Hey all, this is Theresa (Tracy) writing:
I love you all dearly and can't wait for this reunion to happen, but this planning is getting a little complicated. I was thinking that it might be helpful and stress-relieving for someone (me) to compile everyone's opinion about each potential location (Gatlinburg cabins vs. Robyn's camp) and then post it. So...could everyone please post a comment to this posting (or feel free to e-mail me at theresa_a_harris@yahoo.com)? In your comment, it would be great if you could include your top choice and the pros and cons of each location for your family. I will compile it into a table and post it for all to see.
Luv U's,
T
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My top choice would be wherever the most people would show up!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I can also list the pros and cons of each place for my own family (this is gonna be long):
Robyn's Camp
PROS:
-Sam's family and Robyn's family would most definitely be there
-My fam of 4 could drive there in 4 hours
-Super cheap for us!
-Food is included in the price and we could have people cook gluten-free for us
CONS:
-Billy and Ollie probably wouldn't come (total speculation on my part..I haven't actually talked to them)
-Wouldn't be the most comfortable beds
-There wouldn't be an ideal living room area that would feel homey
-No hot tubs
-Lots of places for little kids to wander off
-Some people who want to drink might not feel as comfortable doing so because they would technically be breaking the rules.
-While the food would be convenient, it would still be "camp food"
-It would be a 90 minute drive for people flying in to an airport
Gatlinburg Cabins:
PROS:
-Centrally located so that many could drive there in under 10 hours and save money on airfare
-AWESOMELY COMFY accomodations
-Hot Tub
-Homey feel
-Everyone could do as they please smoking and drinking wise
-We know the food would be good because we'd cook it ourselves
-Lots of things to do in the cabins (TV's AND DVD's in every room, fuseball, pool, ping pong...)
-I think my kids would have a blast running around those big ole' log cabins with their little cuz buddies
CONS:
-Sam's fam and Robyn's fam would be less likely to come.
-Mucho Expensivo for my fam: $750 for plane tickets and we would NOT drive. 14 hours one way would translate to two-day drives for each way.
-We would have to fly in to Knoxville and drive another 60 minutes or so to get to Gatlinburg. Hopefully we could catch a ride with someone, if not, we'd have to get a rental car.
-We'd have to pay extra for our own food AND clean up after ourselves for every meal. (I LOATHE dishes.)
Robyn's Camp
ReplyDeletePROS:
-only a 6 hour drive for our family
-better climate (won't be cold)
CONS:
-Same ole' Florida sunny weather (nothing new for us)
Gatlinburg Cabins
PROS:
-Different climate and scenery for our family
-Nice Amenities
CONS:
-9-10 hour drive for my family
-we'd have to cook our own food
Yes, I agree this is all getting a bit confusing. I really haven't wanted to get into the actual decision-making for the location because I don't want to appear too bias. But honestly, we're not dead set one way or another. Chad & I would love to show our "place" off to everyone, and it would be easier for us travel-wise & money-wise if it was here, but it would be more of a vacation for us if it was someplace else. (It doesn't hurt that we honeymooned in the Smokey Mts. & adore the area.)
ReplyDeleteps - Yes, my family would be less likely to come if it was in Gatlinburg, but that's only because there's no way I wouldn't come if it was here. We would still be very likely to come if it was in Gatlinburg.
Robyn's Camp
ReplyDeletePROS:
-It's easy for Robyn, Susie, Sam, and Teri.
CONS:
-If I had to fly my family to FL I wouldn't be able to help subsidize other families expenses for the reunion
-Food might be g-free, but it would be camp food
-It would be very difficult for my 7 people to travel on a plane with their own bed linens and towels. As well as anyone else who would have to fly, which is a majority of the family. Pillows? It costs extra money to check a bag these days.
-When I think of church camp facilities I think of a church basements with linoleum floors and folding chairs. Although, I haven't seen the facilities, so I don't really know.
Gatlinburg
PROS:
-About a day drive for everybody. I'm all for that.
-People could transport food in their car.
-Everybody could bring LOTS of stuff with them in their car if they need to, for that matter.
CONS:
-Although we'd have to cook our own food, there are enough hands to share the responsibility.
what about trying to go for thanksgiving weekend? Gives everybody more days off to drive? And we won't have other plans cuz everybody be there ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm leaning towards gatlinburg, I really like the idea of all being in the same building, what's the link for the website?
Can't wait to see you guys!
Karen
Uncle Al & Aunt Carol---
ReplyDeleteRobyn's Camp
Pros:
Meals are included, we don't have to cook or clean up kitchen.
We can drive (11 - 12 hours).
We'll get to see Robyn, Chad & Tadg.
Cons:
Would Al Cindy & Lena be able to make the trip? (OUR PEEPS)
Would Jenny, Kristi, Mattie & Breanna be able to make the trip? (school aged children)(OUR PEEPS)
It takes Grandma a day to recover after a long drive (if she is staying with us at that time).
Usual Florida scenery.
Hauling Bedding?
Gatlinburg Cabin (Mountain Retreat)
Pros:
DUHH! We live here, it's in our back yard.
Jenny, Kristi, Mattie & Breanna also live here.
Wendy also lives here, and gets a discount on Gluten free groceries.
Centrally located.
We can scope out the prospect B-4 a contract is signed.
Gorgeous time of the year (fall colors).
GRANDMA LOVES IT HERE!!!!
We cam provide airport taxi service (BIG Van).
Everyone can participate in food prep, ain't it more fun that way?
Lots to see and do in the area if anyone has extra days to stay around and make it a real vacation.
Cons:
Would Al, Cindy & Lena be able to make the trip? (OUR PEEPS)
Would enough of the family be able to attend?
Would enough of the family be able to share in the cost of a Deluxe Mountain Csbin?
These are our honest opinions, if we think of anything else we'll chime in again later.
Really, I could go either way. But I'm leaning towards Tennessee.
ReplyDeleteROBYN & CHAD's CAMP
Pros...
-Wouldn't have to cook
-Less expensive accomodations
Cons...
-Many have additional air travel & rental car expenses
-Gators & lizards & snakes, oh my!
TENNESSEE
Pros...
-It seems like most people would be able to make it there and that's what's most important.
-Not so far for Grandma to travel.
-It would seem more like a vacation.
-Private bedrooms - comfortable beds.
-TV, Pool tables, foos ball, etc.
-Our own food with plenty of hands to help cook & clean up.
-Within driving distance for most people.
-We could bring stuff in our cars.
-Fireplaces
-Cool evenings
-Mountain scenery
-Stuff to do nearby: Dollywood, Gatlinburg, etc.
Cons...
-Can't think of any
P.S.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of two different cabins. One for the routy people and one for the ones who want to get away from the routy people.
Aunt Lori, Robyn, and I have investigated large group cabin resorts in the Gatlinburg area. The one I found would cost $6041.25 for two 8-bedroom cabins. The one Lori found would cost about $4800 for one large 17-bedroom lodge, but this is a church group, so there would be issues. The one Robyn found sounds like it's where we want to go. The cost would be $4100 (incl tax) for one 8-bedroom and one 7-bedroom cabin. Pets are allowed with an additional fee. Robyn will post a blog later with more info and a link to their website. I thin she found a winner!
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone,
ReplyDeleteWe wanted to put our "two cents" in. Unfortunatly neither option would work for us. Florida would be over a 24 hour drive each way and Tennessee would be a 15-20 hour drive each way. With a 3 1/2 year old and 2 dogs it just too much for us to undertake. Al would have to take 2 additional days off just for driving to make this possible. Two extra days on top of the time off for the original trip. We are still not sure if Al would have any vacation time left by Oct. We are truly sorry, we really do want to be there, but its just not possible.
Al, Cindy and Lena
It's actually about a 10 hour drive from the Chicago area to Gatlinburg. Yes, you would need a day to get there and a day to get back. But this is over a weekend and everyone is facing the same issue. If you really want to be there, you will figure out how to make it happen.
ReplyDeleteWe would love to have it here in Florida, but considering everyone else involved, we think the Gatlinburg area would be the best option. It's more centrally located, the fall colors are beautiful, and the places seem to be very nice. Although we would prefer to have a place where we could bring our dog.
ReplyDeleteAunt Sue & Uncle Jim
Bill and I are still talking about our options this weekend, and any free minutes he has. Bill is going to talk to his boss tonight and see what kind of info he can get out of him. We have looked at the cabins and it really doesn't matter to us. We are not bringing our dogs, they will be going to the "puppy hotel". They like it. We are really trying to make it. Honestly, with the reunion in TN it's a little easier for us. Our kids will be crazy any place we go so it really doesn't matter to us. It would be nice for us all to be in one cabin, but it is really going to depend on the number of people that are coming. We will keep you posted on what Bill finds out.
ReplyDelete