A New Year with Jesse Tam

Ringing in the new year with a toast and cheers to our  friends, families and colleagues.  Jesse Tam and out of town visitors kicked off the year viewing the fireworks of the  iconic Space Needle in Seattle.  The Space Needle is a favorite place for tourists and local Seattlites to celebrate year round.  Did you celebrate the start of the new year - making new resolutions, more goals, or a wish list?  I've tried all of  these things; now it's be flexible.  

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Fireworks - Seattle Space Needle

Every year there are targets we make and goals to reach, but that's what will keep us challenged for the rest of the year.  The bucket list for myself will be continue traveling to new places and meeting new people. Each person we meet creates a difference experience and outlook on life, how regal.  Language should not be a barrier because we all have similar goals in life -  health, happiness, family, friends, career, prosperity...

This year will be another terrific year for the real estate housing and commercial market in the Pacific Northwest region. The job market, quality of life and education are just a few reasons. Even the rain and gloomy clouds are not hindering people from moving into our area.  We complain about the Seattle gray skies and continuous rain for several months to keep our beautiful cities a hidden treasure.  Bellevue is the shopping and dining places to explore with our new friends.

Washington Apples Impact Overseas

 It was a privilege to see the fruit orchard and Yakima processing plant with Jesse Tam. Washington state apples are exported to 60 countries and provides jobs in the Yakima valley and eastern Washington. The apple industry exports 30 percent  (30%)  of its yearly harvest. How we engage in trade and doing business with other countries impacts our state economy.

Yakima Apple Orchard - Red Delicious Tree 

The average size of an orchard is about 50 acres, but some cover 3,000 acres and employ 300 or more employees year-round.  The Yakima and eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains is the ideal area for orchard. The fields are irrigated with mountain waters.

The growers harvest a wide variety of apples including Red and Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Jonagold, Fuji, Gala and many others.  Farmers are continuing to improve growing methods to produce crisper, juicier and more flavor and to keep better in storage. Apples are hand picked and dwarf trees improve harvest efficiency because labor is reduced. 

Sorting Apples

Apple Processing

Packing and Processing

The Top 10 Countries (Export)  from Washington Apple Growers:

Mexico, Canada, UAE (Dubai) Taiwan, India, Indonesia
Vietnam, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Thailand

The containers are shipped to the Ports in Seattle and Pacific Northwest cargo will head overseas.  Asia values the fresh fruits and produces from Washington for its high quality and food safety.

Visit the processing plant and orchard

Travel Nightmare, Storm Warning

This will be the busiest time traveling by planes, trains or automobiles to reach our  destinations for the family gatherings.  I recalled a storm when Jesse Tam missed his connection and was unable to get another flight to Seattle International airport until three days later.  Mother nature will always prevail,  but we can try to forecast and continue to hope for the best outcome. Make the most of what you have at any given time, keep smiling. Where will you stay, at the terminal.

Early snow fall for the east coast in Buffalo, New York and another storm will be barreling along the I 95 corridor beginning Wednesday from Virginia up to the New England states.  Several inches of snow accumulation will hamper those driving between Washington, DC up to   New York and Boston region.  Watch for the snow bank.  Poor visibility will required delays at the airport or flight cancellations

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Snow storm and ice on tree

Winter - Stormy - Snow - Calm -









It's difficult trying to reschedule overbooked flights during the holidays.  Imagine spending your vacation sleeping at the airport terminal. No...Please! Planning to travel to your destination during the next few days or in the near future?

 Here are a few tips for the newbies and well travelers.

•  Pack light, 1 small suitcase can last 10-14 days
• Carry on luggage - it will save money and time
• No lost luggage or waiting at terminal without checked bags
• Allow additional time for traffic delays on road and near airport terminal dropoff
• Longer lines and higher security at times
• Take taxi or have someone drop you off at airport, parking can be difficult
• Bring snacks or munchies in case flights are delayed. 
• Flights can get chilly, carry a lightweight jacket or sweater on the plane or train.
• Empty water bottles or containers can be filled with water once you past TSA gates.
• Reading material or additional battery pack for your electronic items.  Planes have plug in to recharge electronics on longer flights.
• Pay attention to weather warnings.
• Be kind at the ticket counters, you may get better service.

Happy Trails ~~Home Sweet Home~~ You Made It

    


Traffic Alerts

Preparing for the weekend and map those routes, Seattle and Bellevue highways will see more closures to SR520 Montlake Bridge and I-405.  Summer heat and events will bring crowds to the road and congestion

DRIVER ALERT: SR 520, northbound I-405 closed July 13-14. Take five minutes to plan your route early