My wife and I have the first week of August off.. and I have one machine (possibly 2) that needs to go to Ottawa, so I'm thinking we might rent something and make a little trip out of it.  I've never been and (ideally) we'll have help with the gas money, so what the heck.  

This is very preliminary, so the days are up in the air and it may not even happen.. but the more I'm hauling there and the more I'm hauling back, the better chances of me convincing the wife.  

ugh.. vague, I know.  (aren't I always).  So, let me know if anyone needs anything transported.  If I rent a cargo van, we should be able to haul 3 pins / vids and a bunch of parts and playfields there and back.

I'll update the thread as the date gets closer.

- B

I should mention, I can store anything at the office for future pickup if need be.. for those Southern Ontario folk.  

Any chance someone is thinking of adding a Sparky's to Ottawa link in this chain?

I am looking for a way to get some backglasses closer to Barrie. I get to Montreal/Ottawa on average once every 10-15 years or so. The odds would favour me making it to the GTA a lot sooner.

Thanks
Alan

If you end up at Sparky thats even better

Quoted from Splitskull

If you end up at Sparky thats even better

Must be the free pinball and free beer.

Quoted from Sparky

Must be the free pinball and free beer.

That can be arranged

if anyone needs any parts from hamilton to brock or other way around let me know, I pass by his office almost every day.

The Ottawa/Montreal/Quebec folks are a hoot, they've been very hospitable to me in the past....I can highly recommend them (and the trip)!

Quoted from scbadboy

if anyone needs any parts from hamilton to brock or other way around let me know, I pass by his office almost every day.

Thanks, man!  Still plenty of room.. so far just a pin and a vid.  I could probably fit one more machine if I'm taking a cargo van.  This is pretty much a go, btw.

Small things still welcome, including my custom stuff    (I know I owe ME and a few others some parts)

Maybe even a couple of sheets of glass or parts from Wayne ..?

So far I have an empty truck coming back.. so if you're thinking of buying / selling something from the Ottawa area, now's the time

*bump*

still lots of room (especially on the way back!)

ROOM!  We have lots of it.. especially coming back to Toronto!

Also if you want any shooter rods / custom parts, let me know and I'll bring them with me.

If you're waiting for anything from the London crowd, I may be able to help out there as well.

It's in a week and a half, people!  (going from either Aug. 3rd-4th, or 4th-5th).

If you're not in Ottawa but this can get things closer to you, I'm sure some fine Ottawa folk would be willing to help with relaying some stuff.  

the MAACA train lives on!

Word.

Considering the high volume of backglasses heading for the GTA/Barrie area, I may pull an exception and meet you in Ottawa.

Sounds like a plan  

Can anyone suggest any places to stay / things to do while in Ottawa?  I think the wife and I are looking for somewhere kinda central in the city so we can hop around and check out the sites (whatever they may be)

Thanks  

If it is your first time to Ottawa, you should do the Parliament, Canal, and byWard marketplace circuit. It's a great walk.

http://www.byward-market.com/en/maps/area-map.htm

I'm sure there is a ton of things to do in Ottawa but the main tourist area in the downtown quarter. I'm thinking your driving a large truck, so if I were you I would be looking for a hotel right off the 417, and I'd bus or taxi it around the city. Ottawa is not as tight and conjested as Ottawa or Montreal, but if your driving a large vehicle, you don't want to be driving it downtown.

When my wife and I stay in Ottawa we stay at Monterey inn; It's clean and affordable, but it is way out of town. I'm not sure it would even be on the bus route.

And if your wife is a cat lover and you do go down town, you should check out the Parliament Cat Sanctuary. As you look at Parliament it is to left and rear of the center block just behind the iron fencing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Parliamentary_Cats

Thanks, man!  We'll be driving a cargo van by the looks of it, but we'll be walking / busing around the city.  Preferably walking.

I'd also recommend a boat tour on the Rideau Canel. I did that when I first visited Ottawa. Nice and relaxing. There are also bus tours -- double decker I believe. They might be cool. I've done that type of thing in other cities and it gives you a quick lay of the land.

Cheers,
Duane

Quoted from machine.slave

Thanks, man!  We'll be driving a cargo van by the looks of it, but we'll be walking / busing around the city.  Preferably walking.

Plenty of hotels downtown and prices vary.  Some are very close to the parliament etc.  If you need more help just PM me I will guide you through it or answer questions.

take care

If you're just coming for the one night, grab someplace downtown and pay the premium.  The Minto Suites aren't that relatively expensive and are close enough to walk around market and parlement.  Unless you have something specific you'd like to see (War Museum, etc) you'll have more than enough to see just around downtown I would think.  The Monterey Inn that Pete mentioned is nice and will save you $30 or so a night, but it's a good 25min express bus ride to downtown, and at $3.25 each one way you're not saving that much in the end.

Yeah so far we're thinking either the Arc or the Crowne Plaza.  Downtown is definitely where we want to be so we can make the best of our mini vacation.  

Yeah, with a cargo van downtown hotels would be the way to go. I was picturing you with a U-haul cube van trying to get around downtown. While not impossible, it definitely wouldn't be fun; especially if you don't know the area.

Do you like hot sauces. There is a place called Chilly Chiles, just outside of Ottawa, fantastic selection.

http://www.chillychiles.com/about/about_frame.html?submenu=about

Also, It may be worthwhile to hop the border to Hull and stock up on cheap Quebec beer. If it was any cheaper they would be giving it away.

Quoted from machine.slave

Yeah so far we're thinking either the Arc or the Crowne Plaza.  Downtown is definitely where we want to be so we can make the best of our mini vacation.  

Crowne Plaza is a good hotel and not too far from the parliament etc also you are close to the war museum which is pretty good.  Right near by (two streets up) is the Delta in case you want to check prices.

I work at the Hilton garden inn at the Ottawa airport. The bus that goes down there gets you to the market in 20 minutes and parlament in 20-23. I may also be able to swing a friends and family rate if you're interested. Pm me with your travel schedual if you like and I'll see if I can help. I also need a pin from ricker brought here but I think you're coming a week early

Quoted from MadTitan

I work at the Hilton garden inn at the Ottawa airport. The bus that goes down there gets you to the market in 20 minutes and parlament in 20-23. I may also be able to swing a friends and family rate if you're interested. Pm me with your travel schedual if you like and I'll see if I can help. I also need a pin from ricker brought here but I think you're coming a week early

Oh wow!  That's awesome, I'll PM you.  Thanks for the offer regardless  

PS.  It's officially a Tuesday -> Wednesday trip.  

OK, here's an update (please let me know if I'm forgetting anything here)

Stuff going to Ottawa:

Party Zone pin
60 in 1 Stern cab
Coleco tabletops for KingstonPete
Parts from KingstonPete to Ian

Stuff coming back:

Galaxy PF
Fathom PF
Backglasses from Ian


Again, if I'm forgetting anything please let me know.. but as you can see, there's still room for the trip home.

PS.  Help with gas money is appreciated.  

MrNiceguy's Fathom playfield going down as well.

pm sent to Machine.Slave

Hey, all...

I hate to have to do this, but unfortunately my wife's grandfather passed away this morning so I'm going to have to postpone our trip to Ottawa..  I'm sorry to everyone I've had plans with so far, but I'm sure you all understand.  

However, we've been discussing it a bit and the trip to Ottawa is something we did want to do and now more than ever we could use a bit of cheer-up time... so we're going to be taking next Monday off and we'll most likely be turning this into a Sunday / Monday trip (Aug. 8 / 9).  This may actually work better for everyone as it's obviously not during a workday.

I'll keep everyone posted (and respond to PM's shortly), and appreciate your understanding.. take care.

- Brock and Nikki

Sorry about your loss, Brock.

No problem at all Brock. Family first.

OK!  So Sunday / Monday (Aug 8 / 9) is the new date.  It's not too far off, and hopefully the Sunday works a little better for everyone as it's not in the middle of the week.  

That being said, the list of stuff has been updated and there seems to be more room available.. so please, let me know if there's anything you need moved!

Stuff going to Ottawa:

Party Zone pin
60 in 1 Stern cab
Coleco tabletops for KingstonPete
Parts from KingstonPete to Ian

Stuff coming back:

Galaxy PF
Fathom PF
Backglasses from Ian
Cocktail cab
Pin

I (we) really do appreciate everyone's patience, understanding and condolences .. it means a lot.  Thank you.

*bump*

Still looking to fill the cargo van, especially on the way back.  Would really love help with gas money, so if you think you're being a pain by asking.. you're not!   Hell I'll even truck illegal immigrants.  They're probably trying to get to Brampton anyway  

The big trip is tomorrow morning!!  I think I've set everything up here, but if I'm missing anyone please feel free to PM me.  Even when I'm on the road, I get my PM's on my Blackberry.. it's how I roll.  

All done!  Thanks to all for your patience, and it was nice meeting those of you we met along the way.. always good to put faces to the names.  

The trip was pretty much a success except that our drive home was a little longer than expected so I didn't quite make it to Ptbo like I wanted to.  That being said, I've got a bunch of playfields and backglasses sitting at my place, and I'll make arrangements with you all to get them to you.

Also I did have shooter rods for a couple of you (Tubourg and ME), which we did bring but I totally forgot to leave them in Ottawa     Soooo I'll mail them out this week with my other orders, not a problem.  I'll be in touch to get some mailing addresses.

All in all.. a fun trip in a beautiful city.