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Post by Mr. Pooka on Jun 13, 2016 15:10:51 GMT -5
We've been lucky to have met a few Sphinx stalkers in the past and we've been wondering if this is in any way a real possibility. This is really just an all over the place list of ideas, random thoughts and possible plans for setting something up for next year. That'll be the TENTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY of Sphinxes next year and that's a lot of years of participating in this amazing community!
So, there is certainly nothing set in stone yet but I've had this on my mind for a week or so (well probably years really...) but here is some ideas, suggestions and just random thoughts for anyone who might be interested.
Where, When and Money seem to be the biggest issues with planning something like this.
Where...
Elliot Lake
well we live in Elliot Lake Ontario and there are lots of options if people want to come here. If its a very small get together then we could of course put people up at our place, there is a hotel if anyone wanted and we are only a 15 min drive from an amazing and usually pretty empty National Park that is super pretty. Elliot Lake has everything you might need for a few days/week like grocery stores, banks, hospital etc. but no real entertainment (like movie theaters) with the exception of tons and tons of beautiful nature. Everyone who has visited us gets completely hypnotised by the rocky hills and endless forests and unlimited clear lakes. Depending on the time of year and the random cycles of nature bugs might be an issue (some years are bad for mosquitoes or black flies) if we were camping or planning lots of time outdoors. For anyone worried about money, it might be a good choice because we could easily put up a bunch of people for nothing and only travel costs might be an issue. We could also provide lots of supplies for camping if people didn't have stuff or didn't want to/can't invest in them, like four or five tents and blankets and stuff.
Cypress Hills (or other campground?)
We could also choose a destination get together. Pooka loves Cypress Hills, a campground on the border (and in both) Alberta and Saskatchewan which is really nice, they've got lots of big park draws like lots of big animals (we've got plenty of pics of deer and moose from there) mini golf shopping, nature centers, restaurants, boat rentals, trail rides (with a reservation.... sorry again jean!) etc...
This would be of course farther away from us so we can't help with any of the costs (like places to stay) but if there are enough people there might be group deals or a communal campsite we could get...
Calgary Stampede
We obviously love going to the stampede! We could plan to all go to something like this together...
...also, I love driving and I could pick up anyone who was flying/bussing/taking a train in from anywhere we are planning on meeting up at...
Time
Spring, Summer, Fall, a few days, a week or more?
huh, I've got lots more ideas but I have to get ready for my meeting... feel free to post any ideas or input or anything else you think about and I'll add some more info later, (-8
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Post by Sweetintoxikation on Jun 13, 2016 15:22:42 GMT -5
YES PLEASE! ^^ I'd really love to come visit and go camping and just hang out.
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Post by Siopilos on Jun 13, 2016 15:23:16 GMT -5
Eeeeeh! So excited for this! I really hope it works out *nods*
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Post by melodysangel on Jun 13, 2016 15:25:57 GMT -5
Elliot lake would be the best for me--and you both know id be up there in a heartbeat <3
The issue for me is health. I cant weather a 6 hour drive at the moment.
if I improve within the year somehow it might be possible. I know boyo loves camping so I don't think he would mind.
That's a huge maybe though. Everything is dependant on my health <3
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Post by jeanstarwind on Jun 13, 2016 15:26:55 GMT -5
Cypress Hills (or other campground?) We could also choose a destination get together. Pooka loves Cypress Hills, a campground on the border (and in both) Alberta and Saskatchewan which is really nice, they've got lots of big park draws like lots of big animals (we've got plenty of pics of deer and moose from there) mini golf shopping, nature centers, restaurants, boat rentals, trail rides (with a reservation.... sorry again jean!) etc... This would be of course farther away from us so we can't help with any of the costs (like places to stay) but if there are enough people there might be group deals or a communal campsite we could get... Cypress Hills! I'd forgotten the name, but that place was lovely! I still very clearly remember laying in the tent at night and listening to the wind blow through the pine trees above us. And no worries, we got to ride later! Live and learn, lol. Also, you guys would probably have to buy leashes for all of us, so we don't creep our way too close to the local wildlife like *some* tourist noobs.  |
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Post by PookaWitch on Jun 13, 2016 15:33:02 GMT -5
Cypress Hills! I'd forgotten the name, but that place was lovely! I still very clearly remember laying in the tent at night and listening to the wind blow through the pine trees above us. And no worries, we got to ride later! Live and learn, lol. Also, you guys would probably going to have to buy leashes for all of us, so we don't creep our way to close too the local wildlife like *some* tourist noobs. Lol, I still remember you sneaking up on the moose and I'm there hiding behind a tree going 'Jean... Jean... moose are dangerous!!' |
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Post by Ariya Eretsee on Jun 13, 2016 15:35:40 GMT -5
When it comes to camping, people who travel from far by plane may not be able to take along camping gear, and while you do state having gear it may not be enough if the group exceeds 10+ and especially if they bring family along. But if you have a local hotel/motel you might be able to snatch a good deal for a large group. Perhaps making a few inquiring calls may get you an idea how much you can tick down the price of accomodations per person if you hire in bulk. Perhaps people are willing to pay you in advance for their rooms through paypal so you can hire a location. Also consider hiring an apartment or vacation home! Especially in off season you can often find cheaper apartments/vacation homes then hiring from a hotel/motel.
The same aplies if you'd like to get people together. If a large group from far away gathers at a select location you may be able to get a good price on transport. I know you like driving, but I think a group of 10 people may not fit. Especially if people again plan to bring their families along.
When it comes to health I only have a light sun allergy to keep in mind.
Knowing how many people sign up for this may be a good handle to go browse around for location, bedding & food.
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Post by Sweetintoxikation on Jun 13, 2016 15:36:02 GMT -5
<.<
Oh heavens. I think leashes might be needed. XD Course this would be the time you'd all see just how deathly fearful I am of raccoons. >.>
No really.. they're adorable from a distance or from inside my house and there being glass between me and them. XD
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Post by aholland on Jun 13, 2016 15:40:20 GMT -5
Sounds awesome and fun, hmmmm.... Sadly I don't drive and I don't think I can convince hubby to drive 9 hours. He is not good in crowds of people he doesn't know. I hope everyone has fun though. If you ever come down into Wisconsin though I would love to say Hi. We live in the Waukesha Milwaukee area. Would love to meet people if they are ever in the area.
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Post by PookaWitch on Jun 13, 2016 15:42:51 GMT -5
When it comes to camping, people who travel from far by plane may not be able to take along camping gear, and while you do state having gear it may not be enough if the group exceeds 10+ and especially if they bring family along. But if you have a local hotel/motel you might be able to snatch a good deal for a large group. Perhaps making a few inquiring calls may get you an idea how much you can tick down the price of accomodations per person if you hire in bulk. Perhaps people are willing to pay you in advance for their rooms through paypal so you can hire a location. Also consider hiring an apartment or vacation home! Especially in off season you can often find cheaper apartments/vacation homes then hiring from a hotel/motel. The same aplies if you'd like to get people together. If a large group from far away gathers at a select location you may be able to get a good price on transport. I know you like driving, but I think a group of 10 people may not fit. Especially if people again plan to bring their families along. When it comes to health I only have a light sun allergy to keep in mind. Knowing how many people sign up for this may be a good handle to go browse around for location, bedding & food. *points* See... vampire!!! Anyhow, hmm, there is a hotel in town. We used to have two before the mall fell down. >.> We do actually have lots of camping gear. We must have at least 3+ tents, and I'm talking large ones.. we have one that could easily fit 4 or 5 people. We'll have to take a head count closer to next summer. Maybe checking in again around late winter/early spring. Then we can get an idea and plan accordingly. (or, a decent time ahead for whatever time of the year it's planned for. I was presuming summer.) <.< Oh heavens. I think leashes might be needed. XD Course this would be the time you'd all see just how deathly fearful I am of raccoons. >.> No really.. they're adorable from a distance or from inside my house and there being glass between me and them. XD I know that there are raccoons around here, but I haven't seen them very often. It's more likely to see deer or even a moose around these parts. |
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Post by Ariya Eretsee on Jun 13, 2016 15:49:08 GMT -5
Acteully since I have been taking medication for my thyroid it has been ALOT less! So HAH! No vampire! Blah! *Wiggles fingers at*
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Post by Sweetintoxikation on Jun 13, 2016 15:52:46 GMT -5
Oh I'll be alright. I just.. might run and hide behind people. XD
I blame the one summer camp I went to. Being woken up by some of the worst racket/yowling noises in our cabin from a raccoon that had gotten in.. not fun. Plus the time I was chased down my own street by a raccoon who was 'too friendly' with people. >.> It wasn't foaming at the mouth or anything. It just honestly had no fear of us. And we were standing in my front yard talking. (friends and I.)
But I love deer. And I've never seen a moose irl. SO, that would be a fun experience. From a safe distance. >.>; I've heard how moose can be. But then, so can deer. As I've seen up at my father's house. Mating season is a very dangerous time there. u.u
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Post by Ziraous on Jun 13, 2016 16:02:20 GMT -5
Oh my this sounds like fun! xD Right now we already have a trip planned to see a very good friend of mien from PI who will be at the MLP Fair this year. I've been known to drive to meet up with people. ^^
Funny story, my boyfriend and I met whilst playing an MMO on the Playstation. He lived 14 hours from me. ^^ It helped though that he was friends online with one of my real life friends I was playing the game with, but eh. ^^
I would totally love to meet Sphinx followers! I'd just have to see our schedule and where the two of us stand because he wouldn't allow for me to go on my own. ^^
Moose in real life are huge, Toxi. ^^ My Papa loved Moose and I got to see them a lot in our travels around the country. ^^
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Post by melodysangel on Jun 13, 2016 16:23:52 GMT -5
Oh man, be careful! Animals are animals and can be unpredictable.
Ill say one thing. If you lot drive down to Hamilton stay away from the raccoons. Theres an emergency right now with an all time high for rabies that just spawned out of nowhere since December.
Its kind of why im scared of raccoons right now >>
ETA: Out of curiosity I checked distance.
594km (ish), would take between 6-8 hours to drive.
To fly out it would take 31 minutes (I live minutes away from Hamilton airport).
A train or bus ticket costs $105-125 and takes..12 hours? But its a direct route.
Interesting data. Maybe I should check and see how much a plane ticket is....
This might be more doable then I thought.
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Post by steamworksprocket on Jun 13, 2016 16:58:11 GMT -5
While this would definitely be out of my reach (it cost nearly $5,000AUD to see Esh a few months ago in the States and that was without hotel costs etc @_@) it sounds utterly amazing and I will demand all the photos and news about how epic a time you all have <3
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