SE Florida GTG April 8th & 9th - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/10/2006 09:40:50 AM · #1

For those of you follwing this thread, I've decided to make a fresh start.

We had a group of people who were planning to meet at Johanthan Dickinson State Park on the weekend of April 8th & 9th and I postponed it (long story). After much consideration, and a sleepless night, I have decided that I am going ahead according to our original plans.

I HOPE that everyone can still make it. And perhaps even more people will notice this new thread.

Here are the details:

Jonathan Dickinson State Park has all of the amenities.
This is the busy season, and it may be very crowded.

St. Lucie Inlet Preserve, Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, Blowing Rocks and the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse are all in that area. We may want to head out to one of those places for some seclusion.

The whole place is amazing, with the bluest water I've seen in Florida.

It may be pretty hot for camping; but for those interested JDSP has sites available. I'm told the "River Campground" is close to the Cabins. The person on the phone gave me different info than the reservation website. One campsite can accomodate two large, or three small tents and two cars. I did a test reservation on reserveamerica.com
and the price came out to be more than I was told over the phone (800-326-3521). I suggest choosing the campsite online and then calling to reserve it. If you want to share a campsite, PM me and I'll compile the information. Due to the heat, I will either stay in a hotel or drive back home for the night (My husband's a wuss; and needs cold to sleep).

They also have cabins for $85 to $95 per night. Reservations are not taken until on or after March 9th. That number is 561-746-1466.

I'll be going down to scope it out in a couple of weeks. It might be worth reserving a site, if you plan to stay in the park. Once I make the trip, I'll be back with some better information, including hotel options.

These people orginally planned to attend. I'm waiting to get one last confirmation from them after the confustion I created.

PhotosByAmye
Idnic & Guest
ArpeggioAngel
Sickdog & Crystal
yakatme
yakatyou
wmprkg
davidcara & 2 Guests
Gracious

Please forgive me for the back-and-forth. If this changes again, it won't be because of me. I will be there!

CreativeFlyPhoto

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

03/10/2006 09:46:23 AM · #2

so far as i know we still plan to go :) ... the 8th .. stay over somewhere that night and have the day of the 9th too i would imagine

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

03/10/2006 09:53:32 AM · #3

That's great Amy! Thanks for your flexibility. Can't wait to meet you.
Roxanne

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

03/10/2006 09:57:17 AM · #4

Still working out my plans. I'm taking the week of the 10th off for vacation so might just hit the GTG on my way to the keys :D

ArpeggioAngel

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

03/10/2006 12:10:18 PM · #5

I am still up to come out at least for one day - probably the 8th. Probably won't have the funds to spend the night, but am still looking forward to at least a day of shooting with my fellow DPC'ers! Thanks again Roxanne for taking over the arranging and staying on top of everything. I appreciate it as I am sure the rest of the gang does!

wmprkg

Nikon D70

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Nikon

03/10/2006 05:56:15 PM · #6

I'll be there. My wife might come too. I'll make my reservations for camping next week. I'll be on a cruise starting tomorrow.

See you then.

Wayne

03/10/2006 06:04:13 PM · #7

Great! I should be posting an update after next weekend. Thanks, everyone, for hanging in there.

davidcara

03/11/2006 01:49:46 AM · #8

I still plan on attending. I was just informed of a possible business trip for that weekend, but I am trying to get our of it.

03/11/2006 07:50:01 AM · #9

yakatme and yakatyou will be there whenever it happens. We were planning on driving up there on Saturday and spending the night. As I have said before, we are very flexible, and will arrange our schedule around those who have time constraints.

BTW, thanks to greatandsmall for forging through the turmoil. I think that it could not have been handled better by anybody.

sickdog

Sony DSC-F828

03/13/2006 08:46:13 PM · #10

crystal and i still plan to go. we'd like to get a camping site and want to know if anyone else is interested in camping as well. it sounds as though everyone is bringing a lot of equipment and such things. we are bringing a tent, some beer and food and a camera... we dont currently own any attachments or lenses...

we'll be roughing it!

03/13/2006 09:51:53 PM · #11

Hey sickdog,

We might be camping too, I just have to consider the temperature. Greatandsmall says her husband is a "wuss" because he won't camp when it is hot. I'm no wuss (and I bet he isn't really either) but I just can't sleep in a confined space when it is hot and humid. I'd like to camp, as I haven't camped once this season. I just need to be able to sleep. Worst case: we'll stay in the cabins next door and be in the neighborhood, but camping with fairly cool nights is my preference.

I'll let you know soon. Have to check the weather history.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/13/2006 10:01:53 PM · #12

LOL! I was probably a little hard on my husband. It really is hard to sleep in a little tent, on the hard ground, in heat and humidity. If the weather permits, there is still a chance that we will camp too.

When we go down, this weekend, I'll look for some affordable motels as a third choice. A couple of years ago, we found a nice, renovated, roadside motel for $50 per night.

Chris, Don't feel inadequate about your equipment. I have nothing but my camera and a couple of lenses. Don't even have a polarizer, yet. I believe it just pushes you to excel when you have limited equipment. At least, that's my story right now!;)

This is really going to be fun. Can't wait to meet all of you!

Cheers,
Roxanne

notonline

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

03/14/2006 03:06:47 AM · #13

Damn now your making this sound fun.

sickdog

Sony DSC-F828

03/14/2006 06:54:14 AM · #14

yeah camping in the heat aint sounding so cool. being from northern california we're not used to the heat quite yet.

yes it is sounding fun.

how many people do we have going so far?

Our last camping trip

colyla

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM II

03/14/2006 09:21:28 AM · #15

Originally posted by sickdog:

Well that looked like an interesting camping time! :)

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

03/14/2006 10:23:12 AM · #16

Originally posted by sickdog:

Chris, as far as the beer thing goes you and my husband will be on the same page. But if you guys get us kicked out of the park...I swear to God, I'll tie you up and feed you to the alligators;)

If everyone can make it, we have 15 people who plan to attend. If I've left someone out, please contact me and I'll amend the count.

PhotosByAyme and her boyfriend
wmprkg and possibly his wife
yakatme
and his son yakatyou
ArpeggioAngel
davidcara (if he can get out of business trip)
Gracious
idnic & guest (tentatively)
sickdog & Crystal
greatandsmall & AJ

ArpeggioAngel

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

03/14/2006 10:37:02 AM · #17

I think Bacchus was planning to attend as well from the previous thread. I will send him a PM to advise of the new thread and to see if he is still interested.

03/14/2006 10:43:31 AM · #18

Originally posted by ArpeggioAngel:

I think Bacchus was planning to attend as well from the previous thread. I will send him a PM to advise of the new thread and to see if he is still interested.

Thanks Katie!

sickdog

Sony DSC-F828

03/16/2006 07:04:00 AM · #19

does anyone know what cities surround the park. we're trying to get there on greyhound but i cant find any nearby stations.

03/20/2006 04:03:31 PM · #20

Hello Everyone,

Went down this weekend to Jupiter. Must say I was extremely disappointed in the whole place. It has changed dramatically since the last time I was there. The traffic (cars & boats) and crowds are atrocious, and the water isn�t as nice as it was before. The biggest disappointment was Jonathan Dickinson State Park. It has suffered a great deal of hurricane damage and to make matters worse; they have just done a controlled burn. Most of what�s left standing is charred black. Coupled with the expensive charges and the unimpressive kayaks, it doesn�t measure up to their website�s depiction. The �cheap� hotel where we stayed for $50.00 is now $105.00.

I thought that area would be more beautiful and with greater opportunities, than The Treasure Coast. After my visit, though, I�m convinced that we would pay a great deal less and get a lot more if we were to do it here in Sebastian & Vero Beach.

One of the perceived benefits was the on-site kayak rentals. However, JDSP�s rentals are very expensive and low quality. If you choose to come to my area instead, I�ve arranged to get quality kayaks to the river and then return them to the rental place (N/C). We would have them for 24 hours; so you could explore the river as long as you like. Another benefit of doing it here would be that Grayce (gracious) and I could host and be your tour guides. We are very familiar with this area and all it has to offer. She has offered some great ideas regarding places to eat and to view nature. The biggest benefit would be a significant savings. I�ve typed up an analysis of both scenarios. Please look over each one before you decide. Then let me know whether you would prefer to keep the GTG at JDSP, or move it to The Treasure Coast.

My goal is for everyone to have the best time possible. All input is appreciated.

sickdog: There is a greyhound station in Vero Beach. Depending on your arrival time, I may be able to pick you up.

Please check your emails for attachments containing two possible iteneraries.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

03/20/2006 04:49:22 PM · #21

Just sent a message out to everyone. I have some attachments to include for those of you who don't have your email address posted. If you would like to receive them, please contact me so that I may send them.

Look forward to hearing everyone's input.

Roxanne

ArpeggioAngel

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

03/20/2006 04:52:01 PM · #22

Roxanne,

Whatever the majority vote is....doesn't really matter to me too much one way or the other - but if pushed for my vote - I would have to go with option 2. Only due to the damage from the hurricanes and prescribed burn. Although the Jupiter lighthouse would still be cool.

Katie

Gracious

03/20/2006 09:53:43 PM · #23

Sickdog, Melbourne would be the closest city, just north, and then there is Vero Beach, just south. Fort Pierce is a little further south. Hope that helps.

Originally posted by sickdog:

does anyone know what cities surround the park. we're trying to get there on greyhound but i cant find any nearby stations.

03/20/2006 10:01:05 PM · #24

Hey greatandsmall...YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!