Just wanted to thank Katie, from Random House, for the Fodors bags and books. Every one appreciated the personal letter, and made the group feel we are contributing to someone's travel expierence. We had an interesting variety of travel stories this year...loved hearing every ones comments. Bob and I had a great time as the photos will show when he get them up. Thank you all for comming.

Ken the necco waffers were the Panda's contribution...He had to climb a lot of trees to find them...they are rare.

For those that don't know, NECCO stands for New England Candy Company. It's as local as you can get. Of course, steamers don't travel well.

<i>For those that don't know, NECCO stands for New England <b>Candy</b> Company.</i>

Good grief, it does not. It's New England <b>Confectionery</b> Company. Used to be the big concrete monolith on Main St.

&lt;Sigh.&gt;

OK, OK Rizzutto is correct. Cany, Confectionary, who cares? It's small thinking like that causing extra inning losses to the godforsaken Rays.

Well, bravo everybody and thanks for raising your glasses to yours truly. I thought I felt something in the middle of the night - a little bubble of Boston love beamed across the ether. Ahhhh.

HERE IS THE SITE FOR THE GTG PICS I TOOK....HOPE OTHERS HAVE ONES TO ADD:

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8BauXDJw2aqNng

Thanks for posting the photos, Bob. It looks like a fine time was had by all!

Well guys, I woke up a little glum today - for no reason. One of those dog days - and then I saw those pictures.

Ahhh - now I'm FULL of smiles. I'm quite overwhelmed. So thank you all.

I don't know who was given the job of stuffing the Dogster, or my wardrobe co-ordinator - but they did a fine, fine job.

You must all remember, too, that I haven't seen any of your faces before - so it's a real thrill to see the people behind the nicknames. You've made my day. Thank you.

Great pictures. I'm so bummed I couldn't make it there this weekend, but it looks like it was a success.

The nod to Dogster was very touching (and appropriate).

Great pictures,Bob!!! Hey Mimi, are you going to be just like Jack Benny and be always 39?
You look great in your picture!!
Forever Young, this song is dedicate to you,
Un Abbraccio, AnnaMaria
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHNeRjC4nJw

aw shucks! kismet, isn't my PASTIS adorable?

Mimi looks fantastic in person! Please tell me that travel keeps you looking young.

It was lovely to put faces to familiar names and many thanks to Karen &amp; Bob, Beth &amp; Andy for organizing such a successful gtg. It was great to hear everyone's travel stories and to meet such inspiring travelers.

Thanks also to all the contributors to the gift bag; the edible treats didn't last long at my house. :)

What a great weekend! It was so much fun seeing old friends and meeting new ones. My only regret is that I wasn't able to chat with everyone. I tried to work my way across the rooms, but got detoured by interesting conversations every time.

Bob &amp; Karen, Andy &amp; Beth and Carol all deserve BIG thanks for their work organizing the events and the fun favors. Their thoughtful planning is a big reason that the Boston GTG is the largest of all GTGs. I think Bob figured a total of 39 or 40 people attended. Amazing!

I especially loved the personal stories.. Some were funny, some inspiring, others just reminded me why I love traveling. Where else would you hear stories about volunteering in foreign orphanages and schools, getting pulled over by cops on lonely roads, instant Bar mitzvahs, the joy of foreign travels with your kids, and breaking into hotels vs checking in?

I wish I'd had a tape recorder running... Fodor's could have a best selling travel book with just these Fodorite tales.

Bob, your photos are teriffic. I'd contribute some pics too, but as usual, left my my camera at the hotel. Mimi..was that your garden? Looks charming!

I'm rounding out my Boston trip with some quality time with my daughters, eating more wonderful Boston food, taking long walks in the glorious weather (Thanks, Carol!!)and will do some shopping tomorrow before my long flight home on Tuesday.

Thanks to everyone who made this a winner GTG. I look forward to Boston in 2009!

I (and a willing victim) survived another Boston GTG. Bob and Andy did it again. Set the tone (Carol brought the weather) and made us all feel welcome. (The Europe board infiltrated the Asia board. We've planned that for a while :D It worked well.

dogster, I wish you could have heard Gpanda's impassioned ode to you. We were close to tears. I thought he was about to pass a hat.
I will now start reading the Asia board. Looking for your posts.

Same time, same place next year. This is best GTG ever. Come join us!

(hello from Lincoln NH where it is very BUSY with visitors/traffic, all viewing the fall colors, walking the many trails, taking pics of the many mountains and lovely babbling brooks, attending a craft fair, eating home made ice cream (YUM), and so on... lovely weather)

Bob, thanks for the photos of the GTG. You were really quick at posting them! Enjoyed them all! I took a few pics, but they don't add anything to what you have already posted.

I hope next year's GTG is just as much fun as this one has been!

Carol

Dogster-it was I who created your likeness. It is a small token of our universal appreciation of your contributions to this forum. Maybe next year, you can join us. It would make the GTG even more special.

BTW, the costume was a small Scooby Doo. Don't know if he's made it to Australia, but Scooby is a favorite among many generations of Americans. As are you.

Joseph and I too want to add our heartfelt thank you's to the organizers of this weekend's fabulous Boston GTG. Thank you Bob, Karen, Andy, and Beth for making it such a special occasion for people to come to! It's so obvious that you put the time and care into this event to make it so special each year.

In addition to the wonderful opportunity to reunite with old friends/meet new ones and hear an interesting/funny/moving travel story from each participant at our luncheon, you organizers spoiled us with your awesome goodie bags! We loved the homemade chocolate chip cookies, cool spoon, bookchick's generous gift coupon, the beautiful fan...is that from Carol?... thank you and glad to hear that you are enjoying NH, Lucy's choc caramel from Hawaii...along with Katie's message from Fodor's and all of the door prizes provided by Fodor's. Thank you to every contributor...we so appreciate you!

Lastly, happy birthday to Andy...may you enjoy a good year ahead!

In fact, we wish everyone a happy and healthy year ahead, it was great seeing everyone!...and thank you again B, K, A, and B...you did a terrific job as our hosts and hostesses!

Terryr

Well Gpanda, I was really touched. And next year who knows? After all this kindness I really don't know how I could refuse...

But I don't think you need ME to make it special - by the look of it you guys did a pretty good job of that yourself.

October is peak leaf peeping season here in New England. It's the stuff of countless jigsaw puzzles. There are a number of really luxuriuos kennels that would be honored bt your presence.

Jeane and I really enjoyed seeing everyone - old friends and some new. Thanks Bob, Karen, Andy and Beth for putting it together and thanks to all who attended. It was truly a great weekend.

Dogster - Jeane read all 43 pages of your Kolkata thread and is now a raving fan.

Great to see Lucy and Ken - thanks for coming all the way from Hawaii.

Bob and Karen - thanks for having us over to your room at the Hyatt Summerfield Suites for a late night-cap with Carol, Laurie and Eric. It was great hanging out with you guys that evening and at breakfast the next morning.

To everyone else - for the fleeting moments or longer conversations - we really appreciated our time with you.

Bob - great photos!

Thanks again and as Guenmai would say &quot;Happy Travels!&quot;