Yeah TIS, we can all go visit Alcatraz. I wanted to go there when I was in Sanfran 3 years ago But I didn't get a chance.

Alcatraz is always booked way ahead of time. I tried to get ticket on-line a couple weeks before I went to S.F., but they were sold out. It's more famous of a tourist attraction then one might think.


TIS

Yeah, 10-20 years, with a year off for good behavior.

I thoroughly enjoyed touring Alcatraz. It was both interesting and educational.


It's a MUST tour when visiting San Fran.

I'm bumping this up to see if anyone has given any more thought here. I'm sensing (due to the silence) that perhaps some want to skip this year's????? Or, that everyone wants it in their neighborhood and don't want to say so. I am still up for it. I am a planner, and in the past, with the meets we've had, I need time to search prices/fares, etc. Not to mention save money.

We were discussing Vegas last I knew, but I certainly am still open. Anyone else??? I see no harm in discussing a location.
There are many major cities I've never been to that may be very nice. Your thoughts.


TIS

My biggest problem, TIS, is that I've been offered a job by a swimming pool contractor. If I do indeed start that job, then I don't think I could get away to Vegas, since summer is their high season. Until I know what's going on, I really couldn't commit to more than a night or two.

I really should let everyone else decide. If I can join in, I'll be thrilled.

Thanks for the quick reply SB. I understand your situation. Yet it is early enough still to discuss a location and to add/subtract a name or reservation she we decide on one.

To make things easier, I'm totally open to Geoff picking a location each year. I trust he'd be fair and it would eliminate the back and forth here. After all, it's the meet that matters and there are many cities I haven't seen yet that may be fun.

Or, another possiblility is to post a list several cities/sites and somehow randomly have a drawing as to where. Is it possible to do have the computer draw a city? That way it'll be settle quickly. We just need to choose cities we would like to have it in. As a matter of fact we could save the cities we all choose and then draw each year, eliminating last year's city. I like that idea. Or is that too lame?


Anyone else want to add their two cents?


TIS

New York City or Southeast Florida.

Aw, that's pretty selfish of me.

Ok, give me a city in Southeast Florida. (Geography is not my strong point)

TIS

Another possibility is to choose two major cities from the East, West, Central US that we'd all like to see and then draw one.

Miami Beach.

So PB (and SB if you're still around), what do you think of my idea of listing several cities we'd like to have it in and then drawing one????? (Unless of course we all decide on one, but past experience tells me that since everyone wants it in their area, it could be a lenghty process.)


TIS

I'll go anywhere to finally meet you guys. I wouldn't even mind going out to California. I have an uncle in Palm Springs who is always hounding me for not visiting enough.

Palm Spring is beautiful, but if you go in the summer you're looking at about 120 degrees. Now, I love the heat, but that's a tad warm even for me. Of course, you could still visit and not go outside.

Just for the sake of dicussion, I've never been to say...Denver, Pheonix, (TB territory), Cincinnati, and I don't know lots of major cities. Not to say I'm shutting out Vegas, NYC, L.A., San Francisco and any other famous area.



TIS

He's actually in Palm desert, TIS. And I know! I made the mistake of visiting in July 2005. MOTHER OF GOD was it unbearable!

In the Summer? Fuggedaboutit! Same with Phoenix (though I'd LOVE to go back there - I love Arizona.) If we were to do Arizona or Florida or any place like that, I think we should do it in the Spring. But of course that causes scheduling problems for days off work...

I'd LOVE to hit Vegas, or Cally! I'm just concerned about the expense right now. But we simply MUST do both one of these years! Haven't looked into it, tho...

I also wouldn't mind someplace like Cleveland to give Mig a break for once. Rock N Roll HOF sounds cool. Football HOF in Canton (not sure how far that is). But is there anything else to do there?

Washington DC might be interesting; I haven't been there in a while.

...or New York

New York City!!

I know spring for me, I have a two week break (last week in March and first in April I think). I'd have a hard time getting another week off if not in that time span. However, I never say never.


TIS

Now you're tawking my language.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=jM52Xsvw5NQ

I would love to see the R&R Hall of Fame. Also, what about major cities in the midwest/central states? We could all travel just a bit that way


TIS

Do they even exist?

Oh, just hurry up and move here already.

Ha ha!!! I know what you mean. Yet, for a weekend I think we'd still have fun.

In defense of Vegas (In the summer especially) you can not beat room prices. Even in the older known hotels on the strip, I know they outdo the Edison and am guessing they outdo any average NYC hotel both in price and otherwise; not to mention the cheap food and drinks(although not as cheap as it use to be). Last time I checked flights from NYC to Vegas it was about $325 - $350 r/t.

Also, having been to NYC twice, I know what the food/cabs/tips, etc. cost. In Vegas you can walk wherever you go for the most part. Then again, the gambling is another story. How much do you want to gamble?

That being said, since we've been to Philly, Chicago, NYC, NJ, do you all want to repeat or try another city?

TIS

Just as an aid, and perhaps a reminder of some cities we may not think of, here is one list of America's top travel cities. For your info:


US Top Travel Cities


TIS

Chicago!

Indianapolis is alright too, but it's very very tiny compared to somewhere like Chicago or NY especially.

Vegas sounds good, not sure about money though and if Megan is pregnant by the time the BB Weekend rolls around then we most likely wouldn't go unless it was close.

Gulf Shores, Alabama is nice, and we'd probably be able to get a free condo for me and Megan if we could make it.

Gotta love the Don The Football HOF sounds good to me. 45min from my house. But I wouldn't mind going to Washington DC. I haven't been there in a while. Plus it's like a 3 hour drive for Becky.

But I think that that all who is serious about going should pm Geoff a list of cities and let him decide.

I am ok with the R&R Hall of Fame. I am such a fan of the music from especially the 60's & 70's, (Not to mention any Elvis memorbilia) I'm guessing I would love browsing there. Mig, do you know of any sites in the area (or I suppose any good bars for our gang). We don't want like at Itasca, where nothing else was in the area.

P.S. But...the Football HOF??? I'll take R&R any day.

*Here's a link to the R&R HOF with HOF entrance and one night hotel (including breakfast) for two people at several different hotels. For those of who travel alone I'm guessing it'd be the same room price, but not sure. Still, not too bad. I haven't browsed the entire site but sounds like it's downtown which means there should be things to do.

R&R HOF


TIS

I'm going to Wrigley on April 22nd to see my Mets play the Cubs in a day game. I just got the tickets the other day as a belated Christmas gift, and I'm VERY excited. I'll be there for three days total and I wouldn't mind some restaurant tips from some of the locals.

What kind of food are you into, PB?

All kinds! Italian, of course, is number one, but lately I've been on an "All-American" frenzy. You know, what they call "comfort food." I also really love all kinds of Latino food, especially Cuban!

Ya gotta try some of their deepdish pizza.....