The Gathering of Old Faithfuls 2007 Yellowstone Reunion

Wednesday, July 18^th – Monday, July 23^rd 

^{Click here for Pictures}

The Troika + 1(Deanie, Bob, Cindy & Brian) have decided on these dates as the best way to accommodate those who cannot attend a full 6 nights. A few of us will arrive Tuesday to make arrangements; obtain fire permits, do some food shopping and so forth.  If your vacation plans make it desirable to arrive before Wednesday, a few volunteers would be welcome.  Those of you who will be driving could help out the project immensely by bringing lawn chairs!  Likewise, a few of us will be staying until Tuesday or Wednesday following the gathering, so if you'd like to extend your stay, or you can't arrive until after the 18th, please check with Brian.  FYI:  Tuesdays are usually the cheapest flight days.  West Yellowstone Airport has fewer flights available.  Jackson airport has a wider choice of flights and car rental is cheaper.

You will be able to make reservations, starting May 1^st, 2006, online at Xanterra's Yellowstone reservation website, www.travelyellowstone.com ( www.xanterra.com will also get you there), or by calling 307-344-7311.

Those of you who are certain you'll be attending will want to reserve a room as soon after May 1st as possible.  Obviously, the most desirable rooms go first - i.e. the cheapest rooms with a bath!  There are, for example, very few OF Lodge cabins with a bath and 2 beds.  Secondly, to get 4, 5, or 6 consecutive nights in your choice of room, without having to move mid-stay, you should book early.  Fortunately, Xanterra offers a full refund of the deposit (one night's stay) up to 48 hours in advance of arrival, so there is little risk in booking early even if your plans later change. Grant Village, Lake and West Yellowstone are alternatives, as the Old Faithful area rooms fill up first.

Please note: Xanterra allocates some rooms to the website and some rooms to their phone reservation system.  In 2004 some folks were still able to find a room just a few weeks in advance of the gathering by calling the reservations #, even though the website said there were no vacancies.  The selection was very limited, expensive, and one could only get 2 or 3 consecutive nights, but there were rooms available. { 9/18/06 UPDATE - It appears Xanterra may hold some rooms back. One savage was told to check back in December for her preferred room type.  Perhaps you can ask to be put on a waiting list in case of a cancellation...  The early bunch is staying at Snow Lodge cabins, a few at OF Lodge cabins and a few at the OF Inn.}

There are a number of folks of the single persuasion who would be happy to share a room and split lodging expenses, so please let me know if that would be appropriate for you and I will match you up with others.  Cindy Unger has enough camping equipment to outfit a dozen she says, if you want to rough it.

Based on 2006 rates, the least expensive choices (including tax) are OF Lodge Budget cabins without bath - about $66, Snow Lodge cabins w/bath, about $89, OF Inn rooms without bath - about $91, OF Lodge cabins with bath - $103, OF Inn room with bath - about $117. { 9/18/06 UPDATE – Most of these rooms are gone! }

Xanterra also runs the campgrounds - about $18.00 including tax.  Campsites can be reserved by phone only, at the # above.  Madison Campground is closest to Old Faithful.

The 2004 gathering was a great success with some 32 former savages, spouses, and some youngins – over 60 folks in all. We re-experienced the sense of adventure, the love of the outdoors and the spirit of camaraderie which brought us all together way back when.

PLEASE let us know if you plan to attend so we can plan accordingly with food arrangements, fire permits and so forth. Deanie, Bob, Cindy and I look forward to seeing you all at the 2007 gathering!