A Voyage of Firsts! The WONDERful Journey North: LA-Vancouver-Alaska, 4/27-5/10 2011

[katypop]

Well I have put the notice out there in a number of places and the only one definite is Gydell. V is considering it along with the Left Coasters. If you and mom want to go, book the cruise and then let me know. Make sure it's not too late. As far as asking others.....they know about it and they didn't respond. So let's just let sleeping dogs lie. I'll put the info out there again for everyone. If they want to go, they will respond themselves.

http://www.castawayrestaurant.com/castawayburbank/weekend_brunches.aspx


Here's where we are going for brunch on Easter Sunday. If you would like to attend, let me know. Don't wait too long. I'm going to make final ressies very soon.

Deb, I would have loved to join you, but I don't arrive until later in the day. We'll catch up with you on the ship

 

[MouseFaninQueue]

Well now that I have spent the morning working on all the transportation connections.....I have decided that I'm going to be naked for this entire trip. haha.

If you are attending the champagne girls extravaganza, the lady organizing it won't be happy if you aren't in pink. So at least bring along some pink body paint. You don't want to get on the bad side of the lady organizing the Champagne Girls...

 

[MouseFaninQueue]

yeah - we want in... and we can check with some others... not sure when Ken and shannon are arriving and if Kathe wants to join us with her kids... I'm probably going to rent a car for the day or so.. we can get around that way...

Also.... maybe Steve would like to join us - with or without the guys... I can check if you want..

We arrive at LAX on Easter Sunday at about 1:30.

this is only giving us 2 full days in the parks so not sure how much outside of the parks stuff we can do.

which reminds me, i need to look at the hours for the parks for those days.

 

[MouseFaninQueue]

Well I have put the notice out there in a number of places and the only one definite is Gydell. V is considering it along with the Left Coasters. If you and mom want to go, book the cruise and then let me know. Make sure it's not too late. As far as asking others.....they know about it and they didn't respond. So let's just let sleeping dogs lie. I'll put the info out there again for everyone. If they want to go, they will respond themselves.

http://www.castawayrestaurant.com/castawayburbank/weekend_brunches.aspx


Here's where we are going for brunch on Easter Sunday. If you would like to attend, let me know. Don't wait too long. I'm going to make final ressies very soon.

As mentioned above, we don't get in until 1:30 so we are probably not going to get to the hotel until close 3:00pm and then depending on the hours for the park see where we can from there. With the kids we will probably need to spend as much time as we can in the parks.

I guess we hit LA not quite in time for Brunch but more like "Lupper" ...

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Deb, I would have loved to join you, but I don't arrive until later in the day. We'll catch up with you on the ship

I know Kathe....a lot of people can't make it either because of travel times or that it's Easter Sunday. We'll take plenty of pictures of the chocolate fountain and share with everyone.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

If you are attending the champagne girls extravaganza, the lady organizing it won't be happy if you aren't in pink. So at least bring along some pink body paint. You don't want to get on the bad side of the lady organizing the Champagne Girls...

.....hahaha.....now THAT was funny Ken. I'm sure I can find some hot pink body paint so that I don't ruin the picture and the spirit of the event.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

As mentioned above, we don't get in until 1:30 so we are probably not going to get to the hotel until close 3:00pm and then depending on the hours for the park see where we can from there. With the kids we will probably need to spend as much time as we can in the parks.

I guess we hit LA not quite in time for Brunch but more like "Lupper" ...

I think I knew this already and just forgot....senior moments....it reinforces my eligibility for the GIT.

 

[gydell]

yeah - we want in....

When are you getting into LA?

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Deb, for the LA stuff check with Zippy Shuttle. That's who we used in January and are using again for this cruise.

For us, 3 people SNA to Long Beach then Long Beach to the Wonder the next morniing = $80. That's a private service, not a shared ride.

.
.

Jackie, FYI....Golden West Express car service came in $3 less than Zippy Shuttle when I had them each quote a price from my hotel in Rodondo Beach to the port. I'm going with the car service. I have their contact info if you want to switch. Let me know.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Ken, we're going to need transportation from the Port in Vancouver to the hotel. Then we can offload our luggage and go meet everyone to play. What is the best means of transportation to do that? Can I just grab a cab from the port or should I have a reserved car/shuttle waiting?

Btw, If you and the family want to come with us to our hotel and drop off your bags while we all schedule a meeting place, you are certainly welcome to do so. You can pick them up to go home after our outing with friends.

I'm staying near the Amtrak station on East Hastings Street. Can I just grab a cab easily in the morning from the hotel to the station?

I'm also planning on taking a cab from the Seattle Amtrak station to the Seattle/Tacoma airport. I should check with Kaylee to make sure this will be easy enough to do. John and I will pick up a car rental to use for three days and then return it to the airport to go home.

I think I have all my transportation connections worked out now. Thank goodness that part is done.

Oh, and the boas have been ordered for the Champagne Girls. Next the Tiaras. I do a little at a time until it all gets done and we go. YEAH!!!!

 

[Tink rules]

When are you getting into LA?

Planning on getting in either Friday or Saturday... will depend on flights, etc. Planning on staying at the GC or one of the other hotels cause mom needs to be close to the parks...

 

[gydell]

Planning on getting in either Friday or Saturday... will depend on flights, etc. Planning on staying at the GC or one of the other hotels cause mom needs to be close to the parks...

Kathe and I are getting in on Sunday. If you go to the brunch I can give you a ride back if you don't mind a detour to the airport to get Kathe.

 

[Tink rules]

Thanks!

I'll let you know what happens... does Kathe DESERVE such a welcoming comittee???

 

[MouseFaninQueue]

Ken, we're going to need transportation from the Port in Vancouver to the hotel. Then we can offload our luggage and go meet everyone to play. What is the best means of transportation to do that? Can I just grab a cab from the port or should I have a reserved car/shuttle waiting?

Btw, If you and the family want to come with us to our hotel and drop off your bags while we all schedule a meeting place, you are certainly welcome to do so. You can pick them up to go home after our outing with friends.

I'm staying near the Amtrak station on East Hastings Street. Can I just grab a cab easily in the morning from the hotel to the station?

I'm also planning on taking a cab from the Seattle Amtrak station to the Seattle/Tacoma airport. I should check with Kaylee to make sure this will be easy enough to do. John and I will pick up a car rental to use for three days and then return it to the airport to go home.

I think I have all my transportation connections worked out now. Thank goodness that part is done.

Oh, and the boas have been ordered for the Champagne Girls. Next the Tiaras. I do a little at a time until it all gets done and we go. YEAH!!!!

Can u PM me the name of your hotel? I really want to make sure it is NOT in a bad part of town. Depending on how far down East Hastings it is, you may want to rethink staying there. I am heading down to Vancouver for March 3rd so I can do a quick driveby and make sure it is a decent place for my friends.

As for transportation, a cab should be easy enough. We are currently trying to figure out transportation for ourselves. My uncle lives in Richmond (as a northerner I consider Richmond part of Vancouver), and my father has an apartment in Richmond as well. My father and stepmother are on the cruise with us so all 6 of us have to get from the terminal to Richmond. I'm just not sure how to do that. I am trying to figure out a way for my uncle to bring 2 cars to the port at the same time!! Worst case we can send my bags back in the car with my Dad and we can take the skytrain back to my dad's apartment after we are done having fun with our friends. But we will see.

How many of us are planning on playing a bit in Vancouver that day? I haven't exactly been keeping track.

 

[Tink rules]

Come on Ken... we're expecting you to be our tour guide...

 

[MouseFaninQueue]

Come on Ken... we're expecting you to be our tour guide...

Yeah which is what I am saying if I send my bags with my father and Shannon and I take Skytrain back to my dad's place after we are done touring with you all. I HATE driving around Vancouver and tend to park and walk where I can. And if I hate driving I hate finding a parking spot even more!

The ONLY thing I can see needing a car for is to drive around Stanley Park just to see the whole thing and stopping where we want at different locations around the park. Vancouverites like to think themselves as fitness freaks so walking is pretty common all over the city. However, skytrain, taxis (water and regular) and the tour trolley are pretty easy to find.

We'll figure it out.

Maybe we need to see who all is staying. Who all wants to do something as a group. And what you all want to see/do as a group. Shannon and I will just go with everyone else and can put in ideas. But I am more willing to see what everyone else wants to do and go from there.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Can u PM me the name of your hotel? I really want to make sure it is NOT in a bad part of town. Depending on how far down East Hastings it is, you may want to rethink staying there. I am heading down to Vancouver for March 3rd so I can do a quick driveby and make sure it is a decent place for my friends.

As for transportation, a cab should be easy enough. We are currently trying to figure out transportation for ourselves. My uncle lives in Richmond (as a northerner I consider Richmond part of Vancouver), and my father has an apartment in Richmond as well. My father and stepmother are on the cruise with us so all 6 of us have to get from the terminal to Richmond. I'm just not sure how to do that. I am trying to figure out a way for my uncle to bring 2 cars to the port at the same time!! Worst case we can send my bags back in the car with my Dad and we can take the skytrain back to my dad's apartment after we are done having fun with our friends. But we will see.

How many of us are planning on playing a bit in Vancouver that day? I haven't exactly been keeping track.

PM sent. Thanks for looking out for us.

The group of Thieves that are staying in Vancouver at least one night are: possibly Lisa and Darrell, Cheri, Jackie, Peg, Monica, Kathe, Vicki and Greg, me and John, you and Shannon. That's a big enough group to have a mini meet. YEAH!!!!

 

[katypop]

Thanks!

I'll let you know what happens... does Kathe DESERVE such a welcoming comittee???

Don't know if I deserve it but I certainly would enjoy it

 

[katypop]

Oh, and the boas have been ordered for the Champagne Girls. Next the Tiaras. I do a little at a time until it all gets done and we go. YEAH!!!!

Thanks for doing this Deb

 

[mishoe01]

Maybe we need to see who all is staying. Who all wants to do something as a group. And what you all want to see/do as a group. Shannon and I will just go with everyone else and can put in ideas. But I am more willing to see what everyone else wants to do and go from there.

Hi Ken - I know that Deb, John, Jackie, Peggy Jo, Cheri, Kathe, Marlene (my non-DISfriend) & I are all staying that extra night. Marlene & I are coming in on the 2nd (about noon), so we'll be doing a bit of galavanting around that afternoon/evening. We're staying near Stanley Park that night. We were discussing the horse drawn carriage (http://www.stanleyparktours.com/), the Hop on-hop off bus, doing the Gaslamp district, and don't remember what else.