fiction files redux discussion

Hey Dorks,

It may be a little early, but I wanted to get the ball rolling on next year's fest (before it actually is next year). A few folks mentioned on another thread that NorCal might be a good site for 2013 - redwoods, ocean, Russian River, wine, etc. If the interest is there, I'd be happy to organize. Patty - do you have info on approximate budget, number of bedrooms, sources you used to locate housing, etc.? I'd be happy to gather feedback on best dates and any restrictions folks might have before launching a full-on search. Has anyone ever heard of Sea Ranch? It's a whole community of beach houses just north of Mendocino. Might be too expensive, though.

http://searanchrentals.com/things-to-...

Love y'all,
Smarty

Martha wrote: "Hey Dorks,

It may be a little early, but I wanted to get the ball rolling on next year's fest (before it actually is next year). A few folks mentioned on another thread that NorCal might be a good..."

Sea Ranch and the Mendocino Coast is a beautiful area, but it's quite a drive to get out there. A good hour or so past Jenner and the Russian River. The area around Guerneville has much more to offer in terms of restaurants, bars, and a variety of prices for accommodations. Sea Ranch will likely be pricey by comparison.

That was my thought, too, Jim. The Guerneville and other Sonoma houses I've looked at aren't as big as what we would need and might require us to rent a couple. Our dorks are resourceful folk, though. We will find the perfect place.

Martha wrote: "That was my thought, too, Jim. The Guerneville and other Sonoma houses I've looked at aren't as big as what we would need and might require us to rent a couple. Our dorks are resourceful folk, thou..."

I have faith in the dorks! I lived in S.F. for a long time and spent many vacations in Guerneville at a family cabin. The whole Russian River area is beautiful and worth repeat visits.

I'm in France now, so be sure to post pics of Dorkapalooza '13, wherever you end up going.

Or you could join us! Plenty of time for advance planning. There are several dorks who hop the pond for this event. Just sayin'...

How cool/exciting! I think last year we just counted up the number of people who had come each of the previous years and made a guess. I think the 12 was our smallest group, 25 our largest. If we plan the whole week again, it's unlikely that everyone will be there every night, but usually there is at least one night when everyone is there. Anyone who wants to search for possible places should remember to count actual beds, because a place that sleeps 6 usually only has 3 beds, and most of our group sleeps alone. At some point, we'll need to survey and find out who all is actually planning to come this year. It won't be a perfect tally, but it'll give an idea.

Martha wrote: "Or you could join us! Plenty of time for advance planning. There are several dorks who hop the pond for this event. Just sayin'..."

Okay, I'll keep my eye on this thread and see if a pond-hop is possible.

I got really excited to see this thread pop up! SmartyKate, you are so kind and amazing to volunteer to do the organizing! I second what Patty said, look at actual beds and maybe put out a call for who thinks they are going to make it this year so you can get a general idea of what we'll need. I can tell you that Manny and I have already discussed it and we will BOTH be attending Dork 2013 wherever and whenever it is!

Thanks Magnificent Martha! I'm in no matter where we go.

At the 2012 dorka there was talk of holding the 2013 one on the east coast to give our Easterners and Toronto dwellers a break from the expense of going west. (I'd also get the chance to combine the dorka with a visit to my sister in Albany NY). I guess those lovely polls we used last year will come in handy again.

But, and I stress, I'm in no matter where we decide to go!

I would like to try for dork 13 on the East Coast maybe in New York, the original booklover's state. The reason is that I am out of work this year and am a bit tight with money. But s'up to you all.

I have never been to Dorka after all these years. Will I always just be the creepy girl online who comments on all the book reviews and likes all your facebook photos? hehe I'd like to meet you all in person! I'll be following to see what is decided, although I know it may be unrealistic for me this year because of my little one.

OK, the poll is finished with only 9 votes. And the winner is... the west coast! So let's, in the words of The Pet Shop Boys, go west!

Okay, let's get started in earnest. I've done some searching and come up with a couple of possibilities for NorCal. Like this one:

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rent...

or this one:

http://www.flipkey.com/guerneville-va...

or this one:

http://www.flipkey.com/monte-rio-vaca...

We probably need to start with a head count, possible dates, and locations that are suitable for driving or flying (no more than an hour or so from an airport, right?). Please jump in with suggestions and whether/when you can attend. Woo Hoo!

good god. spirit house is beautiful. with a labyrinth, yet!

i haven't been part of the discussion because i usually can't afford to go two years in a row (appreciate lara's attempt to make it possible for it to be cheaper for me and others on the east coast, i do. :)

if i were able to attend, july is better for me over august.

as for drives, i think no more than two hours drive from the airport -- i've never been to northern california and would appreciate looking at it. i mean, i've flown in to seattle three times now, and never seen the city. :)

Thanks Martha!

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rent...
I LOVE the Spirit House, but I think the swimmers and fishermen among us may miss a lake or river.

http://www.flipkey.com/monte-rio-vaca...
My second choice. It has a river! One downside is that you share the lower garden and fire pit with the neighbour.

http://www.flipkey.com/guerneville-va...
Contente looks great - and it has a river! - although there are a lots of double-bed rooms going on, and it's possibly in a bit of a built-up location?

Definitely count me in (even if we don't go for any of the above).

How about we stick to the end of July thing as most people can go then?

Again, THANK YOU.

Maureen wrote: "good god. spirit house is beautiful. with a labyrinth, yet!

i haven't been part of the discussion because i usually can't afford to go two years in a row (appreciate lara's attempt to make it poss..."

fyi, Woodacre is set in a long quiet valley in Marin county. About one hour from SFO. 10 minutes to Fairfax for food and alcohol, about 30 minutes to Point Reyes, which is an amazing national recreation area. About 30 minutes to drive to Muir Woods with its incredible ancient redwoods.

Russian River is great, but Marin county has more than its share of beauty as well. You'll be delighted with either location.

(I lived in S.F. for 26 years and know Marin and Russian River areas quite well.)

Lara wrote: "Thanks Martha!

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rent...
I LOVE the Spirit House, but I think the swimmers and fishermen among us may miss a lake or river.

"


It doesn't give a price for a weekly rental, and it does say that they charge extra for additional guests (over 17). Maybe we should email them and find out what the price for 6 or 7 days would be, and what the extra per person charge is.
Kind of looks like it's about 10 miles or less to the ocean, though...?

I'm drawn to the Russian River area, also, you guys - Guerneville, Monte Rio, Forestville. You can fly into either San Francisco or Oakland, and it's about a 90 minute drive north (depending on traffic). River, nearby coastline, hiking (redwoods!), canoeing/kayaking, cute bars and restaurants, and day trips into the city. The number of big, lodge-type houses is limited, but there are several "clumps" of cabins, all on the same property or within short walking distance. Most weekly "turnarounds" are on Sunday, so what do we think of July 28-August 4? Or should it be the week before? So, so, so excited.

Jim wrote: "Maureen wrote: "good god. spirit house is beautiful. with a labyrinth, yet!

i haven't been part of the discussion because i usually can't afford to go two years in a row (appreciate lara's attempt..."

Still trying to tempt you, Jim...

Patty wrote: "Lara wrote: "Thanks Martha!

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rent...
I LOVE the Spirit House, but I think the swimmers and fishermen among us may miss a lake or river.

"


It do..."

Done, Patty. I'll let you guys know as soon as they respond. Looks like it fills up quickly, so we may need to act fast.

My only two cents is that Manny can't go anywhere near July 19th. He can go either before or after! So that means, I can't go anywhere near the 19th either, because Manny and I will be traveling together! ;-)

I am not sure if I can make it this year. I am still out of work and need this year to find a job. I guess I would withdraw my vote for now.

i'm all in for whenever and wherever, as long as it's after july 16. i don't personally care where we stay as long as there's a bed and a door for me to close but it's true that people seem to like having the great outdoors around. looking forward to it as always! :)

Okay, I think the general drift is late July, water nearby, some outdoors, some indoors, close to an airport. Any other thoughts/suggestions for housing? Patrick, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the job situation will work out in time...I'll send info as soon as I hear back from one or more of the houses.

If we could get a place with as many bedrooms [there are a couple-o'-more couples now and just as many neurotics ;)] and bathrooms as possible, that would be great.

Martha, I'd probably aim for the week ending the 28th July. That's always been the best for all. Or, most, at least.

Yes, good luck with the job hunt, Patrick.

And Mo, I hope some sort of financial miracle happens to you, kindred.

And Kerry, looking forward to meeting Manny. I intend to call him Manuel with a very strong Spanish accent.

. . . sorry, i'm so late to the discussion . . . west coast works best for me, because lauren and both of the kids will come, which means we'll be driving . . . as for venue, i've loved every venue so far, so i'm easy . . as long as the world feels like our own little world . . .

Hey Guys,

I've hit a few snags with finding a place to rent. Spirit House (while lovely and affordable) is all booked up for this year. For accommodations of 20 or more, we will probably need to rent a couple of cabins on the same property, but there are still some places available that sleep 14-16. Everyone is invited to throw down on the search and submit ideas so that we can find the best place possible. It looks as if we are up to 13-14 people who definitely want to come, and the week of July 21-28 is emerging as the favorite. Should we set up a poll to get a more definitive head count?
Love,
Smarty

It seems like there are a lot of vacation rentals around lake tahoe. i know next to nothing about the area, is it far far away from airports? is it miserable in the summer?

Hahaha! I was just researching Tahoe! People could fly into Reno or Sacramento. Here are some possibilities:

http://www.vrbo.com/169556

http://www.vrbo.com/53506

http://www.vrbo.com/331958

Whaddya think?

53506 and 331958 both look pretty awesome.
I was kind of snooping around the oregon coast a bit, just in case, and came across this one.

http://www.oregonbeachvacations.com/r...

Patty wrote: "53506 and 331958 both look pretty awesome.
I was kind of snooping around the oregon coast a bit, just in case, and came across this one.

http://www.oregonbeachvacations.com/r......"

Arrgh, matey! Capt'n John's is all booked up for the weeks we want! Keep looking, and we'll post a poll with the top 3 sites, okay?

. . .tahoe and oregon coast both sound great . . . i know both areas pretty well . . .

I, of course, have no idea what I'll be doing, but I certainly hope to go wherever it ends up. One note on the Lincoln City location: I'm game to go there if that's the verdict, but my ex in-laws live there and I'll need you guys to give me a heads up if you spy an elderly French fisherman coming after me with a knife.

Tahoe is BEAUTIFUL and only about an hour drive from the Reno airport. It's a bit hotter there, though, then what we've been used to at Dorks past...that's my only warning.

I swore that I wouldn't get involved in searching for a place this year, but I can't help myself. Looks like a lot of places are booked for the particular week that Lara mentions, we may need to be a little flexible about this. I really like this place, for instance, which looks like it's available a week later.
http://www.vrbo.com/180426

oooh or look at this place. http://www.vrbo.com/100687

Those are both BEAUTIFUL Patty!

Hey Guys,

Do you think it would be a good idea to post a poll with some of these sites and dates so that we can start gathering a head count? I'm a Luddite, so poll posting wouldn't be my strong suit, but I'd love to get started on booking a place before they're all gone.

How about these?

Squaw (Olympic) Valley - has availability in July (at least according to the calendar). Two buildings but they look close enough to each other.
http://www.vrbo.com/106741#photos

Ukiah - also available July
http://www.vrbo.com/271097

Boonville looks nice too
http://www.vrbo.com/245044

Martha wrote: "Hey Guys,

Do you think it would be a good idea to post a poll with some of these sites and dates so that we can start gathering a head count? I'm a Luddite, so poll posting wouldn't be my strong s..."

I could probably find some together a poll tonight -- or rather probably around 2 am when i am done work (where is Dan? He's usually the poll guy? :P). Do you want me to collect all of the links from message 29 on?

Lara wrote: "How about these?

Ukiah - also available July
http://www.vrbo.com/271097

Boonville looks nice too
http://www.vrbo.com/245044

..."

That Boonville property is WAY too expensive! $2500 per night????

Squaw Valley and Ukiah are both rather high too at $1100 per night.

I always take the per night amount, times it by seven, and divide by 15. I think we need to keep it $500 or less per person if possible, if most of us are going to be able to afford to attend.

Yeah, I'm pretty crap at looking at prices, gotta admit - I go blind.

Is a price anything like a cheeto?

Dan!

Please, please, please make a poll. Would people like the week of July 21-27 or 28- Aug 3? Houses in 29, 35 or 36? Who's coming? I'm ready to book it, but I want to be sure the majority rules. Yay Democracy!

Will you do it?
Smarty

i did the one for the date... http://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/78...

not sure if dan saw your message smarty (or mine, since all he did was joke about cheetos :P), but if he hasn't replied in an hour or two, i'll try to sort it out. :)

poll for the venue - i set it so all answers need to be in by Monday, January 28th:

http://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/78...

did anyone get a notification message about either poll? i didn't.

patty, i just sent another invite to you from the third poll. if it didn't work, not sure if that functionality works? maybe it's something to do with goodreads settings? do you want to post the links to the poll on facebook?

okay, well i sent a message on facebook and asked for people to pass it on. :)

Sorry Folks that I didn't pop back in in time to do the Polls. Extra thanks to Mo for taking charge. What an assertive Canadian (and that's why we love her)!