|
Post by Otter on Jul 13, 2021 16:53:19 GMT
Thanks, Tracy, for the work you did on the houses. And thanks, Sandra, for providing the scoop. It is a bummer with all the Covid stuff, especially since you never know what the status is going to be months out. I would agree that a hotel is a safer bet for cancellations. And perhaps a hotel downtown might be a good option for walkable explorations. After a really quick search, there is a particular hotel that appears to have the amenities, except for free breakfast. It's called Little America (yeah, I know). No free breakfast, but the coffee shop has great reviews. And it looks like they have social places for games and such. And a pool. Price ani't bad, either. From what I read, it's close to things to do. Anyhoo, that's one idea. Sandra knows more about the city, so maybe she could suggest a good area.. One thing to be aware of, and that's the shortage of rental cars. Hopefully, things are improving and the rental car companies are able to increase their fleet. That's why a hotel downtown might be a better option. Edit: just took a look at the available rooms... the ones with the good prices are the "motel" rooms. Other ones are around the $200.00 per night.
|
|
|
Post by Bucky on Jul 15, 2021 1:02:19 GMT
Well I have to say is -- good find Kim! I like the look of this place, especially the outdoor area! Lots of space to sit and chat, play games and the outdoor fireplace! Here's the link: Little America
I plugged in some dates and the king rooms start about $116, and $177 for two queens with AAA/AARP. I believe these rates are for the motel rooms and garden rooms. I imagine the tower rooms are a wee bit more expensive. However, it has two pools and is close to sites downtown and 5 miles from the airport. It's insane how the rental car rates have gone up but it is what it is. I would definitely go in on a rental car is folks want to divvy the cost. And we could always rely on ubers. SLC does have Transit - rail and buses.
|
|
mmt
Lieutenant
Avatar thanks to the talents of Sundowner
Posts: 229
|
Post by mmt on Jul 18, 2021 0:44:06 GMT
Things are easing slightly for travelling Canadians. We’re still advised against ‘non-essential’ travel but at least the 14 day quarantine for returning fully vaccinated Canadians has been lifted. We are, however, required to have a negative Covid test done within 72 hours of departure from Canada as well as another negative test done within 72 hours of returning home. Our government has approved the use of different vaccines for the 2 doses, e.g Pfizer for the first and Moderna for the second, or AstraZeneca for the first and Pfizer for the second, but this hasn’t necessarily been approved by other countries so this may cause problems at borders. It looks like Utah does not require a quarantine period for arriving visitors otherwise a 5 day visit might turn into 2 weeks.
It’s not easy travelling between some provinces yet, never mind internationally. I did some preliminary flight checking trying alternate routes and, while it’s not quite a ‘you can’t get there from here’ scenario, there currently doesn’t appear to be a route taking less than 12 hours and 3 flights.
Restaurants and pubs have now opened for inside dining and I’ve heard that people are lining up. Grocery stores have removed the arrows on floors we’ve become accustomed to directing one way traffic … yay!
|
|
|
Post by Bucky on Jul 19, 2021 13:59:07 GMT
At least you can travel now but albeit with strings attached still. And 12 hours is a hell-of-a long trip though. Am assuming you have to fly to a major hub to fly out of Canada (like I did for Quebec). I do hope that you still would consider coming with all those issues?!!!
In the meantime, I am hopefully going to Zoom with my nephew and niece-in-law soon, as they lived in SLC for years (now in NY) and could let us know about hidden gems of things to do.
If we'd like to get another Zoom chat going, let's get a date nailed down. I am at the beach this week (yeah!) so this Saturday is out, but will be available any other Saturday until the weekend of August 20th.
|
|
|
Post by Ensign Sandra on Jul 21, 2021 0:19:30 GMT
It looks like Utah does not require a quarantine period for arriving visitors otherwise a 5 day visit might turn into 2 weeks. We're completely backwards here, with "suggestions", but no actual regulations. About 40% of the adult population is fully vaxxed. Delta variant cases are on the upward trend; nearly everybody who has been hospitalized for it was not vaccinated. Little America would definitely be my choice of places to stay in SLC, hotel-wise. The Peery hotel is a great historical venue, but way out of our price range. It's super-easy to get around town on Traxx, the light rail system, if everybody's feeling okay about public transport. Park City and roaming around the mountains and canyons will require other arrangements. My car seats 4 comfortably, 5 if the backseat riders don't mind cramming in (there are seatbelts for 5). Rental cars really are absurd right now. I wish they'd allow us to rent vehicles from university motor pool for personal use by paying for it ourselves instead of through our department, but they don't. I can certainly do airport runs from the hotel. Another option we could explore is a driver and vehicle through City Creek Limousine, who offer special rates for Little America guests. If we're interested, I can call and get rates. We wouldn't need it every day, I don't think, but could definitely be an option for PC. So far we're looking at Bucky, Maggie, mmt, the Otters, Pamski, and me, right? I'm off with the fam in New England this weekend and next, but available any other Saturday--and could do a short call on the 31st if really need be.
|
|
|
Post by Otter on Jul 21, 2021 17:17:50 GMT
Oh Sandra, have a fantastic time back east! Concerning transportation, our group has fared pretty well using the various types of public transit. Having said that, Nige and I were thinking about driving out. Either of our vehicles seat five. And I just have to mention this for old time's sake... did anybody else watch the Blue Origin launch? Made me wish I was watching it with our group. Oh the commentary!
|
|
|
Post by Bucky on Jul 28, 2021 1:49:53 GMT
Back from the beach. I forgot I have a car appointment this Saturday so I hesitate to schedule anything, as I have no idea how long it'll take since it's their busiest day but I am available any Saturday except the last weekend (I thought we were doing Disney the prior weekend but I got the dates wrong).
Let's try for a chat next Saturday of August 8th? We're already close to the beginning of August, can you believe it? Let me know your availability and I'll get the Zoom set up!
|
|
mmt
Lieutenant
Avatar thanks to the talents of Sundowner
Posts: 229
|
Post by mmt on Jul 28, 2021 23:57:04 GMT
Saturday August 8 should be fine for me…4 pm ? Thanks for organizing again, Bucky.
|
|
|
Post by Bucky on Jul 29, 2021 13:18:30 GMT
Got the date wrong - apologies. The 8th is a Sunday. Talking about August 7th. Taking into account our west coast peeps, does 1:00 PM EST (10:00 AM PST) work, or would a later start work better, say 4:00 PM EST (1:00 PM PST)? Once we get the time down I'll book the Zoom room.
|
|
|
Post by QueueMistressMags on Jul 30, 2021 2:40:36 GMT
Saturday the 7th works for me, and 1:00 Eastern is better (or even 2:00... Leaves me some time to go to the pool if the weather is nice).
|
|
|
Post by pamski01 on Jul 31, 2021 23:25:46 GMT
The 7th should be good for me hopefully. I may be in NJ, but Should be sble to do meeting, unless we’re having a family celebration. Plans pretty loose right now.
|
|
|
Post by Bucky on Aug 1, 2021 1:55:34 GMT
I arranged it for 2:00 PM on August 7th. I take a yin yoga class until 1:30 so I would like to keep that class on my schedule.
The Zoom room info is 816 6407 2913. PW is the usual. PM me if you need it!
|
|
|
Post by pamski01 on Aug 1, 2021 11:04:09 GMT
Hi! Just ‘unvoted’ Sept 29-Oct 3 for me. Might be able to go then if needed, But took it off. Looks like the Oct dates may be the only ones I can go now.
|
|
mmt
Lieutenant
Avatar thanks to the talents of Sundowner
Posts: 229
|
Post by mmt on Aug 2, 2021 3:30:01 GMT
I arranged it for 2:00 PM on August 7th. I take a yin yoga class until 1:30 so I would like to keep that class on my schedule. The Zoom room info is 816 6407 2913. PW is the usual. PM me if you need it! Time and (new) date noted.
|
|
|
Post by QueueMistressMags on Aug 8, 2021 1:38:24 GMT
|
|