Help needed for wedding location

[EddieWalker]

Rox,

Thank you for the suggestion of Boulder. It looks like an amazing area. Estes was just an example, and it's falling behind on our list the more we look around.

I did a quick google search on ministers, chapels and elopement in Boulder, but didn't come up with anything. If you can, we'd really appreciate any help you could offer. Just PM me your personal email address, or if you happen to talk to the minister, his/her contact information.

We're planning on being in that area Sunday afternoon, July 30th and want to get married the next day, Monda July 31st.

We're both very practical and don't have allot of interest in fancy hotels or anything oplulant, but prefer simple and beautiful. Rock, water and some trees is our ideal setting.

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[DannyD]

You know Steph and Eddie, with all you have done to your place and the lovely area there, you may have folks coming THERE to get married around your pond. You mentioned nothing fancy etc., you have a beautiful home you BOTH put a lot into and one that many would love to have. You have wonderful plans and both of you are amazing folks. I don't do primitive camping well, but for that opportunity to meet you both and see your place I would consider it someday. We dont have a camper and have no desire to have one. I dont want my money sitting around 10 months a year. There are many places in this great country of ours to get married, one that I would consider if it were me..........your place.

Now the guys in white are coming to get me..................me and married again would be a long time coming, but this time is for good!

 

[EddieWalker]

Danny,

One of the reason's we're getting married out of state is because it started getting out of control here in Texas. Steph has a big family and it seemed to be growing!!!!

We just decided to elope. No body gets hurt feelings and our headache level is greatly reduced.

We've also talked about having weddings here. Just wait until yo see my gazebos and some of the settings I'm putting them in!!! There will be a very large hall for receptions, if that's needed, and for couples like yourself, I'm building a bunch of cabins!!!

We truly expect it to be a place for anniversaries, re-unions and family get togethers. Tent sites will be nice, but the cabins will be amazing!!!

Eddie

 

[rox]

Eddie,

I did PM you.

Now you are talking about building a big reception hall in additon to the restaurant. I won't even start on that because I know it is years away. I made your head hurt with the restaurant kitchen talk so I won't even start about the design needs of a reception hall.. You're welcome!

 

[Bird]

building a big reception hall in additon to the restaurant

Rox, I know you know the restaurant business, but don't know how much you know about the RV Park business and/or RV lifestyle. Actually, RV Parks with their own restaurants are relatively rare. I can only think of 4 we've stayed in during our years of RVing. However, restrooms with showers and a store with basic RV supplies, groceries, and toiletries are expected. Swimming pools, propane sales, and coin laundry are common and are a plus for the park. Small cabins are becoming more common. A "game room" is popular with billiards, ping pong, pinball, and/or video game machines. And then if a park wants the club meetings, they need a big meeting room or reception hall, preferably with kitchen facilities. I suppose most non-RVers may not know about the "clubs" such as the Good Sam Club, the Family Motor Coach Association, and many others. Nearly every manufacturer has a membership deal, or club, for owners of their brand. It's not unusual for those groups to have get togethers with 100 or more RVs for the festivities. One of the more recent amenities found in a number of RV parks is covered spaces; i.e, usually a metal "carport" type of cover, open on both ends and both sides.

 

[rox]

Bird, and you would be right! We had a camper but always kept it year round at the same campground close to our home. So I really ahve not been to an RV park in probably 15 years. My siser as a big Winnebago, and belongs to a Winebago Club and she tells me about what nice parks they have nowdays.

So my RV Park knowlede is second hand for sure...

 

[Bird]

We had a camper but always kept it year round at the same campground close to our home.

Now, Rox, that's beyond comprehension to us old traveling RVers. If I'd planned to go to the same place all the time, I'd have bought a lot at the lake, put a cabin on it, and it probably would have been a good investment. Instead we wanted to travel, go to new and different places all the time, so we bought RVs, took lots of depreciation on them, but had a good time.

Of course, I reckon you weren't too unusual. The summer that we worked in an RV resort in Virginia Beach, I was really surprised at the number of people who had campers in the storage lot and never towed them. They'd call to say they were coming out for the weekend (or whatever dates) and we'd hook a tractor to their trailer and place it on one of campsites, then the day after they left, we'd tow it back to the storage lot.

 

[rox]

Well for us we really never had the option of traveling because of my husband's job. He always worked Friday and Saturday nights being a chef. So we found a campground about 45 mintues from daddy's job and he would roll in Friday and Saturday nights around midnight or 1am. Sundays he usually was able to stay with us at the campground. It is very hard to have a nice family life if you work in the food service industry. We did the best we could under the circumstances and really it was a great campground, I think we were proabely there for a good 5 years. Camping is great for kids, our kids had their campground friends. It was hard on my husband though but he did it jsut to have a few hours on Saturday morning with his family camping, like well... normal people (non-food service people). When people comment how hard we work being olive farmers I jsut shake my head, this is a piece of cake compared to being chef owner of restaurants.

I would like to RV but niether my husband nor myself are comfortable driving that big of a piece of vehicle. My husband will NOT tow anything. He does not liek the idea of pulling anything behind his vehicle. He will go rent a truck before he will tow. Before we got the 29ft travel trailor (which we had delivered and then sold it form the campsite) we had a pop up and I drove that the first eyar when we didn't have a permenant site. It was scary but I did it. I salute all you guys and gals who tow things and do so safely.

 

[Bird]

I think I can understand all that, Rox. I worked a lot of nights, weekends, holidays, long shifts, and on call 24 hours a day myself. And I only know just enough about the food service business to know it's the last thing I'd want to do. As for towing . . ., I learned to pull a little utility trailer when I was 16, then boat trailers and U-Hauls, with bumper hitches, then 40' grain tractor/trailers while I was still a teenager. But I bought our first travel trailer, 25' long, when I was 32 and I was scared to death pulling it home that day behind a 3/4 ton pickup. I practiced backing and manuevering it in a big parking lot that evening, and after the first couple of short trips was quite comfortable with it. When we had a little (18') Winnebago Brave motorhome, my wife got accustomed to driving it, but she would never pull a trailer (I did get her to drive about 80 miles one time in south Texas with no traffic pulling the 32' fifth-wheel), and she never wanted to drive the 40' motorhome. Actually, I think it's more comfortable driving a big motorhome than driving a car. You sit up high so you can see over the cars, very comfortable suspensions and seats, bigger and better mirrors; just a pleasant way to travel.

 

[EddieWalker]

Latest update.

Rox has been a tremendous help to us. We have been emailing each other and because of her, we've learned of Boulder Falls in Boulder Colorado. From the pictures that Steph and I have seen online, it's perfect!!

Has anybody else been there?

Right now we're working on finding a Minister to perform the ceremony. We have a few options, but if somebody has a suggestion or any other ideas, we'd love to hear from you.

We're also searching for places to stay. The night before in Boulder for sure, but the night of the wedding doesn't have to be there. It could be on our route up to Wyoming and across to Idaho if there's something you'd like to reccomend.

Thank you to everone for your help, especially you Rox!!!
Eddie & Steph

 

[hilld]

Eddie,

How about near Jackson, WY, just on the other side from Pocatello, ID. When coming up from UT or CO, head up to Jackson, get married with the Grand Tetons in the background (gorgeous), then take the pass over to ID and continue your trip. You can take US 20 from Idaho Falls, via Boise, then pick up I-84 and either head due west towards Portland or from Hermiston, head north towards Seattle (the freeway number escapes me at the moment).

When we were out there last year, it was just fabulous, snow covered mountains (Grand Tetons) in the back ground, wild Buffalo everywhere and just gorgeous scenery.

Congrats and good luck choosing a site.

Derek

 

[EddieWalker]

Derek,

We've been emailing a Reverend in the Denver area who went to Boulder Falls to see what it's like for us. She sent back pictures and told us about the hike in, and responded to every question we've come up with.

I told her yesterday that we'd like for her to marry us at Boulder Falls, CO.

We're looking at hotel rooms right now for the night before. Then the day of our wedding, we'll get our license at 8am when they open and have the ceremony set right afterwards.

When it's done adn we're happy with our pictures, we're going to drive to Yellowstone for our honeymoon. Just a day there, but it's such a special place that Steph has never seen, so we're both exited about it.

We'll definately get some pics of the Grand Tetons!!!

Thank you Rox for helping us find the spot, and to everyone esle for your help and suggestions.

Eddie & Steph

 

[BillG_in_TX]

OK Eddie. Just tell us the date and time, and we'll all be there!

You are inviting the whole TBN clan, aren't you?

 

[hilld]

When it's done adn we're happy with our pictures, we're going to drive to Yellowstone for our honeymoon. Just a day there, but it's such a special place that Steph has never seen, so we're both exited about it.

Yellowstone in a day, how are you going to do that and do the Grand Tetons as well?

We were there for 8 days last summer and didn't cover it all. We did quite a bit of hiking with the kids (if you can call it that) and of course lots of driving. We were there in mid June before the huge crowds arrive, but I do remember a Moose, Bear or even a Bison or two causing major traffic jams, they call them Bear jams up in Yellowstone. No matter how much time you spend there, it will never be enough.

It will be fantastic, depending on what kind of camera you have, bring a long lens and plenty of "film" (regular or digital).

Have a great trip and wedding.

I will try to post a few pictures from our trip when I get home tonight.

Derek

 

[EddieWalker]

Bill,

We're eloping, not even family is invited!! hahaha

Our goal is to get some nice pictures and then hit the road!!!


Derek,

I agree with you that Yellowstone needs several days to get any idea of what's there. Unfortunatley, this is a work trip that we've decided to get married on. Yellowstone is sort of an afterthought that we decided to do after looking for nice places in Southern Wyoming for our wedding night.

A week of looking online and we never found one place that we liked. Then I looked at the map a little different and realized we could drive through Yellostone, see the hightlights and not loose too much time.

The goal is to see Old Faithful, then cross over to Yellowstone Falls and then back across again to Mammoth Hot Springs. Hopefully it wont be too crowded on a Tuesday, but it don't matter either way. A bison jam, or any other critter on the road is just what we're hoping for.

Steph has a brand new Cannon S2 digital camera with a 12x optical zoom that she's getting really good with. She never goes anywhere without it and the tripod!!

Eddie

 

[hilld]

Are your bags packed? The 31st is right around the corner.

Have a good trip.

Derek

 

[rox]

Eddie,

Isn't this message board amazing? I have gotten to know you and so many other really nice people on this message board. It makes me really happy to know that my idea of Boulder Falls was the winner in the Eddie & Steph run away to get married topic. I never e-mailed you, but I actually did come up with a minister who would have done your weddng gratis, the e-mail arrived the day after you said that you were going to go with the minister who had visited the site on your behalf.

I know we will all be waiting for your trip pics when you return back to Texas.

For Hotels you really can't beat www.Priceline.com honestly you can get a fabulous hotel, always pick the 4 or 5 star hotel at a great price. I bid on a 4 star in Philly and got it for $40 a night, the going rate was $195 a night. The worst that will happen on Priceline is that no hotel will take your low bid, the reslut being no harm no foul you are not out anything.

Enjoy your time in Boulder it is really rally a pretty city, they hav great public transportation you might be able to leave your truck and trailor parked and take a bus out to the trailhead. You would have to check with them but I would not be surprised. Public transportaion in Boulder is very very nice.

Have you or Steph worked on comig up with any special vows you would like to make to each other?

 

[EddieWalker]

Derek,

We haven't started packing, but the shoping has been out of control. New clothes and lots of travle snacks!!!! My truck is ready, all tuned up and I've even cleaned out the inside, which is the first time I've ever done that!!!!


Rox,

Funny that you asked about the vows. Steph and the minister have been emailing ideas back and forth. I think we're set, but it's been one of those things she's spent hours working on in the evenings.

We're both exited to see Boulder and the falls. Our goal is to get there Sunday afternoon and do some exploring. We really want to see the falls before the wedding and hike the trail to see what it's like. It's only supposed to be a quarter mile, but the minister went there a few weeks ago and said it's a little rough. She said it might be tough to do in a dress.

Steph isn't wearing a traditional wedding dress, but from what I've been told, it's a nice dress that she can also wear to other functions. It's black and I'm wearing black slacks and a white shirt. Very simple.

My parents are here to watch the place and move some more dirt out of the lake, so everything here should be fine. That's always a concern, so it's nice to have them here.

Saturday morning and we're on the road!!!!

Eddie

 

[hilld]

Saturday morning and we're on the road!!!!

Eddie

Have a safe & enjoyable trip and don't forget to take lots of pictures.

Derek

 

[rox]

Eddie,
You and Steph may not be much of drinkers but I know my husband and I have celebrated every happy major event by opening a bottle of Champagne. Between all that shopping an idea might be to pick up a bottle and bring it with and two glasses, perhaps surprise Steph with it, rats she might see this message board and there goes the surprise.

Usually we had French Champagn but for serving crowds I like the more economical American made Korbel Brut. But seeing as how you lived in California you prolly know much mre about good California Champagne.

Cheers to you 2, al the best, ~rox