Jan-nic Attendees - Please read and respond

[Irish Beth]

If you are going to be with us please take a minute to provide the following information so that we can make sure everyone has the best time possible.

Will you need a hotel room? (need a ball park count to start looking for discounts)

How many days will you be here?

Other than the Picnic name 3 activities that you would enjoy doing while visiting Pittsburgh. Please use the list below to choose from........

Driving tour pf Pittsburgh
Walking tour of Pittsburgh
Eating tour of Pittsburgh
Visit museums / art galleries
Amusement park
If Pirates are in town (ball team Pirates - not our Rudie Pirates) go to a ball game
One hour road trip to play slots in West Virginia

There is a wave pool at the park and tennis courts for those more sporting individuals.

Once we have a good idea of what people would like to do we can make sure that we have the necessary arrangements made.

Irish Beth

[lucille]

Dee and I will need accommodation for at least three nights. We hope to fly in on the Friday, and out on Monday sometime, or whenever. How long do we need, particularly if I have a legful of margarita which could leave me "legless" :D (I hope the salt on the rim won't cause any probs. for you).

Driving tour of Pittsburgh
Museums / Art Galleries
Eating Tour ?

[RedjackRyan]

Eating Tour ?


You are my kinda lady Lucille :) The hell with the sights, lets EAT!

[Marcia Drummergal]

We will be driving up, leaving sort of early Friday morning. We would like to stay in a motel/hotel with as many other Rudies as possible so we're looking for that "Group Rate." Hopefully the lodgings will be near the park.

Top 3 activities? I like all 3 tours....walking, driving and eating! :D

Marcia

[diver_boy]

2 nights (friday and saturday), leaving sunday

ball game
walking tour
amusement park (as i am bringing my niece)

[Dar]

I will need a room for two nights, Fri and Sat.
arriving Fri late aft leaving Sunday evening.

I'm game for just about anything, especially if it involves food. :D

In order of interest for me

Eating tour of Pittsburg
Walking tour of Pittsburg
Wave pool maybe
maybe driving tour (although I'd rather bike the city than drive it)
maybe museum/art galleries
not so interested in the Amusement park (don't do roller coasters, I'm a wimp) or ball game (unless they're playing the Cubs ;) )
Slots....not so much

Thanks for doing all this footwork Beth!!

[RedjackRyan]

Sounds like an eating tour of pittsburgh is gonna be a popular choice.. Primanti brothers (home of the pittsburgh cheesesteak) is easy, there's one not too far from the park, I think a taste of Beto's rather unique pizza is also in the cards.. A trip to the Oyster House is another must do in Pittsburgh.

[KarenSews2]

We will need at least 2 nights (Fri & Sat) and maybe 3 (Thurs).

I like to play slots, but won't go out of my way to do it.
Driving tour...as long as I don't have to sit in the back seat!
Almost anything...

[Dar]

Sounds like an eating tour of pittsburgh is gonna be a popular choice.. Primanti brothers (home of the pittsburgh cheesesteak) is easy, there's one not too far from the park, I think a taste of Beto's rather unique pizza is also in the cards.. A trip to the Oyster House is another must do in Pittsburgh.


Yes, YES, and yes

[diver_boy]

a poor college student cant afford oyster bars ;-) lol

i'll sit at the bbq and feast on chicken. :-)

[sister rose]

Most likely I will be there 3 days, 2 nights.....leave here early Friday morning and drive back sometime Sunday night....and will probably be bringing my 2 grandchildren...girls, ages 6 and 11.....anyones else bringing children?

Hmmm....everything sounds great, but, my top choices would be

wave pool
Visit museums / art galleries
Walking tour of Pittsburgh
Amusement park (for the kiddies)



One hour road trip to play slots in West Virginia
ummmm....West Virginia???? No thanks....:rolleyes:

[diver_boy]

yep ,im bringing my niece who will be 9 :) she'll have playmates to play with and listen to natalie! :-)

[leslie]

We're still trying to work out details and had planned to camp with the dogs, if we can make it. However, if there's a Rudie Hotel in the works, we'll probably board the dogs and opt for the luxury of someone else making the bed (provided there's air conditioning (unlike Janismania))! We would need hotel for 2 nights as we'll be driving down on Friday and leaving Sunday.

We're game for any activities, but we don't do rides! (Herniated disks in my neck sort of preclude getting whipped around - Dar, shut up!)

Leslie & Patrick

[Eva]

Only a Rudie can come up with that...! :eek: :rolleyes: :D

Eva

[marjan]

I'd planned to fly in on Thursday just to adjust to the time difference and leaving on Wednesday. But at the Amsterdam concert Annette was talking to me that she was interested to come as well!! So we might be traveling together and planning some other stops as well. Keep you posted what I and/or Annette will do

[Irish Beth]

Looking good. I'm getting more excited each day.

[dragonlady]

OK here's what Changling and I have come up with...we'd love to do the eating (and drinking) thing with Dar (and KarenSews2 of course) and Lucille and others, we want to ride the incline and go to see the Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral of Learning.

How's that for specific?

No hotel room for us...we know where we're staying already, right Ben? :D


-di

[RedjackRyan]

Yah.. the motel six :D


bring yer laptops.. Wifi is up and running

[Dar]

OK here's what Changling and I have come up with...we'd love to do the eating (and drinking) thing with Dar (and KarenSews2 of course) and Lucille and others, we want to ride the incline and go to see the Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral of Learning. How's that for specific?
-di

Dian, I see an oyster in your future.... ;)

What's that Nationality Room? It sounds very interesting, count me in for that.

[RedjackRyan]

The nationality rooms can be viewed online here http://www.pitt.edu/~natrooms/

[dragonlady]

More fun to see them in person me thinks RJ....not everything can be done by internet you know....:D

Dar...The Cathedral of learning is this really impressive building in Pittsburgh at one of the Universities (University of Pittsburgh - I think... ) and they have a bunch of classrooms that have been decorated by various nationalities like China, Italy, India etc. Sometimes they even hold classes in the rooms though mostly people just come through and check them out. They have tours or you can wander through on your own. I really like the building and have always wanted to see it up close and go into it.

-di

[RedjackRyan]

Sorry luv, i refuse to interact with anything that doesnt have a Back button.

There's no place like the net.. there's no place like the net.

[lucille]

I see, or more to the point, I don't see a room for Australia, but it sounds like an interesting place to visit. Then I started thinking - what would be uniquely Australian, and apart from things that were invented like the wine cask, or clothes hoist, it would be full of food :D Even an indigenous reference would relate to food, and how they caught or grew it, and cooked it. Seems I do have a one track mind, which relates to the hole under my nose ;)

[Irish Beth]

You should see the rooms at Christmas. Each one is decorated in their traditional ways and it is a true festival of lights and colors. Aside from the Cathederal of Learning's Nationality rooms, which are indeed a part of Pitt, there are other points of interests close by (this is the area of Pittsburgh known as Oakland). Aside from Pitt, CMU is there, Carlow College, Chatham College, Duquesne University to name a few.

The Carnegie museum is across the street from Pitt and has great dinosaur displays. Phipps Conservatory is just up the road - home to beautiful flower and plant displays. The Sara Scaife art museum is there as well.

Sounds like maybe a trip to the Oakland area would be in order. If Randy and Betty are there, Betty can help lead the tour - her years at CMU gave her a good handle on the area and when they were here in March I was impressed with how much she remembered!

[RedjackRyan]

More importantly.. the oakland area has some of Pittsburghs best eateries.. including the pittsburgh landmark, the Dirty O. No you sick little monkeys, its not what you think.. The Original HotDog shop (better known as the dirty O) Home of the Cheese Fry Boat big enough to satisfy the appetite of even Cap'n Redjack.

Just a few blocks away is one of the best Thai places in pittsburgh and thats just around the corner from what i consider to be the best Indian spot.


Lucille, as you can see.. you have company in singlemindedness. :D

[Dar]

Cheese Fries??
Thai Food?
INDIAN??!!

I wonder how many meals I can fit into one weekend............

[sister rose]

INDIAN??!!

:D now you're talking!!

[Oak Kitten]

My husband John and I will be staying at the Oak Noggin B&B, which is about 20 miles from the park. As far as activities are concerned, my preferences:
Walking tour of Pittsburgh
Eating tour of Pittsburgh
Visit museums / art galleries

Walking/Eating tour would be my top picks.

I will be defending my dissertation on Wednesday, 9 August at Temple University in Philadelphia. Assuming I do so successfully, I will be ready to party.

Oak

[Irish Beth]

I'm sure you'll do fine on the 9th! We'lll all be rooting for you!

[diver_boy]

i so cant wait to see these rooms.....ahhh. so fascinating!

[saxman]

im going to try to fly and need a car and a shoffer. 4 star hotel would be ok, 2 nights so far and i need to goi to philly to see my daughter , i still need help finding a flight and room. i could sleep on a floor anywhere and would be ok with it .

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

Alas........ It is with our deepest regrets we won't be able to make the picnic.... I've had this terrible nervous twitch and we have been going back and forth as to picnic or musikfest... finally we reached a final decision to musikfest as it is sooooooo close..... I guess I will need to be keelhauled in effigy this time..... though of course with that comes my personal delight in knowing the entertainment and amusement that Redjack won't have due my absense...:D, Irishbeth let me know who the scroundrel Redjack abuses in my absense... That said however there will be other rudie events that we will make.....

<sigh>

Best to all

R. from Pa

[dragonlady]

It seems the Nationality Rooms are a hit! Yeah! This is a quick 4 day weekend for us Friday to Monday so we're squeezin' in as much Rudie fun as we can!

-di

[Irish Beth]

Randy and Betty,

Sorry you can't make it. But there will be lots of pictures and I'm sure a toast you you both in your absence!

IB

[RedjackRyan]

I'll toast him alright.. let me get a nice bonfire going and we can pretend he's Joan de Arc.

I had an inkling Musikfest was gonna win out, just looking at the lineup of acts.. Have a good time you silly sod, and try not to get into too much trouble.

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

I'll toast him alright.. let me get a nice bonfire going and we can pretend he's Joan de Arc.

I had an inkling Musikfest was gonna win out, just looking at the lineup of acts.. Have a good time you silly sod, and try not to get into too much trouble.

Yes it was a difficult decision for sure bur we are getting a bit overlayden with trips now and as Suz (and maybe Whitney) from NC...and Brother George (from NJ)will be coming up we are kind of buried with committments...

That said however we will be at The Chicago and two Wisconsin concerts and also hope to see Leslie, Redjack & Kathy in the Poconos in June... and Will be going to the SwiftWater in the Poconos concert in October....

Anyone else?

Best to all

R. from Pa

[RedjackRyan]

No worries bud, You've a lot on your plate. You are always welcome to stop by during your travels, you've always a guest pass at Casa De Banks.

[lucille]

Applied for a renewal passport today. There's nothing like leaving things 'til the last minute. ...and they wouldn't give me a discount for being a senior! Someone told me once that I thrive under pressure. STOP the pressure - please.

[Irish Beth]

Just think, once you get here you'll have nothing to do but relax!!

[RedjackRyan]

Relax?? lol I'm putting Lucille to work! I want some aussie BBQ!

[AceOn6]

Relax?? lol I'm putting Lucille to work! I want some aussie BBQ!

I'm tolk that the Aussie shrimp curl in the opposite direction <g>!
I'm getting jealous.

[Irish Beth]

The shrimp don't, but Redjack does!

[RedjackRyan]

I'm not gonna touch that...

[lucille]

Can any of you help Dee and I. We want to travel by train from New York to Pittsburgh to see a bit of the country. We arrive in New York at 1720 on 11th August, and want to travel to Pittsburgh by the 12th. Then we would like to go to Philadelphia (perhaps with Saxman?) to visit an exchange student Dee met whilst she was in Australia.

Is there anything like a Euro Pass, so we could hop on and off at various cities? I reckon she should see Washington and maybe Boston. We leave New York for London on 31st August, so have a bit of time to look around.

We'll need accommodation in Pittsburgh from 12th to at least 15th. How is the group booking thing going. I probably could have enough frequent flyer points for some of the accommodation, and have friends in Philly, and NY to stay with.

[RedjackRyan]

Lucille, Train to pittsburgh aint happening.. Amtrak has nothing coming out of newyork bound for pittsburgh after 1700 hrs. The next trip isn't until morning Aug 12th leaving NYC at 9:55am and arriving in Pittsburgh at 7pm. The picnic will be well over by then, though there will likely be something happening somewhere.


As far as rail passes.. this might be what you are looking for http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Simple_Copy_Page&c=am2Copy&cid=1081442673945&ssid=296

I'll check bus schedules, but I think you'll be driving from NYC to Pittsburgh unless you can catch a ride with someone coming in, maybe Hoops?


**additional
Greyhound might be your only option, bus leaves New York at 11:45pm and arrives a bit after noon on the 12th at the Airport. Theoretically someone should be able to fetch you both from the airport.

[Marcia Drummergal]

Lucille, this country has really (missed the boat) although I should say TRAIN when it comes to riding the rails. We should have state of the art trains and a system that connects all of mainland USA and into Canada. Call it short-sighted on the part of politicians, Amtrak, and even the citizens of this country for being so narrow-minded about it.

I think (if it were me) I would rent a car and get a road atlas. That's if you want to see the country. Otherwise, I would fly from NYC to Pittsburgh.

Marcia :rolleyes:

[diver_boy]

let me tell you something about the train from NYC to Pittsburgh. Sure, it's a nice ride, but it arrives LATE all the time, I used to take that train all the time to connect from Pittsburgh to Detroit when I'd go visit my mom in NJ. AVOID the three rivers train!. I think your best bet is to drive it, or greyhound it. =)

[lucille]

It's the same here with trains. I saw a documentary some time ago about why the train and tram services in US cities died. It was because of the lobbying by Oil, Rubber and Car manufacturers wanting to sell their product. We HAD a great electric rail service in Melbourne, once, but since privatisation, it has deteriorated, and guess what? - the roads have become clogged in spite of freeways and tollways being built. I use the trains and trams all the time.

Anyway we are flying in on 12th. Couldn't get flights on the 11th. Apart from the obvious, what's the attraction in Pittsburgh this weekend? :)

Thanks guys for your input - cya soon.

PS The shrimp (Prawns) curl both ways :D

[RedjackRyan]

Here's a link to whats happening in the burgh the weekend of August 12th.

http://www.post-gazette.com/events/default.asp?mode=1&cm=8&cd=12&cy=2006

[RedjackRyan]

Lucille, this country has really (missed the boat) although I should say TRAIN when it comes to riding the rails. We should have state of the art trains and a system that connects all of mainland USA and into Canada. Call it short-sighted on the part of politicians, Amtrak, and even the citizens of this country for being so narrow-minded about it.

I think (if it were me) I would rent a car and get a road atlas. That's if you want to see the country. Otherwise, I would fly from NYC to Pittsburgh.

Marcia :rolleyes:


I don't think its the fault of the politicians for once, Americans like cars.. We like to be in control, able to duck down that road, or check that out.. Its something in the culture, in my opinion.

[sister rose]

Americans like cars

:o I wonder why.......:rolleyes:

[Marcia Drummergal]

Redjack, I like cars too. But travelling by rail used to be a big thing in this country. I think you'd have to go back a lot of years. But other countries are very successful with it. And we ARE missing the train! Lord knows, there are enough tracks in just about every city!!

Marcia :)

[RedjackRyan]

I guess i'm too much of a young-un.. i only vaguely remember the trains as a transportation alternative.. I can certainly appreciate the allure of train travel, its a more relaxed way of getting to point B.. and theres the whole romantic aspect of it as well..

Remind me when you are here in august, you'd probably appreciate seeing the old train station... its now a fancy schmancy eatery, but they kept the grandeur of the old station intact.. Quite an impressive place. Oh, and the other main station is now luxury condos, not sure if you can get inside that one or not without being a guest of someone..

[Dar]

Hey Redjack,
Looks like we're going to have to add stroopwafels to the menu!
I'm going to bring some from my source and Marjan has promised to bring some from home so we can have a taste test.
How many people did you say we will be feeding??


Lucille, The picnic is August 12!! Are you going to arrive in Pittsburgh in time??

[Dar]

IB,

Just in case I missed a post.....have you had a chance to look into a group rate for us travelers?

[RedjackRyan]

I'll have something today, one way or the other.. on group rates.

[Marcia Drummergal]

I'll have something today, one way or the other.. on group rates.


Thanks Redjack. And thanks Irish Beth as well. I know you are looking into this.....but we all want to stay in the same place. Can't have Rudies scattered about the city. That would be disasterous! ;)

Marcia :)

[RedjackRyan]

Alrighty, I've started the auction process with two lovely hotels near the festivities.. The Country Inn and Suites which really is quite a nice hotel and the Candlewood Suites which has a bit more of that Marriot vibe to it. We're currently in the back and forth phase as each phone call, the rates get better and better. I had hoped to have everything squared away by this time of the day, but i'm going to let em try a little bit longer.. see how low they will go.

Give it a few more hours and we'll have a winner :D

[Dar]

so much for doing this Redjack!! Is the city of Pittsburgh ready for us??

[leslie]

I often wonder if the WORLD is ready for us!

:D

[RedjackRyan]

Pittsburgh will just have to adjust to the ways of the Rudie :)

Ok folks, The Candlewood Suites made the best offer.. I'll be making final arrangements in the next 20 minutes and get the information on contacts-rates-directions posted shortly thereafter.

Feh.. voice mail.. Stay tuned :)

**update

Still playing phone tag with Linda.. she has however assured me of a block of at least 15 rooms for our event. details as soon as we can re-connect with each other.

[Marcia Drummergal]

Thanks Redjack. I'll be waiting with baited breath. Wait...that doesn't sound right! I'll be waiting with thoughts of BBQ breath! ;)

Marcia

[RedjackRyan]

Ok folks.. With news of Janis playing at nearby Seven springs the same day as our planned picnic... I need to know now, for sure. 100% if we're going to have folks in Pittsburgh or not.. I do not want to spend the next two months putting together a picnic for low turnout. Once i put my orders in for food and supplies, i'm in the hole and the deadline for that is fast approaching.

I can live without putting on a huge bbq.. trust me. I just want to be sure before i place orders.

So speak now or risk being lashed to a brass cannon .

[Marcia Drummergal]

I think I can speak for Bat as well as myself. We are still in and looking forward to the BBQ!!!

Marcia :)

[Dar]

Oh no worries Ben, I don't want to miss the big shebang!!

[dragonlady]

RJ,

we'll be there...besides who'd be your galley slaves if we didn't come on Friday? :D

-dragonlady and changeling

[leslie]

Patrick & I will definitely be there. Mickey and Molly have a reservation w/ Aunt Sue (at the kennel) for that weekend.

L

[hoops]

i don't care about food or lodging ( please don't kill me or take away my rudie privilages) I just wanna have fun with all of you. Walking tours and all they include are on my list...if food, museums, ball games, amusment parks happen along while we're walking , i'm cool.
I'm driving, i can sleep in my car.
peace
hoops

[RedjackRyan]

You most certainly will not sleep in your car... nor anyone elses car for that matter..


As to the Galley slaves, ya may have earned the right to an entire ten minutes free of labor!

Thanks folks for putting this pirate's mind at ease..

[diver_boy]

redjack, if i get there early friday or so, i can help you prep. just let me know the word.

Chris

[BeckyVA]

Okay...I'm getting ready to go out of the country for two weeks so I'd better let you know something. Not sure right now if Tony will be able to make the trip with me or not but our choices would be: Reservations for Friday night and Saturday night...possibly Sunday if there is a ballgame on Sunday....our choices of activities besides the picnic would be:

Pirates baseball game
eating tour
walking tour

Not sure if my brother has responded but as far as hotel rooms, if he's still riding with me, which I believe he is, he will need a hotel room the same nights.
Thanks for all your hard work!
Becky:D

[diver_boy]

do we know in total how much each person is to contribute for this picnic? need to budget as i'm not working at the moment...

Chris

[RedjackRyan]

Chris, we're asking for $30 a head for adults $15 for kids under 13. And thanks for offering to help out, much appreciated.

[saxman]

Im planning to be there %99 need Hotel room need food tour need many needs art tour .need Plane ticket ! i can pay for everything i just might need help in planning , i haVE A HARD TIME Planning and always had a sec. now on my own . hope to see everyone at the pic. i would be willing to share hotel room if someone needs and cant afford The rates.i would like to plan for the trip from Calif . Most of the time planning ahead more than 2 days is a chore for me. so thats why i might need help planning so far in the future. Hope someone understands this and has delt with this so you understand . ive lived day to day for so long , Planning past tomorrow is new to me but im willing to try. its worked ok this year so far. im not trying to be funny but honest , its the hardest thing for me to do . plan something with the knowing that there might be a day to look forward to. Please dont laugh unless you feel a need to. but i would like to go to the picnic and i NEED help in the planning process. Thanks

[RedjackRyan]

No worries Mike, I'm sure we can help you coordinate your travel arrangements.

[saxman]

i feel a calm rush over me, i want to be there ! Thanks for understanding.

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

Mike your in good hands with that vile Pirate...

best

R. from Pa

[RedjackRyan]

Mike,

E-mail me your details.. How many are coming to pittsburgh, what airport you'd be leaving from.. How many nights you want to stay..Just shoot me an e-mail, we'll work it out and make sure you get in with plenty of time to unwind over a personalized rack of ribs :) Just you and Me dude and some good tunes on the stereo.

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

Damn... now I'm getting hungry :mad:

[Annette]

I just sent an email to Redjack and Beth if I could be added to the list of the Jan-nic attendees.
I think so, as Redjack emailed me in May.
And I had a phone-call with Marjan, we are planning to come together.
I am looking forward to see you all in August.
Annette.

[Irish Beth]

Consider yourself added to the list!!

[RedjackRyan]

You are good to go Annette. Just waiting to hear from Marjan.

Looking forward to meeting you!