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Feb GTG MI, IL, IN, WI and who ever!

jnspur

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Hi all! At the last D&B meet in December, it was suggested that we get together next time in the Northern IN, Southern MI area. I'm not sure what's over there, and it's cold! Mongo's Wife suggested a Casino as did Avialanche. I know that might be a problem for those of you with kids. Is there someplace like D&Bs in that area? Indoor something for kids? Maybe we could have our PG meet in the early afternoon as usual, and then those of us that want to hit a Casino could do so later in the evening? I'd like to get together with everyone again around the end of February if there's some interest.
 
Sounds like a good idea! Neat 'food' oriented meeting places I know of:

Das Dutchmen Essenhaus in northern Indiana http://www.essenhaus.com/

Clementines in South Haven Michigan (near Lake Michigan shoreline!) http://www.ohmydarling.com/sh.htm

Damon's Grill in Kalamazoo MI http://www.damons.com/loc1024.cfm?cat=36&subcat=149&subsub=0&switch=detail&id=DAM041&return='http://damons.know-where.com/damons/'

There is about 10,000 places to gather and eat in Kalamazoo County, but Damons is one of the better places for get-togethers.

A nicer Casino is Soaring Eagle in Mt. Pleasant Michigan. http://www.soaringeaglecasino.com/

I see I have to practice this URL link thingy, I think I know what I did wrong. At least they all work now!
 
Just so happens that my wife and I have been considering a quick trip to Michigan (from Ohio) Feb. 13 or 14. We could be game to meet up with the SW Michgan group for dinner in the Kalmazo or South Haven area on one of those two days.

--OldVMer
 
Hey Jen, I think we have interest. It would be cool if we had someone in the area to help plan. If I lived in the area I would help. Matt
 
Mr & Mrs. Mongo Ranger will help, I'm sure. ;) And 04-ABZ gave us a bunch of links to restaraunts and casinos and stuff around there. I only take a little bit of $$ when I go gambling... or I get the fever! It's fun once in a while. I might spend the night if I can find a cheep hotel.
 
We'd Love to help! Just have to do it on a weekend Mark has off.

Kalamazoo is a great place. Hey and if we go, we might even be able to see Elvis!! Unfortunately, no casino's around there.

South Haven is also nice -- we would probably have more fun in the spring/summer there. Maybe even Saugatuck in the spring.... :)

I think the closest casinos are the Blue Chip in Michigan City, Indiana and maybe Soaring Eagle as Arrival Blue said.

Will definitely check into something.
 
OldVMer said:
Just so happens that my wife and I have been considering a quick trip to Michigan (from Ohio) Feb. 13 or 14. We could be game to meet up with the SW Michgan group for dinner in the Kalmazo or South Haven area on one of those two days.

--OldVMer

That sounds like an idea! Let us know the details when you decide.
 
Ok guys, here is the thing....

If you want a casino the choices are slim when you get into Michigan.

There are several casino's in the Traverse City area (northwest in the lower peninsula). There is also Soaring Eagle in Mount Pleasant (the middle of the Lower Peninsula). The only other one close that I know of is the Blue Chip which is in Michigan City, Indiana (close to both MI & IL borders).

For all of you coming from the UP and Wisconsin, the Blue Chip would be a lot closer or so would the casino's in Joliet, etc.

If you guys have your heart set on a casino, I would suggest the Blue Chip or Joliet . Since there really isn't anything close to a D&B's -- maybe just a Chuck E Cheese's.....maybe we can eat at the Essenhaus and cruise to the casino.

If you guys have your heart set on Kalamazoo, then we would could eat there and cruise to Soaring Eagle which is about 2.5 hours from Kalamazoo or the Blue Chip which is about 2 hrs. from Kalamazoo.

I know if we go to Soaring Eagle that would be a long haul for some (6.5 hours from jnspur's one way) If we go to the Blue Chip it would be about 3 hours one way from jen's.

Or as a third option we could plan a separate casino trip and make this cruise either a Kalamazoo cruise or we can cruise through Saugatuck/Holland/South Haven/St. Joseph.....and of course eat at Clementine's.....

Does anybody else have any other ideas?

How about you arrival blue -- any suggestions?
:D
 
The Michigan City casino is definately closer to the Great Lakes crew as a whole, but I hear it's elbow to elbow in there. Friends of mine that go to casinos a lot won't go there anymore, they drive the extra distance up to Mt. Pleasant because it's a much nicer casino.
I don't care for Casino's myself, I'm more of a 'meet at Essenhaus and B.S.' for a few hours kinda guy.
 
Why don't we try the Kalamazoo area and just do a meet and eat. I know it is probably to far for the Wisconsin folks but we could get the Chicago area, Northern Indiana, Southern Michigan people to go. I made the drive to Chicago last time from Detroit, it wasn't that bad. I need a GTG soon.

E.
 
How about the Coldwater area? It is right up I-69 and maybe we could get some more Indiana members to come up. I also am more of a set and eat and then visit guy! I have been up that way before but would need to de a search to see what is available in the area.

Butch
 
Well I am going to be up in the Chicago area in the last weekend of the month near Mchenry. Been to the D&B gtg once about a year ago. Had a good time there.

Let me know what happens.
Brain
 
Ok how about this?

Lets have an Eat n Greet in Kalamazoo on February 28th. We can pretty much eat anywhere and get anything and maybe do a cruise...

Then we can plan for another GTG and do the Casino thing in March, (y)
 
Sounds good. For lots of people to get together I'd like to offer another suggestion that may seem whacky at first: The Crossroads Mall. There's a nice new food court there, with lots of different food, with a large seating area in the middle we could take over. On top of that, there's a large Carousel for kids (or adults that act like kids :cool:) to ride. Kids are a buck, parents with kids are free :B:
 
Kalamazoo sounds ok, if the weather and our health holds out we may try to make it. Not sure a noisy mall would be the best place but you guys talk it over.

Butch
 
Please keep me posted about the next GTG. I can't make the 28th as me and my Av will be headed for Daytona Beach and Bike Week.

If you're looking for other spots to meet in the area there's a new Hooter's in Mishawaka. In Kalamazoo I'd also suggest Pappy's restaurant. It's right at the Westnedge/I-94 intersection and they have incredible burrito's and ice cold beer.

The Essenhaus also has incredible Amish food and a nice gift shop. And if you're interested I could lead a cruise through Amish country. Lotsa horse and buggies, just gotta DODGE (bad word around here I know) the road apples.

Jeff (Indiana)
 
Jeff,

Actually I was thinking about the Essenhaus for the March GTG and who ever wanted to can cruise to the casino with us.....

Hope to see you at the next one! :)
 
Z66 BUTCH said:
Kalamazoo sounds ok, if the weather and our health holds out we may try to make it. Not sure a noisy mall would be the best place but you guys talk it over.

Butch

Butch, would love to see you guys! Its been too long!! :D
 
So lets get a list going of all who is going to be in Kalamazoo on February 28th....

Also, Mark has a line on a hotel with a pretty good group rate, however, it is in Saugatuck, and if anybody is interested, PM myself or Mark know and we will give you the rate and details. (and they will accept pets!!)

http://shipnshoremotel.com

Confirmed:
Mongo Ranger & Mongo's Wife (Mark & Janeen, St. Joseph, MI )

Northface-of-NW-IN (Dave, Debbie, & Caleb)

04Arrival Blue (Jim & Paula)

jenspur & blackchev (Jen & Gary)

Avialanche (Mike)

Butch Z66 (Butch & Joan) & Maybe Travis & Chastity

Maybe's
MDZ66 (Matt & Dawn)
luv2Boat (Eric & Family)
Chevalier
Intimidatoruag
 
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