Who's going to the Hurricanes @ Capitals game in DC 1-27?

[G-Vegas Caniac]

I know we had a thread about this in the past but couldn't really find it...I know people said they were going to go a while back, but who is "offically" going now that we are getting closer?? One of my friends at work has a family member that works with the Caps and he scored us some good seats for the game. Hope to see some LGC members at the game! :D

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Me and Mr SHC will be there!

[nccanes]

I'm not going :(, (too much painting that needs completing), but for the sake of the thread, it appears the Canes Booster Club has a trip planned. Don't know how many people that amounts to, tho.

[car3hur]

I know we had a thread about this in the past but couldn't really find it...I know people said they were going to go a while back, but who is "offically" going now that we are getting closer?? One of my friends at work has a family member that works with the Caps and he scored us some good seats for the game. Hope to see some LGC members at the game! :D

Me and the Misses were going to head up there, as she has family in that area, but the lowest price tickets available were $75 bucks.... :yuck:

[G-Vegas Caniac]

Yeah I forgot to note in my orginal post that I got FREE tickets..I probably wouldn't be going if I had to pay 75 dollars a ticket..:sick:

[VandyCane]

I really want to go since we will already be in DC for a family getaway. I don't think I can spend an additional $300 on tickets though. :( If your friend has extras send some my way! :lol: :laugh:

[nccanes]

There are $22 seats available via Ticketmaster.

[SoCalcaniac]

We'll be there as well, although we paid $70 a piece for the $95 seats as it is Federal Employee Night at the Verizon center and when I emailed the Caps about tickets and mentioned the promo, the rep gave it to us.

I realize their prices are similar for the most part- but it sure does seem more expensive to watch a game in DC, and I get it that it's the big city/Metro area, I'm thinking I've been away from socal for too long because I'm scoffing at prices. :lol: (I'm scoffing but spent 80 bucks a piece(Canadian) in 2003 for Leafs/Canes tickets and was happy to do it lol) But seriously, they have upper level tickets that are $50 and their upper level is steep and not nearly as sight friendly as our building. I guess I need to be glad (for now) that we took advantage of the lock in/lockout deal, and our tickets don't cost us much.

It just seems to me that the Caps should think about pricing alternatives to get the people in- since they're not drawing alot of people right now. Ok, griping... sorry.

See everyone who is going on Saturday- I hope the Booster Club has lots of people going, it'll be neat to see a presence in an away venue.

[SC06]

Due to a lack of interest, the Booster Club trip to DC got cancelled, as did their planned trip to Atlanta in March.

Stacy

[Bonbonsgrrl]

Due to a lack of interest, the Booster Club trip to DC got cancelled, as did their planned trip to Atlanta in March.

Stacy

dang that sucks. The Atlanta game in March is a Sunday game and that's the first game of my two for Spring Break. I think its on the 4th?? and its a 12:30 game. I SAY...so me and my friend won't be lonely those of you on LGC that can/want to go........lets do that. I've even got my sign that i'm gonna make with my signature cross something out i guess....Welcome to BlueLand (Cross that mess out) CANES COUNTRY

[SC06]

We are planning to make that game on the 4th. I am sure somebody will have a thread on that when it gets closer. We should try and meet up there.

Stacy

[nccanes]

Due to a lack of interest, the Booster Club trip to DC got cancelled, as did their planned trip to Atlanta in March.

Stacy


That's too bad.

Apparently (as we discussed when it was mentioned in a different thread) the cost was a bit high?

I really think a well advertised "up and back" game to DC would get a lot of people's interest. The Caps Road Crew (who will be here on the 26th) is doing that for $91 including LL seats. That's a FAR CRY from the $265 (per person) they were offering with a night's lodging.

[SoCalcaniac]

^^ Yes, that cost must have put off alot of people- I think a very well advertised up and back roadie would be pretty popular. Especially a bus ride, where people don't have to worry about driving and all that.

BTW, is anyone on here in the booster club? how do they go about advertising for these 'road trips'? or is it really just geared to the booster club and their efforts? Just trying to understand how that works.....

Oh, and B-girl, the sign idea is hilarious. We'll be at the ATL game on 2/24. I may have to convince hub we need to go again on 3/4. ;)

[RangersCanesFan]

Not sure what the Booster Club was looking at, or whatever, but you can find a hotel in Crystal City (Arlington) for $89-$109, and tickets for $22. You'd think as well, that the Booster Club could have gotten some discount rate from a hotel if they could have gotten a block of rooms.

Granted, you'd have to drive up there, then take the Metro to the Verizon Center, but it's nowhere near the $265 for a bus ride + hotel.

Wife and I are going to the 3/4 game in Atlanta. Got the tickets in the mail on Saturday.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

If you have a damn bus, just do an up and back. That's totally stupid to stay in a hotel too. I couldn't do that driving but, with a bus I'd be all over it.

Maybe us LGCers should start our own road crew.

[SoCalcaniac]

Maybe us LGCers should start our own road crew.

QFT. I couldn't agree more.

If there is a bus, it should be a there and back- the only time you'd want to do an overnight is when you're doing say a couple cities, or multiple games. And there are all kinds of bus companies out there who will negotiate a deal.

Let's do it! (maybe for the 3/4 game in ATL?)

[nccanes]

I know in the past, the folks that organize the CRC have said they'd share their knowledge on how to put these things together. If someone was so inclined to do so.....

The 3/4 game might not be a good prospect due to the early start time (wouldn't you have to leave by 5am?).

But I definitely like the idea of trying to get something more organized started...

[Bonbonsgrrl]

I know in the past, the folks that organize the CRC have said they'd share their knowledge on how to put these things together. If someone was so inclined to do so.....

The 3/4 game might not be a good prospect due to the early start time (wouldn't you have to leave by 5am?).

But I definitely like the idea of trying to get something more organized started...

me and my friend would do the 3/4 game...less driving for us..PLUS you can nap on the way up there and back.....i'd do it!!!
LETS DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!

[SoCalcaniac]

I'll volunteer to help organize something. We could really get a group together if we give plenty of notice and all that; & yep, I think the 3/4 game may be a tough one due to the early start- but we can look at the sched and pick another day. (Sorry b-girl)

Oh, and JWill & Staal look real nice in their ASG jerseys- (the EC just took the ice)

[hyena]

the up-and-back bus thing is a great idea.

[SoCalcaniac]

Ok it's settled then. But here's the problem- we don't have a heck of alot of 'away' games left. and the one's we do are more like airplane trips- I can circle the 2/27 Saturday game in ATL, or the Friday, 3/9 game in DC. Everything else is out of range.

So who would be interested in 2/27 or 3/9?

[Bonbonsgrrl]

3/9 would be good cause i'll still be on spring break........and can do whatever..plus its a 7 pm start time correct? sounds good to me SoCal

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Um....2/27....am I crazy or is that a Tuesday? And a home game? :beatup:

The 3/9 game might work for me.

That's DC.....we could always fall back on the LGC train trip, too. Not sure how that would compare in terms of price to a bus. Also not sure how tight money is about to become for me with this buying a house business so my opinion may not matter, lol.

[CaniacKikiBB13]

^ Yup, it is. Maybe she meant the game on 2/24 instead of the one on 2/27?

I think the 2/24 game would probably be better for me since it's on a Saturday. 3/9 might work, it all just depends on school and what time we'd plan to leave...

[brindyfan]

I would definitely be interested--especially in a up & back bus trip....might have a few others interested once a date & game are set.

[Bonbonsgrrl]

if we are serious about this i think maybe within the rest of the month we should get a quotient on how many people are going and we can request a quota from some bus charters......http://www.uscoachways.com/ is one of the few i just found

[CANESFREAKinDET]

Wish I could go...hehe. But to anyone that IS going, have tons of fun! :D

[puck_it]

^^huh? waht are we dividing? im lost :(

[HF]

*cough*estimate*cough*
And you're probably after a quote.
Kinda wondering if you had an Algebra exam recently and are fixating perhaps :lol:

[puck_it]

I <3 algebra

[SoCalcaniac]

^ Yup, it is. Maybe she meant the game on 2/24 instead of the one on 2/27?



Yeah, I meant 2/24. LOL. As you can see I was loopy last night, had to rethink everything. I'm gonna get the wheels in motion here and see what kinds of costs we're talking about and then I'll post what I find out and gauge interest.

[Jay]

I'd be possibly interested, once the details are set.

[hyena]

darn. i've already made plans for the 2/24 game and i'll be out of town on 3/9. if you were doing 3/4 i could do it -- the early time is nothing to me. you guys have fun -- i hope you can work it out!!

[LostTexan]

I'm planning on attending the Washington game on 3/9 and although I wouldn't be traveling with the group if we were going to be getting a block of tickets I would probably be interested in being a part of the group.

[KaniacFever]

I'd be possibly interested, once the details are set.


Samehere.

[SC06]

Me too!

[hyena]

if 2/24 is still an option, i'd be in for that. my other plans for that trip just fell through.

[ontheboards]

The game that picqued my interest was the one in Minnesota against the Wild in Feb-- the last game of the western conference road swing. The Xcel Center in St. Paul is terrific and I was contemplating seeing snow and doing some shopping in Minnesota-- Mall of America, indoor amusement park, no sales tax on food or clothing-- alas, my free room and board (brother) moved to Aspen, CO...

[Bonbonsgrrl]

i don't want to sound 'rushy' but is there any possible way to figure out if the 3/9 game is the game for us by the end of the month and are we gonna try and do a big group package and how much and how much each for the bus etc....my friend and I were gonna buy our Atlanta package (tickets/hotel) and were gonna see how much is in our budget with this game w/ you guys our #1 priority.

[nccanes]

Okay folks - those of you going to DC this weekend be forewarned

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/24/AR2007012401957.html

Tens of thousands of peace advocates from across the country are expected in Washington on Saturday for an anti-war rally that could be among the biggest since the war in Iraq began, organizers said yesterday.

It could be kinda cool to witness something like this (not trying to go into Politics AT ALL, just that's its a unique opportunity), but thought the traveling Caniacs would want/need to know in case it will impact their plans.

[SoCalcaniac]

^^^:eek2: Oh good grief. I wonder what time all this will be going on. Hopefully it'll all be wrapped up by the time we get there (wishful thinking yeah-)

B-Girl, I've got 3 quotes working for the 2/24 game since it's on a Saturday- and I'm waiting to hear back from the group ticket people for the Thrashers- So what I've been focused on is 2/24 not 3/9. So hope that helps?

Oh, and maybe I need to start a completely separate thread so I can get a gauge on this- but how many people here would be legitimately be interested in doing the 2/24 game to ATL? I ask because there are various bus sizes and stipulations on what is required (inlcuding all companies telling me that we would have to get the bus driver a hotel room for this day trip due to the fact that the trip's total hours travelled at over 8 hours) so I need to get a solid count of legitimate people interested in going.

Post here if you are interested, and if you know others who don't post here but want to go- include them in your counts. Thanx!

[Canesluver]

Thanks for the heads up, NCC :eek2: Ahh, protests.... geez-- I miss D.C.!! Steve'll love the photo ops!

It's going to be really cold up there, too (but dry, at least) Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!


And... regarding 2/24.... a "day trip" to Atlanta?! That's insane!!! :crazy: I'd be in that hotel room with the bus driver!! :lol: There's no way in hell I'd get back on a bus after the game for another 8-hour ride. I'd rather pull my fingernails out one-by-one!! :eek2:

[KaniacFever]

I'm interested in the 2/24 game.

[SoCalcaniac]

Well, we know how CL feels.... :crazy:

To clarify; the chatter earlier when we originally started discussing this, was that many didn't want to have to get a hotel room (i.e extra expense) and wanted to come back after the game.....
I'd prefer staying overnight too, however, many were more inclined to do otherwise.

[nccanes]

I started thinking about the ATL drive time myself (though not for my own decision making as I probably have conflicts with all those dates). Maybe DC is a better up and back destination?

I'm going to put up a few polls in that forum to gauge interest and preferences.

[SoCalcaniac]

E, you're right; I think it's going to be better to do DC- each successive call/email I've exchanged has the $$$ higher than the last, and these 'specific driver requirements' So DC might be better, if everyone is able to do Friday instead of a Saturday.

Thanks for doing the poll...

[nccanes]

I was thinking that maybe a group set of tickets might be a better deal in ATL on the 24th. I can say that going with "just" 16 in a group was alot of fun and the ATL ticket people gave us the discount for that amount.

Once we get some poll results, if the bus is out, maybe we can re-poll so we'll know if people would switch from tickets+bus to tickets-only.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I think I was thinking of the DC drive for an up and back as well. That, and I'm used to an Atlanta drive from Western NC where it isn't so damn far. I can't believe it's 8 hours....didn't feel that long last time I went.

But, I'm irrelevent because I couldn't do 2/24 anyway.

[nccanes]

I always think of ATL as 6 hours. But it's usually more to get to the actual destination.

[Canesluver]

:lol: Don't listen to me. :lol: I just don't like being in a confined space for very long. 4 to 5 hours is about it for me in a car (or bus). Anything longer than that, and we generally fly.

But... you really do have to remember to tack on 30 to 60 minutes longer in a motorcoach (that's the rule-of-thumb in the travel industry). It's different than flying up the highway with 4 people in a sedan. ;) On your own, you might only stop once, but a driver (who's responsible for your safety) is going to stop more often that that to stretch his legs and freshen his mind.

[Sparky]

Okay folks - those of you going to DC this weekend be forewarned

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/24/AR2007012401957.html

It could be kinda cool to witness something like this (not trying to go into Politics AT ALL, just that's its a unique opportunity), but thought the traveling Caniacs would want/need to know in case it will impact their plans.

The DC police/Park Police are used to these things and tend to handle it well (except the time they gassed me on the Mall, but that's a different story). The arena is well outside of the main protest/march areas. The biggest impacts would be on traffic/parking (hard to get around if roads are closed) and a crowded Metro system. No biggie though, you'd just have to stand for a while. Assuming the peace protestors are pacifists (no guarantees there, hypocricy runs rampant in that breed), you'll have no problems at all. Just check the Washington Post the day of for closings and such, and allow a little extra time for getting around.

If y'all want pointers/advice for anything regarding a DC trip, just let me know. For reference, most games have "Eagles Nest" tickets for $10 at the Phone Booth. Top couple rows, but you can see the ice and the atmosphere is relaxed. There are also almost always family packs and stuff where you can get tix, food, drink, and a piece of apparel all for a good discount (since you always wanted a Caps hat).

Also, if you're seriously working on starting up a road trip group, even just for a game or two, I can put you in touch with the folks who run the Caps Road Crew. They are experts with regards to the DC/Raleigh runs, and know all about bus options, group tickets, hotels, etc. We also play well with rival fan clubs so if y'all head up to DC we might (might) be able to greet you somewhere. Heck, if you're serious and want to do this, go to the CRC group at the game tomorrow night and ask for "Zuco". She's friendly and would be the one to talk to. Tell her Sparky sent you, pretend to be my old friend, and you might even get a hug out of it. ;)

The bus trips from DC-Raleigh tend to run about 4.5-5 hours each way, give or take, depending on traffic and weather. Rarely has it been more, several times much less. The drivers don't really need to stop, though it's always good to schedule a break every couple of hours so folks can stretch, maybe grab a snack, and smoke (if you're drinking on the bus, and do drink on the bus, then smokers will really start jonesing after a couple hours). We normally cruise through, occasionally stopping in Richmond to pick up southern Virginians, then make a second stop at one of the large strip malls shortly before the arena (the one with the sports gear shop, a Food Lion, and a Quiznos, if I recall correctly) as we're normally early.

Best of luck, regardless of how this pans out. It's always good to see fans travelling. Makes the whole league look better.

[Canesluver]

So, Sparks-- what are some good restaurants (casual attire appropriate)near the Verizon Center (or at least near a Metro stop)?

Have you eaten at Zaytinya? From what I've read, it sounds good -- a mixture of Greek and Lebaneese-- yummy.

[Sparky]

So, Sparks-- what are some good restaurants (casual attire appropriate)near the Verizon Center (or at least near a Metro stop)?

Have you eaten at Zaytinya? From what I've read, it sounds good -- a mixture of Greek and Lebaneese-- yummy.

I've been away the last few years so I don't know the new ones too well. If you're in the mood for casual, here are the recommendations:

-Chipotle (7th St. side of the arena, accessible from outside). Good spicy burritos and such;
-Fuddruckers (corner of 7th and H, a block north of the arena). You know it, you love it;
-Circle Q BBQ (on H, just west of 7th, north side of the street). Very good Texas-style BBQ;
-Chinatown (H St. between 7th and 5th, you can't miss it). Lots of options, some cheap some not so cheap.
-There are a few Ruby Tuesday-style places scattered around, but you can get those anywhere. Hooters is on 7th between H and Eye Sts.

More pricey:
-Gordon Biersch (9th and F), ecclectic menu, lots of good beer, nice choice;
-District Chophouse (7th between E and F), very pricey and good luck getting a seat, but excellent in house beers and possibly the best steaks in town. A perennial fave of mine;
-Fado (7th between H and Eye, West side of the St. a few doors up from H). Irish bar and all that entails. Food is good. Tends to be packed after the game, but should be an option. There's a couple of places next to it that look good but I've never been to 'em.
-Austin Grill (E between 7th and 8th). I believe it's still open. Tex-Mex, some love it, some don't, but I've had good luck.
-Legal Seafood (7th just across from the arena between G and H). No surprises here, but I love the Thai calamari. Mmmm...squid....

There are a ton of options around, constantly changing, including a place or two in the semi-new Gallery Place shopping/entertainment building attached to the north side of the Phone Booth (bowling, anyone, or a movie?). Give yourself a couple of hours if you're going to sit and eat. Arena food is typical Aramark, though the fancy beer stands are a nice touch. You no longer are able to bring in food or drinks, so finish everything outside. Best of luck, and have fun!


Edit: If you have extra time and are coming through Virginia, you might want to go to the Orleans House near the Rosslyn Metro. Casual, varies between cheap and moderate, just about the best prime rib in town, a salad boat (don't ask), and it's a local landmark (you've not been to DC if you haven't eaten there). I used to take dates there for nicer dinners, and we've done a bunch of family occasions there. They have some parking, mostly valet. Open Saturday 4-11 pm. Good choice if you have kids, though it is a short, though hilly, walk from the Metro (Rosslyn, Orange and Blue lines). If you don't have kids with you, have a car and have some time, I recommend Kilroy's way out where Braddock Rd. exits from I-495 (from I-95 take 495 West to Virginia - don't cross into Maryland - and Braddock Rd. is a couple of exits away. http://www.kilroys-restaurant.com/ and you're looking at the Springfield one.) My favorite sports bar and a great restaurant. Problem is that it is not Metro accessible, so you'll have to then drive either to a station or to the game.

[Canesluver]

Thanks, Sparky! I grew up in Northern Va.(Springfield)-- just haven't been to a Caps game since they stopped playing in the Capital Center.

Funny you should mention the Orleans House, because we're staying a block from there in Arlington! I read about them and decided we'd go there on Sunday night. :D Cool!