Anyone for the march class? [Archive] - Log Home Builders Association Forums

heavyopp

01-03-2007, 07:46 PM

I guess I'm going to sign up for it. I live in NJ. Luckily jet blue flies to seattle direct from JFK airport in NY. Thats under an hour away from me.

Airfair is $119 each way plus the usual taxes and such.

How far is the school from the airport? Where to stay? Rent a car? I saw there was a best western suggested. Anyone know how far that is?

Possible carpool with others staying in the same place or is that too much to ask. I don't plan on doing anything but drive from the airport to the hotel, to the class and back. I won't be able to do any sightseeing and will leave after the classes are done. There is a midnight flight out of seattle on the last day of class. Bad idea??

Jer

mhiles

01-03-2007, 07:51 PM

I stayed in the Guesthouse Suites (formerly Holiday Inn Express) in Monroe and it was very comfortable. Around $100 a night.

To get to Monroe from Seatac, it will take an hour. A midnight flight might be cutting it short on Sunday eve. Depends on how many questions and when they start the film with the Crazy Candadian guy building the log house.

If you like Indian cuisine, there's a good one in Monroe. Highly recommended.

kyle

01-03-2007, 08:00 PM

Hi Jer,

Agree an hour (without traffic). I stayed at the Best Western and it was a very clean hotel (3 years ago). Think I paid about $70 per night and it was worth it.

Since then a lot of people have stayed at and recommend the http://www.wallacefallslodge.com/ . Its a log home bed and breakfast built by a LHBA student. I know rates are higher but I'm sure whomever stays there while taking the class looks over it quite a bit after a day in class.

Several people in my class had a late sunday night flight. If class goes till 9pm I don't think you'll have a problem making a midnight flight unless you hit traffic (I doubt) or have weather related delays (such as the recent flooding).

kyle

01-03-2007, 08:02 PM

PS...Best Western also had a continental breakfast. I know some people don't think thats a big deal but it was convenient.

PSS...mention you are there for the log home class. They use to give a discount to class members.

Steve

01-03-2007, 08:09 PM

Hi Jer, welcome to the forums. ;)

We have an article here (http://www.loghomebuilders.org/best_travel_deals_to_log_home_class.htm) with suggested places to stay and such. For about the same money as the big hotels in Monroe, you might try the Gaylord House bed and breakfast, we've never heard anything but rave reviews. And let Kay fix you a sack lunch, they're great. (And don't forget to ask about the LHBA discount).

From Monroe it takes about 45 minutes to get to the airport (that's on Sunday night when there is very little traffic). For a midnight flight, you'll probably want to be to the airport by around 11pm at the latest, and that should be absolutely no problem. To the best of my recollection, we've never ended a class as late as 10:15pm. I'd say the average ending time on the second day is around 8pm. Of course class ain't over till all the questions are answered, so I could be proved wrong. ;)

By the way, the Gaylord House and the other B&Bs fill up FAST on class weekends. If you want to give one of them a try, book now.

-Steve

rreidnauer

01-04-2007, 10:27 AM

Car rental desks are right in the airport. Enterprise was very cheap when I was there. (far less than the East coast rates, so cheap that I chose to rent a full size car) They make it real easy too. They take you right to your car, and bring you back to the airport when you're done with it.

My flight days were one day before class, and one day after class. This took alot of the pressure off. I'll never forget people leaving class halfway through the second day of class so they could make their flights. That's nuts!!! Getting in a day early was really nice, as I was able to unwind and explore the area quite well, and even had time to hike up to Wallace Falls in Gold Bar. (and what a great hike it was for some flat-lander like myself, to get to see 3 1/2 miles of temperate rainforest and beautiful snowcapped mountains) Looking back, I wished I would have had a few more days.

damon

01-04-2007, 10:44 AM

I just took the class in December and stayed at the Best Western in Monroe. It was a nice clean hotel and only about 5-10 minutes from class. We flew in on Friday night and hit Seattle right around rush hour so our drive to Monroe was close to 2 hours I think.

rustbucketbingo

01-05-2007, 10:43 AM

I'm into saving money. Anyone else?

I got in Friday night and stayed at the SeaTac Valu Inn... it was clean... and just 5 minutes from the airport. Came to about $25 a night with my Travelocity deal. Got a Hertz rental car packaged with my deal. It's the 3rd time I've rented a Hertz "economy" car and they've run out so they had to give me my choice of several much nicer cars. Maybe this happens a lot with Hertz? 45 minutes to and from Monroe to and from Seatac is a very nice drive. Lots to see.

I flew out at midnight on Sunday night as well. I was back at my desk in Virginia by noon Monday. (Though needless to say, it wasn't a very productive day.)

heavyopp

01-05-2007, 07:48 PM

Thanks for all the info guys.

There is not much choice for direct flights. The best I can find is jet blue from JFK in NY. It's now $109 plus taxes to get there and $159 to get home. There is only 1 direct flight per day each way. Any other air line add $100 each way.

The flight times aren't terrible. Arrive at seatac around 10 pm the day before class and leave seatac at 11:59 pm on sunday after class.

This is probably what I will do.

As for where to stay -- I'll most likely just stay at the best western. I've never stayed at a bed and breakfast before. I feel wierd staying there alone. I would rather save the 1st B&B experience to share with my wife. With the time schedule I'm going to be on I'd just be more comfortable with the standard room. I may change my mind though.

I'll figure out the car too - maybe a package deal with the room.

From what I am reading I guess we are to fend for ourselves for meals. What did everyone do? Is there somewhere in monroe to get a sandwich for lunch to bring? Dinner?

Thanks once again, Jer

kyle

01-06-2007, 06:25 AM

Jer,

There was a supermarket very close to the Best Western where I would get a half sub/hoagie (whatever you want to call them) and anything else I wanted for class.

kyle

01-06-2007, 06:28 AM

And yes you want to bring enough for dinner at least on Saturday. On Sunday they used to do a potluck dinner where everyone brought something and yes you will be able to find something at the supermarket to take to the potluck dinner (if they still do that).

heavyopp

01-06-2007, 02:48 PM

Sounds Good.

I officially signed up for the class last night.

What kind of weather should be expected for the area in early March?

I've been to Montana on a few hunting trips and they could never get more than a 3 day forcast because it changed so much.

Jer

heavyopp

01-08-2007, 06:20 AM

Well -- I booked a seat in the March class. I already have a change of plans.

Sunday , I got an email from Chuck -- " we had a cancellation for the January class - You want the spot?"

After some fancy footwork I was able to secure a flight and car rental for cheaper than I could have done it for March. Travelocity had a "last Minute" deal leaving from Newark with a car rental in seattle for $346.07 round trip.

It's going to be a little tight leaving Seattle but I hope it will be fine. The flight leaves seatac at 11:25 PM. I guess that means I won't be able to hang around after class. They are not direct flights anymore either but life goes on...

Jer

ryoung99

01-08-2007, 08:01 PM

I am going to enroll in the March class in the next 48 hours. It is my intention to enroll my father as well.

So glad I found this site. We are very fortunate and could pay to have someone build this home for us, but there is a burning desire in me to do it my self (of with the help of my father).

I have always dreamed of having a family retreat with multiple log cabins for family and this appears to be the first step in realizing this dream.

We know exactly where we want to build in Siskiyou County California and I believe that we can get the logs pretty easily (grew up there and know most of the logging companies that contract with the big companies for lumber). In fact we have some very good family friends that have log trucks with booms that could bring the logs directly to our site(s).

Hope to meet some of you very soon.

Rick

curlygirl110

01-09-2007, 07:39 PM

From what I am reading I guess we are to fend for ourselves for meals. What did everyone do? Is there somewhere in monroe to get a sandwich for lunch to bring? Dinner?

For lunch at class, I just grabbed a boxed lunch at Albertson's...had a sandwich, chips, and a cookie.

Enjoy the class!!!

Teresa :D

The_Truth

01-10-2007, 01:11 PM

Rick,

Welcome! I am glad you will be signing up for the class. I learned more in 2 days than I could ever imagine. But the bonus is the Members area forum where people who have built or are building will freely share their ideas with you along the way. Everyone here has been excellent and I hope to be building in the next year or so.

The best money I ever spent!

ryoung99

01-10-2007, 03:27 PM

Thanks,

We are also looking to take a class offered in Colorado by Acacia School of Log Building.

This one appears to go more into the framing, plumbing and electrical skills. After looking at the iteneraries for both they seem very complimentary.

We will do the LHBA first, then Acacia. I believe between the two we should walk away with a great understanding of the task ahead of us and how we can accomplish the goal.

It is hard not to jump the gun and start looking for logs, etc. We should be making an offer on our lake front parcel next week.

Rick

ryoung99

01-12-2007, 10:30 PM

Wow, right after that post I went to sign up for the March 3rd class and it was full. I have spent two days fretting over not signing up earlier... thank god there was a March 24th class offered.

I am not going to make the same mistake, I have signed up, paid and booked my airfare. Now I just need to get a place to sleep, I want to stay at the lodge built by one of Skips students.

Very much looking forwad to the weekend. Now I am going to try and get a couple of friends to sign up as well.

Since I found this site and have passed it around to a few associates with similar goals as mine, I have been amazed at the interest.

Rick

Kennit

01-15-2007, 09:05 AM

What kind of weather should be expected for the area in early March?

Jer

This is Washington, on the west slope of the Cascades, in the spring... youv'e got about a 90% chance of rain in March. Although every once in awhile we get a suprise and are blessed with a beautiful sunny weekend. (But I'd still plan on getting a little wet.)

BTW - I live about an hour south of Monroe. Lived here all my life. I've been to every state except Alaska, and I still choose Western Washington as my home.

gumpond

01-17-2007, 05:31 PM

Randy42

01-20-2007, 11:46 PM

Hello ! I just signed up for the March 24-25 Class and I am pumped !!! I'm getting in on the 23rd and going to stick a round a few extra days. I booked a room at the Best Western in Monroe I live in Nebraska but looking for land in Oklahoma... I'm looking forword to meeting you all... Can't wait... See ya thier :D

FLATSDOMINO

01-27-2007, 12:57 PM

FLATSDOMINO

01-27-2007, 01:01 PM

Still trying to find a decent flight out of Atllanta. Prices better to fly to DC and then west. Would rather fly direct. Looking forward to the class with great anticipation.
Sold my house this weekend and current cabin is a mite small for long periods. Looking forward to cutting some cypress.
See you there.
Greg

Hey Greg where are ya located. I have property near the lake in Putnum County and would like to trade labor if your interested.

Dave

gumpond

01-28-2007, 05:56 PM

I'm currently located in Eatonton, 8 miles from the lakes. Would like to get down to the farm which is on the Oconee River about 60 miles south of Lake Sinclair.

Greg

ftully

01-29-2007, 10:40 PM

Yeah, I'll also be attending the March class too.
Flying in on Southwest Air from Salt Lake City on 3/2. No plans on hotel yet. I actually am considering camping. I'm playing it by ear.
I got a car from Alamo for $51 from 3/2 - 3/5.
Can't wait for the class. I can't sleep... I have been pricing out roofing, and window, trying to find deals on tools, windows, doors, fixtures...

I wish someone would post a list of all the tools they used to build their home.
Actually, I am planning to build a lodge/restaurant with 3 BR upstairs. A huge undertaking. I am hoping to start this spring. I have land just west of Cody, WY.