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OCTOBER 9 - 12, 2026
Dinner Saturday, October 10, at 7:00 p.m
(and hopefully continuing
through Breakfast the next morn)

WARNING!

THIS IS NOT A WEDDING INVITATION (FOR REALZ. IT ISN'T)

IT'S AN INVITE TO A TRIP to JOSHUA TREE

To Myself, Karl, Corey, Steve W., Jovan, Timothy, Chad, Chris C., Tres, Neil, Paul, Marty, Tom, Kayden, Jerry, Kyle, Phil, Steve S., Britton, Jeff S., Jeff P., Pete, Todd, DiMarrio, Jeff Z., Chris S. & Santiago:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE:

Lodging Provided Friday through Monday

By Yours Truly

An evening of discussion with a kaleidescope of the smartest folks Ian's ever met.

Come for a night of debaucherous conversation …. and conversational debauchery.

brown field at daytime
brown field at daytime

Twenty-Seven Savants

shall listen, love, chide, bitch, debate, debauch, laugh, eat and drink during a great feast

of food, drink, ideas & newfound friends

Saturday Dinner continuing

to a "make your own" breakfast station

Sunday Morning

[where guest chefs may be enticed to show off their skills]

Lodging provided by Your's Truly at

The Castle House Estate

(Check Out Their Instagram Page)

(https://www.instagram.com/thecastlehouseestate/

Event Information

1. Dates

The Estate has been rented from Friday, October 9, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026. Your room/tower/home/yurt is yours for those three nights.

Dinner will begin around 7 pm on Saturday, October 10, 2026 and go on as late as into the night or early morning as you can manage and culminate with breakfast at the Bungalow (described below) in the morning of October 11, 2026.

2. Location

The Castle House Estates: 64278 E Broadway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252. Rooms will be ready at 3 on Friday and we must depart by 11 on Monday.

If you have not already done so, please send me your email and contact information so I can forward it to the staff at the Castle House Estates, who will then email you the address, check-in information and instructions (if you are arriving early, just let them know and they will accommodate).

3. Arrival/Travel Information

The easiest way to arrive is to fly into Palm Springs Airport (PSP) and rent a car and drive about 40 minutes or so to the Castle House Estates. Palm Springs Airport is very small and there are limited flights. Note – I can arrange for airport pickup and return – just let me know.

Many out-of-towners are flying into LAX and renting a car. The drive from LA to Joshua Tree takes about 2 & 1/2 to 3 hours and the ride back usually takes a bit longer.

I will attempt to arrange a convoy to leave Los Angeles around 11 on Friday morning, but that's aspirational.

4. Dress Code

Be comfortable. For the dinner, go as comfortably or as crazily or wildly or as fancy as you desire. Joshua Tree is known for its free-spirited barely-clad-yet-stylish “burners” and we may, in that spirit, be inclined to put out a table with neon face and body paint -- so really, there are no limits. I’ll be in jeans and a decent shirt or a jumpsuit. Warning: Avoid stilettos (really, avoid heels) – they are not great for the desert.

The nights can get chilly (50 - 60 degrees) so bring a jacket. Those in the glamping yurts should have warm sleep-wear. A flashlight is also a good idea. Bring a wind-breaker or similar light rain gear just in case. Storms in Joshua Tree are rare and beautiful. Fast wind + high desert = magic. We’d be lucky.

5. Rules

Rule 1. No gifts.

I am so thankful already that you are part of this.

Rule 1 Caveat:

If there is something you love to share - a certain wine, a delicacy (easily transported), anything, feel free to bring it and share it and explain why you love it. Don’t worry if there is not enough for everyone or only enough for a select few -- if sharing something you love and why you do will enhance your evening and someone else’s, then it’s a great idea.

Rule 2. No speeches.

One of the things I treasure most is listening to people I love discover one another -- that was the impetus for this -- not a family reunion, but an extended family union.

Rule 2 Caveat:

That’s no speeches about me. If you are feeling the impulse to thank the universe, share an epiphany or relay a beautifully embarrassing tale, have at it.

Rule 3. Ian:

Ian is exempt from Rules 1 & 2.

6. Activities

Aside from Saturday’s dinner-discussion-dejeunet (the best “D” word I could find for Sunday breakfast), the time is yours. Here are some suggestions:

  • I’ll have an outdoor theater set up for a film or more on Friday evening (and maybe Sunday night).

  • Joshua Tree National Park is amazing and its accessible hikes are world-famous.

  • There is an ATV park with rentals about 40 minutes away (never have, just informing).

  • The town of Joshua Tree is special on its own.

  • Palm Springs is less than an hour away. I didn’t list dining options for Palm Springs, and there are so many.

You can also simply relax, tan, swim, eat, drink, laugh, sleep, etc. at the Castle House Estates. This, in my opinion, is an excellent plan.

7. Nearby Dining Reccomendations

The area is not short on special food experiences:

I have not yet eaten at La Copine, but it is supposed to be the finest restaurant in the area (it’s a bit of a drive from our resort). It’s open from 5 - 9 just a few nights a week but presently they claim to be open while we're there. This could be a great group plan for Friday or Sunday night (Kacey, Tracy and I are definitely going to shoot for a table for Sunday).

From afar, it’s a dive bar. From within, it’s still a dive bar, with great music, a pool table, and flawless food and cocktails. This was Kacey and my regular bar during our trial in Joshua Tree. On one great day, after the three-and-a-half-month trial that exposed Kacey and I to Joshua Tree, it became the only place I’ve ever stood on a bar stool and yelled “Drinks for Everyone.”

Beautiful, fairly elegant, upscale bar food and great steaks.

A must. The local staple.

A quasi-off the beaten path alongside a ghost-town (Pioneertown) with cute shops legendary staple. In the past few years, Paul McCartney, Robert Plant, Lorde, Sean Lennon, The Zombies, Dead Kennedys and others have filled this quaint western music hall – frequently unannounced. The frozen special drink is usually excellent.

There are great bakeries and coffee shops and diners as well.

8. Lodging

Lodging assignments will be sent separately.

9. The Structures

Facing the Castle House Estates is the Bungalow. This has the gym, pool, jacuzzi, large kitchen and living room for all to access and where we will have breakfast Sunday Morning. There is also a pull-out sofa in the living room which we can allocate if needed. The Bungalow has two bathrooms.

Within the Castle House Estates are the two Towers, two Container Homes, six Glamping Yurts and the campsite. The Towers & Container Homes have indoor facilities. There are lovely facility stations centrally located for those in the Yurts (including private indoor and outdoor baths and showers).

There are many other structures you will see. They are places for fun -- cowboy pools, tanning beds/areas, sculptures, etc. Check out the Castle House Estates instagram page to see: