Would you join a bus trip to a quilt guild show?
 

When you do not know any of the other passengers?

There will be a big quilt guild show in June about a two-hour drive from where I live. I could drive myself and have completely autonomy, but of course would have to deal with parking. Or I could join a bus that will leave from a quilt shop 40 minutes from me. I haven't been on a bus in many years and I'm wondering if I would feel claustrophobic, especially since I am not a stranger to motion sickness and find noise pretty tiring. The bus leaves at 8 am and returns at 6, which means about 4 hours in the bus and 6 hours at the show.

Prism99 where is this show? I live in Eastern WI and wonder if it is anywhere near me. Thanks

It's the Minnesota Quilt Guild show held in Saint Cloud, MN. I'm in Western WI, so a lot closer to it than you.

I wouldn't hesitate to do it if I really wanted to go to the show. Its an opportunity to meet new people or just meditate a bit. I also have motion sickness problems but usually large grey hound type buses are okay. If it was a school bus type bus, I'd probably pass

I would probably do that over driving by myself. I bet there are many more doing that and you might make some new friends. Eat on the bus so you will not loose quilt show time.

I've done it. There's always some other singletons on the trip, and you might meet a new friend. I had a wonderful time! At the show, I just went and did my own thing. As far as the bus ride itself, that's something that you will need to decide.

I prefer to drive. I can stop when I want to, arrive when I want and leave when I want. I have been on bus tours and each time I say never again. LOL

There are games usually on the bus where you win quilty items. I might go on the one to Chantilly, Va. this year. I miss the fun you have. Go for it!

Yes any new quilters I have met have been awesome

I would go in a heartbeat. In fact I have gone a few times and loved it.

I would definitely give it a try. When I take a long bus ride, I always sit in the front seat if possible. I tend to get car sick when I’m in the back of a bus. You can always bring hand sewing or read.

Have worked the show (in Duluth) and it was quite wonderful. Bring headphones if the bus noise bothers you. The busses now are not as nausea-inducing as they once were. There is always Dramamine. Get there early so you can sit up front. If you look straight ahead instead of seeing things go by sideways, it reduces or eliminates motion sickness

I am not fond of bus travel, but I am not against it either. Quilt Canada comes to Vancouver at the end of May, several guilds and shops have organized bus tours. I am volunteering, so I will already be there.

I live on an Island and there are regular bus trips to Ikea for the day, includes the ferry trip. I have not done that, but I know others who have and really enjoyed it.

Candied ginger can help too. I give that to my kids and eat it myself on long trips. It helps to settle tummies, but without the drowsiness.

I love meeting new people, I never worry about travelling by myself, I always meet someone along the way.

Yes, go for it. You will always meet new wonderful people. Hopefully, there are other singletons, because I am annoyed when everyone else shows up with a buddy. Bring head phones and/or hand stitching to entertain yourself if the trip is too long.

Why don’t you give it a try? Then and only then will you know if you like it. Other people’s experiences will vary.

I have done bus trips like this before. The first time I did it I was unsure whether to take the bus or drive, but I was glad I took the bus on the way home. After 6 hrs of looking at quilts (and shopping!), I was happy to be a passenger. If it's a proper coach, not just a school bus, it's a comfortable ride.

I didn't know anyone on the first trip, but everyone sitting near me was friendly. I brought a book, but ended up chatting and playing games instead of reading. The guild that organized the trip did a great job of planning bus fun.

I suggest you try it! Sit closer to the front to reduce the chance of motion sickness. Modern buses aren't nearly as loud or shaky as old ones, and I find them less claustrophobic than airplanes. There is usually a bathroom, which is nice. I suspect you will be fine, and then you will know if it suits you for the future.

Whichever way you go, enjoy the show!

I did the bus trip to a craft & quilt show a few years back and vowed never again. Large bus and the other passengers were great company, but it was the bus company who ran it, not a shop or guild.
We left the depot at 7am, and after picking up others at several stops in town it was 8.30 when finally on our way - so we were 1 ½ hours late for opening time. The venue was a huge building as there were several conference rooms so had to walk a loooong way from the bus stop to get in. Although the doors closed at 4.30 we had to leave at 3pm so didn’t see averything - I guess so the driver could finish work at 5, and on the verge of needing hip surgery getting all that way back to the bus in a hurry was painful and exhausting. Would have been better off driving myself.

I've done it - as a previous poster said, after a full day of walking around the show you will appreciate being able to just sit and let someone else drive. Bring a book to read or listen to, or interact with the people around you - either is acceptable.

If you decide to drive, parking won't be an issue. The show is held at the St. Cloud conference center with a large parking ramp right across the street - accessible by a skyway if it happens to be raining. I've been to the St. Cloud show and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

I’ve taken a bus trip three times to Paducah, maybe a three hour drive. The bus was great and I always sat in the front. I met other quilters and generally had a good time. It’s nice to get on the bus and rest after All the walking. I had to get up at 4:30 and got home at 11:00 pm, a very long day, but it was worth it.

Sitting toward the front of the bus may be a good idea, but skip the trying to sew or read. Not good for car sickness, but definitely go. I've been on bus trips where I didn't know anyone and enjoyed them. People with interests in common have fun together. You might make a few new friends with folks in your neck of the woods. Enjoy!!

Two hours, I would drive. My Guild had a bus trip to Houston one year, it's an 8 hour drive not counting traffic. That was definitely worth it. Each one of us had two seats to stretch our legs across the seats. Buses are like airline seats, not much room between them. I have actually gotten to where I like to attend shows by myself. If the show is great I can take as long as I want if it is small, I don't end up waiting for someone to finish. Some friends take forever at shows. If you take a friend only take one friend. That's a delight.

I would definitely go on the bus. All quilters I have met are fun and inviting. I would have a batch of new friends at the end of the ride.

Yes, I would do it. I don't like to drive long distances alone. As for strangers- being quilters you will soon meet a lot of new friends!
I don't know about motion sickness because I don't have it.

I hope you will decide to go. It will be a wonderful opportunity. I am sure there will be many on the bus who are visitors and if the guild invited you they will be very welcoming.

I have only taken a bus once to a quilt show, and that one was organized by the senior center to go to the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. The bus itself was fine, and I would have had no problem going alone, although that time I did go with a friend from the guild. The problem was that we were told to be back at the bus at 3, which was much too early. Most of us were sitting in our seats on time, ready to go, but one person was very late. It was hot sitting on the bus and waiting for one inconsiderate person. Then the driver took a longer route back that was much longer than necessary - I think he missed a turn. After that experience I always drove to Sisters in a private car with friends.

I'm sure most bus trips are better organized than that one, and I wouldn't hesitate to go based on not knowing anyone or worry about the comfort of the bus. I would want to know in advance what time the bus would arrive at the show and what time to be back at the bus, to be sure that time at the show was sufficient. And I would hope that the bus would not wait a long time for stragglers, but would tell them to find their own way home.

Have done bus trips thru our park district. The bus was very comfortable enough body and leg room! The group leader also brought two movies one for going and one for coming crack..the bus had on board screens.... Bring some hand work if you want to, or just enjoy the scenery.....after cruising the show, you will be glad to just sit back and relax on way home! I do believe most large shows have scooters for rent if needed..

I so agree. I can do the bus ride in the front without motion sickness, but reading or sewing would definitely make me car sick.

I recently went to the Lancaster PA show by myself for the first time and realized I am missing something always going to shows with friends because I don't make an effort to talk to people I don't know. I stayed outside the venue but took the shuttle bus to the big show so I didn't have to maneuver the car around Lancaster city. Well worth it. We had a lot of laughs. I guess it also depends on how comfortable you are with parking garages, etc., and if you can handle the type of bus.

I've done it in the past and made friends along the way. I don't have issues with motion sickness and didn't really notice noise other than low level conversation.

Yes, you should treat yourself to being driven to a quilt show. I have been to at least 4 shows. Was great we had games, magazines and treats. Even a show and tell, I will repeat, GO.

Prism99 - I have severe motion sickness (yes, I have used those airplane bags😄😄). I used to take Dramamine - had to take a pill every 3 hours or so and it didn’t always work. My sister, a retired nurse, sugggested I try OTC Meclizine. It’s terrific and I don’t get sick at all anymore. Yiu can just go to any pharmacy and ask for it. Sam’s Club charged me $6.00 several years ago for a bottle of 25mg - 100 pills. Super cheap. Walgreens was a little more expensive - think around $11 for same size and count - still cheap. I can now read in a moving vehicle, fly and eat my lunch and everything - all for one pill every 24 hours. I’m not selling this, not a representative or anything - just so glad my sister told me about it.

Sandy un Moorresville, NC

Excuse my spelling if where I live - it’s Mooresville, ;x

I would go in a minute, but I would make sure that when signing up you tell them about your problems. Ask for the first seat on the bus. It is the least claustrophobic. You'll make new friends and can read, do handwork, talk or whatever.

I always say you should try it at least once....bring some crackers to soak up the stomach acid, head phones for music or ebook....and Shopping bags for the show!! Have fun!

however, since it takes you 40 mins to get to bus, you are almost half-way there anyway so you'd be taking the bus to avoid parking...

I am hoping to go for at least one day. I am fortunate that I have several relatives that I can stay with in the area. It will be my first experience going to a big quilt show.

So much good information!

Thanks, ArtsyOne, for posting about the parking ramp across the street. That makes driving much less intimidating for me.

And ladyinpurple, thanks for the meclizine suggestion. I looked it up on Amazon and it sounds as if it will be very helpful for my motion sickness. I will suggest my husband try it the next time he has a vertigo episode too.

I think I will not do the bus trip, mostly because it's a 40-minute drive just to get to the quilt shop where the bus leaves and then, of course, a 40-minute drive back home from the quilt shop afterwards. As Teen pointed out, I'd be taking the bus just to avoid parking, which it turns out is not a problem for this show.

Do it! I say this because I did a bus trip to different quilt shops two years ago by myself and knew no one....still had so much fun! Trips such as this are chartered buses, with bath rooms, air conditioning/heat. Ours included lunch served at one of the shops, and the guides served as fun interesting game playing women! You'll probably have a seat mate to chat with, and the women are very friendly. I'd do it again in a heart beat.

Having to get to the bus before 8:00 a.m. and living 40 minutes away would be the deal breaker for me. I don't sleep well and it's not unusual for me to still be awake at 1:00-3:00 a.m... especially if I need to get somewhere in the morning. I'd be too tired to enjoy the show.

I was going to post something similar...that I’ve never met an unfriendly quilter. Some are more chatty than others, but they are all friendly. If the noise bothers you (or the chatting), take a set of earplugs to your smartphone and listen to music or watch a video. Most of the commercial buses have free WiFi.

You would find me on the bus...

Yes!!! In a few moments, I will get to know the passengers around me. Even if you drive, the trip is the same as if you went on the bus, 4 hours round trip. There are motion sickness pills you could take or drink ginger ale. Noise?, ear plugs or you could just let yourself GO and join the fun. Make some noise!!! Girls just want to have fun.!