Ive been noticing a lot of down talk lately about Daytona and trade shows in general and I just want to give my 2 cents if you guys dont mind. We (boa keepers) are a small group, within the small group of what is known as Herpetoculturists or Herpers. We need to unite and be supportive and stop with all the hissy fitting about conditions of cities and what not. Theres no argument that Daytona Beach is no Monaco but come one guys, Its a gorgeous Facitlity where the show is held, Marble Floors, 30 foot ceiling, the Hotel is a Hilton and a very very nice one, I read some peoples reactions and it sounds like we're staying in a flea bag two hump motel. Plus they're putting up with tens of thousands of reptiles and arachnids and a quirky crowd like us, we should be thankful they havent given us the boot! We need them more than they need us, that you can take to the bank. If it was a Ritz Carlton no one would want to pay the room rate anyway so whats all the moaning about??? for $125 overlooking the OCEAN?!?!? For those whove never been there and read whats being written they'll think its backed up to a train track with junkies and hookers at every turn. So everyone out there know the views of the sunrise are amazing, theres a quaint mall with middle to high end restaurants and shops, including my favorite a Starbucs, theres a fun water park, awesome pool area with full bar and restaurant outside, theres a fishing peer and tons of HERPS which is what we're there for. You wanna do more drive 30-45 minutes and go to Orlando. Or hang out and have a good time with the people you only see on forums or phone calls the rest of the year. Good grief Ive staid in straw huts in the Northern Amazon, fighting of Dengue disease carrying mosquitos and malaria, without plumbing or electricity for days on end just to see some of the beloved animals we will see in Daytona in a hugely cozy environment and enjoyed every second, am I the only one seeing this?!?!
Our hobby is in DEEP DEEP DEEP TROUBLE and we're sitting around whining, no wonder the USFWS is taking a whack us, they see us as a group that cant get organized enough to figh back perhaps? Thank God for Andrew Wyatt, Jeff Ronne, Warren Booth and the many DIE HARDS that have come to our rescue.
By the way Im bringing the cheese to Daytona this year so everyone can have with their whine. If it were Harley Davidson driving bikers or Nascar fans, they'd put up with Daytona if it meant sleeping on rocks, and thats why no one is messing with their hobby. We need to be strong and support our hobby cause the sand in the clock is running low, way too low to be behaving the way we are. Im embarrassed right now of my fellow hobbyists. Im reading a book right now called Stolen World and they're taking a whack at our way of life through the book media too. its all very frustrating how the outside world is picking fights with us and from within we are crumbling. I would like to know if those out there complaining took the same time they invested to complain and clicked donate now to USARK?? WE ARE UNDER SIEGE!!! WAKE UP EVERYONE !!!!!
Do what you will but I say show up to Daytona and as many shows as possible with a big smile, buy some animals, buy some shirts and Herp equipment, books, also remember to bid on some stuff in the auction to benefit USARK, then lift up your skirt check for stones and donate some real money $100 or more to USARK and enjoy yourself cause when its gone you are ALL GOING TO MISS IT, even the cry babies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
