Soapa 2009

[John Hoffman]

Allways tough to choose, I have been to both locations but would choose Branson. If you are basing at the old airport I remember it as super convenient, could see some of the College buildings on the next hill and town was just beyond them. Probably over all a more economical trip. We always rented a car to bounce around. There are some nearby lakes and the local College was a nice suprise, great student run restaurant, and spent most of a day going thru a museum they have on campus that had a huge firearms collection.

[Paul462]

Dauphine Hotel (1 block off Bourbon Street in the French Quarter) just quoted an average of $216 per night plus tax for the nights of Wed 4/29/09 - Sat 5/2/09, Continental breakfast included. They currently have 22 rooms available. Maybe a group rate discount could be negotiated?

We generally land at New Orleans Lakefront - going into Louis Armstrong Int'l. would be like landing a small plane at JFK instead of Teterborough. A few months ago, Lakefront tie-down cost depended on the FBO - Flightline was charging $15/night (ramp fee waived with 20 gal. avgas purchase), which is less than the $20-25/night some French Quarter hotels charge for car parking, and for $15/night your airplane gets a lake view! Prety toni. We generally rent a car at Lakefront.

Paddlewheel dinner cruise with a live Dixieland Band (the Dukes of Dixieland, I think) was around $35 a year or two ago. The New Orleans Acquarium is within walking distance; the New Orleans Zoo is a 20 min. trolley car ride away.

On the other hand, it would be good to see Andy Williams again (if his voice is still good :-) and the Branson Airshow, and I'll bet there are Lake of the Ozarks dinner/booze cruises - or is Branson in a dry county?

[Paul462]

Avalon Best Western is close to Lakefront Airport (Flightline says they can shuttle us over) at $81/night+tax; taxi to the French Quarter is around $25 and 15 minutes.

Flightline says they get pilot discounted rates of $119+tax at Crowne Plaza and Iberville Suites (both off Bourbon Street; they'll probably charge more during Jazz Fest), will park us all together, and give us a fuel discount. Tie down is still $15/night.

[hharney]

Well that's a little more encouraging. Thanks Paul for digging in to that. New Orleans could still be a good choice knowing this. No idea how much of an upcharge there might be during the fest? Of couse the Jazz stuff is a distance away from Bourbon Street if I remember, it would require some kind of transportation to attend and event tickets.

Keep the comments coming to excercise your rights in all this planning :-)

[WebMaster]

I don't think we have to come up with transportation to the Jazz Fest. There is public transportation, or taxi cabs, that will take people to the Jazz Fest. Not everyone will want to go at the same time, or stay all day.

I think one of the attractions would be a side trip on Wednesday, to TCM in Mobile.

BTW, there is a map of the fairgrounds, with the various venues. It is a large place. http://www.nojazzfest.com/info/map.php

The current schedule is also posted, and it is simply amazing. http://www.nojazzfest.com/music/index.php

[stackj]

Last time I was in New Orleans, we used the streetcar for all transportation. Prices were very reasonable.

Haven't been there since Katrina... I guess the street cars are still operational.

[hharney]

The registration form is posted on the Skymaster Web Site.

http://www.337skymaster.com/SOAPAReg2009.doc

Please review the sign up page and join us for the 2009 SOAPA meeting in Branson, MO

River Cruise
http://www.bransonlandingcruises.com/lake-queen.cfm

Hotel Info
http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwest...ertyCode=26066

The Fly-in airport is PLK, Point Lookout, is just a few minutes away from the hotel. The Airshow on Sat and Sun is at the new airport, BBG, which will not be open for landing until after the airshow.