Brian’s Comments (group member since Mar 02, 2009)

Brian’s comments from the fiction files redux group.

Neil wrote: "-- congrats on the job, Shel! Sorry you can't make it.

-- my family plans have been pushed back so I may stay until Sat

-- an amazingly talented musician friend of mine will be touring Easte..."

I'm cool... but we should check out the place and evaluate the possible noise levels that will be acceptable to the 'community' :D and the Brick is a definite whether she plays or not.

i loved the squeaky spring bunks and plastic mattresses... reminded me of my bedwetting days and summer camp and that movie hostel. and the locale could not have been better. water in the sound could have been warmer though... my nipples were hard as stone.

DIRECTIONS FOR DRIVERS...

I just want to make sure everyone who needs this can get it... if you're having problems let me know and I can email a copy to you. I'm in the office only 2 more days and I'll be out most of those 2 days.

The Map and Directions can be downloaded from my site here:

http://public.me.com/brian_doucet

the file name is: Directions Dorka to 60 Tiger Lily Lane Ronald WA.pdf

Beautiful JE. Can't wait!

this is the list as i can figure out so far... the days are not that important but it helps to know when people may be dropping in or dropping out :) oh shit, i did a smiley face... psyched!! whoa... now 2 exclamation points... i'll quit now... i won't even talk about the ellipses... i'll leave that up to je *full stop*

01. Nephew Danny (Sunday - Monday)
02. Nephew Matty (Sunday - Monday)
03. Chris (Sunday - Monday)

04. Jennifer WJ (Sunday - Tuesday)

05. Martyn (Sunday - Wednesday)
06. Lorraine (Sunday - Wednesday)
07. Patty (Sunday - Wednesday)
18. Poet (Sunday - Wednesday)

09. Lara (Sunday - Friday)
10. Neil (Sunday - Friday)
11. Shel (Sunday - Friday)

12. Kerry (Sunday - Saturday)
13. Jennie (Sunday - Saturday)

14. Brian (Sunday - Sunday)
15. Mo (Sunday - Sunday)
16. Ben (Sunday - Sunday)
17. Dan (Sunday - Sunday)

18. Micha (Monday - Tuesday)(Friday-Saturday)
19. Dennis (Monday - Tuesday)(Friday-Saturday)

20. Patrick
21. Johnny
22. Lauren
23. Owen

i didn't see bacon on your shopping list mo... i'm very disappointed :)

and as you know... i eat scraps :P in fact it is time for me to go and pick up the scraps before they get too stale.

:D

http://www.badmovies.org/movies/motel...

i've never forgotten one line in an old b movie called 'motel hell'... here's the line :D

http://www.badmovies.org/movies/motel...

hey neil... don't think we can spare a room for two. there are only 6 bedrooms in the cabin. je, lauren and the baby i do believe need a room for themselves. i've had a kid... well, my wife had a kid, i just stood around when she popped it out and then i changed a bunch diapers and read a bunch books to her (the baby... not my wife). so i guess what i'm saying is there probably won't be many 'spare' rooms to go around BUT... we will all be accommodating and ensure no one feels uncomfortable. there may be other rooms not titled 'bedrooms' if chris really feels uncomfortable.

we'll work it out... it'll just be for a couple of days. tell chris please not to worry. i was shy too... until i met this group of people :D

brian

Hi again, and hope you've found your coffee!

NO rush for the numbers.
We've had someone tell us when I called with the lockcodes that 8 extra people were coming. No, we DO NOT APPRECIATE THAT, just in case visions of asking strangers at airports pops into your mind! (They claimed they had told us about 4 of 'em, but noooooooooo!) Anyway, that was "Officially Not Good", and - here's an incentive for you - we did NOT have a chance to leave out enough Starbucks for the full group! (Nor have fully enough extra back-up towels, although there were still more than enough with the "regular back-up supplies".)

I *have* located a couple of possible smaller places, just in case, but I WILL need at least a day or two to figure out the logistics with the owners. (This is for either just a few days, or for the entire week.)
But you can study the bed arrangements, and figure out how friendly everyone wants to be. 3 of the rooms have private baths, and for the other two full bathrooms, they are only shared by 2 bedrooms (lower level) or by 1 bedroom and the loft (upper level).

We leave out towel/washcloth pairs in each room so that there is no duplication of colors within a shared bathroom. (You folks are probably old enough to avoid the "MAAAA, he used MY washcloth!!!", but still, it's sort of personal... and there are plenty of extras, even without doing any laundry. We rent to many large families with children, not to mention OUR children/grandchildren, with varying Cootie Concerns. I'm trying to get one of those old fashioned "Cootie" plastic games - you toss the dice and somehow decide if you can add a leg or proboscis [gotta love that word at about age 5!:], etc.

And you'll find all bed linens color coded by size, so just in case any linens need changing, you'll be able to spot the right size fast. And don't forget the complimentary cleaning mid-stay, at your convenience...)

[We are trying to make this easy for guests, and also - very importantly - so our cleaning crew doesn't need twice the time opening and refolding sheets to find the size they need!:]

And don't worry... we won't be pestering you during your stay. We are on call 24/7, as this is our only short-term vacation rental Cabin, and we do want everyone to be happy, but we do NOT "return the, ah, favor" ;-)

-----------

(HINT: There IS one, a old local tiny jail, in the basement of The Brick, for rowdy patrons - BEWARE!!!. If you are REALLY nice to me, I can try to arrange a tour!)

As I'm sure I mentioned, the Safeway in Cle Elum is modern and a surprisingly large store. Still, it IS a rural area, and so one shouldn't "count on" something necessary.
Farm & Home in Cle Elum is a fascinating view of the "real" local life, and it also has just about "anything non-modern" you might need, boots, mittens, fishing gear, batteries, hardware of all sorts, etc.

Regards,
.... Pennie

I would LOVE to stop by, especially with some Brits present. One of the best years of my life was when I did a Post Doc at Sussex, and took the train to London ~ 2x per week for concerts and museums. Used to fly back fairly frequently, and that has sort of faded out as time went by, MUCH to my regret. I absolutely LOVED it there! Had a job interview at University College London a year or two after I returned, and that was the only one I truly cried about. They gave the position to one of their own grads. A HUGE disappointment for me. (Surprisingly, it STILL hurts to think about.)

Okay, I'll bite: WHERE in England? I lived south, near U of Sussex, and spent a bit of time at Oxford and Imperial College Field Station, in addition to my London visits.

However, we are now in Boston most of the time (our children and grandchildren are in Seattle Metro, which is why we built a cabin like this, and why we built it "there").
We ARE going to be spending more time there, and if we were arriving after your stay, I might go a day or so earlier. (It's a bit weird not to have met any of these people, although some of us still stay in touch, and a few rather quickly ask for "same time again next year", and two of them ... more often - but off-season, when the rates are lower, no surprise).
But we can't afford to forgo the summer rental rates, or NO one will be renting from us at any time of year! We bought sort of at the "peak", but we're still barely okay, because more families now seem to be switching from higher-cost hotels and resorts to self-catering Cabins, so that was a true saving grace. "We used to fly the family to Hawaii every year, but this year, we thought it would be more interesting to explore the local area", etc. ;-) But we are also aware that if we don't keep things in GREAT condition, and keep adding more goodies, we could lose our very real advantage. (We are among the very few that are booked every single night, at least until August 31st, when we still have Labor Day week open. So many children begin school now before Labor Day, that it's no longer the "final family holiday of the summer". Live and Learn. We're reducing the rate, and now will know to do so far earlier next year!

We've gone to the Cabin occasionally, and just switched to a little condo for a weekend if someone wanted to rent our big place. Jay and I sort of rattle around there if we are there alone for maintenance, etc. Even inviting another couple one time... 4 people are mighty lonely in that Hot Tub for 8!

Well, you should be carefully writing out your packing list, which I'm SURE everyone does far in advance and with great care - HAH!
"Meds";
"Reading Material - a) serious b) junk for airplane only [dispose of before being seen with it!:];
"Clothing";
"Non-clothing".
That should take care of it for all of you.
DO let us know if you need any other truly handy advice...!

We'll have "hotel style" amenities waiting in each bathroom, but not enough for the full week. Er, I hope it isn't "enough"!

On a more serious note, we are happy to prestock anything (fridge, pantry, MORE "hotel style" amenities), with only a very slight charge for someone's time, and the cost of purchases. Most people just do it on their own, but especially for those who might be traveling long distances, IF we can be of help...?

We'll also have a few packs of Starbucks, teas, and some other goodies waiting, as I mentioned, but it's not meant to be a full meal of any sort.

Are you all college friends, now scattered across the visible universe? (Ah, any stargazers will easily find some very dark skies to enjoy at night, especially a short distance from the Cabin. The cabin below us has ONE light they keep on, and I'm tempted to send them a box of aluminum foil for the side facing us. Yup, I'll contact them!! It's the only annoyance locally, so we can't really complain. SO... I'll complain anyway.... obviously!)

You shouldn't encounter any serious traffic heading out of town on a Sunday, so allow ~ 90 minutes from SeaTac airport area, and closer to 50 or 60 from the very East Side of Seattle (Issaquah/Sammamish), and a bit longer from Bellevue.
The exit signs are "miles from start" which is downtown Seattle; our exit "Roslyn/Salmon La Sac" is Exit 80, on I-90, pretty much a straight shot, and a lovely drive.

IF you have extra time: STOP AT SNOQUALMIE FALLS. Eat at Snoqualmie Lodge ($$$, but known for huge Sunday breakfasts, RESERVATIONS REQUIRED), or bring a picnic lunch and sit at the park at the BOTTOM of the falls - much better view!
It's exit 25 or 26 (There's only one such).

Best regards,
.... Pennie

Here's another... I'm adding these because she does offer interesting details that you may be interested in...

The Map and Directions can be downloaded from my site here: http://public.me.com/brian_doucet the file name is: Directions Dorka to 60 Tiger Lily Lane Ronald WA.pdf

Hi again,

Here is a set of Directions to the Cabin, with a small map, driving directions (including markers along the way for those who don't want to just "follow Rte 903), and some handy hints about the Cabin.

Everything is still quite new, so there shouldn't be any problems. But if there are, or you think there are, etc., please let us know right away, so we can have it all attended to. Anything "non-emergency"....would be nice to wait until morning EAST COAST time (3 hours ahead of Seattle/Cle Elum time).
We have local vendors on call for all systems, just in case, but we were there last month to get everything serviced, check inventory, add supplies, etc.

For WEEKLY RENTALS, we are pleased to offer a complimentary two hours of cleaning, plus someone to come over to re-balance the Hot Tub chemicals if you've had a lot of use (preferably at the same time, as it is the same person ;-)
That can be done while you are there, or while you are NOT there - your choice.
I'll send you the number, and you can make the arrangements yourself, according to your scheduling preferences.
You can use the cleaning to straighten up the kitchens and/or tidy up the bathrooms, or to change some bedding... whatever you would find helpful.
Or, of course, we can just leave you alone undisturbed, whichever you prefer.
And you can let us know a few days after you arrive, when you have a better idea of whether you might want those services, and what your schedule is.

The Lower Level kitchen is currently stocked with acrylic tumblers and stemware, and we'd appreciate it if you NOT bring out any regular glassware from the Main Kitchen upstairs outside to the Patio. That's to minimize broken glass, especially as there are often little feet running around on the Patio with some of the extended families who use our Cabin.

IF you have any accidents, such as spilled coffee or wine on the rug, please let us know ASAP, so that we can have the carpet cleaned right away, before any stains set. For minor things like that, we won't charge, but if stains just sit... and set... well... let's just hope we still don't have such problems!!

How many vehicles do you expect?
There is room for 2 in the garage, and 2 or 4 in the driveway behind.
Please do NOT park on the little Lane OR on our grass (just reseeded with a sturdy "drought resistant erosion control mix", so please don't expect nicely mowed grass... water is a problem, and we are trying to help, not hurt, the local situation.

The FLOOR PLANS on the attachment are now slightly out of date (bedding, and the Main Floor isn't quite complete inside the master bedroom), so if you could print them out from the WEBSITE (which was FINALLY updated properly) that would be nice. If I get a chance, I'll update our Directions to include the corrected Floor Plans, and re-send them to you.

There is a SUNDAY STREET FAIR in Roslyn, with all sorts of vendors selling their wares, handicrafts, foods, etc., and that can be fun.

And don't forget the Chimposium and phone ahead. There MIGHT be more than once a week choices in the summer. It's a pretty unusual place. Some of the chimps use ASL (American Sign language, so depending upon their mood, they might ask for a few of your belongings, etc. True.

Hope you all have a great time!

Best regards,
.... Pennie

Some emails from Pennie...

Hi again, Brian,

Thanks for the quick reply.
First things first: Keys. NO KEYS! Okay, that was easy.... now for the "numbers".
Just kidding, sort of.... We do not use keys, so there isn't an need to deal with transferring keys or lockouts, etc.
All of the exterior doors have keypad locks, using 4-digit codes, and we always program them to have identical codes. The Hot Tub has a different kind of combo lock, and it might have a different code.

==>> We will be phoning you within an hour of the official arrival time to give you the combinations, so could I please have FOUR cell numbers and perhaps names to go with them? Sorry about the need for 4. Until 2 weeks ago, I thought "two cell numbers" was enough for a main and a spare, but then... one person's battery ran out, and she didn't realize her husband had never activated voice mail [never mind... when might he have *thought* to CHECK voicemail, or if he ever actually turned it on...!?:] and I kept trying to reach them, and check-in time came, and check-in time went, and check-in time disappeared into the past, and it got late, and not a single call..., and Jay and I finally decided, okay, we're here, by the phone... they'll call... maybe they had a L-O-N-G lunch... and dinner... But with the size groups we ordinarily get, there are usually several vehicles, so where are the others!? ALL caravaning (sp?) together in the wrong direction and STILL not phoning!?
(Turned out they had called our manager, and she, not knowing Jay and I were - er, "anxious"? - didn't tell us about what seemed to be one single and routine call, and then she was out of range for the rest of the day, knowing we were "on duty", etc. So our attempts to reach her got nothing but voicemail and no return call... I could write a book.... and this is still only our first full rental year... "can't wait" to see what the next years bring our way... maybe...)

I'll email the password key for the Cabin's secure wireless Internet connection a day or two in advance. I don't want to send it earlier in case it gets changed. We don't change it too often, but do occasionally. One group recently somehow re-set the entire system (NOT appreciated by us OR the next group!), so the equipment is now in a "lockbox". Sigh. We are very near the main Microsoft campus, and with that and all of the Little Microsoft Offspring, there are a lot of VERY tech-savvy people in this area.
Just so you know, there is also a free WiFi (non-secured) in the Lodge near the Swimming Pool. You'll pass that as you approach our Cabin.

Now... TIMES: Official "check-in time" isn't until 4pm, and with the tight Summer Schedule, we won't be able to allow for an early arrival at the Cabin itself. But you can have something to eat at The Brick, in Roslyn, or stop by the Suncadia Golf Resort. But that's a bit more formal (NOTHING is *very* formal in the area), and you might all enjoy it more if you've rested up.

I can also check to see if there would be a problem if you wanted to use the Swimming Pool "early". The potential problem is that we tell *departing* guests they can hang out there to enjoy the rest of the day, as there are locker rooms to change into dry clothes.

Anyway, the LEAST EXPENSIVE way to sit at the Suncadia Lodge and linger and enjoy the view (it IS a spectacular setting) is to sit at the Bar or outside the Bar area, and order a couple of sets of Sliders (mini-cheeseburgers) and share. They used to have a dynamite drink called a "Suncadia Sunrise" [or ".... SunSET"?:], and we were told it was the most popular drink. Then... they stopped offering it. Great business decision. Probably worth a try to ask; we've lobbied for it's return every time, and last visit, the bar tender (be nice, you might see him the next day as a civilian at The Brick - that was funny!) fixed us something else similar ;-) Or should I say, "Be nice to everyone at The Brick; one of them may be fixing your drinks at the Suncadia Lodge"?

Oh, IF you are hungry late some evening, and The Brick has stopped serving food, just carry pizza over from across the street. Friendly place!

Now... NUMBERS... 20 or 25? The Rental Agreement has "15". It's okay to add more, ==> as long as you think everyone will be *comfortable*, and you pay a slight extra for those in excess of 16 (current Rental Agreements have a slightly lower number, but your Rental Agreement has the old number).
There is a small nightly charge for additional people.
But you've rented the entire Cabin, obviously, so the number of people can always be adjusted up or down.
Just let us know how many are there. Given that it is a week-long stay, if some people stay less than a week, we can pro-rate the charges... minimum of 3 nights per person, mostly to cover linens (and a bit for general wear and tear and utilities, etc.), which are our biggest per-rental specific expense, given the time it takes including those pesky duvet covers on every bed.
One our our pet peeves is hotel/motel bedspreads with loud patterns and "who knows WHEN it was last cleaned", so we flick them off the bed instantly! NO such problem for OUR rental guests .

ALSO: Please note that no large adults should be in Upper Bunks, to be prudent, and the convertible beds aren't quite as comfortable as the regular beds, and you've got all adults. We usually have the larger groups that include a bunch of children, for those Upper Bunks and the convertible beds.
PLEASE: IF YOU WANT ANOTHER SMALLER PLACE VERY (*VERY*) CLOSE BY, just let me know, and I'll try to find one. Those are much smaller, but thus also much less expensive. The Cabin right next door very recently became available for occasional rental use, and that's obviously the most convenient. The "very least expensive" would be a "condo", and I put that in quotes, because it is not a "long hallway with doors", etc. Each little cabin-type condo sits on its own garage, VERY nicely done (nicest/cutest condos I've ever seen ;-). There is sort of a race-to-the bottom on pricing of the "too many" much-smaller cabins in the area, so it truly wouldn't be expensive. (They also have far fewer amenities, of course.) It's the larger Cabins that are in high demand, and we almost wish we had two or three of these; there usually aren't places big enough for us to refer people to if we are already booked.

Whew... what else is left besides directions... which I'll send in the next email.

We hope you all have comfortable flights in. I take it you are flying the longest distance? Others from oversea? We often have sub-groups/sub-families flying in from around the US and Canada, but less from elsewhere, at least until now.

Thanks again, and let us know what else we can do to help!

Best regards,
.... Pennie

So here's the latest...

01. Lara (Sunday - Friday)
02. Brian (Sunday - Sunday)
03. Patrick
04. Neil
05. Chris (Sunday - Monday)
06. Johnny
07. Lauren
08. Owen (the baby)
09. Nephew Danny (Sunday - Monday)
10. Nephew Matty (Sunday - Monday)
11. Kerry (Sunday - Saturday)
12. Mo (Sunday - Sunday)
13. Ben (Sunday - Sunday)
14. Patty (Sunday - Friday)
15. Poet (Sunday - Friday)
16. Jennie (Sunday - Saturday)
17. Dan (Sunday - Sunday)
18. Martyn (Sunday - Wednesday)
19. Lorraine (Sunday - Wednesday)
20. Jennifer WJ (Sunday - Tuesday)
21. Shel (Sunday - Friday)

This is what I've got after adding Shel and JWJ (Martha and Paul cannot make it)...

Dorka 10

01. Lara (Sunday - Friday)
02. Brian (Sunday - Sunday)
03. Patrick
04. Neil
05. Chris (Sunday - Monday)
06. Johnny
07. Lauren
08. Owen
09. Nephew Danny (Sunday - Monday)
10. Nephew Matty (Sunday - Monday)
11. Kerry (Sunday - Saturday)
12. Mo (Sunday - Sunday)
13. Ben (Sunday - Sunday)
14. Patty
15. Poet
16. Jennie (Sunday - Saturday)
17. Dan (Sunday - Sunday)
18. Martyn
19. Lorraine
20. Jennifer WJ
21. Shel (Sunday - Friday)

Good lord. Pennie and I are having a major chat fest. I think it's now 4 LONG emails from her. She is jumping through loops to ensure we're comfortable.

Lara, Martyn, Lorraine... Which parts of England or you from or have lived? She lived there for a while and I'm tempting her into joining us for a night or two (although she and Jay live in Boston).

Pennie sent me 2 very long emails. I will post them tomorrow. There is important info in them so all should read. Driving instructions are included and a map. But I'm using my phone now and my thumb is objecting to this pecking.

From Pennie (the owner)... No keys. Digital locks... We will be phoning you within an hour of the official arrival time to give you the combinations, so could I please have FOUR cell numbers and perhaps names to go with them? Check-in time is 4:00.

So can some of you send me your cell phone numbers either in a message or email me. Thanks. And head count is important. Finalizing the rate :)

Her emails crack me up in a good way. I love this...

[Here is a sobering thought:  As you drive up the ultra-modern and always-being-widened Interstate 90, just imagine how the Pioneers did it!  And without any central heat, or running water, or 197 flavors of toothpaste in approximately 10,000 different sizes and types of containers...]

Thanks for this Lara... Pennie is asking for the headcount though it doesn't have to be accurate down to the last arm or leg.

so we start...

1. Lara
2. Brian

http://photo.goodreads.com/photos/128...

i've put the photo here in our group...
and did i read your post right patty??? jennifer weaver-jones? are you really truly coming?? did i miss this somewhere? this is such great news!