Shenandoah set in stone?

[Raiden]

I've literally been paying no attention to the AvMeet 2013 stuff for months.

Changing it to outdoors-only appeals to me quite a bit, and it fits...everything much, much better.

The question I had was whether or not other locations were considered in the planning process

I'm not asking this question because I doubt Shenandoah as a good spot, I'm asking it because I know little-to-nothing about national parks/national forests on the east coast, and I think we would benefit by picking one that is in an accessible location and *also* large and pristine.

I'm also asking it because I was under the assumption that Shenandoah was picked because it the closest large park to DC (I mentioned camping when I was complaining about the city/DC being a poor choice for a meetup location, and someone responded with Shenandoah)

If you guys changed things around so that this is going to be an outdoors-centric meetup, did you check out other parks/forests as possibilities first?

Again, I'm not complaining, and this is really late, but I read the newsletter (or just peeked out from under my rock, mostly) and couldn't help but wonder if other parks were looked at as possibilities.

[mikkowilson]

We didn't do a lot of research on parks in the greater east coast area; we still want to keep the event somewhat close to DC because of it's many benefits as a general location and some some specific things there for those interested in visiting.

There aren't that many parks on the east coast - it's quite heavily populated. The next closest National Parks for example appear to be in Ohio and South Carolina.

Shenandoah is a beautiful park that's reasonably close to DC; and is able to offer places with both camping and hotel style lodging in the same venue to offer people the choice depending on preference and/or cost options.


But, no, it's not set in stone yet (which is why everything is still marked "tentative" and we don't have booking information posted to AvatarMeet.com yet) The numbers we get on attendance (update your profiles!) are also going to play into the costs and other factors before we're ready to lock it all in.

- Mikko

[Moco Loco]

If the only big difference is a lack of the same Washington scenery, sounds good to me, though I'm going to hope for some public bathrooms with real plumbing since there probably won't be a fantastically cold clean river going right past our group camp site, and it'll probably be at least a little hotter.

[Human No More]

I still want to see things in DC. I've never been there before, likely won't get another chance for a very long time, as it isn't as close and easy for me as many people attending .

I don't have any real preference as to where in terms of the location itself, but that's my consideration on this, plus I have to agree with what Moco says - the previous camping trip was good, but not really suited for anything longer from the lack of real toilets

[Alan]

If it is of any help this is the Big Meadows proposed venue on Google Maps

Alan

[Raiden]

Okay...if I have time (exams coming up, need time to study), I'll look up some other possible places. I did a cursory search already, though, and Mikko is right; there isn't much in the way of really good camping spots out that way.

Also, I shouldn't have said outdoors-only. I am interested in the museums in DC as well, and the newsletter said that we were going to possibly meet in DC briefly before the main event.

Also, while a massive camping trip does interest me, I'm still not sure if I would be going or not. Switching from hotels to camping will reduce costs, I'm sure, but I need to save up money this summer to try and start diminishing my student loans, lest I want them to rise up and drown me after I finish school.

[X.,.Pandora.,.X]

Not to complicate things. But the great smokeys national park is right in my backyard (literally) down here in NC. maybe 2014 or 15 ey?

[Niri Te]

If they ever went to "Cades Cove", on the Tennessee side of the border, no where else would ever look quite as good again. There are a few other places, down around Ooltewah, and Etowah, that are even BETTER, but THOSE are my favorites, and I don't want them spoiled by tons of people coming in, so I keep those locations to myself.
Niri Tawa

[James of terra]

I will not be coming this year to the avatar meet up. I would have suggested to start on a thursday or friday, not monday. I not intrested in camping, done tons of that, I like to explore the vast items and knowladge in the musumes in D.C. Thats all thanks.

[Moco Loco]

James, you could always stay in the lodge like last time and there will still be a lot of seeing things around DC.

[Sarah Noel]

In response to James, the informal preMeet stuff is starting Monday, the actual AvatarMeet (which will likely be in the national park) will start start on Thursday. Obligatory mention of the word TENTATIVE, until we sure up the numbers a little bit more. Moco Loco, if you could bug HMN to update his profile if he's coming, that'd be super swell.

[Moco Loco]

We don't actually know for sure, I'm just being optimistic when I say I'm going. Who knows if I'll even have the car or what.

[James of terra]

I hope all of you have a great time and go through and do the meet up, I will as said before not attending, maybe next time who knows, this year is no for me, but I still around. Please ENJOY THE TRIP!!!! Take care all.

[Raiden]

I haven't touched this in a while, but what would the feasibility of going to the Great Smoky Mountains instead be?

I know it's farther away, but I also happen to know that it's really a fantastic park (with some very cool features, including some really unique caves with endemic animals), and there's a good chance that it will be less crowded and more secluded than Shenandoah.

According to google maps, the drive from DC to the park would be approximately 8 hours. We would probably have to meet somewhere in DC (after perusing the museums), and then drive (I dunno how we would all manage to do that, just brainstorming) east to Gatlinburg, which seems to be where the park is located.

I'd be fine with the drive, so long as there was one or two breaks to stop and eat/stretch legs.

[mikkowilson]

At this point, Shenandoah is set in stone. We have booked the group campsite, and are finishing the hotel contract for the group discount.

- Mikko