Britt, please also keep in mind that we can hire buses and vans--and  
use them depending on arrival and numbers. I put 5 July through 11  
July to give us wiggle room. Early arrivals, if there are any, can  
settle in with a little more leisure. The core conference actually  
starts on Monday evening and Monday evening portfolio sharing is the  
first "real event," yes? No?

Unlike in large cities, these rural areas are masters of "can do" so  
they will tend to work with us to meet our needs. We need to have a  
fair idea of what we need from them. I have forwarded your email to  
UMFK Public Relations and Terry will undoubtedly respond in a timely  
fashion. In a major city it is pretty cut and dried, you take what  
they advertise and that's that. In rural areas people are far less  
rigid. Shall we give them a chance?
  Joan

On Jan 23, 2009, at 12:49 PM, Britt Griswold wrote:

> Joan,
>
> I think your going to need to get much better info to help people  
> get there.
>
> Is this the Frenchville air commuter service you are referring to?
> http://flyneat.com/
>
> Will their schedule change during the summer months? It looks like  
> Monday through Thursday service right now... so I don't think anyone  
> will sign up for that. Cost is $190 one way on that service from  
> Portland.
>
> IF they offer Friday, Saturday and Sunday service out of Portland,  
> this might indeed be the best method, as a flight from Baltimore to  
> Portland and then Portland to Frenchville, for example, is about the  
> same as a flight from Baltimore to Presque Isle on the larger  
> commercial services.  But with only one or two flights a day to  
> Frenchville, you could easily miss the connections and end up having  
> to stay overnight in Portland both ways.
>
> But if they do not offer Friday, Saturday and Sunday service, then  
> the Frenchville connection is useless for many/most people.
> Might give them a call or email: 207-436-1379 or email [log in to unmask] 
>  for more information  Apparently their office in at the airport in  
> Frenchville.  If they were to agree to an evening flight out  
> Portland and a morning flight out of Frenchville on Friday, Saturday  
> and Sunday, that might be a good thing to promote to the group.
>
> ____________________________
>
> Car rental in Presque Isle looks to be tricky. The hours of  
> operation are spotty.
> Only Avis seems to be open 7 days a week. Minimum of $450/week to  
> rent a car out of there. Plus $80 for an extra day!
> Looks like other car rental places are closed on either Saturday or  
> Sunday or both in Presque Isle.
> Budget is open Sun 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM or 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM. - $445/ 
> wk
> U-Save is closed all weekend
> There are about 5 car rental places in Presque Isle.  I was  
> surprised to find none associated through Expedia when I booked my  
> flight ($552 from Baltimore). But the ours of flight don't match up  
> with the rental hours, so that explains why not.
>
> I am actually hoping to hitch a ride with someone coming up from  
> Bangor on Saturday.
>
> Is there any bus transportation from Presque Isle to Fort Kent?
>
> Also it may be good advice to work with a travel agent, but I'm not  
> sure you will save much, they have been pretty beat down with the  
> advent on online web booking...  Their major value now is that of  
> letting someone else work out the details and making sure you have  
> the connecting times correct. Not a small thing in this case, so may  
> be worth it. At least that is my impression, but I have not used one  
> for 7-8 years.  Any to recommend that are familiar with the Maine  
> market?
>
> Britt
>
> Joan Lee wrote:
>> Transportation
>>
>> Yes, you can get here from there! This area hosts a steady stream  
>> of international business people, athletes (huge winter sports  
>> area), and conferences and conventions of all kinds from downstate  
>> and elsewhere. The week or so before GNSI arrives there will be the  
>> annual Acadian Festival and a few hundred Acadians will gather here  
>> from all over the world--France, England, Chicago, Louisiana...
>>
>> My advice is to work with a travel agent so you don't pay full  
>> price on airfare. I have not had to fly for a few years so can't  
>> give reliable up to date tips.
>>
>> AIR
>> from Boston to Presque Isle. Rent a car or a limo (for more people)  
>> or
>>        if enough people arrive at the same time we can rent a bus  
>> or van
>> from Bangor to Presque Isle. Car rental. Reserve early as possible.  
>> Possible van or bus         rental, depending on numbers arriving  
>> at the same time.
>> from Portland to Frenchville. Commuter plane. One flight in and one  
>> out daily.
>>        under contract until 2010 so pretty reliable. Frenchville is  
>> about 10 miles
>>        from Fort Kent. We can rent a van if enough people come in  
>> on the same             flight. Otherwise we can see about a rental  
>> car or have someone pick you up.
>> from ? to Quebec City. rent a car. Must have passports. Don't carry  
>> contraband, etc.
>>       Northern Aroostook has a public bus. I will talk with them  
>> about pick ups in Presque Isle and Frenchville.
>>
>>
>> AUTO
>> Look at Northern Door's website; they have a great map and  
>> excellent written directions.   http://www.northerndoorinn.com/    
>> Click on map and directions
>>
>> I will watch information on road conditions. Highway 161 from  
>> Caribou was being resurfaced and widened this past summer. It  
>> should be in great shape in July.
>>
>> If you go up highway 1 from Houlton (where I 95 ends) to Presque  
>> Isle watch for the scale model of our solar system. Eyes sharp! The  
>> planets, starting with Pluto (before it was demoted) are scale  
>> models placed appropriately along the highway all the way to  
>> Mercury and the Sun.   http://www.umpi.maine.edu/info/nmms/solar/   
>> This route takes you through some forest and farmland, mostly  
>> potatoes and buckwheat. It is very different from the Wilderness  
>> area.
>>
>> Highway 11 takes you past Khatadin and Baxter State Park. Khatadin,  
>> at Knife's Edge, is the terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Baxter  
>> State Park does not allow dogs. Don't even try. Governor Baxter,  
>> after whom the park is named, made that rule.
>>
>> Keep your cameras handy. There are lovely vistas in several spots.  
>> WATCH FOR MOOSE
>>
>
>
> -- 
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