@ internetwiz - thanks!

Tdude, the mini gtg was at a downtown hotel, nothing special. DW and I would be glad to host a pot luck at our house, if people want to try that instead of a restaurant. You can keep your shoes on if you want to.

Oh, Santamonica, that is such a generous offer, and such a tempting option. I remember the GTG at your house - you and Mary were wonderful hosts - your house is ideal for such a gathering, and the pot luck offerings were excellent. I hope we do have the opportunity to meet there again...Thank you so much for suggesting it as a possibility.

I thought the GTG at your house was the best ever - everyone was relaxed, the pot luck was terrific (especially the gluten free kasha varnishkas) not to mention the overall comfort level. I am all for it .

I "3rd" the comments by basingstoke & marnie re the GTG at Santamonica's lovely home which we did a few years ago. Our host & hostess were delightful, the food wonderful and the house ever so comfortable & I think I kept my shoes on. For schlegal1 and any others that may want to take metro, we can make arrangements to have you picked up from the metro and driven to Santamonica's if that is where its decided to have the GTG.

TDudette has offered to help with gathering names and then doing nametags for the GTG. I would appreciate if those of you who haven't provided an email address to please do so by emailing TDudette. Please include you Fodor's name as well as your real one. You can email TDudette at donna f rhody at gmail dot com.

What a wonderfully generous offer, santamonica!

I see that yestravel has said that arrangements to get to / from the metro can be arranged -- thanks to all involved in that effort! -- but I wonder if anyone can give us just a bit of a sense of what would be involved: What part of the geographic area are we talking about -- DC, VA, MD? And how far from the metro (approximate time in time or miles would be helpful; the name(s) of the nearest metro stops would also be informative)? I'm not asking for an address here -- just some idea of what my options might be if I can attend.

Thanks again!

santamonica, what a generous offer. I agree with the others that the GTG at your lovely home was the best. It was really perfect for lots of mingling, talking, and sharing great food mixed in with our love for travel.

Ok, we have decided to take santamonica up on his generous offer to do a potluck at his house in MD.
I have not organized anything re transportation from the metro. I was thinking that once we know who wants to metro we can figure it out. There are 2 stops a couple miles from Santamonica's house. I live near a metro stop & could easily pick up people and I figure others may also. Kja, if you send an email to TDudette at donna f rhody at gmail dot com. we can exchange more info.

@ yestravel -- thanks! This information at least anchors the options a bit for me. If I find that I am able to attend, I will contact TDudette. In the meantime, again, thank you so much for your efforts to organize this get-together, and thanks to TDudette for helping, and of course, kudos to santimonica.

Thank you Santamonica!! I cannot wait to see your lovely home, see those who I have met again & meet those Fodorites I have not met before.

Thank you santamonica, the GTG we had at your place was the best.

Thanks, santamonica.

I was planning to metro if it was downtown but given this scenario I will plan to drive.

This is very exciting. If you haven't e-sent me your information (real name, Fodor's name, guest/spouse) kindly do so in the next few weeks.

I'll post a Fodor's name list of attendees and guests at the end of August and then we can figure out who needs transportation help. donna f rhody at gmail dot com

My husband and I were sorry to miss the last one and think we can make it this time! Yea!

Great! We live in bethesda. The closest metros are friendship heights or bethesda, each about 10 minutes by car from our house. Maybe Tdude can email my address to folks once you're sure you can come.

I don't want to be to worry about what people bring. Some people can bring salad, some pasta, some beer, some wine, some dessert. We'll make some chicken Marbella and tortillas. Maybe you can post what you're bringing so everybody won't bring potato salad. Although I like potato salad. I won't hide your potato salad.

Wow, it sounds like fun! I'm beginning to wish I lived near DC and I'm thinking maybe I should thing about arranging a Bay Area GTG...

wtb -- how about a trip to DC?

Hey - I think I might join you all if that's OK!! My b-day is on the 2nd and I am probably due for a visit to see mom by October anyway. She may be having surgery around that time... (?). I was up there briefly a few weeks ago but it was only for one night. Let me see what I can work out. I can easily drive to Bethesda from McLean.

yestravel and tdudette - thanks for planning. My real name is on Fauxdors Friends in FB.

santamonica - thanks for offering your home. If I am able to come, I promise not to bring potato salad.

Of course, it would be great if you would join us, bankbabe. Would you mind sending your email address to TDudette at TDudette at donna f rhody at gmail dot com thanks!

bankbabe....that would be fabulous!