unforum

[Euchre]

I don't mean to completely dissuade anyone from driving, just to take some key factors into account before jumping into the process. I would expect that the SoCal carpool or caravan would be best to figure on staying overnight at or near the rendezvous point for the Bay and Central California groups. This would however stretch the trip out to 3 days for those SoCal folks, if you also do a stay around Ashland. The ~8 hr drive from just north of Sacto isn't outside the realm of reason, as I said before though that'll place you in rush at both ends - unless you figure a breakfast and dinner stop with some time involved. Basically that means leave early, breakfast stop (rendezvous point?), drive on to a dinner stop just short of Portland, then proceed in after the major rush. One driver swap along the way would probably be wise. The 2 extended stops aren't too bad an idea, if you consider that it makes the whole thing a little more of a social event - and I know how much ARGers hate to have those, right?

[Rogi Ocnorb]

Southwest is currently promoting So-Cal in their reduced fares space.
http://www.southwest.com/hotfares/hotfares3.html
(Best Portland-San Diego fare I could find was $129)

And on the general Southwest bookings front, I'm seeing fares for as low as $109 from Tampa Bay (Just a random "Farthest City I could think of." pick.) to Portland for this timespace.
http://www.southwest.com/cgi-bin/lowFareFinder

Of course... It's Southwest and pretty no-frills. But at least you get there. Just expect a few stops and bring your own food.

[Varin]

Woot! Thanks for the tip Rogi! I just booked through Southwest from Chicago. The cheapest rate I'd found prior to this was about $250 more than what I just got it for!

[Rogi Ocnorb]

Southwest just had a drop in price for most of their flights.
The low rate for Portland to San Diego is now $99.

[Pixiestix]

In case you aren't sitting htere refreshing the official ARGFEST website {the one that isn't the wiki } like I was, it updated with the hotel info! I booked my 2 bed room, how about you?

[thebruce]

Excellent! I'll have to book shortly, no $ right now... I'm looking at a quad room, so would need three roomies
Lex? Oraclle? Rob?


Do we have info about transit recommendations? Passes and costs?

From a quick glance at local stuff to do, a few things popped out w/potential interest -
3D Center of Art and Photography - http://www.3dcenter.us/
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry - http://www.omsi.edu/ (!)
Portlant Chinese Garden - http://www.portlandchinesegarden.org/
Oregon Zoo - http://www.oregonzoo.org/

[Agent Lex]

I would like to take this chance to remind everyone that the ARG Museum is in need of contributions this year!

Given that konamouse is currently stationed in Iraq, and may not make it back in time to attend, I've taken up the task of organising the museum. So please everyone, make sure you contribute what you can. Without kona's huge hoard of stuff, the museum might look a lot sadder this year

In other news, I'd be happy to room with you, thebruce.

[DavFlamerock]

I'd love to room with whoever needs a roommate. It might be easier if the SF group organizes something since we're all coming up together, but other than that, I'm fine rooming with whoever needs a roommate.

[ineffabelle]

Flying out of LA

[Dirt Diver]

I am very tempted to go.

[Nighthawk]

Do we have any idea of what the schedule is going to be? Can anyone point me to last year's schedule just to get an idea.

I'm looking at being in the air between nine and TWELVE hours as it is (Portland back to Miami goes through San Francisco = 12 hours. Woohoo!), and want to miss as little of work as possible. I would like to avoid traveling on Thursday the 16th and Monday the 20th if I could, but that would mean I may potentially miss events. And that's not counting the extra days at a hotel.

For example, if I fly on the 17th, I'll arrive in Portland no earlier than 3pm. And if I leave the 19th, I have to be at the airport by 6pm. What festivities would I be missing?

[thebruce]

2007 schedule is on the wiki, 2008's full site is at http://2008.argfestocon.com

that should have all last year's info you need.

Generally, Thu is just early arrivers, Fri is meet & greet, social evening, maybe something happening; Saturday is all scheduled up; Sunday, some people may start leaving even in the morning, but generally it's more social touristy kind of stuff for people who are still around.

So technically, official "ARGFest"y stuff is just Saturday, but social/community stuff may still happen Friday/Sunday, and usually things people might not want to miss... I mean hey, time with friends

[Nighthawk]

Well yay then! Two less nights at a hotel!

Now I just need to find an air far that's less than $500 and doesn't bounce through New York...

[vpisteve]

[Pixiestix]

Hey, just a gentle nudge from someone who is still looking for a roomie... if you plan on going, please "register" with the wiki. If you already have, and need to update {such as you found a roomie, or you have a room booked, or anything} please update.... THANKS!

wiki - http://wiki.argfestocon.com/