mommy2ratties
Rat Royalty
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| 04/29/2007 7:49 AM |
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Well this is for EVERYONE of course, but we had discussed meeting in North FLorida. So I'm going to run through some of the options right now and we'll take it from there.
I was originally looking at the Suwannee River Jam like was mentioned before, but that took place a couple weekends ago, so that's out, Now depending on what time of the year we want to plan for this and how soon or how late, is up to you guys.
Stephen Foster Folk Festival is in the end of May in LiveOak, FL but my personal opinion would be that, that is a little too soon (less than a month away) to plan a big enough meet. So i'm thinking either late June, or early July. I need ya'll opinions on this.
1. We can do some type of camping/hotels for those who don't like camping haha around the suwannee river
2. There's Jacksonville beach which might appeal to most people here hehe, They of course have a big thing for 4th of July or there's a Jazz Festival on July 15th that we can look into.
These are the 2 main locations i'm focusing on right now unless other ideas are brought up.
For Lakecity, there are hotels that are pet friendly starting at 69/night and of course we'd probably try to aim for a weekend instead of during the week which looking at it would make the actual date of 4th of July out of the question. I haven't looked up camp grounds yet but i will do so later on
For Jacksonville beach - prices for hotels start at $70/night for pet friendly and go up from there. Of course we don't have to actually stay on the beach, we can stay further into the city for a lower rate but it's always nice to be close to the beach if that's what we choose
Let me know guys who all is interested, like i said this is for everyone, i know it's not a bad drive for the NC, SC, TN, AL, GA area, a little bit farther for others, but of course looking now plane tickets can be done for cheap if done early enough. We want to make this meet up just as big as the one in TN so that's why we're planning it now for around the July Time. TALK TO ME PEOPLE! lol |
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Mitzy's Mom
Alpha Feist
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| 04/30/2007 9:42 AM |
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If you pick Jacksonville you want to be sure you can take the dogs ON the beach - most places there dogs aren't allowed. Dogs ARE allowed on the Fernadina/Amelia Island beaches (that's where we take ours, it's 30 minutes from our house and about 20 min. from Jacksonville).
Just a thought! |
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Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids
Georgia Foster Mom
www.ratbonerescues.com; www.newrattitude.org |
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Mitzy's Mom
Alpha Feist
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| 04/30/2007 9:50 AM |
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| A few other thoughts since I'm familiar with the area....June, July in north Florida (whether Lake City, Live Oak or Jax) is hot and humid. No problem for me as I'm used to it but be prepared! Also, the Fernadina Beach area (20 min north of Jax and 15 from airport) is a nice area and smaller than Jax...very friendly and historic places to visit if anyone likes that. Hotels on the beach are still pricey though. It would be nice to do this in September after the summer crowds disperse and the beach is less crowded and the heat start cooling down some. |
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Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids
Georgia Foster Mom
www.ratbonerescues.com; www.newrattitude.org |
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JenMax
Firehouse Big Dog
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| 04/30/2007 10:00 AM |
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I don't live near there but I was going to suggest fall too MB. Sept/Oct. It might give more people a chance to go and it would be cooler for humans and the ratties.
Of course if we ever have a NORTHERN meetup, it will have to be in winter with cold and snow, right? |
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Jenny - Max's sister
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winnihoohoo
Bratty Ratty
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| 04/30/2007 11:46 AM |
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| I could drive that far! cool! |
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Alpha Rattie
Ratastic
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| 04/30/2007 1:46 PM |
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| we are from south FL ( naples/ft myers) so the heat doesnt bother us at all , but yet i still agree with fall or spring.....winter is the worse due to the snowbirds crowding the place LOL JAX has a few places on th ebeach that alows dogs on a leash its the hotel fronts that dont lik eit LOL |
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Ordie55
Terrier Terror
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| 04/30/2007 1:50 PM |
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Suwannee River Music Park has a pretty nice 4th of July Fireworks show. This would allow two months planning time.
There are various springs & lakes around Lake City & everything is compact as compared to Jacksonville all spread out. A beach trip is very possible from here. I would suggest Micklers Beach which is just inside of St. Johns county south of Jax. They have a really nice beach w/ tons of parking & dogs are allowed on a leash. One hour north is Adventure Landing in Valdosta GA.
We have room in our house for several people to sleep who do not mind comfy couches or recliners, at least three 30amp RV hookups & room for camping. There is an RV camp about three miles from our house & all the hotels one could need about 4 miles away!
Plenty of places to eat just as far away. Publix & Food Lion less than a mile from the hotels.
Sonnys BBQ & Texas Roadhouse across from the hotels, plus all kinds of other places.
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Ordie55
Terrier Terror
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| 04/30/2007 1:59 PM |
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I just checked & 4th of July is on a Wednesday this year...
Could make it hard for some being in the middle of the week!
Here is a site on the music park if anyone wants to look:
http://www.suwannee.com/
Wild Adventures has concerts too & rides, here is their site:
http://wildadventures.net/welcome.asp
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Alpha Rattie
Ratastic
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| 04/30/2007 1:59 PM |
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| i like that idea and taking beejii to peacock springs would be AWSOME lol also LITTLE river springs outside of branford( i think) i think our best bet is the 4th of july and making a weekend out of it since the 4th is durringthe week we could do our own SMALL thing ( i know fireworks are illigal in FL on any other date) |
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Mitzy's Mom
Alpha Feist
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| 04/30/2007 2:07 PM |
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| Sounds like Lake City is a much better bet than the Jax area for your meet-up! |
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Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids
Georgia Foster Mom
www.ratbonerescues.com; www.newrattitude.org |
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Alpha Rattie
Ratastic
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| 04/30/2007 2:09 PM |
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all we have to do is agree on it and start planning  |
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mommy2ratties
Rat Royalty
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| 04/30/2007 2:25 PM |
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| I'm up for either July or Sept. Guess it's just up to the majority of what works for everyone. Let me know guys and we'll start the actual planning :-) I think Lake City/Live oak is looking best for location |
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Dottie's Mommy
Ratterific
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| 04/30/2007 8:26 PM |
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Keep us posted! We are in NC and are looking for a rattie friendly vacation this summer. Dottie will be four months on Wednesday and she is just too cute to leave home! 
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Jennifer...proud mommy of one cute rattie! |
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mommy2ratties
Rat Royalty
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| 04/30/2007 9:00 PM |
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She is a cutie for sure! I'm still debating, hoping for a little more input from fellow members about whether to do it July or Sept.  |
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Dottie's Mommy
Ratterific
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| 05/01/2007 7:27 PM |
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July is better for us. We live in eastern NC, so we are used to heat and humidity! If we are near an ocean breeze, that is even better! Dottie loves to feel the sand between her toes! 
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Jennifer...proud mommy of one cute rattie! |
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winnihoohoo
Bratty Ratty
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| 05/01/2007 7:36 PM |
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| It is hurricane season, June 1st-Nov 1st....We will just have to watch the weather reports, but with my job I have to ask off a day more than two weeks prior, or it will be denied... |
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mommy2ratties
Rat Royalty
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| 05/01/2007 7:57 PM |
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| I'm thinking more in July, hurricanes pop up later in the season, Aug, Sept and Oct. Trust me, i know lol So if we do July, do ya'll want to do the weekend following 4th of July? Or the end of the month? |
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winnihoohoo
Bratty Ratty
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| 05/01/2007 8:34 PM |
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Posted By mommy2ratties on 05/01/2007 7:57 PM
I'm thinking more in July, hurricanes pop up later in the season, Aug, Sept and Oct. Trust me, i know lol So if we do July, do ya'll want to do the weekend following 4th of July? Or the end of the month?
Trust me too, I got a new roof out of the hurricanes, and I have lived here 24 years!
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Ordie55
Terrier Terror
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| 05/02/2007 7:22 PM |
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Well if there is going to be a meetup here at Lake City, let me know ASAP on a date so my sister in law has plenty of time to put in for off time from work. We will have a nite of her Phillipino cooking of Pancit & Lumpia and I will do chicken on the grill to go with it! We have an area we can also do a bon fire. If anyone comes in a camper or RV the 3-4 hookups I have will be available. Everything here in Lake City is close & user friendly!
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Alpha Rattie
Ratastic
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| 05/02/2007 7:26 PM |
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| yes lets set a date ............. i need at least 2 monthc notice so july would work best for us |
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Ordie55
Terrier Terror
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| 05/02/2007 9:12 PM |
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I will call the music park tomorrow and get the details as far as whats going on which weekends around the 4th of July. I think the weekend before is when they will do the fireworks. Will also check on the cost to get in, but I am pretty sure its like $10 per car. I have a Silverado & can carry plenty of kennels for several dogs.
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Alpha Rattie
Ratastic
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| 05/02/2007 9:13 PM |
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| i can get a bus for us if there are enough ppl there |
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Daisy&Dixie's mom
Ratterific
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| 05/03/2007 8:44 AM |
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I live in Tallahassee. So I am good for some sort of meet up in Florida. Jacksonville in fine, even St. Augustine (they have dog friendly beaches)
Even a Panama city beach thing might be cool. They have this big park close by that is dog friendly. Either way I am all for it and you can count me in. |
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Ordie55
Terrier Terror
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| 05/03/2007 10:01 AM |
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Well, I called Suwannee Music Park & Wild Adventures.
At Suwannee, the concert the weekend before the 4th is $20 per person & $10 parking per car.
The concert the weekend after the 4th is $10 per person & $10 parking per car.
This is who is performing the weekend after the 4th: Stephen Combs
No fireworks at Suwannee as we are under a burn ban right now.
Wild Adventures does not even have concerts scheduled for July, but their rate is like
$45 per person & $10 per car for parking. I think that is rather pricey!
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mommy2ratties
Rat Royalty
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| 05/03/2007 10:10 AM |
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| I agree with the 45$ thing. Is the concert in the park and do you have to pay the park fee plus the concert fee? If so we may want to think something else, but if not, i think either weekend will do and would be fun! |
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Ordie55
Terrier Terror
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| 05/03/2007 10:27 AM |
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Posted By mommy2ratties on 05/03/2007 10:10 AM
I agree with the 45$ thing. Is the concert in the park and do you have to pay the park fee plus the concert fee? If so we may want to think something else, but if not, i think either weekend will do and would be fun! I meant to mention that.....
All the concerts are indoors, so regardless, there would be no dogs allowed inside.
There are a number of other options in what we could do.
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Ordie55
Terrier Terror
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| 05/03/2007 10:35 AM |
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Here is a great idea for a day event!
Stephen Foster Park
This would also provide for some great photo ops!
Dogs are allowed on a maximum 6ft leash.
Admission Fee - $4.00 per vehicle (limit 8 people per vehicle).
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JenMax
Firehouse Big Dog
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| 05/03/2007 10:38 AM |
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I hope that you guys in FL/GA can get together. It is great talking to everyone on line but it is so neat! meeting the other ratties and people face to face.
(If only I had a private jet, I'd visit everyone.....) |
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Jenny - Max's sister
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Alpha Rattie
Ratastic
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| 05/03/2007 1:21 PM |
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i can get us in stephen foster for a discounted rate if not for free......... my fathers house is like 5 mins from there on the suwannee river. stephen foster would be our best bet for a day out. the museums and such are AWSOME. at the rear of the park we can dip in the river or lounge around on the roof covered deck on the river bank.
i know of MANY springs and secluded area's along the river to take walks and such. i grew up in that area my mother graduated from lake city high |
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Dottie's Mommy
Ratterific
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| 05/03/2007 7:32 PM |
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Posted By Alpha Rattie on 05/03/2007 1:21 PM i can get us in stephen foster for a discounted rate if not for free......... my fathers house is like 5 mins from there on the suwannee river. stephen foster would be our best bet for a day out. the museums and such are AWSOME. at the rear of the park we can dip in the river or lounge around on the roof covered deck on the river bank. i know of MANY springs and secluded area's along the river to take walks and such. i grew up in that area  my mother graduated from lake city high
That sounds great! There is something about rivers that can be so relaxing...
As far as dates go... the weekend before and the week of the 4th work best for us.
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Jennifer...proud mommy of one cute rattie! |
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