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Canadian Supertrip 2007
b0wser
PAX HHL Deputy ManagerCanadaRegistered User regular
PAX HHL Deputy ManagerCanadaRegistered User regular
Well, this is it. There's enough of us damned Canadians at PAX every year that we should be able to organize our own Supertrip for PAX this time around.
So far, we're looking to usurp as many attendees as possible from the Lower Mainland/Vancouver Island/Southern BC areas, plus those from Edmonton & Calgary. I'm in Abbotsford, what about everyone else? If we get started well ahead of time, the plans can be successful. With this route in place, I'm thinking it will be easier to convince people to join.
Status: We are a go!
The Master Contact list is being sent out tonight, Monday the 20th.
What It Is
The Canadian SuperTrip is our dwarfling cousin to the Cross-Country SuperTrip. Every year, thousands of nerds and our kin flock to the Puget Sound region, in attendance of the Penny Arcade Expo. After three years of unorganized swarms heading south across the border, it was decided to form this Canuck Caravan. Where the CCST takes one primary route, our smaller region more easily lets us work with a combination of routes. Our eastern route begins in Alberta, launching southward from Edmonton to Calgary, then west into the mountains towards Kamloops-- through Banff, Golden, and Revelstoke. From Kamloops, this route leads down the scenic Coquihalla Highway, where it passes through Hope and Chilliwack, before taking a break in Abbotsford-- the last Canadian stop on this leg of the journey before crossing the American border into Sumas. The western routes begin in Victoria and Vancouver, respectively. Attendees from the Greater Vancouver area will ultimately meet in Delta at Highway 99, where they will head south through White Rock and enter the United States through the Pacific Highway crossing at Blaine, WA. From Blaine, this group will head southeast to Bellingham for the big rendezvous.
After crossing at Sumas, our first group will head west to Lynden, where they make a 90 degree turn southward toward Bellingham. This is the last solo leg for both groups, as they will meet up in Bellingham to unite and complete the journey to Seattle.
I hope you will join us on this quest. In the words of Moe_Fwacky: "Onward, forward and so forth!"
How It Works
The Canadian SuperTrip, or CST, is divided by stops known as Waypoints. A waypoint is our official stop to get gas, snacks, rest, and meet up with other Supertrippers along the route. Each waypoint is allotted some time to stretch and rest. Supertrippers fall into two groups, Drivers and Passengers. Passengers, you are responsible for finding a ride and making your way to the waypoints. Payment comes in the form of your share of gas. Specifics can be arranged with the driver of your vehicle. If you want to be added to our list of participants, post here or contact b0wser or trillian to be added to the list. Use the following format for sending information.
Group Leader: This is the group's go-to guy, usually the most active person on the forums/internet. This person's main responsibility lies in relaying status updates between their group and the CST. This person is also responsible for getting their group together to depart from their location.
Location: City, State/Province where you live
Waypoint: Our pre-selected stopping points on the route, pick the one closes to your location.
Vehicle: Year, Make, Model, KPG, Kilometres per Tank
Other Riders: This includes your other drivers and non-driving passengers in your group.
Contact: Your e-mail address, in addition you can add your MSN. One cell phone contact is required for each group.
What You'll Need
A Working Vehicle - This is a long trip, and we don't want to scrape your steaming wreckage off the side of the road, so do basic maintenance before you go, meaning: change engine oil, check air filter, top off engine coolant and washer fluid. Check road and spare tire pressures and tread wear and bring extra oil, coolant, fluids (brake, power steering, anything that ends in "fluid") to top off on the road with.
A Cell Phone - You or one of your riders will need to be carrying a phone. Cell coverage should be adequate along our routes, so a radio should not be required.
The CST Phone Directory - This is a full contact list of people on the SuperTrip. It will be e-mailed to you shortly before departure.
ALL POSSIBLE LEGAL IDENTIFICATION - I cannot stress this enough. If you do not have a Passport, I recommend getting one. If you do not have a solid stack of valid ID, a Passport is a very solid piece. Passports are not legally required for land crossings until 2008, but it helps to have one. The border crossing will be busy during the weekend traffic and I have not encountered a problem in my two previous PAX trips, but precaution is best. If you do not have a Passport, you *MUST* have your Birth Certificate and Government ID-- your Care Card and Social Insurance Card are also good, and having a credit card will never hurt the situation. If you are under the age of 18, it is also highly recommended that you bring a Permission to Travel letter from your parent(s)/guardian. The border guards are known to often have a large attitude problem when you don't have one.
A Gallon Jug of Water - Good for you or your car. Other drinkables are good, but can't go in your car.
Non-perishable snackables - Food for the road, beef jerky is a good mainstay along with trail mixes and anything else you might like. Stay away from ideas like a cooler filled with sandwich fixin's. It may sound like a cool idea, but takes up way too much space and is very impractical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why bother? If I'm in the Lower Mainland, why not just drive myself?
A: Because it's just not cool to act like an ogre. The social value of actually accomplishing this will be of extrordinary magnitude. Besides, it's a whole bunch of Canadians-- and we'll all be around for the partying at some point. The more people you know, the more fun you will have, and the more memories you'll create.
Q: How much for a seat if I have no car but want to come along?
A: That depends on the vehicle and how gas is being divided up, contact the person you're riding with for details.
Q: When must I join by?
A: Groups need to be properly identified and confirmed their place in the trip by August 1st. The CCST went with July 1, but our shorter distance lets us work with that extra month. It would be nice to sort out all of the people who need rides, and leaving that until the week before PAX is a terrible idea. If a group decides they want to join after August 1st, they must make sure they're at the appropriate waypoint to make the linkup. Posting here will also still be a great idea, because we'll have an idea that someone is trying to make it.
Q: How can I help make this baby happen?
A: Number One thing anybody can do to help make this happen is word of mouth, point them here, to the official Penny Arcade Expo website and to the forum thread.
Q: Did the thread/website just up and die or what?
A: Our website does not actually exist yet. We will likely have an external site setup for the CST in 2008, depending on the success of this trip. Updating will be frequent now that PAX is within the month.
Q: What hotel should I stay at?
A: This is up to you. Current availability is unknown, so it's up to you where you wish to stay-- but it's rumoured that the real parties (SEALAB WHAT?) will be at Crowne Plaza. For the most detailed hotel information, check the official PAX hotels page.
Q: When is the Canadian Supertrip going to arrive in Seattle?
A: Sometime on the 23rd. We're not sure, but afternoon to evening should be an adequate span. We're looking to join the Pre-PAX Dinner, which is being held at PF Chang's. Information on that is available in this thread.
Q: What about us folks in Victoria?
A: The Washington State Ferries (Sidney-Anacortes) route is the primary group option for vehicles, with a meetup with the convoy in Mt. Vernon, WA. The Clipper boat directly from Victoria direct to Seattle is another option, if vehicles or scheduling don't quite work in your favour. We've got one group taking the Anacortes ferry for sure.
Q: What will the border crossing times be like, being that this is the last two weeks of summer?
A: All of our border updates will come directly from the Canadian Border Service website, since their online information is updated every ten minutes.
b0wser on
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This discussion has been closed.
Posts
All times posted are in Pacific Standard Time.
Eastern Branch
Leg 1 - Edmonton, AB to Red Deer, AB
Departure Point:
Departure Time: 18:00, August 22nd
Travel Distance/Time: ~140km/approx 1h30
Arrival Point:
Arrival Time: 19:30
Downtime: if no group is joining here, no stop is needed.
Red Deer, AB to Calgary, AB
Departure Point:
Departure Time: 20:00
Travel Distance/Time: ~140km/1h30
Arrival Point:
Arrival Time: 21:30
Downtime: 1h max. for meetup, awaiting Winnipeg confirmation
Leg 2 - Calgary, AB to Banff, AB
Departure Point:
Departure Time: 22:30
Travel Distance/Time: 126km/approx. 1h30
Arrival Point:
Arrival Time: 00:00, August 23rd
Downtime: none scheduled
Leg 3 - Banff, AB to Revelstoke, BC
Departure Point:
Departure Time: 00:00
Travel Distance/Time: 285km/3-3h30
Arrival Point:
Arrival Time: 03:15
Downtime: 15 minutes for gas-up if needed
Leg 4 - Revelstoke, BC to Kamloops, BC
Departure Point:
Departure Time: 03:30
Travel Distance/Time: 210km/approx. 3h
Arrival Point: The Verse, 1885 Trans Canada Highway West, Kamloops BC
Arrival Time: 06:30
Downtime: 30-45m max. for meetup & small break
Leg 5 - Kamloops, BC to Merritt, BC
Departure Point: (A)The Verse, 1885 Trans Canada Highway West, Kamloops BC
Departure Time: 07:00
Travel Distance/Time: 80km/approx. 1h
Arrival Point: (B)Tourist Info Booth, Junction of Hwy. 5 & Coquihalla
Arrival Time: 08:00
Downtime: 30 minutes maximum for meetup
Leg 6 - Merritt, BC to Abbotsford, BC
Departure Point: Tourist Info Booth, Junction of Hwy. 5 & Coquihalla
Departure Time: 08:30
Travel Distance/Time: 192km/approx. 2h30
Arrival Point: Castle Fun Park, 36165 North Parallel Road, Abbotsford
Arrival Time: 10:45
Downtime: 40 minutes of fun
Leg 7 - Abbotsford, BC to Bellingham, WA
Departure Point: Castle Fun Park, 36165 North Parallel Road, Abbotsford
Departure Time: 11:30
Travel Distance/Time: 31km/1h allotted for variable border crossing time
Arrival Point: Denny's @ 161 Telegraph Road
Arrival Time: 12:30
Downtime: wait until Vancouver group arrives
And now for the western routes!
Vancouver West Branch
Team Trillian Part One - Vancouver, BC to Richmond, BC
Departure Point: (A)Downtown Vancouver, approximately Granville @ Howe
Departure Time: 09:00
Travel Distance/Time: approx 20km/35min
Arrival Point: Lansdowne Mall, Richmond
Downtime: 30 minutes or until others arrive or make contact
Vehicles recommended to meet at Safeway, 71st & Granville
Team Trillian Part Two - Richmond, BC to Delta, BC
Departure Point: Lansdowne Mall, Richmond
Departure Time: 09:55
Travel Distance/Time: approx 14km
Arrival Point: (B)Chevron Station @ Highway 10 and Highway 99
Arrival Time: 10:15
Downtime: 20 minutes or until others arrive or make contact
One last stop in Delta, and it's off to the border:
Run for the Border - Delta, BC to Blaine, WA
Departure Point: (B)Chevron Station @ Highway 10 and Highway 99
Departure Time: 10:35
Travel Distance/Time: approx 20km/time depends on traffic
Arrival Point: (C)Pacific Highway Border Crossing
Arrival Time: 11:05
Downtime: depends on traffic
Blaine, WA Border Regroup
Departure Point: (USA)Pacific Highway Border Crossing
Travel Distance/Time: a few blocks
Arrival Point: (X)Burger King on H Street, Blaine
Downtime: UNTIL THE LAST MAN, DAMNIT
Blaine, WA - Bellingham, WA
Departure Point: (X)Burger King on H Street, Blaine
Departure Time: when all are accounted for
Travel Distance/Time: approx 30km/time unknown
Arrival Point: (Merge)Denny's @ 161 Telegraph Road, Bellingham
Arrival Time: before 13:00
Downtime: wait until Eastern group arrives (or contacts to arrange meet direct at Mt. Vernon)
Post-Merge: Bellingham to Mt. Vernon
Departure Point: (Merge)Denny's parking lot @ 161 Telegraph Road, Bellingham
Departure Time: 13:00
Travel Distance: approx 45km
Arrival Point: Park and Ride @ Costco & George Hopper, Mt. Vernon
Arrival Time: approx 13:30-45
Downtime: wait until Island group arrives, small break for Gamestop
Island West Branch
The Islanders - Sidney, BC to Anacortes, WA
Departure Point: (A)Anacortes Ferry Terminal
Departure Time: approx 13:30
Travel Distance/Time: approx 34km/time unknown
Arrival Point: (B)Park and Ride @ Costco & George Hopper, Mt. Vernon
Arrival Time: approx 14:00
Downtime: minimal, 15 minutes max
United Forces
Home Stretch - Mt. Vernon, WA to PAX (Seattle, WA)
Departure Point: Park and Ride @ Costco & George Hopper, Mt. Vernon
Departure Time: approx. 14:15-20
Travel Distance/Time: ~145km/approx 2h
Arrival Point: Washington State C&T Center, 800 Convention Pl. Seattle, WA 98101
Arrival Time: 16:00, August 23rd
The People
People have begun to express interest in PAX and the CST. So, here we have the list of those people, with
what information I have of them. This list is split into two groups based on what people have expressed to
me is their situation. Some of this information is tentative and as always this list will change as time goes on and new people join up and, inevitably, some people will drop out. It's still early, but it's looking like we're going to have a nice turnout this year, so keep that recruitment going.
Group Leader: This is the group's go-to guy, usually the most active person on the forums/internet.
This person's main responsibility lies in relaying status updates between their group and the CST. This
person is also responsible for getting their group together to depart from their location.
Location: City, State/Province where you live
Waypoint: Our pre-selected stopping points on the route, pick the one closes to your location.
Vehicle: Year, Make, Model, KPG, Kilometres per Tank
Other Riders: This includes your other drivers and non-driving passengers in your group.
Contact: Your e-mail address, plus MSN or phone contact
Drivers and their passengers
Group Leader: Jay (b0wser)
Location: Abbotsford, BC
Waypoint: Abbotsford
Vehicle: 1988 Toyota Corolla Wagon
Other Riders: Dan Yakimow (driver), Elfie, two pending confirmation
Contact: jaymitchell at gmail.com, and MSN on file
Group Leader: GeeCee
Location: Anmore, BC
Waypoint: Western Start
Vehicle: 2000 Chevy Blazer
Other Riders: AbsintheMinded, DMiguel. One seat available (including rear bench bitch seat)
Contact: goalcam at shaw.ca (email and msn) or AIM: goalcam
Group Leader: Chris (strangemusic)
Location: Vancouver, BC
Waypoint: Western Start
Vehicle: 1998 Volkswagen Golf hatchback
Other Riders: two family members, one seat might be available.
Contact: sonic_singularity at hotmail.com
Group Leader: Shaun (tr0tsky)
Location: Vancouver, BC
Waypoint: Western Start
Vehicle: minivan
Other Riders: PolaGo, GrahamS
Contact: shaun dot woodruff at gmail.com
Group Leader: Zyzzyvas
Location: Victoria, BC
Waypoint: Mt. Vernon, WA
Vehicle: 1988 Chevrolet Beretta
Other Riders: ThePimpImp, one unknown rider
Contact: peterguthrie at shaw.ca
Group Leader: Steve (TheCrowing)
Location: Edmonton, AB
Waypoint: Kamloops, BC
Vehicle: 1989 Toyota Camry
Other Riders: Scott & Tye (non-forum)
Contact: hormonal.overload at gmail.com
Group Leader: Kaotix
Location: Calgary, AB
Waypoint: Calgary
Vehicle: "a crappy old van"
Other Riders: full, may have friends to expand the group
Contact: e-mail needed
Group Leader: Brenna (Kittyhawk)
Location: Calgary, AB
Waypoint: Calgary
Vehicle: Giant Green Van
Other Riders: full with friends, may have an extra vehicle
Contact: sexxyplurkitten at hotmail.com
Group Leader: CaptainSpadge
Location: unknown
Waypoint: Kamloops, BC
Vehicle: to be decided
Other Riders: possibly 6, currently unknown
Contact: captainspadge at gmail.com
Group Leader: Yuritau
Location: Kelowna, BC
Waypoint: Merritt, BC
Vehicle: SUV
Other Riders: 3 seats available, and some cargo space
Contact: yuritau at gmail.com
Islanders
Anacortes Ferry route
smes, Zyzzyvas, ThePimpImp, FoLeY, aspect (Friday sailing)
Victoria Clipper route
Samyel, hamburger helper +1, farout foolio
People who need rides
Name: Kash
Location: Calgary, AB
Waypoint: Calgary
Contact: PM, e-mail needed
Name: Settler43
Location: Vancouver, BC
Waypoint: Vancouver
Contact: PM, e-mail needed
Name: RobotChild
Location: Vancouver, BC
Waypoint: Vancouver
Contact: PM, e-mail needed
Name: Fraser & Katrina Cain (ENFORCERS)
Location: Vancouver
Waypoint: Vancouver/wherever necessary
Contact: frasercain at gmail.com, katrina.cain at gmail.com
The Roster
(* denotes guaranteed attendance)
Location: Edmonton, AB
*MCB & friend
*TheCrowing (joins at Kamloops)
morgenstern (currently missing-in-action)
persepolian
Location: Lethbridge, AB
*apotheos (should be joining CCST with others from Lethbridge)
Location: Red Deer, AB
Location: Calgary, AB
*Kaotix
*Kittyhawk
Location: Kamloops, BC
*CaptainSpadge
Location: Merritt, BC
*Yuritau (Kelowna)
leaf (Kelowna)
Location: Abbotsford, BC
*b0wser
*Dan Yakimow
*Elfie
*Sumi & emoeric
*Jondar & friends
Location: Langley/Surrey/Delta, BC
*Arkley
Scotasianglish
Location: Vancouver, BC
*PolaGo
*tr0tsky
*strangemusic
*Hardtarget & friends (may join, undecided)
*AbsintheMinded
*GeeCee
*DMiguel
Trillian (work schedule conflict)
Mully
gates_apco (Burnaby)
Location: Victoria, BC
*zyzzyvas
*ThePimpImp
*FoLeY
*smes
*hamburger helper +1
*Samyel
*aspect (Friday)
Farout Foolio & friend
Location: Tsawassen, BC
*emoeric (at Abbotsford)
Location: Richmond, BC
de4dmeta1 (logistic problems)
Meghan (Waz)
Ian
Andrew (Andwarf).
edit: I almost forgot, can somebody sticky this?
One waypoint I think should be in Richmond, as a good middle stop for travellers, and way easier to get to than somewhere in Surrey.
Waypoint Location: Lansdown Mall. Tons and tons of parking, a bathroom, food, drink and a drugstore for forgotten toiletries and things.
They cast a shadow like a sundial in the morning light. It was half past 10.
Bus travellers can easily work around the Ladner Bus Exchange or Ladner Trunk McDonalds, as that's where I met up with Ninto last year. Lansdowne is the ideal stop in Richmond to meet up, before heading to the waypoint @ Highway 99. Aside from the couple ideas mentioned, this spot probably only needs 30 minuts of downtime.
We can add those in with no problem, although we could leave the Ladner bussing point until we know if we'll even actually need to worry about bus travellers?
They cast a shadow like a sundial in the morning light. It was half past 10.
The bus coming in from Tsawassen Terminal hits Ladner well before Richmond, and the Ladner exchange is only a couple of minutes from Highway 17 & Ladner Trunk Road (Where the Island drivers turn right heading for 99) Aside from the couple of stops available on the side of the highway, Ladner Exchange is the first real place to get off of the bus from the ferry. Airport Station is also a backtrack from Lansdowne, if I'm not mistaken.
But like I said, we should wait to see if we're even going to have that pedestrian traffic coming from the island before we make a big deal out of it. Island folk are usually brotherly enough that I'd think they would rideshare-- but if not, then Lansdowne would be easier for them to find a ride from another group.
Updated: Added Lansdowne Mall, Richmond waypoint. I didn't create a new image because Granville alone doesn't particularly need one.
But I think I will have other friends going too.
So I'll have to repost when I have more information.
ONE OF US
ONE OF US
They cast a shadow like a sundial in the morning light. It was half past 10.
猿も木から落ちる
Faster isn't always better.
Get the PAX 2008 Countdown widget and while away your sad, pathetic life watching it tick down the hours to PAX '08!
http://homepage.mac.com/ctishman
Hey now, he's in a unique position to choose between the Canadian Supertrip and the Cross-Country Supertrip.
Get the PAX 2008 Countdown widget and while away your sad, pathetic life watching it tick down the hours to PAX '08!
http://homepage.mac.com/ctishman
Anyway, my email is shaun (dot) woodruff (at) gmail (dot) com, msn is in my profile.
I do have a car but im not all that confident driving in the states so I would love to help pay for gas in exchange for a ride. e-mail is cheeks_cm@hotmail.com
I'm so freakin excited its unbearable!
ONE OF US!
ONE OF US!
ONE OF US!
Get the PAX 2008 Countdown widget and while away your sad, pathetic life watching it tick down the hours to PAX '08!
http://homepage.mac.com/ctishman
I'm in Red Deer, Alberta and could bus to Calgary if needed. Or like, stand on the side of #2 highway as you guys drive past, haha. I'd be a passenger in any case, as I'm car-less.
edit: I have established "The Roster" as a master list of both potential and guaranteed attendees sorted by location.
Edit: I just called them on the phone to be sure. Yes, it is a Burger King.
Get the PAX 2008 Countdown widget and while away your sad, pathetic life watching it tick down the hours to PAX '08!
http://homepage.mac.com/ctishman
We can add more stoppage time at a couple of waypoints to make the trip down easier for the long-haul crew, maybe a stop at Banff or Revelstoke perhaps? I'm trying to get info on the travel times between our points as well.
im 100% for sure going and have already talked to sumi so you can take her off the "needs a ride" list.
I'm in the Vancouver area and I can take transit to one of the way points.
If on an off-chance we do have an extra seat, we'll gladly take anyone on
I am making the trip down from Vancouver and this sounds like a lot more fun than taking the Greyhound. I am one of those needy passenger types without a car but will gladly pay my share of the fuel bill and as an added bonus I promise that I do not smell funny.
I am also planning on booking a double room (since its the same price as the king-single) so if anyone on the trip needs shared accomodations I may be able to facilitate.... if you promise that you do not smell funny either.
This will be my first PAX, however, I did attend the Necrowombicon 2k3 in Vancouver.