A get together in 2014 for forum members FREEPORT, MAINE/MARCH 27-30, 2014

proudgeek

@proudgeek - I know that I'll be a little bit arrogant over here but except Central Park and B&H what else is interesting in this city? ... maybe apart from some nice opportunities with snapping people walking around as Tommie suggested.
anyway, if it would be up to me Main and Halifax are my choices.

Granted, I'm in no way advocating for NYC. But Adam, if you've never been here are a few of the things you might enjoy shooting.
Iconic architectural landmarks. Brooklyn Bridge, Flatiron Building, Chrysler Building, Trinity Church, and countless other cathedrals, old buildings etc. Just the concrete facades on the buildings along the Upper West Side (all built prior to WWI) are incredible. Tons of interesting new construction too, although I've seen better (financial district of San Francisco).
Amazing ethnic neighborhoods. Chinatown and Little Italy are the two best known, but for every country out there you'll find a small enclave that's made it its own.
Night photography. Not stars of course, but the ambient light is incredible. Imagine being able to shoot at an ISO of 200 with normal shutter speeds in Times Square.
Food. There are open air markets all over the city displaying rows and rows of both exotic and common produce. No place better to eat either.
Street musicians. Both above ground and underground. Everything from Delta blues to Peruvian.
Views. Lots of opportunities to shoot from high rises.
People. Every size, shape, color, persuasion, etc. you could imagine. When they say it takes all kinds they were talking about New York.

All that said, I'm still in for Maine.

Golf007sd

This is going to be so much fun....Wooohoo. I have a feeling a week vacation is in order for those thinking of attending...two or three days is not going to cut with so many good ideas and activities to do....regardless of the venue.

adamz

ok, so Main... how about dates? spring or fall?
if spring than maybe: between 17th - 30th March
in fall (can be cold): 19th - 28th September

adamz

we could all meet in Portland and drive from there or even meet in Boston and drive from there.

Golf007sd

I say September-October would be the best time...avoid the humidity on the East Coast as much as possible.

Msmoto

@bland

Daytona.....yes.....actually, St Augustine/Daytona combo....but, not many want to shoot motorsports on NRF....as far as I know. But, any beach venue offers a lot of photo ops.

And, in general....

I keep seeing Maine....and I have been in Maine in November...very nice. The seashore off Prout's Neck is fabulous. This is a Portland/ Scarborough venue.

The Buffalo area is fascinating as Toronto is about two and a half hours away, and Niagara Falls is right there. Actually, Corning, New York has a museum which will blow your mind.... A venue on the way to Buffalo.

One more idea...Jekyll Island Club on Jekyll Island, Georgia, South, but rooms are $150+.

Maybe we need to establish some budget parameters, like $XXX for a three night stay in any venue. This will limit the locals and allow some folks to determine whether they will attend or not. My suggestion would be a target of $450 plus taxes for a Thursday, Friday, Saturday stay, or if this is too much....let's hear it. Meals are going to be in the $40-50/day per person, no booze. So, now, a budget of about $500 + 150 or $650 is seen for a nice venue. Plus of course the travel. Most motels are going to be in the $120 plus taxes unless we somehow can obtain a slight discount.

I have friends all over the country and can usually get good recommendations for food, etc.

Golf007sd

Budgets wise for accommodations, flights and car....for those that live within the USA, I say look at Priceline. On our trip to Colorado we found some great deal with their Name You Own Price. In addition, if you don't mind having a roommate for the duration of the trip the cost can be split in two and thus more saving all around.

Benji2505

$650.- budget and New England sounds like a reasonable compromise.

Msmoto

Just a note about this years meeting....we were in one of the restaurants in Manitou Springs which was flooded in the recent rains....our timing was good? Also, the highway which flooded was the one we drove to Pike's Peak......

Let's hope the recovery process in that area is good....

Golf007sd

@Msmoto: It truly is unbelievable what happened to a town we where at. Here is a link to what just happened there.

Msmoto

I Think Sunday morning was when we went to the Adams cafe, next to the flooding stream and covered with about three feet of water.....

But, back to the subject, I think by the end of September a decision will be made for the time and venue for the next NRF meeting. Kill Devil Hills in March is very nice...the location of the first manned flight by the Wright brothers.... an hour and a half from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.... fantastic sunrise.....and three nights, Thursday, Friday and Saturday would be in the $150-$300 range for nice rooms March 13-16, 2014.
Near by is the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge.

More to come...

DenverShooter

@bland

Daytona.....yes.....actually, St Augustine/Daytona combo....but, not many want to shoot motorsports on NRF....as far as I know. But, any beach venue offers a lot of photo ops.

I am in for motorsports shooting and lots bird shooting in/around St Augustine.

Denver Shooter

michael66

Anyone hungry?



I've changed my mind. NYC would be great. I'll still push for Maine, though. Historically, peak season is last week of September, first of October, but has been getting later in the last few years.

ben_v3

I think @golf007sd should drive his Mercedes to the east coast and pick me up along the way

kkanuck

Good one Ben!

Photobug

Been to Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Mass, Connecticut, Rode Island four years ago. Spent two weeks and it was okay to beautiful. Arcadia is great but crowded in early October and middle October due to fall color. Remember cruise ships and bus tours hit this area hard so those that says plan 12 months in advance are true. We planned 9 months in advance and had not problems getting rooms.

Would I go back next year; perhaps. We are planning a 10 day trip to Canada next summer so to see the Canadian Rockies and would probably pass on Maine.

Niagara Fall - yes, have not been in 15 years
Key West - no, did that in 2012
St Augustine - maybe
New Orleans. - No, did that in 2012 to see the Sugar Bowl college game

How about Washington DC and Gettysburg?

Golf007sd

@ben_v3: LMFAO buddy. It would be far more cost affective for me to buy you a ticket (round trip) than it would be for me to drive from San Diego to east cost, when I do the math on gas and accommodation. Note, this is not and offer, this is just me talking out loud. :P

Now if I that this parked out frot, the adventure would be far more rewarding....wouldn't you agree?

michael66

Gassing that thing up would cost more than putting us all up in 2014.

Photobug

Nice RV Bus. Very very nice.

Msmoto

Thanks, Ali, I needed a photo......if anyone is interested this is a Tiffin Allegro Bus 43 QGP with custom paint.

Golf007sd

@Msmoto: It is a very impressive RV. I truly had a lot of fun being inside of her. What blows my mind is the individual behind the wheel driving her across America.

...Ooh and the coffee she makes rocks.

Peter

Somebody had a birthday during the last NRF meeting in Colorado

Parke1953

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Msmoto.

michael66

@msmoto A belated happy birthday to you.

I got you a gift. Fear not, the gentlemen are merely guarding it.

Msmoto

@Parke1953

Thank you.....

@michael66

Gosh, thanks, just what I wanted.......I actually had a '58 356A from 1960-1965...when I attended Layton School of Art in Milwaukee!