Sue, I will send you an email. I have a few data points so far.

I did a casual look at hotels and a few small airbnbs. I haven't made any reservations but if others are staying in certain places I'd like to know where

There is not much news on that front, which is why I was waiting to update the group. Information about where people are staying will be shared via email, not here.

ETA - if you have made a reservation, please let me know via email so I can update the group. I would definitely make haste. People tend to book vacations rights around back to school.

Just be prepared for sticker shock, esp if you want to stay on the water!

Yep, saw the prices! I’m just glad I don’t have to add airfare, since I’ll already be in FL.

Sarasota proper is a better value, and everything is very close (15 min or so)

Yes, I booked reservations at one of the chain hotels suggested in the email because it is cancellable with 48 hours of arrival and I did not need to leave a deposit other then cc.

I would welcome more info on places to stay. I’ve looked at several options, but not sure what the best options are (except those $1500-$2k per night rooms aren’t in my plan).

I am fairly certain DH will tag along too since we can make the drive. He will be hapoy to find things to do on his own, and will probably go to Tampa one day while we are busy. I was thinking of an Airbnb. If anyone wants to share a 2 BR/2 bath, let’s talk.

I may do as Gscience did and reserve one of the recommended hotel rooms just in case.

And just saying, Tulipmania was my first and it was fabulous. Such fun meeting and being with every single person there.

@OutsidePlaying . I sent you something I thought looked good. LMK what you think... could work for others too. Send me an email when youve looked at it? Thx

Sounds like a wonderful

location for a get together, I am sure everyone will love it. Hope to join in at some point. We have vacation plans too close to the dates this time.

Who else is going to the Sarasota GTG that also attended a lunch in southern CA arranged/hosted by martinca_gw sunset zone 24 back in Nov 2019 ?

I looked through my old emails, but I'm having a hard time matching up the mix of real names and user names, as Marti was the coordinator and keeper of information for that event.

In any case, we took a group photo, so I will bring it with me and see if anyone matches up! Even I don't remember who everyone is, except for Lars, the only man in the photo!

^^^🙋‍♀️

That was the first event I attended.

I didn't remember you were there! My excuse is it was a busy time for me as we were right in the middle of designing the new house and all the logistics of the coming cross country move! Or my memory is just bad! LOL

These get togethers can be a bit of a whirlwind with lots of old and new information being discussed as a group, and also trying to spend a bit of one on one time with every person there.

Off to look at that group photo again, dig deep into my memory and try to see if I can identify 1929Spanish!

Chispa….hint: long, beautiful, black hair!

I was also at the socal gtg. I just looked at the picture. I was standing to the left of you.

I'm about 50/50 on attending Sarasota at this point.

Czarina, we are going to get you to at least 51/49!

I will bring my MJ set! (There are three of us now playing MJ Sundays at 5pm EST online)

Ladies, please see your latest emails from me about accommodations. Two people so far are in Airbnbs in Sarasota's walkable historic district, Laurel Park.

Mtn, i did not receive an email.

The last email I got was from 7/27. Is that the most recent?

Ahhh, I should have specified, I only sent it to people (20 of us) who have RSVP'd yes. I didn't want to inundate everyone. I will forward the August 6 email to you both.

@mtnrdredux_gw can you forward to me too? I'm still trying to figure it out. I checked flights the other day. Almost $2k! That is not helping. Paid 1/2 that to Cancun in October.

really? maymaybemaybe Imaybe I should bookmaybe I should book becausemaybe I should book because Imaybe I should book because I wasmaybe I should book because I was seeing somethingmaybe I should book because I was seeing something muchmaybe I should book because I was seeing something much more reason.maybe I should book because I was seeing something much more reasonable

😆😂you just threw Mtn internet a tizzy with those prices

*into

Have you looked into flying into Tampa? I found the prices to be considerably less.

Yep, checked Tampa. That was about $1500. Then I'd have to Uber/Lyft to Sarasota or rent a car.

These are business class prices. Cheapest econ plus is just over $1000 to Tampa. $1300 to Sarasota. Still a lot. And hard to go back to economy!

I will keep checking. Maybe something miraculous will happen and gas prices will come down in the next few months?

Kswl, long black hair with bangs ... yes, that was my first guess! The pretty embroidered blazer she was wearing also seemed like something she would own, based on the fashion threads.

We usually buy the tickets for our young adult kids when they visit and they are the highest in the 6 years we have been here. That is also the peak time of "high" season.

Well that settles it— I’m definitely driving. Bbstx, we’re on! The Gardenweb Thelma and Louise :)

Do any of you use airline or travel awards? I was able to book for only 23,000 miles round trip which is crazy low for peak season. Considering I only had barely that in my account,I grabbed it. If for some reason I end up not going I can always redeposit the miles.

Y’all keep the bail money handy for me and @Kswl!

@jsk I hope you can come too!

Aren't we lucky to have a community like this!

❤️❤️❤️ You ladies are too nice. Bangs went bye-bye during Covid.🤣

I don’t typically book paid domestic airfare this far out. It’s usually ridiculously expensive. But I looked and it was about $700-800 from LAX. Hotel is booked, might check miles rates.

I looked at mine again and it is not bad. I just need to figure out what exactly my/our plans are! I know we will extend it, see family, and DH wants to go another golf school and see some spring training games.

Ft. Myers airport is another option with a 1.5 hour, 92 mile drive to St. Armands.

Also Punta Gorda airport, 1 hour, 58 mile drive to St. Armands.

I'm not 100% sure I can go but I found a direct flight for $183!!

^^^^From where + on what airline?

lol, Dani's coming? ... if she can get to Dee's first?

After saying I don’t buy airline tickets this early, I remembered a credit that needed to be used. Found a Delta LAX-Sarasota via ATL for under $600 and went for it.

Spanish, last year about this time, I looked at tix for our annual ski trip. Decided they were too pricey and waited. They only got pricier. Ended up flying DL one way and SWA coming home. Last week I bought all of the tix RT on DL for the lowest price I found last year!!

Dani, I am in Raleigh. The airline is Breeze, which means once I pick a seat, I’ll have to pay an extra $75 or so, but the price is still a bargain. I’ve flown Breeze quite a few times, and for a budget airline, they’re not bad. The employees are nice, and the planes are newish and clean. DH is 6'4", and their lowest-priced seats bother his back, but other than that, I have no complaints about them.

Dee I have a cousin in Raleigh!

Let me know next time you're here!

I have a friend who flies Breeze to TPA quite often. She is very pleased. Her biggest complaint is that she doesn’t get to TPA until 11 p.m.

We have a Yorkshire trip this fall and an Italian destination wedding in the spring, so I think a trip even to Sarasota might be one too many. Even if it means I miss a fun Ring! Sarasota bell concert. (They really are a hoot) So put me down in the ”regretfully probably not, but ever optimistic” column. (and really hoping to go, as February in Chicago is the best time to not be here.)

One thing we are all very mindful of is to mingle with everyone and bring newbies into the fold. I think that's really important for events like this.

Echoing @jsk, I too can confirm! Tulipmania was my first GTG, and it was a bit like a homecoming because I already felt such a kinship with this forum. I’m looking forward to Sotafest and getting to know everyone better.

I’m hoping DH will join me on this trip—perhaps we can get the DHs together for coffee or lunch. And I'm optimistic about everyone in the "optimistic" column. Come on....you know you want to!

And as always, many thanks to the co-chairs, coco chairs, rococo chairs, and everyone else involved in the planning!

mtn had the good idea to check Philly. I'm about 1/2 way between Newark and Philly (slightly closer to Newark). Direct flight on American in economy (sigh) is a bit over $700. Better. I will keep checking.

We have not hammered out the details of our schedules before and after but DH is coming along and will be at golf school and/or spring training during Couchella.

One last unit at the Airbnb Gathering House II! You can stay with OutsidePlaying and CzarinaLex, who are in the other 2 units in a 3-unit property in Laurel Park.

jsk , if you fly out of PHL, let me know which flight. Maybe we can meet up.. Its only about 2.5 hours, so we can grin and bear economy!

book the middle seat between you full fare economy in a relative's name and then cancel it before takeoff, LOL

Devious, so devious. We should try it.