# FloriDopers - Shall we give me a going away party? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 19, 2004, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081 "2004-02-19T22:16:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![g8rguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@g8rguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/g8rguy)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/61 "2004-02-26T01:54:34Z")
Well, have a great time, y’all! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/62 "2004-02-26T11:04:53Z")
**g8rguy** , sorry you won’t be able to make it. Obviously our schedules are out of sync… ---
**Author:** ![velvetjones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5f9b8f/32.png) [@velvetjones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velvetjones)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/63 "2004-02-26T15:03:59Z")
The 24th sounds great. Have we settled on a location yet? Blue Springs is nice. I used to live very near there. If we’re still thinking about Ocala then Alexander Springs is nice too. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/64 "2004-02-26T15:26:53Z")
[Rainbow Springs](http://www.dep.state.fl.us/springs/locator/Rainbow.htm) according to this site, looks like a good place for us to go. They’ve got picnic tables, grills, restrooms, and a couple of trails for nature walks. There’s even a man-made waterfall - imagine the photo ops!! Admission is $1 per person - I think that’s a good deal. So unless someone has a major objection, what say we go there? I’ll give them a call and make sure that the park won’t be taken over by a festival or something that day. All in favor?? ---
**Author:** ![g8rguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@g8rguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/g8rguy)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/65 "2004-02-27T02:33:20Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > **g8rguy** , sorry you won’t be able to make it. Obviously our schedules are out of sync… Quite all right. At least I can still say I’ve met **FCM** , which allows me to feel all smug and superior. And that’s an important part of my life. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/66 "2004-02-27T12:30:13Z")
Oh, that sounds nice. And pretty convenient, too. I’m very excited, especially since I had dinner with a **Labdad** , a wonderful Georgia Doper this week, and it was a fantastic evening. He’s set the bar pretty high for the rest of you. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/67 "2004-02-27T12:54:45Z")
Pffft, **Shibb** , this is _me_ we’re talking about here. “Set the bar pretty high” indeed… You need to be more like **g8rguy** - he understands. 😃 Anyway - I’m going to Ocala this weekend to see my inlaws and I’m hoping to drive to the park and check it out. I’ll try to remember to take my camera - it might help if I can post photos of where I think we should all meet. I’m very excited about this! I’ve posted about it on Fathom and the Unaboard too - with luck, we’ll have a nice gathering and a fun afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![maggy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@maggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggy)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/68 "2004-02-27T13:31:39Z")
I can’t come to the Dopefest for FCM…I’m Canadian you know 🙂 …too damned far to drive and besides, just came back from Huatulco, Mexico…but will someone raise a beer for FCM for me? I know it’s a tough duty and all, but if you could, raise a glass and feel positive thoughts from Canada for FCM. P.S. Been to Ocala quite a few years ago, it snowed! ---
**Author:** ![misstee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@misstee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misstee)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/69 "2004-02-27T13:41:52Z")
> [@dutchboy208](#): > > Anyone need a ride? I’ve got four seats, air conditioning, _and_ a rubber duck sitting on the rear deck… I am all about the rubber duck. I am still trying to swing being down in Florida for this fest. Gotta make some calls again today. I _really, really, really_ want to meet y’all. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/70 "2004-02-28T20:06:42Z")
Ok, so Rainbow Springs on April 24th? I’ll be there. What time? Who’s on the definite list? ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/71 "2004-02-28T20:29:22Z")
I think I’ll probably try to get there by 11 to claim a table or two and a grill and put up some balloons. I suppose there should be a rain plan too - when I go check out the park, I’ll see if there’s a covered place we could gather. Or we could meet in the food court at the mall in Ocala… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/72 "2004-02-28T22:14:00Z")
Ooooh, and see if they have canoe rentals. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/73 "2004-03-01T14:36:57Z")
I’m just nudging this up to the front page where I can keep an eye on it and maybe link it into the MMP… ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/74 "2004-03-01T14:54:37Z")
**Bear\_N** - I believe they do have canoe rentals. I meant to go there this weekend and check things out, but my inlaws didn’t get back to Ocala till late Sat, and I wasn’t about to descend upon them one day after they got home. This coming weekend, I’ll be in Maryland, but the weekend after, I’m planning to go see the park - probably Sunday. **Shibb** , I expect I’ll start a shiny new thread in about a month - no need to keep resurrecting this one. I’ll make sure you get all the pertinent details! ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/75 "2004-03-01T17:42:57Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > Ok, so Rainbow Springs on April 24th? > I’ll be there. What time? > > Who’s on the definite list? Me me me me me! (Can I bring the rest of the ivy clan?) ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/76 "2004-03-01T17:59:18Z")
Thanks for bringing that up, **ivylass** - yes - this is a family friendly picnic. Everyone is welcome - well, mebbe not the family dog - I don’t think pets are allowed in state parks. I’m hoping my kid will come along - we shall see… ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/77 "2004-03-01T18:00:09Z")
I’m in with bells on. There is no **dutch** clan, but hopefully a few people will have taken me up on a ride by then… ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/78 "2004-03-01T18:54:23Z")
Dang **dutchboy’s** already said he’s wearing bells. Guess I’ll have to take that new outfit I bought just for this back to the store now. I’ll be there anyway. Sigh… back to the designer’s. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/79 "2004-03-01T21:42:07Z")
> [@swampbear](#): > > Dang **dutchboy’s** already said he’s wearing bells. Guess I’ll have to take that new outfit I bought just for this back to the store now. I’ll be there anyway. Sigh… back to the designer’s. I don’t think anybody called dibs on whistles yet. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/80 "2004-03-02T01:01:22Z")
I can’t wear whistles they make my butt look too big. Maybe I’ll show up in noise makers. That’d be a trendy fashion statement! Or maybe just regular ol’ shorts. I could wear my “I Lost My Shirt At Hattie’s Hideaway Motel” tshirt. Bet nobody else has one of those. Only about seven weeks to choose an outfit! Oh my! Oh my! Oh my! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081.md?page=5)