IMPORTANT NEWS REGARDING Digitally Devoted Photo Trek 2010

Hello Friends,

Riding on the coat tails of an extremely successful D2 trip to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, I’m happy to announce that a trip is being planned for.....

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
September 9-17, 2010

The trip will be priced to include….

Accommodations 7 nights
Park entry fees
Private guide for two days
Van rentals / gas / mileage

The excursion will leave from Salt Lake City the morning of Sept 10th. Therefore, it is recommended that members be in Salt Lake by the evening of Sept 9th. Members will be responsible for their own travel costs into Salt Lake City.

It is a 5 hour drive to Yellowstone – “all part of the adventure” as Lord Hobcote so eloquently put it.

On September 17th, we will make the drive back to Salt Lake, leaving the cabin relatively early in the morning in the hopes that all members can make travel arrangements that day. My thought is if we leave the cabin by 6am, then members will be able to make flights after 3pm and get home that evening.

I’d like to make you aware that the trip cost will be priced as it is. D2 is not looking to make profit. This will not be a cheap trip, and my goal is to keep it between $800-$1000 per person, plus your cost of travel to Salt Lake.

Once everything is set into motion, deposits on the trip WILL NOT BE REFUNDABLE.

So with that said…. all I need to know is who's interested ?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tracy on November 19, 2009 at 9:12am: Hello Friends,

I spent some time last night doing more research about the Parade Rest Ranch, which is the all inclusive place I mentioned.

I came across this review on Tripvisor... PLEASE take some time to read it. There are a few reviews that hit some negative points which I want you all to be aware of.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g45399-d265637-r44715935...

the one that stands out the most IMO is the one that comments that they could not lock their door. I for one do not want to have to pack up all my equipment such as a laptop etc and bring it with us everyday. My gosh that could get cumbersome.

In the meantime, I am still researching options.

Thanks,
T.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tracy on November 19, 2009 at 10:22am: http://www.islandparklodging.com/vacation-rental-home.asp?PageDataI...

http://www.yellowstonecabinrental.net/island_park_rental_cabin.php

HOLY CRAP... look at this place !
http://www.highcountry-rentals.com/listings/listing.asp?AD=11%2F22%... ( lol - I should call for pricing, only cuz the curiosity is killin me ! ); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Matt Johnston on November 19, 2009 at 10:37am: Wow. If you go there I might be in afterall... =)

Tracy said:
http://www.islandparklodging.com/vacation-rental-home.asp?PageDataI...

http://www.yellowstonecabinrental.net/island_park_rental_cabin.php

HOLY CRAP... look at this place !
http://www.highcountry-rentals.com/listings/listing.asp?AD=11%2F22%... ( lol - I should call for pricing, only cuz the curiosity is killin me ! ); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tracy on November 19, 2009 at 11:24am: I'm waiting information from this place as well. It's a Lodge, B&B so to speak. Breakfast is included with the stay, and then they offer dinner with 24 hrs notice ranging from $17-$30/person.

I've requested pricing for the entire lodge for the week of our trip. As it stands now, with those interested, 5 bedrooms are booked, which leaves 1 available.

http://www.oldirwinlodge.com/index.html

Due to the expense and excessive amount of planning on my part, I will close this trip by February 1st. I've been following many links, and cabins are booking. Which leads me to believe I will have to make deposits not long into the new year. I wish I could leave it open longer, but I just don't see how I can get around it.

I've looked at larger cabins/lodges in order to keep a few rooms open " just in case " and they are far to expensive, and not fair to other members.

As a group.... we could decide to go with a hotel... which is that case I may be able to book a block of rooms, hopefully at a discounted price, then each couple/single can call in and book their own room. But I will warn you.. I've looked. It won't be cheap to have a hotel room for a full week.

The best rates I'm finding are just as we did last year. Book a cabin and share the cost.

SO... WITH THAT BEING SAID. MEMBERS MUST BE WILLING TO COMMIT AND MAKE A DEPOSIT BY FEB. 1ST.

Please... any and all comments are needed and appreciated.

:); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tracy on November 19, 2009 at 5:38pm: So I have received an email from the owner of the B&B I discussed above. Old Irwin Lodge.

They are booked the week I have designated. But are available the week prior OR the week after.

So once he sends me a price ( I've asked for pricing 6 nights, including two evenings with dinner ) then we'll discuss if we like this place, and want to move the dates.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Claudcw on November 20, 2009 at 10:03pm: I am always interested and we already spoke, I'll keep you posted :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Masey on November 20, 2009 at 11:53pm: Trace, I know you want me to be there, and you know I want to be there... but it's just a little far out for me right now to be able to commit. What's going to be the cutoff date for deposits this year?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tracy on November 21, 2009 at 10:35am: My plan is to pay deposits mid February. I've looked at so many options for lodging, and it's hard to pick one without knowing for sure who is committed. I understand that it's tough for both of you to commit.... Matt has the same issue, with the new baby coming and all. It's a tough choice to make, and we certainly understand. My goal is to find a cabin that we can afford if there are only the 8 of us, yet has room if there are 3 or 4 more than want to take part. I think what may happen is I'll find a place that has one room that is bunks. Then if Claud, Rob, Matt and Adam can make it, you boys can all share a room with a bunch of beds in it.

That area seems to have a tonne of lodges that do fishing expeditions. So there are tonnes that sleep over 20 ppl... BUT... the rooms are not private. Which is where the issue lies. There are couples that want privacy. So it hasn't been easy planning this out so far.

I need commitment so that I know exactly what type of sleeping arrangements I need.

I will keep it open as long as I can, but ya... I'm sure you can understand that there has to be a cut off at some point.

My long term goal it keep the trip at $800-$1000 per person, not including your flights into St. Lake.

Keep an eye on this forum, this is where I will post any new ideas, thoughts etc.

Thanks Guys. Sure hope we can make this work, you'd be a great addition to this group of people. We'd have so much fun.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tracy on February 19, 2010 at 11:13am: THE PLANS ARE IN MOTION !!!!

but... I've recently found out that Nancy will not be making the trip, which means all my pricing has to either be revamped, or we need to find someone to join us.

So... with that said, I wanted to repost this thread and see if any of our other members, new or old, would like to consider the trip. There are a few that have said they'd love to go, but weren't able to commit back in December. Some time has passed, and I'd like them to reconsider. If you are new to the group, and this is the first you've heard about the the trip... you too are welcome !

Please do not hesitate to contact me personally if you have any questions at all.

Thanks everyone !

Tracy

canamcple@gmail.com; ▶ Reply to This