Vancouver Spring Fling

[JalepenoAnn]

Hi gang. I have booked a week off in May. It's the week of May 18th. It is also a long weekend here, so I can probably get an extra day either at the front or the end of the vacation week. So, I will be able to be off work from May 17 to May 25, with the possibility of getting either the 16th or 26th off since the stat falls during my vacation.

I know it won't be good for everyone, but since there wasn't a huge amount of imput, I just decided to book it and hope for the best. If there are any huge objections, I have till Friday to change it. Once Friday is past, it's carved in stone.

[Luanne]

Right now it looks like I'm going to be in PA the weekend of May 10-11, and then possibly in Santa Fe for a few days after that. So, the weekend around May 16-18 would be tight, but possibly doable. The weekend around May 23-25 would be better, but I think that's Memorial Day, right?

[JalepenoAnn]

I just checked a calendar and you are right that the following weekend is Memorial Day.

[reelriot]

The first 2 weeks of May will be way better for me as it will be costly to need care for the dd's and the dogs the last 2 weeks of May- So I would prefer the beginning of may by far- also probably more hotel availavility when it is not a long weekend

Arlene

[shelac]

I have no idea what my schedule will be - right now, my temp team lead position is over the end of Feb and I would go back on my old rotation but that could change.

Sheila

[CarlaKay]

Ann,
Okay, I'm putting it on my calendar. I would have to be careful with my return flight. The whole month of May is crazy in Indianapolis b/c of the race. I can't wait.

[JalepenoAnn]

I don't think the hotels would be a big problem as most people seem to arrive mid week. The weather is usually better the last part of May too....AND I can get an extra day off, which would most likely be at the end of my vacation. Company probably wouldn't let me take it the day before the long weekend.

[reelriot]

Ann- why not have a vote, canvass etc of what dates people would come to.

ie may 1, may 9, may 16

and see where most people would actually attend.

I still vote for May 1. (and everybody from elsewhere in BC comes to Vancouver for the long weekend making things more "difficult" and congested)

It is unclear to me who can come when.

I think I will just keep up my 2 cents as it makes a big difference to me.

Thanks for listening

Arlene

[Luanne]

Okay, the dates in May that I can come would be:

May 1 - 5
May 22 - 26

Those are the best.

I might be able to make it:

May 15 - 19, but if Steve and I go to Santa Fe it would be very tight.

[JalepenoAnn]

Well, there isn't much time to take a vote as the deadline for booking my vacation is tomorrow. Most everyone told me to just pick a date, so that's what I did. It actually works best for me too.

I will be off work from May 17 through to the 26th. I think everyone would be arriving AFTER the long weekend here, so it will be a non issue. From what I've gathered, that block of time will work best for the majority of people.

[redhotmama]

Anytime is fine for me.


Diana

[CarlaKay]

Ann, we have always gone with the date that suits the host best. So, we will go with the dates you have picked. Cannot wait to meet you in real life person!!!

[JACOB'S NANA]

Carla's right, we always go with the host..you posted the dates, so we will go with you gal!..I am excited!!..I hope Karen has seen this, she does have the clerk thing in May, but not sure of the date...gosh, I hope she can do this one...she knows I get lost in airports if it were not for her...I am getting senile..lol

[katydidasakid]

Ann the dates looks good for me also. I did have a clerks conference in Atlanta Georgia that week but I had much rather be with all of the BCB buddies and pass the Georgia trip. I now can plan on vacation that week and look forward to meeting you in person. And I hope Donna and Norma and myself can make another trip together. We do love to get away! Oh yeah you might want to stock up on the Depends! See ya later, Karen

[wwdonna]

Ann, thanks for taking this on. This will be my first trip to Vancouver, and I am really looking forward to meeting you. Going over to travel.com to see what flights are going for.
Thanks again
Donna

[JalepenoAnn]

This is getting exciting. What sort of things to you guys want to do while you're here? I've got a few things in mind, but am open to suggestions. I still want to challenge whoever thinks they will be up to it to a hike up the Grouse Grind. :bcb_grin

[Luanne]

Do we now have "exact" dates set? If so, please post. :bcb_bigsm

[wwdonna]

Ann, if you don't mind would you post hotel suggestions, etc. Town that is close to you....I am checking on flights, hotels and attractions.
Thanks
Donna

[JalepenoAnn]

Here is the link I sent you in the PM, Donna.

http://www.vancouver-bc.com/index.html

Kitslano and Vancouver, west side are good. So is Delta, Ladner and Tswwassen. Ladner has some nice areas and a very nice little downtown area. White Rock and South Surrey are also ok. White Rock is the local beach community with lots of little shops and a nice walk along the beach. Any of those areas would be suitable and not too far away from the house.

[JACOB'S NANA]

Hey, I am up for whatever the gang wants to do...I don't care if we have some down time just to sit and talk..we never seem to get enough talking done..lol

Whew!..I was holding my breath until Karen said she could go!..wasn't sure when her clerk trip was in May.

Oh, walking along the beach sounds nice....okay, Donna keep us up to date on the flights & we can check the hotels online when we have an exact date....I am ready to do whatever you all decide ...just remember that us three bamagals have to be on the same page!..lol, or should I say on the same plane!
I have all kinds of ideas floating around in my head..whoopee, I am excited, my first trip to "anywhere" in Canada....someplace I have always wanted to go...Norma

[reelriot]

HI- This is a repost of what I posted on NOv 2 re ideas where to stay.

If you have never been to Vancouver, one of the most beautiful cities in the world all surrounded by water - you really want to stay - in Vancouver- as there is lots to see and the ambiance of all the beaches- there are many in Vancouver- but the ones near downtown are also near the shopping , galleries, museums and everything else to see and easy to jump off from there to Grouse, or the ferries or anywhere really. I think the outlying areas would be too isolating. It would also require everyone to be in a car where in the city you don't actually need one, but can rent one when you want to go out of the city. You might miss what Vancouver is really all about if you stay way out. I should add that from staying on English bay there are walks along the water, around the park, there is a foot ferry to Granville Island you can take. YOu will have the Vancouver views that it is famous for- which you may hardly see if you are somewhere else. It takes alot of money to get there- you may as well get to know what it is. It would be well worth it.

Anyway I will repost these places here:

With respect to the possible BCB gettogether, Dh has flown to Vancouver alot in the last couple years and stayed in various places and he recommends to us http://www.bestwesternsandshotelvancouver.com/ (http://www.bestwesternsandshotelvancouver.com/) because "the Sands" is right on English Bay, near beaches, Stanley park and easy access to the rest of downtown by hopping on a bus. You can see some of the views on that website- it is a smaller hotel, but there are all sorts of restaurants/cafes nearby. Although I note their rates change on May 1.

I figure if you pay all that money to get to Vancouver you may as well stay where you can partake of the beautiful location. He might have some other suggestions too. ie you can go down and just walk on the beach or in the park any old time.

Another place right on the water at English Bay, I would suggest, is http://www.sylviahotel.com/ (http://www.sylviahotel.com/) It's an older smaller hotel that was refurbished and has some style to it- although I have not seen the rooms.

and just up the street on Denman is http://www.coasthotels.com/hotels/c..._plaza/overview (http://www.coasthotels.com/hotels/canada/bc/vancouver/coast_plaza/overview)
and you can have great views out of those rooms

(I would be staying at my sister's)

There are also some places on Robson that might be not too bad in price but Robson is now a shopping street and the beach might be a much better location to relax.

But there are lots of things to see/shop etc. You can take a tram up Grouse MOuntain (where DH and I got married), art gallery, museum, science world, take a boat cruise up English Bay- maybe we can organize a dinner party on a boat- we had one for Aviva's Bat mitzvah, we have also attended a wedding on a boat that went up to Indian arm- there is a lot to do with water in Vancouver as it is almost totally surrounded by it. granville Island market used to be on an island. http://www.granvilleisland.com/en/node (http://www.granvilleisland.com/en/node)


Anyway I hope people want to go. Just some ideas and you can see pictures on the websites. I could come up with lots of ideas of things to do as that is really my city. It was really good to have gone there again.

[shelac]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE White Rock but it's far out and you'd need a car. I stayed at the Sylvia years ago - loved the ambience, and the location. I can't remember the rooms, I stayed in there years ago and I think they were ordinary. It was the location that was especially nice. Granville Island is also nice. I think it really depends on what activities are planned. I'm a "visitor" - ie, I love to visit with people. I will probably combine the visit with a visit to my kids in Steveston Village and of course, Meg lives in downtown Van.

sheila

[lizawill]

Oh, this is getting exciting. I still have to broach the subject with Jack, but he has been talking about a west coast trip for ages, and this should dovetail beautifully. He wants to start either north or south and drive almost the entire western coastline. It would be our trip of the year, and May might just work perfectly.

Now I am stupid here - which weekend are we talking about, so I can really get into this planning. We have Cornell's reunion at the beginning of June, but that won't be a problem. It's his 50th, and the Sherwoods are singing so it is absolutely necessary we be there. There are all kinds of possibilities and combinations here.

I remember reading about the Sylvia when we were there. As I remember, the last time we probably stayed at a Hampton Inn (it just happens to be a chain we enjoy), but it was closer to the airport than anything.

Has anyone talked about going out to the Buchart Gardens on Victoria? That's is always a spectacular trip, but it would take time.....

[JalepenoAnn]

The Sylvia is beautiful and right across from the water. Never been inside it though. The location is wonderful.

Luanne~~ I am going to be on vacation starting May 17. Any of the dates between that and May 26 will be good, so that part is up to you ladies. The first weekend is our Victoria Day weekend, so arriving after that would probably be the best idea.

As for going to Victoria and the gardens, good idea, but it's VERY expensive. The ferry alone would be close to $100 and then so much per passenger.

[CarlaKay]

Well, I can see already that this trip will be somewhat more difficult to narrow down. Not only is there alot to see, but this will be our first time being where there are several buddies familiar with the area. I vote we keep the ideas flowing and let our official host decide. I know that having us close to Ann's house will probably make it more convenient for her to gather us together. I also wondered, depending on how many do attend, if we could pitch in and rent a big van to get around in. That way a native can drive us and we could all enjoy the scenery! I will do whatever you all decide, but hope we are not going to pick a very expensive hotel downtown. I do think we can visit downtown easily if we stay outside of the city. Is that right, Ann?
As for dates. maybe we should plug in the dates and see what flights are going to be. I thought about the 18th (Sunday) throught the 23rd (Friday). I do have to see what flights will be available to return to Indy at that time in May. Could be I will have to come back earlier than that due to traffic into our airport. Just thought that maybe I should come home on Sunday, race day. No one should be flying in then!
I will have to say that I am not going to work on this until January. I have way too much on my plate right now and want to concentrate on what I am doing. It would be nice to be somewhat coordinated in our flights so we can share rides to the hotel.
Arlene. I am interested in seeing some of the things you mentioned. We were in Vancouver for 3 days years ago (when I had the privilege of meeting Diana) and loved every minute. Having said that, I, like Sheila and Norma, want some real time to just visit together. Sit and talk!
Exciting stuff!

[JalepenoAnn]

Carla, you are right about the downtown hotels being expensive. Of course, there are places that are expensive even outside of the downtown area, however there are some nice places out of the area that are still easy to access Vancouver. The link that I posted last night has drop down menus so you can pick locations and price ranges.

The Ladner area is part of Delta and has some hotels and B&Bs. It's one of the original settlements in Delta and is actually quite charming. It's only about 20 minutes from here and maybe the same to Vancouver. It might be something to think about.

[sweetmama]

Hi all, sorry I haven't joined in on the "Fling" conversations but just haven't had a minute to think about it.

We have to be back for May 30th graduation of two of the grandkids but other than that we are ok. I originally thought graduation was on the 25th and I knew that wouldn't work so I'm really relieved.

As of right now, we are planning on attending. Now begins the fun part - daydreaming about all we will be able to see.

I really need the exact dates, when determined, so that I can start making some transportation arrangements.

Thank you Ann for all of the prep work you are doing and thank you Arlene for all of your suggestions as well.

Can't wait!

Judee :)

[jabadu]

Plans sound wonderful. I'm like Carla, I believe I will wait until January to really get into planning. Everyone, please keep all the flights and hotel discussion going so we can make better decisions when really gets down to committment decision time.

Thank you Ann for your major involvement in the plans. Arlene, also thanks for your input.

Jan

[reelriot]

HI,

I really don;t think anyone wants to be staying in Ladner, Delta or white rock-

first of all most hotels are on the freeway and you may as well be staying in Missouri- Vancouver itself has NO FREEWAYS- which means that as soon as you are staying in any of these outlying areas you are in traffic hell- you need vehicles and you have to plan on extra hours to travel anywhere and cannot easily go back and forth to your hotel/motel, B& B for a rest.

White rock is great for an afternoon at the beach - but there is not much else there- if you are there for 5 days you really do not want to spend too much time in these places.

You can visit and talk together in Vancouver itself- take walks together - more walks and eating establishments that are cosier, trendier etc. than any of the outlying places. If you stay in the "west end" which is near downtown you get the full benefit of being in Vancouver inclduing the huge park, beaches, and

I do not think that the hotels/motels there are any more expensive than outlying- in fact when we stayed in Richmond last time the rates were not that low there (although we stayed on pts). Also I will be staying in Vancouver and do not want to have to rent a vehicle and drive for hours a day back and forth to get to outlying areas. It just makes no sense. You will waste precious hours- not visiting- but travelling in vehicles.

MOst of what you want to see and where you want to go is around Vancouver. You want the views and the ambiance, the beaches, the mountains, the neat restaurants and cafes etc. I am sure you have enough urban sprawl where you are.

Perhaps if we knew how many rooms were necessary we could get a deal at some of these places.

As a long time resident of the place (over 30 yrs) and soon to move back- I know what I am talking about. Just want to make sure the trip is enjoyable and that you actually see Vancouver.

My 2 cents

Arlene

[JalepenoAnn]

I suggested those areas because some people thought the downtown area might be too expensive. There are nice places to see outside of Vancouver as well. I've lived here for 38 years and also know what I'm talking about.

[reelriot]

Well Ann
After someone has already seen what there is to see in Vancouver- there might be 1 or 2 things to see there- but not that much and I have ended up having coffee at McD's in ladner or that awful Town and Country on the freeway and really noone wants to spend vacation time doing that- for 5 days you have to do it wisely. Those place would be extra after you have done everything and seen everything you really would want to see.

For instance- the seabus to Lonsdale Quay- the skytrain to New westminster quay- glorious views, neat experiences- all accessible from downtown

No one would really choose to visit those other more marginal places on a 5 day trip-

when people are travelling they want to be able to shop and drop packages back at their place. take a rest- as soon as you stay in the boonies you cannot spend hours travelling back and forth.

it really makes no sense. I know that you Ann have not gone to Vancouver often- but really it's the place people are paying the bucks to see-- I had the experience in Surrey, close to you before I saw you were there was no neat place to have coffee around there and we ended up at a White Spot- in Vancouver there are neat places everywhere. In the outlying areas you are in urban sprawl and chains- it might be worth a drive if there was extra time but certainly not to stay there-

also perhaps even going to your place a ride on the sytrain to whalley would be an interesting experience- as part of that the skytrain is an elevated subway system that on a non foggy day has glorious views.

Spending hours in cars is not a vacation or a visit- and leaves people when they are doing the things they will do there without easy access to drop their parcels, go back to their hotel etc.

I don't want to butt heads but reason has to prevail.

more cents
Arlene

[JACOB'S NANA]

Ann, I like the idea of the outlaying areas..it will be expensive for us just getting there in the first place, and if the city is accessible from there, I don't see a problem
However, I do feel there would be more to see in a huge city than 1 or 2 things, so you be the judge of that. We should be the ones making it convient for you as well. I am sure we can all agree, and I know that you are perfectly capable of making plans for a fun time...
As for the freeways, us "urban's" around here are so far out, the interstate is the only way to get anywhere, so I don't forsee that as a huge problem...couldn't be any worse than LA, Atlanta, Chicago, or any other large US city, just have to be careful, and we usually plan our motels to be close to the interstates for easy access, that's just what we are used to.
So, Ann, whatever you think is best is fine with me, and this group has a way of having fun even if we are couped up in a motel room. I think there will be plenty to see and plenty of fun.
Norma

[Raindancer1937]

Bill and I will start thinking about this come January. Personally we don't care where we stay. I'm leaving that up to you Ann. I'm praying we'll be able to go.



katy :salut

[lizawill]

Carla, et al, I'm in the same ball park - would prefer to wait until January, but like the idea of Sunday to Thursday (give or take a bit)... And we wouldn't be driving the whole thing - we'd either be flying to San Diego and driving up the coast, or flying to Vancouver and driving down. We have relatives and friends all over the Washington/Oregon area and have wanted to see several friends and their setups in the San Francisco area as well as into some of the San Bernadino and others, so it would be a fairly long trip - kind of like our going to the Canadian Maritimes - although not 5 weeks.

And I too want lots of chit-chat time. Having been somewhat shortchanged on this in the Florida trip because of Kelley's situation, I plan on devoting a lot more time to catching up. This group is too precious and fun to be with - just for chatting, and we all have people we haven't met and would like to.

So far, the ideas are great. Would there be a chance of getting a group rate if we had enough gals coming in? Didn't Beth do that in Florida?

Okay, back to cookies.....

[Luanne]

Still don't think I've seen actual dates. For me a Sunday to Thursday would be the worst, because I'd have to burn all those vacation days. Honestly 2008 is going to be a challenge because we're planning college search trips with Lizzie, there are other trips back and forth to her school, and it looks like we'll be going to Santa Fe at least once. I really, really want to make it to the 2008 Spring Fling, but it's going to depend a lot on the dates that you all come up with.

[JalepenoAnn]

Bumping up. This has the other link to hotels in other areas besides Vancouver.

[reelriot]

Hi I am repeating some of my NOv 2 post about places to stay and also a camera view of the west end where these places are and you can actually see the hotels in some of the pics- at least I could show you where they were. I still recommend you stay near the beach to get the best experience because even if it is raining- it will be beautiful and you could walk on the beach, walk any time anyone felt like it etc.

You could probably call the bestwestern , the Sylvia or the Coast hotel for a block of rooms and see if a deal could be made. I would do that if no one else wanted to.

http://www.seethewestend.com/ (http://www.seethewestend.com/)


from NOv 2
"With respect to the possible BCB gettogether, Dh has flown to Vancouver alot in the last couple years and stayed in various places and he recommends to us http://www.bestwesternsandshotelvancouver.com/ (http://www.bestwesternsandshotelvancouver.com/) because "the Sands" is right on English Bay, near beaches, Stanley park and easy access to the rest of downtown by hopping on a bus. You can see some of the views on that website- it is a smaller hotel, but there are all sorts of restaurants/cafes nearby. Although I note their rates change on May 1.

I figure if you pay all that money to get to Vancouver you may as well stay where you can partake of the beautiful location. He might have some other suggestions too. ie you can go down and just walk on the beach or in the park any old time.

Another place right on the water at English Bay, I would suggest, is http://www.sylviahotel.com/ (http://www.sylviahotel.com/) It's an older smaller hotel that was refurbished and has some style to it- although I have not seen the rooms.

and just up the street on Denman is http://www.coasthotels.com/hotels/ca...plaza/overview (http://www.coasthotels.com/hotels/canada/bc/vancouver/coast_plaza/overview)
and you can have great views out of those rooms

(I would be staying at my sister's)

There are also some places on Robson that might be not too bad in price but Robson is now a shopping street and the beach might be a much better location to relax.

But there are lots of things to see/shop etc. You can take a tram up Grouse MOuntain (where DH and I got married), art gallery, museum, science world, take a boat cruise up English Bay- maybe we can organize a dinner party on a boat- we had one for Aviva's Bat mitzvah, we have also attended a wedding on a boat that went up to Indian arm- (ie you talk eat and visit while the boats takes you between the stupendous views) there is a lot to do with water in Vancouver as it is almost totally surrounded by it. granville Island market used to be on an island. http://www.granvilleisland.com/en/node (http://www.granvilleisland.com/en/node)