Well, time has once again moved faster than my mind, so I am just now getting around to thinking about this.
Our (or at least MY) beloved Saskatchewaners, Odieman and Silent_Rob are planning to be in the Vancouver, BC area on July 28, and I hope you have all saved that date for a gathering.
Some Seattle people are planning on coming up on the train. I may join them, or I may come up earlier.
So, lets talk…I think we should plan something during the day, and then dinner at night. That way people would be able to come to one or the other, or both.
I don’t live in Vancouver, so you lovely people from Canada are going to have to help me with this.
I suggest the Granville Market, Stanley Park, or the conservatory for the day thing. Any suggestions for the night, or better suggestions for the day?
Well, I’ll be there with bells on, no matter where (well…not bells, literally, but…you never know).
I’m afraid I won’t be much help for planning, though, as I have never been to Vancouver before. I’m looking forward to it, and to meeting some Dopers, too.
Spouse and I are going up by train - I’m signed up w/ Amtrak’s travel site so I can get discounts. We’re also thinking of making this an overnighter since we can also get discounts on hotels – anyone wanting to join us, let me know.
As for Vancouver eve, I have one suggestion for a restaurant. It’s extremely pricey but definitely worth it – it’s called Ristorante Cin Cin, it’s on the main drag (I think it’s Robson) up a flight of stairs. It serves gourmet wood fired grilled/wood oven baked Italian and is to die for. Spouse and I ate there a couple years ago, and it has remained as one of the top three places we’ve ever been. Very romantic but I’d be willing to bet we could probably get some sort of group discount/reservation, etc. I’ll try to look up their online address. However, we’re flexible – and willing to go anywhere the group decides.
Oh boy! I’ve always wanted to go to Vancouver! And I’ve never been on a real train, so that’s a bonus, too. Sign me up as a definite tentative. Well, I’m still waiting to hear about a new job, and if I get it, I’ll be moving to Portland right about that time, and I’ll need to save money (yes, I am the only one in the world who looks for a job that will entail a cut in pay). But I do want to make it, and I’ll put it on my calendar and let nothing else go there, so if I can make, I can make.
And, yes, that did make sense to me. And no, I have not been drinking.
Amtrak only is running one train that day – everything else is by “motorcoach”. SO: The train leaves 7:45 am, gets in around 11:30 (and as I recall, serves a full breakfast in the dining car, so prepare to bring some extra $$ if you want to take advantage). The cost (full price) is $34 per person one way, but a group fare might cut that down a bit. Also, http://www.Amtrak.com is a great website, that’s how I found all this out.
Next up: hotels/motels for the overnighters. Any suggestions?
Sounds like fun but doesn’t work for me, schedulewise. I’m already supposed to be in Astoria and Cle Elum both on that day. (Aren’t I the world traveller?) Have fun everyone!
Just a thought: Lonsdale Quay Market is good too, as a possible replacement for Granville Island. The onlty problem is that it’s on the North Shore and involves crossing bridges unless the bus strike is settled and Seabus is running.
If this weren’t a bump, I’d think of something clever and witty to say. It is, however, VERY early here and my brain isn’t awake. And…it IS a bump, so who cares?
C’mon, NW people! I’m not seeing much interest here! WHO WANTS TO GO TO VANCOUVER?? The train is an option, but the main thing is that we get together there for fun and frolic. So far the response is not overwhelming – and we have just over one month to go!
If nothing else, Scotti, Spouse and I will be there.
**Odieman
Silent_Rob
rjk
caircair and MrCair
Scotticher
Amarainth
**
and possibly Kallessa
So, lets talk…Amarinth, are you planning on training it too, or driving? If you are driving, you could drive to B’ham and we could car pool. Kallessa, haven’t heard from you for a bit…are you still thinking of coming?
Once we have an idea who is coming, we can get down to making serious plans. And yes…any BC Dopers with other restaurant suggestions? And I still like the idea of making a day of it. Lonsdale Quay Market sounds really good, rjk…is the strike over, and how far is that from the rail station where we will be picking up the train folk?
Scotti, just letting you know that I think Brunetter is coming, too. I’m pretty sure she is, but I’ll say it’s tentative, so just in case she isn’t, she won’t kick my butt.
This Colorado based Doper and the whole fam damily is going to be vacationing in and around the Olympic peninsula, the San Juan Islands, Seattle, and Victoria during that time. We are pretty much winging it, no set plans for when and where. I step up with a BIG maybe…
