TerriDoodle

I will call the Gruene Mansion Inn and get a firm handle on the rooming cost. Keep in mind that Haydee, TracyK (?) and I will be pitching in extra for the rooms since we aren't flying...so I'll figure out how that will work, too (somehow!). I did a quick look at hotels on the river in San Antonio and we have some choices to make. If we stay at a hotel like the Hyatt or the Hilton right ON the river, it'll be like 200 for Sunday night. If we stay a few blocks off, like at a 2-3 star hotel, it'll be like $140. I would say we go cheap, but it's ya'll's (yes, that's a word) vacation! Give me some time today and I will give you some firm numbers.

Hell Yeah!! Ya'll come on!!! We're ready for ya!

I'll be happy to be cruise director! I'll get a better handle on costs tomorrow and pass that along as I get the info. I'm working under the assumption that we're ok with 2 girls sharing a room as long as they don't have to share a bed, right? Of course, if you just want a private room that's no problem either...but you're looking at probably $175/night. Just keep that in mind. Oh, ya'll don't know how proud I would be to have ya'll come to Texas!! I think you'd have a great time!

OMG Tracy!!!! That is WONDERFUL!!!! You're coming!?!?! Michelle -- Glad to hear from you!!! Yea!!! Laura - I've never launched from this area of the river, so I'm not sure about the river-side bars...but there very well may be! We definitely will be taking an ice chest float with us...and if we run out of drinks, people bum from each other on the river. All you gotta do is show 'em some titties! LOL! I've got one B&B holding rooms for us for a few days, but there's a better one that I'm waiting to hear back from. Ideally we should stay at the Gruene Mansion Inn because that is smack dab middle of all the action and very cute. I'll talk to them tomorrow. Ya'll think I could get a headcount by early next week? Now that the holidays are over, the Hill Country will start to book up quick!

yeah, it's the same river...it just flows right through Gruene, so it makes it very convenient! You just walk down the road about 3 blocks, rent your toob and plop your butt in the river....away you go.

There is always the chance of some whitewater, but it's usually pretty gentle. It just depends on the condition of the river and previous week's weather and all that. In general I'd say you have to be a decent swimmer, but not strong. There are always people around to help you out if you get into trouble and wearing a life vest or a ring around your waist is an option....just not a comfortable one. In all the years I've been toobing, I've never, not once, been dumped out. If I have been, it's been in water that is ankle deep!

Oh, and yes, it's a lazy float down a slow-moving river (usually)

Laura...you haven't been reading, have you??! LOL Yes, temps are in the mid-upper 80's and you'd fly into San Antonio.

Haydee - Have you ever been to Gruene? How familiar with San Antonio are you? Do ya'll usually go toobin' in New Braunfels or where?

I'm NOT pushing for any one thing over another, so i want to make that clear! This is just an idea. I know Texas pretty darn well...lived here all my life...and Gruene is one of my favorite places to go. I realize Texas has a certain romantic appeal to some people and I just wanted to offer to 'host' this trip if it is something ya'll would like to do. I'm game for anything....really!!

Ok, this is my 'vision' of how this would go... First of all, I like San Antonio, but not for a whole weekend....there's just not that much to do there UNLESS you want to go to the Amusement Parks (Fiesta Texas and/or Sea World). I have friends that live there and am sure i could get the home-guided tour ideas of where to take you guys and what to do, but beyond the Riverwalk and the Alamo (which are in close proximity to each other) it's much like any other town. I am proposing that we go to Gruene, TX (pronounced "green"), but you'd fly into San Antonio. Haydee, Tracyk and I could each drive to San Antonio....giving us 3 cars! (Maybe since we don't have to pay airfare, we could pay more for the rooms?) We could all go to the San Antonio airport and wait for you guys to come in....maybe there'd be 2-3 shifts.... then we'd drive the 45 minutes or so to Gruene. Check into a bed and breakfast, hang out in Gruene for the night and get the lay of the land. Have a nice dinner, then relax on the porch. Saturday morning we'd get up, have breakfast and go toobin' on the river for 2-3 hours. We'd beat the college crowds and it would be very refreshing and relaxing. It's a hoot if you've never done it! Go back to the rooms, get cleaned up and have a late lunch. Then go shopping around Gruene and at the Market Days artisan fair...all of this is in short walking distance. Saturday night we could go to the Gruene Dance Hall....and if not there, then someplace in New Braunfels for some local 'color' (read: cowboys in tight jeans doin' some boot scootin') or whatever ya'll want to do. Sunday morning we get our act together, check out at noon then head over to the Riverwalk in San Antonio. We hopefully can get a hotel on the River and check in or at least store our bags. Head over to Market Square for some lunch in one of the oldest and most famous Tex-Mex restaurants in Texas. Then head over to the Alamo for a tour (you HAVE to do that, but it doesn't take long), then we could head down to the River Walk. You stop anywhere along the way for snacks, margaritas, listen to music, shop, etc. Cinco de Mayo celebrations may be going on, too...like all month?....that would be great timing! Colorful dancers and singers all up and down the river. Sunday night...uh...not sure what the best option would be. But we'd be in good shape to head out for the airports again on Monday morning or afternoon as needed for flight departures. Again, we'd have 3 cars so leaving in shifts if we needed to. Haydee, Tracy and I are only 3-4 hours away from home. If ya'll want to spend the whole weekend in San Antonio, we'd probably end up doing a lot more driving around going to the various attractions....but it's doable! We could also squeeze in a road trip to Luckenbach and Blanco. But road trips don't appeal to everyone.

Somebody (can't remember who) asked me for an estimate on costs to San Antonio/Gruene The one B&B I looked at was about $220 for all 3 nights. Airfare from various airports is; ABQ - $178 ONT (Kity) - $264 Detroit (Judy?) - $286 Kansas City - $205 BWI (Michelle) - $292 (with a change of plane in Houston!...or you could just ride with us...fly to houston is $281) The temps would definitely be warm....in the mid- high 80's.

This is a mystery we have never figured out!!! Jenn doesn't type that, it just shows up whenever she types the word "pair" .... (I think)....Isn't that just the weirdest thing you've ever heard??

Gina - I am so sorry to hear about your woes....but something just doesn't sound right. Can I suggest that you post in the complications forum for ideas? I know that for a stretched pouch it's recommended to get on liquids for a few days to give it time to get back to it's normal shape. Did the doctor even recommend that? Why don't you try it at least and see if it helps at all. I think I may be having a similar problem....I'll do liquids with you if you want! Hey, we might even lose a few pounds in the process!! Whattaya think? It's worth a shot. Jenn - OMG, I am sooooooo sending vibes over your way. Good luck, girlfriend. Good luck!!!

Anybody familiar with things to do in Pennsylvania? Nice country, I hear.

Where do you live Mazie?? I don't remember.

Somebody named their kid TEQUILA?? What kind of IDIOT would do this to a child??? Isn't that some sort of reportable abuse?!!!:smile:

LOL Laura!!!

You mean the place in Colorado? Yeah, but did you notice that each room has 2 beds...very unusual for a B&B! You and Judy can have the flowerdy one.

Ok, then........how about Vegas.......or back to Tunica?? [Edit] I just did a comparison of Vegas and Atlantic City.... AC was twice the cost ($603 vs $1150) for me. That would knock me out of the trip.

Check out this place in Colorado ... in Manitou Springs at the base of Pike's Peak....there's so much to do there! 20 mins away from Colorado Springs and 2 hrs away from Denver. Colorado Springs - Manitou Springs Bed Breakfast Lodging Pikes Peak CO I've been to Manitou Springs and didn't want to leave!!!

How about Phoenix, Kat? It's expensive there, huh? Vegas is a good alternative....easy to get to for most, cheap, and lots to do. The weather should be awesome. We could even use Msjen's travel service to get good rates right before. I've never been to Atlantic City...is it nice? I don't want michelle to have to do so much work and i like the idea of being in a hotel....it's just more flexible. How about Lake Tahoe? Is there anything around the Pittsburgh/Philly area?

Gina - It's so good to see you back! We missed you!!! What does the doctor say about "your esophagus muscle not working"? ...what the HECK does that mean??? And what the HECK can you do about it?? Weird! So you can eat grilled chicken and eggs?? :eek: Girlfriend, about 1/2 of us are in a stall right now, so you are definitely NOT alone! Come visit more often. These girls are helping me to get back on track....although i'm not quite there yet, but closer than I was a month ago! LOL!!! That's too funny....and mos def sounds like something i would do! I'm so retarded sometimes. Ok, I'll get on board with the CTCD. Really, I will!! I have, and do so much better when i do!!! I used Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate. ROFL!! Three ENTIRE WEEKS??!?!??? Sorry... I'm bitter. Can you tell? Love you guys. Have a great day! (Especially YOU, Tracy!! Dang, i wish i had today off too! It's gross outside!!!)

It's actually a anti-litter campaign motto...but has come to represent our whole attitude in a nutshell.

Pamela - if the state were nothing but natives, you might be in trouble....but we have lots of 'foreigners' here who brought all their gay, liberal demo crap with 'em!! :cool: They outnumber the rednecks by a WIDE margin now!