King Kon 2018

[recitador]

this seems like it could be interesting and fun, and the notice is advanced enough that i might be able to swing it. 21 hour drive says i would have to fly in though, that's a little over my limit unless i bring assistance (a slim possibility) . . . will have to think about this one

 

[Grandpa]

Here's our minor problem.

For years now, Grandma and I have talked about doing a fall trip through New England. The plan would be to land in Boston, snag a rental car, spend the next week in New England Autumn with its glorious hardwood colors, before getting back to Boston and flying back.

Well. July ain't quite autumn, and not even late July. So I have to do a whole reselling. And while I'm immersed in the SKMB culture (admittedly others are immersed far more), Grandma is not. It's a tougher sell to say, "Let's fly out to New England in the summer so that you can join me in gathering with my online SKMB friends." She'd be like, "Whaaaattt???"

Grandma was plenty nice enough about letting me go for a Saturday (was it Saturday?) last year to visit with SKMBers for the Stanley thing. Spending a grand or more (undoubtedly more) to get us to New England and encompassing a Gathering of people she doesn't know, during the time she hadn't envisioned being there, is another matter.

I'll work on it, within the bounds of honesty between two people who have been married 43 years this week. I'd call it 50-50 at the moment, with over a year remaining to the event.

 

[Sundrop]

Here's our minor problem.

For years now, Grandma and I have talked about doing a fall trip through New England. The plan would be to land in Boston, snag a rental car, spend the next week in New England Autumn with its glorious hardwood colors, before getting back to Boston and flying back.

Well. July ain't quite autumn, and not even late July. So I have to do a whole reselling. And while I'm immersed in the SKMB culture (admittedly others are immersed far more), Grandma is not. It's a tougher sell to say, "Let's fly out to New England in the summer so that you can join me in gathering with my online SKMB friends." She'd be like, "Whaaaattt???"

Grandma was plenty nice enough about letting me go for a Saturday (was it Saturday?) last year to visit with SKMBers for the Stanley thing. Spending a grand or more (undoubtedly more) to get us to New England and encompassing a Gathering of people she doesn't know, during the time she hadn't envisioned being there, is another matter.

I'll work on it, within the bounds of honesty between two people who have been married 43 years this week. I'd call it 50-50 at the moment, with over a year remaining to the event.

This is my same problem......except that the BF is also an SK fan. Similarly, our plans include flying into Boston, checking out a few sites there, renting a car, and driving through New England and seeing the sites awash in full autumn blaze.......
We've planned a fall visit twice, and twice life has changed our plans. This time, life has decided to move him to the NC coast.....5 hours away. His cash flow and our together time have just become very limited for the foreseeable future. We've postponed our fall visit until next year and in reality, we can't afford to travel that far twice.
Another unknown for me is I have no clue what my daughter will be doing next summer. Gatherings like this aren't her bag, and while she could stay with her dad, it has never sat right with me to change up the visitation schedule like that. On the two occasions that has happened, I felt like I was pawning her off for my own enjoyment.
While I'm not one to ever say never, and I'd truly love to meet everyone..... if it comes down to making a choice, my kid and the BF are gonna win every time, all the time.

 

[fljoe0]

This is my same problem......except that the BF is also an SK fan. Similarly, our plans include flying into Boston, checking out a few sites there, renting a car, and driving through New England and seeing the sites awash in full autumn blaze.......
We've planned a fall visit twice, and twice life has changed our plans. This time, life has decided to move him to the NC coast.....5 hours away. His cash flow and our together time have just become very limited for the foreseeable future. We've postponed our fall visit until next year and in reality, we can't afford to travel that far twice.
Another unknown for me is I have no clue what my daughter will be doing next summer. Gatherings like this aren't her bag, and while she could stay with her dad, it has never sat right with me to change up the visitation schedule like that. On the two occasions that has happened, I felt like I was pawning her off for my own enjoyment.
While I'm not one to ever say never, and I'd truly love to meet everyone..... if it comes down to making a choice, my kid and the BF are gonna win every time, all the time.

I know the real dilemma. You don't want to leave your windows.

 

[Spideyman]

Sundrop and Grandpa Following your heart and allow the universe to guide. Family first, and if the biological family is a good one, hold it true. Yes, the skmb is family too, however sometimes is does take second place. There will be other King Kons...there are other Kon than this. Almost a year away, planning can be a tug between desires. Step back and see where time will take both of you.
And look to a positive side.....if unable to attend, we all will share your Fall journeys through pictures. And those who do attend will share their journey with those of us who could not attend the Kon.

 

[Neesy]

Tall Guy will probably talk about driving, but I think it's better to fly in and rent a car. From Louisiana, that's quite a hike.

1798.7 miles

(It's 1692.4 miles from Winnipeg so you've got us beat!)

 

[Neesy]

Neesy , I just wanted to warn you ahead of time that if Andy comes I am going to be your third wheel the entire weekend so I can listen to his accent

Alas his accent is not the same any more (ever since he had surgery on his mouth due to oral cancer) - sorry - just thought I should warn you

 

[Neesy]

New
Okay, this is the list I have so far:

Definitely coming:
Misery Chastine Loves Co.
Sunny
Flushingfeef and family
Grandpa and Grandma
Lepplady and Tall guy
Scott and Tracy
Nomik and possibly Kevin & Danny
Stacy and Dave
Cowboy
Susan Norton
Do1You9Love
Nessy plus one
Hipmajen

Possibly coming:
Terri plus one
Dowopgirl
Doc Creed
Swift Dog
Mr. Nobody plus one

Hoss?


Donations
Lepplady - t shirts and something for auction
Stacy- nametags
Cat in Bag - auction item
Spidey- auction item
A small handmade glass piece for auction mentioned by Scott

Marsha is organizing bus tour.

Moving forward, any additions or changes? I'm sure there will be over the course if the year.

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Nessy plus one

Aye - I'll be bringing me fishing gear

 

[Neesy]

I found a list of the top ten hotels in and around Bangor:

Top 10 Hotels in Bangor, Maine | Hotels.com

I was quoted 141 Cdn for Four Points by Sheraton

Only three hotels popped up and one was in Brewer, Maine (Think I'll keep looking!)

 

[Neesy]

Here's our minor problem.

For years now, Grandma and I have talked about doing a fall trip through New England. The plan would be to land in Boston, snag a rental car, spend the next week in New England Autumn with its glorious hardwood colors, before getting back to Boston and flying back.

Well. July ain't quite autumn, and not even late July. So I have to do a whole reselling. And while I'm immersed in the SKMB culture (admittedly others are immersed far more), Grandma is not. It's a tougher sell to say, "Let's fly out to New England in the summer so that you can join me in gathering with my online SKMB friends." She'd be like, "Whaaaattt???"

Grandma was plenty nice enough about letting me go for a Saturday (was it Saturday?) last year to visit with SKMBers for the Stanley thing. Spending a grand or more (undoubtedly more) to get us to New England and encompassing a Gathering of people she doesn't know, during the time she hadn't envisioned being there, is another matter.

I'll work on it, within the bounds of honesty between two people who have been married 43 years this week. I'd call it 50-50 at the moment, with over a year remaining to the event.

This makes sense.

In Colorado you were just "down the road" so to speak;

I think I might have the same problem with Andy - although he enjoyed the trip it was very taxing on him as he insisted on doing all the driving (back in 2014 in Ohio when we saw the Prison from Shawshank Redemption).

He does like the idea that there could be people there all the way from England or Ireland however!

 

[Nomik]

this seems like it could be interesting and fun, and the notice is advanced enough that i might be able to swing it. 21 hour drive says i would have to fly in though, that's a little over my limit unless i bring assistance (a slim possibility) . . . will have to think about this one

I'll add you to the maybe (or as I call it, hopefully) list.
21 hour drive is doable over two days. I just drove from Phoenix to NH in December, and thirteen driving hours in a row was my limit. (With food breaks, of course!)

 

[Nomik]

Alas his accent is not the same any more (ever since he had surgery on his mouth due to oral cancer) - sorry - just thought I should warn you

Don't forget to renew your passport! (If necessary)

 

[Grandpa]

This is my same problem......except that the BF is also an SK fan. Similarly, our plans include flying into Boston, checking out a few sites there, renting a car, and driving through New England and seeing the sites awash in full autumn blaze.......
We've planned a fall visit twice, and twice life has changed our plans. This time, life has decided to move him to the NC coast.....5 hours away. His cash flow and our together time have just become very limited for the foreseeable future. We've postponed our fall visit until next year and in reality, we can't afford to travel that far twice.
Another unknown for me is I have no clue what my daughter will be doing next summer. Gatherings like this aren't her bag, and while she could stay with her dad, it has never sat right with me to change up the visitation schedule like that. On the two occasions that has happened, I felt like I was pawning her off for my own enjoyment.
While I'm not one to ever say never, and I'd truly love to meet everyone..... if it comes down to making a choice, my kid and the BF are gonna win every time, all the time.

Sundrop and Grandpa Following your heart and allow the universe to guide. Family first, and if the biological family is a good one, hold it true. Yes, the skmb is family too, however sometimes is does take second place. There will be other King Kons...there are other Kon than this. Almost a year away, planning can be a tug between desires. Step back and see where time will take both of you.
And look to a positive side.....if unable to attend, we all will share your Fall journeys through pictures. And those who do attend will share their journey with those of us who could not attend the Kon.

This makes sense.

In Colorado you were just "down the road" so to speak;

I think I might have the same problem with Andy - although he enjoyed the trip it was very taxing on him as he insisted on doing all the driving (back in 2014 in Ohio when we saw the Prison from Shawshank Redemption).

He does like the idea that there could be people there all the way from England or Ireland however!

The unstated variable in this is my writing. Grandma's supportive of it, wishes I could sell more, wishes I could have an agent, wishes more people would read it. When I explained how I got to this message board through the defunct On Writing homework assignment, she enjoyed that and my participation in a literary circle on Mr. King's site. And she likes the writing of Gracious Host as well. So that in itself is a pretty good factor in favor. In fact, that's what brings the odds up to 50-50.

 

[do1you9love?]

Put me down as a plus one. My mom wants to come. And yes to the bus tour, as well.

I'll probably stay in the Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden in Bangor. I have a Hilton honors Visa and should be able to get the room with points. Right now, I'm leaning towards flying into Boston and renting a car. Still crazy to think that I'm finally going to make this work.

 

[Nomik]

Put me down as a plus one. My mom wants to come. And yes to the bus tour, as well.

I'll probably stay in the Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden in Bangor. I have a Hilton honors Visa and should be able to get the room with points. Right now, I'm leaning towards flying into Boston and renting a car. Still crazy to think that I'm finally going to make this work.

Yay !!!

 

[GNTLGNT]

....all are welcome, and no-one, especially me-wants you to feel beholden....family is family and that's where the allegiance lies....

 

[danie]

Here's our minor problem.

For years now, Grandma and I have talked about doing a fall trip through New England. The plan would be to land in Boston, snag a rental car, spend the next week in New England Autumn with its glorious hardwood colors, before getting back to Boston and flying back.

Well. July ain't quite autumn, and not even late July. So I have to do a whole reselling. And while I'm immersed in the SKMB culture (admittedly others are immersed far more), Grandma is not. It's a tougher sell to say, "Let's fly out to New England in the summer so that you can join me in gathering with my online SKMB friends." She'd be like, "Whaaaattt???"

Grandma was plenty nice enough about letting me go for a Saturday (was it Saturday?) last year to visit with SKMBers for the Stanley thing. Spending a grand or more (undoubtedly more) to get us to New England and encompassing a Gathering of people she doesn't know, during the time she hadn't envisioned being there, is another matter.

I'll work on it, within the bounds of honesty between two people who have been married 43 years this week. I'd call it 50-50 at the moment, with over a year remaining to the event.

J, though I understand your wanting to see the board members at the Kon, I say give Grandma her autumn trip. You got to see friends in Colorado last year, and sounds as if you and Grandma have been talking about a New England trip for two for a while. After reading your beautiful post about your anniversary, I say give that woman whatever she wants! She deserves it.

 

[Lepplady]

Just asked Tall Guy about flying versus driving. He asked we here it is and I said "Maine."
Without hesitation, he said "We'll fly."
Now I just have to figure out the logistics. Closest airport to our destination, etc.

 

[Nomik]

Just asked Tall Guy about flying versus driving. He asked we here it is and I said "Maine."
Without hesitation, he said "We'll fly."
Now I just have to figure out the logistics. Closest airport to our destination, etc.

Possibly Manchester or Logan are good bets. Portland and Augusta also have airports.

 

[Sundrop]

I know the real dilemma. You don't want to leave your windows.

.......maybe