New Orleans GTG: 11/14/2009 Everyone Invited!

Hey, Johanna! Good to "see" you.

Our second grandchild is due about that time (in Dallas) but if we're home, I'd definitely love to hook up for a GTG. Please keep me posted.

Also, you might want to post this in the lounge. Seems to get more hits for GTGs on that forum. Also, have you posted this on fb? Many now on fb who aren't on Fodors as much anymore.

Thanks for the heads up!

Johanna...

I commented on FB but wanted to post here too...should be great fun!

Hi Tammi

I hope you can make it, but certainly understand if you can't...maybe your grandbaby can wait a few days for us!

I did post on FB, a few people have responded already. Thanks for the suggestion to post on the Lounge, also. I'll do that.

Johanna

I missed it on facebook, sorry. With the new layout, I seem to miss a lot of posts or maybe I just don't know where to look. They don't show up on my home page like they used to, but I'll look for it. If you don't mind, message me on facebook. That way I'll be certain to see it.

The g'baby is due the first week of November, but our daughter expects me there, and you won't catch me complaining for a minute.

Topping

Hey! I was thinking of flying over to see my parents that weekend.

What's the plan? Time? Place?

Hi grcxx3

I hope you can make it! I was going to post again later in the month, or in early October to see if people were still interested. So far I have replies from 6 or 7 people, but it's a while off, so things can change either way.

When I know exactly how many are coming, I can make reservations for dinner somewhere.

Johanna

thanks gracie! Any idea where you might be meeting up for dinner?

Not sure yet. I'm open for suggestions.

Nola is always good.

Sounds like a great gtg.

Where is it on FB? ( I didn't see it. I'm not a fb pro so it could be right in front of me!)

Do you know where everyone is gong to be staying?

I love the FQ, but I don't necessarily like driving down there by myself at night. But if that's where everyone wants to be I'll made do.

Let me put on my somewhat worn-out thinking cap and see if I can come up with some suggestions........

I would love to make it but I think that is 'Big Smoke' weekend in Vegas. No plans yet, so please keep me in mind. SA

I'm planning on attending, but I don't have a hotel booked yet. I am looking at hotels in the French Quarter, but I can meet up at whatever location we decide on.

We've got free airfare, and we've been looking for excuses to go somewhere. Tom and I might be able to do this...

<<we've been looking for excuses to go somewhere>>

I think you have it now!!!!

Grcxx3, check out the Dauphine Orleans. I love the location. In the FQ, but on a quiet street that feels like a world away. I recommended it to my mom and her girlfriends and they've gone back several times. If you can splurge, stay in one of the historic rooms across the street...courtyard with fountain...gorgeous rooms with exposed brick walls...just delightful. If not spluring, the hotel rooms are just fine.

Y'all have fun!

http://www.dauphineorleans.com/

starrs - thanks - but I'll be staying with my parents. They live in the 'burbs now (used to live Uptown), so I'll be driving from there.

Jo, are you coming?

I looked at the Dauphine Orleans, and like it very much. They also have good AAA rates, so I'll probably stay there. I think it's across from where I've stayed before at the Chateau Le Moyne. When I was in NO in July, I got a fantastic rate at the Ritz...no such luck this time. A lot of hotels also have a three night minimum, which sucks.

We're officially in! We decided to just Priceline the hotel, we got the Chateau Bourbon for $55 per night.

Sounds like it's going to be fun!!!!

It's New Orleans! Not having fun is impossible!

I can't wait to try Old New Orleans Cajun Spice Rum and sweet tea!

I finally booked our hotel. Will be staying at the Dauphine Orleans in the FQ...thanks for the recommendation Starrs!

Really looking forward to seeing everyone!

This should be fun!

I currently have a reservation at the Dauphine Orleans, but I just saw on Travelocity that I can book a room for one night at the Monteleone. I've always wanted to stay there. On their website, they have a two night minimum.

Johanna

Do you guys have a time & place yet, just in case some of manage to show up ?

I liked the Monteleone. It's been 6+ years though so I don't know what it's like now. Good location, though.

I'd like to get a list of names of people who are coming. I thought dinner at Nola would be fun. The food has been good every time I've been there, and not too expensive.

I'll get into town Saturday morning, if anyone wants to drive with me over to Domelise's for a poboy for lunch, let me know.

Johanna

You can put me down as a maybe, maybe...I'm still in the process of getting moved back home for work. Until that is a done deal, I am at teh mercy of my employer.

I'll definitely be there. Just deciding if I will drive or take a taxi.....................

Put me down for a definite, plus mom who is traveling with me!

I'm a maybe. DF may come down from CO to spend the weekend and if so...

won't know for a while though.

Ok. I'll be a maybe...transportation from PNS (bridges, ya know...) is my main objective right now.

I live in Metairie and just joined. I don't know if I'll be doing the GTG but I wanted to mention that I have booked a single night at the Hotel Monteleone previously on a weekend. Especially if it is last minute you can call to book if online doesn't work.

Welcome NolaKaty! You should come!

(I grew up and went to school in Metairie)

Hi NolaKaty

Thanks for the tip about the Monteleone! You should come to the GTG! Especially since you're so close.

Johanna

Thanks. I've lived in Metairie my entire life with the exception of the 1.5 years I ventured as far away as River Ridge.

Just wanted to post an update. I made dinner reservations at NOLA. Saturday, November 14th, 6:00.

Here are the people who have confirmed they are going:

Me (obviously!)
LowCountryIslander and LCI's Mom
Cocontom and husband
Grcxx3
Karin and husband

Maybes:
SAnParis2
BayouGal
zelphiacat

Let me know if I have left anyone out. Hope everyone can make it! It will be lots of fun. I emailed Katie and she will be sending some (her words) Fodors Fun!

Johanna

Oops, NolaKaty, I didn't mean to leave you out! If you can make it, we'd love to have you.

Johanna

Sounds great! Looking forward to it!

Topping

Please add myself and Mr. Hershey. I just decided a weekend in New Orleans would be splendid.

I am trying to Priceline a French Quarter hotel but I haven't been able to get $55 like Cocontom. Will keep trying. With 3 kids in college, $55 looks mighty good.

We're going to come down on Amtrak from Tuscaloosa.

Look forward to seeing some of you for the second time and meeting the rest of you.

Oh Yay! It will be great to see you again Hershey! Hoping you can find a hotel deal. I booked at the Dauphine Orleans a couple months back and glad I did because it looks like the rates have gone up there. Also try on Hotwire. I've had success with them on previous NYC trips!

This is going to be fun! Can't wait.

Johanna

If anyone else wants to go with us, we're going on the 2:00 tour of Celebration Distillation.

Lenora, what is that?

topping
Y'all have a blast! We're with you in spirit

Wish I could be there - I'd love to meet you folks. Everybody have fun and we want to hear all about it when you get a chance!!

Hope you have a great time & a great turnout, I'll need to see pics...

Celebration Distillation is a rum distillery.

That does sound like fun, where is the distillery? I haven't heard of it.

I think I am going to get some shopping time in before the GTG. I get in Saturday, and then drive home Sunday, so don't have a lot of time.

Did you get my message in your inbox at Facebook with my cell phone number in case you need it?

See you at NOLA's! I can't wait to meet everyone.

Johanna

I did. The website gives directions more than a location, and I don't know the area well enough to know where it is. It's not in or walking distance to the Quarter.

http://www.neworleansrum.com/index.php?section=4

Heading over to NOLA restaurant right now.

Thanks to everyone who came to the get together! I had a great time, and it was fun to meet everyone. Nice to be able to put faces to names now!

Pictures are at: http://tinyurl.com/yaqhfu9

Johanna

I agree...could not have had a better time...it was a pleasure meeting all of you!

Outstanding GTG! So much fun! Thanks for organizing it all, Johanna!!!!

I can not get the pictures to open but I had a great time! Fodorites are great people!

I cannot open the website

I was not able to access the pictures either. But sure glad you all had a fun and wonderful GTG!

Me either...........altho I'm scared to see how awful I look!

Well, I'll have to figure out what happened to the pictures, but for those of you on Facebook, I have them posted there.

Cielle, I tried looking you up on Facebook, but haven't had any luck. I searched your name and grcxx3, but nothing.

Johanna

I'll find you!!!!

Hi Johanna,
You ROCK!!!! Thanx for organizing our GTG..We had a GREAT time and it was wonderful to meet everyone...Let's do this again.
LCI's Mom

Johanna...

Is the link to a Kodak Album? If you, this is what I do to post a viewable link:

email the album to yourself at your own email address.
open the email and click on the link to view the album.
then copy that link and paste it into this thread as a tiny url.

I had to do it that way for my Rome trip report pictures.

Tom and I had a great time! Thanks for organizing everything Johanna.