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Coming to America 2005

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 5:46 am
by Amberion
It looks like I may be making a trip to US/Canada in 2005 and would like to catch a Redskins Game if at all

What I need help with is finding a decent hotel in or near the stadium and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions/recommendations

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 7:03 am
by Jake
www.hotels.com

Hope that helps. There are two local airports that I can think of: Regan International Airport in D.C. or Dulles International Airport in Virginia.

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:59 am
by BossHog
Amberion... just let me know when you have some dates arranged and I'll help you with whatever you need.

If you can't help a brother in Australia, who can you help? :-)

I have my thumb in a few pies and I'm sure that I can help you with a lot of details being that I obviously am not a local either and therefore, have been through it all a few times.

Great news tho bro... congrats and I hope it all pans out for you.

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 3:47 pm
by Redskins1974
Another option: I'm sure if you plan accordingtly, one of theHogs.net brethren could hook you up with a place to stay/ride to the game. If I finally finish renovating my house, I'll help out. Right now, we're short on space but by summer I hope to have a lot done.

I know there's a few places near the stadium (the Double Tree hotel is one I think). There are also a couple places in DC that are easily accessible to the stadium. I'll try and track down some specifics...

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 6:06 pm
by Hill66
When I went down, I stayed at a Howard Johnson in Cheverly. It was about a 5 min drive to the stadium. Not sure how good the area is, but it really doesn't matter.

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 5:15 am
by Amberion
I'll be driving down from Toronto through eastern Pennsylvannia meeting friends along the way .

I dont find out when I get holidays from work til Feb/Mar and will have to fit everything around the date for a home game in Washington (have to get the priorities right)

If someone is kind enough to offer assistance in somewhere to stay/help to get to the game it would be wonderful as it allows me to do more things with the money I have

I like to start in Toronto as the hire cost of cars is significantly less in Canada.

I have been to Washington once before but the hotel was not in a good area.

Here in Australia we dont have bulletproof glass in fast food places

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:10 am
by BossHog
Couple of things...

DC is a terrible area... wanna stay away from the crime? Stay away from DC somewhere.

No way it'll be cheaper to rent a car in Toronto than the states. I live less than 2 hours from Toronto... and I'm real knowledgeable on the car rental rates in both places... I just can't see it being cheaper here... not after the 10 hour drive to get to Washington and the hundred plus dollars in gas to do so.

I'd check into that a little more if that's the ONLY reason you're coming to Toronto.

hard to plan anything without the dates... room rates change so much etc etc... but I will make sure I get you whatever info you need to help you plan your trip. Also, once I have the dates... I can try and find you a pair of tickets to buy.

We'll hammer it out... just don't be afraid to ask... because I'm so busy that things slip my feeble little mind. :oops:

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:30 am
by tazlah
How awesome that you are making the trip!

Amberion wrote:I like to start in Toronto as the hire cost of cars is significantly less in Canada.


As BossHog stated, we are quite knowledgeable in renting cars. Word of caution though, a lot of car rental places in this area (Toronto/London/Windsor/Niagara Falls) may have you sign a waiver if you are going into The States with the rental, saying you agree NOT to drive into certain cities due to the high rate of auto-thefts and crime in that area. DC may be one of those cities, or it may not be, but you would need to check.

Regardless, it'll be an incredible trip! You will have a blast, especially if you can get to a 'Skins home game!

taz

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 5:09 am
by Amberion
Actually what I do (and have done for last 3 trips to Toronto) is take a fly-drive package which has always been cheaper than any package from an airport in the states. It hires from Hertz.

Dont ask me why but it just is.

I use Toronto as I have met some of the friendliest people on another bulletin board and i go there to see them

Driving long distances arent a problem as at Christmas 2003 drove Toronto to Lenoir (North Carolina) and I did not feel tired at all

I will give a heads up when I have dates.

Depending on the cost of a return trip to Pond Inlet I may even be able to make the trip through London as I havent been that way as yet - would be good to meet the boss hog

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 10:00 am
by tazlah
Amberion wrote:Depending on the cost of a return trip to Pond Inlet I may even be able to make the trip through London as I havent been that way as yet - would be good to meet the boss hog


It's straight down the highway from Toronto, on the way to Detroit! :wink:

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 12:08 am
by tcwest10
Be sure to stop at the Great Lakes Shipwrecks Museum, too.

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 12:14 am
by curveball
I know this really isn't my place to say, but Can't a few more people here step up and help the man out. There has to be somebody in the DC area with a spare bedroom.


I'm about 3 1/2 hours north of DC, but if you make it that far after a 1 pm game, you're more than welcome to crash at my place. My beer definitely won't be as good as BH's, but it'll be free (not that BH's won't) and it doesn't get much better than that.

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 4:26 am
by Amberion
tcwest10 wrote:Be sure to stop at the Great Lakes Shipwrecks Museum, too.


Great suggestion

I have seen the niagra falls barrells display already

I'm not in a hurry at the moment as until feb or march I am not going to know when I can get holidays and then I will be looking to firm up the arrangements

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 5:59 pm
by tcwest10
Amberion wrote:
tcwest10 wrote:Be sure to stop at the Great Lakes Shipwrecks Museum, too.


Great suggestion

I have seen the niagra falls barrells display already

I'm not in a hurry at the moment as until feb or march I am not going to know when I can get holidays and then I will be looking to firm up the arrangements


It's supposed to be about ships, but it's more like Gordon Lightfoot's personal library. :)

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 8:35 pm
by BossHog
Amberion wrote:I will give a heads up when I have dates.

Depending on the cost of a return trip to Pond Inlet I may even be able to make the trip through London as I havent been that way as yet - would be good to meet the boss hog


Right on, can always put a steak on the barbie for ya mate!

I thought you had friends in T.O from correspondence we had when you first joined the site but I wasn't sure.

Let me know anything you need and when you're coming and I'll do what I can to help you out.

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 9:07 am
by Amberion
I have confirmation of my holidays today

I am off from 19 September to 21 October

I expect to be in US/Canada for approx 3.5 weeks of this period

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 10:04 am
by NC43Hog
Amberion wrote:I have confirmation of my holidays today

I am off from 19 September to 21 October

I expect to be in US/Canada for approx 3.5 weeks of this period


That's one helluva vacation! :wink:

Have fun mate!

I lived in Canberra from 1965-1968. Came back and all the girls in the 3rd grade (I was in the 3rd grade too [-X ) loved my Aussie accent.

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 1:49 am
by welch
Try Greenbelt / Berwin. There are two Marriotts near the Baltimore Washington Parkway, from which itg is easy to drive to FedEx. One is a CourtYard, the other a Marriott Residence (lng term kitchens, but likely empty on weekends.) Confession: I follow Marriotts because I get Marriott points.

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 3:18 pm
by Redskins1974
BossHog wrote:Couple of things...
DC is a terrible area... wanna stay away from the crime? Stay away from DC somewhere.


Like any city, there are areas of DC that are bad. Unfortunately, the closest part of DC to the stadium is that area. If you stay downtown, there are plenty of affordable, nice and safe places/areas. Plus, there's plenty to do with easily accessible accomodations. (ie - if you stay near the stadium, it's convenient for the game but there's not much around).

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 6:55 pm
by Amberion
Convenient to the stadium is OK as I probably wont be in Washington very long probably just the 2 nights

I would be by preference an easy to get to accomodations person

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 8:15 pm
by ejay183
BossHog wrote:Couple of things...

DC is a terrible area... wanna stay away from the crime? Stay away from DC somewhere.

No way it'll be cheaper to rent a car in Toronto than the states. I live less than 2 hours from Toronto... and I'm real knowledgeable on the car rental rates in both places... I just can't see it being cheaper here... not after the 10 hour drive to get to Washington and the hundred plus dollars in gas to do so.

I'd check into that a little more if that's the ONLY reason you're coming to Toronto.

hard to plan anything without the dates... room rates change so much etc etc... but I will make sure I get you whatever info you need to help you plan your trip. Also, once I have the dates... I can try and find you a pair of tickets to buy.

We'll hammer it out... just don't be afraid to ask... because I'm so busy that things slip my feeble little mind. :oops:


hey, I live in D.C. Why does everyone so quick to call D.C. a bad place. I live in Southeast D.C., sure we got crimes around here, but what place doesn't.

Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 4:58 am
by Amberion
Well the schedule is out and the flights are booked

I am scheduled to arrive in the Washington area on the 30 September and want to get to the Seahawks game

I am hoping to see as many of you there as possible

If you are a skins fan and would like to meet up let me know and I will see if I can fit it in

My schedule so far is

Toronto for a week (Looks like will be going to Mariners/BlueJays game )

Then travelling down through eastern pennsylvania to washington
then on to North Carolina
then across to StLouis (have been threatened with a cardinals game)
And return back to Toronto via Detroit

I will be making lots of stops and detours along the way

Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 9:21 am
by Irn-Bru
Congrats on the finalization of plans, Amberion. Good luck: I hope that everything works out well for you (especially the Skins game!)

Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 9:32 am
by skins81
COngratulations, Amberion. Sounds like a nice trip.

Do you still need help finding a hotel in DC?
You can PM if you still need help.

Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 9:53 am
by Amberion
Thanks for the offer skins81 but my travel agent finally realised where Fed Ex field is and found a hotel not too far away

So my hotel is booked - now just need to find a ticket to buy