The Last Temptation of Estrella

[jamesq]

About a month ago I was seriously looking into going to the Estrella War. I concluded at the time that I was just a little short of both time and money.

Time was an issue because I only have a few vacation days left before April (when they recycle). Money was an issue because I was still in debt and hadn't found a renter for the house.

Well I missed the pre-registration deadline for the war, so I can't get onto the site before Tuesday. This gives me a day. Along with my remaining vacation and maybe a flex day, I should just be able to afford the time for the event and the after-party in Vegas.

This would cross two things off my Mission 101 list!

That leaves money. Because it's going to be tight with the time, I'll need to fly. Last time I checked, airfare into Phoenix was on the order of $200-$300. Airfare out of Las Vegas was similar. Basically I'd be spending about $600 minimum to travel. I just checked and I can get into Phoenix for $114 and out of Las Vegas for $99. With tax, I'm looking at about $300, which is what I've been paying to go to Vancouver the last few years.

I've also gained a roommate (thebrucie), so that ups my monthly income enough that I can pay the trip off in months instead of years.

A lot still needs to fall into place though. I need to:

• convince my boss to let me go that week. Should be OK if I can get my current project done.
  
• get a ride from Phoenix to the site (about an hour drive, or so they tell me) on Tuesday (probably 11-ish 7pm-ish).
  
• arrange transport from the site to Vegas. This could be as simple as a car ride, or it could involve flying from Phoenix to Vegas (which is thankfully cheap, but I still have to get to PHX).
  
• get someone to transport my camping gear & garb to and from the site. I'd rather not be wandering around a couple of airports with two duffle-bags worth of gear.

It'll all be a mad scramble tomorrow because I'm not sure how long my "cheap flight" window will be. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

[conejita-diabla.livejournal.com]

#1 I can't do anything about. :-)

I'm sure we can do #2. I can take Emu into town myself, if needs be.

#3 is the tricky one. It seems like we should be able to sort it one way or another, but pinning down exactly how it'll work is difficult.

#4 will be interesting as well, but...we'll look into it.

Of course, if anyone else can help on these fronts, speak up! :-)

[wendy-licious.livejournal.com]

We're taking stuff for people in exchange for chucking in a bit of gas money but we won't be on site until Thursday.
We are going to Vegas after the event...
Call Ry if you want to discuss details.

[wendy-licious.livejournal.com]

Looks like we'll be there Wednesday, not Thursday.

[mallt.livejournal.com]

I believe there's a bus that goes from Phoenix Airport to the site but you have to book it in advance... check it out at the Estrella websites travel page.

[conejita-diabla.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but it's like $75 or something....ouch!

[devoidofthought.livejournal.com]

I was really wanting to go, but I think school is going to get in the way *pouts*

[thekillerb69.livejournal.com]

Well, time off is all up to you. The ride from the airport to site can easily happen through Diabla or ourselves, Emu likes airport runs I think. If you go from site to Vegas by air, Ian will be giving us a ride to the airport on Sunday afternoon (our flight leaves for home at 2:30 so we'll probably leave site at 11 or so) or there are many other options as lots of people will be going from site to or through Vegas. As for your stuff, there are a few wagons going down. You could pack the essentials with you (garb and tent) and send everything else down with the war wagons.

Hope you find a way to make it!