(no subject)

[graculus]

Plans for the 2008 TransAtlantic Jaunt are pretty much planned - for anyone who doesn't know, I tend to make an annual pilgrimage to lovely Lansing, Michigan and like to include that destination in greater holiday plans the other side of the pond. Not that the people of Lansing, both resident and transitory, aren't wonderful folks who I love to spend time with, but if I'm going to spend 7 hours in a tin can hurtling through the sky, I like to feel as though it's been time well spent...

This year's itinerary is roughly this:

Fly to Toronto. Spend a few days in Toronto. Head south to Lansing. Convention convention convention. Head north to Toronto. Keel over in airport hotel. Fly to Nova Scotia. Fly back to Toronto. Come home. Recuperate from holiday.

As for Nova Scotia (aka 'the land public transport forgot', apparently), I may be forced to hire a car in order to see the more scenic bits - the alternative is 6 hours on a bus, turn round and come back. Which will be entertaining because a) they drive on the wrong side of the road and have other odd habits, and b) I've never driven an automatic. Just what do you do with the other foot? ;)

Comments

[katyabaturinsky.livejournal.com]

Oh, Nova Scotia is so beautiful, particularly the northern bits (Cape Breton Isle) -- I went on vacation there a dozen years ago. Nice to hear you're going to see it, I do think it's worth the trip. But it is very, *very* remote -- not at all surprised that they have virtually no public transport. You really do need a car anywhere outside of Halifax, as I recall. Good luck with the wrong-side-of-the-road thing! (At least it doesn't have a lot of roundabouts -- those are always exciting when everything's reversed.)

Can't wait to see you in MI!

[graculus.livejournal.com]

I'm looking forward to it - I've never really had the chance to see much of Canada outside of the cities before, so I thought it was about time!

Is it really only 2 months to MW? I have a present for you, btw... ;)

[katyabaturinsky.livejournal.com]

I've only seen bits of Quebec, Ottawa (lovely city), and the parts of the Maritimes that I drove through on my way to Nova Scotia -- would like to see the west at some point. Glad you're going to take the time to do some exploring!

And yes, it's something insane like 10 weeks to MWC, isn't it? Ye gods, that'll fly. Yay, present!! Will await eagerly. :)

lansing, cherries, and bears

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

I don't envy you. I think this is one of those rare occasions where I am closer to Lansing. So aside from the transfer of flights in my chair (Katya was going to meet me at the gate so we can transfer together in case someone mistaken me for luggage, lol) my travel time is relatively short.

HOWEVER, NYC has this irritating habit of canceling and delaying flights for the silliest reasons. I'd been stuck in the Detroit airports due to fog, wind, animals on the tarmac, systems crashing and simply American "Whoops". Sigh.

On another note, someone I know in Boston, for some reason takes twice as long because her airport (Logan? Not sure)doesn't do Detroit. So it's MA to Albany to Detroit to Lansing. urk.

Maybe I should suggest Canada for her.

Re: lansing, cherries, and bears

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

this year my Continental flight is going through Cleveland rather than Detroit. Don't know if that's an improvement or not but with frequent flyer miles, it only cost me $10.

Re: lansing, cherries, and bears

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

Uh oh, I hadn't checked my flights yet. I never been to Cleveland's airport and I'm addicted to the coffee they sell in Detroit between layovers. Ooh, good to know. I'd better check as I gotta prep and see how they handle wheelchair passengers.

And if they sell coffee.

Hee.

Re: lansing, cherries, and bears

[graculus.livejournal.com]

I don't blame Katya for keeping an eye out - someone might steal you! ;)

I'm trying to think where I flew from last year, since I was in Boston. *thinks* The problem is, O'Hare and Detroit airport are so alike - I thought it was O'Hare but I really can't be sure!

BTW, could you ask Katya to email me? I've emailed her and she seems to be ignoring me, or my emails aren't getting through... *removes tinfoil hat*

Re: lansing, cherries, and bears

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

Oh no, she's not ignoring you. She's ignoring ALL of us. (kidding, Katya). Seriously, in her defense, she's been busy, busy, and did I mention busy? LOL

We're supposed to chat about Brotherhood (yes, its that time again) so I'll tell her when we do because emailing right now will be as helpful as poke in the eye. LOL

Re: lansing, cherries, and bears

[khek.livejournal.com]

It's Logan...but I've gone to Detriot from here! Maybe it's the airline? Usually when I fly to Lansing, they route me through Chicag, then to Lansing.

Once, I got a direct flight. The plane was about the size of a bus though, and I don't think I'd do that again...

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

Have you heard about a room yet?

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

I did. Last week. *Rolling eyes* I was about to give up on them.

[graculus.livejournal.com]

My notification for last year hasn't turned up yet - I was going to phone the hotel on Friday but forgot, so I'll try and give them a ring in the next few days, if my partner in crime doesn't beat me to it...

[przed.livejournal.com]

You're coming to Toronto! Let me know if you have some spare time and want to hang out. (I'll be going to MW too, so I'll definitely see you there.)

[graculus.livejournal.com]

It's a bit of a flying visit (if you'll pardon the pun), since I get in on Sunday and leave Wednesday morning en route to lovely Lansing, but I'm sure there's room for catching up pre-MW in there! :)

[nausica2.livejournal.com]

I don't drive, but when we went to Canada my friends got used to the automatic car quite fast, and we still remember our lovely Chrisler Sevring...

As for the other thing, while I was reading it I thought "oh, didn't know that in Nova Scotia drive different from the rest of Canada" and then I realised. Silly me. ;)

[graculus.livejournal.com]

It's all wrong, that's the thing. ;)

I've been driving for years, so I'm sure I can get used to it, particularly since I won't have much choice if I don't want to miss out!

[selenay]

Nova Scotia is so beautiful that I'm moving there in August :-) But yes, it is somewhat lacking in public transport outside Halifax. You should definitely try to drive along the coast because there are some gorgeous little towns and fantastic views. Peggy's Cove is a must-visit and places like Mahone Bay are also just beautiful. I haven't been up there yet, but I've heard so much about Cape Breton that it's top of my list of places to visit once I'm living there.

[graculus.livejournal.com]

Wow, my awesome mind-control powers really do work! ;)

That sounds like a really big adventure you're embarking on, and if you're going to skip countries, then at least you're moving somewhere beautiful! Hope everything works out for the big move.

[khek.livejournal.com]

Sounds like fun--and YAY! I'm going this year too, so I'll see you there!

Why keep going back and forth to Toronto though? Couldn't you fly home from Nova Scotia? Or in addition to public transport, do they lack planes and airports too? :)

[graculus.livejournal.com]

Why keep going back and forth to Toronto though? Couldn't you fly home from Nova Scotia?

You have to remember I live in the provinces and I'm flying from Manchester rather than Heathrow, where you can get a cheap direct flight to Toronto but I would still have to change (and it would be much more expensive!) to get back from Halifax.