Fridge Temperatures and Winter Blast

Winter temperatures and flight plans from Bellevue or Seattle, Jesse Tam. Driving or flying this time of year from Seattle northwest to east coast? Check with the airlines for delays and de icing due to weather or fog.

The cold winter days and snow are upon us as we are hit with another arctic cold across the Northeastern United States.  The Midwest remains frigid through the work week, northeastern states will stay cold for the next few days.

The national weather service issued a wind chill advisory for all of North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and parts of Montana, Wyoming and the plain states.  Watch for temperatures to hit below zero in some areas.

Stay safe with carrying warm clothing, food, blankets and traction devices for tires. Remember to allow extra time for traveling and watch road conditions as they change.

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Best Places for Fall Foliage

Looking for fall colors in the Bellevue and the greater Seattle area?  Jesse Tam places to see fall foliage. There are many parks, trails and neighborhoods within a short drive or bike to enjoy the changing leaves. Bright yellow, orange and red hues of changing leaves fill the backgrounds as night time temperatures dip to low 50 degrees. 

Washington may not be the exact fall view as New Hampshire or Vermont, but we have some of the most beautiful shades of autumn.  When it comes to fall foliage and colors, here are some easy places to enjoy and explore.

 For a pure explosion of foliage colors:

•  Bellevue Botanical Garden. Beautiful year-round, this 53-acre urban sanctuary goes wild with color in the fall, making the easy stroll around the grounds vibrant beyond belief.
•  A simple hike along the Cedar River heading west from Landsburg Park 
• Seattle's Seward Park  2.4-mile walking path
• Japanese Garden in Seattle, Montlake
• Trails of Point Defiance Park in Tacoma
• Scenic drive from Naches toward White Pass, Highway 13 and into Mount Rainier National Park

The blue skies, light filled evening and few sunny days will capture your spirits when you venture outdoors and embrace the beauty of nature's changes.  Spend an  hours alone or with your friends or family and remember to snap a few photos to capture the scenery.   Jesse  https://jesse-tam28.blogspot.com/

The 10 Most Caffeinated U.S. Cities

The 10 Most Caffeinated U.S. Cities, Jesse Tam. It's official with Seattle, Tacoma, San Francisco making the list. The cooler fall weather and shorter days makes a morning or afternoon pick me up with a caffeinated drink of coffee. The long awaited pumpkin spice latte at your favorite local store to refresh your day or a cup of brew at home.  Which cities in the U.S. do you think is the most caffeinated.  The popular first Starbucks store is located in Seattle near Pike Place market.

 Here are the results Redfin recently studied the 10 Most Caffeinated U.S. Cities and Seattle nabs the second spot  Tacoma the 10th spot. 

1. San Francisco, CA
2. Seattle, WA
3. Portland, OR
4. Oakland, CA
5. Pittsburgh, PA
6. Paradise, NV
7. Salt Lake City, UT
8. New Orleans, LA
9. Minneapolis, MN
10. Tacoma, WA

An event to promote and celebrate coffee as a beverage is International Coffee Day used to promote fair trade coffee and raise aware for the coffee growers across the world.  The first official date was launched in Milan 1 October 2015.  Thanks for reading Jesse 

Seattle Ranked #7

Who  Ranked #7 for Quality of Life by Jesse Tam.  Based on the survey from US News and Word Report, these are factors for where people may make their decisions for moving. The Quality of Life rankings were compiled, which include crime rates, quality and availability of health care, quality of education, well-being and average morning commute time.

Seattle Ranked #7 see the qualities below.

Home to business giants Amazon, Starbucks and Microsoft, it’s no question Seattle is one of the highest-ranking metro areas for its job market. Long a destination for those in the tech industry, Seattle was voted one of the top 10 most desirable cities. Seattle’s proximity to Puget Sound and mountains to the east make it a top spot to visit for tourists throughout the year.

Metro Population: 3,557,037
Median Home Sale Price: $362,468
Median Annual Salary: $59,130

Some of the other cities listed on included:  Denver, Austin, Boise, San Francisco, San Jose, Raleigh-Durham, Washington, DC and others.  http://realestate.usnews.com/real-estate/slideshows/the-20-best-places-to-live-in-the-us/

Seattle to Asia with Jesse Tam

Seattle to Asia with Jesse Tam, this time it was spending a few hours at the international airport in Seoul. Depending on which Asia country is your destination, the transfer makes a nice rest stop after a long 8-10 hour fight from Seattle. It's allows you time to stretch and rest before making the next connection to Nepal, Hong Kong and so forth.  

Spend a few moment and visit the shops at the terminal or take a quick walk and relax while you await the next flight.  It's a great time to recharge your electronics and grab a few snacks from from the duty free shops. Don't forget to stretch unwind during long flights.

Jesse Tam view from above

Thanks for visiting, follow and share https://jessetam.com/  Stay current, safe travels, continue to explore and Live Life!

The Olympics and Expo Reflections

 The Olympics and Expo Reflections by Jesse Tam

Traveling to China the past few years for business and leisure, I've observed many rapid changes in the people and economy.  The pacific northwest is an easy gateway for flight departing from either Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles or Vancouver, BC with nonstop daily flights. Majority of the businesses and tourists likes to go to Beijing or Shanghai. 

The 2008 Beijing Olympics opened the doors to promote China as a central player in the 21st century.  The Olympic sites such as the Bird's Nests are still popular for tourists.  The Forbidden City is a must see in Beijing which is located in the city if you have a limited schedule.  

Shanghai Skylines 

China's first world's fair was Expo 2010 in Shanghai.  It was the recorded as the largest in history by size, attendance and international participants. Expo 2010 was also the largest world's fair attendance in a single day, over one million on October 16.  The infrastructures from Expo allowed the city and central government to plan and expanded the city under urban development.

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Early morning skies of the city

Traveling throughout Shanghai on the Magley Train or Shanghai Trans rapid is fairly simple and inexpensive.  It is the first commercially operated high-speed magnetic levitation line in the world. If you are departing from Shanghai, note there are two airports; Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao Airport Terminal (local/regional). One of our friends went to the local terminal and missed the flight until the next day.  You may arrive and depart from different terminals if you have international connections. 

Did I tell you there is a portion of the city with "French Connection"?  It is truly a city with a long interesting history but changing daily in a blink of an eye,  there is another tall tower.

The rapid growth and urbanization brings higher costs of living and traffic headaches.  Jobs and education are highly competitive in the cities.  Housing and the costs of living is very expensive in the city. Shanghai is a great city for tourism and filled with rich history in China.

Harmony in Coeur d'Alene Conference

Harmony in Coeur d'Alene is the theme for District Conference this year from April 29 - May 1, 2016. Join the fun in a relaxing resort setting approximately 5 hours drive from Seattle  with spectacular lake front landscape. Jesse Tam, an opportunity for rotary fellowship with 52 clubs presidents, rotarians and our district leadership  Learn about projects, programs, inspirational speakers and using social media to build membership.

Rotary conference,  leadership, cub presidents,
district fellowship Jesse Tam 

Spend the afternoon/evening free time to make new friends and  participate in social activities. Enjoy the weekend with inspiring youth, inspirational guests and renew your spirit with new ideas. Great break-out sessions, family friendly, fellowship and hospitality at Coeur d'Alene.  

Celebrate the spirit of Rotary. Make this a weekend getaway and stay connected.  It will be an amazing experience at each conference as a first timer or past time attendee.  Hear inspiring stories from your district leaders, club presidents and Rotary International rep.  Look ahead for the new rotary year and embrace the accomplishments of our district leadership.  https://jessewa28.wordpress.com/

More info     http://rotarydistrict5030.org/

Building Membership using Social Meida

Visit Skagit Valley Festival

Spring is here and another recommendation with Jesse is visiting the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.  A warm winter means the tulips will bloom a bit early for the second straight year. Enjoy the colorful blooms and fields with Tam and friends in Mount Vernon. The festival runs from April 1 through April 30 depending on weather conditions.  It is a destination event for the Pacific Northwest held annually.  

Every spring thousands of people tour and visit the tulip fields in bloom.  It is a short drive from Seattle and Vancouver, BC.  The fields are scattered throughout the Skagit Valley with many local events and activities throughout the festival.  The walking or biking tours are perfect day trip or weekend with friends and families. RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town with displays in gardens for visitors to view and photograph.  Bulbs and items are available for purchase at each location.

The festival is now 32 years and welcomes people across the United States and from around the world.  This is truly a places to visit for all ages and families during the month of April and spending time with nature.  There will be traffic on weekends and long waits on the road, so biking is a great way to view the fields.  A link for more information to festival  http://www.tulipfestival.org/
Parking maps and viewing times for preparing your trip and drive.  Enjoy the colorful blooms and takes plenty of photos.  You won't forget the sights of the fields.

There Are No Limits

There Are No Limits - Life is filled with many twisting paths with some straight and forward, while others leading to the unknown.  Don't allow the unknown change your thoughts and burden the path.  Stay on task and follow your inner whispers and it will lead you in the right direction.   learn more  http://bit.ly/1LxOCB2     Jesse    

There will be obstacles, but there are no limits.  Hard work is never easy, but things can get done with one small step at a time.  Keep the pace and focus with an open mind.  

Celebrate 100 Years National Park Service

Looking for something to do this weekend?  How about a drive to your local national park.Mount Rainier is approximately 2 hours drive from Seattle. The National Park Service turns 100 years old in 2016  and  everyone can join the party!  On 16 days this year, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Discover the beautiful parks and sites with your family and friends.  Jesse Tam read more about the outdoor trails and experiences outdoors, on the bucket lists for visitors.

Mount Rainier - Jesse Tam

Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2016:

• January 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• April 16 through 24: National Park Week
• August 25 through 28: National Park Service Birthday
• September 24: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

A wonderful way to spend time outdoors and begin appreciating nature with visits to our own national parks nearby.  Living in the Pacific Northwest and Seattle, we are fortunate to be able to enjoy sites like Mount Rainier, Olympic National Park , North Cascades National Park and so many more within our neighboring states.   https://jessewa28.wordpress.com/

Ranger Station Mt Rainier National Park

Snowy Mt Rainier

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington state reserve southeast of Seattle 14,410 ft high. Jesse blog

Pacific Northwest to Victoria, BC

Seattle waterfront - Jesse T

The Victoria Clipper recently sold to FRS, a ferry and shipping Germany global company. Jesse Tam blog, trips for summer and year round travel between Seattle's waterfront to Victoria, BC. It is a route for locals and tourists which provides transportation and tours from the Pacific Northwest and Canadian southwest.

Parking overnight or just for the day is available for a reasonable price within a block or so of the waterfront terminal. Tours or those who prefer to not hassle with driving can spend a few night in Victoria or travel to the San Juan Islands.  It's a weekend get away for the family or just to refresh and relax from the busy city life.

You may be able to encounter whales and other wildlife creatures on the open waters. Several rotary district conferences were held in Victoria and a special charter Clipper transported our attendees on the hydro vessels. A relaxing fun way to spend time on the regal waters of the sound with food on board for purchase, views on the decks and fellowship time together.

It was a fun and memorable event filled with friendship and stories on the 3 hour cruise.  Plans for future expansion would include a new route between Victoria to downtown Vancouver, BC.  FRS operates 60 vessels in 12 countries and carried more than 7 million passengers.  It hopes to open a service between Miami to Cuba by ferry with government approval.