Also a Newbie here...
Welcome!
if we lay down a tarp, how likely is it that it will remain "our spot" when we start camping on Thursday? It all sounds so overwhelming just to have a spot for our weary bodies to sleep at night! I'm guessing we should set our tent up and ask our neighbors to keep an eye out for it.
This is exactly what I'd do if I were in your shoes. Getting a tent put up is much less likely to be messed with than a tarp. Especially if you haven't had time to get tight with your neighbors yet.
It sounds like there is no place to charge cell phones, correct?
There are a few places to charge up. Herzog (interior and exterior), by the bath house, or in town (short walk).
Tarps to claim ground, are they the things to have to sit on to enjoy the music and not camp chairs, is that correct? Tarps by the stage, chairs in back? How about hammocks? What are the limits on chair heights, chair locations etc.?
Low back chairs in front of the sound towers (a basketball cannot fit under them), high back chairs behind that. I'm not sure I've seen many hammocks - you'd need a stand and you'd have to be in the back back section - by the shade tents. There's already a problem with Kelty tents obscuring the view and I feel like a hammock would only further worsen this problem. I have seen plenty of those inflatable hammocks that go on the ground. I see now problem with those!
We don't plan on cooking other than making morning coffee, is it possible to purchase breakfast, lunch and dinner on the festival grounds? Can I bring beverages into the festival from my camp site?
You may want to read the main post here as it addresses most of these questions:
http://www.festivarian.com/index.php/topic,31794.0.htmlYou can bring beverages in, but not alcoholic ones. Beer/cocktails/wine are sold inside the festival.
I read the Post Office will hold packages, does anyone know if that is still true?
Not sure about this one
Another thing about coming from Florida, we are literally at 12' above sea level and we're going to 10,000'? How does one adjust for that and is there medical (I'm sure there is) for altitude sickness?
The key is hydration and taking it easy. Don't expect to come from sea level and party like you do back home - you'd probably have a rough time. Furthermore, Colorado is DRY so definitely bring water bottles/jugs for your whole crew. Your hiking plans sound fun but I'd definitely make sure they're very easy hikes.
I've heard of Diamox helping but I haven't personally taken it.
p.s.s. thank you to the person that started this thread, I can't find your name while I'm typing this. There ought to be a way to search for topics. Let me know if there is a way.
You're welcome! Let me know if I can help in any other way. As for searching the forums, try this:
http://www.festivarian.com/index.php?action=search;advanced;search=
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