The idea of a second Great Slow Travel Gathering has been bouncing around for a while now. We all had such a great time in Savannah, and now we are wondering if we should continue the tradition with next big gathering in San Diego, in early to mid-March, 2010.
Basically we want to get a sense of, if we do this again, how many people would come. (The regional gatherings have been quite popular, and many might wish to stick to those.)
San Diego is easy to fly to, there are lots of hotels and vacation rentals in all price ranges, and we would definitely try to keep the cost of the event down.
Shannon would this be in place of, or in addition to, Paso Robles.
It would be tough to have to choose between the two but they are close both in date and location.
I know this is just a preliminary poll...... but just thinking. Mind you with our record of attendance at the Gathering and Paso Robles I don't know why I am even asking.
Originally posted by Sheena: Shannon would this be in place of, or in addition to, Paso Robles.
It would be tough to have to choose between the two but they are close both in date and location.
Actually, I was thinking the same thing Sheena There is also what would be the 5th Annual Picnic in CA as well in April. (if I read that GTG thread correctly )
Could the Paso Robles experience be expanded into a Slow Trav Great GTG? It sounds like a really great experience. Just some thoughts.
Sheena - I am pretty sure the San Diego gathering would be in addition to Paso Robles. The SlowBowl gathering has to be limited to a small group because of space and other considerations. The San Diego gathering would be another chance for all STers to gather together.
Judy
ps: we missed you at Paso this year -- one way or another we will get you down here next year!
Posts: 3943 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
Gosh, just when I decided to do my best to attend SlowBowl next year. Also, I'm planning a trip to Venice/Florence in mid Oct. 2010....what's a SlowTraveler to do? I suppose I'd prefer San Diego (free housing) over Paso. No way I'm passing up Italy.
I think we are all in for some tough decision making. There is a huge pull for Paso, everyone has such a great time there every year........but San Diego was the second choice after Savannah, it is a really popular location.
After missing the first Great ST GTG last year, we were hopeful we'd be able to attend the mini GTG in Savannah this spring, but alas, no. the world economy has conspired against us! We're going to have to enlist everyone's help in selling our house so that we can make this 2010 gtg, or at least the one in Paso Robles! Help! Either that or you're all going to have to come to Umbria for a grand gtg here!
Lots of good feedback on our proposed Gathering 2010.
Some of you have asked why San Diego - and suggested we hold this gathering in Paso Robles. So here's the reason Shannon is proposing San Diego:
San Diego:
*is easy to get to - STers can fly directly into San Diego Airport;
*is Shannon's "Hood" - She knows the area, options for gathering places, food and drink purveyors; all this is helpful when planning for large groups;
*it has lots of sightseeing and activity options including (but not limited to) wonderful warm, sandy beaches, a world class zoo, great museums, the offer of a swimming party in a local's backyard, shopping galore, proximity to the Mexican border if anyone fancies a trip to a foreign country, and a hangout nearby called the Vine, should anyone be so inclined; pleasant weather patterns.
Paso Robles:
*is a 3 hr. drive from either San Francisco or Los Angeles International Airport;
*is a central valley farming town, with few activities other than wine tasting, which may NOT be attractive to all ST members. The coast has few "beach" areas, the water is generally colder than further south, and getting to the coast means driving over a range of hills on a busy non-freeway roadway;
*has no known large gathering venues - the house we have used for the SlowBowl was at the bursting point with fewer than 45 of us, and the kitchen facilities are limited -- the reason attendance at this event has been capped at 45;
*the more people wine tasting, the more complicated and expensive it becomes - and most of the Paso wineries are not set up to host large groups;
*Paso Robles has fewer restaurants than San Diego, and many of them are small.
Judy
Posts: 3943 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
I'm relieved to hear Paso is always going to be there, because the dates for San Diego are outside my "window of freedom". So, I'll continue to come to Paso.
To my great distress, I also don't get to go to Palma's GTG because of the time of year.
BUT, if the Boston GTG happens again in Jan. next year, I told Dan we need to go back to that one.
Also, at the prompting of Colleen & Brad, I am beginning to do some research for a potential GTG in St. Louis in 2010.
Does anyone else think its time for our dear neighbors to the north to host a big GTG? Say in the neighborhood of, oh, I don't know, maybe Burlington?
Maybe we are to the point that we need a "Master Calendar" for all regularly scheduled GTGs.
Deborah Horn In a previous life I was an Umbrian sunflower farmer. I want to do a past life regression and stay there. ----------------------------------- www.petsburg.com My blog: Old Shoes - New Trip
Posts: 5599 | Location: St. Louis, MO | Registered: 04 September 2001
We absolutely loved our time in San Diego and would return in a flash! It was an easy city to navigate, easy for driving, great airport, and really cheap flights. Great hiking, Balboa park was brilliant. More than anything though - we LOVED Ocean Beach. The thought of the fish tacos we enjoyed there has me salivating . . . and don't get me started on the Vine . . . and the kicky farmer's market . . .and the Cuban bakery . . . and the cool surfer vibe . . . oh oh - you got me started!
Jerry
The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see. ~G.K. Chesterton
Leslie, do we even have any ST members in Burlington, VT? I don't think I've noticed.
No, the person to whom I was referring, seems to realize who he is.
Deborah Horn In a previous life I was an Umbrian sunflower farmer. I want to do a past life regression and stay there. ----------------------------------- www.petsburg.com My blog: Old Shoes - New Trip
Posts: 5599 | Location: St. Louis, MO | Registered: 04 September 2001
Oh Shannon, this is a tough one for me too. Spurred on by Pokey saying she would attend the next Slow Bowl, I was thinking about attending that next year too. I am also planning on the Florence/Venice GTG if all the stars align favorably. I know I can't do all three in the same year as much as I loved my time in San Diego last year. But if you're planning it, I knpw it will be awesome!
Since my School Board is talking 11% cut in pay due to the budget crisis, I won't feel so bad if I took a couple of days off during the 2009-10 school year to attend this GTG in San Diego.
So my answer is a definite yes on this. I missed Savannah and SlowBowl this year, not to mention the summer GTG in the Redwoods... so I am going to this one.... LOL
I was looking out some euros for my daughter just now and came across US$200 that I had forgotten I had. A sign perhaps? or at least a start on the piggy bank
Posts: 1404 | Location: London, UK | Registered: 20 September 2006
No, the person to whom I was referring, seems to realize who he is.
So if you ever make it north we will have some fun - winery hoping in Niagara, hiking the Bruce Trail, Crawford Lake, visiting some of my favourite artists, a foodie tour, forays into Toronto . . . who knew that there was so much to do around here?
Why is it I always sit on my butt at home?
Jerry
The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see. ~G.K. Chesterton
Our family loves Slow Travel get-togethers and especially enjoyed the Savannah Gathering where we were able to connect with so many Slow Travel friends from different parts of North America.
I will definitely plan to come, and I hope our whole family will be there. We always love visiting new parts of the USA. Kelly will be a junior next year, so it is more complicated for her to miss school-- plus we will be doing college visits this time next year (hard to believe), but we hope the schedule works out. She would love to be Shannon's assistant/apprentice again!
Here are a few statistics from our Savannah Gathering:
- 87 people were there - 55 were members (12 were members for 5 years or more. 7 were new members of less than a year) - People came from 22 US states and 2 Canadian provinces. - 34 from the Southeast USA; 26 from the Western/Southwestern USA; 13 from the Northeast USA; 7 from the Midwest USA; 7 from Canada. - There were 3 "Slow Kids," age 14 and under.
I think I was vote #4 . Seriously, if we couldn't get ourselves down I5 in the other direction, what kind of ST'ers would we be? Winetasting in Temecula that weekend?
And I also strongly vote for regional gatherings in St. Louis AND one in Ontario, Canada as well.
Dmae--I just looked at your web page and was entranced with your photography. Your pictures are lovely. I loved the door hardware and the little dog and all of it. I hope you make it to SD. Our spring break here is the last week of March. Yours seems to be early.
Slow Travel Talk 
over Paso. No way I'm passing up Italy. 
You mentioned North but I wasn't sure which "North" you were talking about. 
GTG. I have not been to those places so it would be a great travel opportunity for me.
and 
. Seriously, if we couldn't get ourselves down I5 in the other direction, what kind of ST'ers would we be? Winetasting in Temecula that weekend?
