h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Was a little reluctant to say anything, do you REALLY NEED to squeeze lil ol' me into your plans? - I think not...oh, sh**! Did I actually post that? Oh man, I've really put my foot in it this time! Teach me to to get on the computer after havin' a few drinks!*rolls eyes* I'm in Edmonton, Alberta's capital, & we've got alot goin' on...dependin' when you get here...there's our Folk Music Festival, in early August - check http://www.edmontonfolkfest.org/ . There's also north america's first & consequently oldest Fringe (Theatre) Festival (this year's titled 'Attack Of The Killer Fringe!'- which just happens to take place, right in my neighbourhood - in late August...& actually, runs right into our Blues Festival - check http://www.bluesinternationalltd.com/ . Anyway, just figured you might want something to do between Saskatoon & Vancouver...

Hi, jazzedupcurry!

"just figured you might want something to do between Saskatoon & Vancouver..."

Indeed, I was sort of wondering how that part was going to work. According to my atlas, the drive from Saskatoon to Edmonton is a bit over 500 miles, on what I assume are good highways. Do you think that's doable in a day?

Timingwise, we'll probably be in Alberta in mid-late August - we're leaving French Canada right at the beginning of the month, and hoping to get all the way across and down into northern Nevada by the end. It sounds like there'll be stuff going on in Edmonton around that time!

Thanks for letting us know you're there. Now I'm excited about meeting up and taking in some theatre or music!


GTB

Well, GTB I suppose it is do-able, if you're prepared to pretty much spend about 8 hours behind the wheel, pedal-to-the-metal (more or less.) I'd recommend (just a suggestion) spending the night in, say, North Battleford (on the Sask. side of the border-or Lloydminster, right on the border- yup, a divided town ), then continuing on into Alberta, either after breakfast, or, just grabbing something on the road - in any case, arriving in Edmonton...probably early to mid afternoon. I have to add, its been years since I made the trip, so there's most likely a slightly quicker route, by now...& yes, it would be good highway.

So, how are things in the Lone Star state? I was there, in...about '86, my cousin was specializing in Cardiology, he & his wife were living in Irving. Actually, was in Ft. Worth, a few months later, but thats a long story...suffice it to say, I didn't pay for that trip! .

Hi

I have been wondering about wandering about Alberta too. GTB - my vote is for taking it easy on mountain roads. 8 hours of continuous bends and gear-changes is a different barrel of monkeys than 8 hours of straight line in a desert.

So - do we get to see you jazzedupcurry?

B

Well, I certainly hope so, Ben...would be great to 'connect' with a few 'computer contacts'...other than people I already know.

Great!

The meeting of people we know but don't know is part of the big attraction of doing this to both GTB and me. And insane amounts of driving!

I have just come back from visiting a friend who hides himself away at weekends in a Swedish farmhouse up north of Stockholm. The journey involved a bus, a plane, a taxi, a stay in a hotel, another bus, a third bus, a train, and a 30 minute walk in the snow.

If he had simply picked me up at the airport and driven me there the weekend would not have been such a time out of time.

Journey is important.

B

Ah, yes the destination is important, but so is the journey - just hope this one you're planning isn't too hectic, & goes smoothly - no major 'flies in the ointment'.

Well, flies are part of the story, aren't they? Actually I am an incredibly easy traveller. I was tired after getting home today, but the journey is part of the journey, if you see what I mean. And I am good at accepting with serenity those things that I cannot change.

We are building in a lot of rest days. My guess is that we won't build in enough, but on the other hand, you could spend your entire life touring North America, and not have enough time. In fact you could spend your entire life touring the UK and not have enough time. It is all a question of granularity.

Having just been to Sweden I am in some ways sorry we will be doing this trip in the summer. Though my pratical head says that is the only sane decision.



B

Ah, that sounds good...the rest days...you did notice I said "no Major flies in the ointment" Need a few very minor ones, to keep things interesting, right? But, hopefully, fairly few & far between, as they say.

B

Right, !

Hi!

Dates at last!

In theory, we arrive in Alberta on Friday 15th August, and stay over on Saturday 16th, leaving on the 17th.

Any chance we can see you then?


Ben

Sure, ben, I'll clear my schedule! (as if I have a structured/rigid schedule at that time of year.)

Looking forward to meeting you both & acting as host, at least somewhat!

Somewhat hostful is plenty! We are grateful for crumbs!

Looking forward to it!

Ben