hello to fellow GBS fans.  there is an enthusiastic, though admittedly small, group of GBS fans way down here in the southwest united states, in albuquerque, new mexico.  people think we're a little odd, driving around the desert listening to all these songs about boats and oceans and horses that fall through ice, but we love it.  we love it so much that there are four of us from new mexico:  myself, my 18 yr old daughter, my good friend (a born newfie from bonavista), her 18 yr old daughter, and one from kansas, my friend's brother (also born in newfoundland) who will be returning to newfoundland and attending the concert in gander this august.  that is five people traveling approximately 4000 miles, or as a mathmetician would put it, 20,000 people-miles, and spending many thousands of dollars (and don't get me wrong, we are not wealthy).  we are able to do this because the memorial service for my friend's mom is in bonavista at the end of july and we are fortunate enough to be able to attend the concert while we are in newfoundland.  we have airline tickets to boston, a rental car, boat tickets to port aux basques, concert tickets, family to stay with in bonavista, and an itinerary that would blow you away (you think it's a long way from boston to st. john's?  try the cars, boats and airplanes route from albuquerque to bonavista!!).  the only thing we don't have is a place to stay in gander the night of the concert.  trying to find a room by computer or telephone has proved impossible.  anyplace big enough to be listed online is already booked.  is there anyone in the gander area that can help us out?  do you know of a small hotel, a bed and breakfast, a rooming house or even and older couple with an empty nest who would be willing to rent us a room or two for the night?  we can't go back to bonavista because our boat leaves from port aux basques at 5:00 pm the next day and as the oldest of the group (i'm 51) i can tell you that sleeping in the car lost its magic decades ago.  any help you could give us would be so greatly, hugely, tremendously appreciated!  many thanks from cindy, danielle, diane, and annika in new mexico, and doug in kansas

Have you looked in Grand Falls-Windsor? It's not that far from Gander. B&B's or motels there. How close do you have to be? Check out places in Gambo and near Terra Nova.

 Anne

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And when the winds of change begin to blow,
I'll whisper, "You're my lighthouse" in case you didn't know.

Sons of Maxwell

visit my website!:
Anne's Philly Phan Site at http://www.gbsfanatic.com

Hola, Lotsofbeachnosea!

 Another desert rat here, letting you know you are not alone.  There is a small but dedicated bunch of GBS fans in Tucson, as well, and a few in Phoenix, also.  In the world of GBS, we're practically next door neighbors!  And we are all envious that you will get to attend the show in Gander.  What a wonderful opportunity, and good way to take advantage of an entirely different situation and reason for travelling!  I don't have any tips for finding housing, but can certainly sympathise with the "no sleeping in the car, anymore" feeling...got over it a few decades ago, myself!  Good luck with it, and listen to Anne.  She's been up that way more times than most of us, and seems to always have helpful hints for folks travelling thata-way.

 At any rate, welcome to the fun.  Always great to hear about others in our corner of the sandbox.

Desertgal.

Hello lotsofbeachnosea!

My family has reservations for Newfoundland for the concert, but we had to look outside of the Gander area.  What I did was get a tour book from Newfoundland & a map, go on the Newfoundland website....type in names of places on the map & try to see if there is some accomodations in that town....it was quite an ordeal, but I am sure that it will be worth it!  Keep plugging away......we had a rough time getting a place & we booked about a month ago.

Hope this helps....

Juanita  This is me in my office listening to GBS - according to the kids!

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Cute and Cuddly!

Going out to Grand Falls is not a bad idea especially if you have to catch a ferry in the morning..you're that much closer. Its only about 45 minutes to Grand Falls from Gander. We did the opposite the last time GBS played Grand Falls. We booked our hotel in Gander. If you do decide to drive out at night though, take care and keep an eye out for moose.

maybe  between you folks in tuscon and phoenix, and the 6 of us here in albq (we've also converted another 2 in las vegas, NM) we could get them to do a concert SOMEWHERE in the southwest!  I had checked the grand falls area also, same results, but thanks to all who suggested that.  we'll just keep working on it.  having spent some time in newfoundland, i know the area a bit, and the highway, and the MOOSE, which are my biggest concern about driving long distances at night.  we may have to opt for going to deer lake, which wouldn't be terrible, but again, if anyone hears of something, please let us know.  having grown up in augusta, georgia, home of the master's golf tournament, and living now in albuquerque, new mexico, where we have the annual international hot air balloon fiesta, i've frequently heard people say something to the tune of "gee, i could pick up some extra money if i rented out the attic during fiesta (tournament, etc.)."  so if you hear someone in/near gander say that, point them in my direction!  again, many thanks!

Well, actually, the band HAS been known to get all the way out to our corner of the world.  I know of 3 times they have performed in Tucson, and twice in Phoenix.  There was even one show in Las Cruces!  Imagine that!  They seem to get out this way, somewhere, on about 3 year intervals (yeah, I'm an old-timer, here), and we are coming up at time, so keep your fingers crossed for something, once they head out on tour in support of the new release, this summer. Because we aren't exactly in the hotbed of fan support, it takes a while before they get out here, but keep looking.  There is hope!  And we usually get to see them in smaller venues, which is great for us!

 Have fun on your trip, and good luck with the housing.  I know what you mean about Fiesta, being one of those who (when it's possible) comes over to crew/fly for my regular pilots for at least part of the 10 days

See you somewhere!.