wrote on Aug 16^th, 2004 at 5:31pm:

We all meet, prepare our menu & even shop together.  Like tonight, we also try out new meals together.  I think it makes for a more agreeable trip if everyone has a say & is allowed to choose some of his/her favorites to be included in the menu.  If distance allows, such a get-together can really help make a group more cohesive.  It's especially good for first-timers and gives them more of a perspective of what the trip will be like.

Pretty much the same plan here. Our whole group gets
together a couple of times each year to plan (make the
big decisions as to where and when). We don't test the
meals, although we are getting to know each others
tastes better each year (which is a chore for eight
trippers, including 2-1/2 vegetarians, who are all pretty
strong-willed  :)). There is a great deal of mutual respect
amongst the group that makes each trip better than the
last.

About two months before the trip, the planning is
complete, including every meal for every day. Then
it is shop, dry, and pack 'til you drop.

-aj