazed to see a gigantic Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World looming on the horizon across the highway. It was a ½ mile walk from the hotel and before you knew it we were marveling at polar bear mounts, live rattle snakes, camo bibles, fishing rods, sleeping bags, boats, bison, live ducks, fry pans, bicycles, Texas chili and fudge. Surely this is more entertaining than the airport lounge?
Our front desk clerk recommended that we try a family owned & operated Mexican restaurant in historic, downtown Grapevine so we did. Our shuttle ride gave a tour of Grapevine’s attractions. I need to remember to shuttle or taxi here when faced with a multiple hour layover at DFW, the mall alone would take an hour to walk around. Esparza’s Restaurante Mexicano was more than we could have hoped for. Happy hour margarita’s came as fast as we could drink them and the platters of tex-mex food were yummy. All in all this has turned into a very fun Texas experience.
But will we get out in the morning? The evening news (curiously a Chicago station) revealed that over 1000 flights were cancelled at ORD, 40% of their daily operations. A spokesperson informed us that an event like this only occurs once a year. How lucky we are to be a part of it!
Our front desk clerk recommended that we try a family owned & operated Mexican restaurant in historic, downtown Grapevine so we did. Our shuttle ride gave a tour of Grapevine’s attractions. I need to remember to shuttle or taxi here when faced with a multiple hour layover at DFW, the mall alone would take an hour to walk around. Esparza’s Restaurante Mexicano was more than we could have hoped for. Happy hour margarita’s came as fast as we could drink them and the platters of tex-mex food were yummy. All in all this has turned into a very fun Texas experience.
But will we get out in the morning? The evening news (curiously a Chicago station) revealed that over 1000 flights were cancelled at ORD, 40% of their daily operations. A spokesperson informed us that an event like this only occurs once a year. How lucky we are to be a part of it!
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