Write Yourself Into Motion : February 8 – 10, 2013 : Alberta, Canada
How to get here, what to pack & all the golden details.
AND! Don’t miss the CHECKLIST at the bottom of this page — to ensure you’ve got all your pre-travel ducklings in a row.
The Location
All of our wordsmithing & workshopping will take place at the Academic Research Centre at Athabasca University in Athabasca, Alberta, Canada. Here’s a GoogleMap of our precise coordinates: http://goo.gl/maps/N3UOw
You’ll be responsible for transporting yourself from your hotel to the Research Centre & back home again, at the end of each day.
Which means … you’ll want to rent a car, ask us to help you find a carpool buddy — or join the party van (more on that in a moment).
How To Get Here
STEP 1: Book your flights into YEG – Edmonton International Airport.
Your flight should arrive on Friday, February 8th no later than 2pm.
Your flight should leave on Sunday, February 10th no earlier than 5pm.
(Unless you’re extending your visit, for skiing, sledding & winter romping)
STEP 2: Rent a car and drive to the riverside town of Athabasca. It’s about 2.5 hours north of Edmonton.
OR! Sign up for our private shuttle (party!) van. The first 7 passengers to speak up (and fork over an extra $50) get on the party van. Contact Lori-Ann at [email protected] to reserve your seat.
OR! Carpool with someone else who is driving. Contact Lori-Ann at [email protected] and she’ll help you find a ride.
Note to drivers: February means winter in northern Alberta. And winter is no joke. If you’re not accustomed to winter driving
(frost, ice, abominable snowmen) please carpool or sign up for the party van. Safety first!
How To Get Home
It’s like getting here, but in reverse!
We wrap up on Sunday, February 10th at 1pm.
Again: if you’re leaving straightaway on Sunday, make sure your flight leaves Edmonton International Airport no earlier than 5pm. That’ll give you ample time to finish up your writing, chill & chat for a bit, and get yourself to the airport safely.
What To Pack
ϟ Journals, pens, pencils, crayons, laptops, iPads … whatever you like to write with.
ϟ Comfortable clothes for stretchy-yoga breaks … and for sittin’ around while we write & chat.
ϟ Warm winter clothing (and shoes!). Sweaters, shawls, knit hats, fleece-lined boots. Bring your wintery finery.
Note: yoga mats will be provided! Along with cleaning spray for de-sweatifying & sanitizing! Ommm!
Food! Food! Food!
All meals will be provided. Oh yessss.
Including…
ϟ Dinner & snacks on Friday night
ϟ Breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks on Saturday
ϟ Breakfast & lunch-for-the-road on Sunday
ϟ All the sweets & hot drinks you can handle
All of our meals will include scrumptious vegetarian cuisine — including dairy & eggs. Warning: there may be cake.
If you have any food allergies or concerns, please contact Lori-Ann at [email protected] and let her know.
Where To Stay
The town of Athabasca has a population of 3,000 people. It’s lovely, charming & small. Folks will probably know you by name, by the time you depart.
You can book yourself into a cabin, B&B or traditional hotel … OR! We can arrange for you to stay with a friendly local family.
Read on for all the options.
Athabasca Hillside Motel
Around $75/ night.
Phone: (780) 675-5111
AthabascaHillsideMotel.net
New Western Athabasca Inn
Around $120/ night.
Phone: (780) 675-2294
Toll Free: (800) 567-5718
Red Roof Gallery
Art gallery & guest house with a beautiful view of the river. Around $110/ night.
Phone: (780) 675-4602
Cabins by the River
Cute & close to the workshop venue.
Phone: (780) 675-4078 or (780) 689-6200
Little Lodge on the Lake
Adorable — but! It’s a 30 minute drive from the workshop venue. Plan accordingly. $150/ night.
Phone: (780) 910-0527
LittleLodgeOnTheLake.com
Days Inn
Around $120/ night.
Phone: (780) 675-3140
DaysInn.com
Super 8
Around $115/ night.
Phone: (780) 675-8888
Toll free: (800)800-8000
Super8Athabasca.com
Billeting
Stay with a local family — cheap, cozy & sweet!
All homes are vetted by Lori-Ann to ensure that they’re thoroughly awesome. Some come with pets.
Suggested exchange: your natural charm + $25 / night to the host family — or a thoughtfully chosen gift.
Contact Lori-Ann at [email protected] to inquire about billeting with a family of genuine, Grade-A Athabascans.
Looking for (even) more places to stay?
Check out the university convocation website — or, the regional tourism site.
Checklist
[ ] I have booked my flight for YEG, and it arrives before 2pm on Friday, February 8th. YES!
[ ] I booked my return flight from YEG, and it leaves after 5pm on Sunday, February 10th. DONE!
[ ] I have either rented a car, signed up for the party van, or made carpooling arrangements to get from YEG to Athabasca. COOL!
[ ] I have either booked my local accommodation or have contacted Lori-Ann about billeting with one of her kind,
generous, clean, and just-quirky-enough associates. SWEET!
[ ] I have a journal and pen packed, to write my little heart out. Or a portable computer of my choosing. ON IT!
[ ] I have warm clothes and I’m ready to adventure into the Canadian winter-wonderland. RIGHT ON, EH!
Any questions?
Lori-Ann is your gal. Contact her at [email protected].
