TRIP ROUTE 2013 !!!

[Nathan]

Just trying it out...to see if I like it!!   You know like a test drive.

[Russ]

Trying it out huh?  How has the trial period gone so far?  Is your test drive proving enjoyable?

[Nathan]

Okay, I guess I can't keep a secret from you guys!   I have not had the test drive just yet! Damned mother nature!!

I am now part of the Victory family.  I will taking a 2012 Victory Hardball on our journey this year.

Later,

Nate Dogg

[Russ]

No way?  Congratulations!

Is the Buell still part of the fleet?

[Russ]

Getting back to the trip planning, I modified Nate's route a little. 

I wouldn't mind checking out northern ND, but people have suggested to avoid that area because of the oil drilling going on there.

This route takes us further south in Montana through some curvy areas and then hooks us up to I-94 on the way home for those speed lovin mile eaters in our group.

Watch yall think?

Friday, July 5.  Alexandria MN to Winnipeg MB.  345 miles.
Saturday, July 6.  Winnipeg MB to Saskatoon SK.  466 miles.
Sunday, July 7.  Saskatoon SK to Edmonton AL.  322 miles.
Monday, July 8.  Edmonton AL to Jasper AL.  217 miles.
Tuesday, July 9.  Jasper AL to Banff AL.  179 miles.
Wednesday, July 10.  Banff AL to Kalispel MT.  369 miles.
Thursday, July 11.  Kalispel MT to Billings MT.  427 miles.
Friday, July 12.  Billings MT to Bismarck SD.  415 miles.
Saturday July 13.  Bismarck SD to Alexandria MN.  300 miles.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Alexandria,+MN+56308&daddr=Trans-Canada+Hwy+to:Preston+Ave+N+to:AB-16+to:Trans-Canada+Hwy%2FYellowhead+Highway+W+to:AB-1+E+to:48.818118,-115.290509+to:48.2244145,-114.3305623+to:E+Idaho+St+to:46.0516185,-110.6924486+to:I-90+E+to:N+9th+St+to:Alexandria,+MN&hl=en&ll=44.766237,-110.994873&spn=3.22925,8.453979&sll=46.777493,-101.162109&sspn=6.230109,16.907959&geocode=FZAlvAId_qZQ-ikdi6XQwgzKUjHdJ82uclOjkw%3BFUY2-QIdSLYv-g%3BFXF-GwMdPBGl-Q%3BFfR3MQMdjNc5-Q%3BFYjpJgMdHlf2-A%3BFXQNDQMdDksc-Q%3BFcbn6AIdc84g-SkzJy1AtzdkUzGngglBv_4vCQ%3BFZ7Y3wIdPnQv-SkXFwAcclpmUzHKL9jJDzdOUw%3BFW6F3wId78cv-Q%3BFSKxvgIdoPdm-SnD-xc8gAdFUzHIpt1UDdqJ1Q%3BFfpMugIdeZmI-Q%3BFeNNygIdeT7--Q%3BFZAlvAId_qZQ-ikdi6XQwgzKUjHdJ82uclOjkw&oq=Alex&mra=dme&mrsp=11&sz=7&via=6,7,9&t=m&z=8

[Nathan]

I am okay with the route. I agree that the northern part of North Dakota is a little congested these days with the oil fields....but that is also something new to see for some people. I have been up through there a couple years back and would be curious how much has changed since then. Plus my company has done some plans for new buildings out there so I would be up for driving through that area if anyone would like to....

On another note to respond to your earlier question....sadly the Buell is no longer part of my stable.

[Russ]

Its not that I am opposed to going north at all.   The 94 route certainly isn't all that interesting.  How about this northern route:

Friday, July 5.  Alexandria MN to Winnipeg MB.  345 miles.
Saturday, July 6.  Winnipeg MB to Saskatoon SK.  466 miles.
Sunday, July 7.  Saskatoon SK to Edmonton AL.  322 miles.
Monday, July 8.  Edmonton AL to Jasper AL.  217 miles.
Tuesday, July 9.  Jasper AL to Banff AL.  179 miles.
Wednesday, July 10.  Banff AL to Kalispel MT.  369 miles.
Thursday, July 11.  Kalispel MT to Glasgow MT.  418 miles.
Friday, July 12.  Glasgow MT to Devils Lake ND.  391 miles.
Saturday July 13.  Devils Lake ND to Alexandria MN.  273 miles.

[Nathan]

Sorry for the delay!! Yes, I like it.  That is why I didn't reply sooner, but then I thought you should probably be informed of my thoughts.

So there you have it....my thoughts.

Later,

Nate Dogg

[Russ]

Good deal.  Maybe thats what the rest is thinking too, they like it?

I suppose we could start looking for places to stay.  Lets post some links to some hotels in the towns we will be staying in.

It seems to work out well if one person can put all of the hotels on their card, then divide it up at the end.  I can do that, or if anyone else would like to, thats fine too.

I'll start.  Do we want to stay at Canad Inns Polo Park in Winnipeg again?
http://www.canadinns.com/stay/stay-main.php?entry_id=8569

[Nathan]

The Canad Inn works for me.

However I will be a Platinum Member of the Priority Club (IHG-Holiday Inn's, Holiday Inn Express's, etc.) this year.  Plus I will have a few rewards nights available so...with that I can reserve rooms with a flexible rate, pay upon check-out, which requires no money up front or
I can reserve them for the pre-paid rate, which requires immediate payment but gives a little better rate.

Sooo I suggest maybe we both look for hotels and see what each other comes up with and then choose what we like based on cost, location, style, etc.

What do you think?

Let me know.

Later,

Nate Dogg

[Russ]

That sounds like a great idea.  I will see what I can find.  Lets meet back here with some links and compare.

Later...

Russ

[Russ]

Canad Inns Polo Park.  We've been here before because it is nice and close to the Yacht Club:
http://www.canadinns.com/

$189 for 4 people.

OR

Since we have seen the Yacht Club already, I was thinking of checking out Alive in the District. http://www.aliveinthedistrict.com/
This hotel is in walking distance:
http://www.fairmont.com
And cheaper $169

Check out this one too.  Close to the district.  It looks cool, but I cant tell if it is mandatory to have an extended stay or not?
http://www.premieresuites.com

[Nathan]

I am up for trying something new...so I would be okay with the AITD or TYC.

I also like either hotel, and I have an inquiry into the Ashdown Warehouse Lofts by Premiere Suites. (This one is specific to short-term stays, but they are basically apartments.)

Depending on the Yacht Club or the Alive In The District locations I have these hotels:

http://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/winnipeg/ywgwi/hoteldetail

$167 for 4 people

http://www.hiwinnipegdowntown.com/

$150 for 4 people

I will post the other locations sometime yet today.

[Nathan]

Saskatoon, SK, Canada: (evening of July 6th)
Holiday inn Express & Suites - $183/night (4 persons)
http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/saskatoon/yxeca/hoteldetail

Edmonton, AL, Canada: (evening of July 7th)
Holiday Inn & Suites - $180/night (4 persons)
http://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/west-edmonton/yegwe/hoteldetail

Jasper, AB, Canada: (evening of July 8th)
Tonquin Inn - $260/night (4 persons)
http://www.tonquininn.com/

Banff, AB, Canada: (evening of July 9th)
Banff Ptarmigan Inn - $288/night (4 persons)
http://www.bestofbanff.com/banff-ptarmigan-inn/

or

Fox Hotel & Suites - $399/night (4 persons)
http://www.bestofbanff.com/fox-hotel-suites/

Kalispell, MT, USA: (evening of July 10th)
Holiday Inn Express & Suites - $244/night (4 persons)
http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/kalispell/fcamt/hoteldetail

Glasgow, MT, USA: (evening of July 11th)
Cottonwood Inn & Suites - $106/night (4 persons) ....but I just checked and they now have no availability. (It most be too close to the oil fields.) We may need to think of something else. Not a lot of decent hotels at Glasgow.
http://www.cottonwoodinn.net/

Devils Lake, ND, USA: (evening of July 12th)
Holiday Inn Express - $131+ taxes/night (4 persons) ....but I just checked and they now have no availability. Again, we may need to think of something else.
http://www.hiexpress.com/hotels/us/en/devils-lake/dvlnd/hoteldetail

[Russ]

Saskatoon - Looks good.
Edmonton -  Looks good
Jasper - Looks good
Banff - Fox was where we ate at Chillis, right?  That is expensive, but divide it up 4 ways... I say go for it.  How about you others?
Kalispell - HIE is good, but remember staying at the La Quinta?  Double queen is $189, so we could save some money for splurging in Banff.  What do you think?
http://www.lq.com/lq/properties/propertyProfile.do?ident=LQ448&propId=448
Glasgow - Not many options here.  I did find a place near by: Fort Peck Hotel.  No website, so we may have to call.  Or there is Malta, which is about 70 miles before Glasgow: http://www.motelmalta.com/
Devils Lake - Not many good options here either.  HIE looks nice, but if its booked, that takes care of that.  Should we continue on another 90 miles to Grand Forks?  I imagine there would be some good hotels there.