In my instance, familiarity has nothing to do with going to a National or not. I go if I feel up to it and I can afford it. Doesn't matter if it's on the Moon. As far as showing, I can't physically do that now, but in the past it didn't matter where it was. If the dog was worthy of being shown at a National, it was there. I suspect it's still like that with most people unless there's a health issue that prevents them from showing. That said, of course I'd prefer it in So. Calif. or somewhere close. We all do, but I've had to fly the last few years, and with a dog or 2 a few times, 1999 being the last within driving distance for me. It wasn't easy OR cheap but I did it. <G> Looking forward to Salt Lake City so I can drive there. BTW...just purchased my tickets to Beaumont today :) Liz _www.lealynn.com_ (http://www.lealynn.com/) GSDCA member since 1976 Signers of the Breeders Code In a message dated 6/30/2008 3:56:55 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, fairway97045@xxxxxxxxx writes: I have a question for Ed and the rest. Would you be more likely to travel if you were traveling to a known area? Would it make you more likely to attend a national if you were very familiar with the area? You know about the airport, you know where the hotels are etc. The reason I ask is because the age of the exhibitor is getting older . The older we get the less we like change. **************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007) ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2007. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================