Figured I'd start a thread for this. KC travels to Vancouver on Wednesday 4/18. Then on Saturday they play in Portland. I'm flying into Seattle on Wednesday and driving to Vancouver with my brother. Returning to Seattle and sightseeing there Thursday and Friday. Saturday morning I'm going to take the train (probably the Costal Starlight), get into Portland, either stay with a friend or in a hotel. Light rail to the stadium. Sunday light rail to the airport and fly home.
My rough plan is fly into Seattle on Monday/Tuesday, train up(unless I find someone who will pick me up along the way) on Tuesday/Wednesday, Spend the day there or two, train down to Portland, tear up the town for the second year in a row all while probably staying at the hostel again, game, fly out of Portland on Sunday.
Here are my plans as posted in the schedule thread: We are leaving KC via United at 10:45AM and landing around 1:45 or so. We have a hotel a few blocks from the stadium which is called Comfort Inn and was $200 for two nights. We are going to stick around Vancouver on Thursday and check out the city. On Friday, we are not 100% on this yet but I think we are taking the Greyhound from Vancouver to Bellingham, WA and then renting a car in Bellingham to keep till Sunday and driving through Seattle and onto Portland. We are going to stop at a few places and do tourist stuff. Renting a car from Vancouver to Portland is like over $200 a day so I would suggest getting to Bellingham and then renting a car if you want a car. We have been looking up multiple things for the trip from Vancouver to Bellingham but so far Greyhound for $18 and 2 hours is the best deal so far. We booked a room at Park Lane and Suites which is a 1/4 from Jeld-Wen Field in Portland and also the cheapest in the area. We got a rate of $205 for two nights.
I have our air tickets: Arrive Vancouver Wednesday afternoon on American @12:45 Depart Portland Sunday morning on Southwest @10:50 We'll be taking Amtrak through Seattle with a night or two there and decide on where to stay along the way. Really looking forward to this one.
I traveled weekly for years at my prior job, so I have frequent flier miles to use. My wife and I went to Denver last year too, but we didn't really interact too much, since we were new supporters. We hope to meet more people this season.
Fun, probably need to reach out to the southsiders to know which ones we might be welcome at, or which to potentially avoid
We are welcome at Doolin's Irish Pub which is the Southsider's bar and they always welcome away fans. They are also putting together a guide for away fans. Here is the post with the info and link to the guide: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=24986710&postcount=26
Look forward to welcoming you all out. I always suggest this supporter-oriented map to Portland to away fans: http://tinyurl.com/SCUSAmap Otherwise, I can highly recommend the Amtrak trip for the stretch from Vancouver to Seattle, just because it is extremely beautiful. Those of you who are skiers can consider that a few areas should still be open in early April including Whistler and Mt. hood. You will need a car in Seattle, but not in Portland or Vancouver. Parking will be expensive and a pain in the ass. Traveling the stretch between Seattle and Portland is pretty boring although Mount St. Helens is a decent 4-5 hour round trip detour up that way if you want to catch it.
My plane's booked. SWA to Seattle via Denver from 7:20am to 10:35am. Flights 3482 and 1316 if anyone wants to fly with me. Gotta book the train to Seattle and Portland still, might stay an extra day in Van to take advantage of a certain item that's embargoed in the US with some cash. Flight leaving Portland at 4:55pm on the 22nd. Flight 406 if anyone is interested.
Just want to say I dislike each and every one of you (for no better reason than pure childish jealousy). I have a [socially obligatory] wedding in Portland a little later in the summer. Where you guys are packing scarfs and downing six packs; I'll be packing wingtips, ties, shaking hands, making small talk about babies, and getting the evil eye from an ex-girlfriend while drinking grapes. Thanks for nothing soccer. You truly are a bitch.
I'll partake in the 420 activities for you. Being in Portland on April 20th will be the non-soccer high of my trip.
I have one v-neck sweater. And I get I get it dry cleaned. I also don't like jam bands. I'm pretty sure I'm not allowed in the Northwest. I've decided to skip this trip and stay here in the ridiculously less judgmental midwest.
I just realized that I am going to be in Vancouver/Portland on 4/20. I quit that years ago but that is going to be too hard to resist. That is like a smoker's wet dream, right?
A friend of mine's parents were in Vancouver a few years back and have the greatest/weirdest pot purchasing/smoking story I've ever heard. I would type it out here, but it would take a while. Anyone that know's who I am just find me at the next event. I don't mind telling it in person. It mainly involves a boa constrictor, a secret underground warehouse, and so much pot that they had to hide the remaining amount somewhere before they left (because obviously, they couldn't take the rest with them).
I am intrigued. Why didnt they just give it to someone? I am definitely checking out one of the stores while I am there.