# It's a Party! PNW Dopefest **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 19, 2007, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687 "2007-09-19T01:29:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Danalan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@Danalan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danalan)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/1 "2007-09-19T01:29:17Z")
I’ve been patiently waiting to make this post. I haven’t posted for months, knowing that this post, this important milestone, couldn’t just be ordinary. I’ve been tempted. So tempted. Just make a post, offer advice, agree with an observation – add to the excellent content here on the SDMB. I even composed a few posts, then, suddenly, I’d realize – this is an important post. Don’t waste it on something minor. The last time I celebrated a milestone was special – this one needs to be extra special. So, what am I posting about? It’s my birthday! Today I’m 49. One more year and I’m halfway to a century (that sounds tedious). Anyway, I’m throwing a party. My wife (and I) own Rockhoppers Coffeehouse and Folk Art Gallery in Clinton. We feature live music every Saturday, and I’m inviting you all to come up and help me celebrate! We’re celebrating several things: 1. My Birthday (albeit a few weeks late) 2. The awesomeness of reaching this posting milestone (which I can’t mention too much, or this thread becomes illegal activity) 3. Hi, Opal! Just consider it a long overdue Pacific Northwest (PNW) Dopefest. The date is October 20, 2007. The place is Rockhoppers Coffeehouse, in Clinton, WA, on Whidbey Island. You can easily park at the ferry landing in Mukilteo (free or under $10), walk on the ferry (about $3.50, roundtrip), then walk up the hill to the coffeehouse. The local bluegrass group “The Gravel Road Band” is playing at 7:00pm, but the coffeehouse opens at 7:00am. Come on by, mention Cecil Adams, and get free drip coffee, ice cream, muffin or cookie, or $2.00 off anything else. We don’t serve alcohol, but we’ve got great espresso, lots of flavors for Italian sodas and blended drinks, and an eclectic, bright, art-filled space. I’ll probably refrain from posting again for a few days, just so that this milestone post remains a milestone, but I’ll answer any questions, or bump if necessary, Friday. Thank you for a great century on the boards so far, everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Hometownboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5e9695/32.png) [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/2 "2007-09-19T01:54:05Z")
Damn! That’s just a bit too far. (Mapquest has it as 267+ miles one way.) No doubt some of my cousins from the boatbuilding outfit on Whidby will be there as a matter of course. Please accept a best wishes for the occasion from this Oregon Doper (who is a near double-handful of years past 49). ---
**Author:** ![pendgwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3da27b/32.png) [@pendgwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pendgwen)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/3 "2007-09-19T02:02:49Z")
Drat. I’m going to be out of town. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2007, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/4 "2007-09-19T03:01:01Z")
It’s a bit too far for me, too. (I can only go as far as that billboard that says “Pardon Our Noise, It’s The Sound Of Freedom,” and then I have to go home. It’s a condition.) ---
**Author:** ![Danalan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@Danalan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danalan)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/5 "2007-09-22T04:47:30Z")
Wow. So much excitement over this party. 48 views and 3 posts, all politely not coming. Well, I’m having the party whether anybody shows up or not, so it’s all good. Nobody commented on my milestone, which is just as well, since that kind of party is formally frowned on, severely. It’s like some kind of Odyssey, or something. 🙂 Anyway, Bump the first. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/6 "2007-09-22T05:00:15Z")
I can’t find a street address for the place, to enter it into the bus trip planner. If it’s reachable by bus from Seattle, I might stop by. Or I might could split gas with someone who has room for a passenger. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/7 "2007-09-22T06:51:27Z")
Sad to say, I’m booked that day. Happy birthday anyway! And hey, look at that, a crappy little poem I wrote by accident. Enjoy! (When did I get so busy that my calendar is full months in advance? Dang it.) ---
**Author:** ![Danalan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@Danalan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danalan)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/8 "2007-09-22T17:06:26Z")
[QUOTE=lissener] I can’t find a street address for the place, to enter it into the bus trip planner. If it’s reachable by bus from Seattle, I might stop by. Or I might could split gas with someone who has room for a passenger. [/QUOTE] Your destination by bus should be “Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry Terminal”. The trip planner doesn’t do the ferry crossing calculation. The ferries run every half-hour, except late at night, when they run hourly. We’re 4 blocks from the ferry dock, up a hill. Buses on the island are free. [Trip Planner](http://www.commtrans.org/?mc=Ridingthebus&subcat=1) [Island Transit](http://www.islandtransit.org/). Route 1 and Route 7 both stop near the coffeehouse. The ferry schedule and fares will change October 1, and there is no link to the new data, yet. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/9 "2007-09-22T17:25:44Z")
Aw, another decline. 200 miles one way. Congrats on both your birthday and your postcount, though. If we’re ever up that way I’ll stop in and say “CECIL RULES!” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/10 "2007-09-22T17:36:27Z")
It’s only about 100 miles for me. I might make it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/11 "2007-09-22T17:40:41Z")
Well, darn it! Whidbey Island really is a bit far to come from PDX… I’d love to attend and if there’s any way to do so I will but that really is a far piece to drive! Hippo birdy anyways and thanks for the invite! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![stretch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@stretch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stretch)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/12 "2007-09-22T19:43:20Z")
Happy Birthday! I’ll sing you a song: You’ll always be older than me Oh, you’ll always be older than me No matter what else happens You’ll always be older than me! That’s a long way for me, too. I’ll have to see if mr.stretch wants to spend that weekend on the wetside. ---
**Author:** ![Danalan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@Danalan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danalan)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2007, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/13 "2007-09-24T20:57:57Z")
Bumping again. Our ice cream flavors are: Chocolate Factory (chocolate with milk, dark, and white chocolate chunks, plus fudge); Cookies & Cream; Vanilla Bean; and Rainbow Sherbet. Free ice cream! Live Music! Dopefest! ---
**Author:** ![Aguecheek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@Aguecheek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aguecheek)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2007, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/14 "2007-09-24T21:39:33Z")
Well hot dog. It’s _not_ too far for me! I’ll have to check with the boss lady first, but I think we might be able to make it out. So I’ll refrain from the well-wishes until I find out whether we can make them in person. ---
**Author:** ![NajaNivea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NajaNivea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NajaNivea)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/15 "2007-09-25T13:28:09Z")
Aww, man, I can’t even get Google Maps to tell me how far it is ☹ Eugene Doper here who would have been stoked for a PNW dopefest, but suspects it may be too far… although I _am_ trying to arrange a Seattle trip… Any chance you’re anywhere remotely close to “on the way”? ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/16 "2007-09-25T13:33:28Z")
Dang, I’m in Seattle but leaving the 19th. Apologies but if I do your bash, then I won’t leave until the 21st and get home the evening of the 22nd, and of course at work on the 23rd. That would mean losing the whole weekend plus a vacation day, plus missing the bambinas, so excuse me but I need to pass. ---
**Author:** ![cherry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cherry)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2007, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/17 "2007-09-25T18:29:21Z")
Well I’m a year too late to go now, but I used to live in Useless Bay. Have fun & happy birthday. I know I have to go back to the PNW but it won’t be that soon and I’ll definately be checking out my old home. Danalan, you triggered some pleasant memories. ---
**Author:** ![Danalan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@Danalan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danalan)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2007, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/18 "2007-09-29T16:18:39Z")
[QUOTE=NajaNivea] Aww, man, I can’t even get Google Maps to tell me how far it is ☹ Eugene Doper here who would have been stoked for a PNW dopefest, but suspects it may be too far… although I _am_ trying to arrange a Seattle trip… Any chance you’re anywhere remotely close to “on the way”? [/QUOTE] It’s just over 300 miles from Eugene to the island. Figure 6 hours each way. We’re 200 miles from Portland, figure 4+ hours. We have live music or some event every Saturday, and I’m here anyway, so feel free to stop in and introduce yourself if you’re in the area. You don’t have to wait for the 20th. It’s just that on October 20th I’m planning a special celebration, so if you can make it then, good. Here’s the [link to the coffeehouse](http://rockhoppersdailygrind.blogspot.com) again. ---
**Author:** ![Danalan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@Danalan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danalan)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/19 "2007-10-09T00:36:32Z")
Less than two weeks out – anybody going to make it? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687/20 "2007-10-09T00:47:56Z")
I’ll plan on it. (I’ll LYK if I can’t make it.) But bump the thread in the middle of next week! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-party-pnw-dopefest/419687.md?page=2)