Right in my backyard, and I'm gonna be in Germany by then! Rats! Ken, you gonna be able to attend? You're closer than I am!
My reason for asking is this will be the very first GNRHS convention for me... and I have no idea what to expect. And my wife being a mid-west girl, has never seen the Rockies up close and personal... this will be a first for her. Anway, I thought to query here in hopes there were lots more GN people around that might be headed that way. And ... MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and A HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR...:tb-smile:
I guess I should have clarified my interest... Yes, I was an early sign-up (#106) for this particular convention as it will be in East Glacier at the Great Northern Lodge. It is indeed "Sold Out" about 10 months after being announced on the GNRHS website. There was so much interest however, that 'overflow' lodging was reserved at Izaak Walton Lodge in Essex. And my wife and I are traveling from Chicago to East Glacier aboard AMTRAK's EMPIRE BUILDER. However, we are doing a bit more than that... after the convention we are continuing west to Portland, Oregon. After a 5 day stay visiting family/friends we will be returning to Chicago but leaving from Seattle aboard the EB. This way my wife gets to see the Columbia Gorge and the Cascades all in one trip. Anyway... as I stated earlier this is my first time at any historical society convention as well as my wife's first time seeing the Western USA. I just thought there were more GN enthusiasts around here and that some might be headed to this Convention; hence my query. Thanks for the replies... :tb-cool:
I know there are more GN fans here. As with so many Lists and Groups, a large percentage of members simply lurk, most never doing any posting. When you leave Seattle, be certain you sit on the left side of the car. So your wife can enjoy the views of Puget Sound up to Everett. Boxcab E50
I could not go. I am a GNRHS member and I was amazed at how fast this convention sold out! GNFA310, on your return trip from Seattle, if you are on time, you should pass my house at Ephrata around 9:45 pm. I am 49 miles from Wenatchee at milepost 1601. I'll be on the right side of your train. I'll not likely be up at that time, due to having to work very early the next morning. Hope you have a great trip.
Look on the GNRHS website, GNRHS.org, that will give you an idea of the agenda. I used to be a member of the GNRHS, and I went to 3 of their conventions. They were always really cool. You get to go to a lot of places you would not ordinarily be allowed to go if you were on your own. One of the best places I remember visiting at the 2002 convention in Havre, Montana, which is about 200 miles east of East Glacier, was the BNSF locomotive shop. The railroad let us tour the shop and look inside some of the diesels that were in for repair. You will learn a lot about the GN, and its successors. Usually, there are railfan trips and visits to model railroads, and lectures about the GN and its successors, and there is a banquet on the last night. Plus, there is a Rail Fair, which is a great place to find some ways to separate you from your money, people sell all kinds of railroad related items there. I'm no longer a member of the GNRHS, but I will be in East Glacier during that time, working at Glacier Park Lodge, so perhaps, we can meet. I should warn you: East Glacier is a small town, not a lot to do, even in the summer. But you MUST visit Glacier National Park-the GNRHS will probably take people into the Park on a red jammer bus, and hopefully, if you ride a red jammer, Martin Rogers will be your driver. He's been working at the park as a bus driver for at least three years, and he is very knowledgeable about the GN and railroads in general. My name is Donna, by the way, but you can call me Ladybngnfan. Enjoy the convention.
