PHP Appalachia

Elizabeth

Ok, so who wants to take a road trip with me?

I posted this on my blog today:

It’s officially official. Ben, Aaron, Chris & I had shared some IRC discussions about how great it would be to just go camping and talk about PHP and PHP-related stuff (and perhaps share an adult beverage or two over a campfire.) Thus, PHP Appalachia was born!

What:
PHP Appalachia is an informal gathering of PHP enthusiasts who just want an excuse to get together and enjoy exchanging information in a relaxed, beautiful setting. There is no set agenda, no formal speakers. Just 3 days of camping and sharing PHP ideas and experiences with people just like you.

When:
September 27-29, 2006

Where:
This gathering will be held at the Cherokee/Great Smokies KOA in Cherokee, NC.

The Cherokee / Great Smokies KOA is bordered on one side by the serene Raven Fork River and on the other side by three tribal trout ponds. It lies just across the road from Great Smoky Mountains National Park and one mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway. From almost anywhere on KOA’s grounds, take in 360-degree mountain views. Enjoy the shuttle to area attractions, indoor pool and hot tub, fitness center, island pet walk, whitewater rafting, horseback riding and gem mining excursions, among other things. Wireless Internet is available at the campground.

Who:
Anyone with an interest in PHP and PHP related technologies is welcome to attend. Even if “roughing it” is not your thing, you’re welcome to come along as there are numerous area hotels available.

How Much:
Registration is only $15, and each attendee will receive a free PHP Appalachia t-shirt. Accomodations are very affordable, and meals are available for about $25/day.

Anyone in the Cincinnati area that wants a ride down, I’ll be leaving on September 26 and coming back the 30th. I have room for 6 so let me know if you want a ride.

Make sure to check out the PHP Appalachia Website for all the gory details- and come and join us, it’ll be loads of fun!

laserlight

Oh dear, I want to go, but I'm in Singapore and it will be during the university term. Anything catered to off-site attendees, seeing that there is wireless Internet there?

Elizabeth

Good question- we're working on some ideas, like maybe podcasts or a live webcam pointed at the main gathering area or an IRC channel or something along those lines. I'll let you know once we have some specifics worked out.

Thanks!

piersk

I'm actually very tempted by this... /me goes to check flights to cincinnati

Whats the airport nearest to cincinnati?

Elizabeth

CVG - it's actually in northern kentucky but it's called the "Greater Cincinnati International Airport". Go figure.

vaaaska

I've never been to that part of the states...I'd love to go (assuming they would allow me). If only September wasn't going to be the most completely crazy month of my entire life (and this is a good thing).

Do they do fried dill pickles in that part of the country? I'm dying to try this someday.

ramsey

vaaaska wrote:
Do they do fried dill pickles in that part of the country? I'm dying to try this someday.

I've lived in the South all my life, and I have yet to see or try fried dill pickles. It's rumored that some BBQ place south of Atlanta serves them, but I've yet to go there. I would venture a guess that the Appalachia community doesn't have fried dill pickles since their culture was/is very different from that of other parts of the South.

I'm guessing that you'd have to go to Louisiana or West Tennessee to get some fried dill pickles. I could be wrong.

Not all parts of the South are the same, and not all Southern accents are the same. :-)

Elizabeth

Are fried dill pickles the cousins to fried green tomatoes?

ramsey

Elizabeth wrote:
Are fried dill pickles the cousins to fried green tomatoes?

Yup. And fried green tomatoes are awesome!

Jason_Batten

Deliverance.

piersk

Hmmm... approx £450 to fly to Cincinnati... definately gonna give it some serious thought, but that's a little pricey for a few days (plus a bit more if I take up the incredibly kind offer of a room)

ramsey

piersk wrote:
Hmmm... approx £450 to fly to Cincinnati... definately gonna give it some serious thought, but that's a little pricey for a few days (plus a bit more if I take up the incredibly kind offer of a room)

If you want to feel better, try pricing the flight to Asheville, NC (the actual location of the event). I bet it'll be twice that price.

goldbug

Elizabeth wrote:
CVG - it's actually in northern kentucky but it's called the "Greater Cincinnati International Airport". Go figure.

There's also Lunken Air Field (LUK?), that is super-duper close to my house, but the chances you fly in there are pretty slim, unless you're the jetset playboy type. 🙂

dalecosp

Maybe Piersk could hop a military plane headed for Bragg.... 😃

Shoot, I'd love to camp out w/y'all, but it's a long drive all across the 3 states of Tennessee. I'll head on over to the site and see what's cooking...

dalecosp

Incidentally, Elizabeth ... what's the weather forecast for the area on those dates?

😉

Elizabeth

dalecosp wrote:
Incidentally, Elizabeth ... what's the weather forecast for the area on those dates?

😉

Nice and cool, but not too cool, and definitely 100% sunny every day 😃

Elizabeth

Yes, I'm bugging you about this again.

If you haven't yet made reservations to attend, you really should! Reservations need to be made by July 5 in order to make sure you get the discounted rate.

Also, if you're interested in presenting or if you have any topics you'd like to discuss with the group, please let me know!

(And if you're not coming, I wouldn't mind hearing why not, so we can plan for next year)

We're also thinking about giving away some door prizes, like this , this, or anything from this category - what do you guys think? Would that make you want to register before July 5? Or make the trek to NC?

Any feedback you have would be greatly appreciated.

Elizabeth

In case you're curious about what went on during PHP Appalachia, I blogged a quick wrap-up type blog on my site.

http://naramore.net/blog/index.php?p=90

And you can see the photos here: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=phpappalachia&s=int

We're planning on doing it again in 2007 so if you wanted to go this time and couldn't, you can catch us next time! 🙂

vaaaska

Thanks for posting all of that...I had wondered how it all went. Looks fun.

Maybe next year...maybe...