Time to start thinking about ShoreLeave 2006!!

[STSF_BluRox 0]

Today's word scramble:

 

BUTE EVRIR

[Cptn Corizon 0]

What is Tube River, Alex?

[STSF_BluRox 0]

What is Tube River, Alex?

We'll have the lovely Huff, present you with a box of Smart Flakes!

[WxMurray 0]

Darn. I was pretty sure it was "Eubt Erirv". (Gee, maybe that'd make a good name for a Romulan :P )

[knlwtchr 0]

The last time I was in Vegas and passed the endless slot machines and pool halls, my next question was "So, when are we going to DO something?" Theres not THAT much to do in Vegas...well, that doesnt require large amounts of cash. When we have shoreleave, we should do it to enjoy each others company, not drain the bank accounts.

[Cptn Moose 0]

Theres not THAT much to do in Vegas...well, that doesnt require large amounts of cash.

Are we talking about the same Vegas? This is the city that's designed for tourists. Sure, they'd like you to gamble, but there is nowhere on the planet that's easier to have a cheap vacation.

 

a) Hotel and airfare for three nights / four days is often under $500, always under $600.

b ) You don't need to rent a car. Other than to and from the airport, you can get almost everywhere for $1.50 monorail ticket.

c) Almost every hotel has something spectacular to do for free: lions at the MGM, white tigers and an exploding volcano at the Mirage, the Chihulley glass exhibit at the Bellagio, the choreographed fountains at the Bellagio, the statues that come to life at Ceasar's Palace, the circus acts at Circus, Circus, the laser light show over Freemont Street, etc. etc. etc. Just to walk around and see how some of these places are decorated is astounding. And if you want to spend a little money, there are at least a 1/2 dozen roller coasters, countless 3-D motion simulator rides, trips to the top of the eiffel tour, gondola rides, etc. etc. etc. I haven't even gotten to the stage shows (ranging anywhere from $30 to $130 a seat), the shopping, and the nice restaraunts if you're so inclined.

d) Some of the cheapest restaraunts in the world. Where else do you find an all-you-can-eat prime rib buffet for $5.95?

 

There is plenty of inexpensive things to do if you get tired of spending time with the people and need to move.

 

However, you are correct that Shore Leave is all about spending time with the people. This is usually why we either don't leave the pool, or once we sit down in Quark's Bar we end up sitting there all day munching on "Holy Onion Rings of Betazed" The biggest complaint anyone ever has is that we didn't do enough.

Edited September 25, 2005 by Cptn Moose

[eagle 0]

b-ham alabama ......new resort has just opened w/ a gracious plenty

of attractions....close to an intl. airport...best thing rates are reasonable

[STSF_BluRox 0]

The last time I was in Vegas and passed the endless slot machines and pool halls, my next question was "So, when are we going to DO something?" Theres not THAT much to do in Vegas...well, that doesnt require large amounts of cash. When we have shoreleave, we should do it to enjoy each others company, not drain the bank accounts.

Lying beside the pool from 10-5 for 5 days with my friends, only cost me what I paid for drinks, tube rental, and something to eat once in a while

 

.....and this was perfect bliss. I don't know, but if filled my days with what exactly I was there for. Rest.

[knlwtchr 0]

Right. Shoreleave is about resting. And yes, Moosie, we are talking about the same Vegas. I've been there several times and I say, BORING. It might be exciting the first, maybe the second time, but once you've seen the shows over and over, the "attractions", the casinos, etc, its just like being in Glouster, Ohio.

 

OK, I guess what Im trying to say is that when we meet somewhere is should be somewhere dead center of us all to curtail travel cost, large enough to accommodate us all, and pleasing to the wallet. To me, Vegas doesnt fit that bill. Baltimore was cool because there was also something "Trekkie" going on and it was fun just to hang out.

 

I know. Im no fun. ::Shrug::

[eagle 0]

Right. Shoreleave is about resting. And yes, Moosie, we are talking about the same Vegas. I've been there several times and I say, BORING. It might be exciting the first, maybe the second time, but once you've seen the shows over and over, the "attractions", the casinos, etc, its just like being in Glouster, Ohio.

 

OK, I guess what Im trying to say is that when we meet somewhere is should be somewhere dead center of us all to curtail travel cost, large enough to accommodate us all, and pleasing to the wallet. To me, Vegas doesnt fit that bill. Baltimore was cool because there was also something "Trekkie" going on and it was fun just to hang out.

 

I know. Im no fun. ::Shrug::

oh yes you are fun.......just ask me......for all the good that will do ya ... :) :P ^_^

[Nicolas Lepage 0]

OK, I guess what Im trying to say is that when we meet somewhere is should be somewhere dead center of us all

I know. Im no fun. ::Shrug::

I suggest Galapgos Islands. :P It would be cheap, too. Just bring your tent and sleeping bag. Attractions: Cliffs, Darwin's Finches and the biggest turtles you'll ever see. To make the connection to Star Trek...maybe we'll see some humpback whales. ::shrugs:: Just a suggestion.

[Atragon9 0]

I suggest Galapgos Islands. :P It would be cheap, too. Just bring your tent and sleeping bag. Attractions: Cliffs, Darwin's Finches and the biggest turtles you'll ever see. To make the connection to Star Trek...maybe we'll see some humpback whales. ::shrugs:: Just a suggestion.

Funny that you mention it, but I just came back from a trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos. Great sites, but not a tube river or Warp Core Breach to be had.

 

[FredM 0]

OK, I guess what Im trying to say is that when we meet somewhere is should be somewhere dead center of us all to curtail travel cost, large enough to accommodate us all, and pleasing to the wallet.

Hey there,

 

A location dead center is not going to "curtail" any costs. It is cheaper for most people to fly to, let's say, New York, Las Vegas, or Orlando than to the middle of Iowa.

 

I'm sorry, but I have to agree with Moose about Vegas. I have been there about five times and there is always something to do, if you're willing to seek it out. Even if that isn't an option, a place like Orlando also features a lot of activities to do should one desire. However, again, part of this trip is meant to be boring.

 

I will say this though, given the ROI for Baltimore vs Vegas, I will not go to Baltimore ever again. Heck, I found out I'm going to a Sci-Fi convention here in New Zealand at the end of October. Has more guests than I can count (and luckly, Creation Ent. isn't involved). So I don't (and I think most don't) need an actual "Trek" thing, though it is nice. We need the people we go there to hang out with. :P

[eagle 0]

Lying beside the pool from 10-5 for 5 days with my friends, only cost me what I paid for drinks, tube rental, and something to eat once in a while

 

.....and this was perfect bliss. I don't know, but if filled my days with what exactly I was there for. Rest.

ok..ok.....and did i mention...ok.....it seems to be the general concensus VEGAS is the place to be for shore leave.........nuff said..... :P

[knlwtchr 0]

A location dead center is not going to "curtail" any costs. It is cheaper for most people to fly to, let's say, New York, Las Vegas, or Orlando than to the middle of Iowa.

 

Not if you plan it far enough ahead of time. Plus, Im thinking of beautiful scenery in the Dakotas or maybe something in Dallas/Ft Worth or even Oklahoma City! C'mon, Fred. I KNOW theres more to do in this country, even this continent, than gamble. Ive seen some beautiful sites here, being a truck driver, so I know of plenty of places we would all enjoy...AND its teenage appropriate. =0]

[Garnoopy 0]

C'mon, Fred. I KNOW theres more to do in this country, even this continent, than gamble.

Actually, from what I recall (I may be wrong...), there was only one person that went and gambled, and he was supposed to win us all dinner... but that didn't quite work out, eh?

 

I found SLW to have no connection with gambling the whole time we were in Vegas. If you wanted to go gamble, you went to gamble. It's the same with other things... if you want to go down teh tube river, go down the tube river... You didn't have to stay together as a group to have fun. One night, half the group went to go puke on roller coasters and the other half went to go watch the fountain lights.

[Guest STSF Dacotah]

Im thinking of beautiful scenery in the Dakotas

I grew up in North Dakota, went to college in North Dakota, got married in North Dakota, lived the first eight years of married life in North Dakota. I think I'm the supreme authority to say, "while the south west corner of the state is very pretty, there is abosutely no way I'd spend (or recommend) my Shore Leave vacation there." I go there every summer, and I go only because I want to see my parents. It sure as heck ain't for the endless activities, the view, or amenities.

 

Vegas is what you make it. The crew from the Arcadia has (was) been meeting in Vegas long before the forum decided to give it a try. We've met in Chicago, New York, but in the end we keep coming back to Vegas for one simple fact. There is something for everyone to do. You can be as much a part of the group as you want to be. No one said this year that you had to see Forever Plaid. No one said you had to hold Huff under the waterfall in the Tube River. No said you had to watch Dumbass lose another round of "Master of the Warp Core Breach".

 

Some of us went for coffee together. Some of us did as much free crap as possible. I think every time I go (and I've been to Vegas almost two dozen times now) I find something new to do or see, and there are still things I haven't done. I still haven't been to the top of the Eiffel tower, or the top of the Stratopshere. I haven't ridden in the gondolas and I haven't been to the Ethel M chocolate factory/botanical garden. I haven't even been to the marshmellow factory. And indoor parachuting!!! (note to our cruise director: that would be fun to look into) Many have discussed seeing the Hoover Dam, yet we've never made it there either.

 

Of course, who wants to leave our really great pool side locale to travel an hour + into the desert to see some damn? (I've seen it. It's cool. Don't need to see it again)

 

I think, that this needs to be first about WHY we're meeting (1. A once a year chance to see old friends. 2. A once a year chance to meet some new nerds from the forum) and second about WHERE. No one is thumbing their nose at the numerous ideas that have been thrown forth as possible shoreleave venues, but we have to remember that this is not, as Atragon and Fred have pointed out, a forum sanctioned event. This is a group of adults choosing to spend some of their summer vacation together.

[Grom 0]

I think, that this needs to be first about WHY we're meeting (1. A once a year chance to see old friends. 2. A once a year chance to meet some new nerds from the forum) and second about WHERE. No one is thumbing their nose at the numerous ideas that have been thrown forth as possible shoreleave venues, but we have to remember that this is not, as Atragon and Fred have pointed out, a forum sanctioned event. This is a group of adults choosing to spend some of their summer vacation together. [/size][/color][/font]

On the one hand we have A9 asking for suggestions where to hold a new SL so as to accomondate new SL attendees. On the other hand we have the majority of the veteran SLers shooting down every idea that isn't Vegas.

 

Granted, I respect the individuals that have done this every year, but I echo Andrea's frustration with inflexibility. If this is really nothing more than a personal vacation, then I suggest removing the topic from the boards, because it serves no useful Trek purpose and it can better be handled through e-mail and PM. But if the veteran SLers are really interested in meeting new people, and are really as open as they say they are, then I challenge them to be a little more flexible.

 

As I said before, you spent year after year in Baltimore and somehow Orlando, Chicago, etc is worse?

 

My two cents.

[Atragon9 0]

On the one hand we have A9 asking for suggestions where to hold a new SL so as to accomondate new SL attendees.  On the other hand we have the majority of the veteran SLers shooting down every idea that isn't Vegas. 

 

Granted, I respect the individuals that have done this every year, but I echo Andrea's frustration with inflexibility.  If this is really nothing more than a personal vacation, then I suggest removing the topic from the boards, because it serves no useful Trek purpose and it can better be handled through e-mail and PM.  But if the veteran SLers are really interested in meeting new people, and are really as open as they say they are, then I challenge them to be a little more flexible.

 

As I said before, you spent year after year in Baltimore and somehow Orlando, Chicago, etc is worse?

 

My two cents.

Now, now - let's play nice in the sandbox, everybody!

 

Remember that the "veteran SLer's" are the folks who wanted to hear input from others to begin with. It was never said to be an official STSF event and never was billed as being teenager-friendly (at least not without a guardian on hand). I don't think that anyone is being inflexible when they state their opinion of a location or access to it. I, for one, am very interested in exploring further into Orlando and the cruise possibility (even though the thought of being stuck on a boat for days with no means of escape scares me, even if I was there with a convention of Hooters Girls and Chippendale Boys).

 

Having said that, we know what has worked before (i.e. Baltimore doesn't work for us anymore and Vegas is nice) and we are simply offering constructive comments as the ideas have come in. My original request was for lots of details on a prospective change in venue as we all know what Vegas can offer and need to make a fair comparison. We have not seen any of that level of proposal yet, so that may be why some people are commenting as they are, discussing what they like in Vegas and asking for comparable alternatives.

 

So, that's the why and the wherefore. If folks can't respond in a civil fashion, then this topic will be closed and pulled. Then, when summer rolls around and folks want to gather somewhere and meet/greet/eat, we may post an FYI then. If folks want to continue a reasoned discourse, then I'm all for it!

 

Thanks

 

[Captain Huff 0]

1. There's gondolas?? Well sheeoot..! ::must do::

 

2. Baltimore is dead center of *some*thing, alright, lol.

 

3. I haven't shot down anything. (Well, okay, maybe the Boston cruise, lol. And Baltimore). In fact, I'd be very interested in seeing a9's original post points laid out for Orlando, or some of the other places. But so far, nobody has taken the time and energy to do that. It's a lot of work. It's what a few of us did when we wanted to go to the Big V. So far, the majority of suggestions have been, "You should look into suchandsuch." No, YOU should look into such and such and come up with a *specific* speeeeeeeeeecific..... itinerary with the things the majority of people going want in a mini-vacation, along with proposed dates. We all work, we're all busy, and we've already put the time and energy into finding a really great place to hang out in.

 

4. Here's the thing about the "we should be going for each other's company" point. lol. I've said this before. If I have a choice for spending eight dollars for a meal with my friends at McFried in a strip mall, or eight dollars for a meal with the exact same friends at a sidewalk cafe with linin, glassware and strolling street musicians... Same friends, same conversations, same amount of time, same amount of money... I work too hard for my eight bucks.

 

5. I understand that if you don't like Vegas, you don't like Vegas. I don't like Baltimore. But... aren't you just coming for the experience of hanging with... ME? Hahahaha. God help you.

 

Edited September 26, 2005 by Captain Huff

[STSF Precip 0]

Ugh gosh I cannot believe I am going to throw this one out....But what of Southern California. Specifically Orange County. You essentially have Three...make that four airport acesses...Los Angeles International, Long Beach Municipal..Orange County John Wayne Airport. (There is also Bob Hope Airport in Burbank) This allows you some Airline shopping choices.

 

You got Disnelyland, Knotts, Magic Mountain. You got a wide selection of beaches to chose from, Orange County ones would be the ones Id recommend. And Yes Paramount Studios.

 

Accomidations tend to be clustered around the major attactions..mainly theme parks and Airports.

 

Those are the pluses. I am certain many of you have been down here to think of minuses.

 

Out of the suggested Ideas...I am partial to Vegas for low cost, Chicago for centralization...and perhaps a break on an Airfare using Southwest.

 

The two shoreleaves I have attended in Vegas I was at a different hotel then the rest of the gang..but managed to get to them via Monorail and Taxi. I can agree the part I enjoyed the most was dining with the gang...just talking..meeting people

I work with here on the boards.

 

I applaud the early efforts to get the next Shoreleave going. This will help those who have to book vacations at their workplace..far in advance. Possible.

 

Precip

[eagle 0]

all sounds good ........now let's all do some real info crunching and put together

a shore leave event.....submit it .and let the gm's decide...post it....and we can all

make the necessary arrangments in advance....to be able to attend....the clock is

ticking away afterall.....and btw capt.Huff..no offense intended .......could you turn

down the glare from the excellent pic you submitted...the glare from the top that is

:P

[knlwtchr 0]

Baltimore doesn't work for us anymore and Vegas is nice)

Why doesnt Baltimore work anymore? And, what makes Vegas nicer than Oklahoma City?

[knlwtchr 0]

Thank you, Grom. All Im saying not EVERYONE agreed that Baltimore wasnt working anymore and not everyone agrees that Vegas is.

 

Heres some info on Oklahoma City. What a blast!

 

http://www.okstatefairpark.com/soe/

 

Welcome to Oklahoma City!

 

Tourism is taking off in Oklahoma City! Legendary attractions like the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and the Myriad Botanical Gardens. World-class equine action at Remington Park racetrack. Wild adventures at the Oklahoma City Zoo. The authentic sights, sounds and flavor of the Old West in Stockyards City. And historic Bricktown, our renovated entertainment and dining district with a summer of baseball with the Oklahoma RedHawks. Over 50 great attractions and activities, 12,000 hotel rooms, and a million friendly people who wouldn't live anywhere else. If you are a tourist or convention delegate, we hope this website will whet your appetite to find out about Oklahoma City firsthand! Visit our press room for news on Oklahoma City events, attractions and more.

 

Shrine Circus ... March 31 - April 3

 

Southwest Street Rod Nationals ... April 15-17

 

OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR ... September 15-25

 

Plenty of events at the Ford Center

 

Oklahoma City Museum of Art

 

The New Century Tour continues this Spring and all summer long with trolleys departing at 10am on weekdays.

[FredM 0]

Why doesnt Baltimore work anymore? And, what makes Vegas nicer than Oklahoma City?

Hey there,

 

The reason Baltimore simply doesn't work is...well...it's been worn out. The facilities there are simply not that nice and I can tell you frankly the last time we held a group event there, it involved pulling teeth from local hotel management in order to get any sort of accomodation. Furthermore, unless there is a Star Trek convention in town, the list of activities isn't exactly arms length. In addition, if you want to go to Baltimore, I believe there is a group of RPGers who still get together in Hunt Valley every year. For me, I simply don't want to associate with many of them. :P

 

As for Las Vegas, cost of flights for most people is about the same as Baltimore (unless you happen to live within driving distance). Facilities available are a lot more numerous, much more used to dealing with setting up group reservations, much more willing to assist groups, activities available are much more numerous...many of which happen to be free in themselves. Being late to the latest round of discussions, I will say this though. In the five times I've been to Las Vegas, I think I've "gambled" possibly $40. If you honestly think that's why we're going to LAS, then you have the wrong mindset as to what's taking place.

 

In addition, some might be asking "What the heck does he mean help with reservations?" For almost half a decade, I've been the individual often on the phone trying to setup the group packages and deals. I have run the numbers...once to the point of actually determining what ROI would be best given the people going. The fact is that people were paying more to go to Baltimore, and find a place where there was very little in the way of activities/shows/etc. to attend, than if we went to Las Vegas...staying at a much nicer hotel, with better activities available throughout the day.

 

Now, that being said, those involved can admit that I am greatly in favor of the event taking place in Orlando this year. Climate is nice (most of the time), a ton of activities to do and depending on scheduling...would even be within a one hour car ride to see a shuttle launch (something I must say, you must see once live before you die).

 

As to inflexibility, I'll defer to what A9 said.