Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Horse Bloggers Weekend Getaway in AUSTIN!!!!

Lauren and I often talk about how fun it is to meet other bloggers, and how much we'd like to meet quite a few of y'all.  We've been tossing around the idea of a horse bloggers weekend for a couple of months now, and we've decided to go for it and actually make it happen! 

You are invited to an equestrian bloggers weekend in Austin, Texas!

Lauren and I, and possibly the super cool $900 Facebook Pony (depending on the weekend) would like to host you awesome horse bloggers for a weekend of fun in the lone star state.  

What happens on a bloggers weekend?

While there's no firm itinerary yet, we have ideas for fun things like group dinners, pony time with the real stars of our Austin based blogs, tack store shopping, Texas BBQ, wine tasting, and of course the standard Austin tourist favorites that everybody visiting the city should see!  Mostly we want to enjoy some time meeting face to face and yakking about our favorite subject!

But where will I stay?  

The two of us are immediately prepared to host a decent sized group of people.  Depending on how many bloggers are interested could mean some creative sleeping arrangements but so long as we don't get 100 million people wanting to come there are places to stay.  Essentially, first come first serve on free hotel via the Mauldin Bungalow and Wyvern Oaks. Note that we both have pets (Lauren has dogs, I have a dog and cats) so if you're allergic, you may need to find alternative lodgings.

And if anyone is interested finding out first hand what's involved in keeping your horses at home, I'd be more than happy to roust you out of bed at 6 a.m. on the weekend to help feed. Just sayin'! :)

Chez Wyvern Oaks


What will I have to pay for?

Getting here will probably be the most expensive, honestly.  You can expect to pay $200-$300 for a plane ticket to the Austin airport from other major airports.  Of course, that varies.  

Once you're here, expenses will be pretty minimal.  Bring some extra money for food and shopping, but we'll provide at least one breakfast and dinner for all of us one night as well as a lot of shuttle service to and from places. If you want to stay longer or go off on your own, you may want to rent a car.

When is this craziness happening?

That's a good question.  We wanted to pick something in the winter since show seasons aren't ramping up across the US, and the weather is really nice in Austin especially for you northern folk.  Right now we have a couple of dates in mind:

February 13th - 15th 2015
February 27th - March 1st 2015 ($900 FB has a conflict this weekend :( )

Though many places up north don't show much in February, we actually have two show weekends we're trying to work around and of course stuff in our normal personal lives!

Am I really invited?

If you read this blog, interact with me through the comments, email, or on my Facebook page, and promise not to steal either Paddington or Brego - you are invited.  Even if you can't come the whole weekend, it would be great for any semi-local Texas people to drive in for the day to meet up!  

The blogging community is great, and we don't get much face time.  This could be something really cool many of use could treat as a vacation, and who knows... maybe a blogger weekend could be held in your city in the future and we'll show up :)

We've created a little survey for everyone to fill out (please, only fill it out once!) to let us know if you're interested, what weekend would work best for you, and if you'd like to stay with one of us or would prefer your own accommodations. We're super excited about this and hope you can come for a visit!

37 comments:

  1. Aw, this sounds like fun! I wish I was more local (but only for this trip, otherwise, I'm happy not being in Texas.). I think I'll be spending my spare cash (ha!!) on a trip to Florida this winter instead. Sad to miss you guys!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I do have a conflict that second weekend (1st recognized event of the season) but just about any other time I have one guest bedroom that I can offer up. There are also a couple other bloggers in Austin - Bay with Chrome and Auf der Autobahn.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We'll have to see which weekend works better for everyone - hopefully the first! Who needs valentine's day anyway?

      I'll hook up with BwC and AdA... thanks for the tip!

      Delete
  3. This sounds so fun! What a great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I don't think I can swing it this year, but that sounds like so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bummer! If it's a success maybe we'll do it again!

      Delete
  5. Sounds like fun! I've always wanted to visit Texas!

    ReplyDelete
  6. You know I'll be there but I can't promise I won't steal Brego!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awesome! I've got a room reserved for you, but I will be checking you for horses before you leave the property.

      Delete
  7. I'm in the Austin area, so I'm in. Unfortunately I can't offer lodging or guarantee I'll be there for all activities because of my weird job schedule at that time of odd-numbered years (yeah, weird, like I said), but I can possibly cart people around in my SUV for some stuff.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BwC, AWESOME! I wasn't sure you were in Austin or not, but I'm excited to meet you in person!

      Delete
  8. Ahhh that would be so much fun, sadly no $$$, but someday!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This sounds like SO much fun and I'll see if I can make it! Depends on cost and what my thesis looks like this winter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We'll try to make it as cheap as possible once people get here. And thesis-schmesis. You can work on the plane!

      Delete
  10. Replies
    1. Awesome! We'll have a spot (and some lovely non-snowy weather) for you!

      Delete
  11. It would be so cool to meet you two and your horses in person. You are so very brave to send this open invitation. Sweet Pea needs me here, but I am still excited for your big weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, we'd love to have you and Sweet Pea! Hopefully we can share our weekend and you can attend vicariously.

      Delete
  12. what a cool idea - and very generous of you! austin is a great town

    ReplyDelete
  13. You know I'm in! And I have a spare guest room (double bed) that is available for use if overflow happens. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awesome! Looks like we may need to take you up on that offer...

      Delete
  14. Such an awesomely generous offer, would love to be nearer & have such a meet up be possible. Alas I should be getting the keys to my place the following month so me hunks an epic trip to Texas mightn't be doable Feb 2015 :(

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a fun idea -- as much as I despised living in TX (worked there between undergrad & grad school), I do love Austin & New Braunfels. And I have practically endless free hotel points since I travel all the time for work. Alas, those are big work conferences that I have to help run. But will send a Haffie hug in spirit!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bummer! If you change your mind and want to get some Kerby Lane, let us know!

      Delete