..... so many enthusiastic RS groups meeting in so many locations. What a great way for new and experienced travellers to get together and compare notes.
I wonder if it would ever be possible in future for those attending the RS Tour Reunion and "Test Drive A Tour Guide" sessions in Seattle to get together for a "Super RS group meeting" prior to the RS events?
Ken.....that is a very good idea.
Ken, let me know a bit in advance of the reunion weekend and I will set it up and announce it here.
You ~can~ meet some really nice people hanging around the lobby of the Best Western in Edmonds, hahaha!!
Thanks Lola. That would be a fun event. We should invite Andrew the webmaster, too!
attending the RS Tour Reunion and "Test Drive A Tour Guide" sessions in Seattle
What have you got against the fine town of Edmonds? The RS Reunion etc., is NOT in Seattle.
Edmonds is not Seattle. Please do not insult Edmonds by calling it "Seattle"
Thank you
Joe, Edmonds is certainly a pretty town. Even Rick Steves has his headquarters there and I wanted to move there, but could not. Too high prices. You have to forgive Ken that being from Vernon, Canada writes Seattle instead of Edmonds. Edmonds is in Seattle area. People all around USA and even world know where Seattle is. Edmonds (outside Seattle area) is not unfortunately that famous. I also write on my profile that I live in Seattle. In reality I actually live closer to Tacoma than Seattle. By the way what is wrong to have Ken's suggested meeting in Seattle? I like Edmonds but it is too far from here.
Ilja,
Certainly agree about Edmonds. It is a wonderful city/town. Used to crab off the dock there when I lived further North. Now, even though my RS Forum "residence" designates Seattle, I too actually live South of the city of Seattle, in Burien; a hop, skip and a jump to SeaTac airport. Very handy indeed. I would definitely be up for an RS Forum pre-funk get together, whether it's Edmonds, Seattle or lil ole Burien.
Linda
Oh yea, meant to say that I have already met Lola back when we attempted a Seattle Group meeting, and would love to meet other Forum posters who I have come to "know" a bit through this great Forum.
OK. Linda,
Edmonds, Seattle, ole Burien. Good meeting places. What about Puyallup?
If y'all want to meet in Seattle, that is fine.
Happily, Edmonds is not well known outside the area, otherwise it would become another Monterosso al Mare and overrun with "the hordes."
Happy to have you here once a year for the Reunion party!
Ken,
Sounds like a plan! Count us in. Yes, invite Andrew "The Webmaster!"
Ken, fun idea, but I bet a lot of us would like to see a super meeting crop up somewhere in the center of the country so that more people could attend not just the Pacific Northwest folks! :)
Right on, Rachel! I nominate Tulsa. Don't laugh, it's a great place with first class museums and a world class ballet. How many cities of 300,000 do you know of that have two symphony orchestras!
"What have you got against the fine town of Edmonds? The RS Reunion etc., is NOT in Seattle."
I was just referring to "Seattle" in a general sense, and didn't mean to offend anyone. As I don't live there, I'm not familiar with the "local sensitivities". Or perhaps your comment was meant in a tongue-in-cheek way? It's sometimes hard to tell on an internet forum.
There appears to be a Panera Bread on Lake Ballinger Way in Edmonds so that's one possibility. I'm never sure from one year to the next whether I'll be able to attend the January event, but will see what the situation looks like next year. Hopefully the exchange rates will improve by then!
Ken, what a cool idea! We’ve actually talked about doing something like that, but since I’ve never been to a Tour Reunion I wasn’t sure how hectic the days there already are. Many (most?) of us in the Sacramento Group (& the Bay Area Group, for that matter) are People of Leisure ;-) so we could always stretch the weekend into the weekdays leading up to it.
Eileen,
The Tour Reunion event also includes numerous Test Drive A Tour Guide sessions, so if you're thinking of taking one of Rick's tours that would also be a good opportunity to have a look and speak with the guides (Rick flies in a bunch from Europe). Of course it's also nice to schmooze with other travellers and take advantage of the 20% discount in the travel shop. I've met several people from the forum at the annual event in Edmonds.
It's a good idea .
I think that Laura of RSE should also be invited. She adds clarification and moderates occasionally. She also has just ‘plain ol’ good ideas!
"Edmonds is not Seattle. Please do not insult Edmonds by calling it "Seattle""
Ballard got mouthy with us, too, and look what happened to it! I'm sure we can still find a dead horse somewhere in this city, and if not, Emunclaw has a few they can spare.
Looking down over you all from Queen Anne hill,
-- Mike Beebe
