Vicki Conn, editor of the Western Journal of Nursing Research, sent me a message yesterday asking about networking/connecting with others for pre/post-conference sightseeing and fun. Vicki tells me this is her first trip to Maine and she is very excited to see our beautiful state. She wrote:

I would be interested in suggestions for sightseeing for anyone planning to stay some extra days in Maine. That would help with planning the number of days at the conference hotel.

I think this is a great question. I would love to help people connect but I am not sure of the best way to do so–which is why I started here with the blog. People can ask questions in the comments and I will try to pull them together with answers and more information on our sightseeing page.  Right now all the activities that are listed are within walking distance of the hotel but certainly, if people want to go a little further afield, I can provide suggestions. A couple of thoughts that come to mind:

• People traveling alone to the conference–interest in connecting with others for sightseeing before or after?
• Anyone planning on renting a car–or open to the idea of renting a car–for traveling beyond Portland?

One fun idea, for anyone arriving on Sunday–the Portland Sea Dogs will be playing a home game against the Trenton Thunder, starting at 1 pm. The Sea Dogs are the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox–and the Thunder feeds the Yankees, so this is an intense rivalry. You’d pay a whole lot more to see the Sox vs. the Yankees at Fenway Park than you will in Portland! The Sea Dogs play at Hadlock Field, a nice, small intimate venue that really let’s you see the game. It is about 1.5 miles from the Regency–30 minute walk or a quick taxi ride.  I’m not even a baseball fan and I try to get to at least one Sea Dogs game every summer.

Hadlock Field, with the Maine Monster in left field.

Whether or not you are a baseball fan, please share thoughts in the comments. What do you want to know and what are you thinking of for pre/post conference fun? I’ll figure out a way to make networking happen!

Leslie

Planning Committee: Peggy Chinn, Margaret Freda, Shawn Kennedy, Lisa Marshall, Jean Proehl