Summer Picnic in the Mountains

Summer Picnic in the Mountains

JerseyGuy and I have been working on a summer gathering in order to meet each other. Many of us have become very close by posting on the website but we would like to put names on faces and get those hugs we have been promised.

I think all of us can say that we have changed since our cancer diagnosis. I, myself, am a much different individual and want to give more of myself. We hope that by meeting together we can come up with some strategies to advance the awareness of bladder cancer. BCAN is doing an excellent job. We just want to help more and hope that BCAN officials can attend.

The picnic itself is being held at The Swag in Waynesville, NC on July 18th. It is on a mountaintop in a very inspirational setting. I wanted a beautiful, peaceful location where we could meet and I think I have found it here. There will be a buffet lunch/grill with one of the top chefs in the area preparing it for us. The cost is $30 a person. There is lodging here but it is very expensive. If you can afford it, it would be a memorable experience but most of us cannot afford the luxury.

Maggie Valley is a small tourist town adjacent to Waynesville. It is actually closer to The Swag than Waynesville. I went on a scouting mission checking out various motels there. There are so many that I could not stop at all of them but I think I found a couple that are very nice and reasonable. My personal favorite was Four Seasons Inn. It is located on a lovely creek just make sure you request a creek side room. The website is www.fourseasonsinn.com and the rates quoted me were $79 and $89 a night. The rooms are large and very clean. Another almost equally as good choice is Creekside Lodge and the website is www.creeksidelodge.com. The rates are about the same as the other. If you call either, tell them you are planning on attending the Bladder Cancer Picnic. Most give discounts for AARP and AAA. A motel with a rustic feel is Smoky Falls Lodge with rates beginning at $89. It is nice but they are almost booked for the weekend of our event by motorcyclists. There is a rally that weekend which tells me that all of you should reserve as soon as possible. I can also check out personally any other motels you find on the internet. I also went to the chains- Best Western, Ramada and Comfort Inn. They are just generic motels with high prices and small rooms. I also visited the Waynesville Inn and Country Club. I was not impressed with it either-just a generic motel room and the location is not as good as Maggie Valley. There are also bed and breakfasts in the area. You can find them on the internet.

For campers, there are several campgrounds. My husband and I are RV owners too. Creekwood Farm (Good Sam) Park is nice. Maggie Valley has several with the largest being Stonebridge. The nearest KOA is in Asheville, actually Candler, on the Waynesville side of Asheville.

The nearest airport is Asheville Regional and all the major car rental companies are there. The small jets mostly use this airport. My husband and I have flown out of here and find it very convenient. Other options are Greenville/Spartanburg, SC about 1 1/2 hours away and there are often good deals from certain airports to here and Charlotte about 2 ½ hours from here.

There are so many attractions in the area that if you plan to attend, I hope you are able to spend a few days just sightseeing. If you like nature, hiking, and walking, there is Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Also there are walking trails around Maggie and Waynesville. There are 5 golf courses in Waynesville/Maggie. Tiger Woods is building his first signature golf course nearby. The Blue Ridge Parkway offers a beautiful scenic drive. There is a casino in Cherokee along with Indian culture just 25 miles away. Asheville is a 30 minute drive and has the Biltmore House, largest personal residence in the US. I have also scheduled our picnic to coincide with Waynesville’s annual Folkmoot Festival. It is an international music and dance festival that is fabulous. There is a free parade on Friday and performances every night for fee. Folkmoot has a nice website. There is so much more to do but I haven’t the space. Just use the internet and ask me questions.

I look forward to meeting everyone. I will begin accepting deposits for the picnic beginning on March 1. 50% will reserve you a place at the luncheon. (The cost is $30 a person so that would be $15 per person for the deposit.) I will happily refund anyone who reserves and then must cancel. The remainder can be paid the last of June. If you are already on my friend list, I will send you my address. If not, please request me as a friend and then I will get back to you.

By Cheyenne
Posted March 2, 2009 at 12:43 pm
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Good morning. I would love to meet everyone, unfortunately my seizures have gotten to a point where travel by any means is not possible, at least not until my brain is fixed. But I will be with ya'll in spirit,

Cheyenne

By BJsHere
Posted March 2, 2009 at 5:19 pm
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I will be there! Looking forward to hugs as well! Maybe we can put together a scrap book and or video for people like Cheyenne that can't make it.
I know your spirit will be with us!

BJ

By Moonerj
Posted March 2, 2009 at 5:52 pm
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My wife and I will be making the trip from Canada.
We plan on taking a few extra days to tour this beauiful area of North Carolina. Maybe a game of golf too!
We are really looking forward to meeting the many friends we have made here at BCAN.
Jack

By balihigh
Posted March 2, 2009 at 6:29 pm
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As I mentioned in the post, I encourage everyone to make their reservations soon. I will help you in anyway I can. For those of you who might want to bring your pets, Meadowlark Motel accepts them. The number is 888-326-1717. They have a website, Meadowlark.com but it is best to call because he doesn't check the email often in the winter. If anyone wants to see what else there is to offer, please google Maggie Valley and you can see all the different accommodations there are. Asheville which is 30 minutes away has more upscale motels and hotels but Maggie is really pretty and quiet. There are many things to do within easy driving distance. Again just do a little internet research and I am here to answer and help you. It would be most helpful if you send me your lunch reservations so that JerseyGuy and I can get a real handle on how many to expect and I must make a deposit with the Swag soon.
I hope everyone is looking as forward to this picnic and meeting as I am.
Take Care.
Nancy

By Karego
Posted March 3, 2009 at 10:58 am
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Just placed reservations for July gathering at Four Seasons Inn. FYI -For anyone thinking they are going to attend, they should reserve their room now. They can cancel if their plans change. This area is very busy in the summer and many motorcycle groups have their rally's in the area, so rooms will be scarce in July.
Karego

By BJsHere
Posted March 3, 2009 at 2:53 pm
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I will be staying at the Meadowlake. For those attending it would be nice to post where you will be staying so that we can put together some informal get togethers at the various places.

So looking forward to meeting everyone! It will be nice to put together a video and pictures for those that can't come.

July will be here sooner than later. There is a lot going on in Maggie Valley... a place I never heard of but I am looking forward to seeing.

Best to book now for accomodations as Karego said, you can always cancel later.

Later,
BJ

By BCAN_Claire
Posted March 3, 2009 at 6:10 pm
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I would be delighted to come and meet some of the online community members in person!!! We have another staff member, Janet, who would also love to attend but it looks like she will be in Ireland at that time.

Awareness sounds like a great theme for the event. I would love to talk with folks about strategies for bladder cancer awareness. I am also happy to help with publicity about the meeting, but would want your feedback on how open participants would be to local media attending and report about the event.

My husband & 4 year old may join me for the trip. Maggie Valley and the Great Smokey Mountain area sound like a perfect place for a visit in July!

See you soon,

Claire Saxton
Executive Director
Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network
www.bcan.org

By balihigh
Posted March 3, 2009 at 7:59 pm
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Claire,
Your four year old will love it here. If you stay at a motel on Jonathon Creek, you can sit and watch the ducks go by. The creek is shallow and kids love to wade. There is also a tubing creek about 30 minutes away that is great for young kids, very safe. Kids love being outside and it is a wonderful area so please don't leave him/her at home.
Nancy

By balihigh
Posted March 4, 2009 at 5:56 pm
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I just want to keep everyone thinking about this picnic. I know that July seems a long time off but it will be here before you know it. I have had several confirmations and hope everyone is making their reservation. I am not putting a deadline on the luncheon so you can decide at anytime. There are many of you that live not too far away. I haven't heard from you. The confirmed ones are all driving quite a distance, even Nevada and Canada!!!
Hope to hear from you soon.
Nancy

By balihigh
Posted March 11, 2009 at 4:32 pm
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JerseyGuy and I have been working on this get together and hope all of you will consider attending if possible. We plan to have a lot of fun. If you aren't on my friend's list, just request it and I'll send my address, phones, etc and answer all your questions.
Nancy

By BCAN_Claire
Posted May 7, 2009 at 5:10 pm
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Finally got around to making hotel reservations. I'll be at the Four Seasons in a creekside room. I've never stayed at the Four Seasons before! ;~)

Glad I will get to meet so many of you in person!

Claire Saxton
Executive Director
Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network

By Karego
Posted May 7, 2009 at 5:50 pm
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Great Claire, We'll meet you there. It is going to be a wonderful time getting better acquainted. The area is beautiful too.

Anyone waiting to decide better hurry up. That area is busy during July. Book now and cancel later if you absolutely have to.
Karego

By balihigh
Posted May 7, 2009 at 6:13 pm
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Thanks Claire and Karego. I am looking forward to it. For those of you that are new, please read and we hope you can come. If anyone has any questions, please let me know.
Nancy

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