Iowa City -- July 2013 -- Survivors 2013

Joanne_53

Heading to Chicago and Iowa City

Iowa City -- July 18 and 19 -- Homewood Suites --- supporting our SISTER Mcook ---

http://coasttocoastforcancer.org/michelleb/

stride

Joanne,  do you think we can get a volume discount at Homewood Suites? 

Joanne_53

Not sure but I can certainly ask when we see what the numbers might be.  Maybe we could also tell them why we are there ...

shianne29

The only time I was in the mid west was a couple yrs back. My DS had a university interested in him in Nebraska. Flew out of Niagara Falls NY to Chicago to Omaha. Got lost leaving airport and ended up somewhere in Iowa. Lol. Major snowstorm that weekend and our flight back to Chicago was cancelled so we had to fly to Denver back to NY. Only place I was out of the airport was Omaha!! So it will be nice to actually SEE Chicago and Iowa lol. I know it's early yet but will have arrange a meeting spot or spots to get all the roadies together. I'm coming from the Orillia area, unless I'm meeting someone before, I think my first stop would be with Scottie in Toronto?

Joanne_53

Luanne, right now my plan is to drive Scottiees car -- Honda Fit -- small trunk.  Pack light ladies -- small carpet bag size because we need room for cooler (lunch of course).

shianne29

Joanne, don't forget the jujubes and chocolate covered almonds!! Lol

Joanne_53

of course -- chocolate covered jujubes -- especially for my American friends that have heard me go on and on -- and I will NOT share with Scottiee !!!!

Outdamnedspot

Well, I don't think Iowa is going to happen for me this year.  DH has an annual boy's trip to see Jimmy Buffett somewhere in the northern US and this year it is Detroit and July 19:(.  The tickets are purchased, so can't be changed.  

Two dogs and a restaurant make it difficult for both of us to be away at the same time during our busy season.  

Tazzy

Joanne...better save some chocolate covered jujubes... for me - I have never experienced them either.  

Noted the pack lightly request...makes sense.     I will keep my eyes open for seat sales.

Outdam:  there will be other times - but sorry we wont meet up.

Joanne_53

Outdam, there will be another time ... This is just the start of many ...



Right now the plan is to take Scottiee's car but might have to switch to mine ... We might want to do a bit of shopping while away and not sure if we can tie the purchases to the roof ...



There will be jujubes for you too Tazzy ...

shianne29

I guess renting a motor home would be going over the top eh? Lmao!!!!!

Joanne_53

Maybe and hard on gas .... Start checking out our route Luanne ... Who knows where we might stop ....

maryah930

I have a site visit in Omaha and if time permits, will be worth the 4 hour drive to Iowa City.  

shianne29

I just had a vision if us all sitting around after the race calling each other by our BCO names and not our given names. We are all going to have to wear two name tags!!



Joanne, lol funny you should mention.... Already looked on google maps!!! Seems simple enough lol not even my poor sense of direction could get us too lost lol. What do you drive? I'm in a mini van, but I might be driving a CR-V by then, we can always take mine if space is an issue.

Joanne_53

I have booked one room at the home wood suites in Coralville ... It,has 2 queen beds and a sitting area ... There will be 4 of us I think ... The cost with the AAA rate is $151 for Thursday and $141 for Saturday. I think that this is pretty good for 4 to split. I have the email address for the manager but wanted to get an idea of how many would be going.



Sheila it would be fun if you could bring cheese and local beer ... I am signing up for chocolate jujubes and Ontario, Canada wine ... Pinot Grigio ....



Coming together ... July will be here In no time ....🎉

shianne29

I've got the chocolate almonds and Ontario, Canada Sauvignon blanc wine!!



Those rates seem really good to me to, and a warm choc chip cookies at check in!!! :-)

How can you beat that ?? Lol



If we end up with more than 4 we could try to maybe get a larger suite not sure if they have any or if would be cheaper.

Scottiee1

Ok gals....I'll bring some yummy organic fruit and veggies for the road....😜/p>

Joanne_53

Yeah Scottiee, I knew we could count on you .... Are wine gums organic?

Tazzy

Thanks for keeping us on track Scottie

OK I need dates.... what day are you driving to Chicago?  I need dates so I can start looking for deals/flights and to where.   Hope that Westjet have a seat sale soon to ON - they should do, normally around this time.  

I can bring wine too... that's a lot of wine eh? But I am from the Okanagan and this is wine country

I think that's a good price Jo on the hotel - for 4 of us. 

Oh! I am so excited. 

iatigger

Count me in for sharing a room thursday and friday. I could drive home but then I would miss the fun on this short visit with you all.

Tazzy

Joanne:  so are you driving down to Chicago on the 15th... guess I should look at getting to you on the 14th if that is my choice... really does depend on what is the cheapest.   So if going to ON I could do 14th to 21st.... if you dont mind a lodger for 2 nights

mcook301

Ok ladies - all I caught out of all the post is there will be wine! I don't need a room because I don't know what the plans are for the race stuff but hope it will be ok that I tag along for part of this trip! Too bad shipping sucks to Canada or I would ship all your packages home for you compliments of my company lol but I know how hard that is both ways:)

Joanne_53

SwgeeWi and stride were asking about rooms ... Iatigger maybe you could all share ...

We have me, Scottiee, shianne and Tazzy in one.



Driving ... Leaving on July 15 to Chicago ... Stay there until July 18 and then to Iowa City until July 20 .. We could stay a day or two longer depending on schedules ... See how this works Tazzy ... You could come in a day or two early,if you need to .. Room at my place.

Scottiee1

Jo, if you want organic wine gums, trust me, I'll find them...lol



Tazzy, think organic on that wine, ok?....👍

Scottiee1

Oh goodie, PJ parties....this is going to be one crazy vacation, I can tell....😱

stride

I would be fine with sharing a room. Need to make sure I can get time off work. Getting confused about timing,  though. Race is the 19th. When are you folks thinking about going to Chicago?  

Joanne_53

4 of us from Canada are doing the Chicago part first and then to Iowa city after. We are going to be in Chicago from the 15 to 18 and then Iowa city ... We can all connect in Iowa City.

Stride, where do you live?

stride

Ack, nevermind, I just saw the earlier post. OK, so I am thinking of flying into Cedar Rapids on Thursday night and renting a car. The hotel price sounds reasonable to me if somebody wants to share a room. If anyone is working on similar plans, let me know and we could split the costs.

SwgeeWi

Do you want to share a room stride?  I could book a double room suite, also.  That way if iatigger wants to have a sleepover in our room she can!  And even mcook for that matter! I'll be coming in Thursday (with bells on and GPS in hand!), and I'll go home Sunday.  I'll just go ahead and book the room. We can worry about details later!  So Excited>>>>grinning....Maybe if I get my butt in gear I can even walk a mile or two with mcook!

iatigger

I am up for sharing with swgeewi and stride and if juneau come she can join us as well.

shianne29

Sounds like this is coming together beautifully!!!!

All I needed to feel better was a road trip planning session. Yeeeehawwww!!!!!