With news that the I-94 Exit 88 project will be done this year (http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/news/local/2016/04/11/construction-on-exit-88-40th-street/82890310/), I feel that the time has come to call a roadmeet in the general vicinity of the Cereal City. I have lived in the area for the past 14 years.
Potential sites of interest include:
- The aforementioned Exit 88 project, which is four miles west of Battle Creek in Charleston Township.
- The Exit 92 interchange reconstruction from 2014. The project was intended to include modern roundabouts, but those were left out between the project open house and final construction
- The rerouting of Business Loop I-94 with the removal of Skyline Drive between Hill-Brady and Dickman roads. This project was done to allow the increase of the blast radius of a munition storage facility on the nearby Air National Guard base in the near term, with a potential for landing a missile defense facility.
- Historic Bridge Park (http://www.calhouncountyroads.com/parks/historic-bridge-park/) in Emmett Township, which after the 2010 Enbridge oil spill in the Kalamazoo River has undergone restoration, including the installment of a modern restroom facility. It preserves mainly iron truss bridges removed from other parts of the state, although some Calhoun County bridges are included.
- The area around I-94's Exit 104, which includes a ramp realignment, removal of Exit 103, and construction of Wheatfield Drive as well as other developments spurred by FireKeepers Casino which opened in 2009.
- The realignment of Dickman Road east of I-194/M-66. This was expected to be a much larger project over the years to connect the business loop directly to Michigan Avenue as a four-lane divided highway.
Lunch will be at Territorial Brewing (http://http://territorialbrewing.com/) (256 N Helmer Rd, Springfield, MI), which opens at 11:30.
Sounds good! If the meet happens in September or November, there's a better chance of me making it than if it is held in October.
I'd love to attend this.
Same here! This sounds like a lot of fun. :-)
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on April 11, 2016, 06:25:09 PM
Sounds good! If the meet happens in September or November, there's a better chance of me making it than if it is held in October.
I'd love to attend this.
It probably won't be October since I'll likely be involved in some of the same events as you going on that month. The Exit 88 project is scheduled for a September 30 completion, so if it's September, we likely see the closing stages of construction; if November, you'll see a drastically different design than what is there now, but it should be finished if there aren't major delays.
I'll be there no matter what! Thanks for keeping Michigan meets alive.
Quote from: getemngo on April 14, 2016, 12:00:04 AM
Thanks for keeping Michigan meets alive.
I love this quote. :D
Nice! Sounds like a great opportunity to explore an area I haven't really had the chance to explore as much. Count me in for this one.
What's the status on this? I would like to go to a meet this year if possible, and this seems like the closest one to me.
I might be busy since I'll be back in school, but as long as it doesn't coincide with midterms or finals, I should be good.
Quote from: 7/8 on July 28, 2016, 07:27:04 PM
What's the status on this? I would like to go to a meet this year if possible, and this seems like the closest one to me.
I might be busy since I'll be back in school, but as long as it doesn't coincide with midterms or finals, I should be good.
It'll happen, but let me get through this weekend before I announce full details.
I'd be game for this, depending on timing. I'd come up US 31 and check out all the new (unnecessary except for the Kokomo bypass) construction, then swing eastward.
Updated the original post to reflect date, time, and lunch venue location. I will likely throw up a Facebook event later today.
I think this is the weekend of the November Dayton, OH toy show I do which would be the next day, I may be able to pull this one off driving up on Friday and staying north of Ft Wayne then Saturday head up and meet up with you guys then peel off around 4 to 5pm to head south to Dayton.
Sounds great! I'm planning to be there. Thanks for putting this together.
Interested, but have to chcek my schedule
I might come, provided somebody can tell/show me where the state named Michigan shields are hiding in Lansing!
Very likely I am in for it.
There's suddenly about an 85% chance I'll be there. I'll know firmly in two weeks. But it looks like a bargain - airfare to that region of the country is pretty low, as are rental cars, as are hotels, and I haven't made it to a meet yet this year, and I'll want to travel somewhere then but I won't be able to take vacation time and I can do this+ over a three day weekend.
I need to find a different route home from this one if I go. I've done I-75, US 27 and US 127 south.
Going up, I'm driving US 31 in hopes of clinching it in Indiana, and the overnighting somewhere near South Bend or Elkhart and then coming on over to the meet.
One possibility is going back to Fort Wayne and then filling in the gaps I need in US 33 in Ohio (some near the state line and downtown Columbus). Or I could go back to the South Bend area and clinch it in its entirety.
Quote from: corco on August 30, 2016, 08:31:40 PM
There's suddenly about an 85% chance I'll be there. I'll know firmly in two weeks. But it looks like a bargain - airfare to that region of the country is pretty low, as are rental cars, as are hotels, and I haven't made it to a meet yet this year, and I'll want to travel somewhere then but I won't be able to take vacation time and I can do this+ over a three day weekend.
Wow, flights are cheap. Hmmmm
As mentioned on Facebook, I won't be attending any 2016 meets. Many higher priorities came up both expectedly and - more so unexpectedly regarding local friends and especially family that resulted in me re-thinking my intents. There is no guarantee for 2017 either, if an Alaska meet happens next year - I won't be there. The eclipse is something I want to see since it's a rare event. I will attend meets nearby me (whether it be a meet that Brandon or Kim organizes or if the chance that I organize one myself. I tend to be taking the opposing years of both) I am planning a road trip toward Arizona for Christmas (My dad lives there) and the money must go that way.
I have every intention of going at this point. I will likely wait a week or two to buy plane tickets, but barring something very unusual happening, I'm there.
I was very interested but I have a family conflict that weekend. Dommage.
Doesn't look like I'll make it, much as I'd hoped. Barring a last minute change, I will have to bow out this time.
Corco wants me to come up for some reason. I'm going to say it's 50/50 for me at this point. I'm a little nervous about going up just because I really don't know any of you, but I guess it would be a great way to get to know some people. I'm also not sure I really want to drive 9 hours in one day on top of the 4 hour meet. If it was a 2-3 hour drive I'd definitely be there, but 4.5 hours is a long drive. I'm going to Canada in 10 days so we'll see where I stand after that trip.
Quote from: US 41 on September 29, 2016, 08:13:18 PM
Corco wants me to come up for some reason. I'm going to say it's 50/50 for me at this point. I'm a little nervous about going up just because I really don't know any of you, but I guess it would be a great way to get to know some people. I'm also not sure I really want to drive 9 hours in one day on top of the 4 hour meet. If it was a 2-3 hour drive I'd definitely be there, but 4.5 hours is a long drive. I'm going to Canada in 10 days so we'll see where I stand after that trip.
So come down for Birmingham ;)
Seriously though, my first meet I didn't know anyone either but most of us hit it off reasonably well.
Quote from: US 41 on September 29, 2016, 08:13:18 PM
I'm a little nervous about going up just because I really don't know any of you, but I guess it would be a great way to get to know some people.
The first time you attend a road meet, of course you won't know anyone. But the more meets you attend, the more you'll see familiar faces that you've met before. We are a great group. And honestly, the best friendships I've made so far in my adult years have come from the roadgeek community. You should give it a try! If you attend once and realize it's not for you, no harm done. But I can't imagine my life now without these friendships I've made over the years I've been involved with this community.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on September 30, 2016, 07:31:16 AM
Quote from: US 41 on September 29, 2016, 08:13:18 PM
I'm a little nervous about going up just because I really don't know any of you, but I guess it would be a great way to get to know some people.
The first time you attend a road meet, of course you won't know anyone. But the more meets you attend, the more you'll see familiar faces that you've met before. We are a great group. And honestly, the best friendships I've made so far in my adult years having come from the roadgeek community. You should give it a try! If you attend once and realize it's not for you, no harm done. But I can't imagine my life now without these friendships I've made over the years I've been involved with this community.
What A.J. said. We all gotta start somewhere. You'll get to a point where, like a lot of us, familiar faces outnumber unfamiliar ones at these events.
Not sure if I have officially RSVP'd to this one or not, and I don't accept Facebook meet invites because it tells everyone on your friends list that you're attending, but I do plan to be there. Looking at spending Friday and Saturday nights in the South Bend/Elkhart area and driving up and back for the meet. Hoping to clinch US 31 in Indiana (I need from the Louisville area north to Indy, and a small portion between the Toll Road and the state line) as well as US 33 in Indiana and Ohio, which will give me a total clinch, on the trip.
Quote from: hbelkins on September 30, 2016, 11:01:59 AM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on September 30, 2016, 07:31:16 AM
Quote from: US 41 on September 29, 2016, 08:13:18 PM
I'm a little nervous about going up just because I really don't know any of you, but I guess it would be a great way to get to know some people.
The first time you attend a road meet, of course you won't know anyone. But the more meets you attend, the more you'll see familiar faces that you've met before. We are a great group. And honestly, the best friendships I've made so far in my adult years having come from the roadgeek community. You should give it a try! If you attend once and realize it's not for you, no harm done. But I can't imagine my life now without these friendships I've made over the years I've been involved with this community.
What A.J. said. We all gotta start somewhere. You'll get to a point where, like a lot of us, familiar faces outnumber unfamiliar ones at these events.
Not sure if I have officially RSVP'd to this one or not, and I don't accept Facebook meet invites because it tells everyone on your friends list that you're attending, but I do plan to be there. Looking at spending Friday and Saturday nights in the South Bend/Elkhart area and driving up and back for the meet. Hoping to clinch US 31 in Indiana (I need from the Louisville area north to Indy, and a small portion between the Toll Road and the state line) as well as US 33 in Indiana and Ohio, which will give me a total clinch, on the trip.
I would love to come up honestly, but I think it would be too much of a stretch for me to do this all in one day. I've thought about this a lot and unfortunately I think I'm out. I saw that there might be a Kankakee, IL meet next year and if there is I will definitely come up for it. It's just that a little over 9 hours of driving in one day on top of a meet I think is a little too much for me to be able to accomplish in a single day.
Quote from: US 41 on October 17, 2016, 06:27:14 PM
I would love to come up honestly, but I think it would be too much of a stretch for me to do this all in one day. I've thought about this a lot and unfortunately I think I'm out. I saw that there might be a Kankakee, IL meet next year and if there is I will definitely come up for it. It's just that a little over 9 hours of driving in one day on top of a meet I think is a little too much for me to be able to accomplish in a single day.
I take it you don't have the means to turn this into an overnight trip?
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on October 17, 2016, 09:26:28 PM
Quote from: US 41 on October 17, 2016, 06:27:14 PM
I would love to come up honestly, but I think it would be too much of a stretch for me to do this all in one day. I've thought about this a lot and unfortunately I think I'm out. I saw that there might be a Kankakee, IL meet next year and if there is I will definitely come up for it. It's just that a little over 9 hours of driving in one day on top of a meet I think is a little too much for me to be able to accomplish in a single day.
I take it you don't have the means to turn this into an overnight trip?
Unfortunately no. I am always scheduled to work on weekends. My work is usually okay with giving me one day off once in a while on a weekend, but two days would be stretching it a little bit, especially since I just took off to go to Canada.
As of today, I am going to this meet. Plans are to drive up Friday morning and stay Friday & Saturday nights in Battle Creek before heading back Sunday. This will also give me the opportunity to get the remaining section of I-69 I lack in Michigan (between I-94 & I-96). The only time I've been to Battle Creek was in July 2011 and that was only on I-94 & I-194, so I am looking forward to seeing more of the area.
Only four days left now until this meet. My plans changed a bit, as in I am no longer staying in Battle Creek for any more time than the meet itself, but I will now be collecting several new Michigan counties during the weekend, mainly along the U.S. 10, U.S. 31, and U.S. 131 corridors. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!
I am now officially going, staying in Marshall Friday night, doing the meet, maybe dinner depending on the time then heading south to Vandalia, OH Saturday night lodging, toy show next morning in Dayton then home.
My trip plans have changed. I have a doctor's appointment early Thursday morning, so I'm taking off after that. In order to take advantage of various free night promotions, I have to change hotels every night. I'll be heading to Louisville and then clinching US 31 in Indiana (I need the part between the river and I-465, and the section between the toll road and the Michigan state line) and staying in South Bend. I'm going to clinch US 31 in Michigan on Friday (needing the section between the state line and I-96) and then stay Friday and Saturday nights at different locations in Elkhart. On Sunday, I will be clinching US 33, needing most of it in Indiana and small portions near the Indiana state line and in Columbus in Ohio. I plan to end up in Beckley, WV, where I'll be trying to finish up clinches of all state routes in southwestern West Virginia.
Here's my two main group photos from the Battle Creek meet, both taken at the Historic Bridge Park in Calhoun County. This is the first time I've ever had to deal with a group photo on two different levels of elevation, so I have two different angles.
(https://scontent.fewr1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15078711_1112834782148768_2629933186872179374_n.jpg?oh=241e1a90a3534ab2796347a394998e0f&oe=59FF71BD)
From left to right:
H.B. Elkins (KY), Dan Garnell (MI), Nikolai Nolan (OH), Todd Astroth (OH), AJ Bertin (MI), Brian Rawson-Ketchum (MI - meet host), Sam Scholtens (MI), Jason Ilyes (TN), Michael Gronseth (MI), David Corcoran (ID, blocked by Michael's shoulder), Brandon Gorte (IL), Eric Stuve (OH), Doug Kerr (NY), and Brian Reynolds (MI).
(https://scontent.fewr1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15078511_1112836368815276_2304992485704641641_n.jpg?oh=a394bdad7533e132740801da6d4c3717&oe=5A32B01C)
Second angle, this time with me (Adam Moss - IL) visible from the road below. In order to get me in it, I had to set up the camera on the road below with my tripod, then run under the bridge in under 10 seconds to get me in it, because there's no way I would've made it up in time.
Also, those are my road signs provided for the shots.
Nice pics. Is 15 people at a meet pretty good or is that about average?
Depends on the intent of the meet. Plenty of meets have existed where the intention was for a smaller crowd...sometimes these are called mini-meets, but not always.
That said, 15 would be around the median.
Looks like I missed a good one. I really wanted to be there, but Family Stuff Happened and I would have had to leave halfway through lunch to get back home.
Quote from: US 41 on November 14, 2016, 09:00:56 PM
Nice pics. Is 15 people at a meet pretty good or is that about average?
Decent. Central PA (my first one that I did seven months before) had about 25-30 people, give or take 3 people.