Ok Guys and Gals

H20 Warrior and myself have been on a fact finding tour today in search of the perfect destinations for the January Thunder Run. Here is what we have found out. After driving down to the Keys and checking out all kinds of resorts etc. we have determined that the Westin, or the Marriot would be the best places to stay. Most of the other resorts and hotels in the area are not able to handle that many boats of our size in their "marinas". If they were capable of handling the boats, the price was astronomical. Not sure that everyone wanted to pay $199.00 for their room and also $129.00 to slip their boats Call me el-cheapo!

Anyway....When I checked on Expedia.com I found the Westin rates to be $190 and the Marriot to be $192.00. Those are just standard rates and did not take into account a possible group discount. Perhaps Thunderdan remembers who he talked to last time at the Westin and would be able to score there again. I have a contact at the Marriot that I need to check on. We had lunch at Zane Grey's today and our waitress gave us the name of a guy that handles dockage at the Marriot....Apparently it can, and has been expanded for larger groups like ours. I will have to check it out and keep you posted.

We discussed some options with Pat and Diane on what we could do for entertainment during our few days down there. Here are some ideas. For starters, an afternoon at the Tiki Bar at Holiday Isle (of course). There are some cool places to lunch a little farther down at a resort called Hawk's Cay Resort....it is on Duck Key which between Islamorada and Marathon. (Check your local maps ) Also consider spending the first and second night at the Westin and then continue on to Marathon on Saturday. There is a resort called Faro Blanco that Pat recommended. At this time their cottages are closed (or so it says on their website) but due to reopen in early2003. I have e-mailed them for some info. Pat thought if people wanted to go to Key West, we could probably get a bus to take us by road for the evening. (That way we could all drink ourselves into oblivion and have a safe trip back) That is approx. a 40-45 min ride. Apparently the trip by boat from Marathon to Key WEst is quite a bit of open ocean and can be rough....just thinking of the smaller boats.

Ok....there are some options for everyone to think on and discuss.

Thank you for cruising with Active Thunder Boats....We hope you enjoy your stay...

Cruise director Tbikini

I appreciate your concern for my little boat and like I said I am game for anything. I do like the bus idea sounds like a good legal way to get peeled. I am quite experienced when it comes to the Duval crawl.

Tbikini made some additional phone calls and it looks like our best plan is to stay at the Westin all three nights. There is a small chance that we could stay Faro Blanco but the cottages are not done and all they have are 3 room / 2-bath suites. We will check on this and dockage today.

As a reminder the dates are January 17th thru the 19th. We are planning on leaving the morning of the 17th, so everyone should be in town on the evening of the 16th. No decision has been made on where we will be leaving from. Weather will play a role choosing to launch at Hillsboro (where we launched last time) or into Biscayne Bay out of Miami.

We need to know how many boats and people are attending (number of hotel rooms needed). If you planning on going please let Tbikini or I know ASAP. The resorts are filling up fast. Once we get a confirmed number of boats and people we will make arrangements for payment.

We also need to know how many people will have trucks to put in and take out boats.

Currently we have:

h2owarrior & Tbikin - 1 boat, 1 room
ThunderDan - 1 boat, 1 room
Jeff & Sandy - 1 boat, 3 rooms
Mr & Mrs Attitude Adjustment - 1 boat, 1 room
Boatfreak28 - 1 boat, 1 room
ToddW - 1 boat, 2 rooms
Big Al & Becky - 1 room
Pat & Diane - 1 room

That's 6 boats and 11 rooms

I need you all to confirm you are attending.

We still do not know about:

Jon & Christa (Sand Sucker)
Mike Petrone (Obnoxious Thunder)

Let us know. We would like to have all of this wrapped up by Monday the 16th or Tuesday 17th at the latest.

I was wondering if future AT owners may attend? My girl and I were thinking of flying in and meeting you all in the Keys. I may not be in the boat 'til March or April but I thought it would be nice to meet everyone and get some insight into the AT family. I am in the market for a 37' AVH and only considering AT. Going to AT in late Dec. to get a look at Mark House's boat. A new AT may also be a possibility. If you don't mind we'd like to come to the Keys Sat.-Sun. and fly back to Atlanta on Monday. Please forward details if this not out of line.

Thanks, Greg
[email protected]

Are we leaving the 16th or 17th? If we leave on the 17th it would only be two nights if we are returning on Sunday the 19th. The flights I bought for my friends put them in Ft. Laud. at 9:30am wed. thru 6:30 pm mon so anything between works for us.

Oh and one more thing I guess I'm just a post whore in training I've hit fifty.

Also one your question on trucks, I'll have my 350 psd there and would be glad to hook to one of those 37s but you better watch me I might make a break for Indy.

Based on schedules we have decided to leave on Friday morning and return on Sunday.

So far I have heard from:

Attitude Adjustment
Friend of Attitude Adjustment (in a Sonic )
ToddW (if his boat is done )
boatfreak28
h2owarrior and Tbikini


boatfreak, do you need 2 rooms ?

Cash Bar. With whom are you planning on riding ? I am not sure Pat would like you meeting the rest of us. It could sway your decision You know the best would be if Pat would take Marks boat on the run and you could ride with he and Diane. Now that's a plan


Those that have not yet responded. I am going to call the Westin tomorrow (Tuesday) to get room rates and hold the rooms so let me know ASAP

Judy, are you dusting me? I thought I was going to continue giving Kev his "small-craft advisory" driving lessons. Anyway, if Dan wimps out I have MY ride. (sorry, bud).

Actually, we were thinking we'd just rent a car and meet you all in the Keys. Hadn't really thought of a poss. ride.

I'll make a few calls and check it out with John and Pat. It doesn't matter if we get a ride this time, we just really wanted to meet and greet everyone without the wait 'til springtime.

Hope to see ya'll soon. Greg

We can get by with one room with two queen beds. That will give us more gas and beer money.