 Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Oregon, USA
Posts: 2,657
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The Plot Thickens
As July & my scenic vacation approaches I continue to search for ways to make it both better and less expensive. To this end yesterday, I researched ways to get from Portland, Oregon, my home, to San Francisco, California. my first destination. From there I will board the Green Tortoise tour bus heading on my 9 day trek through the Canyons of the West.
I had planned on driving my Smart Car, that get 40 mpg to San Francisco & parking it in a long term parking facility.I recently discovered, to my dismay, that can get expensive, costing as much as $17 a day. That's an additional $170 added to the 1300 mile round trip cost for gas & meals.
With some research into air fares, bus fares and train fares on that same trip it became obvious that trains are the way to go. It's just $244 round trip with no parking and an 18 hour overnight ride aboard a moving restaurant/sleeper. They don't charge you extra for luggage and drop me close to my destination. I may not need to grab a taxi.
I made a reservation aboard an Amtrak train leaving Portland, OR on July 20, at 2:225PM arriving in San Francisco, CA at 8AM. I have a reservation already waiting for me at the Green Tortoise Hostel in a private room for the night of the 21st. That gives me more than 24 hours to explore & photograph scenic San Francisco, CA. I love it when a plan comes together. Now there's no driving, no parking fees, no costly taxis and no junk food on a draining 637 mile drive down the coastline on a hot day in July. The plot thickens.
I had planned on driving my Smart Car, that get 40 mpg to San Francisco & parking it in a long term parking facility.I recently discovered, to my dismay, that can get expensive, costing as much as $17 a day. That's an additional $170 added to the 1300 mile round trip cost for gas & meals.
With some research into air fares, bus fares and train fares on that same trip it became obvious that trains are the way to go. It's just $244 round trip with no parking and an 18 hour overnight ride aboard a moving restaurant/sleeper. They don't charge you extra for luggage and drop me close to my destination. I may not need to grab a taxi.
I made a reservation aboard an Amtrak train leaving Portland, OR on July 20, at 2:225PM arriving in San Francisco, CA at 8AM. I have a reservation already waiting for me at the Green Tortoise Hostel in a private room for the night of the 21st. That gives me more than 24 hours to explore & photograph scenic San Francisco, CA. I love it when a plan comes together. Now there's no driving, no parking fees, no costly taxis and no junk food on a draining 637 mile drive down the coastline on a hot day in July. The plot thickens.
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18mm Fujinon 35mm Fujinon 60mm Fujinon 18-55 Fujinon 55-200mm Fujinon |
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 Community Director
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Buckingham, UK
Posts: 3,363
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It looks as though you have been very thorough with your planning Bob, which should help to make it a more pleasurable trip. Can't wait to see some of the pictures.
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Kit 1 1DSmkIII & 1DmkIV Canon EF70-200L f/2.8 IS Canon EF100L macro f/2.8 IS Canon EF85L f/1.2 mkII Canon EF24-105L f/4 IS Canon EF300L f/2.8 IS Canon EF17-40L f/4 |
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Oregon, USA
Posts: 2,657
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KenTT
It looks as though you have been very thorough with your planning Bob, which should help to make it a more pleasurable trip. Can't wait to see some of the pictures.
lol
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18mm Fujinon 35mm Fujinon 60mm Fujinon 18-55 Fujinon 55-200mm Fujinon |
Other Kit View my profile to see my other kit! |
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My Compact/P&S: Fuji X-E1 |
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Norfolk UK
Posts: 159
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Sure hope all goes well for you. No doubt you'll delight us with some terrific shots on your return. Have you decided what gear you're going to take with you?
Paul
Paul
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Kit 1 Canon 600D Canon 24-105mm L Canon 55-250mm Canon 50mm f1.8 (Nifty Fifty) Sigma 10-20mm Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 Sigma 120-400mm Kenko Extention tube set. Canon 100mmf2.8 L IS USM |
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Oregon, USA
Posts: 2,657
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greenie
Sure hope all goes well for you. No doubt you'll delight us with some terrific shots on your return. Have you decided what gear you're going to take with you?
Paul
Paul
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18mm Fujinon 35mm Fujinon 60mm Fujinon 18-55 Fujinon 55-200mm Fujinon |
Other Kit View my profile to see my other kit! |
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My Compact/P&S: Fuji X-E1 |
 Fondly Remembered
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Perthshire Scotland
Posts: 8,168
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Certainly sounds like you're getting organised - I'm sure you'll have a great time and I'm certainly looking forward to the pictures Bob.
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Kit 1 Canon 1D Mark 3 Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II |
Kit 2 1D2 & 40D |