latest PASO ROBLES update and a QUESTION for EVERYONE

I feel like a tennis ball .. back and forth, back and forth! Here is the story ...

PASO ROBLES has three groups (Main Street Assoc / Downtown whatever / City Hall) and they all wish to be in charge. They insist that I give them EXACT numbers of cars attending ... NOW! Cars must pay $10 each ... NOW! Late comers to the party can park whereever ?!?
I am not comfortable with this. Too many indefinites.

MORRO BEACH CofC really wants us to come there. They are offering a parking area by the beach (asphalt, very large) and have helped me scout out hotels, eats, etc. The Days Inn hotel will block out 40 rooms at $105 and two restaurants can give us seating together (one will give us an upstairs floor). A couple of our SOC members have volunteered to lead backcountry and winery tour drives.

QUESTION ... I am hesitant to make this move decision myself (though I will personally tell Paso and take the brunt of it) but I need to know if most of you wish to do this. Please tell me FAST, FAST as I need to make firm arrangements. I also need to inform the Kit Car Magazines before Friday so they can make changes in the notices they are printing for us.

Please let me know what you think. I am sorry this is so "last minute" but it cannot be helped. Thanks to all of you for your support.

Happy Trails,
Dusty (and the lovely Miss Sharon)

I'm in for Morro Bay.....
AND, I think you should make a point to tell the Paso people that we are very upset that they feel the need to treat us this way, you may also mention that we will be cancelling all the rooms at the Adalaide and other hotels, and letting them know why...

I have a very big mouth (like nobody know's) and if you need a back-up, I would love to vent....

im in for morro bay..
tell paso to take a hike and we'll take our ca$h elsewhere

The destination isn't the journey. I'm in for wherever. But no need to burn bridges. We may want to drive back down that same road again someday.

Seems like we could use last years attendance numbers.... add 20 percent and all people that show can make up the difference for the no shows if we are short. We all agreed that asphalt was not our media for vehicle display.. we have already locked in our hotel rooms...Please oh please lets not go back there to the asphalt jungle.........

I have booked 2 hotel nights. If I can get out of the reservation with out a charge, I am OK on Morro Bay. Otherwise, $10.00 to park is not a big deal.

This will be my first Speedster group trip, and I would rather not drive all that way for a car show in a parking lot. I would like to go to Paso

Just my 2 cents

Dude, I like grass...man, old habits are hard to break. If we don't book a gig by April 1st Becky and I are in. Cabanaboy-lurking

I definately want to go to Paso, but let's see:

We are split up between primarily two hotels because our favorite hotel is already booked by another group.
We are split up helter skelter in the park, probably wedged in between the kettle corn guy and the tie-dye t-shirt display. Some might have to park on side streets.
The city wants a cash commitment up front, right now.
Nothing is coming together for a Sat night get-togher.

Dusty, if it's time to stop whipping this dead horse, I can cancel my Adelaide reservations and see you in Morro. It sounds like Morro is the best alternative.

Actually, I could kind of see this coming, so I fished around on the internet this morning. This hotel looked interesting, maybe even nicer location and newer than the Days Inn: http://www.thetwindolphin.com/index1.html

Like others, I'm absolutely lothe to hanging out in a parking lot all day. So I will probably want to go off driving somewhere after 1:00 or so. I google satelited some of the roads around Morro and it looks like there is a possibly fun 40-50 mile route in a round-about way to Templeton and back. Maybe we could have an afternoon shotgun start ralley / poker run??? Cars take off in different directions on different routes, passing each other along the way, collecting a card at a "secret spot" known only to their team members -- but nobody knows yet who their team memebers are. That could be fun and I'd be all for that.

We could announce the teams and do poker run winners at Sat nite dinner -- raffle prizes then too.

I'm rambling . . . . sorry.

Mark

paso for me

Morro works for me. I (like most I presume) have a 72 hr cancellation built into my Paso reservation.
Show us the love and we'll show ya the money! This is 'merica ain't it?
On the other hand, Paso is considerably closer for the Nor Cal gang. ...............And Dusty... I salute you for your dedication to this deal. It will be my pleasure to meet you.
......Ernie

What's another 30 miles for us Nor Cal folks?
Dusty,The grass is nice, but I like to DRIVE my car.
Let's do asphalt in Morro Bay for a half day and head for the roads and wineries.

Morro is good,

Larry and the Golden Hind

Dusty -

I'm with Vince/Bob/Terry/Ernie on this, let's take our money where we are welcome - Morro Bay. Sitting in a quaint park is nice, but it gets old after 6 hours. I remember that the Paso Robles CoC insisted the SOC group stay the duration of the Antique/Craft/Vintage Car Fair (09:00-3:00).

I'm willing to cancel my Adelaide rooms and get rooms at the Hotel arranged by Dusty. Or, people can keep their current rooms and adjust their drive/rendezvous times (30 mile separation between Morro Bay/Paso Robles). Another plus for Morro Bay is the fact of more restaurant options for accommodating our large group for evening socializing.

Going on Terry's idea, use the parking area offered, as a Frid/Sat/Sun staging point for;

1. Meet & Greet mixer.

2. Caravan up the coast on Hwy 1 to Ragged Point Inn/Nepenthe/wherever and back. Many photo ops along the way.

3. Cruise through wine country back roads between Morro Bay (Cambria) and Paso Robles.

4. Or split into two separate runs and those who wish to can join either a wine country or Coastline cruise.

4. As Mark P. mentioned , incorporate a rallye/poker run to add to the travel fun.

How often do we get a chance to caravan with other cool folks in 30-40 Speedsters/Spyders along some of the most beautiful scenery in California?

Let's do this - I VOTE FOR MORRO BAY!

Driving beats sitting in a park all day. Since I drove the whole Pacific coast last summer, a cruise up HWY 1 is my cup of tea. Plus I defer to our Resident Magic Man In All Things Speedster, MUSBJIM, on these matters! I am in for Morro Bay!

I'm up for Moro, and I say lets let Vince tear into the Paso people. Vince, bring the Harley not the girlie Ghia.

Pill dispenser, I Love it

Researched hotels on Google Earth and found the evaluations helpful. However, Google
Earth did not show all hotel/motels in Morro Bay. Must be how Google makes there money.
Found Expedia adding a premium on one location vs hotels site. So is we is. Or is we ain't? Or, does it depend on what IS means?

OK AFTER JIMS POST MORO FOR ME

Dusty/Vince:

Take the high road on this - you never know when you might want to return to Paso.

Simply contact the Main Street Assoc / Downtown whatever / City Hall and tell them that you were offered a more welcoming venue in Morro Bay than what was offered at Paso and you were forced to take your expected 50 cars and 80 people elsewhere.

You're sorry you must cancel the 30 - 50 hotel reservations (and the $7500 in revenue) and the three restaurant reservations for 80 people over three nights (and the $3500 in revenue and tips), along with another $1500 or so in ancillary purchases downtown, but you were looking for a better time for your 80 members than what appeared to have been offered.

So very sorry for the inconvenience, and perhaps the SOC could be considered for inclusion in the 2009 weekend(s)??

Maybe that will get their attention..... It's always good to get their attention via their wallet.

Great Idea Gordon....Dusty, do you tell them or me....
I think because they already know you, your the better choice, besides my attitude usually gets in the way of any normal negotiations...I have my wife do the light stuff, and if she needs the Artillary, I come with a smile on my face...

Things are still beginning to get firmed up. More when I have details.

...when Terry calls for cover, Vince "brings smoke"!!

Lets do Morro.

Holiday inn just called to tell me that the event in cancelled. I cancelled my res and will await info on Morro.


:-)

Jim...how did you know...My handle was SMOKER, and they always asked for "H.E."...High Explosives...
That's all I had....no smoke, no illumination, just bad ass H.E.
and none of this 105 or 155...just 175MM and 8" at your disposal...

I remember when the guys 'in field' called for artillery cover they would radio in 'Bring the smoke' - or maybe that was a request for some Ganja!!

Hey Dusty,
Thanks for all the work your putting into this, WE appreciate it! 2 years ago I stayed at the Morro Bay Inn and found it was a very nice place, plenty of parking, some rooms with jacuzzis', they have a bar/ restuarant, and a golf course across the street. I called just to find availability for that weekend and its very tight. I spoke to Kristen Guisto who's in charge of large group discounts, $99-180. A lot of car clubs go there and she is willing to work with us, her number is 805-772-2238 ext.1729. Maybe you could look into this hotel. Google Morro Bay Inn and see if it's an option. Good luck!

bruce

Bruce, the Morro Bay Inn sound good at the group rate price. Way better than their internet cruising prices. The more secure and scenic location is a plus. And there is grass nearby.
Is this one that you have worked with Dusty?

Bruce,
Great suggestion, however, I have spoken with her and there is not enough rooms open for our group. Those that I have spoken with all tell me they would rather be in the same hotel for the general social aspect. I am about to post all the details.

Dusty