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Pro's and Con's of 2024 Redmond Rally

Note: Redmond is supposed to be 101*F today. Looking like June was the sweet spot on the calendar.
Not only 101 degrees temperature (and going to stay that way for another couple of days), but a wildfire broke out just east of the Redmond Airport yesterday afternoon. It's currently 458 acres burning and only 10% contained. The airport has reopened today, but was closed yesterday to allow for aerial firefighting. The MOA definitely nailed it for rally timing.
 
Can you folks share the hotels you have booked?
I just booked an AirBnB 1 mile from fairgrounds. Booked for full week since Tami and I will both be volunteering, etc during rally. Came out to $136 a night and it's 3/2 with washer/dryer full kitchen. There's still a few other places available in the area so this is another option to explore.
 
I just booked an AirBnB 1 mile from fairgrounds. Booked for full week since Tami and I will both be volunteering, etc during rally. Came out to $136 a night and it's 3/2 with washer/dryer full kitchen. There's still a few other places available in the area so this is another option to explore.
Rhonda and I did an Air B&B at the Iowa rally, that turned out to be a good deal. The mattress was so comfortable we pulled the sheets up to look at what brand it was and now that’s what we have in every bed in our home.

Also, because the come with multiple rooms, we split the cost with a fellow director, and drove the price down even lower.

Great suggestion Doug!
 
The only problem with an Air BNB is you miss the camaraderie with other riders staying at the same hotel. Met a great guy in Redmond who’ll probably stay at the same hotel in Lebanon 👍

Also, I don’t want to have to worry about leaving the house in a specific condition. Not that we don’t treat hotel rooms well but there a bit more responsibility with a rental.
 
You all keep it up, all the (early) worms are going to be gone! :thumb
OM
Lots of hotels I checked are already sold out. Was happy to land the one I got at a decent rate. So far there’s about 7 of us at this hotel.

Gonna be fun!!
 
Purchasing 3 meals a day at a closed event can be expensive. When I used to go camping by myself I often carried bagels, spam, and peanut butter, nutritionally probably not much worse than food truck fare but a whole lot cheaper. While I have no problem stopping and eating at decent restaurants while traveling, I don’t like being taken advantage of while at a rally.
 
Purchasing 3 meals a day at a closed event can be expensive. When I used to go camping by myself I often carried bagels, spam, and peanut butter, nutritionally probably not much worse than food truck fare but a whole lot cheaper. While I have no problem stopping and eating at decent restaurants while traveling, I don’t like being taken advantage of while at a rally.
Just wondering why you can’t do the same? Buy groceries and save $$ if you prefer?
I am in a hotel but many times will do just that. While it’s good to support the food vendors at the rally if that stretches your budget there are other options.
 
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I don’t like being taken advantage of while at a rally.
I don’t see it as being taken advantage of. Perhaps you have not been to an event, trade show, sporting event or concert. Higher than average prices are the norm due to many factors such as-
General overhead for the site when nothing is going on.
Cost of extra personal for the event.
Vendor licenses especially for the food vendor- and needed “Food Safe” inspections.
All-inclusive cruises give you all the food and drinks you can handle…… Of course it’s paid for upfront.
OM
 
I don’t see it as being taken advantage of. Perhaps you have not been to an event, trade show, sporting event or concert. Higher than average prices are the norm due to many factors such as-
General overhead for the site when nothing is going on.
Cost of extra personal for the event.
Vendor licenses especially for the food vendor- and needed “Food Safe” inspections.
All-inclusive cruises give you all the food and drinks you can handle…… Of course it’s paid for upfront.
OM
Great points! The same reason I like to support the product vendors at a rally as well. They have a lot of cost to be there.
 
In a motel or camping breakfast is in-house so to speak. At the rally grounds lunch will be a snack most likely from an on-site vendor. If not it will be out of a saddlebag from grocery shopping. Dinner might be on site, in town, or like breakfast, in-house.
 
In a motel or camping breakfast is in-house so to speak. At the rally grounds lunch will be a snack most likely from an on-site vendor. If not it will be out of a saddlebag from grocery shopping. Dinner might be on site, in town, or like breakfast, in-house.
Most of the times, due to time constraints- mostly, I'm on the move. But- I have found the more you can do on the grounds of an event, the richer the experience I have. :nod
OM
 
I concur of no feelings being taken advantage by the food providers out of the "trucks".
Great bunch in Redmond; I was quite satisfied with portions, flavor and choices.
The Alaskan halibut AND the North Atlantic cod dinners were especially fantastic!
They are not "inexpensive" at any fish joint I can think of... so no issue in that terrific setting near my tent!
 
I don’t see it as being taken advantage of. Perhaps you have not been to an event, trade show, sporting event or concert. Higher than average prices are the norm due to many factors such as-
General overhead for the site when nothing is going on.
Cost of extra personal for the event.
Vendor licenses especially for the food vendor- and needed “Food Safe” inspections.
All-inclusive cruises give you all the food and drinks you can handle…… Of course it’s paid for upfront.
OM
I have attended and worked many, many of these type events, and have been peripherally involved with negotiations on several. A multi-day rally with people camping and staying on-site is different from most other events at these venues, and sometimes the contract can be modified to reflect that. $8 for a single can of cheapo Coors at the beer garden is still excessive under the circumstances.
 
$8 is not the correct price for Coors anything! I hate to sound like a cheapskate, but the motel/hotel prices were right up there with this beer price.
Exactly, Paul! And not only was the beer overpriced, after trying to book a room within 50 miles of Redmond in January '24, I decided to camp. The first couple of motels I looked at were going to charge my credit card IMMEDIATELY and sit on my money until June.
 
Exactly, Paul! And not only was the beer overpriced, after trying to book a room within 50 miles of Redmond in January '24, I decided to camp. The first couple of motels I looked at were going to charge my credit card IMMEDIATELY and sit on my money until June.
Hmmm ....not sure where you looked but we stayed 18 miles east at a very nice Country Inns & Suites for about $145 a night. Hotel prices have increased since COVID and having spent 32 days on the road during my Redmond trip $145 is about average for most any decent motel. YES ... we did get a few for less but we certainly paid more as well. And $8 for a beer is about what you pay in a restaurant these days. Prices are rising everywhere.

I have booked a room for 2025 about 15 miles from the site at Holiday Inn Express for about $120/night. I am VERY happy with that pricing and it located walking to a few restaurants. What shocked me was the $5 or more price for a gallon of gas !! I was happy I was only buying a few gallons.

Reasonable lodging is out there you just have to look . :rocker
 
The first couple of motels I looked at were going to charge my credit card IMMEDIATELY and sit on my money until June.
Some of the chains have the option to pay now with no cancellation for a cheaper price.
I never pick that option.
 
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