Emerie Goes West

Emerie's (Very Exciting, Terribly Grand, Ultra Short, Still Somewhat Up in the Air) West Coast Trip

Update 2/19/02: Sigh. Unfortunately, it does not seem practical for me to do this trip in March as I'd hoped. It just would be a little crazy, scheduling-wise. But do not despair! The trip will happen, it'll just have to be a little later... Perhaps later in the spring or on the way to first session in August? I will keep you all posted on my plans. Much love, Emerie

Now this is still in planning stages, but the overall idea is that I'd get a lovely cheap plane ticket that would allow me to fly into Seattle, and out of San Francisco (or something like that), so that I can travel down the coast and visit people along the way. This would be achieved either by train (found a really good sale on Amtrak for those dates), or by car (assuming I can successfully kidnap Nick, Charlie, and Nick's car), or by some combination of train and road tripping.

So. There are two things I'm looking for: Firstly, places to stay, and secondly, traveling companions. Take a look at http://tickets.amtrak.com/indexRailSale.htm to see how wonderful the train prices are (Seattle to L.A. for $52.80!!). If I decide to go by train, I'd adore it if people hopped on and joined me part of the way. If the road trip happens, we'll be able to fit another person (another driver would be especially good)... And it wouldn't have to be the same one person for the whole trip (Nick suggested just dropping each person off at the next unschooler house down the road... Don't know how they'd get home then, but I suppose that'd be their problem).

The reason I'll only have those two weeks is that I have to get back home in time to host my party (more attendees still being accepted... See PartyTime), and the good train fares don't last long enough for me to do a train trip after the party. If it ends up being a road trip, then things are more flexible. Part of my decision, of course, depends on whether I'll have places to stay. So I'd like to know what everybody thinks of the idea, and of those dates (2/27 to 3/15) as opposed to later in the spring or summer.

Here's my approximate route plan:

• Seattle
• possible side trip to Victoria and/or Charlie's Island (don't know if I'll have time)
• Portland
• Corvallis (briefly)
• Eugene
• Ashland (for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival)
• Santa Rosa, Petaluma
• San Fran, Oakland, Berkeley

If I did the trip later on, I'd hopefully have the time to go see people in Southern California and possibly Vancouver, B.C., too. And I might be able to bring a Ted along with me (right, Eddie?). So. I dunno. Like I said, a lot is still up in the air. But I thought I'd throw the idea out there and see what kind of response I get.

So..... What kind of response do I get?

• Okay, another question for you Western unschooler geniuses: If the cheapest flight I can get leaves from San Jose, can I get there easily from the Bay Area or Petaluma/Santa Rosa area (Rosie?)? I know that I can get a cheap train ticket down to San Jose, but I guess I need to know things like how far the train station is from the airport, etc... Advice would be appreciated. -Emerie

Well... I'd be going in the opposite direction about the same time, but I think we'd end up in northern California right about the same time! I'd be there around the 13^th-20^th-ish... Must coordinate if that is indeed the case... Keep us posted on your plans!

• I'd probably be in that area around the 11^th-15^th, so that should work out perfectly. Yay! -Em

I've already told you that you Must come Visit me. ;)

• You couldn't keep me away if you tried, darling. :) -Em

Heya! If you're coming to Corvallis, you *must* stay with me, Emerie! Then we can do the Eugene folks as well.

-Mel