Here’s some logistical information you’re going to need if you’re attending the wedding:

Wedding weekend at a glance:

Friday 9/17 -Rimrock Ranch – Rehearsal Cook Out/Movie Night 7:00pm – open to everyone!

Saturday 9/18 – Rimrock Ranch- WEDDING 4:00pm followed by the RECEPTION

Sunday 9/19 – Rimrock Ranch – Farewell Brunch – open to everyone!

There’s a list of area attractions toward the bottom of the page.

Dates-

The ceremony and reception will be on Saturday September 18th.  We are having a fun and casual rehearsal dinner on Friday 9/17/2010 open to all wedding invitees as well as a picnic brunch on Sunday 9/19/2010, so make a weekend out of it!  After the reception the night owls will head down the road to Pappy and Harriet’s for live music, debauchery, dancing and mixing with the locals.

The Venue-

The ceremony and reception will be at Rimrock Ranch in Pioneertown, CA. The Ranch is dog friendly and so are some of the local hotels.

This is the high desert.  What does that mean for you?  Check the weather.  There can be significant shifts in temperature from day to night.  Also, the high desert is home to all sorts of amazing critters.  Including rattlesnakes.  While they are not common in areas with a lot of people, if you’re bringing your dog I recommend talking to your vet about getting a rattlesnake vaccine just to be safe.

Cell phone reception is spotty at the ranch.  Ironically, AT&T seems to work….

Wardrobe-

All wedding activities are completely outdoors.  Ladies, I’m avoiding spike heels and think you should too.  Cowboy boots are strongly encouraged.  Anything from Anthropologie will fit right in.

Guys – dress up, but not too much.

*Everybody should be prepared for hot and cold weather!*

Travel-

Pioneertown is just under an hour drive from Palm Springs and 2 1/2 hours from Los Angeles.

If you prefer to fly into Los Angeles, there will be a caravan of people driving out to the desert on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  I’d be happy to arrange carpools for people flying into Palm Springs as well.

Please email Lanie if you are interested in carpooling.  If you are driving yourself, email me if you are willing and able to drive other guests from LA or Palm Springs.  You’d be a hero.  Seriously.

email: Chef@LanieJ.com

Don’t call me about it.  I need everything in writing at this point for my own sanity.

IMPORTANT:  While driving around certain parts of the desert you might be tempted to pull over to take a picture of the awesome landscape.  That white sand in the shoulder of the road might look like the perfect place to pull off.  Don’t.  It isn’t.  You’ll get stuck and you’ll have to wait for some local with a towing get-up to come save you.

Lodging-

We have blocked out rooms at the Yucca Valley Inn and Suites for Friday and Saturday nights.

• I got a group rate of $79/night for rooms booked by July 15th – after that, just ask for the special rate…hopefully they’ll honor it.
• Big pool
• Newly remodeled
• wi-fi
• 2 dog friendly rooms though I don’t think you can leave your dog while you’re out and about, just FYI.

Here is a link to another local hotel with crazy-ass theme rooms if you’re into that.

• $55-$199/night
• pool
• spa
• movie library
• some suites have kitchens

There’s a Best Western nearby too

Gift Registry

Velocity Art and Design

Crate and Barrel – because at least one thing about this wedding will be traditional.

Things to Do

Pioneertown Mane Street – Pioneertown was originally an old Hollywood Western movie set.  The fake buildings are all still there, and there’s a troupe that does Wild West reenactments from 2:30-3:30pm on Saturdays.  It’s right on the way to the wedding………I’m just sayin’……

Joshua Tree National Park Here’s a video about it.

Desert Hot Springs

Pioneer Bowl

The Integration

Pappy and Harriet’s – world famous live music venue – we’ll head here after the reception if we haven’t had enough partying.

Restaurants

Crossroads Cafe

Joshua Tree Beatnik Cafe

Here’s a very comprehensive list of places to see, eat, shop.

Happy Spring!

Love,

The Fire Escape

Here’s me, Chris and our friend Brenna

The pictures really didn’t scan well at all.  Will work on it later…..

For your information, Hairdo, this year I’ve decide to stop living the same goddamned day over and over again. “How does one do that?” you ask.

Simple. A humongous leap (or two) of freaked out faith.

I’m starting a business. Sure I’ve three burly partners, but it’s still scary. And thrilling.

I’m also getting married. Only one burly partner in this case, but also still scary. And thrilling.

I feel like my whole life is just starting and am getting a bit misty with optimism. Just though I’d share that.

Voting Feb 5th-11th. She’s pet # 0501157

Actually we need an investor.  But right after that, let the diabolical laughter continue.