Dave's Garden Party

We would love to attend the party but only if we can afford it.................... costs a fortune to get from the UK to the party!!!!!!

I'd come if you bring it to Australia. You can all stay at my house! Bring a tent.
Where does Dave live anyway, and whats 500 miles in Kilometres?

I think Dave comes from Texas.......................

500miles is 805 kilometers

If I can get off work.

I might go if it was in a location of interest so that I could make a mini vacation out of it.

Same as above, if I can afford it at the time and make a mini vacation out of it. Also, if DH doesn't mind me going alone....

I could only attend IF:

The party was within 100 miles of my home.

What "type" of party is this? Is it a plant exchange or are we talking nightlife? Are there learning projects with presentations by speakers? Or is this simply a social event?

Not enough info to make a sound decision.

Love to! But most likely cant afford to go "unless", someone drives from Iowa & I can "hitch" a ride! :)

I'd love to come, if it's over a school holiday, and within a couple of hours of Kerrville, TX so we can stay with family.

Much as I would very much love to attend I will not be able to. If it was going to be held more centrally, and therefore closer to me, then perhaps I could, but I will be unable to afford the cost or the time away from work during one of our busiest periods of the year.

Sorry,

--Ginny

I love the idea, I am there if it happens. I retire this spring!
But......
I have read some of the discussion threads associated with the event. I don't know if there are as many people aware of it as some of you think. Your poll may be a bit premature to get an accurate feel of participation. Maybe you should have added a choice of "have you heard about the possibility of a garden party in 2009?"

No matter of cost is.... I go for travel to see or attend...

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/799610/

This is the thread we are talking about, there is no date set other than 2009, there is no place set - other then 500 miles of Dave - we are looking for ideas and people who might be willing to get this get together started.

This message was edited Jan 7, 2008 7:44 AM

I agree with SongsofJoy - a trip like that with its inherent expenses would only be worth it for me if there was another reason for visiting that particular place (family, friends, a fabulous Botanical Garden to visit etc etc) to justify the cost.

Makes more sense to go to a local flower and garden expo, such as the Philadelphia Flower show or the Southeastern Flower show in Atlanta.

I think 500 miles from Dave would still be in Texas. Even tho I am in Texas, the answer would have to be no. Cost and time is a primary factor here, not to mention the selfishness to my spouse who humors my plants fetish. I could not justify this ~ sorry!

I would love to, but 500 miles from Dave is still a long ways from Michigan! Most likely to expensive...would have to drag DH and kids along and I doubt there would be anything interesting for them to do or see (plus would have to pull them out of school).

Maybe make it a traveling expo??? One in every state or region? Just thinking out loud...kind of what Taste of Home magazine does with their cooking expos.

Michelle in Michigan

I will go because I have racked up enough points on my credit card to fly there free. There will be way more points in there at the Spring of 2009.

I am by no means independently wealthy but I do have a travel and vacation budget. I can see it from here: I'll get myself a nice hotel, rent a big car, eat in nice restaurants, attend lectures and social events this party will organise. I'll visit a botanical garden or two and make a mini-vacation out of it. No way am I flying to Texas for 2 or 3 days!

I may even drive and see other DGers' places if I can swing an invitation or two. I have a few people in mind already. I am told texans are very welcoming people.

My wife's health stops us from making plans so far ahead for her but I'm a big boy and I can travel alone.

While I was editing this post, Michelle from Michigan mentionned having to take the kids out of school and DH. For most people, taking a couple days off their daily life would require some arrangements at home. That is not always easy but it's also not impossible. Maybe we could look into having members travelling alone share a room at the hotel, thereby reducing the lodging costs. Someone could register with a "sharing coordinator" who would facilitate such arrangements. I'm just thinking out lout here but that kind of thing may help. The same goes for sharing driving expenses. A "drive sharing coordinator" could facilite such arrangements also.

Sylvain.

This message was edited Jan 7, 2008 9:09 AM

There will be tons to see and do! This will happen in a major area with thought given to those who dont go for the plants too - and there is not a time of year set yet!

Dont foget there is no time set yet beyond 2009 - we need you to tell us when would be the best time of year to have this!!

I guess I just really need more information.

There's really not enough info for me to say. Like others, unless it was in a location of interest, so that it could be a mini vaca, I can't justify (monetarily) flying out to TX for a party. Also, the time of year would be a huge factor for me. October-February is my busy work season, so I can't go anywhere even if it were a free trip to Paris!

I have long thought that a DG national convention was long overdue. I would make every effort to attend. With enough notice, I could begin saving up for the travel expenses. It would be nice if the city chosen has a good botanical garden, but if the conference was filled with interesting workshops and plant swaps, that would be enough for me.

Jeremy

I will be there with bells on, if I can. I'm a self-employed landscape designer, so any kind of get-together during "season" has to be scheduled enough in advance, and affordable, so that I can work it into the schedule and my budget. The opportunity to be able to meet and talk gardening with so many DGers from areas other than my RU is too tempting!! (And I'll probably drive, so car-pooling is a possibility as well.)

This message was edited Jan 7, 2008 12:42 PM

I had to say no, reluctantly, because my health prevents my travelling. If not, I'd hop on a plane wherever it was. Never been to Texas and have lots of relatives in San Antone that I've never even met (although I suspect the party won't be anywheres near there LOL)

Here's a link to a post with a map I made showing what is within 500 miles of Dave: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=4215891

I'd love to attend if we can afford it.

sure Dave! I have been to CA for a RU sure I would go to TX!

I have been met Dave in Southern California DG RU....

Didn't even vote because there was no 'WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT' category

I would love to go.....but.....it would depend on possible time conflicts as well as the expense.

I checked "yes if", but that was because I didn't see the part about being 500 miles from Dave until I'd already voted. My "if" was that it has to be within a 6-7 hr drive from the San Francisco area, and I don't think there's anywhere where those two intersect! So I guess count me as a no then. The other "if" for me would be that the registration needs to be less than $100, it's going to cost enough for travel, hotels, etc so the registration would need to be cheap.

I marked yes, only if...cost & health will be my major stumbling block. I would love to come.

thanks for the 500 mile circle, marilyn.

Me too, I'd love to go if it was within a day's drive of WV...which I guess it's not...oh well, maybe when I win the lottery! :)

pam

Marylyn,
Memphis is a great place for a meeting. I believe rooms are reasonable, the sights range from a large gaggle of Casinos just south of the border in Mississippi.
The historical carrage rides in downtown and other Mississippi River stuff.
I don't recall gardens, but believe they have many art and other historical significance.
Fairly central for the East half of the US.
If scheduled far enough in advance almost anyone can get advance air tickets reasonable. I went to a national convention in 2005. My round trip to Chicago with one trip non-stop was $100.
Just MHO
;)

We would come, but only if it were in an area with reasonable camping available or inexpensive hotels. I don't know how anyone could choose "nomatter the cost". I'd love to live in that world! ;)

I'm with Gardenwife....on the cost. I'll be there if I can afford it...and the cost of registration is not too costly...and my health holds!! Jo

I would love to come. My If's are cost related since it's too far for us to drive unless we took a week off of work. That isn't totally out of the question but just needs to be planned for. Flying ss way too costly unless it were a place that Skybus goes to.. lol..

I can see Dave keeping it in Tx.. WHy not? Or else alternating locations each year like other national organizations do. If we need to keep it within 500 miles of Dave then we surely aren't getting out of Texas.. lol..

I am going to say sing me up. With over a year to plan I can do it

I would love to attend, but I had to say no, as I know it would be impossible for me to travel that far, now if I could get over the fear of flying between now & then, maybe. will keep a watch on the other thread about it & see what you all decide.
:)Anita

I could make it if it were in Memphis. I can drive there and I love Tennessee and North Carolina. I've vacationed there many times.

--Ginny