Second, I would be so happy to organize a F2F at McMenamins Edgefield just outside of Portland Oregon at the beginning of the historic road up the Columbia River Gorge. It's the converted/restored Multnomah County Poor Farm, and it's *gorgeous* and hippy-funky in the best possible way. It's close enough to Portland that it isn't too hard to get there, but you don't need to go anywhere because there is so much to do right there. In the summer, there is music everywhere, in the grove small stage, in the winery, headliners at the outdoor ampitheater. There's a tiny golf course, a movie theater, bunches of restaurants, a spa, or you can just sit in a big Adirondack chair on one of the huge porches and read a book.
People go there with their young kids, with their grandparents, young adults with friends to party, it's hugely popular for weddings and reunions, it's just a great place. I'm cheap and have stayed in the hostel for $34 each time I've been there, but they have all levels of rooms.
If anyone from the middle of the country doesn't want to organize one, I'd do this gladly, but it would have to be sometime between around July 15 and Aug. 15 or so -- when I have a house/cat sitter and can get away.
[link]
I've never been able to figure out how to link photos of my own. I have a ton of photos of the place from the last couple of summers. I joined a b.org photo group but never used it. If someone could remind what/how/where about it, I could upload my photos.
Okay, well, offer to organize is on the table, but for 2015. They are already booked for all weekends from May to October for a group of approx. 10-15 rooms.
But the details are: A Sat. night in the Barley Room, behind the Black Rabbit restaurant on the 1st floor, that holds 15-30 people, has a Sat. night reservation minimum catering order of $750. Hotel rooms range from the men or women's hostel at $34/night, to hotel rooms from $70 to $175 depending on the type of room and day of week.
About the McMenamin brothers, from Forbes Mag, "for fun and (minimal) profit" [link]
Historic Columbia River Highway Scenic Byway: [link] and [link] The second link opens with a map. McMenamins Edgefield is in the town of Troutdale.
Ranked by Condé Nast Traveler in 2013 as one of the “Best Farm-to-Table Restaurants in the Pacific NW”!
I finally wrangled some goddamn hotels in Mountain View and San Francisco today, so I know where I'm staying now.
MTV, Hotel Vue: [link]
SF, Holiday Inn on Van Ness because just about everywhere else was booked solid: [link]
The SF one is pretty well situated for going to the sushi place Steph and Tim and Tom have all been to.
CURSES! I will be in Mendocino the weekend of shrift!
The SF one is pretty well situated for going to the sushi place Steph and Tim and Tom have all been to.
Also conveniently located for having cocktails chez moi (4-5 blocks away) or with moi. As long as I'm around, it could be a last-minute thing depending on your work schedule.
ETA: Note that sushi and I are un-mixy things. But I am always happy to mix, or be mixed with, cocktails.
I am in favor of cocktails too
