I am looking forward to the big event in 2009. I plan to take off work at least a week for the event, and hopefully more.
Hopefully, I will be on paid vacation, so it won't be as hard on my budget as it has been in years past to attend such events. There is an intangible cost with the 40 hours of vacation. For example, they could be used to go see the Grand Canyon, or some other traditional vacation. For some with limited vacation, this could be a difficult choice. But for many cavers, this event will be a once in a life-time chance to mingle with cavers from all over the world, and to possibly visit a rare cave, or purchase some exotic caving gear. During the event, I plan to spend money on caving gear, gadgets and books. I would guess at least a $ 100 if not $ 300. I hope even more. Other expenses for the trip will be for gas, possibly hotel, and any expenses incurred if I bring my family. If I bring my family for a week, they are going to want to go to SeaWorld, Riverwalk restaurants, etc. so the cost of the trip will be hundreds of dollars more. The price of gas could possibly be $ 4.00 a gallon in places, so my gas bill will be over $ 80, but more than likely over a hundred because I will be driving places during the event. In summary, I am likely to spend lots of money to attend the event, but not near as much as when I went to Bellingham, Washington to the NSS Convention. I think I am still paying for that trip. I know I am still paying for last year's NSS Convention to Indiana. And if things don't improve soon, I may have to cancel my plans to go to the NSS Convention in Florida. I will probably make at least one trip to Kerrville between now and the big event. It is about 5 hours from my house, an hour of which is just getting out of the Houston area and the drive across San Antonio. I have signed up to "work" during the Howdy Party. >From my perspective in Fort Bend County, and due to the uncertaintity of my new employment, I can't make any other personal commitments. But if things go well in my new job, and I am still employed, then I plan to do something constructive during the event. I summary, I am excited. I realize the event is just 18 months away, and that much of the work will need to be done this year, if not by the spring. Eventhough I am not lifting a finger to help in the pre-planning stages, I do support the effort to ask for cavers to volunteer. David Locklear --------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected] For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected]
