nwaas.com

When? April 18-20 (mostly just 19-20)
Where? Stratford Inn off of I-44 in St. Louis
What? 27 class fish show, speakers and huge auction
Who? Mike Schadle, Ray "Kingfish" Lucas, Ad Konings, and Charlie Grimes will all be speaking.
Why? Because it's a lot of fun!
See http://www.missouriaquariumsociety.com/annualshow2008.htm for more info.

Who's going?
I know Kevin and Corey both talked about it and I plan on it. Anyone else?

As mentioned above, I will be going. I can also offer limited free room and board for the weekend. My parents live up there. The downside is that we will be 40 minutes or more from the location of the event. Carpooling will obviously be ideal as will bringing something to sleep on while you are there. Parents said it was ok if I had friends over for a sleep over, but 'comfortable' sleeping arrangements are limited. I have first dibs.

Kevin

Kevin,

When are you going?
How long are you staying?
Are you planning on just splitting the fuel cost?

Randy

We need to get this finalized in the next week or so.
Anybody sending stuff to auction?
How about a show of hands on who's going?

I wouldn't mind sending some fish if anyone will take them for me. I could bring them to the meeting next Saturday. Denny

We need to determine the schedule also. I know we talked about leaving Friday night?

Ok, here are the plans, since they are my personal plans they are open to modification for the greater good.

Leave: Friday evening, preferably a carpool leaving from Neosho, Mo as the last stop as they pick me up. I get off work about 4pm. I would love to hit the road at 6pm.

Staying: At my parents place, they will actually be out of town. That does allow us to have nice breakfast and dinner at the house each day. We would need to bring our own food though.

Money: Gas money? We should split the cost of gas between whoever goes. Lodging....hmmm, I guess if you guys buy the food there won't be a housing charge

Come Home: Sunday Evening, I know I have to be at work early Monday morning.

Lets here some input.

Kevin

Sounds like a plan but what are we driving? My truck? Since we never know what we're gonna find.

Michael and Randy, you guys going?

I am still deciding. i have never been to an Event like this. The auction sounds neat but the rest I am not sure about.

If I go we could use my van. It can seat six OK and it also has power outlets if needed.

I promise you would enjoy the rest! If I get off of work I am going. I'll know in the next couple of days.
Michael

Faint possibility that I may be able to go. I would love to, especially since I had to miss the KC auction.

Think I'm gonna have to pass on going for the whole weekend. Too many irons in the fire and like I "need" anything else.

Talked to moparitus tonight and might make it to the auction.

Would like some more blue rams to go with the KC rams.

Looks like I get to go! Mark insisted that even if I can't make arrangements for the girls to be out of his hair that I should go.

So, what type of arrangements need to be made?

I won't be going this time around.

Ok, here are the plans then:

Leave from Down Town Pierce City at 8pm on Friday night. Michael will be coming up from Arkansas so if you someone is reading this that wants to come, make sure you contact him for a ride.

Breakfast and Dinner will be at my parent's house so bring food to prepare. If we want to, we can divide up the meals and each person can bring something.

What other details do we need...oh, wait, who's vehicle are we taking?

Kevin

Ok, sorry guys, but I have to back out of the trip. Apparently, when my oncologist says "Nothing but rest for the next two or three weeks" he doesn't mean I should do a bunch of yard work, gardening, etc... I'm having a lot of trouble with my left arm and hand and my energy level has taken a direct hit.

Cancer sucks, even when you are lucky enough to call yourself a survivor.

Then there were two.....

Michael, we will leave from my house when ever you get there Friday night. Call me and we can work on a menu. Make sure you bring your collecting gear. No, those last two sentences are necessarily related.

Kevin

We went, we saw, we bought fish, and missed all of our friends.

I came home with:

29 gallon Aquarium - $11
Rio Negro Dwarf Pike Cichlid (2M/1F) - $14
6 Vietnamese White Clouds - $11
Adult Pair "Red Hump" Eartheater - $12

I didn't bid on the other pairs of Geo. Jurpari that were sold, I remember them going for under $15 a pair though.

There were gymnogeophagus in the show and a Geophagus altifrons won best of show. Don't worry, I had my camera with me

The auction was excellent, but it didn't compare to getting to chat with Mike Lucas and Ad Konings after they gave their talks.

Expect to see a slide show in the near future: "What Michael and Kevin did on their Spring Trip."

Kevin

RAY Lucas, Mike SCHADLE

I was trying to cover all three, but only have to type two names.

Kevin

The Start Wars guy was there ????????????????

COOL!

Jurupari pairs for under $15?
good god a mighty.