This thread is to help me plan shuttle runs for BobNDana Con, April 2005. The wedding itself is Saturday, April 2nd, at 4:00 pm, in Ames, IA.
Ames does not have a major airport. I have committed to organizing shuttles for people coming in to the nearest major airport, which is in Des Moines, IA, as well as anyone arriving in Ames by bus. Since I am also the maid of honor, I will need help with some of the actual driving, as I will need to be at the rehersal and dinner Friday evening, and dancing attendance on the bride at various times Saturday.
I am planning on arriving in IA Thursday evening at the latest. I will do my best to arrange for shuttle runs for anyone arriving before 12:00 noon on Saturday. Since the airport is about 45 minutes away, anything later than that would be pushing it for the driver and passenger.
Please do not post in this thread to say you are planning on coming or that you're trying to figure out which flight you should take and want to know if anyone else is coming in around the same time. Please only post:
1. Once you have bought your tickets and have a firm arrival date and time. (Note: this includes plane tickets to Des Moines, IA, and bus or train tickets to Ames, IA. Please specify which.) (Another note, please specify your departure date and time, too.
2. If you are driving and will be passing through Des Moines and are willing/have space to pick someone up. In this case, please include your planned arrival time and how much space you have. I would not expect this sort of plan to become firm until much nearer the actual date.
3. If you are driving in or flying and renting a car and willing are to make an airport run at a time other than you would be passing through Des Moines anyway. Due to the distance, my goal is to not to have to schedule anyone for more than one shuttle run.
I will bump this weekly until the wedding, so you can find it easily when you make your reservations. I'll keep a nice little table with arrival times once they start firming up, and hopefully everything will fall neatly into place with obvious clumps coming in at the same time for pick-up right as people happen to be passing through. (Go ahead, AJ. Tell me I'm dreaming.)
Oh, also please post if you would be interested in renting a car with a group of other people coming in at around the same time. Just in case that will work out for people.
Yay! It's getting closer! It's gonna be one heckofa party, folks, start watching the discount airfare sites now! Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
We're arriving Wednesday morning, but we already have a car rented. We've also reserved a room at the Union. Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
(10:23 PM January 6, 2005)
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
I'll be driving through Des Moines sometime Friday. The time is negotiable and I'll have (a number to be determined soon, but between 2 and 6) seats available for shuttle duty.
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
I live near Fort Dodge, Iowa, so will be driving myself down. If anyone goes through Fort Dodge, I could probably provide a ride. FD does have a teeny airport with Northwest Airlink flights coming from Minneapolis and Mason City.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
*weekly bump*
Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
Am I driving with you or alone?
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
ElJay this is a hideous task, that I would sub-delegate if at all possible. However I suspect you probably have one of the best minds available to do the on the fly mental calculations that this hair raising task requires.
Whether you can do it *and* be the maid of honor too is the real test...
AJ
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Well, we're driving, coming up on Friday, and we WILL be going through Des Moines to get to Ames.
However, I have no idea of the time of day yet, or how many people (possibly pick up Punwit, etc.) If I drive my truck, I won't have much room for more people. However, I'm not opposed to getting to Ames and getting settled in, then making trips back to Des Moines to pick up people. I like to drive.
Farmgirl
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Ryuko, I don't know yet, I don't know how early I'm going to go down. We'll figure it out a little closer, when it becomes clearer how many tasks Dana has for me.
AJ, thank you, but I have no intention of doing it on the fly. I fully intend to have all the arrival times charted out in advance and shuttle runs assigned, with maps from the hotel to the airport for out-of-towners who volunteer. It will be fun. And it won't just be hatrackers doing the shuttling, Dana has in-town friends who will be able to help, too. Then all my plans can fall apart at the last minute.
Farmgirl, thanks, you're on my passing-though-sometime list, along with Boon. We'll work out the details when we get closer.
Posted by Lady Jane (Member # 7249) on :
ElJay, you are a princess for handling this. Seeing the horror that was coordinating rides at KamaCon is the primary reason I advocate hotels with airport shuttles for gatherings now.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
*grin* I know, but it's harder when the town doesn't have an airport. And I'm trying to learn from the KamaCon experience.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
ElJay, sorry to break it to you dear, but it doesn't matter how good your spreadsheet is, you *will* be reorganizing on the fly... Hopefully your in-town friends will help ease the load though, I didn't have nearly the local resources to draw on, I don't think. (Note difference between "nearby" and "local" cause only sndrake qualified for the latter and he did help immensely!)
Departures are a little easier because all bodies are in one place to begin with.
As for me, I *think* we will be arriving late Friday evening. I'm not sure how late though.
AJ
[ January 11, 2005, 04:45 PM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I know, AJ. Hence the "fall apart at the last minute" part. But we'll make it work.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
"fall apart at the last minute" I missed that. Sorry I take this sort of thing way too seriously now. I think hatrack has scarred me for life! AJ
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Actually, I guess I should check with punwit and make sure a Friday arrival would work with him. Since the wedding isn't until 4 Saturday, we technically could come up the day of. But I'd rather be there the day before to visit.
Farmgirl
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
No problem, AJ. And I was serious about learning from your experience... I plan on dragooning as many people as possible into helping with this, especially since the drive is so far.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
*bumpity*
Anyone else finalize plans yet? Post them here!
Also, Ryuko, I'm probably going to be going down early, so you shouldn't plan on being able to drive with me. I'm not sure how early yet, though.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Do you want almost-definite-but-haven't-bought-tickets-yet times?
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Xavier and I are coming from Omaha and will pass through Des Moines. We will get there Saturday and drive home Sunday. We would be more than happy to pick people up Saturday or drop someone off at the airport on Sunday. I have room for 2 people.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Nah, wait until you've got the tickets.
I'm just keeping this visible so that people remember it when they do buy 'em.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Woo! Another sucke... um, helpful person.
Thank you very much, val & xavier. I look forward to meeting you both. Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
I can't come after all.
I like the idea of a webcam.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
We'll miss you.
But there will be lots of pictures. Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
ElJay, would you email me? I have a question that I don't want Bob or Dana to see (even accidentally). My email address is in my profile. Thanks!
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
I am officially coming to the wedding! Hooray!
I will be flying into Des Moines airport at 10:50 pm Friday night. I will be flying out at 2:25 pm on Sunday.
Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
I'm not yet sure if I'll be driving or Greyhounding there -- if I'm driving, I'd be happy to pick up anyone between LA and Iowa.
No, Frisco, you can ride without showing leg. God, PLEASE.
Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
Uh, with the addendum that I may or may not have a return trip West. Still, what the hell, a one-way ticket back is cheaper than a round-trip.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote: April 1 Arrives: Des Moines, IA (DSM) at 9:50AM
quote: April 3 Departs: Des Moines, IA (DSM) at 6:31PM
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
Bump!
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Thanks, Shigosei. I was just thinking it was time to do that.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
AJ, when are you driving your van in? Got space left? Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
*bumpity*
Any more plane people?
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
*bump*
Unless someone else posts awfully soon, it looks like rivka and Shigosei are the only ones flying in and needing a ride. Is this true? I can't believe it will be this easy.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
And rivka has a ride. (Thanks Val and Xav!)
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote: I can't believe it will be this easy.
*ducks*
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I knocked on wood. Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
So, um, eight people are going to this wedding?
I guess I'll scan the other thread.
I'm curious from an activity-time standpoint. We're arriving Wednesday, but it looks like nobody else is coming in this early. :-\
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I'm probably coming down Thursday, be there a little after noon.
Added: And a lot of people who are driving haven't posted in this thread.
[ March 23, 2005, 11:04 AM: Message edited by: ElJay ]
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
I count 31. 33 if you count KrabbyPatty and Posable_Nurse.
And Bob and I are planning on hanging out with you guys on Wednesday and Thursday. (Assuming we're not madly sewing bridesmaids' dresses, but that looks less likely than it did last week.)
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
33 -- you mean known Hatrackers going, right? Not 33 total people of any sort.....
FG
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Ah. Yes. Hatrackers.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
(I thought you had a conference and Bob was traveling . . . did that change?)
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
It did. I'm skipping out on the conference, and Bob's trial thing was settled out of court. The mere thought of having such a formidable expert witness left them quaking in their boots and they rushed to settle.
I do have to work on Wednesday afternoon and have a Church Council meeting Wednesday night, but we thought maybe you and Cor could come to the house for dinner and hang out with Bob while I'm at the meeting.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
That would be mondo cool!
Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
On a related note -- departure times -- is anyone staying around Sunday evening?
I've got friends in Des Moines I'm going to be visiting after the wedding. If there's folks still around Sunday evening then I'll stick around for that, otherwise I'll head out sooner...
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Hey BobNDana, two questions. What kind of shoes is Cor supposed to wear, and is there a dress code for Friday? (Oh, and that reminds me. The tux card included shoe measurements. Does that mean the shoes will be provided for me and I don't need to pack my own? Now that I think of it, I guess that's how it was at my wedding, so it seems like a dumb question, but better to ask for my own piece of mind . . . )
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Pfft. If you end up in bare feet, you end up in bare feet .
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I wish you all luck.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Icarus,
Shoes are provided for the men. Black shoes.
All the bridesmaids are wearing silver, but Lisa (being on the groom's side) can wear just about anything that will go with her dress).
Now, for the rehearsal, we're telling people "business casual" by which we really mean no jeans, only because we're going to the dinner afterwards.
Yay!!!
By the way, is Cor's dress all set? We ended up hiring a 2nd seamstress for the bridesmaids' dresses and now things are almost done.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Business casual? *snort*
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
It's a metaphor.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Hopefully it will be ready in the next two days.
-o-
Guess I'll have to go buy some slacks. Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Piffle. Wear jeans if you want to. Bob says I can't, though.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*giggle* Yes, the bride probably should set a good example.
[addit: Google has some other notions as to what you should wear! ]
[ March 27, 2005, 03:43 PM: Message edited by: rivka ]
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I was gonna say, where exactly is the dinner that jeans aren't okay?
Can I wear my Annie pants?
[ March 27, 2005, 03:55 PM: Message edited by: ElJay ]
Posted by KrabbyPatty (Member # 7055) on :
Hey, what time is the rehearsal?
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Another excellent question! Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I am going to the seamstress now to get my hem marked. 28 hours in a car this weekend just weren't enough, I need two more. Posted by KrabbyPatty (Member # 7055) on :
Hey - it's not that far from your end of town! It was 64 minutes from MY house! Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Guess where I stopped on my way home from the seamstress? Dairy Queen!
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
Anyone flying into Des Moines late Friday night, or will I be taking a shuttle or cab?
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
You will not need to take a shuttle or a cab, you will be picked up. I don't know by whom yet, it depends on if someone will be passing through at that time or not. But there's no shuttle between the cities, and it's -way- too far for a cab ride. We'll have you covered.
[ March 27, 2005, 08:42 PM: Message edited by: ElJay ]
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
So does this mean I can wear jeans or am I going to find my khaki pants?
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
The Basil (where the rehearsal dinner is) is really NOT a jeans kind of place. However, this is a pretty informal dinner, and I'd say, be comfortable...Since it'll only be US in the place, it's not like we'd have dressed-up people at the other tables looking down on us for spoiling the ambience.
The wait staff might out dress us, I suppose. They wear dark slacks & polo shirts.
We (Dana and I) will be "slightly" dressed up, but no-one should feel like they have to be for this... It's a rehearsal and we're only ones there.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
*makes note to pack pearls, a twin set, and a demure knee-length skirt*
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Nice pants it is, then.
At least at THIS wedding, I'm not in it and therefor e don't have to wear a dress.
Huzzah!
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
ElJay,
I understand the pearls and the skirt, but what's a "twin set" and how do you wear it?
Mack, you'll be fine. Just remember you and Nathan have to dance at least once!!!
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Never mind. dkw just explained what a twin set is. I was WAY off.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Bob, I know you're a guy, and perhaps not terribly familiar with current women's fashion.
But twin sets have been all the rage for years. Where have you been?
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Okay, I can see a family resemblance, but those two don't look like twins to me. And why would ElJay wear them anyway? And now I'm really mystified as to how they're worn. Do you turn them into ear rings?
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
Thanks, ElJay. I appreciate it very much.
Ooh, Mack, just two more posts and you'll be at 12345. Cool!
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Just to reiterate:
I am driving in on Saturday morning and driving back on Saturday night. I anticipate arriving at noon, as I'll be leaving Madison around 6am. Should anyone want to catch a ride with me from Madison, I can delay that departure time by a few hours, but we'd probably need to leave by 8am to leave a safe cushion for the wedding.
Though I will not necessarily be planning to come through Des Moines, I'd be happy to do any sort of last minute errands (airport shuttles, buying snacks, retrieving lost items, emergency seamstressing) that I can. Consider me y'all's slave from noon until wedding.
If I get my act together, I'll have a book giveaway free-for-all out of my car in the few hours before the wedding. I will bring bags and have things kind of sorted. I know rivka and plaid's preferences, and I'd be happy to take any other special requests.
Can't wait to see the wedding of these two!
[ March 28, 2005, 07:58 AM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
ElJay -- I'm planning on picking up mac&Nate on Thursday, but you will have to include them in your spreadsheet for returning to the airport on Sunday. Plane leaves at 4:02.
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
ElJay, do you have any idea what the arrangements will be? Do you need me to send you a picture so you know what I look like? Also, I'm e-mailing you with my cell phone number in case that becomes necessary.
Edit: Nevermind, it won't let me e-mail you. Can you send an e-mail to [my hatrack username] at gmail.com?
[ March 31, 2005, 11:10 PM: Message edited by: Shigosei ]
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
I will probably be picking you up myself, and I would love a picture. The airport's pretty small, though, so we probaby won't have a problem. I'll drop you an email right quick.
Added: Ooops. This is ElJay. Bob will not be picking you up, I will.
[ April 01, 2005, 01:21 AM: Message edited by: Bob_Scopatz ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I thought it was the bride and groom who were supposed to start looking alike . . . and I thought it took years!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
(Go ahead, AJ. Tell me I'm dreaming.)![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Blushing]](graemlins/blushing.gif)
![[Cry]](graemlins/cry.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
We'll miss you.![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Angst]](graemlins/angst.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[Grumble]](graemlins/grumble.gif)
![[Laugh]](graemlins/laugh.gif)
]![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)