August 9, 2011 (8/9/2011) Taking the Wonder to see the AMERICAN CHILD

[jilljill]

Sundays also! It looks like it is the same schedule 7 days a week.

Depart Arrive Connection Duration* Route Train (Bus) #
Sun 7:40 am Sun 11:40 am Direct 4 hr, 00 min Amtrak Cascades 510
Sun 10:45 am Sun 2:15 pm Direct 3 hr, 30 min Bus (8948)
Sun 1:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm Direct 4 hr, 00 min Bus (8900)
Sun 4:45 pm Sun 8:00 pm Direct 3 hr, 15 min Bus (8906)
Sun 6:50 pm Sun 10:50 pm Direct 4 hr, 00 min Amtrak Cascades 516
Sun 9:15 pm Mon 12:20 am Direct 3 hr, 05 min Bus (8914)
*Total duration does not include time between connecting trains.

A 4 hour train ride. What about all those people on the main boards that were saying the ride was only about 2½ hours?!? Oh wait....we are talking about Amtrak and they aren't know for being fast or even reliable.
I'd rather take the bus for less travel time. Plus I like the 10:45am leave time rather than leaving at 7am.

 

[Caropooh]

A 4 hour train ride. What about all those people on the main boards that were saying the ride was only about 2½ hours?!? Oh wait....we are talking about Amtrak and they aren't know for being fast or even reliable.
I'd rather take the bus for less travel time. Plus I like the 10:45am leave time rather than leaving at 7am.

Those people are nuts! You can't even drive from Seattle to Vancouver in 2 1/2 hours! (from Mapquest)
Starting Location

Seattle, WA

Ending Location

Vancouver, BC Canada

Total Travel Estimate: 3 hours 7 minutes / 141.20 miles

I will say the train goes along the coast vs. the bus going up I-5. It's going to be a much more scenic and comfortable ride on the train, especially if you took the evening train. The sun setting over the Puget Sound is breathtaking!

 

[jilljill]

Those people are nuts! You can't even drive from Seattle to Vancouver in 2 1/2 hours! (from Mapquest)
Starting Location

Seattle, WA

Ending Location

Vancouver, BC Canada

Total Travel Estimate: 3 hours 7 minutes / 141.20 miles

I will say the train goes along the coast vs. the bus going up I-5. It's going to be a much more scenic and comfortable ride on the train, especially if you took the evening train. The sun setting over the Puget Sound is breathtaking!

Ok, I'll give you the scenery, but I'm about getting there faster and with less interruptions that you can get on Amtrak. I know the bus can be stopped on traffic and can break down, but freight trains have priority on the tracks over Amtrak and can be delayed because of this. Plus if the train breaks down a replacement can't be sent out too quickly.
I'm convincing myself that the bus is better is we decide to fly into Seattle and go up from there.

 

[bzzelady]

One thing to remember about the bus....you have to get off at customs at the border with your baggage, everyone on the bus has to clear customs, and then everyone has to reload their luggage and get back on the bus. This could, depending on border traffic, take longer than the scenic train ride (I have seen this process backed up by a couple of hours at the Buffalo/Niagara crossings,especially at mid day on the weekends).

With the train,it is like flying in...everyone gets off in Vancouver and clears customs there.

This is actually one of the reasons that I nixed the Philadelphia to Vancouver on Air Canada...all their flights connect in Toronto and you have to do the same thing-go collect your baggage, clear customs, and then recheck your baggage and bolt for your departure gate.
(Now there is something to go over!)

 

[jilljill]

Looking at all the logistics and extra vacation time DH would need we'll probably fly in/out of Vancouver (sorry Caro & Andrew). It will make my life easier in the long run with planning.

 

[Caropooh]

Ok, I'll give you the scenery, but I'm about getting there faster and with less interruptions that you can get on Amtrak. I know the bus can be stopped on traffic and can break down, but freight trains have priority on the tracks over Amtrak and can be delayed because of this. Plus if the train breaks down a replacement can't be sent out too quickly.
I'm convincing myself that the bus is better is we decide to fly into Seattle and go up from there.

You just keep trying to convince yourself of that!

 

[Caropooh]

Looking at all the logistics and extra vacation time DH would need we'll probably fly in/out of Vancouver (sorry Caro & Andrew). It will make my life easier in the long run with planning.

 

[jilljill]

Sorry. But we'll see you in December.

 

[Caropooh]

Sorry. But we'll see you in December.

And I'm quite excited about that! It's not like we won't see you at all, just not in Seattle and on the train! I was excited to get to show you Seattle, but I understand.

 

[jilljill]

And I'm quite excited about that! It's not like we won't see you at all, just not in Seattle and on the train! I was excited to get to show you Seattle, but I understand.

 

[caitlinsdad]

Let the party begin
41 Weeks until the August 9 th, 2011 Alaska Cruise

 

[starwood]

Happy Halloween

 

[Macavity]

Major Holidays to get past until our cruise (or another way to do a countdown)

Halloween - Oct 31st --> CHECK
Veterans Day - Nov 11th
Thanksgiving Day - Nov 25th
Christmas - Dec 25th
New Years Day - Jan 1st
Martin Luther King Day - Jan 17th
Valentines Day - Feb 14th
Presidents Day - Feb 21st
St. Patricks Day - March 17
April Fools Day - April 1st
Easter - April 24th
Mother Day - May 8th
Memorial Day - May 30th
DD Graduates from High School - June 4th (okay, not a holiday but the reason we are taking the cruise )
Father Day - June 19th
4th of July - July 4th

Time to start packing for the cruise....

 

[Caropooh]

Major Holidays to get past until our cruise (or another way to do a countdown)

Halloween - Oct 31st --> CHECK
Veterans Day - Nov 11th
Thanksgiving Day - Nov 25th
Christmas - Dec 25th
New Years Day - Jan 1st
Martin Luther King Day - Jan 17th
Valentines Day - Feb 14th
Presidents Day - Feb 21st
St. Patricks Day - March 17
April Fools Day - April 1st
Easter - April 24th
Mother Day - May 8th
Memorial Day - May 30th
DD Graduates form High School - June 4th (okay, not a holiday but the reason we are taking the cruise )
Father Day - June 19th
4th of July - July 4th

Time to start packing for the cruise....

That's a MAJOR holiday in my life! It's my 50th birthday!

 

[caitlinsdad]

That's a MAJOR holiday in my life! It's my 50th birthday!

Done 50th its not so major, once you get past it.
Will celebrate my 54th on our cruise.

 

[Caropooh]

Done 50th its not so major, once you get past it.
Will celebrate my 54th on our cruise.

I'm not scared of it or anything, it's just another birthday!

 

[geffric]

to be add to your list..

DS#2 graduates high school June 5th..

 

[Macavity]

Major Holidays to get past until our cruise (or another way to do a countdown)

Halloween - Oct 31st --> CHECK
Veterans Day - Nov 11th
Thanksgiving Day - Nov 25th
Christmas - Dec 25th
New Years Day - Jan 1st
Martin Luther King Day - Jan 17th
Valentines Day - Feb 14th
Presidents Day - Feb 21st
St. Patricks Day - March 17
April Fools Day - April 1st
Easter - April 24th
Mother Day - May 8th
Memorial Day - May 30th
DD Graduates from High School - June 4th (okay, not a holiday but the reason we are taking the cruise )
Geffric DS#2 graduates high school - June 5th
Father Day - June 19th
4th of July - July 4th

Time to start packing for the cruise....


Are YOU on the FE list? If not, and you want to be, send me a PM!!!!

 

[caitlinsdad]

Happy Election Day


Let the party begin
40 Weeks until the August 9 th, 2011 Alaska Cruise

 

[starwood]