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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
03-30-2024, 07:22 AM
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Update (plan change)
After Banff, going back to Seattle for a few days, then down to Portland for a few days. No Spokane or Idaho.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
03-26-2024, 07:37 PM
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K-1 II J limited 01 Viridian discontinued? Mine is even more rare now. :) Sweet
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
03-26-2024, 12:40 PM
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Well, I do keep an eye on AirVisual and if I *must* I can cancel trip, but I wonder if the air is so smoky (during the fires) I can't even take pix?
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
03-24-2024, 07:33 PM
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I was under impressions also that the 2023 wildfires were due to an arsonist who has been caught (and hopefully very punished).
I plan to drive from Seattle to Kamloops first day but I'll have GPS and use Waze (assuming that works up there) in case I need to divert.
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
03-24-2024, 12:37 PM
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"if you decide to leave a tip for the cleaning staff, leave a note with it to explain that it is a tip" ..
I never thought of that. Will put a note. Thanks.
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
03-24-2024, 11:44 AM
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This has kind of gone sideways.
Will ask a different way.
Will the cleaning person be OK with a $5 US bill or a $5 CAD bill? I know they are different "amounts" but I just want the person to get a tip and not have to figure out how/where to exchange it.
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
03-24-2024, 11:42 AM
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Thanks, sigh. I'll have masks.
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
03-23-2024, 05:02 PM
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I carry cash for porters, bellhops, and hotel cleaning staff. And the occasional soda at a convenience store.
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
03-23-2024, 03:19 PM
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
03-23-2024, 03:07 PM
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Thanks all! I think a combo of my bank before I go plus a Canadian ATM (if needed) might be the best bet. It's not that much money, and I suspect I'll mostly use plastic/Apple Pay. I just like to be able to pay cash for some small stuff, including of course the tip for the housekeeping staff at a hotel.
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
03-23-2024, 09:50 AM
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Thanks, I don't make fusses. Just want smooth travels. That guy was a jerk, BTW.
"If you want full value, go to a bank and exchange it where you will get the exchange rate." -- do that in Canada or in US?
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
03-23-2024, 08:10 AM
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I've never travelled outside the US as an adult with my own money. :)
On US trips, I usually bring about $300 cash with me (various denomination bills) in case it is more practical to pay with cash vs. plastic/Apple Pay. I wind up depositing almost all of it back into the bank when I return, but I'd rather have it and not use it than need it and not have it.
Anyway will do the same for Seattle -- Kamloops -- Banff -- Spokane, but wondering if I should convert some to CAD here or wait until I get across the border.
Seasoned travellers: any tips?
Thanks
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
03-10-2024, 05:49 PM
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Trip to Banff area is Seattle --> Vancouver --> Kamloops --> Canmore, AB. I have Consumer Cellular (CC, they use AT&T towers, but CC is set to lower priority over paying AT&T customers). CC says "Consumer Cellular is unable to guarantee service outside of the United States, however coverage in Canada is typically fairly good." I'll need to buy short term international plan. I do have backup Verizon flip phone,
So, Canadian Pentaxians: will I have ~decent cell service?
Thanks!
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
02-18-2024, 08:54 PM
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Thanks. The train leaves Spokane at 1:15 am and there is a United direct flight to ORD at 11:30 pm --> 5:30 am so whatever I do the Spokane leg will be a weird day or two. Sandpoint has the only Amtrak station in ID but even later departure and tiny. This all depends on if I want to take the train back or fly, and the train is only doable if there is still a roomette. That is the one ticket I haven't yet bought - I'm leaving it to day of...
Silverwood - looks fun for people who like to scream. And shop. My sister is all that but not me, thanks anyway.
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
02-18-2024, 08:48 PM
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I'm curious as well. It might be like when I was growing up in New England and they were just getting rid of the last of the Blue Laws (no commerce on Sunday) and people figured "no one will go go the grocery store on Sunday..." and it was PACKED.
As stated, there are plenty of places to go, I'll be there ~8 days, and I don't sleep much so I can be in line at 4 am to get to a place.
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
02-16-2024, 03:07 PM
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
02-15-2024, 11:47 PM
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Thanks! I was just going to drive from Canmore, AB to Spokane and fly home but I heard that Cd'A would be a nice place to stop. Sounds like there is plenty to justify at least one o/n stay.
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
02-15-2024, 03:51 PM
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I expanded my trip to Canadian Rockies to add Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. I am told it is beautiful. Probably only a day or two - I need to get back to work...
Any Coeur d'Alene fans here to tell me where to go? ~ First week in June.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
02-13-2024, 10:12 AM
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Nah, as much as I enjoy a colorful camera - pass.
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Forum: General Talk
02-13-2024, 07:39 AM
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It would also go well with the Stormtrooper ;)
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Forum: General Talk
02-12-2024, 08:31 PM
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Thanks!
Not yet, want to do that outside and it's too cold right now.
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Forum: General Talk
02-12-2024, 03:21 PM
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I wasn't looking for support or approval. Having a nice purse/strap makes me happy. I posted this because others might have been interested. It is cool if you are not. It is cool if no one else is interested either.
The buckles are fine.
---------- Post added 02-12-24 at 16:21 ----------
Under the right lighting it is closer than we see here.
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
02-11-2024, 09:23 PM
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Called "guidealong". Non-interactive, the app uses the phone/pad GPS. As you hit a specific coordinate on the road you are driving (you have to follow their maps) then the guy starts talking about whatever is ahead, and has some interesting historical tidbits and trivia.
It's not like a real GPS direction thing: he might say "in half a mile you need to turn left" but if you ignore him and don't turn left he doesn't correct you, he just stops talking. So pay attention! There are waypoints you can "meet the tour" so as long as you are on their tour route you'll hear him eventually. You can go in either direction and also go over the same spots (and you get a rerun of what he said the first time)
My tour started in Rapid City but it went out to the Badlands, to Crazy Horse, Deadwood and the "good" way to Rushmore and also to Devils Tower.
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Forum: General Talk
02-11-2024, 08:32 PM
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
02-11-2024, 08:24 PM
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OK, I'm back (victim of the infamous IP block)
Plan:
Seattle to Kamloops, o/n in Kamloops and then to Canmore. 8 nights in Canmore ought to be enough to do several day trips to the parks etc. Drive the Icefield Parkway to Jasper, probably stay o/n there since my VRBO host says 3.5 hour trip one way - but let's see how that goes. I am buying a guide package - I liked this app in Rapid City/Badlands/etc. You stick the app on your phone, you set the phone to play through your car stereo, and this guy starts talking when the GPS hits a certain spot on the highway and then he'll tell you about it
As far as cameras:
THE VIRIDIAN with 28-105 *but* will also have the 15 (mostly on the K-01 but I can also bring the 40 XS for that if I need the 15 on THE VIRIDIAN and still want to shoot some IR).
Considering all *easy and safe* hiking opportunities.
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