Well, Will, we'll just be discreet about that fretboard end. I do feel your pain, brother!

Okay, here's the information I have on accomodations in Wimberley for the Gathering. This is at Cypress Creek Cottages.

What they have available right now for those dates is:

- 3 creekside cottages

These sleep up to 8. That would be doubling up in each bed. Basically, two rooms, one a bedroom with two beds (a king and a queen, I believe she said) and a living room with two queen size futons. This is just an example since each one is slightly different. In any event all 3 of these cottages sleep up to 8. Full kitchen facilities in each cottage. Full rate is $179 plus taxes per night for 1 to the maximum 8 people. Discount rate is $155 plus taxes per night.

- 6 smaller non-creekside cottages

These sleep up to 4 in similar but smaller arrangements as the 3 creekside cottages. Kitchen facilities in each cottage. Additionally, each of these had an outside jacuzzi. Full rate is $159 plus taxes per night for 1 to the maximum 4 people. Discount rate is $130 plus taxes per night.

To get the discount rate we would need to rent 4 of the cottages in any combination.

- A large meeting room that they share with another cottage rental owner in the area. Large enough to hold 25 people sitting. Kitchen facilities. Rental is $125 per day.

We would need to guarantee reservations with a credit card (one per cottage) and we could cancel up to 12 days prior to checkin without penalty.

They emailed me some pics of the cottages and I'll either post them or link to them here once I get them somewhere where everyone can access them.

I believe what we would want to do is one or a few of us reserve a number of cabins and then the other attendees can settle up with those people at the gathering. The folks at Cypress Creek said the could do individual billing at checkout too, but we'll still need to just grab the cabins with just a few of us. Actually, I guess I could go ahead and get the reservations and guarantee them on my credit card and we'll sort the rest out later. This will require people to commit to being here if they say they are and if they have to cancel for some reason they'd need to cancel in time for us to cancel a reservation if the number of people drops below needing the reserved number of cottages.

So, how many cottages do we need? What are your attitudes on bunking with other Collings player for three nights? The max occupancy of each cottage is really based on people doubling up in each bed. That means if we only go single sleeper in each bed the big cottages would hold 4 and the smaller ones would hold 2. The nightly rates would then be divided among fewer people. Even with only 4 in the big cottage that would be about $50 per night each for lodging. Hard to beat. Just 2 in a smaller cottage would be around $80 per night each.

So what do you think? I'm showing something like 14 attendees right now who would be staying in the cottages. Should we figure on getting the 3 creekside big cottages then? That might be the best thing to do. They are available right now and probably will be a while longer, but we'll need to move soon to block those off to guarantee we have them.

Let me know what you think.

Allen

Here's the link to the pictures the Cypress Creek folks emailed me. Let me know if you have trouble viewing these (like permission to view the album and such).

The pictures with names starting with "Eff" are the small cottages. The ones starting with "Fam" are the large ones.

Allen

I'm sure you've heard this before but thanks for all your work!

I'm curious. Looking at the possible attendees list, is anyone bringing a spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend or anything like that or is mostly everyone on their own? I missed the first two so I don't know what the norm is. (coz that will add to the count)

Allen, in case it's necessary, are there other accomodations close by? Just thinking ahead on my part.

Very good points, eiko. Some people have brought spouses in the past. There are other accomodations in the area and I will try to gather info on those as well.

I had thought about the accompanying spouse part, but wasn't sure how to deal with that. Having a headquarters type thing like this for the gathering is new. The last two we left accomodations up to each attendee. Some stayed in one hotel some in another. We're trying to promote doing more things as a group this time so that's why this renting cottages things came up.

Another possibility is everyone staying in the same hotel. That would probably be in Austin instead of Wimberley. I don't think that would promote sitting around picking guitar as much as being on a creek in Wimberley would, but if people would rather go that route we can certainly do that. But I need feedback on all this and soon.

I think the possible attendees should also indicate if they will have someone else with them. This way, it would be easier to figure out what would be needed for accomodations. I think the "headquarters" idea is great. If there are other places around if required by some attendees, that should still work out. I think you're on the right track. I'm just donating some thoughts that happen to pop into my head.

i am unable to share with anyone.

being 52 and single, that should be obvious, eh?

[insert smiley here]

/guy

OK, the little woman will most likely be in attendence as well. She had a good time last year! Cheers, Will

Here's another place to consider in Wimberley. The Wimberley Inn. It is more of a motel/hotel type place that looks pretty nice on the web page. Folks would have to make their own reservations. I haven't called them or been by there so I don't know what the grounds are like as far as having places to sit around and pick guitars or what kind/size of meeting room they have for us to use.

Let me know if you would prefer this instead of the cottages.

Howdy there Allan,, hope this note finds you just getting ready to pick up a guitar. Plan on attending with wife and d2ha ,lovingly in that order. Will share cabin w/other couple. Hotel looks great to. Good to all be in one place ,, Higher concentration of guitars the better.Thanks for your efforts on our behalf. A big strum is winging its way to you from Oregn.Look forward to meeting you . Fred ps.will be glad to reserve room early .

Allen,
How far is the Wimberley Inn from the Cypress Creek Cottages place? Just curious. Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by eiko:
Allen,
How far is the Wimberley Inn from the Cypress Creek Cottages place? Just curious. Thanks.

I don't know. I do know that Kevin says the Wimberley Inn is not far from his shop.

Actually, I'm liking the looks of the Wimberley Inn more and more. Folks could still share rooms to save money and it would work best for those bringing a spouse or significant other. I looked at the web page and their grounds look nice on there. I bet they have some nice places to just sit around and pick. I'll give them a call and get some details in the next few days.