2011 First Annual K9Cushing's Get Together

Okay everybody we have a date chosen for our first ever k9cushing's get together. The 2011 meet up will be in Show Low, Arizona. I reckon those of you coming in from out of state will be arriving on Friday September 23rd and departing on the 25th. I'll be sending out motel info and more info in the near future.

If you are flying in, you can fly to Phoenix Skyharbor International and rent a car or you can try to coordinate a connecting flight with Great Lakes Aviation. They have one or two flights a day from Phoenix to Show Low. It's about a 40 minute flight by prop plane and it's fun. The municipal airport is only a few minutes from my mountain home, so I can pick you up and take you to your motel or to one of very few car rental agencies in town. The drive from Phoenix to Show Low is about 3 to 3 1/2 hours depending on how you drive. I'm a maniac so I get there in 3. :D It's a very pretty drive and I should know because I've been up and down that mountain a lot. :D

I really hope you all can make it. There is a lot of stuff to do if you want to explore and see some pretty sights or we can just sit around my place, drink some margaritas, eat fattening stuff and shoot the breeze. I've got a bbq and the store is right down the street so liquor runs and groceries are quick and easy.

If I can get a head count, I can see if I can reserve rooms at a reduced rate at a nearby motel. I've stayed at the KC Motel many times while looking for homes and Leslie stayed there when she came to take her baby, Trinket, home. It's a no frills place and dogs are welcome, plus the folks that run the place are super nice. Maybe we can get the whole place to ourselves. :D

FYI, Jennifer and her husband, Chris, are coming all the way from Australia!!!! Woohoo!!! I hope you all can make it to.

Oh...wish I could come....but may just have to make do with a Skyype visit!
But then it's a long way off so maybe something will work itself out. ;)
Jo-Ann :)

Yes we are coming.......

It's a bit exciting and I hope to be able to meet some of you that I've "Known" for what seems like forever.

We are arriving in Phoenix on Thursday 22nd September in the afternoon and driving to Show Low on Friday. We will be in Show Low for 2 or 3 nights and our flight out of Phoenix is the morning on Thursday 29th September. Deb-I hope you can manage Show Low but if not maybe we can arrange to catch up in or near the airport?

We are planning to spend 4 night in or near Miama/Fort Lauderdale from October 14 before we fly home so anybody near there?

Jenny

Dear Glynda
It is a little too early for me to say. But I think I would love to go. Hope more people join in.
Hugs Sonja and Apollo

Sonja, I would be so excited if you could make it. I think it's going to be a blast and I'd love to give you a big hug. I'm big on hugging so if you show up and I throw both arms around you, humor me and just go with it.....and don't say I didn't warn you. There are worse things in life ya know. :p

Show Low is a strange name for a city but there is a story behind it. I've cut and pasted a little blurb about Show Low which includes the story below:

Quote:

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Show Low
Show Low , Arizona, the commercial and tourism capital of the White Mountains, was established in 1870 and incorporated in 1953. Located in southern Navajo Country at an elevation of 6,331 feet, the city is 174 miles northeast of Phoenix, and 193 miles north of Tucson.

Show Low received its name when C.E. Cooley and Marion Clark decided there was not enough room for both of them in their settlement. The two men agreed to let a game of cards decide who was to move. According to the story, Clark said, "If you can show low, you win." Cooley turned up the Deuce of Clubs and replied, "Show Low it is." Show Low's rich heritage has created a thriving town that has prospered due to its many resources and attractions. Was pioneered by Native Americans and Mormons who settled the land. Today, people from all over the country are discovering the secret that residents have always known: Show Low is a great place to live, to own a business, to work and to enjoy our wonderful recreational opportunities.

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Show Low isn't a vacation mecca but we do have motels there and in nearby mountain communities of Lakeside and Pinetop. I'm including a link to the Trip Advisor website because you can read reviews on the limited number of motels so you aren't going in blind. You'll notice that the KC Motel is at the top of the list. I think I mentioned that this is a no frills motel but it does the job, the owners are nice and they are dog friendly. I've stayed there many times and Leslie stayed there with Squirt and Trinket. She can give you her own take on her stay there.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g3...na-Hotels.html

For those of you who love to gamble, there is a nearby indian casino up the road. The Hon-Dah Casino and Lodge is 12 miles up the road at the far end of Pine Top. I've stayed there too and it's also no frills but hey, there's slots and gaming tables so what the heck. Plus there's some beautiful country up there that is worth looking at.

http://www.hon-dah.com/

For those of you who prefer your own home away from home, there are vacation rentals available in Show Low and surrounding areas so I've included a link for those as well.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/VRACSearc...Alt=0&sleeps=0

Please let me know if you have any questions and in the meantime, I'll try to think about any other information I can share regarding things to do.

Gosh, I would so love to come but not sure if I can make it work. I have no one to watch Zoe. Maybe I can find someone.

Ohhhhhhhh, I have to work on this.

Hugs,
Addy

I'm getting excited. I hope lots can come and I know the distance may be a problem but remember how far I am coming.:p

Jenny

Addy, I think Zoe is small enough to ride in cabin under your seat so maybe you can bring her with you. I know Squirt, Trinket and Brick will be there and so will my Lulu. I'm hoping John and Pattee can make it and bring their cutie patooties. I'm also hoping Debbie can drive up the mountain with Chewy and Obi. It's going to so much fun.

We're another month closer to our get together in Show Low, AZ. I'm hoping a lot more of you can find a way to make it. I don't know about other states but airfare to Phoenix from So Cal is $49 one way. It's a 3 1/2 hour pretty drive to Show Low from there or you can pay $140 one way to take a little puddle jumper to Show Low. My house is only a few miles from the airport so I'll be happy to be the shuttle service to and from the airport.

Geez, Im getting all teary eyed thinking Ill be missing this BIG shenanigans. I don't think the royal Princess is small enough to ride under the cabin seat--haaaaaaaaaaa. I hope our next conference will be coming to New York. Hint hint:D. Can't wait to see the pictures already. Have a great time everyone and make sure you throw in some Princess talk at your conference from time to time--lol.

Love you all . Xo Jeanette

Me and hubby will be there will bell on:D

We will have our own transport and be easy to spot, we will be the ones driving on the "wrong"side of the road.:eek:

Jenny

Jen, we get a lot of snow birds (elderly that migrate to AZ for the winter) so you aren't the only ones that will be driving on the wrong side of the road. I often wonder what degree of a hazard my mother is on the road.

Just bumping this up... getting ready to make reservations at the nearby campground that we have stayed a few times. :D:D:D

Hoping the Wallow fire is well under control before September and does not reach Glynda's home in the mountains. It looks scary up there with no let up in the wind.:eek::eek::eek:

I haven't heard from my mom so the fire isn't that close. Mom's siren goes off when fires are within 25 miles of home. :D What a shame that AZ has two huge fires burning.

I am getting ready to make my plane reservations. I'll be driving to Show Low next month so I've decided to fly in September. From California, I think I can still get the $49 one way flight on Southwest. What really sucks is the airfare for the little puddle jumper flight is two to three times the cost of the Southwest flight. I may just rent a car and drive. It's a beautiful drive. Maybe I'll drop in on Terry and if we're lucky, she and Corky will keep me company on the way up the mountain.

I'm getting excited but I am bummed that I only have a few months left to try to drop five or fifty pounds. :D Free flowing margaritas, good food and good company sounds like a heck of a lot of fun to me.

That sounds like a plan. God willing, Corky and I would love to keep you company going up the mountain.

It seemed such a long way away but it is getting here. Hubby is starting the countdown from 100 days which is pretty close.

I am not panicked yet about all I have to do before we leave but I know that's just how I operate.

I still have to get the contract sorted out so that the dogsitter/housesitter knows she must not let our pups love her more than us.:D:D

It will be really good to be able to say see you soon.

Jen

Okay, I made my reservations today. I fly into Phoenix on the 22nd and fly out on the 26th. Terry, I'm renting a car so make sure your and Corky's bags are packed.

102 days to go.

I'm excited.

We are flying into Phoenix on Sept 22 as well but it will be straight (after the plane changes) from Oz so we will be a bit zombie like and will stay the night close to the airport and get a car and head to Show Low on 23rd.

It will be great to catch up with as many of you as we can.:D

Jenny

I'm probably going to have more things packed for Corky than for myself. :D:D:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by littleone1

I'm probably going to have more things packed for Corky than for myself. :D:D:D

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Just let me know if I need to get a full size car. :D

Well, I have read this for the first time today and if ok, I have decided to come! Whenever you have a chance, motel information would be awesome, Glynda! I think I may rent a car and take the drive - the last time I was in AZ, I flew into Phoenix and drove to Flagstaff and throughout the Grand Canyon, and I really enjoyed it - the scenery is SO different than what I am used to!!

I think this is just what is ordered...thank you!!

Lynne, Angel Bailey & Angel Clyde

Oh Lynne, I was already excited by now I can't stand it. :D This is great. I think I posted motel information but if I haven't, I'll get it posted soon.

Yay, Lynne, is coming to Show Low!!!!

Here's the post with info on motels and the area in general. I like the KC Motel and so does Leslie. They are really nice folks there and they love dogs.

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/show...67&postcount=6

WOOHOO!!! I really did like KC's. It is nothing fancy but it was clean, homey and the folks were very nice.

The drive is gorgeous from ARK to AZ and I bet it will be coming from your direction, too, Lynne. Just don't stray off onto Indian lands and for heaven's sake don't take pics without asking permission first! :p The Laguna got very excited when I stopped to take a pic of a pretty flower - come to find out it was a sacred plant. :o OH, if you do happen to get onto Indian territory, don't worry.....they will come from out of nowhere to let you know. :p

Will try to come. Like Terry, I'll probably have more in the car for Apollo than myself. Hope to come.
Hugs Sonja and Apollo

Yay, Sonja!!! I really hope you can make it. We are going to have so much fun. This just keeps getting better and better. YIPPEE!!!

Just in case any of you need reminding it is 51days to Show Low. I am getting very excited and really hope to meet some of my best friends.

Jenny

I can't believe it's only 51 days away! Yippee!!! I've had the great pleasure of meeting a few of you and am looking forward to meeting more of you. For those of you that will be coming to Show Low, please PM me and I'll give you my home and cell phone numbers so you can let me know when you are in town.

Yay! Can't believe it :)

STILL JEALOUS!:D BUT IN A GOOD WAY....

ENJOY EACH OTHER EVERYONE...WISH I COULD BE THERE...

LOVE YA... xo Jeanette:)

I have held up posting what my status is about the get together as long as possible, in the hopes that my health problems would improve. I have had a long term fight with chronic back pain that has been normally well controlled my oral pain medication. Starting 4th of July, my back pain blew up big time, it's pretty much worse than it's ever been. My pain management doc tried adjusting meds, increasing doses, adding/changing meds, with no success. I have now had my 2nd epidural injection today with unknown success as it may take as long as a week to work. Unfortunately, I am not hopeful, as the first one done onn 8/22 was a total bust. I will not be able to attend because of all of the above.

I am so very bummed to miss the opportunity to meet a lot of you, especially Jenny who will probably win the prize for traveling the farthest. Please have a wonderful time, & know that I will be thinking of all of you.

Debbie

It's okay Deb I truly understand. It was a big ask to try to get people organized for one particular weekend. I also understand that a lot of you have pups still requiring lots of special love and attention so you have to do what is right by them. Our own health seems to take second place sometimes.

I am still coming and even if it ends up just Glynda and me then so be it. It is going to be hard when we have a drink for each one of you that wanted to come.:D

Jen

PS I think instead of calling it a reunion it will be a steering committee for a reunion. Glynda has already taken the title Assistant Chairman so I am going for the Other Assistant Chairman because hubby says it he has to be there then he wants to be President.

Okay now, one of you has got to take a computer with them with built in camera and download Skype and sign up - it is FREE.

That way we can set up several times that one of you (or all of you there at the reunion) are on and for those who cannot make it, can "ring" you and we can all talk for a few minutes.

Debbie, that way you can still hear and see everyone. I know I would love that cuz I will not be there either.

Any troubles on this call me and I will walk you through it.

I sure wish I could be there, too, in person!! But please know that we'll ALL be there in spirit. :)

So for any and all who are travelling, stay safe. And whether or not it works out to Skype, maybe we can at least set one time at some point over the weekend when (depending on the time zone :p) we all can hoist a glass, or tip a hat, or raise a tea/coffee cup, or just give a thought to one another and mentally "toast" our wonderful k9cushings family...;)

Marianne

I, too, will be missing you all this year. :( Every time I have managed to get a little money saved for the trip, either the babies or I have ended up needing it for medical reasons, or the truck broke down, or, or, or.... From time to time, I got real excited because I could see a light at the end of the tunnel but, of course, it was just another train every time! :p

My heart will be there for sure and I would be thrilled to raise a glass with the family via Skype or phone.

AND as you sit on the deck and consider next year's gathering, I'm tossing out Eureka Springs, ARK. ;):D Beautiful country, unique little town and dog friendly.

Hugs,
Leslie

I went to Show Low over Labor Day weekend to bring my mom back to California. I took Gil's Apple laptop and Sprint wireless modem thingymajig and we get no Sprint service in the mountains. :( Maybe John has another service that will work.

I was so hoping that I was going to meet a lot more members in Show Low but it doesn't seem to be an advantageous time or convenient location for most. I haven't reconfirmed with John and Pattee yet and I until I hear back from them, it's just me, Jenny and her hubby, Chris. I don't think two or three members constitute a reunion so Jenny has rebranded the ever shrinking event as the reunion steering committee meeting. I think that was a brilliant decision. :D We'll put our heads together and come up with a time that will work for most members who want to participate. We'll have to start drinking early in Show Low to make sure everybody will be awake when we raise our glasses. Oh darn! :p

Ha ha.. We'll be there:D Decided to stay in a hotel instead of bringing the RV up the hill.

John, there is no need for you to get a motel room. You can stay at my place. I have plenty of room. The cottage and apartment will be waiting. Clean sheets, clean towels, clean showers, refrigerators on, coffee maker and coffee, cups, etc. If you let me know if you like a particular creamer, I'll have it for you. If you all stay with me, nobody has to worry about driving home after drinking either. No worry about drinking and driving....our biggest problem will be falling down the steps on the front porch or on the deck of the cottage. I've done that sober so maybe I'll be more agile after a drink or two. :D Mmmm, Margaritas are sounding pretty darn good.

Yay John.

Have you decided on your steering committee title yet?

Looks like President is taken and there are already two Assistant Chairmans. How about CEO? (Cushings exec.officer)

Jenny