Going to Atlanta ...

[TwoGloves]

Well, I got in at 8 a.m. Got to my hotel and found out they wouldn't have a room for five hours. Less than an hour later, game was postponed. So I spent 57 minutes on hold with Delta to get a flight out today at 2:55, returned my rental car ($80 for less than four hours) and after taking 90 minutes to get through the longest security line I've ever seen, I'm sitting at the gate hoping my flight isn't delayed past 5:20, which is the latest departure time.

 

[Captain_Kirk]

So, your Atlanta experience is essentially condensed down to the one Atlanta landmark I know IJAG despises: the Atlanta airport....

Safe travels and good luck with the flight.

 

[BDC99]

If what's happening in Atlanta is anything like normal in the South, they got ice first and then snow. It's that base layer of ice that Fs things up at first. And the lack of snowplows.

I have never even seen snow up close, but I would imagine that anywhere in the southeast would be unprepared for snow because it comes so infrequently. Seems to me from watching the coverage that the cars don't have the proper tires and can't get up even the most gradual inclines when they are iced over, so they are stuck or just leave the cars on the side of the road. Crazy that a city of that size can just be almost shut down like this.

 

[Buck]

That seals it, Chipper's a first-ballot HOFer.

As for the gridlock, there were several factors. The Governor and Atlanta Mayor are getting skewered in a press conference right now.

Does the list of factors include silliness and foolishness?

 

[imjustagirl]

So, your Atlanta experience is essentially condensed down to the one Atlanta landmark I know IJAG despises: the Atlanta airport....

I call it Somalia.

 

[lisa_simpson]

This should tell you guys all you need to know about what did (and more pertinently, DID NOT) happen in ATL, and why: http://www.businessinsider.com/atlanta-traffic-2014-1

 

[TwoGloves]

The road I traveled between the airport and my hotel (which I never checked into) was basically ice free. All mile-and-a-half. The hotel road was all ice. For as many people as they were putting through security, it went very smoothly. But that doesn't mean it didn't suck in a major way. Then I was delayed three hours. Can't say I'm looking forward to going back although I really did want to try some of the restaurants you guys suggested. But I'm finally home 16 hours later with a story to tell.

 

[lisa_simpson]

Presumably, the game will be re-scheduled and when you come back to town, the weather will be nicer and you'll be able to actually enjoy all of our excellent suggestions. If you come back in April, though, bring your allergy meds.

 

[TwoGloves]

Presumably, the game will be re-scheduled and when you come back to town, the weather will be nicer and you'll be able to actually enjoy all of our excellent suggestions. If you come back in April, though, bring your allergy meds.

I might let our other NBA guy take the game this time!

 

[BDC99]

Game will be made up April 8. Should be a bit nicer then.

 

[Captain_Kirk]

Game will be made up April 8. Should be a bit nicer then.

Which could be parlayed into a trip to Augusta as well. Now that's a good way to experience GA.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

Game will be made up April 8. Should be a bit nicer then.

April? Make sure you know where the tornado shelters are located.

 

[novelist_wannabe]

This should tell you guys all you need to know about what did (and more pertinently, DID NOT) happen in ATL, and why: http://www.businessinsider.com/atlanta-traffic-2014-1

I was thinking earlier today how racist decisions made 40/50/60 years ago are still having ripple effects now. That story takes an optimistic tone, but as someone who has lived in the metro area all his life, it is really hard for me to see the transportation problem getting solved.

 

[TwoGloves]

Game will be made up April 8. Should be a bit nicer then.

Which could be parlayed into a trip to Augusta as well. Now that's a good way to experience GA.

Problem is I'll be in Montreal the night before. But Augusta is the one event on my bucket list.

 

[novelist_wannabe]

That's a really small bucket.

 

[Buck]

Not really a list if there's only one thing on it.

 

[TwoGloves]

That's a really small bucket.

I've pretty much emptied it. You only live once.

 

[TwoGloves]

OK, some thoughts:

1) Went to the Varsity. Not bad. Chili dog reminded me of the ones I ate as a kid. Not goupy chili sauce but the dry meat. Onion rings were OK but not crispy enough.

2) Went to Mary Mac's too. Wasn't terribly impressed. Fried chicken was OK. Sweet potato souffle was outstanding.

3) Stayed at the Fairfield downtown. Never again. For a Marriott it was a dump and when the valet gave me my car to go the game, he kept my keys (it was a push-button start) so when I got to the arena, I was stuck after I shut the car off and looked for the keys on the dash. Called the hotel and they asked "Do you need your keys?" No, Einstein. I'll just push it back to the hotel. Idiots!

4) Augusta was very cool. TV does not do that course justice. But it sucked that I hit a jack-knifed semi halfway there and it took an hour to go about four miles.

 

[bigbadeagle]

Vortex has great burgers. Have had a lot of good things about Antico's Pizza.

I mean, you gotta do the Varsity. Just so you can say the words FO walking. You want finer dining, and you have piles of cash to burn, Bones is well regarded. Rathbun's is very good too, I hear. I've always enjoyed going to Hal's on Old Ivy. Heard good things about Fogo de Chao. I used to go to a Vietnamese place on 10th that was great. Don't know if it's there anymore.

Aquarium is great, from what I've heard.

Underground Atlanta is nothing like it used to be back in the 70s. Avoid.

Want to do something kinda strange? Go to the fourth floor of the state Capitol. They have a museum of state oddities that will freak you out a little bit.

 

[TwoGloves]

Vortex has great burgers. Have had a lot of good things about Antico's Pizza.

I mean, you gotta do the Varsity. Just so you can say the words FO walking. You want finer dining, and you have piles of cash to burn, Bones is well regarded. Rathbun's is very good too, I hear. I've always enjoyed going to Hal's on Old Ivy. Heard good things about Fogo de Chao. I used to go to a Vietnamese place on 10th that was great. Don't know if it's there anymore.

Aquarium is great, from what I've heard.

Underground Atlanta is nothing like it used to be back in the 70s. Avoid.

Want to do something kinda strange? Go to the fourth floor of the state Capitol. They have a museum of state oddities that will freak you out a little bit.

Stayed at the Fairfield right next to the Underground. Didn't look like a great area and that was the worst Marriott I've ever stayed at. Avoid at all costs.