Nilly! (pouncing) The drive between LA and SF - in which you get to see the heart of a very, very large state, I think the third largest in the country - runs between five and seven hours, depending how many stops you take, and which road. Highway 101 is more scenic, certainly, goes through mountains and greenery, and runs up near the coast for the southern part of the ride. Highway 5 is much flatter (once you get over the Grapevine, heading north out of LA) and less scenic, but is much faster. ND's truck is extremely comfortable, so you'll have a very fun ride and see more of California than most Californians ever seem to, in the process.

Anyone have any suggestions for where I should catch up with the Nilly Grand Tour? My schedule is pretty flexible.

I missed this earlier. Ginger, we'd love to have you. But LA rocks, too.

I don't know what's being planned for LA, but I'm operating on the "let's have one big thing in one place with Nilly at the centre of it" principle, in order to maximise Nilly's see-ability for the greatest number of people.

Depending on traffic, Boston to NYC usually takes less than 4.5 hours by car. I once made it from my house in Somerville (just outside Boston) to Park Slope in Brooklyn in 3.5 hours (and then locked my keys in the car, but that's another story). There are comfortable trains that will take you between Boston, NYC and DC, but I'm sure there will be Buffistas happy to transport you.

[edited to note that I would be one of those happy Buffistas]

Splitting the time seems like a good plan, and will give everyone who wants to a chance to see you.

(It is still so cute that you think you might be a burden, by the way.)

This seems like a good idea. How long is the drive between LA and SF?

About 6 hours, unless you run into traffic or weather problems.

Hee! Crossposted with Lee.

Nilly, I took the train up from DC to NY after this most recent F2F. It was a nice comfortable ride, at least in our car.

How long is a drive between Boston and NYC? And DC? How long a flight? Is there a train? Is there any recommended means of transportation, of all of these?

Boston - NYC (or vice versa) is about 4 hours driving, and thus 4 hours by express bus (which can be gotten for as low as $20, on the Chinatown lines).

It is rather shorter by Acela train (I think 2 hours?), which is fast but expensive (about $100, last I checked).

(If Kristin wants to drive some, it would also be easy to put Nilly on Metro-North -- commuter train --, have her get off at New Haven, and have Kristin drive the rest of the way to Boston. The possibilities are endless.)

There are 50-minute flights, La Guardia (NY) airport to Logan (Boston), which are probably even cheap, but it's the getting to and from airports and the waiting in security that can be kind of a pain. Both train and bus drop you directly in the city (you have some choice as to where in the city).

New York has the kind of underground public transit that requires care (and a free map), but can get you practically anywhere for $2. Boston has a smaller public transit system, but by virtue of being smaller it is less confusing and is $1.25 per ride.

Right now it seems like I'll be in NYC on the Saturday of the 28th

Ooh. That theoretically works for me. Hypothetically.

Insent, Nilly. Please don't think of yourself as a burden. You'll have keys and can come and go as you please, I'm just offering a Nilly homebase for you to keep your things, rest your head, and fill your belly on breakfast before lots of shopping and sightseeing with LAistas.

Tis no burden, it's a pleasure.

Nilly, what Allyson said. Surely you don't think people would be lining up for the chance to meet you if you were a burden?

I don't know how Nilly imagines she can be a burden. If I lived somewhere with more Buffistas, I'd be vying to be able to put up a "Nilly slept here" sign on my guest room.

Nilly, there is no burden in having you as a guest. Believe me, it'll be a thrill.

ION,

Re: Kansas City

I asked them a simple question and TOLD them I was just trying to get general numbers and now I am getting proposals left and right. Sighh.... (Erin, I'm not trying to step on your toes with this though I'd be happy to help) This one looks promising:

[link]

GROUP RATES:

We can extend the following group rates for your group based upon our understanding of your room needs.

Standard Guestroom $79.00 Suite $109.00

The above rates are subject to local and state taxes. Currently the city and state sales taxes are 14.875%. Room rate quotations are based on a per room, per night basis.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:

The DoubleTree Hotel Kansas City will be happy to provide the following for your group:

· One (1) complimentary room for every fifty (50) paid rooms actualized
· One (1) complimentary suite 5/20-22/05
· Complimentary Hospitality Suite
· Our famous DoubleTree Cookies at Check-in