I haven't been to Hersey Park in years. I can't even remember what's there, other than chocolate.

Zoo America! I saw an albino squirrel there. But most of the birds were off display courtesy of the West Nile Virus. Boo.

What about Memphis? You've got Graceland, the Peabody Hotel, Beale Street, Mud Island, and the city is relatively easy to navigate. Regardless of the location, I am more than willing to drive. Hey, if I can drive in Rome and Paris, I can handle most U.S. cities.

I'm a local, so if Memphis is picked I can both be point person with the venue and provide transportation and a crash pad for a few people. However, I feel I should warn that public transport sucks mightily except for the downtown trolley, panhandling is ubiquitous, and the downtown area is crime-ridden. As convenient as it'd be for me, I honestly think most mid- to large-sized US cities would be a better choice.

And St. Louis, Dallas, Atlanta and Orlando all have higher crime rates than New Orleans.

In the first case that could be helped by not having the f2f in East St. Louis. While I still hold New Orleans nearest and dearest in my heart for 2005, I'll volunteer to drive over for a hotel inspection in Nashville or St. Louis should either be a final nominee, as I'm about 4 hours by car from both. One thing we might consider for the former is the Opryland Hotel, which has multiple restaurants, shops, and an effing HUGE multi-level arboretum inside the building. It lacks only nightclubs, which are instead outside across the street.

A cruise could also be great fun. May I suggest instead of signing on for a big luxury liner, we might instead opt for a Windjammer Barefoot Cruise which would allow us to privately charter the entire ship?

Alright, who hooked up with one of the Baptists?

I considered hitting on an extremely handsome one I saw at Union Station, before I realized he was a fellow Holiday Inn resident with wife and toddler in tow.

However, I feel I should warn that public transport sucks mightily except for the downtown trolley, panhandling is ubiquitous, and the downtown area is crime-ridden. As convenient as it'd be for me, I honestly think most mid- to large-sized US cities would be a better choice.

Matt said what I was trying to say through my fog-ridden head. (I seem to have fallen to the F2F Flu as well. Though it might be because it's SIXTY DEGREES in Chicago. Jesus.)

Memphis, for all it's touristy glory, is not really a great city. And somehow I don't think Elvis's legacy is enough to draw us all out there.

Nashville, on the other hand, is pretty safe. There's a couple great strips of restaurant/bar-type places we could easily take over, car rentals would be pretty affordable, and we could get a really nice hotel for the money we spent on one this year. It's a lovely city.

I haven't been to Hersey Park in years. I can't even remember what's there, other than chocolate.

What I mostly remember about Hershey Park is that it is the locale of the first and last rollercoaster I ever went on -- the Superdooperlooper. I knew I wasn't a rollercoaster person (ultra-sensitive inner ears, riding in elevators has been known to make me nauseous), but I allowed myself to be convinced by my friend Tom to go on one once, just to see.

About ten minutes after the ride ended, when I regained the ablity to stand, the first thing I did was smack Tom in the back of the head. And I've never been on another one since.

Oh, and Kristin, is your place accessible via Metro North? 'Cause if so, I'm totally there for any of the proposed weekends.

Looks like we're planning for the weekend of July 31-August 1.

Yippee! My kids start school August 11th, so this is totally doable.

I can't think about the next year thing yet. I have a hard time planning for tomorrow much less next year. So anywhere good.

I miss you all.

Kristin, insent; I just realized I've got plans to go to a concert with some friends on July 31st. *sniff* I might try to skip out, but I'd feel kind of bad about it. We'll see.

I don't miss anyone, because I'm blocking it all out. No, really. If it didn't happen, I can't miss it.

Damn.

I missed fondling?

God, my weekend sucked!

P-C, are you getting the basic idea behind the F2F now?

Oh, and Kristin, is your place accessible via Metro North? 'Cause if so, I'm totally there for any of the proposed weekends.

Jessica, YES! You can get off at the New London station or the Old Saybrook Station; they're both about 20 minutes from our house. We can certainly pick you up (if not me, then Dave (DH) or one of the other Buffistas with a car).

Kate, I understand if you can't make it, but of course I hope you can.

Jessica, YES! You can get off at the New London station or the Old Saybrook Station; they're both about 20 minutes from our house. We can certainly pick you up (if not me, then Dave, DH, or one of the other Buffistas with a car).

ooh! train trip!!!