It's a long time off, but I am a planner, and want to give far away folks lots of time to try for FF miles! Anyone up for another desert GTG on October 20?
Palm Springs airport is the closest(American, Delta and United), but Ontario has more choices and airlines. Ontario is 1 hr.and 15 min. away, and has a Southwest terminal.
I would add to that the possibility that since the route to Palm Desert from the LA area goes right past the Ontario Airport, you might find someone heading that way at the right time, should a chick not want to rent a car.
Palma, wouldn't you know it, I think I will be in Italy on Oct 20! How terrible.... well, actually the plane tickets are not booked yet, so maybe we'll be back in time.
-Krista
Posts: 1716 | Location: Santa Barbara, California | Registered: 21 May 2004
I would love to come to the Desert GTG again this year-- and maybe Charley and Kelly too. The weekend of the 20th would be ideal, since Kelly has a long weekend from school.
Whatever the date, I hope we don't end up with a conflict with the Southeast GTG, as there may be several others who would like to go to both.
I've put this on my calendar, sorry I missed the 1st Desert GTG.
Carpooling - if anyone is passing through Arizona on the way to, or are from Arizona and planning on going I'd love to carpool and help share fuel cost.
Originally posted by Palma: It's a long time off, but I am a planner, and want to give far away folks lots of time to try for FF miles! Anyone up for another desert GTG on October 20?
Right now we are tentatively scheduled for either Italy or Thailand but all that depends on the whim of the USPS. If they say no to my being gone for 3 weeks then absolutely I would love to enjoy your gracious hospitality.
I plan to attend the GTG in October. I missed the one in Paso Robles, so as long as I stay healthy, I am there. Looking forward to the event. Now, I need to ask AnnieK if she is coming too.
I'm pretty new here but am interested in attending this get together. It would be wonderful to meet other travelers. (Ontario Airport is right on the way for me so I could possibly offer a ride if someone is flying there.)
Tracey
Posts: 177 | Location: West Covina, CA | Registered: 19 February 2007
Wow, we are So excited with the response so far! Welcome to Eden and Jet Bunny! A GTG is a perfect way to meet new and "seasoned" Slow Travelers! Plan on a great time...this is a wonderful group of friends!
How far is the drive from San Diego to Palm Desert? Since I will be living in San Diego soon, if it's a reasonable drive, I just may join you Eden. We need to get all the input we can for our big 2008 trip. Of course I always enjoy being awed, or more like blown away, by Palma's style of entertaining and her generous hospitality! And, of course, it's always great to hang with Brad, too.
Posts: 115 | Location: San Diego area | Registered: 16 March 2006
Hi Palma, Is the 2nd Annual GTG still on for Oct. 20? I have told a friend I will go to the exhibition of the Deal Sea Scrolls in San Diego and need to make sure she doesn't get reservations for that the same week end as the GTG which I am bound and determined to make this year. Thanks
You BET it is on! Saturday, October 20 is the 2nd Annual Desert GTG! Some will be in town on Friday, so we can go out to dinner then. You know how these things tend to go ON, and may even include a Sunday breakfast, since so many are from out of town.
Carole just let me know of a great "senior" rate of $135 at the Palm Desert Marriott Courtyard, or a AAA rate of 151. Next door to that is a Residence Inn, and we also have a brand new Hampton Inn in Palm Desert. All three are not far from my house.
Thanks for bumping this up with all the other fall GTGs. I sure wish I could host one in Italy, but we'll try to recreate "an evening at an Italian Villa"!
This northern slow traveller will be there! The flight is already booked. I got a great deal on the flight - about $ 280 through Orbitz - flying out of Buffalo. Thank goodness I booked it a few months ago, the same flight is about $ 800 now!!!!
I've had three people try and book a work event on the Saturday and I just look and tell them - no, I'll be in Palm Desert for the weekend. They don't know how to respond!
Jerry
The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see. ~G.K. Chesterton
When we left for Italy last month, David made sure to tell our housesitting kids that the case of Prosecco in the basement was not to be touched; it is for the GTG! He also likes to tell people that we went to an 11 hour party last fall.
Eden and I made reservations at Marriot's Desert Springs Villas so we are most definitely in for the GTG. We are anxious to see you and Brad and to experience "living Italian" for a weekend. We will have a kitchen available so we'll hopefully be able to contribute something delicious to the event.
Posts: 115 | Location: San Diego area | Registered: 16 March 2006
I just took a look and think we might book there. They do have 2 bdr king suites still available, so if anyone want to share, let me know soon. It's $289/night for the 2bdr, and we are planning to drive out on Friday afternoon.
This is gonna be great. I'll be coming out Saturday morning. For those on a budget, as I am, you might be interested to know I booked a room at the Holiday Inn Express in Palm Desert for $80 inclusive of taxes thru Priceline. Definitely not as nice as the nearby resorts and villas, but I am planning to spend most of my time at Brad & Palma's and only going to the hotel to sleep!
Beth
Posts: 963 | Location: Southern California | Registered: 17 July 2006
Across the street!!! I'm bringing a few extra bottles of wine and we'll just walk home.
I only booked this place because I own Marriott timeshares and had a certificate for a very cheap week in a 2 bedroom unit, and that is the place which happened to be available. Looks like a great arrangement for Eden and I. I have the place for the entire week, but we will only stay a few nights. If anybody is planning on hanging around the desert for the week, they are welcome to the extra days once we vacate.
Posts: 115 | Location: San Diego area | Registered: 16 March 2006
Good lord - with all of these folk coming from some of my favourite places I may have to have people shop for me . . . lets see - who will be at the GTG from Paso Robles . . . anyone from Sonoma . . . anyone from san Francisco? LOL
Jerry
The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see. ~G.K. Chesterton
Hi Palma, I am getting excited about the GTG. Kathy is right, we can just (try to) walk after a few bottles of wine at your party. Wine will be great as I have not had any since February. Once this chemo is done, I am celebrating with some wine!!! I tried to tell my oncologist that chardonnay was clear and has no caffiene when he told me to stay with clear decaf drinks... but he said chardonnay did not qualify
I am not promising anything delicious as Kathy mentioned but I am going to try to create something. I do not have the culinary skills. Kathy is a great cook though... so theres 1 out of the 2 of us. Jerry, I am coming from the Bay Area. If you need or just want something from SF, my daughter lives there and can certainly pick up/shop whatever it is your heart desires. I live in Fremont which has nothing extraordinary to offer... LOL
I have it on my calendar, now I just need to convince the people I work with that the GTG needs me more than our school's 75th Anniversary Kick-off party....hmmmmmmmmmmmm Any ideas
"When you find yourself tired of Italy, you are tired of life"
Posts: 148 | Location: Santa Barbara, CA | Registered: 04 April 2002
Slow Travel Talk 
!
house is not a pretty picture 
.
(I'm practicing)
Looking forward to Palma's second Desert GTG. The first one was such a great time. I'll be there and, hopefully, Roy can make it.
.
