Morning everyone.  Hope you're enjoying the holidays.  I booked the Country Inn and Suites again this year for Canoecopia. Dates are Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11.  I have the meeting room reserved for Fri/Sat evening as well.  The rate for the rooms is the same as last year at $119/night.  We get the meeting room for free if we get ten rooms reserved.  When you make reservations let them know that you're with the QJ group.  We'll figure out the food/beverage thing in the near future.
I'm sure the bs will be flowing freely again this year so make sure to bring some to share!  I'm looking forward to seeing all ya' all again!

County Inn and Suites
400 River Place
Madison, WI 53716
608-221-0055

Later........Mike

Mike … thanks  for doing the legwork on Copia 2023. I am planning to attend. 

Also, for those that will be coming to Copia this year … if you had a memorable trip that you did in 2022 … please come and share it with the group. It doesn’t have to be a PowerPoint Presentation like I gave last year (“Mississippi River Source to Sea”). An informal summary of your trip will work too.

Mike Peebles gave a nice talk last year about his “Biking across the USA Trip”.

I think giving a talk after dinner on Friday and Saturday nights after supper worked well last year.

I have not gone for several years because we were wintering in Texas.  But this year I will not be going to TX due to buying a new house, selling our old house and my rotator cuff issue.  If my rotator cuff surgery goes  well on January 11, I should be able to make it in 2023.  I have missed going to Copia.  I may not recognize some of you after all these years.  Happy New Years!!!

As usual, the Spartans will plan on dropping in for a slice of pizza and a beer on Friday evening.

Made reservations in early December. Thank you mpeebles!

Awesome!  Thank you Mike & Mike for getting the ball rolling.  As of now, my plans are to be there.  Looking forward to it.

pd

Is there a deadline for getting the QJ discount rate? Thanks. 8-)

I called Country Inn & Suites and there is no deadline as to when you can make a reservation prior to Canoecopia. We have a block of 10 rooms available at that price.  Again, mention that you're with the QJ group.
 
Later........Mike

For some reason, when I mentioned that I was with the QJ group they started talking very slowly to me  :D.  They also mentioned something about some really bad singing a few years back  >:(
Go figure???

Thanks Mike! 8-)

No worries!  I'm personally looking very forward to seeing everyone again!

I would recommend that you make your Copia Country Inn & Suites Madison reservations asap. A bud went on line and found that Country Inn is completely booked for March 10 and 11.

Thanks to Mike Peebles for reserving 10 rooms for QJ.

I went ahead and reserved a room, based on Mikes advice. I checked the website and they are indeed full. Must be a few events that weekend. I had no issues with booking. You will need to call as the website will not allow reservations for that weekend. You do not need to pay until you arrive. For your convenience, the number is 608-221-0055.  8-)

Just booked. Thanks for the headsup, Mike!

Sure Terry.

Don’t procrastinate boys … reserve your room now.

I called Marten and sure enough he’s up north at his remote cabin. His wife will be reserving him a room as he’s a regular Copia attendee. By the way she said it’s Martens birthday on Sat 3/11/23.

See you in Madison!

Marten's in!  Got his confirmation in hand.  Thanks so much, Mike

Mine is 2 days after yours ( and a few years later)

If someone would like to share a room, I am willing to do so. Just let me know. Thanks  8-)

I am booked!  I should be able to scare up some Leinie's Canoe Paddle for the crew.

pd

Hello, everyone! I guess it's been awhile since I've been out here. I had access problems for a bit, then just procrastinated.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again as usual!!

ml

Can someone give me the address of the motel where the QJ group will be gathering?  I know there are no rooms available, just need to make sure I can locate the BullSession.
Thanks for the help  MossBack

County Inn and Suites
400 River Place
Madison, WI 53716
608-221-0055

MossBack wrote on Jan 11^th, 2023 at 3:21pm:

Can someone give me the address of the motel where the QJ group will be gathering?  I know there are no rooms available, just need to make sure I can locate the BullSession. Thanks for the help  MossBack

Have you called them? I think we still have rooms in our block. If not, I would share my room. 8-)
Where are you in Indiana? We might could share a ride. 8-)

Bob B. and Jake are sharing my room. Last year Jake curled up on the floor. Not sure if he is going to expect the bed this time.

Thanks for the support from everyone.  I am all set with a room at the Avid, just down the road about a mile.  My wife will be attending with me.  MB

Trying to prepare for our QJ Group Fri and Sat evening suppers and meeting room arrangement at Copia March 11 & 12 @ Country Inn & Suites Madison.

Can you post here if you will be attending Copia and if you will be eating supper on Friday and/or Saturday nights ?

Might be helpful to know what the meal plans are for both nights. Tentatively yes for me. 8-)

Rich … meal plans will be made once we have a FIRM number coming for Fri and/or Sat evening.

Marten and Bob B. will be there to eat both nights. Observing camp cooking etiquette: You choose the food and we do the dishes.

PS   Jake just wants a big bone.

I'll definitely make Saturday night dinner. Maybe Friday as well. I have to see when I can leave the Twin Cities on Friday. I'll circle back when plans solidify.

P.S. I might have my daughter and her dog in tow...but I'll have to let everyone know on whether she'll make dinner. She's be touring UW-Madison that weekend...

I would be there Friday evening looking for food.

If my flight into Madison is on time, I'll be there for dinner Friday.  I'll also be there for dinner on Saturday. 

Looking forward to my return to 'Copia and seeing the gang again.

dd

Good to see Denton Doc is back in the game!  8-) Welcome back!

I will be there Friday evening for whatever is planned.

Looking forward to seeing everyone back at Copia. 8-)

For those of you who are interested we're still planning on having something to eat both Friday and Sat. nights at the motel meeting room.  We think it's a nicer venue for what we do.......mostly BS!  Looking forward.........Mike

Here's what's going on so far as far as meals at our get together go.  As usual, we're going to order some pizzas (and one big bone for Jake) for Friday evening.  We'll see who shows up and order accordingly.
   
Going to throw this out there for Saturday evening.  I'd be willing to make a batch of venison chili for the group (and a big bone for Jake). We could have some cheese, crackers, bread, butter, etc.  I might have some pickled beets and pickles from the garden as well.  The other option would be to get bbq as in past years. If we go the bbq route we need to order ahead of time.   Either way we need to know approximately how many folks are planning to be there for Saturday's dinner at the motel.

Either way, nobody will go hungry!  You might have to fight Jake for a bone but if you win you won't go hungry :'(.  If Jake wins....oh well.

Disclaimer.....I've been told that I cook just like my mom did except my mom didn't poop in it  ;)

One other note on this.  Mike, Scott and I all feel that keeping this as informal as possible is the way to go. We have gotten a lot of positive feedback from a lot of you regarding this. 

Looking forward!..........Mike

Oh.....don't forget to vote. Chili or bbq.  Trust me, if you vote bbq I won't be the least bit offended :)

And......if you vote chili you probably won't be constipated Sunday ;D.

I’ve withdrawn my previous offer. I will be there and am good with either choice. Since you want a vote, I’ll pick BBQ. I’m good with keeping things informal. That’s how we’ve always been. 8-)

Vote, if you’re planning on dinner Saturday.  8-)

I’ll be bringing back issues of BWJ for free giveaways. Please take what you can use. 8-)

We plan to drop in as usual on Friday evening for a piece of pizza and a Spotted Cow.  We will not be there Saturday evening.

Chili sounds good to me. I will not arrive empty handed.

I assume you have all seen presenter schedule is online. I went through and highlighted my initial choices. Looks like it's nearly back to pre-pandemic breadth.

We're going to be dog sitting at my son's home in Madison during the Copia timeframe.  I'll still be attending Copia and our get togethers at Country Inn and Suites.  However, I won't be needing my room at the motel.  Before I cancel I'm wondering if anyone is interested in staying there?  I could just keep it in my name and we could arrange payment.

Looking forward........Mike

Dinner update - I will be at the QJ gathering for dinner both Friday and Saturday.

pd

Okay, talked to Walleye13 and MuleLars....Mike and Scott again.  Here's the plan.
 
As previously mentioned we're going to order pizza Friday evening.

Saturday evening's get together.....
I'll make a batch of chili for anyone that would like some.  I'll also have some crackers, chopped onions, shredded cheese, etc.

For those of you who would prefer bbq we need to know the numbers so we can order ahead of time. 

It's OK to have both.  I'm planning to have some chili and a bbq sandwich.

Looking forward.........Mike

I feel strongly both ways. I’ll choose chili and bbq. Some of each. 8-)

I seem to be missing a page of the most recent posts on this thread??

Something something ... Spotted Cow... the more the merrier...

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Best I can do.

Thanks db. 

Just wanted to say that all are invited to the QJ gatherings. No reservations required ;)

;D Just out of curiosity, what time might dinner be?

We usually meet after Copia.  People filter in at different times.  I'd suspect that dinner would be sometime around 6 or so....maybe a bit later on Friday. 

Mike and Scott......is that about right? 

BTW ......Walleye13 has been promoted to the newly created position of VP of Complaints.  He has no direct reports so he's the man.  Congrats to Mike ;)

Yes Mike … supper times are a bit flexible. It seems we have a group of about 10 staying at the Country Inn & Suites and MuleLars (who lives in Madison) that will be in the meeting room about 5:30 - 6 pm both nights.   Then there are folks that come into the meeting room a bit later at different times on both nights (some of which eat supper and some just drop in for conversation and a beer or pop).

I guess I have been promoted to VP of COMPLAINTS … so please direct any and all concerns to me .. LOL

Josh and I plan on stopping in for a bit on Friday evening.

Nan and Oleg will be attending the get togethers as well. 

BTW, Nan bested me in the  Kawassseecheewonk Lake Bocuse d'or walleye cooking competition in Atikaki last year as judged by Marten and his friend >:(.   However, their dog Pig seemed to like mine better :)!

Jazzman (Bob) and Mike W would like to attend on Friday and would be up for dinner around 7:30.

Sounds good.

Hitting the trail to Madtown. I appreciate MuleLars for arranging the welcoming snow storm. His attention to details is mind numbing. Drive safe everyone. 8-)

I called Country Inn & Suites Madison and “CHECK IN” begins at 3 pm Friday.

See you all there. Drive safe.

I'm going to push off from the Twin Cities around 11 or so. It will likely be dependent on a forecasted lull in the snow. We are really living up to our reputation as Minnesnowta.