Ooh, or watersheds. That’s some interesting stuff.
Entomology works for me.
Plus I won’t feel guilty about making somebody come in during his or her weekend off.
As long as I’m on the subject, any recommendations for a cheap but decent hotel in the Philadelphia area?
Sorry, since I live here I’m not too up on Philly hotels. Best I could do would be if you said “I’m thinking of staying at X” would be give you pros and cons on the location.
Got the email from Olives – any interest in vertebrate paleontology Otherwise entomology is fine with me. They also have a live butterfly exhibit, though there’s an extra charge to go in there.
Barring any last minute recommendations I’m going to book a room at the Microtel by the airport. Microtels are usually acceptable - the motel equivalent of Burger King.
I found some places that were cheaper but I checked online reviews and most of them sound worrisome at best.
The last couple of times, I stayed at motels across the river in New Jersey. Rates generally seem cheaper over there and the places I stayed at were acceptable. But I can’t remember which places they were. And besides, I’ve moved so I won’t be traveling in from New Jersey. No point in traveling what’s now an extra distance.
Another question. This thread seems to have devolved to three people. Even with guests, we were barely up to the ten we needed. And I know from experience, there’s usually last minute no-shows. If we do end up with only four or five people, do we have a fallback plan? And how soon do we have to commit with the museum?
Bumpity bump.
I’m still in, if the event comes off.
I have to say I share Little Nemo’s concerns, especially after I went this past Saturday to a Meetup that had 19 people signed up of whom 7 showed up. Lovely days in May don’t seem to inspire people to stick to commitments, especially for indoor events. So I’m also up for alternatives if the required numbers fail to materialize.
On that note, I don’t know for sure, but I’m guessing once we commit to the tour, we have to follow through or else lose at least some money - especially if the staff makes an exception for us on a weekend day. I believe the tour needs to be reserved 72 hours in advance. I’m uncomfortable with booking something that specialized if there is a good chance it won’t happen.
Yeah, agree. My guess is that they want payment in advance, which I’d be willing to front if this were likely to happen – but it’s starting to look somewhat less likely to happen.
We could always just go to the Museum and skip the special tour, less than 10 people would be fine for that.
I’d opt for entomology. Wouldn’t want someone to have to come in for a saturday, if they weren’t otherwise.
I’m going to have to officially drop out on this one, sorry. I won’t make it back to Philadelphia in time.
A one week bump. And get we get a headcount of who’s in? And we need to establish a time and place we’re meeting at.
I’m in, even for just a regular trip, not behind the scenes.
If we met late morningish, we could do a lunchish meal after; or we could meet mid afternoonish, and do lunch before or dinner after.
One thing I’ve never done is have the authentic Philly cheese steak experience. So I’d be up for a trip to Pat’s or Geno’s if anyone else is interested.
9th and Passyunk is not very convenient to 19th and the Parkway; a carpool might work, if parking could be found (and boy is that a big if). I’ve lived in Philadelphia since 1987, eaten lots of steaks (I recommend Rick’s, now at the Shops at Liberty Place), and I’ve never had “the” cheesesteak experience; I might be interested just to see what all the fuss is about. I also haven’t driven since 1987, though, so someone else should handle that part.
Otherwise, I’m up for a museum trip, behind the scenes or otherwise; lunch before or dinner after, cheesesteaks or something fancier. Anyone know a good place close to the Academy?
What kinda food? Public House (18th & Arch) & Mace’s Crossing (17th & Pkwy) are right there for pub food. If you want food from the grill, Tony’s on 21st 'tween Market & Arch.
For dinner there’s the Brazilian steakhouse (on 20th & JFK), though it’s more $.
If meeting earlier & up for the double, Eastern State Penitentiary is walkable & there are a # of places within a block or two.
If Nemo wants a steak, Liberty Place isn’t that far, we could go hit up the food court there. Ambience isn’t great, but we could hang out for as long as we wanted, everyone could get whatever looked good, etc.
I’d vote for Museum around 11, then lunch after. I’m not that interested in ESP, I’ve been there three or four times.
Could we get a roll call of people definitely planning to attend?
I’m in. But have we made a decision on the behind the scenes tour? It looks to me like we’re going to fall short. I have no problem with just doing a regular visit.
I’ve been to Eastern before but I’d be up for another visit if others want to go there.
I’m in. twickster’s plan (museum around 11, food) sounds good.
Visiting a natural history museum (with exhibits on godless evolution!) should guarantee we won’t be Raptured that evening if Harold Camping turns out to be right after all. That alone will make it worth the trip.