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Post by Eagle on Oct 25, 2008 23:54:09 GMT -5
I think I'm going into "travel withdrawal", so have decided to take a short domestic trip for a few days. I'll be heading to Portland in the morning to visit my Son and Daughter-in-Law.
Some of my colleagues suggested I drive down (about a 12-hour trip each way) and they were mildly insulted to get laughter as a reply! I'd much rather travel by air anytime as I love the "hustle & bustle" of airports, talking with other travellers and just the overall experience. For some reason, it just seems to be a more exciting method of travel (even with "layovers").
On the other hand, most of the time I find driving long distances to be quite boring and even on the short five hour drive to the coast, I'm frequently asking myself "am I there yet". That trip will be a few minutes shorter now that the Government has eliminated the tolls on the Coquihalla (must be an election coming!). However, there are times that I don't mind a drive, especially if there's a specific purpose (ie: taking photos).
The Portland weather forecast says "sunny" at about 15C during the day, so hopefully it will be a nice trip. My "medium range" Backpack is all loaded and ready to go. My flight is at 06:00, so time to get some sleep.
Cheers all!
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Post by WillTravel on Oct 26, 2008 14:43:31 GMT -5
That sounds fun, Eagle! I always like visiting Portland.
I think one advantage or disadvantage of driving is that you will have a car at the end. If you don't need a car there, flying will go a lot quicker for sure. Driving alone is pretty lonely.
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Post by madamtrashheap on Oct 26, 2008 20:37:35 GMT -5
Hope you enjoy your little break Eagle! I'm with th eflying choice too. I'm used to driving long distances, so don't mind, but if I have a choice I'll fly if the drive is over 6 hours long - numbbuttitis! ;D I haven't been to Portland in over 20 years, but my memory is of gardens, water and trees....has it changed?
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Post by Eagle on Oct 29, 2008 18:57:39 GMT -5
WT, I usually rent a car on my trips to Portland, so have the "best of both worlds". In hindsight I probably could have used a Cab this time, as my relatives now live much closer to the airport. It's nice to have a car though so I can do a bit of touring on my own.
MTH, I've been to Portland many times since the '70s (I know, I'm "dating myself") and from what I can see it hasn't changed much - still lots of gardens, fountains and of course Roses! I was only there for a couple of days so didn't get much chance to look around this time, but my Son and I took the dog for a nice hike up Mt. Tabor - it was fun and of course I got a few photos. However the highlight was our visit to their favourite Italian restaurant and it was great! I felt like I was back in Italy!!! It was a good opportunity to practise my Italian, but I probably had a bit too much Vino Rosso. I ordered both the Primi and Secondi (which I don't do very often) and my waist line is now a bit larger! Will have to get to the Gym tomorrow!
Now it's time to start planning the next Europe trip (whenever that might be?).
Cheers!
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Post by crystal on Nov 8, 2008 19:02:57 GMT -5
This is going to make me sound silly. Do Americans do much internal travelling? America is such a huge place to us small islanders. I always think of it as just like the UK different areas speak slightly different and southerns are more grumpy than northerners ;-) but otherwise we are all pretty much the same. However I know I'm wrong and every state and county has it own little oddities, sterotypes and querks. There has just been a seris on our tv touring America. Some of the less obvious (well to me) places. Some of the places were stunning - Montana! Made me want to plan an american tour but where would you start there are such huge distances between everywhere. I don't really have an interest in New York or California (the 2 extremes  ) but definately something to think about. My friend and his new wife were gonna do the whole Harley Davidson road trip thing as there honeymoon but money stopped it. I think this is a future venture. |
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Post by crystal on Nov 8, 2008 19:04:27 GMT -5
DOH
I've just realised you're canadian so me banging on about America has just made be look even more dense.
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Post by WillTravel on Nov 8, 2008 19:33:41 GMT -5
Crystal, don't worry about that - many Canadians travel to and around the US quite a bit.
California is an excellent place to visit - so much diversity in every respect. You may have seen something that made it sound not so appealing, and there are many non-appealing places in California, but also so many great places. I would definitely like to do a slow road-trip (have already done fast ones) of Washington, Oregon, and California. But I think practically every state has something to recommend it - some more than others, of course. Montana is great - but vast distances, like you said.
I haven't been to New York (unless it was before I can remember), so can't comment on that.
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Post by herrbert on Nov 19, 2008 7:04:42 GMT -5
There has just been a seris on our tv touring America. Some of the less obvious (well to me) places. Did you watch the serie that Stephen Fry made? The only shame is that he only has too few episodes to give a good picture of every state. |
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Post by crystal on Dec 1, 2008 5:13:53 GMT -5
Yeah that's the one i'm talking about. I really enjoyed it but I agree there was not enough time to really explore. I must admit I am a bit ignorant to the different states in America outside the major cities so it was a nice, gentle introduction.
And so cool to do it in a black taxi!
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Post by Eagle on Dec 1, 2008 11:45:29 GMT -5
Crystal,
NO, that didn't make you look "more dense" in the least! Looking at us from a distance may give you a slightly different perspective.
As WT mentioned, travel between Canada and the U.S. is pretty much an "open border" affair, although of course things are a bit more strict now than they used to be. Our cultures and economies are so closely linked, that at times it seems like travelling in one's home country (the only clue is the different money and slightly different accents, especially in the south - the residents there can usually spot Canadians as soon as we start talking!).
With respect to the "cultures", my impression is that western Canada is more similar in culture and attitudes with the western U.S. Often those of us in British Columbia and western Canada seem to have more in common with those in Washington or Oregon than we do with those in Toronto.
Tell your friends not to give up on their plans to tour America (don't forget about visiting Canada too!). With the exchange rate on the Pound, I'm sure they will be able to travel here at some point. Hopefully you'll be able to take a trip here at some point also.
WT,
Yes, driving is very lonely, and especially on a trip of 10 or 12 hours (it's a long drive to Portland from the Okanagan!). I find it a chore now to even drive to the coast at the best of times, which is about a five or six hour drive (depending on whether I'm just going to the Abbotsford area, or right into Vancouver). I have another Son in Victoria, and that would also be about a 12-hour trip by road and of course with the Ferries. That's NOT going to happen anytime soon, as WestJet has 50-minute flights from Kelowna to Victoria daily (as does Air Canada). On one recent flight to Vancouver with Air Canada, it was 27-minutes from "wheels up to wheels down" using one of their newer aircraft, so that vs. six hours of driving was not a hard decision!
Flying seems like more of an adventure and it feels more like I'm going on holiday, as opposed to just sitting behind the wheel watching very familiar landmarks flash by the window.
Cheers!
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thinkingbouteurope
Full Travel Member
There's comes a time in every man's life, and I've had many of them.
Posts: 39
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Post by thinkingbouteurope on Dec 5, 2008 15:36:01 GMT -5
If the drive is longer than an hour, I immediately try to figure out a way to take a train. I will even choose take an hour train ride to go a sports bar in the city that serves Killians and has a good menu (including Irish specialties) and is reasonably priced and virtually all the bartenders and waitresses are friendly and from Europe. Then I decide what to do to spend the rest of the day. Helps beat the surburban doldrums.
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Post by CuriousToronto on Dec 21, 2008 12:03:48 GMT -5
Eagle:
Living out in Victoria, I too would take trips in North America - great for travel withdrawal!! Especially 'cause when you get to certain places in the States they really do feel foreign (at least to our Canadian selves).
Anywho - I haven't done much traveling in Oregon but I did go to Cannon Beach. And WOW!!! I loved that place to no end. I have to go back!!! The view from Cannon Beach is nothing short of spectacular. I've done a lot of traveling but I have to say that view ranks right up there!!!!
CT
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) but definately something to think about. My friend and his new wife were gonna do the whole Harley Davidson road trip thing as there honeymoon but money stopped it.
