Bok Tower Gardens visit (Lake Wales, FL) - 5/22/10

03/31/2010 10:06:44 PM · #26

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

I have heard that the Chalet food is awesome too, but the Cafe is more my style. I have a feeling that a gang of DPC'ers having lunch or supper at the Chalet might be "quite noisy" and may be distracting to the other people who are expecting romantic dining with their spouses or significant others.

If there is a right sized meeting room at one of the hotels that can be used, then all could pitch in for catering and make it a shooters and guests only thing. That way we could get a projector, put up a screen and hash over the day's pix as we eat.

Not related to meals, but outdoors would probably have mosquitos that time of year, so we also need to think about that possibility.

you want me to see if the Hilton could do this??? I have no idea what the "rate" might be but maybe I could "sweet" talk them...hmmm

03/31/2010 10:35:41 PM · #27

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

I have a feeling that a gang of DPC'ers having lunch or supper at the Chalet might be "quite noisy" and may be distracting to the other people who are expecting romantic dining with their spouses or significant others.

You're right. Even if we only have 15-20 people, we'll still be wanting to chitchat a lot so we don't want to eat in a quiet kind of place. Not sure we need a whole meeting room; I guess it depends on the final count. Right now 15 might be a good guess.

03/31/2010 11:28:29 PM · #28

Originally posted by Tammster:

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:
I have a feeling that a gang of DPC'ers having lunch or supper at the Chalet might be "quite noisy" and may be distracting to the other people who are expecting romantic dining with their spouses or significant others.

You're right. Even if we only have 15-20 people, we'll still be wanting to chitchat a lot so we don't want to eat in a quiet kind of place. Not sure we need a whole meeting room; I guess it depends on the final count. Right now 15 might be a good guess.

I'll call the hotel tomorrow...do any of you know where you'll be staying???

03/31/2010 11:40:41 PM · #29

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

but outdoors would probably have mosquitos that time of year, so we also need to think about that possibility.

I second that. Mosquitoes are bigger than me around here and I am 6'2... Haha! But I know of a cheap place that is pretty decent. I mean it is no high class food or anything but it is very relaxed and a noisy group of photographers would not be a problem. But then again there is no place for a screen to be set up. So maybe the private room in the hotel would be best anyways.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

04/01/2010 01:38:10 AM · #30

One of my relatives reserved a block of rooms at Holiday Inn West at Port St Lucie Fl about a month ago, and they had a room about 40X40 there with portable tables and chairs which we used for a "before the wedding" meet & greet dinner for 40 people at no extra charge. We just had to set up and put away the tables and chairs. Some of the family made the dinner.

04/01/2010 10:51:06 AM · #31

ok, here is what I just found out...

we can get a group rate of $89 per standard room (King/2 Queens/Double) this is NOT the suites. IF we can book 5 rooms here we can get the meeting room for free (otherwise it's $160 total cost). I would need to set this up as a group and there are 3/4 local pizza joints that do deliver. and they have plenty of plug-in's for our equipment etc. They also have ticket at a discount there for $9 each ($1 off), I have a membership to Leu Gardens that get's me in...JuliBoc ck out your membership and see if they are on the list...each garden has some "special" gardens that are included. Also Tammy if you have 20 people paying to get into Bok Towers there is a discount....(I would not be in that number as I have got my membership)

So is anyone interested in staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites

Message edited by author 2010-04-01 13:40:37.

04/01/2010 12:00:44 PM · #32

Yes, we've already reserved at the Hampton. In fact, they told me that if anyone in our group mentions that we're with the photography group that they'll give us a discount.

Regarding Bok Tower tickets, if you join their fan page/group (not sure which?) on Facebook and sign up for their newsletter, they will email you a free coupon to go one day (I already got mine, assuming that's still valid but I"m not sure).

04/01/2010 01:41:24 PM · #33

Originally posted by Tammster:

ok, that's two of us there...just need 3 more people...let me know when we have all five and I'll contact the person at the hotel so that we can get the room ok...(conference room that is)

04/01/2010 01:51:40 PM · #34

I'm pretty sure I know at least two other rooms that our group will have but I think a lot of people are waiting to commit I have heard a lot of interest but only a few who have actually said yes for sure.

JuliBoc

Apple iPhone 6s+

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

04/17/2010 05:44:36 PM · #35

Larry and I have confirmed room reservations at Chalet Suzanne for Friday and Saturday. We want to have a private dinner there one night. Which night would be best for the GTG group to have dinner together?

04/26/2010 02:18:56 PM · #36

Just a bump as the date is coming closer and closer... I am going tomorrow with my GF for our end of the year celebration/date because we have both worked hard in our last few weeks of school this year.

This is the only catch... She made me promise that I would not bring my camera as she kinda knows how I am when it is with me. She said this "I don't want you skipping off with your true love (talking about my camera) leaving me behind." Lol.. She has a point though.

So instead of taking pictures I will be scoping the area for some possible areas to get a few good shots while we are there. I can't wait!!!

05/15/2010 02:51:24 PM · #37

What time is everyone getting there?

05/15/2010 03:34:05 PM · #38

Not exactly sure. We're leaving Friday late afternoon... shouldn't take too long to get there. Are you driving yourself?

05/15/2010 07:25:42 PM · #39

I don't have a car so I will be taking the train to Lakeland where my brother will be picking me up. I am going to most likely get to Lake Wales either that night or drive from Lakeland Saturday. Does anyone know what time I am going to need to be at Bok tower? Are we going to get there when it opens?

05/16/2010 06:26:27 PM · #40

Bump? I just need to know what time I need to actually be at the tower.

JuliBoc

Apple iPhone 6s+

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

05/16/2010 07:09:54 PM · #41

Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

Bump? I just need to know what time I need to actually be at the tower.

The Meetup event says 8:00 a.m.

05/16/2010 07:38:08 PM · #42

Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

Are you still in Lake Worth? If so, you can drive with us Friday... if you don't mind staying two nights.

05/17/2010 09:23:51 PM · #43

Originally posted by Tammster:

Originally posted by mbrutus2009:
I don't have a car so I will be taking the train to Lakeland where my brother will be picking me up. I am going to most likely get to Lake Wales either that night or drive from Lakeland Saturday. Does anyone know what time I am going to need to be at Bok tower? Are we going to get there when it opens?

Are you still in Lake Worth? If so, you can drive with us Friday... if you don't mind staying two nights.

I have some friends and family there so I will just ride up there on the train. No big deal. My brother is up there so he can pick me up at the Lakeland train station.

III CCCAAANNNTTT WWAAAIIITTTT!!!!! :D

05/17/2010 09:37:35 PM · #44

Originally posted by mbrutus2009:

Originally posted by Tammster:

Originally posted by mbrutus2009:
I don't have a car so I will be taking the train to Lakeland where my brother will be picking me up. I am going to most likely get to Lake Wales either that night or drive from Lakeland Saturday. Does anyone know what time I am going to need to be at Bok tower? Are we going to get there when it opens?

Are you still in Lake Worth? If so, you can drive with us Friday... if you don't mind staying two nights.

I have some friends and family there so I will just ride up there on the train. No big deal. My brother is up there so he can pick me up at the Lakeland train station.

III CCCAAANNNTTT WWAAAIIITTTT!!!!! :D

Now we just have to hope for GREAT challenges tomorrow night that will work with Bok Towers. Out of focus... maybe. I'm looking forward to meeting you.

05/18/2010 09:06:11 PM · #45

I will be there at 8am to all who going! I cant wait to go!!! I think I will be leaving the park at around 1 or so because I will still need to get home to Lake Worth that night. I just got word that my friend is sick with something very serious and she will not be able to go to be a model for us. That being said I will be the only one there for me.

See you all there!!! :)

05/21/2010 09:14:22 PM · #46

So Tammy how is the weather there? I'm leaving in the am around 7 will get there around 9:30 ish

05/21/2010 09:22:37 PM · #47

I just checked weather.com and I found that it will be a nice and HOT day!

Here is the update on it.

May 22 Tomorrow
Mainly sunny. High 93F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.

May 22 Tomorrow night
Some clouds early will give way to generally clear conditions overnight. Low 72F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.