ANNOUNCING COLON PALOOZA 7

scouty said:

Great questions trainer!!
I'm thrilled you are asking them, I've been to enough of them to know what to expect and forget that others don't.

Thanks to Debbie for posting my email about the rates. It seems we are in battle of symatics, the contract reads $159 plus the daily resort fee of $20 while the hotel reservationists tell you the other. Bottom line each room is $179 with 11.5% taxes!!

trainer, bless you for organizing events like you do. I am a project/program manager by trade and like that the Paloozas are pretty loosy goosy which makes it easier on the host and hopefully the expectations of the guests. We get some pretty decent rates at cool locations so anyone that wants to take advantage of that can, you are not obligated to attend any of the scheduled events but are more than welcome if you want to.

Some may just want to hang out on the private beach and/or do all the water sports things the resort offers. We are planning a few things and here are some of the ideas as of today (keep in mind this could change as we find other things to do):

Wednesdays are usually check in days and people arrive at all hours. With a smaller crowd it is easier to track arrival times and an informal greeting in the lobby as you check in is pretty special.

Thursday evening is the official "meet and greet" event, probably the one event you do not want to miss. For those that checked in the day before there are usually plans made for breakfast, tours and other events as people get to know one another. You also could have the day to yourself. There is a nightly free sunset party at Mallory Square that we'll want to catch after the "meet and greet". What happens after that is all TBD.

Friday mid morning will have a motor scooter "tour" of some sort planned that may involve fake tatoos and do rags but it will definitely include lunch at a local place featuring the the Key specialties of fried counch and key lime pie (and yes Debbie I think you can get a DWI on a scooter but hopefully not at 11AM!). This "road trip" will end mid afternoon so folks can prepare for the sunset cruise with live band; there are dozens to chose from but Commotion on the Ocean looks the most appealing for the price so far.

Saturday lunch reservations will be made on a remote island that we have to take a boat to get to (Lattitudes). The dinner menu is pricey with fancy dress but lunch is casual and only charges $12 for a burger and fries which is not bad for the cool island feel. After that will probably be an informal "pub crawl" checking out bands, bars, and the stores on Duval Street. Some will be leaving early the next morning so Saturdays are not usually late nights, but Friday is a different story.

That's a rough idea of the weekend plans I have right now. Let me know your thoughts and please offer other things to do.

You are right, only 6 more rooms left at these rates!!!!!!!!!!!

Book now folks!!!

Lisa P

scouty said:

1 year NEDness sounds wonderful!!!
That first year is pretty special and if memory serves, there are several of us with October NED anniversaries that will be happy to join you in celebrating. It doesn't take much to get us in the celebrating mood at a Palooza!!

Having 3 brothers and a yearly family vacation at the Outer Banks of NC for the last 15 years, I enjoy fishing and love your tuna and dorado catch story. Heck if there is enough interest we could even get up a deep sea fishing trip. But if we catch tuna, I will want a way to get it home!!!

The Hogs Breath Saloon is definitely still there and the sunset cruise we are looking at, Commotion on the Ocean, is sponsored by the bar and the bar band plays on the cruise many nights. You're right about Kelly McGillis who used to own Kelly's but sold it and now co-owns another restaurant closer to Mallory Square and has quite good food according to a couple of the hotel sales agents I talked to. I went to her old restaurant in the mid 90s and really enjoyed it, she actually was there as the hostess and was very nice and friendly.

The theme of this years Fall Festival is VILLIANS, VIXENS, AND VAMPIRES so the costumes and body paintings should be pretty interesting!!! As it gets closer, we'll learn more of the festival type things that we could attend.

Thanks again trainer for talking this up and I truly hope to see some other "newbies" book their rooms for the fun. I promise you that you will not regret it!!! It's hard to explain how amazing it is to be with a group of people that have gone thru much of what you have, physically, mentally, and emotionally. There is an instant bond that you know in your heart will last forever.

Lisa P.