HUDSON BAY or BUST Road Trip II 2/18-2/23

[DUCTTAPE]

Ross, can't get thru to your site. I have Orange Crush already packed to go, so can you fix that?

[MinorRoadsKill]

Quote: Originally Posted by DUCTTAPE

Ross, can't get thru to your site. I have Orange Crush already packed to go, so can you fix that?

The site should be reachable, although some people might have problems until today (July 8) or tomorrow at the latest.

If this is the case for you, try this in the mean time instead:

http://66.11.174.215/

As for the Orange Crush sentence, I really have no idea what it meant. Are you going somewhere imminently?

Ross

[DUCTTAPE]

Ross, you are the-Rick Steeves of Canada! There are some great ideas there.

Anyone care to help narrow down the choices? I don't have a problem if people want to email me and I'll coordinate.

Some of those trips sound fantastic. I wouldn't mind seeing if I can get 6 weeks off from work and do them all

[MinorRoadsKill]

Quote: Originally Posted by DUCTTAPE

Ross, you are the-Rick Steeves of Canada! There are some great ideas there.

Culture is a funny thing. I had to google who Rick Steves was. Believe it or not, I thought of starting tours as a side business just for fun. My wife took 5 minutes to sufficiently abuse me of the notion.

Quote: Originally Posted by DUCTTAPE

Some of those trips sound fantastic. I wouldn't mind seeing if I can get 6 weeks off from work and do them all

More like almost 10 weeks!

I don't really want to reveal my own preferences yet, other than to say that I would prefer to do something I haven't before. I've done about half the trips, but only in summer (except JBR), so it's likely that just about anything would be new for me.

One thing to keep in mind is that some trips are best at certain times of year. That doesn't mean that that's when we should do a particular route, but it does mean that if we pick a certain month, we might give that particular route extra consideration because of a unique perk. For instance, if we're considering June 2006, the Trans-Labrador and North Shore Ferry or Viking Trail combo would be awesome - icebergs! If going Oct-Nov 2005, going to Churchill MB on Hudson Bay would be cool - polar bear tours!

Ross

[squid]

Quote:

Churchill MB on Hudson Bay would be cool - polar bear tours!

Hudson Bay is the sentimental choice of destination for this thread.

[NHRef]

Warm days, cold nights . . . leafs are changing color . . . winter's coming

Where are we going next February?

Anyone want to see a whole lot of Emperor Penguins do their thing?

http://wip.warnerbros.com/marchofthepenguins/

[yellowmininy]

Funny, I thought of you all when I saw that movie!

[DUCTTAPE]

I'm game. Let's pick a spot!

[NoNo]

While at Fenway yesterday, the guy in front of me noticed my camera and commented that he had just bought the same one. I said "Don't worry, it's been tested to 40 below." He asked what I was taking pictures of at 40 below, to which I nonchalantly replied "The aurora borealis." About 3 innings later he turned around and said "Can I ask why you were taking pictures of the aurora?" "Because it was there." "Where's there?" "Hudson Bay." "You went to Hudson Bay in the middle of winter to take a picture of the aurora borealis?" "Yup. *pause* Well, it wasn't just me. There were 24 other people that came, too." There was no reply. He was in awe. That's the kind of respect this trip gets you, which is why we need to carry on the tradition!

[MinorRoadsKill]

It would definitely be good to pick a route.

Some info on about a dozen various northern routes is now at arcticMINI:
http://www.arcticmini.com/potentialtrips.htm

Not listed there is a bit of info I've learned since I last updated the site:

The road in Nunavut is not friendly to the public - services are not available to non-company people.

The route to Fort Severn on Hudson Bay is above the treeline and that means bringing full winter survival gear and supplies to last out a storm that could come up while on the road. That's pretty serious stuff.

I just came back from the Polar Bear Express/ Moosonee trip on James Bay. It is very neat, and it's possible to charter a plane to see polar bears from Moosonee (at about half the price it was in Radisson too).

My personal preferences with respect to the trips are (in no particular order):
- Moosonee (polar bears, winter tidal roads, train trip)
- central/western Trans-Labrador Highway (because it's northern and remote and I haven't done it).
- Churchill, MB - to see Hudson Bay, polar bears, etc. This is a long trip from NY or ON.

Ross

[DUCTTAPE]

Hellooooo NOW you're talking, Ross

We could do another pansie trip like Raddison, or do Nunavut. Where is Fort Severn?

No-No, you hit it on the head. I say we GO, and let the weekend shakeout as it might (you all wouldn't know that I really am risk-adverse, a belt and suspenders type of guy) If we go and get snowed in, ok, we'd like to get home but that just isn't practical now, can we bring you anything?

d

[iBlue]

Hudson Bay is strongly preferred for the trip - I'd love to do something that involves an ice road. I think we need to limit it to about 6 days, otherwise we'll have trouble getting the number of people needed to keep the car count high....

On another note - i'll likely need a new co-pilot - Walter's wife won't let him go again...

[MetalMiniMayhem]

*scratches chin*... when details are final would someone kindly let me know? PM me or something, I'm thinking I might do this, this year... it sounds like one of those trips that could potentially be life changing (or threatening.., either way, sounds like fun! )

[NoNo]

I don't think the number of cars is nearly as important as the people that are going. As a result of last year's trip, I think there's a lot more interest in this next expedition. However, I don't think they fully understand what it entails and just how harsh the conditions could be. It's long, it's exhausting, it's really, really cold. There's nothing around for miles. Please, please fully consider all the aspects of this trip and if it's really something you want to do. I'd rather have 5 cars of really enthusiastic, prepared people, than 20 cars of tourists who didn't think this all the way through. As for destinations, I can only go on a shorter trip. While I'd love to do the Trans-Labrador run, I just won't have enough vacation time available. I guess that would also rule out the Churchill trip for me as well. Not that you can't go without me, but I'm just letting it be known that a long trip would exclude me. I'll keep watching and see what you guys come up with. I'll also keep grilling my dad and find out if this Italy thing is really happening next year.

[DUCTTAPE]

Quote: Originally Posted by NoNo

I don't think the number of cars is nearly as important as the people that are going. As a result of last year's trip, I think there's a lot more interest in this next expedition. However, I don't think they fully understand what it entails and just how harsh the conditions could be. It's long, it's exhausting, it's really, really cold. There's nothing around for miles. Please, please fully consider all the aspects of this trip and if it's really something you want to do. I'd rather have 5 cars of really enthusiastic, prepared people, than 20 cars of tourists who didn't think this all the way through. As for destinations, I can only go on a shorter trip. While I'd love to do the Trans-Labrador run, I just won't have enough vacation time available. I guess that would also rule out the Churchill trip for me as well. Not that you can't go without me, but I'm just letting it be known that a long trip would exclude me. I'll keep watching and see what you guys come up with. I'll also keep grilling my dad and find out if this Italy thing is really happening next year.

That's it, it's settled. We are all going to Bangor (*wink, wink*). Annette, you can ride shotgun with me. We're leaving probably late Thursday eve so as to arrive in Bangor bright and early Friday morn. We should have you back at the office Tuesday morning.

Even so, dress warm, and bring your cell phone in case you have to call someone...

You know, other than that stupid comment about not being able to go because of work or family commitments (we let you in the group because we didn't think we'd have to make you sign a disclaimer about forgoing work for MINI'ing) you raise an interesting point about numbers.

Last year I was bbsessed with the numbers. We had 12 cars (which I thought was pretty good, all thing considered). Will we get to 20? 24? But as almost half left because they were uncomfortable (which really is my only concern. I want everyone to have fun) this year we should stress that this isn't a ride in the park.

No, it's not like wintering at the pole. It's not like we will break down somewhere and have to camp until spring thaw. I don't even think it's as cold as Annette makes it out to be. But, while EVERYONE is welcome, please know what you are getting into. It's a terrific trip that just required prudent planning.

Ross is making an edited list of possibilities. We should have it soon

d