It's a long ways off, I know. But, there's an old saying about the early bird getting the worm. MuleLars and I are working on getting discount reservations at a motel close to Copia. Walking distance preferred to save parking costs. If there is sufficient interest, we will reserve a block of rooms for Friday and Saturday nights. Depending on what is decided, costs appear to vary from $100-150 per night. We are working to get those costs down.

For those who may attend, there will be a Saturday dinner somewhere. We want to know how many will come for how many nights. Post here or pm me to let us know. Thanks. 8-) 8-)

Vote here. 8-)

I would definitely be there for Friday night. Would like to share a room to cut cost and would be open to Saturday too.

Would not mind if we just ordered out from the motel. Looking forward to seeing what you find.

Thanks Marten. That's helpful input. We are considering doing a catered meal at motel for Saturday dinner. What do others think?

As for sharing a room, that's a great idea. I'm a lousy matchmaker so everyone can do their own pairing... 8-)

We are considering booking a meeting room at a nearby venue, to designated as 'QuietJourney Room'. We would plan to have a catered dinner on Saturday night at a cost of approximately $15 per person. This room could also be used by those wishing to gather informally, perhaps for trip planning and socializing.

We need to know interest level to see if this is viable...what do you think?

Not completely sure that we are going next year, but if we do, we'll stay a ways out at the same place we always do.  At the end of the day, we just like to get away a bit.  We would still be interested in knowing the information about your meeting room and your dinner, and any times when you get together informally, however.

I would be interested in both a place to sleep and a place to meet.

I would probably be interested in both.  I appreciate prior efforts at arranging dinners and know it is difficult to please everyone.  But I am not interested in another sit down dinner where it is very difficult to get up and talk to other people.  If we had a critical mass of people staying at one motel, we could get a meeting room and order pizzas.  We probably could even get the room for free.

As an option for either Friday or Saturday night we could consider meeting at the Rathskellar (spelling) at Memorial Union on the UW campus.  It actually would be a perfect place to meet.  As a graduate of UW, I could become a friend of the Union and have the privilege of inviting guests.  Perhaps a member of Quiet Journey is already a member of the Union.  Memorial Union is really a classy place and a main stay of UW.  I think there is a parking ramp within 2 or 3 blocks of the Union.

Tonight I get to watch the Badgers beat Alabama.

I'm planning to attend this year, so I'm up for all QJ related events and potential lodging options.

dd

Interested in both nights lodging & a meeting place & a Saturday night dinner (& I echo Westwood's sentiments re: finding a venue where it is easy to get up & around so we can visit with various people).

I appreciate the initiative, guys!

Jimbo   8-)

This is a great response. We appreciate the encouragement and suggestions. If we can get a few more room commitments, we can likely get a meeting room. Pizza on Friday sounds good.

Keep the suggestions coming... 8-)

Thanks Marten for informing me about this. Yes, I'd be interested and would share a room if needed. I'd vote to be walking distance as I usually drive a rig I'd prefer to leave parked at the Excel.

>)))))*<J

We could use a few more votes in the poll. If we have enough support, we will book a meeting room. It would be available Friday evening and all day and evening Saturday.  8-)

I am interested in lodging both nights, meeting room and suppers. Count me in on all counts.

We have a good deal for lodging and dinners at Copia 2016. We have 10 rooms reserved for both Friday and Saturday nights and can reserve more if there is sufficient demand. We are at the Country Inn & Suites, 400 River Place, Madison, near Rutabaga in Menona, near hwy 12-18, about 4 miles from Copia. Please reserve even if you're only planning on one night.

We have use of a meeting room on both Friday and Saturday. We are planning pizza for Friday night and BBQ for Saturday night.

Each room has 2 queen beds, free Internet, free hot breakfast, fridge, microwave, etc. Cost is $112 per night (Copia discount). This will allow those who wish to share a room to do so. You pick your own roommates.

Call them at (608) 221-0055 to reserve. Tell them you're part of QuietJourney.com to get the rate.

Normal rate is about $135-140 per night. I've reserved my room, and I trust you will too. This offer expires February 11, 2016, so don't wait and forget about it. Please post here when you reserve so that we can keep track of numbers.

We will post more about dinners next January. Dinners will be available to everyone, regardless of where you lodge.

Much thanks to my co-conspirators, MuleLars and Wally13, without whom, this would not be possible. MuleLars is our 'boots on the ground' while Wally 13 and I provided air support. Any questions, please post here. 8-)

Web    (You need to Login or Register

Can I cancel if plans change? Yes, anytime up to 6pm on March 11.
The meeting room provides multiple opportunities for story swapping, trip planning (bring calendar & maps), socializing.

8-) 8-) 8-)

Country Inn & Suites will be a good venue! It's pretty new, and they're very nice there.

And I think the ability to mingle more at dinner will be a lot better than sitting at a big table. It's worth a try, anyway!

After the new year, we'll do some polling on numbers and such. I suspect one of the issues will be beverages, since we'll be gathering at a hotel with no bar. One of the questions I'll ask later is what your preferences might be for beer. I can get a general variety, or we can do a byo kind of thing. I want to make sure everyone has what they want, tho. As I say, I'll do some polling as we get closer.

Great work by OS and Wally13 pulling this together! Let us know what you think!

ml

Spartan2 wrote on Sep 5^th, 2015 at 11:57am:

Not completely sure that we are going next year, but if we do, we'll stay a ways out at the same place we always do.  At the end of the day, we just like to get away a bit.  We would still be interested in knowing the information about your meeting room and your dinner, and any times when you get together informally, however.

Im posting here so that i can track this thread and to echo Spartan2's plans. I'll be staying in the usual place some ways out of downtown. I think I can make both nights but also might have my 11 and 13 year olds with me for the weekend which will be interesting :). So I'm a tentative 'yes' for one or both nights dinner/planning and will firm up my participation post-holidays.

I just called Country Inn & Suites Madison (608) 221-0055 and reserved 1 room with 2 double beds for $112/night for Friday March 11 and Saturday March 12 for Copia. Just had to mention quietjourney.com discount and all went smoothly.

They emailed me a confirmation.

OldSalt wanted me to remind all QJ'ers that we need to reserve 10 rooms to get our discount, so please make your reservation if you plan on coming.

Wally13

To clarify, the discount Wally 13 referenced is for the meeting room. We get the $112 rate regardless of how many book. It's a pretty good rate for Copia weekend. A nice advantage is that it makes it easy to connect with other QJers, which is one of the main reasons I go to Copia. Even the free breakfast can be a gathering. 8-)

NCTRY - Ben and I are sharing a room and have made our reservation. Thanks for setting up this great opportunity to get together. I can see that this is going to make for a fantastic weekend.

Right now, I'm planning on coming to 'Copia, but have the fortune of staying with family.

.....@ MuleLars - re: beer - Lienenkugel's Canoe Paddler!  What else would you serve at Canoecopia!  ;D

pd

I have made a reservation for March 11 and 12 for Jimbo and me at Country Inn and Suites.

Ditto.  Current reservation for nights of Mar 11 & 12  at Country Inn.

Still unsure of which path my journey will take to Madison.

Lienie's Canoe Paddler ... gotta like the little kick of rye in your brew!

dd

Snowdog and I will be sharing a room at the Country Inn & Suites. 8-) We'll have a QJ party.

Magic Paddler & I will be sharing a room at the Country Inn & Suites on Friday and Saturday nights.

Jimbo   8-)

Glad to hear all the reservations coming in!

I'll see what I can do about the Canoe Paddler. It's seasonal, so hopefully it'll be available in March!

But that is a great choice.

Just a reminder that if you haven't yet done so, please contact the Country Inn & Suites at (608) 221-0055 to make your reservations for March 11-12. 8-) Deadline to get the QJ discount is February 11, 2016. Just mention 'QuietJourney' to get the discount when you call. ;)

Details will be posted about Friday and Saturday dinners. It will be a fun time as we gather for a QJ rendezvous of sorts. If you want advice about trips, bring your maps.  ;)

All the Copia info is up.   (You need to Login or Register; 8-)

Going. Just booked Clarion. Bought something rather long and need to keep an eye on it and get it home. Also tired of hassling with parking and driving in from a bit out of the city. Looking forward to it.

HighnDry wrote on Jan 31^st, 2016 at 1:03am:

Going. Just booked Clarion. Bought something rather long and need to keep an eye on it and get it home. Also tired of hassling with parking and driving in from a bit out of the city. Looking forward to it.

Must have gotten a closeout deal on X-C skis... ;D