Mittens 2012 Pre Planning

[Layabout]

G'day.

As all (or most at the very least) of the Mittens attendees know, it was generally decided that Mittens 2012 would be held in the USA. More specifically the west coast.

I'd like to offer my services as host for the event if nobody has any issues with that. If you do just post and we can sort something out. Most likely Francisco will serve as a co-host as it may be easier dealing with American bank to bank transactions. (even though my Mastercard is accepted world wide)

There was some discussion about the slim possibility of hosting an Australian Mittens. I'd also like to get an opinion on that. Queensland has excellent beaches and the Great Barrier Reef. My suggestion would be somewhere like Airlie Beach, in the Whitsundays:

If this were the case, I'd suggest late October. October enjoys temperatures of around 28-30 Celsius, ideal for you northern hemisphere people. There are obviously a few detractors from the Australian Mittens Prospect. Large houses are not as common, so we might have to get holiday apartments. Airfares are pricey and flights are long.

Otherwise, California (most likely LA or San Fran), mid-late August.

***Update***

Ok, so I figured that Australian Mittens was not going to be a viable possibility (and I don't mind that at all!)

So sticking with the original plan and from what everyone has said, Mittens 2012 will be in California.

Here are a few of the properties I'd like to put forward.

*prices may vary due to taxes and extras*

The Pickford House

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p285192

23+ people (Blow up mattress up to 29), good reviews. Downside is there is no beach nearby.


Villa Bellagio

http://www.vacationpalmsprings.com/home_detail.php?home_name=la-quinta-luxury-pool-vacation-rental

9 Bedrooms & up to 32 people. This is the place to get if we get a good number of people.

The rate is $9197.63, which includes tax and cleaning costs. which is 367 for 25 people or 300 for 30. If we get the numbers, this house is incredible. Right near the Salton Sea!!

Restoration Oaks Retreat

http://www.restorationoaksretreats.com/index.html

Lovely ranch setting that sleeps 20-25ish. Pick Blueberries! See the youtube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oDHEo2CZOs

$3990 for the Main ranch house and guest house. Close to Santa Barbara and Los Angeles

Beachfront Villas, Seal Beach

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p171375

3 villas in total with 9 bedrooms. Sleeps up to 24 people. Beachfront. Los Angeles location.

This is very pricy at 4000+ per villa. Probably out of the pricerange, but it's in a great location.

THE TITAN

http://www.houseboating.org/boat_info.cfm?id=453079412

The titan is a houseboat on Lake Shasta (northern California). It sleeps 22, has 3 levels, has a waterslide from the top level that spirals around and dumps you into the lake. It also costs a bunch at 13000 a week. Oh well, we can all dream of being on a boat.



So these are the current options I have found. Please take a look and let me know what you think. I'd love to get an idea of numbers as well, but it's probably too early for that.

In addition to the regular Mittens gathering, a number of us will be making a jaunt to San Francisco. This will most likely be the weekend after Mittens. I will be renting a car for the duration of Mittens plus the road trip. Not sure about having the car in San Francisco, but I'll decide that when I plan my trip as I'll be doing at least 3 weeks in America.

[Darth Mandarb]

I would rather it be Australia (as I've always wanted to go) but if it is Australia the chances of my attending are slim!

As for a location in the Western region of the USA I'd recommend something less "touristy" than L.A. or San Francisco.  I suppose it depends on what people want to do.  I'd rather spend a week in some mountain chateau in the Rockies (like the chateau in France) and do some hiking and live in the country.  If we went in-land a bit (like say the Denver area (Colorado) or Salt Lake City (Utah)) possible day trips could include; the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Mount Rushmore, Pike's Peak (amazing views from the top and the drive up is an experience in and of itself!) and quite a few others (Colorado Springs is an amazing town to visit as well).

This are just my thoughts (never been a fan of big cities).  I really want to attend this year... I hate having missed the last two!

Also, Ryan, sorry I missed your MSN!  I was sleeping after a long night of Uncharted3

[Grundislav]

Australia would be fantastic, but it is a bit difficult to get to and it might reduce the number of attendees like what happened in 2005.

A couple of months ago I was looking at houses to rent on the West Coast with Layabout and there are some pretty nice and amazing ones (not to mention pretty cheap) in the California area.  L.A. and San Francisco will probably be too touristy and expensive, but someplace in the countryside or something would be nice.  The idea of taking trips to places like Darth mentioned is appealing.  I kind of have this fantasy about renting a big red convertible and driving around like Hunter S. Thompson, but that's neither here nor there.

Anyway, I'll gladly help out as co-host if the need arises.

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

Well, I'm on the west coast near California (Northern Arizona specifically) so I can probably help out, depending.  No idea if I could actually attend or not, money isn't great right now.  All I know is it takes about 8 hours for me to get from where I am to San Diego, which was a nice place when last I was there.

[Disco]

West Coast USA gets my vote, somewhere like Monterey Bay (~1.5 hours south of San Francisco) would be good and still allow for excellent day trips.

Australia would be nice and I have always wanted to go, but I will be a part time resident of the UK next year and wish to time my summer stay there to end just before Mittens, so August would be great for that.

I can also help with any hosting activities whether it be booking, deposit, or renting and driving a car.

[SSH]

Well, I may be in Colorado by then, but I doubt I'll be settled enough to do hosting or anything. However, my wife wants to buy a huge horse ranch (we'll see...) so maybe you can camp there...

[bicilotti]

*bicilotti looks at the picture

You know for sure how to sell your ideas, Layabout! 

That looks beautiful and for sure gets my vote. The only thing that would keep me from joining you all is my cocaine addiction the amount of money required to flight there.

[cat]

I have to say that Queensland and the Whitsundays are very beautiful. And I don't think the flight there will be much more expensive than to the US Westcoast. However, I've already been to Australia and if I went there again, I'd rather go to an area I haven't been before. Another thing is the long flight. It takes me 2 days there and 2 days back. When I was in Australia I've been staying there for 4 weeks, but I'm not sure if I can get that many days off from work. Actually, things are changing in my life and I'm not even sure if I will have work then. But this also applies to the US, although I'd go there for less then 4 weeks of course.
So, I can't say if I will be able to come to next Mittens at all  :'(

[Stupot]

Time for my annual show-an-interest-in-attending-Mittens-but-probably-won't-be-able-to-go post.

San Fransicso is one of the places I most want to visit so if Mittens was to be held there (or within a few hours drive) I'd be well up for going*, but as usual, I have no way of knowing what my finanical situation will be.

If all goes to plan, I should graduate in the summer and I have no idea what (if anything) I'll be doing for work after that, so I'm ages away from being able to commit to anything.  Maybe I should try to find a job in whichever country/city Mittens is being held, then I could co-host... or at least show my face

[Radiant]

Time for my annual show-an-interest-in-attending-Mittens-but-probably-won't-be-able-to-go post.

Same here. Both suggested locations sound great, but they are so far away from my regular spots than I'm unlikely to have the time to get there. But have fun, of course!

[AGA]

I'd rather California for Mittens really. If I was to go to Australia it'd be for a couple of weeks at least, I think.

[Chrille]

I'd love to go to San Francisco or close by. I'd go there for a few days extra to follow the paths in Hitchcock's Vertigo and especially one of my favourite games, Manhunter: San Francisco. At this point though I fear that for the first time since the tradition of Mittens began I'd be unable to due to cash limitations.

[m0ds]

Sounds great guys, West US would be awesome! Not a chance in hell that I'd be able to afford to go though, and I know some others won't be able to either - so I'll probably try and arrange (or push someone into arranging) a Brittens for all those who don't have much cash. But wish you the best of luck, there or Australia would be a fantastic location and it's about time those areas are covered, gives plenty of people the oppurtunity to finally attend

[cat]

If I can't make it to Mittens, I'd be interested in attending Brittens, at least for a few days.

[Miez]

I'd certainly go to a West Coast Mittens. Australia would be a little over budget for me though

[Layabout]

I have updated! See original post!

[Grundislav]

Places look nice.  I would say the Pickford House as well as the Restoration Oaks Retreat are probably the best contenders for size, price, and location.  The Villa Bellagio looks amazing, but expensive, although I notice on the website that the weekly rate is $2000 cheaper during the summer, which makes it considerable as well.  It all depends on the numbers I guess.

[LimpingFish]

The Titan wins, hands down!

Back in the real world, I'd agree with Grundislav. And I'd probably lean more towards Pickford. Or Bellagio, which looks porntastic!

[Snarky]

I'd really like a place with a pool, which it seems only the Bellagio has of the ones listed. Swimming/floating around helps me unwind in a way a jacuzzi doesn't come close to, and was the main thing I missed in Ireland.

Otherwise, they all look good.

[Disco]

Hey gang. I've also been trying to find properties in California that are accessible and beachy, but am unlucky in finding anything that both sleeps at least 20 and is less than $10,000/week. I did find one property not seen so far that fits, but it is only available during one week in August (11-18) but is available most of September.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p320222

I would like to put Coastal Oregon forward as a possible alternative. They tend to sleep more and be less expensive than their California counterparts, and they are all on the Pacific Ocean! I'm not sure how well this would fit in with the roadtrip people were planning, but figured I would check it out anyways. The distance from Lincoln City, OR to San Francisco is 610 miles along the US-101 Coastal Highway, and takes about 13 hours.




Rockaway Beach Villa

Beach house on Coastal Oregon, 1:45 from Portland, sleeps 22. Pros are great views, the Pacific is directly outside the backdoor, and it has a fire pit! This property certainly is sexy. Potential con is PDX is not as busy as LAX or SFO, but that will be true for all the properties I list in this post. It is about 75% available between June and August

$5,807.20 including tax and cleaning

Per person at maximum capacity (22): $264

The Neptune

Large house nearly two blocks from the beach, interesting decor, 2:20 from Portland, foosball table. I get the impression it is geared toward crafty middle-aged ladies with its scrapbooking and sewing supplies onsite, but it has three decks and a hot tub and panoramic the Ocean. Bit further away from the airport than Rockaway though. Completely available all year right now (:S) 4 reviews, all good.

$3,959.50 including tax and cleaning

Per person at maximum capacity (20): $198

Rental 158596

Another rental right on the beach. This property is nice looking and has more amenities geared toward our age group and interests, including previous-gen consoles and an 81 game arcade booth that does not accept currency. It is available nearly all of June, but is booked out in July and only one week is fully available right now in August (Monday 6th to Tuesday 14th). 90 miles from Portland.

$4,485 including tax and cleaning, assuming they meant 10% tax and '1%' is a typo

Per person at maximum capacity (20): $224

Pelican Reach

Plenty to see here. Air hockey, ping pong, pool table, 3in1poker table, large deck with Ocean views and a hot tub. Further in from the beach but the accommodations look nice. Call for availability.

$5,581.50 including tax and cleaning

Per person at maximum capacity (24): $234

The Calypso

Has an outdoor shower. Nice furnishings and 80 from PDX (sorry but I am getting bored )

Alarmingly, it has one 1 star review and one 5 star review.

$5,494.50 including tax and cleaning

Per person at maximum capacity (22): $250