Big Gala

[Tammy]

I know some of us have talked in the past about everyone getting together, just to chat.
I would absolutely love to meet some of you and the kids, too.
Now I know it's hard for some to travel, and everyone is spread all over.
But just as an idea to start...
Who would be able/willing to travel and spend the day somewhere?
Where would be a good area? (somewhere central?)
What kind of place?
This fall or next spring? (Next spring would probably be the best except I'm terribly impatient, but I'll try to be sensible ;D)

So first up.....Regina and I travel very well and would be willing to go anywhere for a weekend. We are in Pennsylvania.

Any others?

[sarahk]

I'd love to meet-and EAT-with others. But, I'm a teacher, so the summers or winter break time would be best for me. I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area

[Chelsea]

I would probably go if it wasn't too expensive. I know since most are on the east coast I would probably have to fly.

I don't have the details yet but I may be going to a get together with another message board I belong to (not an HFI board) , and it's going to be in PA, so Tammy at very least I may get to meet you and Regina.

I could pretty much do whatever time of year since it would likely just be Gillianne & myself.

[nancyrandall]

We would come!! We are in Minnesota but, are willing to fly or drive sometime next spring/summer.

Nancy

[kristen]

We'd have to play it by ear. The new baby is due March 1, so it'll kinda depend on how we are all doing.


KJ

[lisa]

I would love to meet everyone in person! We are currently planning a trip to Texas in mid October to visit family. If anyone is interested in meeting that soon (somewhere within driving distance of Austin) maybe I'll extend the trip a day or two. Otherwise, next summer is probably best. We'll probably have to fly anywhere you want to meet (unless anyone wants to come to San Diego )

Kristen, I thought you had alluded to being "in the family way" earlier, but wasn't 100% sure. Congratulations!!! Jeez, maybe we should be meeting close to Boston?
Lisa

[Tammy]

Wow, it's great to see so many in favor of this.
Sounds like maybe next June or July would be best. Fred won't be snowed in, Sarah will be out of school, and Kristen will have time to get the new baby settled (What great news Kristen!)

Depending where we do this, June may be the best as it won't be as hot as July. I can do anytime.

As for where....we can wait and see who all else is interested, but just didn't check in on the board today. Fred's ideas are good. We can also just pick somewhere in the center of the northeast coast if the west coast is going to have to fly anyway. Or Boston is even fine with me if the baby isn't up to travelling. The best senario would be if someone lives in the middle and knows the area, then we'd have at least some ideas of where to meet in the area.

Chelsea, when you get the details of your trip to PA, e-mail them to me and I'll make it a point to try to get the chance to be there, too. That would be great. Do you have a semi-time frame for that?

Lisa & Mary, I will probably be Phoenix next March. My mom is a snowbird in Sun City and we are thinking about going out for a week. Probably wont make it on out to San Diego this trip, though.

Gee....Next June. Seems so far away. But it'll give all of us lots of time to plan and let everyone else know.

I'm excited already.

[Gretchen]

That sounds like alot of fine. I, like Nancy am in Minnesota, but would be willing to travel some. Summer works great because of school and the sooner I could know the better for vacation time at work. Jarrett would love it!!

Gretchen

[laurie]

I would love a big get together, but I too would have to play it by ear. I think I'm also the odd ball out here too being as I'm down south. (South Carolina)
I'll keep checking to see when/where yall decide to meet and I'll go from there.
I do normally go to NJ/NY area during the summer for at least a week so that will put me in the general area..........haha

Laurie

[Benjamins mom]

Hi all. A get together would be fun. We're in NJ near the coast. We do a lot of 5-8 hour trips and my boys travel well in the car. Can't say we can afford to fly anywhere...but we're up for a day trip or a weekend get-away. It seems like a few could do PA. We're in Philly every 3 months or so for appts. I don't want to exclude those who can't make it to PA, but perhaps some of us could meet there sometime? Anyone free for lunch in Philly on Oct 19th? We're seeing a metabolic doctor at CHOP that day. Anytime is good for us. I think we have a couple more years before we'll be more tied down with sports and all. If anyone wants a trip to the Jersey shore...we have a small cape, but somehow accumulated lots of pull-out sofas and extra beds. Anytime is fine. :-)carrie

[Tammy]

So far we have:
PA
Canada
Boston
S. Carolina
New Jersey
Wash
2 Minnesota
2 California

So Fred's idea of Ohio may be good. Cincinnati or even a little farther north like Cleveland. Or Indiana may be closer for the Minnesota's. Could you still drive that far from NJ?

I'd volunteer to have it in my backyard in PA but the problem with my area is that it's very rural. Not only don't we have any good food stores here, we also don't have any airports close by for those who can fly. Closest airport is 1 1/2 hour drive - on a good day. Closest big airport is Philadelphia, about 3 1/2 hr drive. So in PA we'd still have to just pick an anonymous city like Philly or Pittsburgh.

We're good to go anywhere. But we always enjoy a trip to the NJ shore, too.

So any "votes" or other cities anyone wants to suggest?

It does sound like June may work well. Late June?

Carrie, lunch in Philly sometime would be great, but I'm not sure the 19th will work. Let me know next time you are there, and I'll see if I can work on the 19th. [e-mail]

[colormist]

I might be able to come, depending on my relocation--I'm actually looking to move to Ohio. I think it would be fun to meet up with everyone. A HFI Potluck would be fun for food.

I'm in Michigan right now.

[colormist]

Woah, I think that's a spammer or a troll. I've never seen a conspiracy theorist spammer or troll, though. I'm a little confused. Can someone delete their message (and mine so people don't get confused)?

[toothfairy2]

I am new but I would love to come. This has been a life altering change in our house hold, My son always really wants too! "I'd just like to meet some people who have to eat like me." Name the place, time and date: we won't miss this chance. Please put us on the message list. I will need a us heads-up, when everyone decides where and when this is going to happen. I'll use air miles so we can make it just about anywhere, given enough (6 weeks) advance notice. I'm only good for driving about 12 hours with a child. >>>Are we there yet?.......... Are we there yet?.............................How much longer Mom?........... I'm flying.