I like this new plan a lot Planetwatcher! I especially want to go to Epsilon Eridani to meet some Vulicans! :P

Why Galaxygirl, that is very logical.

I like your "space routes" around the local stars, Planetwatcher. You can count on me to accompany you - doubtless with many of the other members of the forum!
but I wouldn´t like to be put in a "cryochamber" like our friend!

:P

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LOL

I was just wondering... how long would we spend at each star?

Will we have enough time for the happy snaps (photos) and souvenir hunting???

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heh, i'd leave a souvenir of some sort (like garbage or sumthing) and leave something for other races which might eventually go there a bit wondering
that's how we could prove we at least have been here

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Most likely it would be decided on a star by star basis via consinces.

While the major ship operations are best served by paramilitary hiarchy, (meaning a rank and subordenete system with a Captain, Commanders, Majors, Leutenents, and so forth) the mission specifics would be best suited in a democratic manor, with consideration based on need. And keeping in mind that spending more time at one star would likely mean less time at others, or if neccessary cutting less interesting prospects out completely.

For example in route one we would go to Barnard's Star first.
If we hang around for several years just because it's pretty, but with otherwise no other contributing reasons to linger long will shorten the time at the next system, which is Alpha Centauri.

On the other hand, if we get to Barnard's Star and find very little interesting, we can conduct what research the majority decides is condusive, and nothing more, will allow more time at Alpha Centauri.

Or perhaps as we approach Wolf 359, and Lalande 21185, we decide those stars have little difference from what we saw at Barnard's Star and Alpha Centauri C
(since all four are red dwarfs simular in size) we can bypass those two opting instead for a gravity boost which will greatly speed our journey to Giclas 51-15,
(which is interesting in that it is the smallest main sequence star within at least 15 light years) or better yet Procyon, a yellow giant with a white dwarf in it's orbit, and/or Sirius, a blue giant with a white dwarf. Both are the largest stars in our neck of the woods.

I'm getting an idea for a 3rd route, which will visit fewer total stars, but allow more time at the most interesting ones.

Anyone out there think they would like to take the driver's seat as pilot?
We will need at least 5 main pilots for a shift rotation, and up to 10 more co-pilots.
In addition, we need navigators too. Because we are dealing with 3D space after all.

Okay, here is another view of the same stars as before.
In the other 2 you were basicly looking from above. (The direction of Polaris)

Now we are looking from a horizonal plane from the direction of Sirius, but farther out.
I redid the labels to make them more ledgible, and added the new 3rd closest star reported last year.