Have a little extra time this August? Want to see a bit of the countryside on your own schedule, and perhaps meet up with other Brothers and Sisters on the way? Try a road trip!

A group from Louisiana rented a van for their trip to Salem in 2007. A brother and sister from Seattle drove accross the whole country.

According to Google Maps, travelling by car between Portland, ME to Seattle, WA only takes two days. You can stop off and pick up passengers, or other vehicles for your caravan, in Salem, Buffalo, Chicago, and Minneapolis along the way….perhaps other places, too, if you took more time and planed your route more creatively.

Of course there are other routes from other parts of the country as well….waiting to be planned!

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.

I was listening to the radio recently and learned that domestic airfare prices are at an all time low, with flights from just about anywhere to just about anywhere in the U.S. being below $300.00.

I checked MSNBC’s farecast and found flights from San Diego to Seattle going for $138…from Orlando, $227. It just might be the best time to get your plane ticket!

With shuttles from SeaTac Airport to our hotel, the Doubletree Southcenter, every 15 minutes, arriving by plane will be easy! [Note: Be sure you're headed for the Doubletree Tukwila/Southcenter, and not the Airport Doubletree]

See you at the con!

Love is the law, love under will.

Melissa Holm
NOTOCON VII
Onsite Chair, USGL Conference Committee

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Here’s how you can save money on your travel to NOTOCON:

Step 1: Keep your receipts.

• Keep your receipts for airfare, hotel, car rental, parking, taxi, and any meals you purchase during your trip.
• If you drive your car to NOTOCON, keep a written log of your starting mileage (when you leave home) and ending mileage (when you get back). Also keep your receipts for gas.

Step 2: Get a letter from your local body.

• The letter should say that you attended the National O.T.O. Convention in Seattle, Washington on August 7-9, 2009 as a representative of your local body.

Step 3: Deduct the cost of your trip on your 2009 tax return.

• You can deduct your travel expenses as a Charitable Contribution on Schedule A.
• If you drove your own car to NOTOCON you can also deduct 14 cents a mile for the trip. Or, you can deduct the cost of the gas, whichever works out better. But you can’t deduct both mileage and gas.
• Note: you cannot deduct your NOTOCON registration fee, nor the cost of items that you purchase from the vendors.
• If you add some extra vacation time before or after the conference dates, consult with a qualified tax advisor to determine how to take the deduction.

All of the above also applies if you are traveling to any other regional O.T.O. event such as Kaaba, Initiator Training, etc.

Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions. And be sure to check out more tax tips for O.T.O. members.

Love is the law, love under will.

There’s just something special about a train ride.

There is much less standing in line and taking off of shoes, there’s a bit more leg room, and a lot more choice regarding how you pass the time. Depending on how far you’re going, it can also be a cheaper alternative to flying.

Personally, I’ve taken the Amtrak Cascades route several times on trips to Portland and Eugene, OR, and with small exception the trip has been a part of my “get away”. Whether I’m hiding under headphones with my iPod, enjoying the movie, reading a book, napping, enjoying conversation with my travelling companions, or watching the ever changing scenery pass by the window, the train just seems…easy!

Much of the route for Amtrak on the west coast is beautiful waterfront and farmland scenery, and the trains are designed to afford the best possible veiwing of the countryside whenever possible.

And for those times when it’s not? Well, nothing is perfect. But if there are kids screaming in your designated car…get up, take a walk to the snack bar or dining car. The Coast Starlight has a double decked lounge car with big windows, so you can sip your cocktail and watch the world go by. Try doing that on your average airplane!

Are you travelling from points further afield? Take a few days and book a sleeper. Consider coordinating with others going to NOTOCON on your route. What fun to meet-up on the train! If the train is not full, the staff may be able to help you sit together. If not, well, it gives you someone to visit when you decide to take a stroll. But if you’re being economical with your time, using the train for destinations further Portland or Eugene just might not be the way.

Something to know when you book for west coast travel:

The train station closest to the Doubletree Southcenter is the TUKWILA station. Check your routes when you book, but I believe that only the Amtrak Cascades (runs from Eugene to Vancouver B.C.) stops at this station. The Coast Starlight does not stop at Tukwila, but goes through to Seattle’s King Street Station.

All routes coming from the east into Seattle will arrive at King Street Station.

Visit www.amtrak.com for details.