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Post by Ensign Sandra on Jun 26, 2021 22:04:15 GMT
Several shipmates gathered belowdecks on Zoom to conspire discuss how to neutralize the captain where we might gather for a live event this autumn. We don't want no shipworms and hurricanes, so we've gone inland. Way, waaaaaay inland, to Salt Lake City, Utah. (It wasn't me who suggested it, so don't go thinking I was just weaseling out of travel expenses! ) Take a look at the visitor's bureau website to get an idea of the spectacular scenery, sights to see, and things to do. We got mountains! We got brewpubs (real ones!) We got (as you may have heard) a big, salty lake! It's super easy to get here, as most US carriers fly into our brand-new airport. It's super-easy to get in to town as well; about 15 minutes by cab or rideshare, a little longer on the light rail, and many hotels have free shuttles. We haven't settled on one yet, but I'll look for one with an indoor pool. Or, if we prefer, we can look into renting a house. So answer roll call with an aye or nay about your possible attendance and indicate which dates would work for you and we'll get this party planned.
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Post by Bucky on Jun 27, 2021 2:45:26 GMT
I've never been to SLC so I am all for it, especially since it is such a departure from the heat and humidity of FL. And you had me at brew pubs ....
If we can get a house that would be my preference, but I can do some research on the hotel/VRBO options.
All dates work for me at this point.
We also talked about setting up another Zoom in a few weekends to revisit where we left off today and to discuss the options on dates, accommodations and travel info. I believe the only date not doable was July 10th, so we may work around that (and possibly do a Sunday chat). Will update when a date is chosen for the Zoom.
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Post by Bucky on Jun 28, 2021 14:31:19 GMT
Was thinking - anyone have e-mails for Phizz, Jamie, CabinKids, Kim & Brian or others that do not post a whole lot (either or FB)? I wonder if Estelle saw the FB posts? Just want to get everyone that may be interested in the loop, or who have attending the past few years. A few of our Canadian pals showed interest in attending a moot this year, as well as Jan who was on the Zoom Saturday, but that would depend on the travel restrictions being lifted. I did some prelim research yesterday: Lots of VRBO/Airbnb options, including ones with hot tubs Once we get a head count, it will be easier to narrow down our needs (bed-wise). Same with hotels - lots of choices! Things to do in SLC websites are chock full of stuff to do. Tours, trolleys, outdoor activities. They do have Segway tours around SLC! Here is a link to one of the websites with lists of activities: SLC ActivitiesI am thinking of coming in on Tuesday (so I am not travelling all day Wednesday, as that would only leave Thurs-part of Sunday to really explore). Are we solid on the Sunday end? I may stay an extra day.
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Post by Phizz on Jun 28, 2021 14:50:21 GMT
Aye aye Captain! Would love to see Salt Lake City! Most of the dates will work for me!!
Thanks ~Phizz
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Post by Bucky on Jun 28, 2021 15:17:15 GMT
I remembered I had texted a few folks during our last moot and still had them on my phone. I managed to text Estelle, Brian & Kim, Jamie (who cannot attend, but I'll see her at DW this Fall), the Cabins and Sueanne. Not sure I have all the right #s but I did my best! I see Phizz already posted (sorry about the early texts, forgot about the time difference)! Yeah that you can join!!
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Post by Otter on Jun 28, 2021 16:10:24 GMT
Thanks, Tracy, for the text (it wasn't too early). SLC sounds great! Haven't yet selected a preferred date as we could probably work around any of them, so whatever works for everybody else. Missing you all!
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Post by Bucky on Jun 28, 2021 18:24:40 GMT
Thanks, Tracy, for the text (it wasn't too early). SLC sounds great! Haven't yet selected a preferred date as we could probably work around any of them, so whatever works for everybody else. Missing you all! Hells yeah! Am so glad that you can make it! I miss seeing you two. Hope you've been well. And Brian will enjoy the micro-breweries that Sandra mentioned.
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Post by Ensign Sandra on Jun 28, 2021 21:04:01 GMT
I am thinking of coming in on Tuesday (so I am not travelling all day Wednesday, as that would only leave Thurs-part of Sunday to really explore). Are we solid on the Sunday end? I may stay an extra day. It depends entirely on whether any profs decide they need me to meet with their classes exactly then, but the Tuesday before and the Monday after should be in play for me.
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Post by Bucky on Jun 29, 2021 0:32:15 GMT
As I compile options from VRBO, I am going to park them here. Preliminary search. Depending on the dates and availability. Sandra - maybe you can assist with locations? A lot of rentals (not listed here) are south and closer to the resort areas, so not sure on closeness to stuff. 11 bedroom/8 bath ($290 a night) (not sure about the reviews though) House 15 bedroom (9 beds)/3 bath ($290 a night) House 28 bedroom/4 bath (12 beds) ($425 a night) House 35 bedroom/3 bath ($280 a night) House 45 bedroom/3 bath ($319 a night) House 56 bedroom/2 bath ($332 a night) House 6 And Mags, this one is for you (but way outta our price league): Indoor Pool
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Post by QueueMistressMags on Jul 3, 2021 17:20:47 GMT
These are all really nice. Of course it depends on how many of us decide to come. And I have to be honest, I'm not at all sure we should be traveling in the autumn. The Delta variant is really scary and things are opening up and I feel like we may be in a pickle again soon. So just saying, anything we plan more must be able to be cancelled.
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Post by Academic Fangirl on Jul 4, 2021 19:07:09 GMT
These are all really nice. Of course it depends on how many of us decide to come. And I have to be honest, I'm not at all sure we should be traveling in the autumn. The Delta variant is really scary and things are opening up and I feel like we may be in a pickle again soon. So just saying, anything we plan more must be able to be cancelled. Please don't remind me- we are about to go PCR test ourselves on Tuesday as live next door to one of the areas with highest rate in the UK........ probably as it is also student central and currently spreading badly in secondary & 18-24 year olds. T & I both fully (Pfizer) jabbed but obviously the young Master AF (who will be 10 two weeks tomorrow) is not..... Wish I could come but with the rates over here not going anywhere outside of UK this year......
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Post by pamski01 on Jul 5, 2021 13:33:25 GMT
Hi! Just ‘unvoted’ Sept 29-Oct 3 for me. Might be able to go then if needed, But took it off.
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Post by Bucky on Jul 5, 2021 14:13:54 GMT
I guess it depends on everyone's comfort with travelling. I am ok with travelling. And I am still ok with whichever time frame is chosen.
Some of the AirBnB/VRBO do have cancellation timelines, some of which are quite reasonable. There is also the option of hotels, which can easily be cancelled within days of a trip. We just booked the Residence Inn for our Buffalo nephew's wedding trip. They have 1 & 2 bed suites with kitchens and sofabeds. Through my sister's senior discount, we got 2 bedroom suites for $124 a night (1/2 price).
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Post by Ensign Sandra on Jul 6, 2021 16:03:31 GMT
11 bedroom/8 bath ($290 a night) (not sure about the reviews though)
House 1
Just getting the main VRBO page here rather than a specific property
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5 bedroom (9 beds)/3 bath ($290 a night)
House 2
A couple of very sketchy reviews here ------------------------------- 8 bedroom/4 bath (12 beds) ($425 a night)
House 3
This one is plenty big enough and the Capitol area is nice, but the cancellation terms are full refund if within 48 hours of booking, and 50% minus service fee up to two weeks before check-in.
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5 bedroom/3 bath ($280 a night)
House 4
Not sure this one will have enough sleeping capacity for us (depending on who comes), but this is a great neighborhood. The 9th and 9th area (900 East and 900 South) has great restaurants and funky little shops. Cancellation is full refund by 8 weeks out, half by 4 weeks out.
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5 bedroom/3 bath ($319 a night)
House 5
The Avenues is another cool historic neighborhood, but these guys say full refund by July 30; half refund, minus service fee by Aug 29; and no refund for cancellations from Aug 30 on (I used the September 28-Oct 3 dates and it's not available then anyway)
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6 bedroom/2 bath ($332 a night)
House 6
This is also near 9th and 9th and has a hot-tub, but possibly a little cramped on the sleeping accommodations as well. Sugarhouse is one of the older neighborhoods in SLC, so lots of cool architecture, but the houses aren't huge.
------------ And Mags, this one is for you (but way outta our price league): Indoor Pool
Eh, we didn't want to stay in Draper anyway. Traffic is obnoxious and everything's too far away to walk.
------------------ We might have to stick with hotels to get anything like the cancellation policies we're looking for. And the CDC is currently recommending against non-essential travel to SLC. Unfortunately, our "Pioneer Spirit" sometimes translates into "you're not the boss of me!" and vaccine uptake rates are not what one could wish.
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Post by Bucky on Jul 10, 2021 0:33:47 GMT
I think we'll just stick with hotels, then? We lucked out in Tybee Island and had pleasant property managers to deal with. It seems terms are a lot different in SLC than some other cities.
As I said, there are hotels that have kitchens or free breakfast. While I would love to be able to have a main gathering place, we can figure that out - like how the folks in Boston let us use the dining area to play games.
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