This idea was buried in a thread that was mostly about whining, so I decided to start a new topic and see if there's any interest.

How many folks would be interested in getting together up in Anchorage Ak for a three-day weekend to shoot some photos and socialize? It would be an opportunity to meet Tony and each other, and photograph in a locale that has a lot to offer.

I was thinking about us burning film during the day, and getting together in the evening for food, drinks, maybe exchange some images, and talk about Leica stuff.

Just an idea to help break out of the winter doldrums. If enough folks are interested, maybe we could make it happen.

Joe

-- Joe Buechler (jbuechler@toad.net), April 18, 2002

Answers

I am interested assuming airfare costs are reasonable. What is the suggested venue? In the last thread camping-out was mentioned...

And don't forget about the Single Malt taste-testing that Tony is going to put on ;-)

Cheers,

-- J Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), April 18, 2002.

I'll let Tony suggest a venue, since he knows the area. I'd like the camping out idea also, hope we can get more information about this option.

I'm going to do some airfare pricing from a few representative cities in the lower 48 to get an idea what cost would be like. I'll let you know what I find out.

Definitely we'd take Tony's advice on the single malt.

-- Joe Buechler (jbuechler@toad.net), April 18, 2002.

Just to get an idea of airfare cost, I used Aug. 1 thru Aug.4 as travel dates. Price range for round trip airfare to Anchorage from a few cities in the lower 48 were:

Baltimore $600 - $650 Chicago $515 - $545 LA $515 - $615

Alaska Air consistently had the highest rates :)

-- Joe Buechler (jbuechler@toad.net), April 18, 2002.

I'm interested. Any format, any subject, any venue, any Scotch.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), April 18, 2002.

It's 95 degrees in NYC - what's this about winter?

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), April 18, 2002.

That seems a bit high, but it's tourist season, so I guess it makes sense. Are you checking Orbitz.com? People seem to like it for getting fares to and from here.

July or August would be ideal months. September isn't good for me, but early to mid-October would be OK. It chills down a bit by then, but it's definitely not winter until late October or later.

There are a lot of camping spots around the Anchorage area, and some pretty good hills for hiking.

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@mail.com), April 18, 2002.

Ya it's 90 degrees in D.C. I guess I meant the summer doldrums.

-- Joe Buechler (jbuechler@toad.net), April 18, 2002.

Let's try and keep October out of the picture, because that's when I'm planning on doing the Provence Photography/fine wine/fine dining trip... Selfish I know, but hey, I want to make it too!

-- J Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), April 18, 2002.

Likewise, I don't mind a bit of walking, but I've got one wobbley wheel. If folks want to do any serious hiking in the hills that's fine, but I doubt I'll be able to keep up very well.

-- Joe Buechler (jbuechler@toad.net), April 18, 2002.

August in Alaska is quite hot, it may reach into the low 80's. From Anchorage it is a short drive (10 miles) into the mountains, or Turnagain Pass is 60 miles away. Lots of hiking in Girdwood or Turnagain Pass. We have Bald Eagles toward Seward and our mosquitos can carry away a 50 Noct. like the eagles carry a salmon. Sunrise is about 3:00 a.m and sunset is around 1:00 a.m. so lots of daylight and dusk. Climate varies from year to year, it can rain or it might not. It is a short flight down here to the Kenai Peninsula (Kenai, Soldotna) for fishing and more hiking or you can drive in 2-3 hours. It would be a nice opportunity to look and try out other gear as well as put some faces to e-mails. FWIW

-- Mark A. Johnson (logical1@catholic.org), April 18, 2002.

I'm game Send me the dates. Only problem I'd have is getting off work. Vacation season for everyone. J Flesher could you forward me some info on the Provence thing?

-- Andy Wagner (awagner@midwest-express.com), April 19, 2002.

A thought just crossed my mind. If we could get enough people together we could charter an aircraft. I know it sounds a little far fetched but I work for Midwest Express Airlines. We're based out of Milwaukee. If we could get from 80 to 120 people together the idea of a charter would be quite feasible and the prices could be quite affordable. I'll do a little asking around here at work and see what kind of dollars they would want. I don't want this to sound like advertising but the idea of a bunch of leicaphiles in Alaska really could be fun

-- Andy Wagner (awagner@midwest-express.com), April 19, 2002.

I looked at the Provence info, and I like the idea of working in an "event" so that there'd also be an opportunity to do some PJ-style photography. I doubt there'd be a bullfight ;) but I thought I saw something about a blues festival. Does any of the Alaska participants have access to a calender of this sort of stuff?

Andy - I don't know if 80 to 120 people is even remotely feasible, but I've been on Midwest Express for business trips and it's definitely the "Leica of airlines." Even if we could arrange a semi-normal rate, it would be worth going out of the way for that IMO.

-- Joe Buechler (jbuechler@toad.net), April 19, 2002.

Joe Thanks for the compliment. I'm going to talk to the charters Dept on Monday. I'll look into flying out of O'hare and Milwaukee and see what can be done and ofcourse what kind of numbers they would want. I'll keep in touch.

-- Andy Wagner (awagner@midwest-express.com), April 19, 2002.

If I get a couple of paying jobs between now and August count me in. I am definetly up for camping and single malt tasteing. Orbitz quotes $669. NH to Ankorage. I'll have to stay a week or so to make the journey worth it. I am sure I'll find plenty to shoot there. Hey Jack, my wobbly wheel is my left. Perhaps we can make a three legged team for the hikes.

-- Steve Belden (otterpond@adelphia.net), April 20, 2002.

Sorry, I meant to ask Joe about the three legged team.

-- Steve Belden (otterpond@adelphia.net), April 20, 2002.

Welp, we've both got a wobbly wheel on the left. Sounds like a dysfunctional three-legged team. Can we hire a dogsled?

-- Joe Buechler (jbuechler@toad.net), April 20, 2002.

I guess we have to flip a coin to determine who has to walk backwards. :-)

-- Steve Belden (otterpond@adelphia.net), April 20, 2002.

Joe I just got the word from charters. You were right it is way out of the ballpark, espc. since we don't service Anchorage on a normal basis. But I' still be interested in making the trip.

-- Andy Wagner (awagner@midwest-express.com), April 22, 2002.

I motorcycled to Alaska and back in July '96 with a point-and-shoot. Many missed opportunities. I'd like to go again.

-- David Geddes (d_geddes@pacbell.net), May 03, 2002.