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Community => Adventure Related Talk & Chat => Topic started by: AGA on Mon 10/07/2006 09:20:31

Title: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: AGA on Mon 10/07/2006 09:20:31
Right. A couple of questions regarding the next (...after the upcoming one) Mittens:

1. Does anyone have any intention/ability to host Mittens in 2007?

2. If not, scotch and I looked into the possibility of renting a cabin/lodge type deal somewhere in the US or Canada (or maybe even the Carribean, if people were interested...). They seem to be available for as little as $100 US per person per week, which is really not much more (if not less) than last year's and this year's Mittens sleeping. Depending on where we go, it could turn out to be even cheaper.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: SSH on Mon 10/07/2006 09:36:02
You could probably fit 5 tents on my lawn plus we have a garage and summerhouse... but I'd have to ask the wife if she wants 20-odd geeks traipsing round the garden.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: scotch on Mon 10/07/2006 09:39:13
I don't think Mittens can really be in Britain anymore, due to Brittens being almost as big.  North America again would be one likely spot... otherwise I wouldn't mind going somewhere we don't have someone to host in.  Just to go somewhere new.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Pet Terry on Mon 10/07/2006 10:43:46
My votes for Canada or Caribbean, and somewhere that doesn't require tents. No campsites please!
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Privateer Puddin' on Mon 10/07/2006 10:53:09
Yes to US/Canada/Caribbean :D
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Ubel on Mon 10/07/2006 11:34:16
Quote from: Petteri on Mon 10/07/2006 10:43:46
My votes for Canada or Caribbean, and somewhere that doesn't require tents. No campsites please!

I second!
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: visy (the guy who made Lassi Quest) on Mon 10/07/2006 12:12:38
I'm fine with any location, but I personally would like to avoid the camping also ;)
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Nacho on Mon 10/07/2006 12:58:29
Well... This is supposed to be decided in mittens... But I think Pesty mentioned something about hosting Mittens in her state... And I would love to visit the Anazasi's Mesa Verde...

Anyway, hiring a cabin sounds good, I would have hired a flat this mittens if the owner allowed me to put 20 guys in there.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: on Mon 10/07/2006 13:06:12
Hey guys, I was kind of hoping we could save the Carribean for the 10th Mittens, as it won't be cheap for anyone to visit and it would be a good way to celebrate it's birthday - MI style. I'd quite like to organise that event.

So I vote Canada.

Farlander is right though, this is something we should discuss and decide at Mittens.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Privateer Puddin' on Mon 10/07/2006 13:47:38
It won't be cheap anywhen, a year should be enough to save. Anyway, curse of monkey island came out 97 ;)

I also think we should we should slowly move away from totally deciding where it's hosted the following year at mittens, how many americans/canadians etc are gonna be at this years mittens to volunteer? :p
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Becky on Mon 10/07/2006 14:48:56
The difference in price between Canada and the Carribean from the UK wouldn't be too dissimilar, and both are more expensive than Europe anyway.  As long as we know far enough in advance to that it'll be £xyz, then it shouldn't be too bad.

As long as I can abuse my student loan overdraft, I am not bothered where abouts Mittens 2007 is.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: SSH on Mon 10/07/2006 14:57:48
I suspect scheduled flights to Canada will be cheaper, thanks to:

http://www.flyzoom.com/
http://www.canadianaffair.com/
http://www.globespan.com/

Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Helm on Mon 10/07/2006 15:11:10
I don't like to miss mittens, and the only reason I did in the american one was the flight prices. So sadly anywhere where I'll have to pay a fortune to fly to is probably out for me. This means Canada and... the Carribean alike. Probably. This discussion will become much more concrete once we have actual info on what the prices will be like.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Grundislav on Mon 10/07/2006 15:14:36
I wouldn't be opposed to hosting Mittens, but if nobody wants a campsite the next option would be a hotel, and a hotel in a good location during the summer might be expensive. Some hotels might give discounted group rates if we told them we were some kind of convention, however.Ã,  It's something I could look into.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Sam. on Mon 10/07/2006 15:34:26
I too would like a general idea of where it will be next year, i cant afford it this year, but next year i have a student loan to misuse.

Im not opposed to camping or the US, europe would be easier for me travelwise, but Ill follow the majority.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Anarcho on Mon 10/07/2006 15:50:47
I could potentially host Mittens, either right in Washington, DC or possibly on Assateague Island in nearby Maryland:

http://www.nps.gov/asis/camping.htm

It's where Blackbeard supposedly kept one of his wives:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=travel&res=9A05E0DA1F3AF935A25750C0A9679C8B63

But I doubt the beaches would compare to Greece or Spain.  Maybe a rustic vacation in the wildes would be better. 
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Quintaros on Mon 10/07/2006 16:21:10
If people are thinking Canada, then I offer to host next year's Mittens in the Canadian Rockies either Banff or Jasper.  I'd been thinking about suggesting that for a while but was waiting to discuss at this years Mittens.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Anarcho on Mon 10/07/2006 16:36:12
That could be really cool.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: on Mon 10/07/2006 20:01:59
Aye, Canada Rockies would be cool.

It's good that people have come forward.

I was going to lock this earlier but wanted to see some of the ideas. This thread is going locky soon because, well, I'm a bastard and I'm upholding our current policy of leaving this discussion until Mittens. So get your comments in quickly :)
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Pumaman on Mon 10/07/2006 20:12:20
Yeah, although it's good to have some ideas I do think it's a bit early to be discussing Mittens 2007. Let's get Mittens 2006 out of the way first!
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: jetxl on Mon 10/07/2006 20:24:26
Europe is cheap, and a lot of members live here.
I like to see an east european mittens, because I've never been there. Canada is ok, they speak english (well, half of the time).
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Anarcho on Mon 10/07/2006 20:26:59
Europe isn't cheap if you have to fly there from north america. 
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: OneThinkingGal and ._. on Mon 10/07/2006 20:29:24
Quote from: m0ds on Mon 10/07/2006 13:06:12

Farlander is right though, this is something we should discuss and decide at Mittens.

This makes no sense :P This leaves out all the people who didn't attend because it was too far/expensive, and next years will have the same people as this time?  ???
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: on Mon 10/07/2006 20:46:46
Whats this? Your first talk & chat post in what, 2 years? :p Hello Annie! It does make sense. People just need to start saving well in advance. In the past there's been arguments about where it should be which is why we decided just to wait until Mittens to discuss it. Attendees are obviously those who are willing enough to save their money, organise their time AND travel the distance. So be like Rocky, be there and you get a say.

Those who don't attend Mittens generally set up their own, "Otherlocation"ittens. Which is fine.

In an ideal world we want everyone to try and save up and attend Mittens. Yes, sometimes there aren't so many spaces but the main aim of Mittens is for the community to meet up. Because people don't save early enough, we see lots of mini-events spawn across the globe, which is cool - but by 2010 we could have about 8 different Mittens events! People should start saving NOW!!!! :p

Like Chris says, its best to get the current Mittens out of the way. There's obviously going to be a Mittens every year so anyone can start saving years in advance.

PS - the debates that originally made us decide that the next location should be discussed at Mittens only - are already evident in this thread!
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Sam. on Mon 10/07/2006 20:47:32
THe rockies would be fun, Banff especially, although its expensive. Jasper is a nice little town, and the hotel we stayed in was nice and cheap, there are also some great hostels on the Athabaska Falls (sp) but there is a strong bear warning to be had.


Flights are expensive too, we'd have to fly in to toronto, and drive which is a long time.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: on Mon 10/07/2006 20:48:05
Lets crash at Rodekills then! ;)
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: jetxl on Mon 10/07/2006 20:50:31
Quote from: Anarcho on Mon 10/07/2006 20:26:59
Europe isn't cheap if you have to fly there from north america.Ã, 
2 Canadians to Europe in less expensive than 10 Europeans to Canada. (true, I see your point that everybody pays their own flight)

The next Mittens discusion is usually one member who yells a country that sounds reasoneble and the rest yells yay. I can conclude from this topic that Canada is the most likely candidate for next mittens.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: on Mon 10/07/2006 21:31:11
So far we've had 3 European Mittens and 1 international Mittens. I'm sure Europe will have its day again in the near future.

+ we still haven't been too fair on the Australians!!

There's quite a few options from different people, which is very kind - so further dicussion will take place in just over a months time in Spain, and then it will be openly discussed with the forum once more.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: AGA on Thu 24/08/2006 22:45:47
<planning>
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Pumaman on Thu 24/08/2006 22:52:23
To be slightly more specific, at mittens we agreed that a cabin in Canada would be a good location for Mittens 2007. If any locals can offer to host or provide any tips on a good location, that would be handy.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: The Inquisitive Stranger on Thu 24/08/2006 23:09:52
I'm a local! Though I have no clue if I'll be around next summer...

Banff/Jasper are definitely good suggestions. Since I'm from BC, I'd also recommend Whistler, Kelowna, or even Vancouver Island. However, those options might be a bit more expensive, seeing as BC generally is more expensive than Alberta. The upside, however, is that the weather tends to be a lot nicer.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: SinSin on Thu 24/08/2006 23:33:44
I live in the north west of england but i wanna go
Trouble is i (alongside other members) cannot afford to go to america or Canada
would there not be a happy medium, fair enough there has already been 3 euro to 1 int
Why dont we have a mittens That is international but hosted in england.
Mittens And Brittens are both big Why don't we merge them
And create one hell of a big get together

Have i suddenly turned insane

or is anyone agreeing wid me
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: AGA on Thu 24/08/2006 23:43:29
You're insane. Brittens was designed as an alternative to Mittens, but a lot of the same people go to both. Besides, you have a year to save enough to fly to the Americas. If you're under 18, you can't attend Mittens or Brittens anyway, and if you're over 18, get a job!
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Chrille on Thu 24/08/2006 23:50:22
Where do you have to be and at what time of year to find this type of scenery, Quintaros? Because seeing this with my own eyes is far up on my list of things to do before I die.

(http://www.ianbeatty.ca/images/boathouse.jpg)(http://www.glfc.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/cfpm/media/fall_forest2.jpg)
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: SSH on Fri 25/08/2006 09:12:09
It was like that around Georgian Bay last September/October, which was when I was in Ontario
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: AGA on Fri 25/08/2006 10:23:18
Find a forest with a lake/waterside. Wait until Autumn. Voila!
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Nacho on Fri 25/08/2006 10:56:22
I think it's ok to have Europe-Europe-America-Europe-Europe... By a mix of reasons staled by Anarcho and JetXL. So, see you in Ontario, I'll go, and Lorena. Any chances to meet Dart there? She is absolutely lovely in msn, and very kind as well. I am also for another "country/relax version" of mittens, since, whereas this urban/hyperactive mittens has gone OK, IMO, changes of pace are allways welcome.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: SSH on Fri 25/08/2006 11:12:42
Maybe we should compile a list of Ontarians to ask:

Dart
The Ivy
DragonRose
MashPotato (what is it with all the female AGSers in Ontario?)
BaRoN
Mugs
Jack Allin?

Domino is just over the border, I think...
And Disco's just over the other side of Lake Huron... :)
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: AGA on Fri 25/08/2006 13:39:16
I think CommaToes and Unilin either do, or have at some point, live(d) in Ontario.

I doubt Jack Allin is likely to want to organise a meeting for a group of people he has no association with.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Mordalles on Fri 25/08/2006 14:17:10
think about it. africa or south america. everyone can afford it and with current exchange rates, you could probably buy the countries, and then have a nice time.   :-\
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Nikolas on Fri 25/08/2006 14:23:22
Indeed Mordy's right about this.

Anyhow... Canada huh? Sounds interesting enough. Not of course that I will be able to dump my family and come or come along with my family but still it does sound interesting.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Vince Twelve on Sat 26/08/2006 01:20:14
When you guys are over your anti-camping phase, I would be more than happy to organize a get together in Okinawa any year people are interested.  From the main island of Okinawa, we can hop a two hour ferry out to Tokashiki island.  Quiet, sparsely populated, beautiful beaches and snorkeling.  You can bring tents and camp on the beach, or we can rent a tent or two (they're big 10 person tents) in a site just off the beach for very cheap.  (or there are some small, probably cheap, hotels about if you weren't into camping, I guess)  They've got cafes for lunch and dinner, or we can grill out at the campsite.  Since we probably wouldn't want to stay there the whole time, there's also lots of stuff we can do on the Okinawan mainland and my house there has room for plenty as long as you don't mind sleeping on the tatami. 

And since it would be the first time in Japan for most, and since you'd be flying in via Osaka or Tokyo anyways, a few days could be scheduled to roam Tokyo or other parts of the Japanese mainland, but that would turn into the most expensive part of the trip (besides the flight), guaranteed.

It would be an expensive flight for Europeans and North Americans alike, but it would be Aussie friendly...

Just keep it in mind. 
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Domino on Sat 26/08/2006 01:24:13
Quote from: SSH on Fri 25/08/2006 11:12:42
Domino is just over the border, I think...

SSH is correct.

I'm in Western New York but I'm about 15-20 minutes from Ontario. Everybody could come and enjoy Niagara Falls. Maybe a little gambling.  :)
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Disco on Sun 27/08/2006 02:46:44
Quote from: SSH on Fri 25/08/2006 11:12:42
And Disco's just over the other side of Lake Huron... :)

SSH is correct.

I'm in Mid-Michigan but I'm about an hour from Ontario. I could drive to Toronto in 4 hours, but I'll probably just take a bus or train or plane or handcar or skateboard instead.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: deadsuperhero on Sun 27/08/2006 02:52:32
Man, I hate counting down the years until I can go to one of these. I just have 3 years left, and then I'll be able to attend. These always look like a lot of fun.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens on Mon 28/08/2006 03:51:33
Mittens in the Caribbean?  If I wasn't poor and hated airplanes ;(.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Radiant on Mon 28/08/2006 12:40:12
Mittens of the Caribbean II: the Dead Man's Game
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Layabout on Mon 28/08/2006 16:18:58
Quote from: ProgZmax on Mon 28/08/2006 03:51:33
Mittens in the Caribbean?  If I wasn't poor and hated airplanes ;(.

5 years time... or so Mark says...

I think canada is a great idea.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: MrColossal on Mon 28/08/2006 16:42:09
Quote from: Layabout on Mon 28/08/2006 16:18:58
I think canada is a great idea.

Just the idea of Canada in general? I guess it's pretty neat...

But as far as Jess and Eric are concerned, as long as work doesn't screw me in the butt again, we'll be there.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Nacho on Mon 28/08/2006 16:47:07
Weeeeh! Great, I want to meet this couple of artists ^_^
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Unilin on Tue 29/08/2006 23:38:55
I do indeed live in Ontario.  Ottawa, to be precise.  Canada's jovial capital, home of Jazz festivals, tulip festivals and a swell Canada day fireworks show.  Not to mention lots of politicians and forign embassies in case you get stranded.  There are plenty of lakes around you can rent cabins on, it's not terribly far from Toronto or Montreal.  I'd offer to host now, but I'm not sure if I'll be shipped out to Alberta for the summer or not yet.  If not, I would.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Anarcho on Tue 29/08/2006 23:51:55
I took a quick look at the cost of cabins in Ontario & found a pretty useful page, at least to get a general idea of costs:

http://www.cottage-canada-usa.com/ontario.htm

I think these cottages are pretty cheap!  I don't exactly know where they are and depending upon how many people come, we'd have to find one big enough, but finding a cottage seems doable.

This one could hold twenty people: http://www.cottage-canada-usa.com/listing/0057.htm

One thing that occurs to me is getting around...This isn't europe where you can take trains and what not everywhere.  Unless someone lives nearby and has a vehicle, we'd have to rent a van or something...
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: scotch on Wed 30/08/2006 10:22:52
Is there no local bus network at all? I'd be surprised if we can't get somewhere nearby on public transport. In Greece we got from Athens to some tiny village on a hill nowhere near a large town by bus. The place you linked is within walk/taxi distance of a town, unfortunately one that's slightly too small to have Greyhound stop at it (they go to the neighbouring town) but I'm sure we can find one somewhere that it's posible to get to without a world of hassle.
Otherwise if there are some legal drivers, rental is an option... we did it in Spain and it wasn't too expensive, but I still think it's better avoided.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: SSH on Wed 30/08/2006 10:35:28
Public transport? In North America?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA

by the way, when we were in Ontario, we spent a great weekend here: http://www.snughaven.ca/ which has 9 cabins which sleep 5-8 each. Although their web-design skills are a bit...
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: Anarcho on Thu 31/08/2006 01:26:43
In rural areas, I'd say there is usually no local bus network...gas (was) cheap and people just drive everywhere. 

Of course i'm not that familiar with that part of Canada (or most parts of Canada) but i can't imagine it's that much different than anywhere else around here.  If there is a bus, it would probably drop you off at some town and you'd have another like ten miles out to where you're staying. 

But who knows?  Maybe i'm entirely wrong.  I'm sure we can figure something out.  I'm just saying it's going to have to be a consideration when picking a location.
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: The Ivy on Sat 02/09/2006 16:41:06
Hooray for Ontario!  I'd be unable to do any sort of hosting, I'm afraid, but I'd be happy to suggest things to do in the area. 
Title: Re: Mittens 2007 pre-planning
Post by: magintz on Sat 02/09/2006 21:26:54
I wanna go big game hunting, or partake in a moose grand prix!!!