Nilly, I just rode the Boston-NYC-Washington Amtrak train about a month ago. It was nice and scenic, but cost $111 ($30 more than advertised) and the dining car wouldn't accept plastic, hence a very hungry and grumpy me by journey's end. The Acela express would be faster and more expensive, flying faster still and less expensive. But I think driving with fellow Buffistas would minimize cost and maximize enjoyment during transit.

Hey. Just got back, and got a lot more information. So much in fact that I'm going to organize it all before I post it.

- Side note- anyone who would be driving down and find themselves at the 49/10 junction, I'd like to suggest a side trip to Prejean's. I had the yummiest alligator, frog legs and seafood gumbo ever Saturday night and would love to share.

Nilly, you may already realize this, but I've had the experience before of bringing people from places like Israel to my lab, and the States, she is very, very big, which sometimes people know but don't really take into account on travel times.

LA to San Fran is about 400 miles and a four hour drive depending on time and day you leave.

It can be a really gorgeous drive down the coast or through the mountains (your ears will pop!).

A plane trip from LA to New York is five hours (you're in the jet stream that way) and six the other way.

I've driven from Boston to New York, but can't remember how long it took, maybe four hours on the Mass Pike? It felt like days.

If you'd like to do Disney, or go on a movie studio tour, those are things we can sort of do on the fly, so no worries about overscheduling.

Well, maybe not Disney. Lee can do Disney with you. I'm a Disney-hater. Too. Much. Sun.

I really want to take you to Mann's Chinese for a movie.

LA to San Fran is about 400 miles and a four hour drive depending on time and day you leave.

If you go 100 mph, I guess. I'd budget more like 6 hours (though you can do it in 5 and a half depending on where in LA you're leaving from, and when you leave).

If you go 100 mph, I guess.

There's that.

subbed here for Nilly.

Nilly, that schedule works with my schedule for being back home in NYC. You are still welcome to crash at my place for any part of the East Coast stay as needed. The extra set of keys is waiting for you.

Very excited this is becoming real.

Surely you don't think people would be lining up for the chance to meet you if you were a burden?

See, that's the flaw in the logic, right there. I still can't wrap my mind around the concept that you wonderful people are actually that interested in meeting me. I mean, I know me her, and, yeah, she's nice and all, but I know much nicer people in face-space, that I'd choose to spend time with long before I'd choose to with me, had it not been the, well, the me that I have to carry around everywhere, even when we I want to be alone.

I stopped making sense a few lines ago, haven't I? I'm just so grateful to get the opportunity to know you, is all.

From what you wrote, it seems like it's 6 hours, LA to SF, and a little less for Boston to NYC, and driving seemed to be what most of you recommended. Which is actually the best option, now that I think about it, because it means maximizing the time I may get to spend with various Buffistas.

Allyson, back sent.

[Edit: x-post with msbelle. How lovely are you people? I feel like I'm the luckiest person in the world.]

Sheryl, when are you leaving for your honeymoon?

Hee. Poor Nilly has had one question (the LA to SF drive) answered 4 different times, and three different ways.

Nilly, what Allyson said about you not being a burden. (though I still think it's cute.) I am going to try to get some time off of work, but I can't promise how much, so you will have my keys as well.

The one thing I would love is to arrange a Firefly viewing with Allyson, Kristen, Tim, Nilly, me, and anyone else who can make it. (eta: I know the Tim part especially may be a pipe dream, but a girl has to try, right?)

I will offer up my tv, dvds, and living room, unless anyone else has a better idea/space.

I'm a Disney-hater. Too. Much. Sun.

the sun? that's your issue? Not the enforced cheeriness, or the millions of crying and puking children, or the long lines, or the annoying characters, or THE MOUSE? I thanked Joss that the little cousins decided that they were too old for Disney when we were in Orlando. I. Hate. The. Mouse.

I. Hate. The. Mouse.

Ditto. Ewwww. Of course, I don't do theme parks or amusement parks anyway, unless you count the entire city of Las Vegas as one.