[calamity]

I would love to go farther south but Seattle looks more reasonable.  UP are you offering a place to meet or, can you find one?  Or anyone?  October is better weather...

[theheartknows]

Just saw this...don't know why. I am in Southern Calif, but if the timing is right, could travel. The Columbia Gorge near Portland is absolutely one of my favorite places in the world to hike. I am in Ojai, and have two empty rooms, but that is pretty far south (near Santa Barbara) I will keep watching to see what emerges here.

[Finding Hope]

Riders in Portland. Dont know if I would want to drive to Washington by myself. But let me know would looooooooove to meet up. Need to get away.

FH

[underpressure]

Hi all. Sorry for being slow. I am going to do some legwork, offer up some B&B's and then what else? Look around for a restaurant or two? How long is everyone thinking about coming for? A full weekend? What dates work? I'll find some other fun things to do. I will put some effort into this.

Suggestions on organizing this welcome!

[xyzcf]

Sounds good and thank you for taking charge. I would think a weekend is best especially since some of us will be travelling quite some distance. In other meetups, there have been people that come for a day or part of a day or the whole time. Whatever they can manage.

I am open for any weekend.

It would be nice to be able to get outdoors too. In Luxembourg, we went on a long walk/hike..of course stopping at times for beverages .

Let me know if I can help.

[BraveNewWorld]

It would be nice to be able to get outdoors too. In Luxembourg, we went on a long walk/hike..of course stopping at times for beverages .

xyz and others. I know that finances may be tight for everyone ... so the ideas here may be out of reach ... but I'll link it anyway. I took home a United Airlines Magazine from a recent flight that described 'Three perfect days in Seattle' including a vineyard tour.

http://goo.gl/s5xu8

I'm hoping to take a kayak trip while I'm there in two weeks time, and I'm hopeful to be able to go for a long run by the sea. My son's have asked me to bring them some Seattle Sounders soccer gear! I'm excited about the training I'll get there.

bnw

[OceanLady]

Hi everyone, I'm in new Hampshire but I want to come also and meet everyone.  I have a cousin in Portland that would be very happy if I went there to visit with him and his wife as I have never been to that part of the country.  I'd have to rent a car at the airport for traveling.  Which airport should I try to check out flights to? I am willing to share accomodations with xyzcf if that works for her.  The sooner I know the info on the site and date, the better flight cost I would get.

OceanLady

[underpressure]

I really appreciate the link BNW, and my next post will include ideas about what we could do the weekend of November 2nd-4th.

As for accommodations, I am recommending a B&B (not cheap though) on Capitol Hill near me, because it's gorgeous, and maybe people can share rooms. And i like the idea of Capitol Hill as a starting base. We are a short drive or bus trip or taxi from downtown attractions, but in a very pleasant old neighborhood.

http://sbmansion.com/seattle-reservations.htm

There are several other B&B's around the corner from this one (google Capitol Hill, Seattle, Bed and Breakfast)  and any of them are probably wonderful. So I will leave it to you. As for cheaper hotels...I highly recommend NOT staying anywhere on Aurora. Please. And there might be something salvageable downtown...Quality Inn or something. Ask me privately and I will give you a review.

I hope this gets you guys started, getting your plane, train, bus, and hotel reservations. Or if we end up with a group that says November 2nd is a bad weekend, then we can review.

Feel free to message me with any other questions!

UP.

[underpressure]

1. Volunteer Park Café
If we are all on Capitol Hill, it will be very pleasant to walk over to this café for breakfast or coffee.
2. Warren Knapp Gallery, Melrose Market
I have no idea about this gallery. Have never been! Nor have I been to Melrose Market! But sounds fun. We could do this.
3.   EMP Experience Music Project.
Absolutely a must. This is fun.
4.   Ivars Pier 54
Yes, this is good too, and it's right next to the aquarium, so we could do that too.
5.   Olympic Sculpture Park
Embarrassed to say I have never been to this park. But it's highly recommended by my Art Historian Cousin. So let's do it. What a wonderful excuse to get a day away from the child to check out sculpture...Although i am tempted to bring him.
6.   Walrus and the carpenter, Ballard
Sure. Never been! Sounds fun. And I am willing to look for other spots too.
7.   Rob Roy...also I have never been here.

In the Ballard/Fremont area there are several super cool restaurants and taverns...wine bars, breweries. The works.

Hotel 1000? That was suggested by the article. I have never heard of it!
My parents stayed at The Inn at the Market with an amazing restaurant, which is pricey and wonderful. My friend stayed at the Fours Seasons which is very chic and has the fabulous Art Bar. That's all I have to offer. I have never stayed in a hotel in Seattle! Other than a motel one night on Aurora before I moved here, That was the worst hotel experience of my life. Don't do it.


8.  Kayak on Lake Union? Sounds like a blast...is anyone willing to do this?

9. Pike Place Market, Athenian and Starbucks. I think for breakfast Saturday morning we should do Athenian in Pike Place Market. It's inexpensive and historical...with a view of the water. And then we can explore the market
(Salumi Artisan, Beechers Cheese)

10. Laguna Vintage Pottery? This means checking out Pioneer Square, which is a definite must for tourists. But it IS touristy. If you guys want to, I can show you some of that.

11. Tavolata, Belltown...I don't know anything about Ethan Stowell. I know about Tom Douglas, who is a famous Seattle Chef, and he has some excellent restaurants. And there is also a great pizza place (2 locations) downtown that has an amazing winery attached...so there is that too.

12. The Funhouse, punk rock club. Okay, I was a punker. In the 1980's. You want to go to this with me? I feel like I am having a MLC. I am game!


13. Discovery Park: YES...great walk...and there are a few others. These are not parks as you know them. These are entire worlds.

14. Ballard Farmers Market... I like this market...but are we buying veggies to cook dinner? IDK. There is art. It's a quaint region. Not a bad idea. Tasty treats.

15. Archie McPhees: Yes. If you have a sense of humor you must visit Archie's. Forget about expensive souvenirs...this place is great. It's a wacky toy store for children and adults alike.

I will look around for other ideas...There is always the space needle of course. We could just do a drive by. If we go to EMP, we can also go to the space needle for a drink at the bar.

I AM NOT willing to ride on one of those amphibious Duck Trucks. Yuck.
 

[xyzcf]

I can make that weekend but would like to book ASAP as the flights will go up if I wait too long. I would like to share a room at that B&B..there are 4 rooms available at this point.