Chicago Meet (August 28-30) discussion

[nickc50310]

Originally Posted by CadillacGurl

What hotel are you staying at downtown??

Sorry for the late reply! The problem at my work that was causing me to have unlimited internet has been resolved and I am blocked from the forum again! LOL!

Anyhow, we would be staying at the Homewood Suites by Hilton. Gorgeous hotel right near all the good stuff!

However, at this point I am going to downgrade my status from a yes, to a maybe-probably. I am getting myself into a more fiscally responsible mode. I will likely have some huge expenses next year in the way of an expensive piece of jewelery, if ya know what I mean! I am doing great with my business I recently started but I am also paying off all of my credit cards in the process. Business has been great but I need to see how I do in June and July before I know for sure if Im comin. Since my bumper is cracked from a minor mishap over the winter and my GF is fresh out of college, this trip would likely cost me somewhere in the neighborhood of 1500 to 2000 dollars. Definately doable but that money might be better spent on more responsible things.

Like I said though, Im still probably in. I should know by mid July for sure though!

[CadillacGurl]

Originally Posted by gdwriter

Hey Nicki, can you get a group reservation for Granite City for Sunday brunch?

The only problem with Granite City is that it is 45 minutes away from Downers. My other recommendation is what we did last year was go to Omega Family greek owned restaurant. I can definitely check Granite City if you guys are up for driving that far.

[gdwriter]

Originally Posted by nickc50310

this trip would likely cost me somewhere in the neighborhood of 1500 to 2000 dollars.

Holy crap, Nick! Just how drunk do you plan on getting?

When I did Des Moines two years ago, I spent just under $1,000. Of that, nearly $400 was for gas. With the combination of lower gas prices, better gas mileage for Sabrina and running regular instead of premium, the trip cost calculator at gasbuddy.com, estimates at current prices I'll spend $450 on gas for Chicago and back, and that includes detours to eastern Washington, Montana, Mt. Rushmore and Minneapolis on the outbound trip.

I'm cheap and my main criteria for a motel on the road is that it be clean and allow pets, so I generally use Motel 6 since my only real complaint with them are scratchy towels and sometimes wimpy pillows. So I'll rarely spend more than $60 a night.

I'm budgeting $1,500 to $2,000 for my trip, but I'll be on the road for two weeks.

[dirt_cheap_fleetwood]

Originally Posted by CadillacGurl

The only problem with Granite City is that it is 45 minutes away from Downers.

If need be I can borrow my Dad's full size van (the newer one, not the POS I dragged at Quad Cities last year) and we can all pile into that. Its no Navigator with a shot suspension but it will do.

[Rodya234]

^ a 45 minute drive for everyone else is a 30 minute drive for me.

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

I'm down for some GC.

[90Brougham350]

Not a finer place to grease off a hangover in the whole world! And a huge mimosa for $4.50!

Brian

[gdwriter]

Originally Posted by 90Brougham350

Not a finer place to grease off a hangover in the whole world! And a huge mimosa for $4.50!

I can't remember if I had a Mimosa or a Bloody Mary in Des Moines. Knowing me, I probably had both.

[CadillacGurl]

Originally Posted by dirt_cheap_fleetwood

If need be I can borrow my Dad's full size van (the newer one, not the POS I dragged at Quad Cities last year) and we can all pile into that. Its no Navigator with a shot suspension but it will do.

Up to you. It's in Orland Park, address below:
Granite City Food & Brewery
14035 South La Grange Road
Orland Park, IL 60462

[gary88]

Granite City is about 15-20 minutes from me, I'm down

[iowasevillests]

If its as good as the one in Kansas City I hit up on occasion I'm down for GC as well, whats another 30 or 45 minute drive when I drove 450 miles there in the 1st place!

[EndlessRyd]

GC is really close to my work... If there is a Cadi gathering there.... I'd be there! I live about 15 miles from there.

[Rodya234]

Sweet, the place is pretty much a clean shot from where I live. Forget 30 minutes, I could do it in 20.

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

If we're going to GC, I'll skip the brunch and just get a cuban.

[CadillacGurl]

Flying Monkey sounds like a good morning drink