Talk:2009-04-16 48 -122

Pre-Expedition Talk

Copied from Robyn's Talk page, because it was funny, and gives insight into our planning methodology.

2009-04-16

Want to go to Bellingham? I'm scared of the border! Please come with me! Thepiguy 16:01, 16 April 2009 (UTC)

Anonymous scared person who is probably Rhonda turns out to be thepiguy, yes, I'm interested but have some chores to do and I think it takes me about two hours to get to the border. I ALWAYS get lost and end up on a dirt trail coming off the Alex Fraser bridge. I'm sure there's a better way through, but I've never found it. What time were you thinking you'd be at the border? I was going to go to the regular Peace Arch crossing, arriving lets say about 2:30. We could meet at 2:30 at the actual peach arch with the gates thingy. It's on the border, but it's in a park north of the US immigration control, and they'd let you hang out there, I'm sure. I'd better get cracking on my chores. -Robyn 16:12, 16 April 2009 (UTC)

Sounds great! Is it possible to meet a little sooner than 2:30? That might be cutting it a little short for me. Is 1:00 possible?

Yes, see you at the Peace Arch at 1 p.m. -Robyn 16:20, 16 April 2009 (UTC)

Hooray! Thepiguy 16:23, 16 April 2009 (UTC)

Nope, I'm not the anonymous person :-)

I'm looking at bus schedules - thepiguy said something about meeting at ladner loop, or is it the peace arch now? -- Rhonda 16:31, 16 April 2009 (UTC)

I'm meeting Robyn at the Arch at 1:00, but depending on where/if you're cycling from I could also meet you in Ladner on the way. Thepiguy 16:41, 16 April 2009 (UTC)

Translink says that the "351 Crescent beach" goes to white rock center, which is a block from what the translink site identifies as peace arch. If that's the same peace arch you two are talking about, I can take the bus directly there. And if it isn't, give me the co-ordinates of the peace arch and I can bike there from white rock center, which looks remarkably close to the border. -- Rhonda 16:45, 16 April 2009 (UTC)

That sounds right... but I'm never to sure about trusting translink... Thepiguy 16:53, 16 April 2009 (UTC)

I just phoned Translink and they confirmed that the 351 does have bike racks. Since it looks like that bus will get me if not right to the peace arch then at least within easy biking distance of the border, I only need to find out exactly where to meet you and I'll be there. -- Rhonda 16:57, 16 April 2009 (UTC)

Google maps shows 0 Ave and Peace Park Dr. as "peace arch" - rather different from what translink said, but it meshes with what you said about it being right on the border. -- Rhonda 17:04, 16 April 2009 (UTC)

That's definitely it. Finding us is easy. Look for the giant wihte arch. Think l'Arc de Triomphe. Thepiguy 17:07, 16 April 2009 (UTC)

As long as I'm looking in the right park...

I have to catch the seabus in a half hour to make it to white rock center by 12:30, then bike to the border. If I'm not there by 1 will you wait for me? Robyn should have my phone number and I have hers. -- Rhonda 17:11, 16 April 2009 (UTC)

Hehe! I just realized I live the closest for once! And yes, of course we'll wait for you! See at the arch! Thepiguy 17:13, 16 April 2009 (UTC)

There is a large, unmistakable white Peace Arch with little fake unclosable gates and the inscription "May these gates never be closed" right on the border. It's about the most unmissable meeting place possible. White Rock centre is not on the border: it's maybe 16 blocks north of the border. The Peace Arch is at N49.0 about 50 m east of the beach. Follow King George highway. The 99 is off-limits for bikes. I don't have your phone number because it comes up as private on my cell when you phone me. I'll wait as long as thepiguy does. I'll probably be on the same bus. And everyone stop edit conflicting me on my own page. -Robyn 17:15, 16 April 2009 (UTC)

You're just too popular for your own good! :p See you at 1:00! Thepiguy 17:46, 16 April 2009 (UTC)

Post-Expedition Talk

9 hours away from home. Damn that was fun. Also good mexican, I can't eat dinner - still full! -- Rhonda 02:52, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

Was it ever! I'm just looking over my pictures now. I also have more exciting stories to add about my trip home. Mainly a buss difficulties and a raptor attack. Thepiguy 03:23, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

They waited for you to leave T-Rex's protection, I bet! -- Rhonda 03:44, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

BTW: I'm not going to be ready to leave at the crack of dawn tomorrow, so you can relax and sleep in. -Robyn 03:46, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

I am very happy to hear that! Thepiguy 03:50, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

Loving the write-up so far, kids, but tell us about this Kristie? Is she single? GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT! -- UnwiseOwl 05:38, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

Now I know why you kept dropping back! Thank you for taking all those terrific pictures. I'm glad you survived the raptor attack. It looks gruesome. I don't think we should tell them about Kristie until tomorrow though, do you? -Robyn 05:49, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

Speaking of pictures, wow did we take a lot of them! Thepiguy 06:05, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

Hey, she lives there? Did you convince her she wanted to start her geohashing life with a couch potato hash? -- UnwiseOwl 05:55, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

No matter how hard anyone guesses about Kristie, they still won't come up with anything that is quite as funny as the truth! Thepiguy 05:57, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

I CAN'T HANDLE NOT KNOWING THE TRUTH! -- UnwiseOwl 06:01, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

I don't remember the "guy 500m from the border who thought Vancouver was too far to bike" - must have not heard him. Can one of you write that part? -- Rhonda 16:41, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

Done. I think he was talking to me and pi before you came out. He was totally amazed that we could do such a thing. He didn't think he could ride to the corner. Does someone else want to do Kristy, after we have tortured UnwiseOwl some more. -Robyn 17:22, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

I don't know, it was mostly you talking to her, and there was also something you said you had that you'd include... -- Rhonda 00:34, 18 April 2009 (UTC)

That's right. I'll do it after Saturday's expedition. -Robyn 05:30, 18 April 2009 (UTC)

Fan Mail a.k.a. outside comments

Congratulations you guys. It's a joy reading and seeing how much fun you have participating together (once my jealousy subsides). You really have the spirit of it nailed in every way, and right in my own backyard. Keep having fun. Juventas 06:10, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

You don't have to worry about us stopping! Thepiguy 06:21, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

Goodnight every body! I'm going to go and fall over again. Thepiguy 06:21, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

What an expedition. I still can't believe you explain Geohashing to border guards - again. "Detour to canada" probably qualifies for best sign ever. The speed limits signs were funny, too. Nice to see that German authorities are not the only ones going crazy with traffic signs [1]. Meetup Rhonda-Thepiguy added to the meetup graph, will be uploaded later. Koepfel _talk 07:22, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

All y'all completely own the art of geohashing. Thanks for the nice write-up and the pictures. The game is Carcassonne right?--Zb 19:21, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

You are all completely bonkers. I wish I lived in Vancouver. -- Benjw 19:47, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

You are A!

I got a D at the border once, which means "let these people pass after spending two hours of your lunch break asking these people stupid questions about their past travel destinations (i.e. no chance for you to pass as sane). Apparently, my new passport has been too new at that time. -- relet 07:35, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

Laugh. "Let's see, I went to 49.2357 -12.7878, and 50.3447 -11.34839 -- that was a good one -- and then ..." Now I'm glad we got an A. I've always felt that they just want to get rid of us asap when I'm on a bike. -Robyn 17:20, 17 April 2009 (UTC)

LOL your reason for crossing gets graded for believe-ability?!? -- Jevanyn 21:11, 17 April 2009 (UTC)