Halien Party - Chicago, Labor Day weekend, 8-31-13

[buzzenator]

Were you a kid who was always building and fixing things?

When I was about 10 years old I built a minigolf hole in our orchard behind our house. It was just flattened out smooth dirt with a 2x4 border and a hole with a simple obstacle.
Then when I built my house in 1988 I had a 7 foot deep crawl space and I was going to build a minigolf course down there but it never happened. I finally achieved my life-long dream of building a pretty cool minigolf course at the young age of 60.

This photo shows how the party can expand into the detention basin next to my yard for Volleyball & Croquet. Yes that is a toilet seat that frames the vent hole from the gas heater for my hot tub in the screen porch.

Captain Dinkens, the Chi-town mini-golf course Architect...I'm bringing my clubs, especially my putter.

One question...Is the detention basin a "time out" area for Haliens that are out of control? I should probably bring a "time out" lawn chair.

[Himm2]

One question...Is the detention basin a "time out" area for Haliens that are out of control? I should probably bring a "time out" lawn chair.

Hopefully Labor Day weekend won't have the weather that Haley's Hometown Celebration had. If it does your "time out" lawn chair will be under water as shown when we have lakefront property after torrential rains. This is what my minigolf course looked like when there was a swimming pool where U.S.Cellular Field now resides:

[Babbs234]

Himm, do you have a lot of mosquitos after it rains? Buzz, you better bring some bug spray just in case.

Oh, and don't forget your frisbee...

[My Alter Ego]

Were you a kid who was always building and fixing things?

When I was about 10 years old I built a minigolf hole in our orchard behind our house. It was just flattened out smooth dirt with a 2x4 border and a hole with a simple obstacle.
Then when I built my house in 1988 I had a 7 foot deep crawl space and I was going to build a minigolf course down there but it never happened. I finally achieved my life-long dream of building a pretty cool minigolf course at the young age of 60.

This photo shows how the party can expand into the detention basin next to my yard for Volleyball & Croquet. Yes that is a toilet seat that frames the vent hole from the gas heater for my hot tub in the screen porch.

Captain Dinkens, the Chi-town mini-golf course Architect...I'm bringing my clubs, especially my putter.

One question...Is the detention basin a "time out" area for Haliens that are out of control? I should probably bring a "time out" lawn chair.

Sir Buzzalot, were you a Boy Scout? Be prepared -- bring both the lawn chair and a pool floatie (http://www.splashsupercenter.com/Pool-Fu...QgodGDAAbA)

[Himm2]

Himm, do you have a lot of mosquitos after it rains? Buzz, you better bring some bug spray just in case.
Oh, and don't forget your frisbee...

The funny thing is we get free long-lasting bug spray because the Mosquito Abatement Truck comes and sprays the detention basin regularly so we have fewer Mosquitos than anybody else and it doesn't cost us a dime!

[Miguel]

Okay, I'm in.

Because I'm trying to do this as economically as possible, I booked a Saturday flight on United that will arrive shortly before 4 PM. I will leave on Monday shortly before Noon. Airfare is roughly $264 roundtrip.

I used Priceline to book a hotel and chose the "make a bid" option.

My parameters were a three-star-or-higher property in the Northbrook area.

My bid was $50.

The Crowne Plaza Chicago Northbrook accepted my bid. Total came to $60 a night including taxes and fees.

This hotel is rated pretty highly on TripAdvisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-...inois.html

Google maps shows it being about 4 miles from Wheeling's city center.

Priceline also kicked out some pretty attractive offers on rental cars. I tried to bid lower but it wouldn't accept them. Ultimately, I rented a full-size car for $15 a day. About $68 total because the "taxes and fees" were more than the car rental. Apparently any excess that Priceline charges goes to them. The total price though was still less than what Hotwire charged for a smaller vehicle. Turns out the car rental agency is Hertz. The car is described as a "Dodge Charger or similar."

So, about $450 total for round-trip nonstop airfare, 2 days of car rental, 2 hotel nights and applicable taxes and fees.

[lovinghaleyr]

Okay, I'm in.

Because I'm trying to do this as economically as possible, I booked a Saturday flight on United that will arrive shortly before 4 PM. I will leave on Monday shortly before Noon. Airfare is roughly $264 roundtrip.

I used Priceline to book a hotel and chose the "make a bid" option.

My parameters were a three-star-or-higher property in the Northbrook area.

My bid was $50.

The Crowne Plaza Chicago Northbrook accepted my bid. Total came to $60 a night including taxes and fees.

This hotel is rated pretty highly on TripAdvisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-...inois.html

Google maps shows it being about 4 miles from Wheeling's city center.

Priceline also kicked out some pretty attractive offers on rental cars. I tried to bid lower but it wouldn't accept them. Ultimately, I rented a full-size car for $15 a day. About $68 total because the "taxes and fees" were more than the car rental. Apparently any excess that Priceline charges goes to them. The total price though was still less than what Hotwire charged for a smaller vehicle. Turns out the car rental agency is Hertz. The car is described as a "Dodge Charger or similar."

So, about $450 total for round-trip nonstop airfare, 2 days of car rental, 2 hotel nights and applicable taxes and fees.

WOW,WOW,WOW,without a doubt this event is going to be a GREAT MEETnot only with H.E.R. and family,finally some of us can see in person
at our forum hosting "Miguel the magician" and again Tnx.for your time

[Babbs234]

Wow is right!!! I can't believe your coming Miguel! I am so excited. This is so cool! After all you do to promote Haley, you deserve this!!

And you got a great deal on the hotel and rental car. I've got to try that "make a bid" next time I travel. I'm going to a wedding in Milwaukee next weekend, and booked the hotel that the wedding couple suggested.... and am paying $150 for the night!! After reading what your paying I feel like a fool. ( in defense I can say I was looking for a hotel with a bar or club in it for post wedding partys)

[Tusk]

Sheesh this is really becoming quite the confluence... now if we can get more of a balance of ladies attending as well

My total before car rental is $700 (almost $150 less than when I first looked up the price ) but I'm staying almost 4 days and my hotel is a hop skip and jump away from Himm2s place (I think).

Did I read right that there might be some kind of loose activity schedule for sunday? Im not yet sure if I want to schedule another activity like maybe going to Wrigley (as a must see for a basesball fan) they will be playing the Phillies (sorry Himm2 and Haley ).

I live in an American League town but enjoy National League rules (pitcher bats/no DH) so it would be like killing two baseball birds with one stone...

Glad to see you have decided to come aboard, Miguel

[blue22HR]

wait , wait , wait....HER is gonna be there?

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Monitoring this thread, may attend

I live a little south of Chicago (By Midway) so getting there is no problemo!