This blog

Buffett tailgating with Heather
is a multiple series of posts from the founder of Nomad who took a 10,000 mile cross country trip after leaving Oakwood, who had an idea……..
It was just what I needed, a visit from Heather, a beautiful weekend in Chicago, and seeing our favorite band, The Eagles. Plus, now knowing Nomad was more than a concept, it could be something special in the relatively small lodging field of temporary housing.
The concept of Nomad is simple: bringing quality corporate apartments to customers who wanted more choice than a single supplier, or even a few suppliers might present. All this with the full service of an international temporary housing company. Heaven knows there are a ton of temporary apartment companies, over 450 in the U.S. alone. A few large operators like Oakwood, Equity or Marriott Execustay with several thousand apartments each. Regional companies with 300 – 600 apartments. 400+ operators with 100 – 300 apartments. Most of these operators, large and small provide high quality temporary apartments right along side each other, the same neighborhoods, the same apartment communities and many times even have furniture and housewares supplied by the same rental firms. Nomad’s idea was to aggregate the quality operator options, and provide unbiased choice to our clients. When you rent from a single supplier nationally or in a specific market, you are offered what they have vacant. With Nomad, you draw from a pool of 5 – 12 suppliers in a larger market. Your choices in location, price, even floor grow tremendously. Nomad gives the choices, yet the full service of one firm. We rent the apartments in our name and provide Nomad service throughout the stay. We are not a broker as some are claiming (one of a few misconceptions being bantered around to our potential customers).
As I headed the bus toward a detour to Wisconsin out of Chicago, I now knew Nomad could work, at least in my own mind. More on Nomad in the next post.
Jimmy Buffett. For all who know me, and for many people who casually know me, Jimmy has been sort of an obsession. Yes, I am a fan. A parrothead. The bus I am driving has the license plates “FINS BUS”, named after a Buffett song. My car has the plate “PIRET40″, named after “Pirate Looks at 40″, another Jimmy song. I have been to a few of his concerts, I lost count after 120 shows, maybe I am up to 130 by now. My wife Heather, and my daughters Ashley and Hannah are amused, have attended, and put up with the tunes on the boat, in the car, and on the patio. Ironically, I love The Eagles music more. Jimmy brings a lifestyle, a beach serenade and corny as it sounds, a soundtrack to my life. Plus, I have never met a Jimmy Buffett tailgate I did not like. Half the reason we bought this bordello on wheels was for Jimmy Buffett tailgates, the other half daughter’s softball and cheer tournaments.
As I left Chicago headed for New York, I detoured northwest for a Buffett concert at Alpine Valley, Wisconsin. I knew the concert schedule before leaving California, and bought my single ticket. However, when you pull into a venue’s parking lot with thousands of parrotheads in a private tour bus, you are not alone long. I was excited, and early. I pulled into the outdoor amphitheatre parking lot a day early. They thought I was part of the band’s group and parked me. After learning I was just some Buffett nut, they told me the local bowling alley was having a Jimmy Buffett party that night featuring several members of Jimmy’s band, the Coral Reefers. I started the bus, headed down the highway in this great farm country, and found Buffett nirvana in a bowling alley. Now, this was no ordinary bowling alley. My first clue was the parking lot was packed with Buffett decorated motorhomes, pick-up trucks, and cars. At Noon. The Buffett party was that evening. My kind of revelers, ones who come early and sleep in the parking lot afterward! They made room for the rig. Bruce, the owner of this place came out to greet me when he saw the bus and the license plate. It turns out he does this party every year, and he does it well. This “bowling alley” is Wisconsin’s idea of a theme park. Behind the building, the corn fields part and Bruce has created Key West in Wisconsin. He trucked in sand for his beach, has great sand volleyball courts, an outdoor stage, dance floor and seating that is covered under a massive shed. BBQ, beers, farm girls and cowboys. Speaking of beer, Bruce serves chilled Coronas for $2. Every day, including his big Buffett bash. He told me people appreciate a place to have a beer or two, a burger and a bowl for under $10. I told him I would appreciate location #2 in California. Michael Utley, Nadira Shakoor, and other Buffett band members performed, a great prelude to the next day.
I pulled the bus into the Alpine Valley lot at 10 am, for the 8 pm show. Along with 10,000 others who showed up before Noon, as my obsession is not a singular one. The FINS BUS was parked in row one, facing a main walkway. I set up the 1000w outdoor stereo, lounge chairs, coolers and turned on the music. Not just Buffett to the consternation of the faithful. I had INXS, The Eagles, Kid Rock, Kenny Chesney, The Rolling Stones and many others. Instant party. 40 people, my new friends within one hour. I called Heather and the kids several times to give updates, it was a hoot. Bruce, the bowling alley mogul pulled up near me with 300 fans in six buses. The concert of course was fun, Jimmy played all of my favs, including Southern Cross, a CSN hit that is my top played tune aboard Hotel California. After the show, people came back, said goodbye, exchanged email addresses and headed out. It was time to fly home for a week and see my family. Next stop…..New York…more in the next post.