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Well...I was actually thinking about scoping out the area behind the house for a hose and proper drainage, and if both are available, we could either get a small portable pool or two or engineering some small backyard sprinkler recreational situation.

This Amtrak Station?
1001 Loyola Ave
New Orleans, LA 70113

That's the one!

I'm going to swap cell #s with you via private message, so's we can contact each other.

I usually do a directory on the private info page, and am going to search for one of the previous editions to compile an updated one. If anyone has a new number since last year or has yet to supply it, please PM me.

Also, random thought just now but might as well suggest everyone bring some type of swimming garment. The house does not have a pool, but you never know. I have ideas.

The property manager is closing on a house the day we arrive, and will be busy until 16:00. We can arrange to go to the house any time after that.

Wonder what would happen if everyone brought bags of suspicious ground substances with them through the airports...

That concern does not apply to train travel or driving! Correct me if I'm wrong, but this may be the first Mittens since the debut where the majority of people will not arrive by plane (at least at the onset).

For the first night I was thinking of making biscuits and a large-ish pan of southern style mac and cheese and perhaps some red beans and rice, which should take maximum one hour.

Good ones, Berian. I quite like the idea of the steamboat and swamp tours myself.

I've been casually looking up some things too, but ended up having a pet emergency starting a couple days ago, so my mind hasn't really been on NOLA since that started (surgery is about an hour after this post, and the prognosis is good!). There are a couple updates/considerations/ideas I'd like to present:

1. I will be calling the property manager this afternoon to pay the balance on the rent, so have but to show up

2. Francisco has informed me that there is a chance that Jess will not be able to make it due to work commitments, though last we spoke he did say that they were trying to get an exemption. It is possible (but not yet definite) that we will be 12 in that case.

3. From what I have read, all except Esseb will arrive in NOLA before we are able to go to the house, so we should establish a rally point nearby so that the bulk of us arrive there at the same time.

I hope that it does not sound too self-serving if I suggest the New Orleans Amtrak station that Kayla and I will arrive? It is only 2.3 miles (8 minutes) from the house, and has ample parking.

4. Pondering dinner for our arrival, I was thinking we could either order out or make something simple at the house so we can visit the first night. We could do the major grocery shopping the next day after a nights rest.

5. Jazz will never, ever die.


Thoughts?

Typical changeover times for rentals are around 16:00-17:00, so we should be well within the time limits to get the keys.

I've just booked train tickets for violetnotpurple and I. We are due to arrive at the New Orleans Amtrak station at 15:32 the first day. We will also probably be staying for the weekend after Mittens, most likely at one of the area hostels.

There are now 13 confirmed attendees because of this, rents have been reduced from $290 to $246 if
no one else joins.

Since I will travel to Mittens via train from Chicago, I will not be bringing cash for refunds. Once our numbers settle, I will issue them in advance via Paypal.

Payment amount beginning from the 14th (and beyond) guest will now be $229.

So count me 100% in. Assuming there's still room, just tell me how I can get my money into the right hands. I don't mind sharing rooms, in fact I demand it!

Glad you can make it this year Mills! Payment information is here. There are now two bed spots remaining before we make the couches, etc. available.

Will there be a tour of Gabriel Knight locations?

More than likely. My guess is that Grundislav is cooking up some plans for this

Just made the booking. We are in!

Thanks! I have just sent a message to the owner asking to make the booking

Can't wait

Same! It will be great seeing you two again. I'm sure we'll have more hot water this time than we did in Ireland

We haven't planned anything yet for August so the dates are ok for us as well.

This brings up something I have been curious about. Is anyone interested in extending their trip for the weekend after Mittens or going to another nearby city for a few days? We have have done that a few times in the past, so wondering if that is something anyone is interested in. I don't have any specific ideas myself, just putting it out there.

Jubilation!!

I can start taking Paypal payments to impressiveowl@gmail.com . As of 29/7/15, there are bed spaces available for $246.

We are allowed up to 18 people in the house, but due to the bedroom configurations and there being two couples (so far!) to accomodate, we will have to get creative for any new guests after 14.

The weekly rate is $3,200. The owner further explained that this is the total charge. There are no fees for cleaning, parking, taxes, etc.

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With three couples in the group so far, and not considering the possibility of secret couples (!!!),  the lonesome among us will be spread between two microdormitories of four people each. Two of the "couple" rooms will each contain two twin/single beds. These are not to be considered beds for our purposes, but rather as horizontal coat racks.

This brings our maximum bed-sleeping population to 14 before we open up other possibilities such as couches or the pool table.

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Any thoughts/concerns/questions/answers?

[Edit]

Dusty Mansion isn't actually dusty, because I have allergies ya know 

It is more "Son of a Preacher Man" dusty than "poor maintenance".

Edit: I have made an inquiry!

After looking into the locations and amenities for both of the top picks, I am putting my support firmly behind the "Turn of the Century" (actually named The Dusty Mansion) location.

I found the Pontchartrain house on satellite images. It is part of an RV park that is situated in an industrial area, which to me is a much less desirable location than the next most popular pick. Check it out (yellow pin):

Close up
Further out
The surrounding area. Beside being in an industrial park, there is an airport directly across the road to the north.

Compare that with the location of the Dusty Mansion (red pin):

The house's nearest intersection (assuming the map is accurate enough)
Further out. The next main road to the north is Saint Charles Avenue (which is served by a street car) is about 8-10 minutes by foot.

An overview of New Orleans

A few more things to consider...The mansion has more than double the floor area (4,000 square feet compared to 1,920 square feet at the marina) and has twice the amount of seating in the dining area (12 seats instead of 6). There is a pool table that can convert to a ping pong table, whereas the marina doesn't even have a game room. The rent is nearly $1,000 less* overall as well.

The area looks to have many more options for restaurants, supermarkets, and is closer to more attractions and transportation links.

Additionally, there seems to be a much more authentically New Orleans look to the mansion than the property at the marina, which in my opinion does look somewhat cool but lacks a lot of character both on the inside and outside.



*Sometime in the previous 24 hours, the Pontchartrain property dropped their weekly rate for our chosen time period(s) from $5,540 to $4,345. However, even with this sudden price reduction it is still nearly 25% MORE than the Dusty Mansion weekly rate of $3,500.

Looks like Pontchartrain Park House has won out flawlessly!

I am a bit concerned with the current interest level as it relates to the properties listed. Not including maybes, we have 10 people interested so far. The current popular vote puts each spot at $554.

Is this really it for this year? My search criteria was limited to properties that could accommodate a minimum for 12-13.

Should we perhaps check for some smaller properties now? Is there anyone yet holding out interest in New Orleans? I realise it is still early in the year, but usually there is a bit more action in the Mittens thread than we have seen thus far.

Added a couple more properties.

My instincts place that property firmly in the "Too Good To Be True" category, but I posted it nonetheless. The rent listed may be owner error as well. I shall ask.

[Turn of the Century]

Some properties (provisional search dates of 7 to 14 August):

Turn of the Century     Sleeps 18 - Month of August and half of July free currently - $3,200 ($177.80 each)
Leonidas     Sleeps 16 - $3,475 ($217.20 each)
Pontchartrain Park House    Sleeps 16 - $5,538 ($346.12 each)

Added 14 January:
Fillmore House    Sleeps 12 - $3,339 ($285.25 each) Has an aquarium and a theater room.
Terrytown Chateau    Sleeps 12 - $3,940 ($328.33 each)
Slidell House    Sleeps 12-20 - $1,930 ($160.83 @12 people) Bayou waterfront property 25 minutes from New Orleans


I am finding many more accessible properties after unchecking the "pool" option. They don't seem to be as popular here as in other places we have stayed.

[this property]

Mittens 2015 will take place in New Orleans from August 7 to 14 at this property.

The roster thus far (bold names are confirmed):

Attendees
Snarky - Arrival on August 6
Quintaros - Arrival at MSY 11:45
Tzach - Arrival at MSY 12:09
Noa - Arrival at MSY 12:09
Grundy - Arrival at MSY 12:09
Disco - Arrival at Amtrak Station 15:32
violetnotpurple - Arrival to Amtrak Station 15:32
Esseb - Arrival at MSY 18:56
AGA - driving
Tamara - driving
MillsJRoss - driving
ddq - driving

Payment information can be found here.