Cumberland, MD Meet - Saturday, October 21, 2023

[tckma]

Very interested; as it covers some spots missed at the Corridor H meet.

[vdeane]

I'm in.  It's a bit last minute notice and I've done/am about to do a bunch of other travel, but I managed to squeeze this in.  I even cannibalized the trip that was to be for this meet into my Pittsburgh trip since I didn't want to wait on that stuff, but it was easy enough to figure out new routes to/from.

[PHLBOS]

Unfortunately, I have another commitment for that Saturday; so I will not be able to attend.

[Bitmapped]

The LaVale Toll House is open for tours on October 21 from 12:00pm-4:00pm. I took a tour last year and it's at least worth budgeting 15 minutes to poke around.

[algorerhythms]

Heh. I'm planning to be near Cumberland in October to visit family over Thanksgiving... but that's the week of October 9.

[roadwaywiz95]

A Facebook event has been created for the Cumberland Meet and can be viewed at the link below:
https://fb.me/e/3TG8tOTJS

Just as a quick FYI moving forward, while this is still and will continue to be Laura's event first and foremost, any questions and concerns regarding this event can also be directed at me as well and I, as unofficial "co-host", will also do my best to help you folks out as we get closer to meet day. Thank you for your interest and we hope to see you all soon!

[roadwaywiz95]

Quick Update:

Laura & I will be busy this week finalizing and writing up the itinerary for the driving tour. Expect to see it posted no later than the evening of 10/15.

In the meantime, if you're not familiar with western Maryland or would like a quick refresher of some of what the area has to offer, please feel free to check out the link below to the following "Virtual Tour" episode from the 'roadwaywiz' channel from 2021, which features a drive along the Interstate 68 corridor across the region. Looking forward to seeing everyone in about 10 days!

[Laura]

Thanks Dan!

I also wanted to take a moment to add some Fall Foliage report predictions:

https://www.explorefall.com/fall-foliage-map predicts that on Oct 19, Garrett County, MD will be at peak and Allegany County, MD at near peak
https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/ predicts that on Oct 23, Garrett County, MD will be past peak and the rest of MD will be at peak

So it looks like it will be the perfect weekend to see fall leaves on many Maryland roads,  including I-68, US 40 Alt, US 219, and MD 51!

[algorerhythms]

Having grown up in western MD, I know the roads more by their names than by their numbers. Had to think for a while to remember which road MD 51 is (it's Oldtown Road).

[hbelkins]

I had previously entertained the notion of attending, and had a generous offer of the use of a spare room at the home of a friend in Morgantown. But family issues and an unexpected financial crisis (the need to buy a new refrigerator) have nixed any possibility of my attendance.

[roadwaywiz95]

Meet Itinerary and Driving Tour information is complete and can be viewed at the link below:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/q0tyfqa5o23v6cv49tzad/Cumberland-Meet-Itinerary.docx?rlkey=qzzzq12qfnv3bty92trdyexx8&dl=0

If you're planning to attend and have not already RSVPed, please let us know ASAP, either here on the forum or on the Facebook event page linked to above. That way we know how many to expect at the restaurant. Looking forward to seeing everyone next weekend!

[vdeane]

Is there anywhere in particular we should be looking to park?  The best possibility I've found is here, but I don't know how fast that lot fills up.

[1995hoo]

I can't make this work between other commitments plus travel to New York next week, but for those going who will be driving the tour route, in case you are not aware, note that the Oldtown Toll Bridge does not accept E-ZPass.

[tckma]

So between two conflicting commitments this coming Saturday, I've chosen the road meet.  Looks like I'll get two new counties in WV and finally clinch* PA I-76 for my travels.

I will be leaving Philly between 6:30 and 7am, it looks like, so I might be a little bit late to the lunch if the stars don't align for me.  Based on previous road meets I have attended, I don't anticipate that being a problem, but I just wanted to put it out there.

* Is there a topic for travelmapping.net data issues?  My forum login over there seems to be hosed, and I've discovered the short NJ NJ64 (which I clinched yesterday) is missing from their clinchable routes.

[Laura]

Is there anywhere in particular we should be looking to park?  The best possibility I've found is here, but I don't know how fast that lot fills up.

I'm glad you brought this up. I suspect it will be pretty full because the Western MD railroad fall excursion rides will also be happening on Saturday. Therefore, everyone keep in mind that you may have to park and walk a little bit. There are a lot of parking lots in close distance, and I'll investigate further the best parking options.

I can't make this work between other commitments plus travel to New York next week, but for those going who will be driving the tour route, in case you are not aware, note that the Oldtown Toll Bridge does not accept E-ZPass.

Yes, thank you for that reminder. Everyone make sure you have a little bit of cash on you in case you end up driving and need to pay the toll.

I had previously entertained the notion of attending, and had a generous offer of the use of a spare room at the home of a friend in Morgantown. But family issues and an unexpected financial crisis (the need to buy a new refrigerator) have nixed any possibility of my attendance.

Sorry to hear that. I too have missed meets in the past for family and/or financial reasons.

So between two conflicting commitments this coming Saturday, I've chosen the road meet.  Looks like I'll get two new counties in WV and finally clinch* PA I-76 for my travels.

I will be leaving Philly between 6:30 and 7am, it looks like, so I might be a little bit late to the lunch if the stars don't align for me.  Based on previous road meets I have attended, I don't anticipate that being a problem, but I just wanted to put it out there.

* Is there a topic for travelmapping.net data issues?  My forum login over there seems to be hosed, and I've discovered the short NJ NJ64 (which I clinched yesterday) is missing from their clinchable routes.

If you're running late, feel free to call or text me and we can let you know where we are. No idea about travelmapping.net issues.

[74/171FAN]

* Is there a topic for travelmapping.net data issues?  My forum login over there seems to be hosed, and I've discovered the short NJ NJ64 (which I clinched yesterday) is missing from their clinchable routes.

You can PM it to me, and I will post it over there.

[vdeane]

* Is there a topic for travelmapping.net data issues?  My forum login over there seems to be hosed, and I've discovered the short NJ NJ64 (which I clinched yesterday) is missing from their clinchable routes.

TM only includes signed routes, with the exception of interstates.  Years ago, it was decided that a route that only ground-mounted shields and guide signs count as "signed" for New Jersey, not street blades (at the time, the enhanced mile markers were not around).  Thus, NJ 64 counts as not signed, and is therefore not in TM.

[SSOWorld]

* Is there a topic for travelmapping.net data issues?  My forum login over there seems to be hosed, and I've discovered the short NJ NJ64 (which I clinched yesterday) is missing from their clinchable routes.

TM only includes signed routes, with the exception of interstates.  Years ago, it was decided that a route that only ground-mounted shields and guide signs count as "signed" for New Jersey, not street blades (at the time, the enhanced mile markers were not around).  Thus, NJ 64 counts as "not signed", and is therefore not in TM.

TM really needs to get their shit straight.

[dlsterner]

While we are at a point in this thread when both Cumberland and Travel Mapping are being discussed ...

If anyone is planning to add MD 61 to their list, be forewarned that MD 61 is not in Travel Mapping (I don't think it is signed).  Found that out the hard way, but since I had four other 61's, it wasn't a big deal.  (I put a comment in my list file anyway, so if it ever gets added, I'm reminded to add it).

As for parking - when I took a weekend trip out there to ride the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, I "solved" the parking issue by staying at the nearby Fairfield Inn, parking my car there as a guest, and walking where I wanted.

(Edited to add:)
If you're also a rail fan (and I know there's some overlap with road fans) I highly recommend the WMSR.

[74/171FAN]

By the way, we do have a thread on the Travel Mapping forum discussing the unsigned state routes topic (https://forum.travelmapping.net/index.php?topic=4114.0).  Please post any further discussion on that over there and keep this thread focused on the meet.

[1995hoo]

I can't make this work between other commitments plus travel to New York next week, but for those going who will be driving the tour route, in case you are not aware, note that the Oldtown Toll Bridge does not accept E-ZPass.

Yes, thank you for that reminder. Everyone make sure you have a little bit of cash on you in case you end up driving and need to pay the toll.

I looked back at my pictures from my last trip through there and they reminded me that, at least as of a few years ago, they did accept VISA, MasterCard, and Discover (no American Express or Diner's Club), although I would still be inclined to pay cash. I had forgotten they took plastic.

[Laura]

I can't make this work between other commitments plus travel to New York next week, but for those going who will be driving the tour route, in case you are not aware, note that the Oldtown Toll Bridge does not accept E-ZPass.

Yes, thank you for that reminder. Everyone make sure you have a little bit of cash on you in case you end up driving and need to pay the toll.

I looked back at my pictures from my last trip through there and they reminded me that, at least as of a few years ago, they did accept VISA, MasterCard, and Discover (no American Express or Diner's Club), although I would still be inclined to pay cash. I had forgotten they took plastic.

Yes, good to know that they do take cards!!!

As for the parking, the trains depart at 9:30, 11:30, and 12, so us having an 11 am start time might be the sweet spot for finding parking in the Howard St and Canal Place lots.

[tckma]

I looked back at my pictures from my last trip through there and they reminded me that, at least as of a few years ago, they did accept VISA, MasterCard, and Discover (no American Express or Diner's Club), although I would still be inclined to pay cash. I had forgotten they took plastic.

I, too, would be inclined to pay cash.  I'll have cash on me anyway to pay for lunch.

[froggie]

Meet Itinerary and Driving Tour information is complete and can be viewed at the link below:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/q0tyfqa5o23v6cv49tzad/Cumberland-Meet-Itinerary.docx?rlkey=qzzzq12qfnv3bty92trdyexx8&dl=0

If you're planning to attend and have not already RSVPed, please let us know ASAP, either here on the forum or on the Facebook event page linked to above. That way we know how many to expect at the restaurant. Looking forward to seeing everyone next weekend!

Based on my past experience, might not hurt to ask the restaurant for a couple extra seats anyway just in case.

[roadwaywiz95]

Meet Itinerary and Driving Tour information is complete and can be viewed at the link below:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/q0tyfqa5o23v6cv49tzad/Cumberland-Meet-Itinerary.docx?rlkey=qzzzq12qfnv3bty92trdyexx8&dl=0

If you're planning to attend and have not already RSVPed, please let us know ASAP, either here on the forum or on the Facebook event page linked to above. That way we know how many to expect at the restaurant. Looking forward to seeing everyone next weekend!

Based on my past experience, might not hurt to ask the restaurant for a couple extra seats anyway just in case.

Based on my past experience, I think we've got this. Thanks.