kj
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Registered: 05/04/05
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Loc: Minneapolis
Yup, it's that annual thread where I try to talk people into going on a trip.
Full road schedule:
Code:
Atlanta: April 28, August 18
Carolina: June 9, July 21
Edmonton: April 22, August 4
Ft. Lauderdale: April 14, May 19
Puerto Rico: July 28, September 15
San Antonio: June 2, September 22
Tampa Bay: May 26, June 30
Obviously things are wide open at this point, but I want to highlight a couple of possibilities:
June 2, San Antonio New team, usually reasonable airfares, could stay Sunday and watch the US game on June 3 with the supporters down there
August 4, Edmonton Normally, I'd toss this aside--despite the Flyover Cup connection--since round-trip airfares to Edmonton have been in the $600+ range. However, it looks like United is currently offering fares starting at $404. This would be the second of the Stars' two trips to Edmonton, the first being April 22. (FCE is at the Nessie on August 25 and September 8; we should talk ESG into coming down here for September 8 for a proper hand-off of the cup.)
Of course, I'm always interested in going to Puerto Rico (July 28 and Sept 15), but with my Australia trip this year, I won't have many days off of work, and I don't think I'd want to go to PR for just a weekend. If someone else wanted to organize such a trip, you should totally go for it.
So... thoughts? The earlier we plan, the earlier you can start saving up money and requesting time off.
Edited by kj (02/16/1202:59 PM) Edit Reason: Added full away schedule
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TurkishZath
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Originally Posted By: kj
Early disclaimer: No matter where we go, superrookie does not get to pick the hotel.
Seconded.
I'm not sure I'll be able to manage a trip this summer, but I would like to look into the possibilities of the trip being more than just the Stars. Is there a World Cup Qualifier near any Stars games (in both geography and timing)? Maybe the Twins? Even an extra MLS game on the way back could be fun, depending. An updated pic from Toyota Park with Surly replacing the New Glarus might be nice.
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kj
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Loc: Minneapolis
(FYI, I added the full away schedule to the first post.)
I suppose that, given where the other teams are located, that's the closest opportunity to do multiple things like that. None of the other USMNT games line up with the Stars' away schedule.
Only two of the markets have MLB teams: Atlanta and Tampa. The Twins don't play the Braves; they only make one Tampa trip: April 20-22. San Antonio's sorta close to Dallas, but again, the Twins' schedule doesn't line up.
I suppose we could look into driving, so that there'd be more things "on the way". But when I look at the distances, that looks less interesting to me: (Starting point NSC; ending point the stadium in question. Source: Google Maps)
Atlanta: 1,133 mi, 19 hrs Carolina: 1,217 mi, 21 hrs Edmonton: 1,222 mi, 21 hrs Ft. Lauderdale: 1,762 mi, 30 hrs Puerto Rico: (hee hee) San Antonio: 1,257 mi, 20 hrs Tampa Bay: 1,609 mi, 27 hrs
Call me a wimp if you want, but driving any of those sounds awful. My time's worth a lot more than the relatively small difference between gas money and airfare.
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Soccer Boy
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Originally Posted By: kj
...all of the above said, should one be interested in driving to/from San Antonio, the Twins are in Kansas City April 4-6.
That is a long way to drive...
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GumbyGrrl
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I'm interested in driving to SA. I thought about driving to Edmonton, but I'm afraid there isn't much to see along the way...
The only catch with SA for me is that I have a kid in school, and both SA games are during the school year. (well, different school years, but still during school.) That's not to say it isn't possible, but does make it more challenging for me.
Edited by GumbyGrrl (02/16/1206:09 PM) Edit Reason: school year bit
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Leprechaun
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You guys even considering driving to San Antonio are better men and women than I. I would consider a flight to finally make one of these, but that 6/2 San Antonio one is sqaurely on top of the only weekend of the summer that I have booked up so far.
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Soccer Boy
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The only road trips I will be taking is from my summer home in the southern suburbs of Duluth to Blaine/NSC. That is a long enough drive for me.
Edited by Soccer Boy (02/17/1209:52 AM)
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kj
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No doubt, though I don't know if any of the pretty, mountainy parts of Alberta are anywhere near Edmonton; it's usually Calgary that's a bit more known for that.
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GumbyGrrl
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Okay, with that video I'm back to considering a road trip to Edmonton. I've driven to Winnipeg, so I'm guessing most of the drive won't be quite as scenic, but it would be fun to celebrate an away Flyover Cup match.
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Two of the common loon's calls are the tremolo, which sounds a bit like maniacal laughter, an aggressive call; and the yodel, sounded by male loons guarding their territory.
"At the end of the day, that's a soccer game." - Coach Lagos
c0ldfuse
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Loc: mpls
I'd be more likely to drive to Canada than San Antonio.
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Edmonton is our friends! Save the hate for our real enemy!
54' 40" or FIGHT!
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"If you're in the penalty area and don't know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we'll discuss the options later." Bob Paisley, former Liverpool manager
GumbyGrrl
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Originally Posted By: thesuperrookie
I have made the drive from Minneapolis to Edmonton.
It is boring. Saskatchewan is flat as all get out.
22hours total and the most exciting part is Fargo.
Yeah, when I said, "won't be quite as scenic" that was my grossly understated way of saying "boring as hell, but I'm considering the drive anyway." I flew to Ft Lauderdale for a little more than 24 hours, so as long as I can watch the game, scenery is sort of irrelevant.
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Two of the common loon's calls are the tremolo, which sounds a bit like maniacal laughter, an aggressive call; and the yodel, sounded by male loons guarding their territory.
"At the end of the day, that's a soccer game." - Coach Lagos
Soccer Boy
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Originally Posted By: thesuperrookie
22hours total and the most exciting part is Fargo.
...and that is only because the have a Hooters in Fargo.
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"If you're in the penalty area and don't know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we'll discuss the options later." Bob Paisley, former Liverpool manager
c0ldfuse
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I'd still rather drive to Canada than the equal time drive down to San Antonio.
20 hours is a bitch either way.
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GumbyGrrl
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20 hours is tough. I can do a 16-hour drive in one day, but 20 is past my driving limit. I can drive all day, but hate driving in the dark.
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Two of the common loon's calls are the tremolo, which sounds a bit like maniacal laughter, an aggressive call; and the yodel, sounded by male loons guarding their territory.
"At the end of the day, that's a soccer game." - Coach Lagos
Soccer Boy
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Originally Posted By: pfutz
20 is doable for me.
I'd happily take 3 others with me.
20 hours there and 20 hours back = too much time sitting in a car!
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"If you're in the penalty area and don't know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we'll discuss the options later." Bob Paisley, former Liverpool manager
HooligansFC
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Loc: Duluth, MN
I realize this form of transportation is outdated, slow and still relatively expensive, but in all honesty, i think a trip to Edmonton by train would be a blast. i know this idea will be shot down before it even gets off the ground because, frankly, it's just not practical. but just imagine the thought of 30 or so Dark Clouds taking over a train car and drinking and having a good time for the 19+ hours it would take to get there. that would be a pretty memorable trip.
reason #1 this will not work. for what ever reason, the US and Canada dont like to share railways. from what i've seen online, the Canadian railway we would need only crosses the US border to go to seattle, meaning a departure from winnipeg would be the only option.
reason #2 - major time factor - 'The Canadian' railway, goes from toronto to vancouver every 3 days or something like that. so in order to get to Edmonton by game day, the only departure from winnipeg is thursday the 2nd, travel on a train 19+ hours and arrive in edmonton early morning friday and couldn't catch a ride back to winnipeg until the 6th.
reason #3 - money money money - despite being a slower mode of transportation, round trip cost of just the train tickets would be somewhere around $390. plus hotel for 3 days and the cost of fuel to travel minneapolis to winnipeg. (and who knew it was only a matter of 20 minutes difference between winnipeg to minneapolis than winnipeg to duluth?) as KJ said, he found flights starting around $404.
like i said, it's really impractical, but it could be a lot of fun, lots of scenery, little responsibility while traveling and lots of booze. and this train does run to jasper for anyone considering the Eddies suggestion of going there as well. so maybe someday, if the NASL decides to get a team that is somewhere in western US, this could be a viable option.
and one other tidbit, no trains run south along the mississippi which for some reason i thought they would. so the thoughts of a train to san antonio would involve a train to chicago, switch lines, a train to dallas, to fort worth and south to austin and finally san antonio. all in all, well over 45 hours of traveling and i didnt even bother with pricing it out. 20 hours in a car doesnt sounds so bad anymore, huh?
I've looked into doing trips by train before because I have enjoyed them a lot in Europe and India. However, like you said, our rail system makes this impossible.
c0ldfuse
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Originally Posted By: Fordprefect
I've looked into doing trips by train before because I have enjoyed them a lot in Europe and India. However, like you said, our rail system makes this impossible.
I had a friend take the train out to San Francisco, said it was great but was glad he only bought it one-way, and had planned on flying back.
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Leprechaun
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I vaguely thought about trying to do a train trip way back when there were league opponents in Seattle, Portland and Vancouver. But I never really got beyond the thinking about it stage. Realistically, the only train trip that makes much sense would be if the Stars ever got drawn with away against the Fire for an Open Cup matach. Theoretically you could leave that morning and get there in time for the match, stay over night and then leave the next day. But even that, it looks like it wouldn't be overly convenient getting from the train station out to Bridgeview.
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Soccer Boy
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Originally Posted By: pfutz
[censored] it i'll go by train. Sounds fun.
Pfutz, I was actually thinking about this and saw your post. Can you check it out and see what the price would be? If if is reasonable, I am in.
PS: Do they have wi-fi on trains?
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"If you're in the penalty area and don't know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we'll discuss the options later." Bob Paisley, former Liverpool manager
JJE
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For just the Stars game, or both? If we did both the raffle might have a bigger pool of people to draw on and possibly introduce someone else to the Stars that might be just a USMNT fan at the moment?
TurkishZath
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Forget the raffle. I think we should create a special prize of an all-expense paid trip for the reigning JotY each year. Provide some incentive to put a lot of effort into your tifo.
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Well I haven't been to Hooters but I have followed the Thunder/Stars out west, in part, by rail a few years back.
I took amtrack out to Portland where I was picked up by KJ, Bruce, Andy, Neal and our color commentator. We saw a match in Portland (great fans), headed north to Mt. St. Helens (great park,) and then on to Seattle (also great fans).
Everyone went on to Vancouver while I stayed on in Seattle and saw the Twins the next day with my brother and his buddies (great ballpark).
I'm not saying I'm doing a Stars road trip this year (USMNT in Sept and/or Oct looms) but here is a thought for a rail trip to Edmonton in April.
Take amtrack on Fri, April 20, from MSP to Shelby, MT (SBY). It costs $127 one way for reserved coach seator or lower level ("estimated"), leaves at 11:15 pm and arrives at Shelby on Sat., April 21, at 5:17 pm. 19 hours.
Rent car, pick up in Shelby upon arrival, and take I-15 north to border, then take Hy 4 to Lethbridge, then Hy 2 to Calgary, then on to Edmonton on Hy 2. Calgary to Edmonton is 182 miles. Should be able to make the match on time Sun.
Going back you could fly or take amtrack again. Train leaves at 11:43 am (tight for Mon, Tue would give a little time to do a bit of Jasper or Baniff Nat Parks or Glacier),arrives MSP at 7:05 am next day. Given drive, customs and dropping off car, I would suggest Tue.
Going out this would not be a party train given that alot of folks would be already asleep at 11:15 pm. Also, you could get a sleeper for two for an extra cost of $140 (probably one way but maybe round trip). Very cool and you get free meals and shower.
Finally, once you start thinking about the parks, the trip could get real long.
jw7
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It is one of the better mountain areas of the world. I would definitely stop at these places. It would not take all that much time to experience some great stuff. Banff or Canmore are a great place to stop for the night. After many years I still remember driving that beautiful road.
Take a motorcoach tour on to the glacier itself...
bq
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Loc: Minnesota
Originally Posted By: pfutz
I say San Antonio.
I know I and Stephan are interested. And we'd be driving down (since it'd be cheaper than flying/renting a car) (and I love road trips).
It sounds like you guys have sort of changed direction (literally) and are heading north instead. But if anyone is still interested in SA, I spoke to James Hope again tonight who is president of the Crocketeers and he seemed to know about some of the DC's who were talking about going to SA. He said to let him know if you do plan a trip and they have some discounts they've worked out with some hotels and restaurants down there and they'd make sure you were taken care of.
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Soccer Boy
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Round trip on Delta to SAT is $450 on Delta right now. I think you will likely see tickets go down about $50-80. Quite frankly, this is not a bad fare. I would rather fly than sit in a car forever. Just my two cents...
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"If you're in the penalty area and don't know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we'll discuss the options later." Bob Paisley, former Liverpool manager
Soccer Boy
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Originally Posted By: kj
I've been neglectful of this, but I'm nudging it up again. Anyone thought any more about a trip?
Delta is up to $480 round trip. I am probably going to have to take a pass this year.
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"If you're in the penalty area and don't know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we'll discuss the options later." Bob Paisley, former Liverpool manager
Soccer Boy
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I am trying to set up some visits to my clients in Miami and Tampa. I sure hope I can pull off a 2 for the price of 1 and catch the Stars on the road.
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--Soccer Boy
"If you're in the penalty area and don't know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we'll discuss the options later." Bob Paisley, former Liverpool manager
Soccer Boy
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When are the away PR matches?
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--Soccer Boy
"If you're in the penalty area and don't know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we'll discuss the options later." Bob Paisley, former Liverpool manager
_________________________
Two of the common loon's calls are the tremolo, which sounds a bit like maniacal laughter, an aggressive call; and the yodel, sounded by male loons guarding their territory.
"At the end of the day, that's a soccer game." - Coach Lagos
GumbyGrrl
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Registered: 09/13/07
Posts: 1221
Loc: Blaine
I was a bit shorter on patience than usual...
_________________________
Two of the common loon's calls are the tremolo, which sounds a bit like maniacal laughter, an aggressive call; and the yodel, sounded by male loons guarding their territory.
"At the end of the day, that's a soccer game." - Coach Lagos
Soccer Boy
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Registered: 04/21/10
Posts: 3082
Loc: Negril, Jamaica
Originally Posted By: GumbyGrrl
I was a bit shorter on patience than usual...
I am thinking of changing my screen name to "Lazy Boy."
_________________________
--Soccer Boy
"If you're in the penalty area and don't know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we'll discuss the options later." Bob Paisley, former Liverpool manager
"If you're in the penalty area and don't know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we'll discuss the options later." Bob Paisley, former Liverpool manager
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