Hi Savages!
Deanie, Bob, Cindy & I have settled on the dates for the 2010 TGOF ("The Gathering of Old Faithfuls") Reunion:
Wednesday, July 21st through Monday, July July 26th - A few of us will arrive on Mon or Tues to make some arrangements, secure fire permits and such. Likewise a few folks may stay an extra day or two.
The main get-together, that we hope all can attend will be Friday, July 23rd, 9:00AM to noon, at the OF Snow Lodge Conference Room. Group pictures, silly awards, somewhat less than fabulous prizes, a group speaker or two, memorabilia displays, and general nonsense.
There will be group activities planned Wednesday through Sunday - Group hikes, Snake River float trips, sight-seeing trips, etc. There will be campfire get-togethers almost every evening, perhaps a group dinner at the Lodge Cafeteria, and other possible etc's.
The most important aspect of this update is to remind you that lodging reservations for July, 2010 can be made as of Friday, May 1st, 2009. As before, the most desirable lodging goes 1st and quickly! The best deals are the OF Snow Lodge Cabins or the OF Lodge Cabins. To get a cabin with a bathroom you will likely have to act on May 1st. The cheapest cabins or rooms at the OF Inn, are the ones where you share community bathroom facilities. Also, as before, only one night's deposit is required, and it is refundable up to 48 hours in advance, so there is little risk in going ahead and making reservations if you think there's any chance you may attend.
You can make reservations online, but I would recommend calling the reservation line on May 1st to have the best shot at a room of your preference. There is some controversy as to whether they withhold some rooms for the website, and whether they hold back some rooms for release at a later date. In any case, if you miss the early rush, keep checking back with Xanterra periodically, as cancellations occur, especially the week before our dates, as others who are doing what I'm advising you to do, may wait until the last minute to cancel.
The Xanterra site for Yellowstone reservations is http://www.travelyellowstone.com/
The phone reservation number is 307-344-7311 and 866-439-7375(toll-free)
If you wish to, or would be willing to, share a room and split expenses with someone, please let me know so I can make note of it, and we'll try to match up folks as we get closer to the gathering. It might thus behoove you to reserve a room with 2 beds - You can always cancel in advance, and there's only a small chance there wouldn't be someone in need of a room.
Please note: If you make reservations early and later decide you cannot attend, please let me know, so we can transfer your reservation to someone who is hoping/waiting for a room.
We accept contributions to the cause! Donations are used to offset search engine subscriptions, maintain the website, and anything leftover is applied to the actual gathering expenses - conference room rental, projector and screen, food & beverage, permits, etc. Our expenses run about $100/month, and most contributions have been in the $25 range (for illustrative purposes only ;-)
WAYWARD SAVAGE FUND: Considering the state of the economy - consider diverting some of your federal bailout money to this fund. In 2007 we helped a few folks with airfare and lodging expenses to enable them to join us. It's entirely anonymous whether you are the helper, or the helpee - only Deanie, Bob and I will know. When we get closer to the gathering, please let me know if you need help, or want to help with this effort and we'll see what we can do.
Don't hesitate to call if you have any questions or comments! More updates as plans solidify...
Brian
(The Troika +1)
Brian & Valerie Boroughs
20822 E 580 N
Charleston, IL 61920
217-348-5000
1-877-725-6297 toll-free
boroughs at consolidated.net
www.yellowstonereunion.com
Deanie & Bill Fincher
109 Breckenridge Dr
Canton GA 30115
740-479-8555
billfincher at comcast.net
Bob & Inga Kavanaugh
3461 Neves Way
San Jose CA 95127
408-272-4575
postcardbob at yahoo.com
Cindy & Steve St Clair
1843 SW Shoreview Ln
Burien WA 98146
206-242-5671
csc51 at comcast.net