I'm in denial that the vacation is over and tweaking writing about it.

It is totally my thing to see as much as possible in a primo destination location, ND. I've been wanting to go back to the museums in DC for years and seized the opportunity to go there and have some social life while there.

I'd enjoy it if we did go to some place more low key because I also enjoy just hanging around a pool or whatever. What's the point of paying top dollar for a primo destination city and then not seeing the destinations? $130 gets you a decent hotel in a primo city, but it can get you 5 star accomodations someplace off the beaten path. I'm just sayin', let's shoot for the value. If most people prefer to hang with other Buffistas anyway, then let's make the most luxurious accomodations for the still affordable dollar the primary evaluation criteria, not whether or not the venue is a major destination city. If some people get a rash at the idea of being outside a major metropolitan destination city, maybe they can live with the idea of a minor city that still has bookstores and restaurants and shops but is more low key. The trade off, slounging in a place that looks like this [link] instead of this: [link] though it was a perfectly fine pool. Because, same price. Only you can slip off to the spa or walk on the beach or have a marguerita brought to you at the first one. Or, here's another example: [link]

Cabo San Lucas? t drool (Better yet, fly into San Diego and drive down the length of Baja, camping out overnight... amazing AMAZING drive.)

The question looks like, do we want to just hang out at the F2F, or do we want to do the town together (in subgroups)?

I vote for the latter category, but there are a lot of places with enough town to do for the weekend. And, of course, there's a higher scare-the-natives factor in less destinationy places.

Nashville sounds interesting.

The question looks like, do we want to just hang out at the F2F, or do we want to do the town together (in subgroups)?

I see the appeal of both. I think that whether we go to a destinationy place or a slounging place will vary from year to year and will depend on what we find that looks appealing.

There are different ways to slounge. Like sitting on the beach and hanging out, with short pleasant excursions into the warm surf. Personally I require water to be above 70 degrees for that, preferably above 75....

Just for yucks, I've been checking out cruise prices. If booked in advance, it appears that a 4 night cruise leaving from New Orleans and going to Cozumel, Mexico, would cost around $450 per person ($485 for those who want to look at water from their room). I imagine that if we do a group thingie, it could be even cheaper. If I'm reading things correctly, the dining is included in the price.

Is this something people would be interested in pursuing, if not for the next F2F, maybe for 2006?

If I'm reading things correctly, the dining is included in the price.

It is. Cruises are pretty fun.

I've always wanted to take a cruise!

Sounds like we need a localista get together

We do. Is the DClocalistas mailing list really us? Is everyone on it?

Boy, did I skip, like, 600 messages.

At Jessica's; we're doing our pasta y fagioli feast tonight, with chocolate decadence and ganache and ice cream for dessert. There will be garlic bread, and salad.

If we're voting midwest cities already, I am firmly in Minneapolis' court. I love that place.

At Jessica's; we're doing our pasta y fagioli feast tonight, with chocolate decadence and ganache and ice cream for dessert. There will be garlic bread, and salad.

Now I'm really wishing I was in NY this week instead of here, studying. (Though, one of my friends is house-sitting in Silver Spring, so we'll be studying by a pool. But, still studying.)

Minneapolis sounds good. (Yeah, that is like the fifth city I've said sounded good.)