July 26 San Diego Regional Event
10 AM - 3 PM
Vacation Isle - Mission Bay
San Diego CA

Harbour Lights indicates there may be several other opportunities for group things to do this weekend.

Who's planning to attend?

We will not be going.

We are hoping to make it!!

It's a distinct possibillity. I'm not sure i can balance it with the Regional in June and our planned trip to Block Island in August, but I got a much more positive reaction to a trip to San Diego.

I've just got to figure the logistics.

Dennis

I'm ready for this one. I usually fly but I think my husband and I might try out our new car for a little road trip.

MJ and I will be in San Diego on July 3rd, arriving one day before the planned West Coast Tour with Derith and all of our fellow lighthouse lovers from Florida. This trip lasts two weeks (going up the west coast to Washington) after which we plan on an additional week in Washington with friends (and lighthouses of course).

Unfortunately, this will prevent us from returning to San Diego one week later to attend the San Diego Regional - we have only so much vacation time available.

Ron
(CT Keeper)

Kate and I are hoping on attending. At this time it looks like we'll be there.

Dave,

You're going to rack up those miles- frequent flyer and otherwise.

Hope to meet you in MI or NY and possibly San Diego.

Can't make it to FL.

Dennis

Anybody know where to stay??
Phx to San Diego is $78.00 round trip on Southwest

Looks like fun and I would really like to go. But,
like Ron and MJ, I am galavanting much of the summer and just don't know at this posting.

Our school district is trying to launch an exchange with a school in China and that two week trip is in June. Then the west coast trip Ron spoke about in July. Then, school begins in late July. Not enough sum, sum, summertime.

But, there is always a chance....and I have a place to stay...with relatives.
Derith

How nice, a regional within easy driving distance. The event was added to my calendar as soon as I saw the date.

We are planning on attending. Roy wants to try and make all of the regionals but I think he will have to settle for 3 out of 4. (Grand Rapids, Jacksonville and San Diego). This is the year for little mini vacations instead of one long one. Hope to see many of you at one or all of the events.

No Long Island????????????
Roy and Carolyn, something I've said?
(Please answer before Dave does?)
Bob

Bob, I'm hurt . . . . .

Bob, I'm planning on being in Long Island? Isn't my smiling face enough?

Just booked my ticket! I'm flying into Orange County to stay with some friends, and we are driving down early Saturday Morning. Hoping on Sunday to see Angel's Gate, Point Fermin and Point Vincente!! Keep an eye out for those Desert Lightkeepers and I promise to remember my wacko badge!!! Does anybody have a link to the LA harbor Cruise to see Angel's Gate?? Thx

Sorry Bob,

If it had been a different time of year maybe we could have made it, but September is a bad time. School will just be starting for me and Roy's vacation time is limited. If there is any way possible we would really love to come but chances are slim. We'll let Judy be the St. Louis rep for this regional. Take care.
Carolyn

Here is a great Visitor's Guide to San Diego for those of you joining us in July. And to boot..it's free. http://www.sandiego.org/publications2002.asp

More Activities...
The San Diego Maritime Museum hosts quite a few events during the summer, including:

Movies Before the Mast - each Friday and Saturday evening Enjoy a beautiful sunset followed by a feature film. The film series is unique to San Diego; it presents nautical themed films that are shown outdoors on the deck of the tallship, 'Star of India'. These family movies are projected onto one of the sails of the tall ship and include a nautical cartoon. The movie schedule for 2003 will be announced in the spring, call for exact dates. Refreshments are available. Metered parking is free after 6pm. 619-234-9153

11th Annual Sea Chantey Festival
The great windjammer, Star of India, will spring to life as sea chantey musicians from around the world sing and play their songs aboard the ship to sail setting maneuvers performed hight aloft in the ship's rigging. 11am-4pm, Star of India. Admission fee. Exact dates to be announced, please call in advance. 619-234-9153 or www.sdmaritime.com

I'm looking into planning a "Harbour Lights" outing this weekend as well and will post additional details.

I am trying to book my hotel and air. Any set plans for the weekend besides the Saturday day event? I was thinking of flying in on Thursday and flying out on Sunday afternoon. Are there any tours planned?

Even though Grand Rapids is the nearest point on the Regional timeline its time to start thinking about San Diego as well. I just finished booking our flights and the only thing remaining now that's unknown are a few small details like

Where's the event in relation to the airport?

Where is Harbour Lights located relative to the event?

Where's the airport?

Can anyone suggest a good place to stay from both a cost and location standpoint?

Where's a good place to eat?

Are there any plans for peripheral events, tours, gatherings, etc. before or after the event? (We'll be there Thursday through Monday)

HL hinted earlier that there might be some more activities planned for this Regional than for the others. Any details on that snippet on news?

Wow, while I was typing this I just printed out a report from American Airlines on the other computer. After delving into my accumulated mileage account for travel to a few family weddings and now for two tickets to California I apparently have something under 100 miles left in the bank. Looks like we're on the road again from now on.

San Diego airport is pretty much downtown. HL is out in the valley, probably 45 minutes or so inland. Good place to eat is always somewhere in Old Town. Hotels in San Diego range from very expensive to pretty reaonable. Anywhere near where they are having the regional event you will probably pay a premium (Mission Bay, getting close to the ocean = $$$). Lots of hotels on, strangely enough, Hotel Circle.

The San Diego Regional is coming up pretty fast. Does anyone have a Wacko hotel in mind for the event?

LittleRed posted this back in April:
We will probably fly in late Thursday.

I'm starting a new thread asking about who is coming and what they want to do while in town.

We're researching hotels and will post a few recommendations later this week.

A few of the Hoosier Lighthousing couples already have reservations made at the:

Comfort Inn
8000 Parkway Dr.
La Mesa, CA, US, 91942
Phone: (619) 698-7747
Fax: (619) 698-6347

I believe the rate I got was $71.00 for week days and $89.00 for the weekend days.. It is 11 miles from downtown San Diego and 5 miles from El Cajon..

http://www.choicehotels.com

They still had rooms available when I just checked the website..

Paul

Thanks, Paul.

One of the ideas mentioned in the survey was a picnic at the lighthouse.

In checking the the folks at Cabrillo National Monument where OPL is located, they do not have picnic facilities and probably would not allow a catered event there.

They normally close the lighthouse buildings at 5:15 PM, but permit people to stay an extra hour. We can request special permission from the Superintendent to stay later, but we have to fax a request.

To reach Cabrillo National Monument, you must pass through a Navy checkpoint. They do not allow traffic through after 5 PM. The Vacation Isle location is not far from the Navy checkpoint, but you'd need to not linger long after 4 PM to be sure you could get out there in time, IF that's what we end up doing.

Sunset on July 26th is 7:52 PM.

Carolyn--

Perhaps if we offer to buy a certain print, we can get you to Long Island....

Larry

We also will not be out in San Diego, we have our vacation scheduled, and we were all set to go see the Mouse in Orlando, and then we noticed this little party on Long Island at the same time, sorry Disney, watch out New York here we come

Larry

If anyone is interested in the Comfort Inn located in La Mesa that Paul mentioned,I checked today to reconfirm our reservations and they still have rooms available. We were able to get a rate of $67.99/night with our AAA autoclub card so I made reservations for several fellow WACKO's. It looks like a great location with easy access to all area attractions. See you all there

Carolyn

I need the help of my fellow wackos. Could someone attending the San Diego Regional get two buttons for my wife and I? Of course, if there are any other goodies given away, we would like two of those also. As always, we would be glad to make a contribution to your favorite lighthouse in return for any items acquired. Thanks for your help.

I plan on being there. At this point I don't know if Diana or the kids will be coming. Plan on driving over on Friday and returning home on Sunday. I have wanted to get in to see New Point Loma for a long time. Can't pass up that chance . I will be at the Desert Lightkeepers table with my wacko badge See you all there.

dale

Carol & I will not be able to make it due to a another committment. We're heading out on a trip to Europe next week.

Wish we could be there and hope that all attending will have a safe trip and an outstanding time.

Dan

Well, the first group of Hoosier Lighthouse Club members landed in sunny California. The McBee's and Hemming's landed at LAX yesterday afternoon. Went to Santa Monica pier last night and will hit Universal Studio's today. Tomorrow will be our last day in LA. We'll hit whatever lighthouses are here and then hit Hollywood and do the usual touristy stuff; walk of fame, rodeo drive (the girls want to shop), etc. Will head to SD Tuesday. Can't wait to see everyone. See you then.


Dave

John and I are leaving Tuesday morning to drive to San Diego. We are staying 2 nights in Las Vegas and will be in San Diego on Thursday until Sunday. We're looking forward to a fun weekend with everyone.

Tom and I are flying Southwest Airlines from Dallas Love Field. Southwest can only fly to contiguous states out of Love Field, so we fly to Albuquerque, deplane, get our bags and then recheck them for the flight from Albuquerque to San Diego. Got some great rates, so we are on standby and can be bumped on any flight. Figure it will take all day Thursday for the trip. We were going to leave San Diego Sunday, but if there are no plans for Saturday night, will leave after the regional event. Looking forward to a fun weekend.

We have a little adjustment to our plans. We are now going to stay at my sister's house in Oceanside instead of the Comfort Inn in La Mesa.

For those of you who are planning to attend the San Diego Regional, If you want to email me a cell number, I'll compile and list and send the complete list to those who provided their numbers.

Please don't send your cell number if you don't want others attending to know it.

Please use the words "Cell Number" in the SUBJECT of your email so it will stand out against all the junk I get.

Include your REAL name, Your Forum name, and your cell number on one line of your email. If you also want to include where you are staying, do that on a separate line.

webmaster@lighthousekeepers.com

If you're going to the San Diego Regional, Harbour Lights invites you to drop by their offices starting at 3 PM on Friday, July 25.

Nancy and Bill are not going to be there during this time, because of prior commitments.

Keep in mind the office will be open and active until 4:30, so we've got to let people do their job. (And, no, you won't be able to visit the warehouse.)

If you plan to stop by, please email desiree@harbourlights.com to let Desiree know how many will be in your party so they can plan accordingly.

Take I-8 east from the San Diego area. Take the Johnson Ave exit in El Cajon, turn left at the bottom of the ramp and 1/2 mile on your left you'll see Harbour Lights' building. 1000 N. Johnson Ave. It's at the corner of Fesler Ave.

Thanks Desiree for making these arrangments!!

To all of you lucky folks attending the Regional in San Diego this weekend...enjoy, and breathe it all in for me!!

Be sure to look for a great hardhat (the most signatures of any I have seen) from the Hatteras move and a brick from work done at Cape Lookout Light Station furnished by OBLHS that will be auctioned by Bill Younger.

Judy

Heard from Dave H today who is on a Road Trip with the Lighthouse Pixie, Ken Reese and the Kaisers. They are heading North from the LA area for lighthouses unknown (except to Derith.)

The word is that the New Point Loma Lighthouse is going to be OPEN for us to visit and climb after the regional -- starting about 4 PM.

A word of warning. Please do not approach the homes on the property. The Commandant of the USCG District lives in one and he's not happy with visitors who think he lives in a museum.

We'll probably make an announcement at the Regional.

And remember, that Old Point Loma is closed for construction, although you can photograph it from the outside.

I arrive Thursday and I'll scout out some places for the Wackos to eat Friday evening -- pizza fare and Saturday - Order off the menu somewhere.

That's why I still need your cell numbers. Only gotten a few. If I don't have your number, I can't let you know the plans.

Just passing along some information... the McBee's checked out the Comfort Inn in La Mesa today and chose not to check in! They are staying at a Holiday Inn Select instead and I changed our reservations on their advice to a Quality Inn Hotel.. We arrive tomorrow in San Diego!

Paul,
Which Quality Inn? We did have reservations at the Quality Inn on Nimitz, but cancelled it today. Guy at the reservation desk at the Comfort Inn, La Mesa, said that particular Quality Inn wasn't a very good hotel. Said his was a little better. Tom just checked with his company travel agency and was told everything (at a reasonable rate) is sold out. Any idea why the McBees chose not to stay at the Comfort Inn?

Thanks,

I didn't want to post the reasons publicly (defamation and all that) but I did email them to you..

Wishing all you lucky people a wonderful, fantastic weekend...and safe journey!

Bring back all the memories and photos to share with those of us who aren't there...please

And any goodies you can bring back to us ...also appreciated

Judy

Last Minute Change...

While we will be able to visit and tour New Point Loma - The USCG has asked that it be done early on Saturday, not after the Regional.

If you want to be there, please plan on arriving at New Point Loma by 8:00. (Follow directions to Point Loma Lighthouse, then turn right down the hill after you enter the Cabrillo National Monument.)

To arrive at the Regional by 10 AM, you'll need to depart New Point Loma by 9- 9:15 probably (just so you get a parking place, etc.)

Sorry for this last minute change.

The CG is being less than cooperative here, and will not be at the light prior to 0900. We will be there a little before that. Unfortunately, this will make us a little late to the regional, but it is 5 hours long and I have not yet been inside the Point Loma light.

Dave

I see that 2 different times are posted. Should we be there at 8am or 9? I am assuming the 9am is the actual time to start the tour? Please let us know...

The time for the tour is from 9 AM to 10 AM. This changed was forced upon us and we have no choice. If you arrive a few minutes early, you'll be able to get right in at 9 AM and be on your way to regional by 9:30 and be there by 10 AM.

Sorry, but these times are not what we wanted, but it was either this or nothing.

Forecast for July 26th:
San Diego: 74 Mostly Sunny
Oshkosh: 84 Muggy Thunderstorms...

Sigggghhhhhh

Have a nice time everyone, wish we were there