We’d be doing it differently than in the past. Our notion: find a cheap motel where people can stay, within striking distance of the heart of Spokane, go for some good but not ferociously pricey eateries for the duration, go ride the carousel in the park, ride the gondolas across the falls, and otherwise hang out and have a good time. We’d be joining the party over in the motel venue, like any con, for hanging out and having refreshments from a cooler in some lucky person’s room; and then have a finish-up barbecue over at our place beside the pond, granted the number of attendees isn’t crazy. We’re not up to arranging kayaking, and some of our folk don’t like the water, but there are still some nice things to do. Any interest out there? Spokane, for those of you who’ve never been here, is easily accessible from its airport, or from I-90, which runs through town. We know the I-90, I-40 and I-25 routes, and we somewhat know I-80. It’s 2 nights on the road, Dallas to Spokane; pretty well the same from OKC, though some crazy people do it in one: the leg from Buffalo WY to Spokane is a very long drive.
The whole I-90/I-25 route is very scenic, passing Yellowstone by two separate entrances; and it’s generally beautiful, through several very tame mountain passes and piney woods. What we call an inexpensive motel is Motel 6, or its equivalent.
We are in! Just give us a couple of weeks notice to find a pet sitter and drive up there!
“some of our folk don’t like the water”….indeed, but if I can stay on dry solid ground you know I will be there.
Don’t let him fool you, folks. Once he got his canoe moving (again), he was like an old pro.
What was he nervous about? I can’t swim and I still did this. Twice. But then, I occasionally go boating with friends and have learned to trust my PFD (aka life jacket)…
Actually, Bret is a better kayaker than most of us: he learned fast, and he paddles like a pro. He’s just not fond of deep water. Which I understand entirely. My thing is not liking standing on the edge of tall buildings.
And you betcha—we can think of places to visit that don’t involve being on water.
Is this still a viable possibility? Have dates been picked? Is anyone actually organizing it? FYI the former favorite weekend (Independence Day) is not looking good for me or other far-travelers contemplating commercial carriers. Greyhound roundtrip prices from the Midwest are ludicrous, for about $50 more one could FLY — and spend an order of magnitude less time cooped up in a cramped tube full of other people. A scant few affordable seats ($~150 each way) on Amtrak’s Empire Builder remain (cheaper than Greyhound!), but even then one may have to juggle extra room-nights in a Spokane hotel (e.g. Econolodge, $53) versus date-of-departure for best price and/or seat availability. Unless a second “Northern Express to Shejidan” carpool can be assembled?
Jane and I are organizing it. We haven’t picked a date yet. We will be having it in a hotel, because we’re not set up for anything else. We’ve been overwhelmed with business stuff and sickness this fall, but we’re still hoping. Do not expect the entertainment/activity extravaganza: we’ll likely be at a hotel with some things within walking distance, but generally much more sitting about the bar there or in a neighboring restaurant and talking and such.
What we will have to do—is figure out sharing rooms, guys in one room, gals in the other, unless people come in pairs. Downtown would be ca. 119.00 a night split 4 ways…4 adults can share one room, 2 queen beds. THat’d be 29.00 each a night x 3 nights, likely, or a total of $87 lodging plus tax. Plus meals, about on the Chili’s level or Azteca, etc: we’d like to take everybody to our favorite watering hole, but transport is not easy, unless we all used the bus. We can provide a barbecue at our place for one meal if we can manage to get everybody there. I don’t view this as being a huge gathering. I can see by looking at the hotels that we simply have to have a date pretty soon, because these hotels fill up. I also have to be sure Jane is on board with this. We could get that price down 30.00 a room if we could get into the Mirabeau in Spokane Valley, which has a nice bar, food in walking distance, but fewer, as in no, attractions within reach, and not as much food choice. The Doubletree (first hotel) is on the river, next to the park, the carousel, feed the ducks, ride the gondolas, multitude of dining choices, etc, so it would be easier to go out and be entertained.