What I think would be even more fun, though, would be to have it on the ferry. We could get on in Bellingham (near Seattle), and ride the ferry together up to Skagway, with fun and hijinks at either end.

I would LOVE this idea except I know there are many Buffistas who are panicking right now at the thought of not being able to LEAVE the F2F for a breather.

Heh. Trapped on a boat!!!

Seattle also has the Science Fiction museum.

You had me at hell... Science Fiction museum. Go, Seattle!

Kat, I'd love somewhere like Santa Fe. I'm for anywhere westcoastish, IOW, west of the Mississippi.

Go Tucson! Choose Tucson!

It has the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Saguaro National Monument(s) (East and West) within city limits, and then there's the Lechuguilla Cave less than two hours picturesque drive away, which would be an option for Buffistas coming early or staying late. Plus cool places to eat and party, reasonable hotels, easy to navigate streets....

I really would like Portland or Seattle, cause this might be F2F I could go to. I'll also point out that both have major Amtrak stations. So with the price of gas, it might be nice to have that alternatives. Of course not always cheaper, pretty certain to get you there much later than scheduled arrival time (as opposed to the extreme reliability of airlines these days - ha!). And you have to cab to the F2F (but you can arrange for people to arrive in groups and share a cab.)

Go Tucson! Choose Tucson!

Maybe too hot for the time period we are thinking of?

t waits for validation from Matt the Bruins Fan

Ahem -- but it's a dry heat! No, seriously!

It isn't until it gets to 100+ that you even feel it and that's because the door handles on the cars get hot enough to notice!

I'm not familiar with Tucson, but if it's anything like Phoenix in July, my answer is not only no, but hells no.

I'm not familiar with Tucson, but if it's anything like Phoenix in July, my answer is not only no, but hells no.

Having lived 8 years half way between Phoenix and Tuscon, I strongly recommend that people who aren't used to triple digit weather plan their vacations to the gorgeous state of Arizona between October and May at the outside. November to April is a better margin of comfort. February and March are when the desert is in bloom, so that's the bestest time. If you would like to know what a "dry heat" feels like, turn your oven on to 250, and sit in front of the open door (don't put your head inside) for a while.

ETA: Tuscon is at a higher elevation than Phoenix, so it may not get quite as hot, but here is a site that explains what temps to expect when: [link]

Tucson would be great in April or May, but nsm July. It regularly gets to be 110+ in July and August. It is a fantastic place, though. If we were thinking earlier and someone could be point person, I would definitely pimp it.

Santa Fe would be great even in the summer (I''ve never been and always wanted to, but weather.com lists average temps here: [link] but do we have someone who could coordinate?