Porcher Odyssey Pre-Planning Discussion Phase II

[Uncle Willie]

I think the main ideas in pre-planning are :

1) Consider the limitations both financially and otherwise of the Group in general
2) Consider the distance involved with many
3) Be willing to compromise to some degree
4) There is no way everything will please everyone 100%

Think of this as a Family Reunion .. for a Family that lives in a wide area of the USA, are all of differing backgrounds and means .. all Families are different, thus, the best plan is the one that is able to be agreed to by most of the Family ..

I'm comfortable, financially .. if I were wealthy, I would simply say : I've rented a place for 15 people in XYZ on the following dates .. you are all invited .. end of story ..

 

[Kenna]

I think the main ideas in pre-planning are :

1) Consider the limitations both financially and otherwise of the Group in general
2) Consider the distance involved with many
3) Be willing to compromise to some degree
4) There is no way everything will please everyone 100%

Think of this as a Family Reunion .. for a Family that lives in a wide area of the USA, are all of differing backgrounds and means .. all Families are different, thus, the best plan is the one that is able to be agreed to by most of the Family ..

I'm comfortable, financially .. if I were wealthy, I would simply say : I've rented a place for 15 people in XYZ on the following dates .. you are all invited .. end of story ..

I'm usually compromisable...ummm.... open to compromise...errr...easy to get along with....d...it someone decide something. If I can I will, if I can't I won't. And I don't always have to participate. I like to watch...err...observe from the sidelines. Stopping now.

 

[oldbroad]

I'm usually compromisable...ummm.... open to compromise...errr...easy to get along with....d...it someone decide something. If I can I will, if I can't I won't. And I don't always have to participate. I like to watch...err...observe from the sidelines. Stopping now.

I'm usually compromisable...ummm.... open to compromise...errr...easy to get along with....d...it someone decide something. If I can I will, if I can't I won't. And I don't always have to participate. I like to watch...err...observe from the sidelines. Stopping now.

 

[Uncle Willie]

After studying and considering some of the earlier input, centered around

"My primary objective is to visit with my Porch Family and that's my #1 goal, all other things are secondary and unimportant" ..

Is this a valid statement .. ?? No real interest in outside activities, sight seeing, local inexpensive things like Zoos, Botanical Gardens, etc .. ?? "World's Biggest Ball of String" .. etc .. ??

 

[Kenna]

After studying and considering some of the earlier input, centered around

"My primary objective is to visit with my Porch Family and that's my #1 goal, all other things are secondary and unimportant" ..

Is this a valid statement .. ?? No real interest in outside activities, sight seeing, local inexpensive things like Zoos, Botanical Gardens, etc .. ?? "World's Biggest Ball of String" .. etc .. ??

I lived in Memphis for about 6 months. Zoo every Sunday & concerts or something every Friday or Saturday! I was too young for clubs at 17.

 

[oldbroad]

Everyone else plan the location, the time frame, the cost per person for whatever is rented for however many days, I will fly in, rent a car and do what i want on any given day.

 

[MattB101]

Can I ask the group what they feel is important at the location selected?

Is it local things to do? - are they costly, affordable or free?
Is it the view? - lake, beach, mountain?
Is it what the house offers? - pool, games, size?
Is it the location in relation to a major airport? or ease for everyone to drive there?

I'm thinking in order...
1) What the house offers. We are going to be spending quite a bit of tie there together and if nothing is offered and all we can do is talk without any conversation starters or recreational activities it might (might not will) get old after a while.
2) Local things to do. We are planning (last I heard) on spending a week together and outside activities/tours/etc. would definitely add to the fun factor.
3) Location in relation to major transportation. Important if most are flying in. If we end up in central Florida I am more than willing to make a few trips to the airport to pick up folks in the beginning and drop em off at the end. I can just picture myself standing there at the baggage carousel in a chauffeur's outfit with a sign "Mr/Mrs./Ms. So and So".

 

[MattB101]

Yes .. however, my original thoughts were to work at getting 20 individuals to make the Journey .. the way things have shaped up, and correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears at this point, we would probably be lucky to get 15 .. and, in planning, it has to be considered that even if 15 pencil themselves in, it's possible there may be factors that crop up, unexpected issues, minds can change .. etc ..

I'm thinking that no matter what we decide or where we decide it will have to be payment up front. Sounds bad but, if we don't commit up front and someone has to drop out at the last minute the whole thing could fall apart because costs changed at the last moment. Also someone if going to have to put their name on the bottom line and we DEFINITELY DON'T want them to get shafted, even by accident. Possible scenario... We book a house and with total number of participants it works out to $200 each, if that were to all of a sudden jump to $300 each there are probably some here that couldn't absorb the extra cost. I could but, I wouldn't be thrilled by the idea. Just bringing it up now so that it's not a surprise later.

 

[MattB101]

Pretty much everything is a trade-off, which I think is where you're going with these questions .. and they are valid questions .. I personally like the Florida scenarios .. beach, tropical, vacation mecca, greater availability of a wide variety of vacation homes .. etc .. but that's a personal like .. the goal is to get maximum participation, minimal financial strain on many .. so my personal likes are set aside for the greater good as far as I'm concerned ..

And Memphis is not the dregs of Vacation Destination by any means ..

I go back to what I said earlier .. Florida was my initial thought since it appeared a large contingent lived in Florida .. however, I sense a reluctance for many to make a "We'll stay with you guys and share the cost" .. well, that changes the equation for me anyway .. it changes the size of the location, it changes the cost of the location and many contemplating the trip from long distance are needing to stay within a budget they can afford .. thus, I threw out Memphis as an alternative .. the question I have is "Why do a major road trip, and then set up house, waiting around for others to drop by .. ?? Speaking for myself, and myself only, that seems counterproductive based on the time and distance many must travel .. and, there are others that have indicated they might be able to attend if it were a more central location, Like Memphis, Nashville, etc ..

Lastly, anyone seriously considering making the journey can and should add to the debate / narrative .. all options should be considered, if that's possible ..

I'm almost 100% for Florida. I would like to see Memphis but, The cost difference and travel time would probably preclude my ability to attend. Doree has already said she probably isn't going to be able to come and if it was Memphis I would definately want her to share in Beale Street, Graceland, Etc.. A lot of it is related to when it's going to happen. I like the idea of spring quite a bit and I want to see it happen and meet you all but, it's really going to be hard due to it's nearness to just completing my move to Florida.

 

[MattB101]

Well, yes .. however, we're not going to be hugging 24/7 .. and I don't think we're going to be sitting around 24/7 talking .. I just don't see a major trip without at least a degree of outside activities we can share and take with us as a memory .. not to say talking / hugging is not memorable, both Florida and Memphis provide a wealth of things to do .. we've got the nights to visit / we've got the daytime to actually get out and do something .. and I'm not talking about doing expensive things ..

Agree 100%. Gotta look at it realistically.

 

[MattB101]

After studying and considering some of the earlier input, centered around

"My primary objective is to visit with my Porch Family and that's my #1 goal, all other things are secondary and unimportant" ..

Is this a valid statement .. ?? No real interest in outside activities, sight seeing, local inexpensive things like Zoos, Botanical Gardens, etc .. ?? "World's Biggest Ball of String" .. etc .. ??

I've already posted my opinion. I have actually had a few family reunions on both sides of the family. We all get along great, honestly, and yet we needed outside activities to help it along and provide diversion.

 

[Uncle Willie]

I'm thinking that no matter what we decide or where we decide it will have to be payment up front. Sounds bad but, if we don't commit up front and someone has to drop out at the last minute the whole thing could fall apart because costs changed at the last moment. Also someone if going to have to put their name on the bottom line and we DEFINITELY DON'T want them to get shafted, even by accident. Possible scenario... We book a house and with total number of participants it works out to $200 each, if that were to all of a sudden jump to $300 each there are probably some here that couldn't absorb the extra cost. I could but, I wouldn't be thrilled by the idea. Just bringing it up now so that it's not a surprise later.

I've mentioned to some that have raised that question that I am willing and able to take care of the up front lodging (which will be required any way you slice it) and I would be comfortable in collecting shares from those that commit .. I had hoped the payment of such would have been an unsaid, yet known, commodity .. anyone that rides with me I pretty much have as a captive audience and I could hold for ransom, I suppose ..

Otherwise, although it's still early, you do make a valid point if anyone has not already taken this into consideration ..

This point is most important in the context of absolute commitment, and knowing what costs will be incurred by each .. we have folks that are on a tight budget already and they are trying to plan a way to have the dinero so they can do the deal .. to some, myself included, an extra few hundred bucks is not going to be impactful .. to others, it could easily create an unworkable situation .. I don't know if that is fully and completely understood ..

This is why, no matter the place, we establish commitment, both personally and financially ..

 

[oldbroad]

I'm thinking in order...
1) What the house offers. We are going to be spending quite a bit of tie there together and if nothing is offered and all we can do is talk without any conversation starters or recreational activities it might (might not will) get old after a while.
2) Local things to do. We are planning (last I heard) on spending a week together and outside activities/tours/etc. would definitely add to the fun factor.
3) Location in relation to major transportation. Important if most are flying in. If we end up in central Florida I am more than willing to make a few trips to the airport to pick up folks in the beginning and drop em off at the end. I can just picture myself standing there at the baggage carousel in a chauffeur's outfit with a sign "Mr/Mrs./Ms. So and So".

If it comes to your picking me up, I will wear a sign around my neck ...vibrant pink background with bold purple lettering that says," MS.SO-N SO" and be hollering

YOO HOO!!! OH YOO HOO!!!

maybe I'll carry a whistle attached to the rope that's attached to the sign also...

 

[Kenna]

If it comes to your picking me up, I will wear a sign around my neck ...vibrant pink background with bold purple lettering that says," MS.SO-N SO" and be hollering

YOO HOO!!! OH YOO HOO!!!

maybe I'll carry a whistle attached to the rope that's attached to the sign also...

No whistles! Someone might think you are being assaulted! I'm thinking a kazoo.

 

[oldbroad]

Been whiling away the afternoon, checking out various places In both possible states and came across this possible...just food for thought...

Stunning Lakeside 6 BR Pool Home - Disney... - HomeAway Rolling Hills at Formosa Gardens

 

[oldbroad]

No whistles! Someone might think you are being assaulted! I'm thinking a kazoo.

S'alright...I believe I can holler loud enough

 

[MikeE3]

We prefer Florida for the location but Memphis or Nashville is not a deal breaker? I'd rather take a walk on the beach than a stroll on a Memphis streets.

Are we looking at 3-4 days or an entire week? I'm confused on that.

I guess ideally the 'house' would offer enough space for the crowd. Be nice if it had multiple 'hangout' places where folks could break out into small groups at times instead of everyone being concentrated in one central room. I'm more concerned about finding suitable lodging than I am the location.

We're not attending w/ the intention of a lot of sight-seeing. That said, particularly if we're looking at a full week, it might be nice to have some attractions in the area. I can't see a dozen people being in the same house together 24x7.

 

[Uncle Willie]

We prefer Florida for the location but Memphis or Nashville is not a deal breaker? I'd rather take a walk on the beach than a stroll on a Memphis streets.

Are we looking at 3-4 days or an entire week? I'm confused on that.

I guess ideally the 'house' would offer enough space for the crowd. Be nice if it had multiple 'hangout' places where folks could break out into small groups at times instead of everyone being concentrated in one central room. I'm more concerned about finding suitable lodging than I am the location.

We're not attending w/ the intention of a lot of sight-seeing. That said, particularly if we're looking at a full week, it might be nice to have some attractions in the area. I can't see a dozen people being in the same house together 24x7.

Mike .. most Vacation rental homes require at least a 6-7 day commitment, at least the ones I have looked at .. so, stay 2 days, stay 5 days, stay the whole time it matters not .. the cost per head should be the rental divided by the number of people .. IOW, we all share equally in the total rental cost .. 10 people / $2000 a week rent / $200 a head .. example .. a rental Home of some sort would likely be the least cost alternative, at least IMO ..

 

[MattB101]

Been whiling away the afternoon, checking out various places In both possible states and came across this possible...just food for thought...

Stunning Lakeside 6 BR Pool Home - Disney... - HomeAway Rolling Hills at Formosa Gardens

I haven't decided yet, let's see.. Poo Bear or Mickey Mouse... Mmmmm?

 

[MattB101]

We prefer Florida for the location but Memphis or Nashville is not a deal breaker? I'd rather take a walk on the beach than a stroll on a Memphis streets.

Are we looking at 3-4 days or an entire week? I'm confused on that.

I guess ideally the 'house' would offer enough space for the crowd. Be nice if it had multiple 'hangout' places where folks could break out into small groups at times instead of everyone being concentrated in one central room. I'm more concerned about finding suitable lodging than I am the location.

We're not attending w/ the intention of a lot of sight-seeing. That said, particularly if we're looking at a full week, it might be nice to have some attractions in the area. I can't see a dozen people being in the same house together 24x7.

I've always thought we were talking a week. As far as smaller break out groups, I like the house Kay showed us for that. Dining Room, dinette, pool area and game room provides many places to gather.