Attention Everyone Who Reads This Thread!~~

The Shrinkin' Violets are planning a meet and we cordially invite you to attend!

When: Fri., May 16 - Mon., May 19

Where: Deep Creek Lake, in Western Maryland

Who: Anyone who'd like to come!!

What: Talking, drinking, spa treatments, talking, photo ops, not much sleeping, bonding, drinking, talking, fun, surprises... and more!

RSVP: ASAP to mdrai

For those who will be flying in to the Washington, DC, area... you have 3 choices for airports: BWI (outside Baltimore), Dulles (in Virginia), and Reagan National (in DC). I've listed these in order from best to worst... so try to get into BWI! You'll want your flight to ARRIVE on FRI, MAY 16, in the MORNING (by 11am - Noon)! You'll want your flight to DEPART on MON., MAY 19, in the EVENING (after 6pm). Why? Because it's about 1 hour from the airport to my house (our staging area)... then approx. 3 hours to the Lake. Please try to coordinate flights, so efficient pick-up, drop off can be organized!

If anyone wants to fly in on Thurs., May 15 or out Tues., May 20, I'll be happy to pick you up @ the airport AND you may stay here at my home.

Questions? PM me or post them here.

Again -- EVERYONE IS INVITED! The more the merrier!

For this second round of "rsvp'ing", so far I have (in no particular order & sorry if I've missed someone!!)...

1. me

2. Jennifur

3. Terridoodle

4. Judy

5. Kat

6. Pam

7. TracyK

8. Laura

Can I throw out some ideas? Maybe I'm the only one, but I love casinos.. and all the comps, spas, etc.. ho hum.

Tunica is great, and I can get a lot of rooms comped, full spas comped, blah blah.

hehe.

I was thinking about our May get together, and while Michelle has so graciously taken on the task, if there might be a way to streamline the task and cost. When the idea of our all meeting came up I didn’t have my travel site but now that I do, perhaps I can suggest a cost effective way for all of us and not tire anyone out driving back and forth to the airport..

I have a feature on my travel site that has get-a-ways that include air & hotel for a 3-4 day weekend that is generally under $250 depending on where you are traveling from. It changes from month to month so we would have to decide where we would go at the beginning of May, book it and just go! We already have decided on the week so it would just be the where. It would allow us all to just sit around the pool and chill.

While this is just a suggestion, think about it. To get an idea of what’s available and the cost from your area visit www.sweetdreamstravelservice.com click on ‘book travel’ then click on Travel Deals under $250. There are usually 2 pages of specials. We can perhaps choose one that Jennifer can drive to. Jennifer, or anyone else who might want to drive, there is a price for hotel & car.

Just a suggestion!

Just for the record I am over my "private room" issues! You all convinced me I was being silly!!!

Jane

I was thinking and I might get some people mad at me, but wasn't all this "location" talk decided already? I love a good deal, but my low cost deal is not going to be the same as say Pam's low cost deal because of all our various locations. It really doesn't make me any mind where we go, just thought this was all decided already and hate to re-hash certain subjects!! I guess this is my pet peeve is I have one. Maybe I am wrong, and can def. accept that!! But I think the house that Michelle picked out is GREAT!! But, if we find a place better and cheaper and more central and easier to get to etc.... I am fine with that, I just want everyone to be HAPPY!!!!!!!

Once again I am sorry if I am speaking out of turn, but when you have a headache and am already crabby and not feeling well....

By the way Michelle hope you are feeling better:sick

Jane

Hey.. I really appreciate Ms. Jenn's input, but when I checked those deals, they all fly out of New York or was I reading it wrong??? That would make it well over $250 for me as I'd have to get a flight out to New York first.

I too really was looking forward to the Splash Mountain dealy where we all could be in one place.. But I will go with the flow and do whatever it takes to get us all together!! I might just have to break the Bobster's heart and tell him no Gettysburg...

Deep breaths, everyone... keep your panties on!

Yes, we can certainly still go to Deep Creek if that's what everyone wants to do!!

Ms. Jen just realized that she had access to affordable, quick get-aways that she didn't back when this whole discussion began, and wanted to offer them to us.

Cost is an issue for many of us... and roughly we're figuring $200 or so for the house, + the cost of airfare, + the cost of food, etc... Whereas these are weekend trips that are $250 or less air AND hotel... the way I understand it, the fare will be different depending where you are, but it won't be more than $250.

If we did go with one of these trips, everyone could simply fly in @ their convenience... no coordinating trips to/from the airport + then driving out to Western MD & arriving/departing there at convenient times + getting everyone back in time to fly out again.

Also, food. No need to shop & cook... just purchase!

Same w/linens, towels, paper goods...

And the private room thing wasn't aimed at anyone in particular... I think everyone may enjoy having some private space in the whirl of over-stimulation of nonstop fun!

Ms. Jen was hesitant about posting this info and re-opening the discussion. When I looked at the link, it did seem well-priced and convenient. I encouraged her to go ahead and share the info w/everyone. I think it's always good to make a decision with as much info as possible. Obviously, if we had gone ahead and booked the cabin last year, then we wouldn't have this opportunity to review our plans.

Wherever we go... the important thing is that we're together!! Watch out world, here come the Vi's!! This is ALL good! Keep an open mind, and let's consider all our options, ok?

If everyone still wants to go to Deep Creek -- great! I'm sure the details will all work themselves out... they usually do!

Peace!

Judy... there's a place where you type in your airport & it shows you the deals from that airport.

Judy... there's a place where you type in your airport & it shows you the deals from that airport.

DUH... I knew that!! *cough, cough*... thanks!!

Ok.. prices are still good flying from the closest airport here... which is a 4 hour drive.. but it looks good!!

Hey.. I really appreciate Ms. Jenn's input, but when I checked those deals, they all fly out of New York or was I reading it wrong??? That would make it well over $250 for me as I'd have to get a flight out to New York first.

I too really was looking forward to the Splash Mountain dealy where we all could be in one place.. But I will go with the flow and do whatever it takes to get us all together!! I might just have to break the Bobster's heart and tell him no Gettysburg...

Ignore this post... the Bobster will get over it..

Just my two cents here:

I love the Splash Mountain thingy. I wouldn't mind looking at other options either. For me...way over here on the left side of the country it is a long trip. Airfare to fly was around $6-700, which is not a problem for me...but for a 9+ hour flight, I will fly first class (which is double that...not a problem just me being a princess). I just don't want to arrive all tired and pissed off because some idiot slept in my lap. Then...once we land...Michelle has to schlep us around (mind you I have NO IDEA where I am going...love the adventure). It is an hour to her house...and then 3 hours to the cabin. It would be great to arrive and just be! I really don't care where we do it...and yes I am willing to make the trek(gladly to meet my sistas). But it might be nice and cost effective to look at other options. If ANYONE is gonna be pissed...we can keep it the same. Anyone wanna vaca in beautiful Palm Springs, Ca (KIDDING)!!We will save that for a reunion trip!

I don't mind the schlepping! I live to schlep -- just ask my kids! I'm a pro!

But Pam, I applaud your adventurous spirit!

How about... let's give everyone a day or two to check out the link & post any questions, etc...

Then we'll have a "secret ballot" vote. Everyone will PM me w/either "Lake" or "Surprise!" (as we won't know where we'll end up 'til May). OK?

Sounds good to me!!

Me too!!!

Michelle~ Traveling across country alone to meet people from the internet...makes perfect sense to me!

I never thought of it like that, Pam!! Ha HA!!

Naaah... we're ALL NORMAL... Reeeeeeeeaaaaalllllyyyy!!

heh heh heh