Meet Up 2015

[Morganna]

Hey, loves!!!

Just curious, have we started planning a 2015 meet up yet? I didn't get to come to the one last year and I REALLY would like to meet everyone!

Please, if possible, can we NOT plan it between July 15 - Aug 10 !?!?!?! I will be in Nicaragua on a volunteer trip and like I said, I REALLY want to go!!!

[Skytroque]

I believe another thread was talking about Chicago? I'd have to check though, can't remember offhand...

[Morganna]

Awesome!

[Dancing Fish]

Chicago would be wonderful! Coincidentally those dates are bad for me, too. :)

[Mermaid Marissa]

I believe another thread was talking about Chicago? I'd have to check though, can't remember offhand...

We did start talking about Chicago but we never came up with an actual date or anything yet.

[Morganna]

We did start talking about Chicago but we never came up with an actual date or anything yet.

Well, let's do it! I mean, summer is only a few months away, and people will need time to plan, take off work, etc. :)

[Morganna]

Just curious, has anybody ever been to the Wisconsin Dells? It is the Water Park Capital of the World!

[Maethor]

I love the Wisconsin Dells! If they allow tails, that could be pretty fun! I would also love to go to a meetup this summer, and Chicago is super close for me too!

[Morganna]

I'm sure of all the water parks in The Dells, there has to be at least ONE that would allow tails! I mean, at the very least, it's free advertising! Of all the water parks, in a city full of water parks, how many can say that they will have a Pod of Mermaids?

[Dancing Fish]

I nominate Indiana Dunes State Park...I remember it being quite nice...oh...20+ years ago... :$ But it's quite beach-like, and not too far from Chicago.

[Maethor]

Oh that's even closer to my house! It is pretty nice!

[Morganna]

I've never been there. The pictures look pretty though.

So, so far up for grabs we have:
1.) Chicago
2.) The Wisconsin Dells
3.) Indiana State Dunes

Anybody have any other suggestions?

[Morganna]

I also mentioned in the Pod of the Midwest's page, since they are so close and a lot of us overlap.

[jvry8c]

I'm rather close by. Will definitely swim by for one of the events. Sounds like a ton of fun.

[Mermaid Menanna]

I would be VERY interested in the Wisconsin Dells location. That's the only one on the list I would have access to, but will depend on when. I can only do such things on weekends. Since I live so close to Wisconsin Dells I will make mention for those who aren't familiar with the area... they have a mermaid themed hotel there and in the instance of bad weather, I'm thinking it might just be possible to get them to donate some free pool time for a pod of mermaids if the pod would be willing to interact with the guests and such as a "feature appearance" to promote the hotel. I have stayed there before... rooms are reasonably priced, clean, and good size and they have a large indoor pool as well as an outdoor pool. I am hoping that once I get used to my tail I can work a deal with them to trade me for weekend pool time in exchange for my appearance as their "resident mermaid" to promote the hotel.

[AquaFin13]

Yes, their waterparks are amazing.. but that wave pool at Mt. Olympus, All most killed me!

[Mermaid Menanna]

I have never been to Mt Olympus or any of the water parks in the Dells even though I have lived here in WI for most of my 45 yrs... just the mermaid themed hotel, which was amazing. I have always wanted to swim in the river even knowing the high level of tannins in the water. Not sure what effect that will have on tails? I do plan to find and take advantage of the many beaches in the Dells this summer as much as possible. I think Lake Delton is a private lake, for homeowners only? But I know it's not the only lake up there, and I am sure there are plenty of beach access areas where we can find to swim. If this location is of interest to anyone else I am happy to make phone calls and do the research and check out locations in the coming months to help set this up, all I need is the guidance and to know what is needed. Since I don't work outside the house and am stuck here all the time, I have plenty of time on my hands to do this stuff. I'm so excited about getting my first tail and am eager to meet everyone around here that I can. I will be in desperate need of mer support as I dive into all of this, and anyone close enough to swim with me this summer would be a blessing. I am very nervous about going out into public in this area... people here are a little funny about anything "different" and I have never seen anyone around here with a tail before. This is surely going to be culture shock for my little town, lol.

[Kishiko]

Wisconsin Dells!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mt. Olympus is one of my favorite places ever [emoji7][emoji7]


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[Morganna]

Well, since more people than not have shown interest in the Wisconsin Dells, lets tentatively pick the Dells. We've been discussing dates in the other forum, and I forgot we had the convo going in two places.

I vote either:
Fri July 3rd - Sun July 5 (I know this is over Independence Day, but the Dells has some amazing fireworks displays)
Fri August 14 - Sun August 16
Fri August 21 - Sun August 23

Personally, I vote one of the August dates. It is late enough in the season that it won't be overly packed, it won't be unbearably hot, and it's far enough away that we can plan and people can get off work.

[Morganna]

We are moving this discussion to FB since it seems that more people see the info there.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/340374309315745/

[merstorm]

hey lets keep the conversation here I wont use facebook. If the dells is to be picked lets pick a place that allows our tails and make sure the dates are net the expensive ones to keep more mers involved

merstorm

[Mermaid Menanna]

We are moving this discussion to FB since it seems that more people see the info there.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/340374309315745/

I tried to join the fb group but it won't let me post, says it's "still pending". Is there anywhere you can approve me so I can participate in the conversation please? My fb name is "Dawn Moneyhan" Thanks!

[Skytroque]

Wisconsin...far side of the lakes, lol...I might be out for this I don't know yet.

[Morganna]

I tried to join the fb group but it won't let me post, says it's "still pending". Is there anywhere you can approve me so I can participate in the conversation please? My fb name is "Dawn Moneyhan" Thanks!


Unfortunately, there are only 2 admins in the group. I wish they would add more, but I can't make them. lol. They will add you when they see you requested to join. :)

[Morganna]

Wisconsin...far side of the lakes, lol...I might be out for this I don't know yet.
Awesome!!! We (the people who are chiming in) are still hashing out details. But definitely head over, that way you can have a say too!!!

[Morganna]

A FB event has been made for the 2015 Meetup.

https://www.facebook.com/events/403599906486253/

Feel free to add yourselves!

Here is the basic info:

"It was decided that the 2015 Great Lakes Pod Meetup would take place in Wisconsin Dells, WI on the weekend of August 14 - August 16. You can stop in for an afternoon, or the whole weekend!

The Wisconsin Dells is the Water Park Capital of the World, as well as having several beaches. If you'd like more info on the dells, here is the website: http://www.wisdells.com/wisconsin-dells-water-parks.htm (http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wisdells.com%2Fwisconsin-dells-water-parks.htm&h=QAQFnuGKX&enc=AZPuxu59coupjrpmnkI1ueKV0tRBLONbhQSlFloDbQ0OmQ beUihSCwCHZ8auZjLdSBA&s=1)

The Meetup is NOT restricted to Mers who are in the group! Family, friends, children, and people who would like to join the community, or just have fun for a weekend are all welcome!!!

Anyone that would like to help with planning, setup, or anything else, just let me know! :)


For those who don't know, or are not in the Mer community, here is a little backround info about the Pod of the Great Lakes, taken directly from our FB group:

"This is a group for the Pod of the Great Lakes, a group for all the mermaids and mermen living in in the great lakes region! For more specific borders, check the map.

What are pods? Pods are groups of merfolk based on location. You can think of each pod as a club just for people in your region, designed to build local communities of merfolk. By connecting with other people in your region, you can make friends, share information relevant to people in your area, and even start local meet ups!

Each pod has its own mascot, colors, and coat of arms- like a clan or family. You could also compare it to a sports team, or the different houses at Hogwarts from Harry Potter. The mascot of our pod is the Brook Trout, and our color is Forest Green. For more information, check out the Pod of the Great Lakes forum, at MerNetwork!"

[Morganna]

hey lets keep the conversation here I wont use facebook. If the dells is to be picked lets pick a place that allows our tails and make sure the dates are net the expensive ones to keep more mers involved

merstorm

I will keep updating this post, but most of us have been talking on FB either on the event page, or the Pod's Group. :)

[merstorm]

hey thanks for the update trying to get my tail fixed done right :D

[Morganna]

Yup! No problem!!!

[Cordelia]

I'll be keeping my eye on this thread, too! I can follow the facebook link, but I don't have a mermaid page and won't post from my actual account. >.< Sorry. Most people don't know about my secret life!! :D

A meet-up sounds super fun, though! I would be more interested in a day trip up to hang out at a beach than hanging out at a waterpark. I live in the Chicagoland area, but I'm used to driving a lot to get to work/fun events. I see that this has been posted on the fb page:


It was decided that the 2015 Great Lakes Pod Meetup would take place in Wisconsin Dells, WI on the weekend of August 14 - August 16. You can stop in for an afternoon, or the whole weekend!

Is there an itinerary, or are the details still being worked on?

[Mermaid Menanna]

Cordelia, there are a few lakes in that immediate are that we could all gather at (for free) if the weather is good. Nice beaches and likely less crowded than the waterparks. Whether the whole group wants to do that or not is yet to seen, but I do intend to spend at least part of that weekend at a couple of those lakes/beaches. Anyone/everyone is welcome to join me. I don't do well with large crowds...

[Morganna]

What I'm planning on doing is doing a "Tentative Itinerary" once a few more people chime in. But of course people are able to come and go as they please!
What I'm thinking is:
Friday
- Settle in since people will be arriving at different times.
Saturday
- Morning - Swim in the hotel pool since not all people are morning people and they can meander down as they please.
- Lunch (Hopefully together!)
- Afternoon - Swim at a lake / beach
- Early Evening - Free time
- Dinner - Together or separate
- Evening - Free time
Sunday
- Swim at the hotel
- Checkout :(

[Morganna]

The places we are voting between to stay are:

- Black Hawk (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60403-d283905-Reviews-Black_Hawk_Motel-Wisconsin_Dells_Wisconsin.html#photos)
- Peppertree at Tamarack (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60403-d553380-Reviews-Peppertree_at_Tamarack_HOA-Wisconsin_Dells_Wisconsin.html)
- Tamarack and Mirror Lake (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60403-d559515-Reviews-Tamarack_Mirror_Lake_a_Festiva_Resort-Wisconsin_Dells_Wisconsin.html)
- Polynesian (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60403-d247930-Reviews-Polynesian_Resort_Hotel-Wisconsin_Dells_Wisconsin.html)

I will be calling places tomorrow (Tuesday) but you can vote now, and you can always change your vote.

[Mermaid_Syrenity<3]

Hopefully I can go if I can get the time off from work. :D

[Cordelia]

Since the facebook group is now closed to non-members, can someone still post updates on here? I do not have a mermaid account and for professional reasons need to keep my personal facebook account separate. Thanks! :D

[Morganna]

https://www.facebook.com/events/403599906486253/ is the event page. It is not set to private.

[Cordelia]

Oh, thanks! Sorry about that. It looks like I followed the wrong link earlier. Keeping my eye on this, because I'd love to go. I'm just not sure if it will conflict with any other schedules, yet. *flippers crossed*

[Mermaid Menanna]

I didn't get many photos but here is what hubby took for me at our meetup at Devil's Lake on Saturday. I wish more could have made it. It was great fun and I can't wait until the next one. What a wonderful group of people! :)
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And here's a link to my video:
https://www.facebook.com/dawn.moneyhan/videos/vb.100000904517223/1024139904292817/?type=3&theater

[Kumori Kitsune]

cute I hope to go next year

[Mermaid Menanna]

I have already found a couple of better beaches for next year. Devil's Lake was very rocky. There's a wonderful clean sandy beach in Portage and another in Madison. I spoke with lifeguards at both beaches and they welcome mers. :-) Next summer isn't going to get here fast enough for me.