traaaaavel

[tielan]

Passport is on the way back!

Now decisions to make about where and when.

Istanbul for at least 5 days, parentals for 7 days (they wanted 10, but I won't last 10 days with them), a day or two in London, and then over to the US/Canada from ~24th October, flying back to arrive in Australia on the 31st. (I'd have loved to be in the US for Halloween, but unfortunately I need to be back at work on Monday...)

So, the decisions are primarily where to go and what to do for the days I'm in the US.

I'd like to stay in the north-east, probably only travelling down to the south-west to depart (possibly from SFO? That's my usual exit point).

There's a part of me wants to do Niagara Falls, Toronto, and Ottawa. I'd really love to do one of those train trips across Canada, but that'll be for another year, I think. I'm sort of wishing I didn't have the cruise trip in December, now. If I didn't, I could maybe squeeze another week out of it.

Could I start in Boston, make my way over and up to Buffalo, around to Toronto and then up to Ottawa/Montreal? in a week? Could I do so without flying? It's been about 15 years since I was in Boston, and at least 20 since I was in upstate New York. And, well, the world has changed a lot in that time...

I may have to get Daniel Lemming another name necklet and a proper bandanny again. He's been nekkid for about a decade now, needs something a bit more perhaps?

Comments

[jenab]

If your flying into Toronto try to avoid Pearson as it still pretty bad for delays, lost luggage and long lines. Toronto Island is a better way for the moment.

[adafrog]

Yay passport!

[velithya]

Yay passport! I hope you can make things work so you get where you want in good time to enjoy it all *crosses fingers*

[unicornduke]

Woo, exciting passport! That sounds doable in a week driving. Boston to buffalo is about 8 hours drive. Buffalo to Tor is like an hour or two, mostly depending on traffic. There is also a train that runs from Albany to Buffalo and it's about 5 hours which is the same as drive time and the scenery is nice. Just remembered there's a train from bos to albany but it's 6 hours and only once a day so there's that too if you're not driving. Both B and I are in upstate NY so if you're able to make crafting on monday, we could scheme! She would know Buf/Tor decently

[tielan]

Okay, so trying to plan the US/Canadian part of my trip: I'm planning to be in the US from the 22nd->29th, flying into Boston fairly late in the evening on the 22nd, and spending the 23rd in the city (possibly overnight). I could certainly attend a craft hangout on Monday 24th, but might have to beg floorspace from someone overnight before heading on (probably to Ottawa: I'd try to get a flight from the nearest city to you guys out to Ottawa, then come back down to Toronto/Niagara for the day before my flight out to San Francisco).

[aome]

If you end up coming any further south, say, to NYC area, let me know - I live in central NJ and would love to meet up if you were closer! (Boston is a solid 5+ hour drive, alas.)

I would check with Google Maps to see approximate driving times for Boston-Buffalo, Buffalo-Toronto, Toronto-Montreal, to see if those are what you consider manageable driving times. Just remember to drive on the right! ;-)

[tielan]

I don't think NYC is on the cards this time - getting up to Canada is taking priority at the moment. But if I'm ever in NYC area, I'll definitely let you know! It's always lovely to meet people and hang out.

[wpadmirer]

I'm glad you're going to get your trip! I hope you have a wonderful time.

I am not the person to ask about traveling distances, because I drive crazy distances to do things. (I'm going to Minneapolis for a conference, and it's 1,468 miles one way.)

[skieswideopen]

You can definitely take VIA Rail between Toronto, Ottawa and Montréal. You're looking at about half a day from Toronto to Ottawa by train. Or you can drive, of course.

If you end up flying into Toronto from, say, Boston, I second the recommendation to avoid Pearson airport if at all possible. It's a disaster zone right now. (Though maybe it will be better in October? One can hope.) Porter Airlines runs relatively inexpensive flights from Boston to Billy Bishop airport on the Toronto Islands, although you may be able to find a better deal flying from Boston to Buffalo, if you decide not to drive that stretch. From Buffalo, it's a relatively short drive to Toronto, or you can take a bus.

I think you should be able to do the trip in a week, even without flying.