2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 01:23 PM

October 17 to 20th, 2003

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: UB Ed
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 01:15 PM

My apologies; I can't find the dates for this anywhere...

Ed

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 12:32 PM

Let me add one comment about the heat. Several people brought space heaters last year and were very disappointed, since the heat rose up into the rafters and never stayed long enough to get anyone very warm. I brought a double size electric blanket and was toasty warm the whole time. I just threw it over my sleeping bag, and since I did not have a partner, I also added my Martin in a spare bed next to mine, plus the clothes I was going to wear the next day, and my bath towel. It was perfect.

Remember that the first showers in the morning are a tad brisk, and you can laugh yourself into a coma listening to bodies splat into the plastic walls of the shower stalls, as the first needle of cold water hits them.

Also bring some ear plugs as several folks snore like a diesel in a granny gear on a dirt slope.

And you can have a religious experience hearing the women making first contact with the cold toilet seats in the morning. (Its OK ladies; at my age, I do my most fervent praying on the john too.)

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Allan C.
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 10:00 AM

In light of the above, it seems a wonder that the Getaway attendees have only brought cans and bottles thus far. It would seem that some kegs might be in order.

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 10:00 AM

" Of course, what passes for beer there has always been questionable."

..."there"?? we have LOTS of 'there' *grin*...and if you look about a bit, Willie-O, you will find we have beer & ale to suit any taste. Not every brand/type in every little store, but ever since New Albion Brewery in 1977, the quality and variety has been rising. Baltimore, right near the Getaway, has some wonderful brewerys and brewpubs.

And for those who had their tastebuds shot off in the Crimean war, yes, we still have swill of the type put out by Miller & Budweiser..

any chance you'll be here again, Willie-O?...

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Allan C.
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 09:57 AM

It may be of interest to note the statistics in this remark from the thread regarding the Yorkshire Gathering where a mere 80 some 'Catters were gathered.

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Willie-O
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 09:33 AM

Beats me Greg. But Americans seem to think Canadians drink too much just like Brits. A friend of mine's husband in upstate New York asked me curiously "so is it true Canadians drink pretty much all the time?"

I'd tell you what I answered, but it's after nine a.m., I gotta go get a beer. ;)=

Yet, in my experience, Americans in general suck back as many pints as anyone. More so the farther south you go. Of course, what passes for beer there has always been questionable.   

W-O

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: greg stephens
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 09:14 AM

Re the kind Americns offering to put in the odd bottle of Guiness for the Brit visitors.I was just reading aa Peet McCarthy book(funniest travel writer i the world), and he was having a quiet chuckle at a table of Americans in a restaurant, where eight Americans were sharing two bottles of wine.
   I'm sorry to say, and I know you guys over there in have-a-nice-day country think it's a big problem we ought to address, but us brits need approximately one car boot(sorry,trunk) full of beer per person for a folk weekend(more if you stay over Sunday night as well).

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 08:57 AM

heat is taken care of by snuggling. *grin*

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Willie-O
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 08:48 AM

Ya need some heat in them cabins!

Failing that, single malt doesn't sound like a bad idea.

Liquor store's on the highway no more than three miles from the camp.

W-O

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Micca
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 05:18 AM

Have you ANY idea how much beer Shellbacks can shift??

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Tinker
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 09:47 PM

Since I'm right here next door to beautiful Newark, NJ and expecting the car crew the night before..... Just let me know what you want to stock up on it can easily be here and ready to roll when you are...

Tinker

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 08:22 PM

List your preferences and we will see what we can provide for Friday PM (or is it Thursday?). Last year my local supermarket was clearing out old stock and I ended up with 1/2 price single malt and Jamison. Can't promise the same this year. I prefer JD and haad little of the former.
SINS

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Snuffy
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 07:49 PM

Jeri,

We've got 2 minibuses for the week - one from JFK and one from Newark, but I don't know how much room there'll be for booze after fitting in 23 Shells and their luggage, bedding etc.

Personally I only drink beer (which is bulky), but a few would probably prefer wine or spirits (which takes up less room).

I'm sure we could persuade Col K to drive us down to Havre de Grace, peformance schedules permitting, or even stop there on the way.

WassaiL! V

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Dani
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 07:02 PM

Aww, man, Janie, you took all the fun out of it...

Dani

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 04:59 PM

Janie...I presume the camp would provide mops..etc..if we ask..Charlie Baum will no doubt be communicating with them in the next 2 months...

Shower curtains?..Hmmm..."that's not a bug, that's a FEATURE!"..*smile*...seriously, I hadn't heard of THAT problem...will investigate..

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Janie
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 03:54 PM

Bill D. Thanks for your FAQ. One of the BIG reasons I enjoy the Getaway so much is that it is a MUSIC event and not a drunken zoo.

A fair number of people have some to drink, and very few people get drunk. Which means very few people behave obnoxiously.

Hope it stays that way.


Re: Needs. Non-see-through shower curtains.
            Could it be arranged for the cabins to have a broom, bucket and mop available? If not, I will bring one of each for our cabin. Somebody let me know.

Janie

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 01:42 PM

wonderful, Dani!

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Dani
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 01:23 PM

Have y'all ever read the "Whiskey Speech"? It's priceless. If I did this right, you'll read the epitome of compromise:


http://www.rdrop.com/users/jimka/whisky.html

Dani

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 12:37 PM

Perhaps a little FAQ is in order..*grin*

booze has an 'interesting' history at the FSGW Getaway. For most of our history we were at State parks or Boy Scout camps where alcohol was 'officially' forbidden...which, of course led to the most amazing and creative ways to have it and not show it too openly. (The crucial announcement was always "take OUT anything you bring IN" meaning we did NOT leave empties in the camp trash/rubbish bins.) This situation also had the effect of making some people just not bother if they had to hide it...and thus of also reducing over-indulgence to almost zero.

Now, for the last 3 years, we have been at a camp which allows it, and even has a bar downstairs...it has been so VERY relaxing to be able to just HAVE a beer or share a "bottle of the best" with friends...and so far, we have had no problems. We still have, I'm sure, a few members who do not drink, and worry about proliferation of alcohol...but it has not been a problem yet...and I think we are all clever enough to know how to keep it that way.

I will have some excellent beer/ale, etc...and probably some good single malt Scotch, but I have never abused it, and don't enjoy situations where the alcohol becomes more the focus than the music.
I suspect most folkies feel that way, and I am not really worried.

Many years ago, I added a verse to the old song, "Boozing, Bloody Well Boozing"...take it for what it's worth..

"What's the joy and the curse of the whole working class,
Why, boozing, bloody well boozing,
What is it robs a poor man of his brass?,
Boozing, bloody well boozing.
It ruins the liver, it addles the brain,
It inspires our singing again and again..
What gives such fair measure of pleasure and pain?
Why boozing, bloody well boozing."


see you in October!

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Big Mick
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 12:33 PM

I will have the Guinness and probably some of John Jamesons finest spirits. If there is something else required, let me know and I will pick up some of it.

Mick

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Dani
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 11:40 AM

Count me in for anyone who wants a ride up the East Coast. Janie and I will be going that way and, presumably, back. Easy side trip to the airport, no problem either way there either.

I can bring spare bedding, and am usually good for plenty of American whiskey.

Dani

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Micca
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 10:44 AM

and a Very good Bottled Cider is available there, maybe Chance Fortunato will see this and fill in some details!! look/ask for "Hard" Cider ( hard = alcoholic), Cider can be like Appletize otherwise!

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Allan C.
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 10:21 AM

Beautiful downtown Havre de Grace is only about 12 miles from the camp. Among its many features is a large liquor store. Inexpensive coolers can be purchased there as well, if memory serves. "Emergency" runs for restocking are not at all unusual or difficult.

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 09:34 AM

Nope, but there's usually quite a bit for free. How are you getting from the airport to the camp? Perhaps if you don't have an opportunity to buy booze on the way, someone will volunteer to drive for a shopping excursion.

I could bring extra. I usually don't drink very much so I don't need a large supply and anything extra is community property. What sort of booze do you prefer?

Subject: RE: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Snuffy
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 09:28 AM

As you know, the British folk scene has a much closer association with alcohol than does the American one.

So the Shellbacks will need to get a weekend's worth of booze somwhere between JFK/Newark and the camp. (I take it there's none for sale on the premises).

WassaiL! V

Subject: 2003 FSGW Getaway - Travelers Needs
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 09:20 AM

Parent thread is 2003 FSGW Getaway - ideas for program

I started this because it looks like there's a bunch of folks concerned about not being able to bring what they'll need. It looked like a topic deserving of its own thread.

Folks may need equipment or travel information, and some may need rides or places to stay on the journey. Whaddya need?