Where Would Like to See CL - BB Reunion '03

[LaraW]

OK, now that my electricity is back on, I can get to doing what is really important!!!

I said earlier that I would post a poll about where people would like to see the "CL-BB Reunion '03"

I have divided this out by time zones, I thought that we could see the region that most were interested in and then narrow it down from there. I hope that is OK with everyone.

Here are the states that are in each time zone:

Pacific Time Zone
CA, WA, OR, NV, AZ

Mountain Time Zone
MT, ID, WY, CO, UT, NM

Central Time Zone
ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, TX, MN,IA, MO, AR, LA, WI, IL, IN, TN, AL, MS

Eastern Time Zone
MI, OH, GA, FL, ME, VT, RI, MA, CT, NY, PA, MD, Washington DC, VA, WV, NC, SC, DE, NH, NJ, KY

[Angela]

My mom and I would love to go to a CL BB reunion! I chose Central simply because it seems more logical for all the members, being that's its in the middle. Makes it easier for everyone to get to, IMO. Seattle would have been great to go to, but it was just too far for most of us East Coasters.

[lhall]

I'd love to go to one. I wanted to go to Seattle, but it was the same time as our vacation was planned, and finances.

Where is not much of an issue for me as long as Delta flies there. I have a non-dependant pass card and can fly standby anywhere Delta flies. Now, it's low priority for me and some cities are harder to get into, but I grew up flying standby so that's normal for me.

Leigh

[aggie94]

I'm sorta torn between Central and Mountain. Central, because it's centrally located, although there are certainly plenty of places in the Central Time Zone that I'm not particularly interested in having this reunion. :o Really, I chose Central for Austin, or maybe even Chicago. Second to that would be Mountain, because the Denver area sounds fun.

But then again there's Canada.... :rolleyes:

[emily]

Originally posted by aggie94
there are certainly plenty of places in the Central Time Zone that I'm not particularly interested in having this reunion. :o ...
But then again there's Canada.... :rolleyes:

I choose Mountain time becasue while Central is well, in the center, it's also a lot of nothing - no offense to those (including me) who live out there.

However, I've been to Minniapolis (yikes, how do you spell that city?!) and it is beautiful! So, I wouldn't mind returning.

But then again there's Canada, which I really want to visit. But it's harder for most to get to. I think that we have to know that we're not going to make everyone happy on all levels. Regardless, the comprimises are well worth it!

emily

[sushibones]

When we did the countrywide poll for the first CL gathering (June 2001), we were able to vote for more than one area. Since I had to choose one, I picked Mountain for Denver. My second choice would be Central. I am voting more for what is realistic, rather than where I would actually like to go. My first choice would be Canada or the West Coast.

Denver is a hub city, so should be easy for most people to get into. Even for me, since it is notoriously difficult to get out of Idaho without many connections, and a day spent traveling. I would love to go to Austin as well, but the travel arrangements are more intimidating.

I think one of the reasons the Seattle weekend worked so well, as has been mentioned before, is that Paula did a lot of legwork at the very beginning, and helped us to find a central place downtown so that everyone could get there with minimal transportation problems, and that we could walk everywhere we went. The logistics were simplified in the extreme.

It's not just a matter of what part of the country is easiest for everyone to get to, but what is available when we get there, how far it is, who is there to work out the details. The more factors you add, the more expensive and complicated the planning becomes. The first CL gathering in Birmingham was facilitated with CL's help; the one in Seattle because most of us were close to the area.

If I am sounding cautious and overly concerned with the details, please forgive me. We're leaving this morning to spend a week in Colorado with DH's family, and I don't know how often I will be able to get to the BB in the next week, so I'm trying to put my reflections down before I go. Haste makes for muddled thinking and frequently an ungraceful way of putting things.

I hope we can pull this together in a way that maximizes the number of participants and minimizes the hassle and expense, and we can all get together and have a terrific time. :) :) :)

[SandyM]

I think Susan raises very valid points.

Twenty of us in a room for 3 straight days, and I might not love ya as much as I do now!! :D :D :D

Now, of course I've never been to Denver, so perhaps there are many things we can do within walking distance. If not, transportation becomes an issue.

I can get just about anywhere from Detroit with no big travel issues. And I will not fight anyone for position in the kitchen - I actually do better at clean-up when bigger crowds are involved. With help, of course......:p

[lisas3575]

My preference would be to go to Canada-- from what I understood from Maureen, it's an easy flight and ferry ride from Vancouver.

[LaraW]

Originally posted by emily


Minniapolis (yikes, how do you spell that city?!)

M-I-N-N-E-A-P-O-L-I-S

You were close

:cool:

[sneezles]

Well, we have B&Bs that we own and could use. I have about 20 beds in 6 houses. Close to Austin, Houston, and not too very far from San Antonio. And depending on when it would happen I could kick out DH and DS#3 for a long weekend :D

[SandyM]

Originally posted by sneezles
Well, we have B&Bs that we own and could use. I have about 20 beds in 6 houses. Close to Austin, Houston, and not too very far from San Antonio. And depending on when it would happen I could kick out DH and DS#3 for a long weekend :D

Wow!!! I've never been to Texas.........:D :D :D

[SusanT]

How about the Chicago area? Chicago is a central hub for most airlines so it should be easy for people to get to. Chicago has some GREAT food.

[linsleyd]

Just want to throw my two cents in, not sure if I could risk taking a trip without DH, so we'll see about that.

I think Chicago and Austin/San Antonio sound like the better choices.
Chicago is close enough for East Coasters, but Austin/San Antonio draws me more than Chicago. (been to both before) not that you really care!;)

Anyway, with all of the resident Texans I think it would be easier to get things going and organized. Travel to Texas is the same as travel anywhere, and anywhere Jet Blue or Southwest fly - we could get relatively cheap flights!


:)

Just my thoughts on the situation!

[Sami]

I chose Eastern, but I can go anywhere. I think Canada is great, but it means another trip to the West Coast, which may be a problem for many on the East Coast. Therefore, maybe Central is best.



Sami

[MKSquared]

Originally posted by Sami
I chose Eastern, but I can go anywhere. I think Canada is great, but it means another trip to the West Coast, which may be a problem for many on the East Coast. Therefore, maybe Central is best.


Ummmm ... Canada has an east coast, too!

I love Canada, and I'd try to get there in a heartbeat. My vote goes to Chicago, though! I wish I could vote for "midwest" instead of central or eastern. :)

[MKSquared]

Originally posted by linsleyd
Travel to Texas is the same as travel anywhere, and anywhere Jet Blue or Southwest fly - we could get relatively cheap flights!


Actually, I've found that flying into Dallas/Fort Worth can get kind of complicated. There's some sort of regulations that make you land in a specific area before you're allowed to fly into DFW. Not sure if that's every airline, but ... :rolleyes:

I'd point out the heat factor, too -- but if it's anything like this summer, it's simply going to be freaking hot anywhere! :D

[aggie94]

Originally posted by MKSquared
I'd point out the heat factor, too -- but if it's anything like this summer, it's simply going to be freaking hot anywhere! :D

Actually, when we talked about Austin as an option, we specifically discussed February/March, as that's the best time of year to be in Texas.

I am guessing that once the location is chosen, the time of year will be chosen accordingly, so that hopefully we get the best weather we can expect. :) (Which explains why we didn't go to Seattle in January!)

[Wendy w]

I voted for Central because Chicago would be convenient for most people and it has a lot of nice things going for it, including restaurants & Penzey's. However, I would love to go to Vancouver, Colorado, or Texas.

[greysangel]

i dont care where, just not october because that's my romantic vacation *swoon icon*

JeAnne

[emily]

Originally posted by MKSquared


Actually, I've found that flying into Dallas/Fort Worth can get kind of complicated. There's some sort of regulations that make you land in a specific area before you're allowed to fly into DFW. Not sure if that's every airline, but ... :rolleyes:

It's actually not DFW that has the regulations but DFW has imposed regulations on Love Field which is where Southwest flies into. Basically they built DFW with the intention of it being the "major" airport that flies to any state and Love is the "local" airport. Thus, to fly into Love you have to be coming from another Texas city, Oklahoma, or Kansas, give or take a state or two.

But we're not even discussing going to Dallas right? Because IMO, there are far better Texas cities ;)

emily

[lindrusso]

Chicago! I LOVE Chicago!! Okay, I know we're just voting on regions, but I can't help but put my preference out there.

I probably wouldn't make it to Austin, but it's a great city and I highly recommend it!

[brykate]

I'd like to go to Denver. The place Em posted (Breckinridge) sounds wonderful and with plenty of room. Cold months would be awesome. Cozy! :-)

Sorry for my vote east-ies:rolleyes: I couldn't help it.
New England would be wonderful too but I could only vote once.
Canada also sounds great.

And LaraW - good job posting the poll. Can't make everyone happy but thank you for your efforts and initiative :D :)

:) Katie

[RebeccaT]

I selfishly voted Central in the hopes that the get together will be in Texas. Pretty much anywhere else will be a toss-up as to whether or not I make it, as I would have finacial and timing considerations.

I certainly will try, though, since Seattle seems like it was an amazing time!

[Molli526]

I voted Chicago. Easy city to get into- 2 major airports, centrally located and great food :)

[Natasha]

I would suggest Toronto or Montreal for the following reasons. They:

- are quite centrally-located as far as west-east goes
- are big enough cities to usually offer decently-priced airfares
- offer a great exchange rate for you Americans
- have a lot of fun things to do - and Montreal has the added bonus of the French-English combination, which may interest some of you
- excellent, extremely diverse restaurants in both cities

Best times to visit: May-June and Sept.-Oct. (though Apr., July, and August could also work). Not Dec-Feb. if you are not used to winter and dislike cold weather, though these cities are not as cold as many believe.

Just my .02. Enjoy, wherever you decide to go and whatever you decide to do!

Natasha

[Chefzhat]

Chicago! Molli, I'll drive;) ;)

[Svadhisthana]

Antoher Chicago!!!!!!!

[kirkbyky]

I've never been there (Yes, I know its only 4 hrs away by car), but would love to go. My 2nd choice would be Austin--absolutely beautiful, interesting city.

Kyle

[mb]

i voted east-coast, but again, that is a selfish choice.:D chicago sounds good too though...
marisa :)

[KristaMB]

After pondering this vote for the last two days, I've decided to vote Mountain. But I'd also be game for Chicago or somewhere in Texas, with a preference for Texas since I've never been there. Of course, anywhere in California would be wonderful, but maybe not as fair for the other folks who would have to travel so far to get here. Oh, the dilemmas! :D

[Wendy w]

Originally posted by KristaMB
After pondering this vote for the last two days, I've decided to vote Mountain. But I'd also be game for Chicago or somewhere in Texas, with a preference for Texas since I've never been there. Of course, anywhere in California would be wonderful, but maybe not as fair for the other folks who would have to travel so far to get here. Oh, the dilemmas! :D

San Diego would be really fun, but I don't think that it is in the cards...at least this year.;)

[KristaMB]

Originally posted by Wendy w


San Diego would be really fun, but I don't think that it is in the cards...at least this year.;)

Wendy, I completely agree. :) Plus, I want to see other parts of the country!

Perhaps we should rotate. East Coast one year (Birmingham would qualify for 2001), West Coast the next (Seattle for 2002), then Central, Mountain, and International in whatever order everybody selects.

[jjsooner73]

Originally posted by MKSquared
Actually, I've found that flying into Dallas/Fort Worth can get kind of complicated. There's some sort of regulations that make you land in a specific area before you're allowed to fly into DFW. Not sure if that's every airline, but ... :rolleyes:

I'd point out the heat factor, too -- but if it's anything like this summer, it's simply going to be freaking hot anywhere! :D

There's some regulation that says Southwest airlines can't fly to/from Love Field (Dallas) from/to more than one state away. Something like that...which is why I can't take advantage of a cheap fare to Vegas!! BUt that's only Love Field/Southwest. All else is no problem--the big airport is DFW.

As for the heat factor--I"m probably jinxing myself here, but it hasn't yet been [b]HOT[/b} here. We've had some days in the 90's, but it hasn't been like the 3 three summers that I've lived here. Right now, it's rainy (has been for 3 days) and the air is so think you can cut it with a knife. But it's not hot. :)

[LaraW]

Originally posted by MKSquared


I wish I could vote for "midwest" instead of central or eastern. :)

Sorry, Mary Kate! I was going to do that, but I couldn't figure out how to portion out the country. :( I figured that "Midwest" or "South" or whatever might mean different things to different people (for example, I am originally from Iowa, I consider that to be Midwest, but to me Ohio is the East even though to a lot of people that is the Midwest)

So being the great diplomat that I am ;) , I did time zones so that nobody could argue that a state was not in a particular region (of course there is AZ and part of IN that do not do Daylight Savings, so they flip between time zones, but that is a whole different story!!!)

[Wendy w]

Originally posted by KristaMB


Wendy, I completely agree. :) Plus, I want to see other parts of the country!

I also love this as an excuse to visit other areas of the country. I know that those who haven't been to SD would fall in love with it!