Sure hope you make it to the Getaway! We'll be glad to see you! The price information for the event has not yet been posted (anywhere, as far as I know), and probably won't be until early summer. The FSGW folks have to get through the Washington Folk Festival before Getaway planning can get fully in gear. But it should be about the same cost as last year, which was $190 for the whole weekend (Friday evening thru Monday breakfast). It's less for FSGW members, of course (though that really wouldn't make much sense for you), or if you volunteer for an upper bunk, or for a shorter stay. Don't worry about making advance reservations for the Getaway -- there's plenty of room, and plenty of time to do that in the summer. Once you've got your itinerary planned, and somewhat closer to the event, let us know, and we'll make sure transportation is available.

As for what to bring -- there's really not much required. Instruments are always a good thing, but bringing them on airplanes is risky, and there are always people happy to lend instruments. Locals bring their own bedding, but that too is difficult to deal with when traveling by air, so if you let us know a little bit in advance, we can easily arrange for someone to bring extra blankets or sleeping bags for you. Clothing for warm, cool, sunny or rainy weather -- obviously we never know how that will turn out until the last minute, though the first weekend in October shouldn't be really cold. Last year it was absolutely gorgeous -- it sure would be nice to be able to guarantee that every time!

Hope you can work it out to go to Portsmouth as well -- those Maine-and-New-Hampshire folks are some of the finest crazy people I know!

Looking forward to meeting you!

Nancy