Thanks Alan!

@Alan: thanks so much for the research! are you actually enjoying doing it? ;)
the last two options seem good. I like the very last one: the price is the same + the possible running commentary! unless the guy wears us out talking...

@HNM: good point about arriving more or less at the same time. Maybe with an hour or two of difference, but more (especially after crossing half of the world) will be bothersome.

@MOMS: wait... it this from Sea-Tac (as I understood it) or from the hotel?
Wait again... I want to hear more about that van. It sounds interesting to say the least.

I don't know.. Calling Alan. Come in Alan:)

NEEEEOOOWWWWWWW....SCREEEECHHH!

Hi guys! Sorry for the mega slow response. Just been gathering info to contact the hotel and....stuff! HA!

Right so the Shuttle thingy I posted.

This was for those of us who will be arriving at Sea Tac airport on the Monday...sometime.... and take us to the Sol Duc campsite.

....and then....

Take us from the Sol Duc campsite to the Hotel in Seattle for the second part of the Avatar Meet Up.

With regard to arrival at Sea-Tac airport. We will arrive at different times, so if we go down this option it might mean some of us hanging around for the others to arrive. Once we get closer the meet up, if we go with the Rocket Transport folks, we could potentially have two shuttles arrive at different times to see people off at they arrive. But this all depends on how many end up coming for the camping trip.

So at the moment we know there is a solution to get folks from the airport to the camp site and the estimated cost, which compared to transport in the UK it mega cheap! I did ask about the space on the shuttles for the stuff and they gave me the impression that they had enough room.

As for hiring a van or car, I don't know what the cost are for that. I suspect you can search for car hire companies that are located at the airport. I guess the only downer is that you will only be using it for two days (to get the the campsite and then to get to the hotel) but you will end up paying the hire charge for the whole of the camping duration, unless it is returned to the hire firm. Afraid, with me not being a driver, I'm not all that up on these things. It's just a case of weighing up the pros and cons really.

I think some people will be arriving a few days before to either do the backpacking trip or explore Seattle a bit. I'll be dropping off on the east coast on my way over to say kaltxi to some Avatar friends who won't be able to make it and also thinking of exploring a couple of cities there, before coming over to Seattle - also helps my time adjustments - hehehe!

When it comes to returning back to the airport after the meet up there is no need to get a shuttle as there is the monorail and light rail service that takes you there for $6-$8 I think.

Anyway, hope that clears things up a little. If you have any other questions or queries, please don't hesitate to yell! I shall come speeding on my Ikran :hi:....:xD:

Alan

2 shuttles are always a good idea anyway.

..all it takes is one moron with a Toruk and you are down to 1 shuttle.


Wait. What?

- Mikko

Kaltxi

Hey, that would be cool. I guess you just need to find out what the van hire cost will be for the duration and split it between those who come along.

The only thing we would need to think about is how many do end up coming on the camping trip and if they can all be accommodated. If not we might need a Plan B (add a shuttle), Plan C (hire another van), Plan D (limit numbers who go on the camping trip), Plan E (...errrr....can't think of one, but there probably is one - hehehe).

Irayo for looking into this.:hi: This is great!

Alan

That would work, I think.

What are we doing about those of us who are arriving directly to the camping trip and so will have all our stuff with us and need somewhere to keep it?

I think most of us are arriving directly and will have our stuff with us. Again though I believe that we could store our stuff in the huge van, or alternatively people's cars. I guess if all else, we could get a room at the lodge a mile away and let everyone store their stuff there...

I'm sure we'll be able to sort something out HNM...even if it is digging a big hole and burying them...only kidding :D

Hey, just have one more reply 1 1/2 weeks after I sent a query out regarding shuttles between SeaTac and the Sol Duc. Here is the response, just for interest:

"The estimate for the charter you requested is $765 per trip…$1,530 for the round trip.
Allowing 30 minutes at Seatac for loading luggage and passengers and 30 minutes at the Resort for unloading luggage and passengers, travel time is estimated at 4.25 hours.

Olympic Bus Lines has provided safe, reliable transportation based locally in Port Angeles for over 10 years.

*All buses meet strict DOT maintenance requirements for safety; cleaned after each use, and stored indoors.
*All drivers are randomly drug tested and have commercial driver licenses.
*The 24 passenger bus includes: navigation system, dual-screen DVD system, individual reading lights, WIFI access available on request, individual reclining/sliding passenger seats, overhead luggage racks, rear luggage compartment.

Your figure is based on time estimates. If your time is over the estimate, we are entitled to additional fees. Of course, if the time is under the estimate you’re entitled to a refund.

The fare is due, in full, two weeks in advance; based on a 16th of July service date, the fare is due, July 2nd.

In case of cancellation…if cancellation is more than 72 hours in advance there is no penalty. If cancellation is made with fewer than 72 hours advance notice, there is a $150 penalty."

So there you go. Sounds like they all come in at roughly the same cost. Also quite a long journey too at over four hours...well it is by UK standards. That would get me from where I live in the midlands all the way down to Plymouth at the bottom end of the country! Boy does that make the UK seem small - Hahahaha. Mind you I guess it probably includes the ferry ride from Seattle to Bainbridge Island...unless they go via Tacoma, but that is a long way round...duno.

Alan

So subtract the hour of load/offload time... That's 3 hours on a bus with a DVD player.

Any ideas for entertainment?


- Mikko

I don't exactly intend to bring assloads of stuff, but I'd rather not go camping with my costume stuff :P (wig, tail, paint etc, exopack (for if there's a second costume day :awesome: ), possibly a big plastic gun, possibly more things). If I have to I certainly can, at least for the camping, but if we didn't have campsites for the backpacking, :S problems.

I like your style, Mikko. All of a sudden the shuttle idea is beginning to sound rather good.;) "Get me a pilot!" :xD:

Alan

Shouldn't it be Exopack the first day, then nix it the 2nd day ;)


- Mikko ... will most likely be carrying 6 weeks of vacation worth of luggage with him.

Well, AFAIK, we're going to visit the exhibit twice, so there's your chance :)

Of course for chronological accuracy, I'd like to wear the exopack first, but I want to be blue the same day everyone else is also, and if that's the first day we're there, so be it :cool: :D and on that day when I am blue, I'll gladly lend the exopack to anyone not in costume... we must ALL be in costume :shoop:

What, even me behind the camera? -eeek!

Especially you Alan.

- Mikko

Rule: Everyone taller than me must be in costume.

James and I might get a room and keep our stuff there for the 3 days while camping so we don't have to haul it around. When we back to the hotel on Wednesday we can be ready.

Is that 'Rule number 1...' ;)

Alan

That is such and excellent idea!:) Chronological accuracy, and then all blue later and nice enough to lend out your Exopack.:) Brilliant! :rolleyes::)

The Moco Loco costume rule rules!
 

Hahaha:):xD:

You rock and rule Moco Loco. :) You are coming out with some killer ideas!

Rule #1: Have your exopack on you at all times!

:P

^^^this is good. If it works i join to relieve my dire... camel!

Good rule, but... Are you taller than yourself? :P

:shock: They all must be and I don't necessarily have to?? Unacceptable! :xD:

Revision:
Rule: Everyone taller than me must be an avatar/na'vi.

aytsmukan si aytsmuke,
I see we did a good job on choosing the place, setting the dates, thinking of fun - & also, how to get to the place...

Now I am thinking: Food. What are we going to eat for about a week? How many of us will be there? maximum 24 (iirc) but in more realistic terms (i am guessing) about 15-16 maybe.

I didn't notice any canteen in Sol Duc (altho maybe I didn't look closely enough; sorry, i am at work now, the evil RDA agents are watching me): - but a quick thought anyway.

If there is no eating place on site - means, we bring our own food.

Option 1. Maybe each person will buy & bring one's own staples (plus, utensils, cutlery, plates... A gas stove or smth? one for... how many persons?).
If it has to be - ok, but it won't be much fun after a long (especially trans-Atlantic) flight & having to rent the camping equipment, too...

Option 2. Maybe some people (those who get to Seattle (?) earlier) can buy the lot for the crew, & we'll split the bills later?

Also, if we eat - we'll have to wash our plates & utensils at least sometimes; iirc there's running water - right?

Option 3. Live on energy bars & energy drinks (stoves etc. cancelled by default) - has any of the hardcore hikers tried it? anybody survived to tell the story?

Erm, another point is hygiene... iirc there are showers... Or we can just swim in the lake (?)

I am only throwing ideas in the air; I hope some better ones come up along the way!

Linking out,
till later!

I like the idea of 2, because I am quite limited as to what I can bring. Of course, we can all cook and eat it together :)

Yes I think #2 also looks to be the way to go. There aren't any places to get food there except maybe the lodge a mile down the road (we should check on that).

About showers, I think there are none, and while a lake could work, it is on a trail, not right off the campsite...

Well, we're going to the lake on one of the days.

Honestly though, it's only a few days. Surely people can live without a shower for a couple of days... just have one when we go to the hotel :)

Option 2 does seem the better one if those with cars are happy to do the shopping and we reimburse them when we arrive.


I guess the question to ask if we don't know already are:

• Is there running water at the campsite
• Are there toilet facilities at the campsite
• Are there showers at the campsite

If the answer is no to these then I don't think it is a mile to the lodge place as it looks like only a 1/3 mile - 450m ish. See piccie below:

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/1592/solduc.jpg


Hope that helps clear up where everything is...unless there are other campsites dotted about.

I like the idea of cooking by campfire, if that is allowed - proper Na'vi way :awesome:. Haven't done that in a while. Think last time I did that the fat in the frying pan caught fire and I had to blow it out! *cough, cough* Hahaha...

Hey, managed to find a piccie of the campsite and cooking facilities. Follow the link:

Sol Duc Campsite piccie

Alan

Alan! You and your links! :awesome: we must call you The Linking Man...

Cooking on the fire: I even had a wild thought of making a big paella...:rolleyes: but we'll need a Huge pan for it. & lots of seafood.

450m to take a shower, even every other day, doesn't seem too much of a sacrifice. Lots of hiking = lots of sweat, excusez-moi for this fine detail. Or maybe I am thinking Mediterranean & it's not that hot in ONP end of July?

OK, with a huge launch of info coming on the horizon...

how is everyone for a meeting on IRC this Friday at 10:00 PST? (like the others)

We need to go over all of the info we have and make sure it is ok. As well as go over stuff that has been brought up recently such as food/transport...ect

I see no reason why that wouldn't work for me.

Sooo...Saturday 06:00 for me then - Yep should be there :)

If you get "zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz" as a reply from me you know my head has landed on the keyboard! :xD:

Alan

I'll do my very best to be on... a bit early for me to have my mind working properly, but I'll try :P

Should be ok for me. w00t for not having to translate the time to my own zone. :D

I know I haven't been very involved in any part of the meetup or camping trip planning, sorry :(

Things are kind of hectic right now because i'm in the process of moving to Washington, but I still plan on attending next summer. I'll try my best to be on IRC this friday to see what the plan is and if I can lend help in any way.

Friday for you - Saturday for us folks on the other side...

hey Alan & HNM I am one hour ahead of you :P

Hope to see y'all there but if I don't - don't miss me too much...