Read with Pride Northwest discussion

Anne Tenino and I are considering taking the train up from PDX if we don't need wheels once we get to Seattle. Anyone else coming up from Oregon might want to hop the Amtrak with us?

Oh, and in case anyone is wondering WHY we would want to do this, keep in mind it's a 3-4 hour trip whether driving or by train, but when you go by train, you get this:

Amtrak Cascades
"you'll enjoy wide, reclining seats, laptop outlets and bike racks. Relax in the Bistro Car, which features fresh, regional cuisine, wine, microbrews, and the coffees Seattle made famous."

(the reservation information says they also have wifi. So, there's that.)

I'm actually thinking of taking the Coast Starlight, which includes a dining car.

Man that sounds like so much fun. Sadly, I'm stuck on Air Canada. Blech.

Heidi wrote: "Man that sounds like so much fun. Sadly, I'm stuck on Air Canada. Blech."

Hi Heidi, may I ask why are you stuck on Air Canada? Where are you traveling from?

Does the train stop in Tacoma? If it does, I might be able to join you.

I'd love to take the Amtrak up, I've done that many times (have family north of Seattle) and it's really awesome.

Free wifi... It's true, not a myth! Feel free to ask any questions.

There are stops all along the route, and I can't remember specifically, but I'm pretty sure that yes, Tac is one of them.

It is, I checked the stops for both the Coast Starlight and the Amtrak Cascades.

Me! Me! I love Amtrak. Only think to keep in mind -- last train back to PDX is at 5:30pm, so we'd have to find an overnight spot and come home the following day.

I wasn't planning to come back until Sunday anyway. I was thinking I would go up on Friday.

Road trip! Excellent. Do you suppose Anne will be crocheting penises all the way up?

I also recommend business class if you can swing the extra $.

It's only like a $12 difference so yeah, I think I can swing it.

And I don't know what Anne will be doing, or if she's even signed up for this group yet, but I do know that the trip needs to involve adult libations in generous quantities. Because lounge car.

Yes, Yes! This sounds like fun. Definitely keep me informed.

Andrea wrote: "Does the train stop in Tacoma? If it does, I might be able to join you."

Well, the last time I took it, yes, but that was a few years ago.

Okay, just keep in mind I'll have my daughter with me. Not that that's ever stopped me from drinking before . . .

Okay, we'll have to keep the conversation clean. :D

Amelia wrote: "Okay, we'll have to keep the conversation clean. :D"

Yeah, 'cause she's so innocent. *rolls eyes*

I'm in McMinnville so I want to join the train gang! But I don't know about the clean conversations....I guess I could just be really, really quiet. Sure, that's gonna happen.

Shannon, I live in Salem. We are so close to each other. I was even there recently on a date!

Ethan wrote: "Shannon, I live in Salem. We are so close to each other. I was even there recently on a date!"

We do have some great restaurants here just wish I had the chance to go to them more often! I'm in Salem all the time when I need 'real' stores. :)

L.C. wrote: "Boo! I'm going to miss the Amtrak party. I'm coming down from the north. Of the border. ;-)"

Boo is right, wrong direction!!

Shannon wrote: "L.C. wrote: "Boo! I'm going to miss the Amtrak party. I'm coming down from the north. Of the border. ;-)"

Boo is right, wrong direction!!"

*nods* Maybe we should take the train down and then come back up with them! A double party :)

L.C., can't you guys take the train down?

Okay, seriously, my daughter will be fine without clean conversation, trust me. I sit on the couch and crochet penises. We're good.

So L.C. and Finn can take the train down and start the party early and the rest of us will try to make sure Anne isn't trying to find any live models for her crocheted penises therefore scarring her daughter for life. :)

Live models, LOL!!

I'll see if I can make it, then! Although ... keep it clean, huh? That might be a challenge ...

A selection party is a most excellent idea! We may have to get a little hands on and all so Anne's crochet is as accurate as possible. *fans self*

It seems like we'd all have to go up on Friday night because the Ptd train doesn't even get in until noon so there's no way we'd make it in time. I'm willing to get a hotel room for Fri and Sat night if anyone needs to crash with me too.

L.C. wrote: "Finn wrote: "*nods* Maybe we should take the train down and then come back up with them! A double party :) ..."

Hmm... I'm liking the sound of that idea, Finn. :-D Hey, wait! You're in BC?! We sho..."

Hey, did anyone tell Pender Mackie about this?

I'm planning on getting a hotel Friday and Saturday night. And actually, the daughter won't necessarily come with me unless Heidi Bellau needs babysitting for sure. I'll be double-checking with her.

As for live selection . . . if anyone's going to GRL, you might get to see that in action there. ;-)

(Oh, but I'm totally bringing penis crochet to GayRomNW or whatever we're calling this for shorthand.)

We should tell her... I can do it, I know you've been swamped. I wonder what she's up to?

Anne, I need clarification on the crocheted penises. So are they models of penises or like a penis cozy that we can put on our live models and admire? lol, I'm becoming obsessed with your penises.

Well, they're crocheted penises, sort of like toys, but of course I prefer to think of them as objets d'art. *snort*

lmfao, I want one! Do you sell them? I just must have one. I'm soooo going to chase my 7th grader and her friends around the house with that thing. Good times, good times. :)

Anne wrote: "We should tell her... I can do it, I know you've been swamped. I wonder what she's up to?"

Anne, I'm happy to send her an invite. :) We'd love to have her at the Meet-Up.

I have not decided if I should join the train up (hop on in Tacoma) or drive, so if anyone from the south end (Tacoma, Oly, Puyallup or parts unknown in between) needs a ride, or just doesn't want to drive let me know. I don't bite-- but my protags do!

am totally up for a train party (or a bolt bus party, which would be cheaper, but most likely much more restricted).

ttg wrote: "Anne wrote: "We should tell her... I can do it, I know you've been swamped. I wonder what she's up to?"

Anne, I'm happy to send her an invite. :) We'd love to have her at the Meet-Up."

Can you? That would be cool. Let me know if you need an email address.. :-)

Shannon wrote: "lmfao, I want one! Do you sell them? I just must have one. I'm soooo going to chase my 7th grader and her friends around the house with that thing. Good times, good times. :)"

I actually give them away as swag. I was sort of thinking I should take a few to Seattle with me. ;-)

sno wrote: "am totally up for a train party (or a bolt bus party, which would be cheaper, but most likely much more restricted)."

Yeah, but on the Bolt Bus we'd be able to find each other easier. Although we may take up most of a bus ourselves...

Anne wrote: "sno wrote: "am totally up for a train party (or a bolt bus party, which would be cheaper, but most likely much more restricted)."

Yeah, but on the Bolt Bus we'd be able to find each other easier. ..."

I think we could find each other pretty easily if you send us all a giant crocheted penis. I would totally carry that bastard around the train station giving it a wave every now and again. You guys are gonna hide from me aren't you? lol

We could have a parade! Or you could be like one of those tour guides, with the little flag on the stick that all her charges are supposed to follow, except it would be a penis on a stick. LOL

Anne wrote: "We could have a parade! Or you could be like one of those tour guides, with the little flag on the stick that all her charges are supposed to follow, except it would be a penis on a stick. LOL"

lmfao, they're gonna kick us out before we ever make it on the damned train!

lmfao, they're gonna kick us out before we ever make it on the damned train!

Especially if I enter, shouting, "Where the white women at?" 'Cause ... I'm quoting Blazing Saddles, but I doubt there'll be many Mel Brooks fans there.

Andrea wrote: "lmfao, they're gonna kick us out before we ever make it on the damned train!

Especially if I enter, shouting, "Where the white women at?" 'Cause ... I'm quoting Blazing Saddles, but I doubt there..."

There are Mel Brooks fans everywhere! We can be the group that everyone desperately tries to keep their kids away from. Woo Hoo!

My kid's going to love this!

(Not. She's 13. She'll hide.)

Anne wrote: "My kid's going to love this!

(Not. She's 13. She'll hide.)"

Ooooh 13 *rubs hands together*. The perfect age for parental humiliation.

Oh yes. We can make her squirm like it's a worm party.

This is gonna be so fun!

She's so ripe for it, too . . .

Just reading this thread makes me want to come down to Portland just to ride back on the party train :)