I'm excited to announce that my "city meet" for 2020 will be held in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I'm calling this a "city meet" but it's going to be quite different than my Providence meet in 2019 because the Outer Banks isn't a "city" and the focus of this meet will be purely the drive along NC 12 and U.S. 158.
I'm tentatively planning on having us gather for lunch in Nags Head, and then we'll head northwest for dinner in Elizabeth City. Folks will be encouraged to join for lunch, dinner, or both.
My plan, if anyone else is thinking of doing something similar, is to stay in Morehead City NC on Thursday night and drive from there to Nags Head on Friday. That will allow me to drive most of NC 12 and take the two NC 12 ferries (Cedar Island to Ocracoke, and Ocracoke to Hatteras).
The poll for helping me select a date will remain open until October 1, 2019. The exact date will be determined sometime around that time, and I will create a Facebook event.
I'm looking forward to hosting my second city meet! I've never been to the Outer Banks and am excited about exploring this area with others. :)
I would encourage making this a multi-option poll.
Quote from: Alps on August 01, 2019, 10:14:59 PM
I would encourage making this a multi-option poll.
It doesn't look like I have the option to change that when I click the Edit Poll option.
June 20th is on Father's Day weekend, so that's pretty much a no-go for most of us. June 27th is cutting a little close to July 4th. Same with May 30th; cutting a little too close to Memorial Day. Late April works because it won't be too hot outside up there. Just sayin'.
BTW, there's a NC county to the west of the OBX that has the name of Bertie (Windsor is the county seat) ;)
EDIT: I'll be adding this to my calendar for 2022, and will be looking at this or the recently-announced Philly meet.
Quote from: kevinb1994 on August 01, 2019, 10:50:00 PM
June 20th is on Father's Day weekend so that's pretty much a no-go for most of us. June 27th is cutting a little close to July 4th. Same with May 30th cutting a little close to Memorial Day. Late April works because it won't be too hot outside up there. Just sayin'.
BTW, there's a NC county to the west of the OBX that has the name of Bertie (Windsor is the county seat) ;)
Oh dear god, I agree with Brownlie. Father's Day is going to be tough, not to mention anything after Memorial Day is going to be very crowded. April is off peak and away from any holiday.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on August 01, 2019, 10:26:22 PM
Quote from: Alps on August 01, 2019, 10:14:59 PM
I would encourage making this a multi-option poll.
It doesn't look like I have the option to change that when I click the Edit Poll option.
Done. People can change votes to add more if desired.
Quote from: Alps on August 02, 2019, 12:13:57 AM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on August 01, 2019, 10:26:22 PM
Quote from: Alps on August 01, 2019, 10:14:59 PM
I would encourage making this a multi-option poll.
It doesn't look like I have the option to change that when I click the Edit Poll option.
Done. People can change votes to add more if desired.
Thanks for editing that for me. I guess I'm figuring out that, in general, date polls should allow voters to select multiple options. It's all right... I'm still learning. This is only my second meet. :)
Quote from: kevinb1994 on August 01, 2019, 10:50:00 PM
Same with May 30th cutting a little close to Memorial Day.
Memorial day for 2020 is on May 25.
I voted "way too early" at this point, if this ends up being on 4/25 I may not be able to make it because of a spring Hershey toy show that happens around the last weekend in April
The only date, of the 4 shown, that would work for me would be June 27.
April 25 is the weekend of my mom's birthday, May 30 I could possibly get away from Delaware, June 20 is our annual blues music fest in C-bus.
What about April 18, or May 16?
Thanks to Oscar correcting me, I change my vote to May 30.
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on August 02, 2019, 10:42:20 PM
What about April 18, or May 16/23?
Won't comment on specific dates (other than 4/18 is a bit close to Tax Day). But it would be nice to have more options before May 23 (start of the Memorial Day weekend). I don't know whether that is the start of tourist high season for the Outer Banks, which would be nice to avoid if only for traffic congestion.
I will let the poll run its course over the next two months and see how things shake out, but I'm already sensing that April 25 will be the date that many folks will prefer. I wasn't thinking about the busy summer tourist season in the Outer Banks. (This is why I put this up for a poll because I trust others' opinions about these kinds of things... especially folks who are at least somewhat familiar with the area.)
Anyway, I was carefully selective in the dates I chose for my poll. I didn't want to go any earlier than late April because of the possibility of winter weather in the Midwest that could cause some problems with me driving down there (yes... we've had significant winter weather in Michigan as late as mid April). I purposely didn't choose May 2 or May 16 because of the close proximity to Gene's San Antonio meet on May 9 in case there's anyone (myself included) who's thinking about attending both and would appreciate at least a two-week buffer between the meets. I also avoided May 23 because, for personal reasons, I did not want to host a meet on the holiday weekend. Not to mention that the holiday weekend could be very busy on the Outer Banks.
I know there will be conflicts and that not all these dates will work for everyone. But I find the idea of creating a poll beneficial because it allows people to have a say, and I will absolutely try my hardest to go with the majority rule.
I chose to vote for the April date for many of the reasons already stated.
I could do April 25th at least tentatively.
What about making the Oregon Inlet bridge the main road focus?
Quote from: Beltway on August 03, 2019, 08:30:08 PM
I could do April 25th at least tentatively.
What about making the Oregon Inlet bridge the main road focus?
Yours to choose. the "City Meet" concept sets meal, then you make your own tour.
Quote from: Beltway on August 03, 2019, 08:30:08 PM
What about making the Oregon Inlet bridge the main road focus?
The "city meet" concept allows attendees to choose their own adventures and see whatever they are interested in seeing along the way. At my first city meet that I held in Providence RI earlier this year, during the lunch I had everyone go around the table and state what they specifically were planning on seeing and doing in the afternoon between lunch and dinner. I'll probably do this again at the Outer Banks meet. I imagine that at least some of the attendees might decide to check out the Oregon Inlet bridge. It's certainly a good idea.
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 03, 2019, 09:18:37 PM
Quote from: Beltway on August 03, 2019, 08:30:08 PM
I could do April 25th at least tentatively.
What about making the Oregon Inlet bridge the main road focus?
Yours to choose. the "City Meet" concept sets meal, then you make your own tour.
The meets I have been to in the past had one main tour, but like you say there can be multiple tours if that is what people want.
From an engineering and construction standpoint, that is a nationally known project, and for me worth the trip by itself.
Driving down to Cape Hatteras always worth the trip.
Quote from: Beltway on August 03, 2019, 10:16:17 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 03, 2019, 09:18:37 PM
Quote from: Beltway on August 03, 2019, 08:30:08 PM
I could do April 25th at least tentatively.
What about making the Oregon Inlet bridge the main road focus?
Yours to choose. the "City Meet" concept sets meal, then you make your own tour.
The meets I have been to in the past had one main tour, but like you say there can be multiple tours if that is what people want.
Yep... this is a different concept for a meet that I came up with:
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=23159.0
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on August 03, 2019, 10:28:13 PM
Quote from: Beltway on August 03, 2019, 10:16:17 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 03, 2019, 09:18:37 PM
Quote from: Beltway on August 03, 2019, 08:30:08 PM
I could do April 25th at least tentatively.
What about making the Oregon Inlet bridge the main road focus?
Yours to choose. the "City Meet" concept sets meal, then you make your own tour.
The meets I have been to in the past had one main tour, but like you say there can be multiple tours if that is what people want.
Yep... this is a different concept for a meet that I came up with:
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=23159.0
The OBX is the main attraction there. Not much else in the area.
Quote from: Beltway on August 03, 2019, 11:15:57 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on August 03, 2019, 10:28:13 PM
Quote from: Beltway on August 03, 2019, 10:16:17 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 03, 2019, 09:18:37 PM
Quote from: Beltway on August 03, 2019, 08:30:08 PM
I could do April 25th at least tentatively.
What about making the Oregon Inlet bridge the main road focus?
Yours to choose. the "City Meet" concept sets meal, then you make your own tour.
The meets I have been to in the past had one main tour, but like you say there can be multiple tours if that is what people want.
Yep... this is a different concept for a meet that I came up with:
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=23159.0
The OBX is the main attraction there. Not much else in the area.
That is up for people to judge...
Oregon Inlet bridge, several of the other bridges, the ferries, the Wright Brothers memorial, a spot where three US highways terminate (or at least they used to since the truncation of US 264's useless concurrency out to US 158) ... plenty of transportation-related subjects to see in the area. Maybe Beltway and Srjus could jump in a car together and drive the propose routing of I-87. :-D :-D
If I go, I'll probably use the occasion to clinch US 158 on either the way there or back, and maybe even finish off US 258.
Quote from: hbelkins on August 04, 2019, 07:06:52 PM
Oregon Inlet bridge, several of the other bridges, the ferries, the Wright Brothers memorial, a spot where three US highways terminate (or at least they used to since the truncation of US 264's useless concurrency out to US 158) ... plenty of transportation-related subjects to see in the area.
The Outer Banks encompasses all those. The barrier islands and connections and sights.
Someone could also drive to the surrounding areas. If I go, one possibility for what I might do would be to clinch the Norfolk, VA interstates (which might even be where I stay, given that it's a long haul to the CBBT from Albany, and another hour south to Elizabeth City). Or I might check out some bridges and the Bodie Island Lighthouse. During the Providence meet, someone even went to Martha's Vineyard to do county clinching.
A few days ago I made a comment somewhere indicating that I would allow this poll to run its course through October 1. But in light of a couple of additional meets that were announced shortly after I announced this one that are also being considered for the April-May-June time frame, I'm seriously wondering if I should cut this poll short and just pick my date based on the results of my poll so far. (I of course didn't have any way of knowing how popular this time frame would be, and I don't want to create issues for other folks who are wanting to plan meets but are having difficulty because my date hasn't been set yet.)
In general, I still like putting the date up for a poll to give folks a say in when they feel the meet should happen, but I'm discovering that perhaps two months is too long if others are trying to plan meets around the same time.
There are obviously folks in our community who don't log onto this forum nearly as often as others, so I'm trying to respect that... but on the other hand, I'm not so sure. Would anyone mind if I changed my mind and decided not to keep the poll open as long as I originally said I would?
The Cedar Island Ferry was mentioned earlier. In making your plans, take note that while it's only a 20-mile ferry crossing, it takes 2.5 hours (and it's boring). It's not really a day trip activity (whereas the Hatteras-to-Ocracoke ferry definitely can be a day trip).
Quote from: 1995hoo on August 07, 2019, 09:34:34 AM
The Cedar Island Ferry was mentioned earlier. In making your plans, take note that while it's only a 20-mile ferry crossing, it takes 2.5 hours (and it's boring). It's not really a day trip activity (whereas the Hatteras-to-Ocracoke ferry definitely can be a day trip).
I have done a lot of boating in the past, mostly sailboating, and while it is enjoyable keep in mind that long trips can be rather boring when you are on the open waters. Destinations are fun, the socialization is fun, but it is the nature of boating that hours of open waters can get boring.
A ferry is a larger boat and you don't have to be the pilot, but some of the same things apply.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on August 07, 2019, 07:16:49 AM
A few days ago I made a comment somewhere indicating that I would allow this poll to run its course through October 1. But in light of a couple of additional meets that were announced shortly after I announced this one that are also being considered for the April-May-June time frame, I'm seriously wondering if I should cut this poll short and just pick my date based on the results of my poll so far. (I of course didn't have any way of knowing how popular this time frame would be, and I don't want to create issues for other folks who are wanting to plan meets but are having difficulty because my date hasn't been set yet.)
In general, I still like putting the date up for a poll to give folks a say in when they feel the meet should happen, but I'm discovering that perhaps two months is too long if others are trying to plan meets around the same time.
There are obviously folks in our community who don't log onto this forum nearly as often as others, so I'm trying to respect that... but on the other hand, I'm not so sure. Would anyone mind if I changed my mind and decided not to keep the poll open as long as I originally said I would?
April 25 seems like a clear winner and has the support of not being during peak tourism. I'm OK with it.
Quote from: 1995hoo on August 07, 2019, 09:34:34 AM
The Cedar Island Ferry was mentioned earlier. In making your plans, take note that while it's only a 20-mile ferry crossing, it takes 2.5 hours (and it's boring). It's not really a day trip activity (whereas the Hatteras-to-Ocracoke ferry definitely can be a day trip).
No, but it might work if someone was planning on departing the area via it and wasn't planning to go to the evening meal.
I've ridden it before -- I've told the story about how that happened fairly often -- so it probably wouldn't be something I'd want to do, especially since it's not really on what would be a logical route home, but if I attend, the odds are pretty good that I will just do lunch and not dinner as part of the meet.
Quote from: hbelkins on August 07, 2019, 03:29:39 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on August 07, 2019, 09:34:34 AM
The Cedar Island Ferry was mentioned earlier. In making your plans, take note that while it's only a 20-mile ferry crossing, it takes 2.5 hours (and it's boring). It's not really a day trip activity (whereas the Hatteras-to-Ocracoke ferry definitely can be a day trip).
No, but it might work if someone was planning on departing the area via it and wasn't planning to go to the evening meal.
Could spend an overnight on the OBX. If I make a trip to Cape Hatteras I will provide need to spend a night if I want to see all the things I want to see.
That lighthouse is worth the trip as well, I have not been to the top as it was closed awaiting the move last time I was there.
https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/lighthouseclimbs.htm
My family enjoyed the Cedar Island Ferry. Didn't find it boring, but I suppose you need to know how to spot wildlife in the water.
Quote from: Rothman on August 07, 2019, 08:16:29 PM
My family enjoyed the Cedar Island Ferry. Didn't find it boring, but I suppose you need to know how to spot wildlife in the water.
I rode it in 1993 when I was in college driving from Myrtle Beach to Nags Head with some friends. We played Hearts all the way. Game should have taken a lot less than the whole ferry trip except someone else realized the reason I was winning so easily was that I could see everyone else's cards reflected in the window, at which point scores were reset and seats were changed.....
Now the trip down Ocracoke to the Hatteras ferry after we disembarked the Cedar Island ferry was loads of fun and massively illegal. We had three cars (well, two cars and a Jeep Cherokee) and we wanted to beat everyone else down the island, so once we were out of the town we basically drag-raced down Ocracoke Island at triple-digit speeds. The stupid things you do as a college student.....!!!!!!
Last time I was at the lighthouse was in the early 1980s. I wandered off the wooden walkway and my legs got eaten up by sand fleas.
Tentatively interested in this one as well, I was going to take a trip down and camp overnight this summer but I chickened out and turned around at Hampton Roads. If I did attend I'd likely stay overnight and camp at one of the sites closer to Cape Hatteras.
You must choose. But choose wisely. For the good date lands you in OBX, the bad date lands you elsewhere.
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 14, 2019, 09:29:29 PM
You must choose. But choose wisely. For the good date lands you in OBX, the bad date lands you elsewhere.
BS. Just leave a bookmark at the decision point and come back later if you don't like the other storyline.
This meet has my attention. I have a brother who lives in Winston-Salem, so I can visit with him & go to the meet...if schedule will allow it.
I explored the area on the Google satellite map. The Currituck Refuge area doesn't look very Challenger friendly.
Quote from: cjk374 on August 18, 2019, 10:29:41 AM
This meet has my attention. I have a brother who lives in Winston-Salem, so I can visit with him & go to the meet...if schedule will allow it.
I explored the area on the Google satellite map. The Currituck Refuge area doesn't look very Challenger friendly.
Yeah it's more or less AWD/4WD friendly.
Just a quick update. I'm waiting for my boss to approve my time-off request for the days off I'll need for my drive to and from the Outer Banks. As soon as she approves it, I'll be able to officially set the date of this meet for April 25.
I'm going to have to make a choice between this meet and Gene's Texas meet later in the year. Two close-together meets (the other being May 9) are not logistically possible.
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 21, 2019, 06:34:45 PM
I'm going to have to make a choice between this meet and Gene's Texas meet later in the year. Two close-together meets (the other being May 9) are not logistically possible.
Totally understandable. Yeah I knew (and had communicated on here previously) that I wanted to host this meet in either April, May, or June... but then Gene beat me to the May 9 date for San Antonio. He's not on AARoads so he probably had no idea I was looking at the springtime. I purposely wanted to leave at least a two-week buffer between his meet and mine, but I know that two weeks is not necessarily enough of a buffer to prevent some folks from having to make the choice.
Based on earlier discussion about all the meets that are in the planning stages for the spring of 2020, I decided I shouldn't wait until this poll closes (on October 1) to make April 25 the official date of my Outer Banks meet.
Today, I got the official approval from my boss of having the time off I'll need for my drive to and from the Outer Banks... which prompted me making the date official.
I do want to make sure everyone knows that there's going to be a unique aspect of this meet that will be different from my 2019 "city meet" in Providence. Some folks might not like this, but the lunch and dinner will be in two separate cities (Nags Head and Elizabeth City)... unlike Providence, where many of the participants ended their tours in the same place where those tours started. Because lunch and dinner will be in separate places, it probably won't give many participants the option to carpool with others. (Unless folks are carpooling from other places and are paired up with each other in, say, one vehicle, I can't imagine that anyone would want to leave their cars in Nags Head if dinner will be in Elizabeth City.) Some people might be turned off by this aspect of the meet because it will likely require more time alone and less time hanging out and socializing with others... except for lunch and dinner. As we know, one thing about attending meets that's fun is having time socializing in the car with others. That opportunity will be limited, unfortunately, at this meet... unless some small groups decide to have lunch only in Nags Head (skipping Elizabeth City for dinner) or have dinner only in Elizabeth City (and skipping lunch in Nags Head). That way they could have time in a car with others and return to their vehicles in the place where they started.
It's quite likely that this will be my only city meet that has this dynamic, but I'm just making sure everyone knows about it.
In a few weeks or so, I will create a Facebook event for the meet.
Quote from: kevinb1994 on September 07, 2019, 12:30:13 AM
Guess we won't be able to head to Ocracoke Island due to NC 12 having stability issues on Ocracoke Island, until NCDOT is able to make repairs to it there.
Any road damage that would limit access to Nags Head or Cape Hatteras?
Quote from: kevinb1994 on September 07, 2019, 12:30:13 AM
Guess we won't be able to head to Ocracoke Island due to NC 12 having stability issues on Ocracoke Island, until NCDOT is able to make repairs to it there.
They'll probably have it done well before the meet next year.
Quote from: kevinb1994 on September 07, 2019, 12:30:13 AM
Guess we won't be able to head to Ocracoke Island due to NC 12 having stability issues on Ocracoke Island, until NCDOT is able to make repairs to it there.
Dude, chill. There's still seven months to go.
Quote from: kevinb1994 on September 07, 2019, 02:15:33 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on September 07, 2019, 02:13:30 PM
Quote from: kevinb1994 on September 07, 2019, 12:30:13 AM
Guess we won't be able to head to Ocracoke Island due to NC 12 having stability issues on Ocracoke Island, until NCDOT is able to make repairs to it there.
They'll probably have it done well before the meet next year.
You're probably right about that, given that it is a small island.
I saw elsewhere that two 500-foot sections of NC 12 were affected in this manner. I've seen similar flood damage here in Kentucky. They got the road fixed in a reasonable amount of time, and that was with there being other options to get around the closure. With NC 12 being the only game in town, I'd say they'll rush to fix it.
Quote from: hbelkins on September 08, 2019, 06:31:16 PM
Quote from: kevinb1994 on September 07, 2019, 02:15:33 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on September 07, 2019, 02:13:30 PM
Quote from: kevinb1994 on September 07, 2019, 12:30:13 AM
Guess we won't be able to head to Ocracoke Island due to NC 12 having stability issues on Ocracoke Island, until NCDOT is able to make repairs to it there.
They'll probably have it done well before the meet next year.
You're probably right about that, given that it is a small island.
I saw elsewhere that two 500-foot sections of NC 12 were affected in this manner. I've seen similar flood damage here in Kentucky. They got the road fixed in a reasonable amount of time, and that was with there being other options to get around the closure. With NC 12 being the only game in town, I'd say they'll rush to fix it.
Yep.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-09-13-this-week-ncdot.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-09-13-this-week-ncdot.aspx)
QuoteDorian Recovery
In the wake of Hurricane Dorian, the N.C. Department of Transportation is putting its efforts into making repairs to reopen state roads quickly.
About a dozen roads are still closed, including N.C. 12 in Ocracoke where more than 1,000 feet of major dunes and pavement will need to be replaced.
The damage from Dorian is estimated to be about $45 million and repairs are expected to be complete by the end of the year.
^^^
How long of a construction season does that part of North Carolina have? Around here, most of the asphalt plants close at the end of November, even though there is often plenty of good weather during December in which they could pave.
For earth-moving projects, we don't count December through March as "working days" against the contracted deadline, although companies often work during the winter if the weather cooperates. On many projects, they have to cut trees in the winter because of bat habitat requirements.
The Facebook event for this meet has been created. It's a private event on Facebook, so I'm not going to bother posting the link here. It is set up, however, where the folks I've invited have the ability to invite others that I'm not Facebook friends with.
If you don't receive the invitation on Facebook due to a) not being on Facebook, or b) being on Facebook but not connected there with anyone in the roadgeek community, no worries. Everyone is still welcome to attend.
The only detail I've shared so far in the Facebook event that I haven't shared here yet is the time of the lunch gathering. We'll gather for lunch somewhere in Nags Head at 11 a.m. I don't know yet what time we'll gather for dinner in Elizabeth City, but I figure it will be around 7 p.m. I want to reiterate again that I fully expect that, due to the logistics of this meet (the fact that lunch and dinner will be in different cities), some folks will only join for lunch while others will only join for dinner which is totally fine.
Some folks in the Facebook event have expressed a desire to wait until the end of the 2019 hurricane season (and seeing whether OBX sees any hurricane damage) before deciding whether they should attend this meet, which makes sense.
NCDOT is aiming to reopen NC-12 on Ocracoke in November.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-09-19-ocracoke-road-repair-plan.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-09-19-ocracoke-road-repair-plan.aspx)
Quote from: LM117 on September 19, 2019, 10:41:01 AM
NCDOT is aiming to reopen NC-12 on Ocracoke in November.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-09-19-ocracoke-road-repair-plan.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-09-19-ocracoke-road-repair-plan.aspx)
I guess Brownlie didn't have to worry (or post) about a thing then.
Quote from: Brandon on September 19, 2019, 04:20:34 PM
Quote from: LM117 on September 19, 2019, 10:41:01 AM
NCDOT is aiming to reopen NC-12 on Ocracoke in November.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-09-19-ocracoke-road-repair-plan.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-09-19-ocracoke-road-repair-plan.aspx)
I guess Brownlie didn't have to worry (or post) about a thing then.
Does he ever?
I didn't get the Facebook event. Can someone invite me?
Quote from: dgolub on September 21, 2019, 08:48:01 AM
I didn't get the Facebook event. Can someone invite me?
Hi David... you actually did get the invitation and marked yourself down as a Maybe. Check your Events on Facebook.
NC-12 on Ocracoke Island will reopen this Thursday (with limitations) and the ferry system has announced new schedules.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-10-01-ocracoke-emergency-routes-october.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-10-01-ocracoke-emergency-routes-october.aspx)
Quote from: LM117 on October 02, 2019, 11:56:42 AM
NC-12 on Ocracoke Island will reopen this Thursday (with limitations) and the ferry system has announced new schedules.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-10-01-ocracoke-emergency-routes-october.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-10-01-ocracoke-emergency-routes-october.aspx)
Good to know! Thanks for sharing. :)
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on October 02, 2019, 01:06:56 PM
Quote from: LM117 on October 02, 2019, 11:56:42 AM
NC-12 on Ocracoke Island will reopen this Thursday (with limitations) and the ferry system has announced new schedules.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-10-01-ocracoke-emergency-routes-october.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-10-01-ocracoke-emergency-routes-october.aspx)
Good to know! Thanks for sharing. :)
You're welcome! :nod:
Quote from: LM117 on October 02, 2019, 11:56:42 AM
NC-12 on Ocracoke Island will reopen this Thursday (with limitations) and the ferry system has announced new schedules.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-10-01-ocracoke-emergency-routes-october.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-10-01-ocracoke-emergency-routes-october.aspx)
Another update regarding the ferry system.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-10-04-ocracoke-emergency-sound-routes-october.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-10-04-ocracoke-emergency-sound-routes-october.aspx)
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-11-06-ocracoke-ferry-schedule-change-paving.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-11-06-ocracoke-ferry-schedule-change-paving.aspx)
QuoteOCRACOKE — To facilitate the N.C. Department of Transportation's paving operation on N.C. 12 on Ocracoke Island, the North Carolina Ferry System is making an adjustment to its Hatteras- Ocracoke Silver Lake schedule beginning Nov. 7.
Starting Nov. 7, the 10 p.m. departure from Hatteras to Ocracoke-Silver Lake and the 12:30 a.m. return trip will be suspended. The new schedule will be as follows:
-Hatteras to Ocracoke-Silver Lake: 6 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 4:30 p.m.
-Ocracoke-Silver Lake to Hatteras: 8:45 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 7:15 p.m.
The state Ferry Division is coordinating with Hyde County Schools to accommodate any evening athletic event travel.
No changes will be made to the Swan Quarter, Cedar Island, or Ocracoke-South Dock routes. The ferry schedule change will allow ferries and crews to be available for the staging of asphalt and concrete trucks used in the paving operation.
NCDOT is working to rebuild about 1,000 feet of N.C. 12 that was damaged during Hurricane Dorian in early September. NCDOT expects to reopen N.C. 12 to vehicular traffic on or before the Thanksgiving holiday. However, at this time Ocracoke remains open only to residents, non-resident property owners, and personnel approved by Hyde County Emergency Management.
Ocracoke is scheduled to reopen to visitors on November 22.
https://www.coastalreview.org/2019/11/ocracoke-to-reopen-to-visitors-nov-22/ (https://www.coastalreview.org/2019/11/ocracoke-to-reopen-to-visitors-nov-22/)
Quote from: LM117 on November 13, 2019, 05:00:55 PM
Ocracoke is scheduled to reopen to visitors on November 22.
https://www.coastalreview.org/2019/11/ocracoke-to-reopen-to-visitors-nov-22/ (https://www.coastalreview.org/2019/11/ocracoke-to-reopen-to-visitors-nov-22/)
Scratch that. Hyde County commissioners have voted to lift the Ocracoke visitor evacuation order on December 2 instead.
https://www.wnct.com/local-news/hyde-county-commissioners-vote-to-lift-ocracoke-visitor-evacuation-order-on-dec-2/ (https://www.wnct.com/local-news/hyde-county-commissioners-vote-to-lift-ocracoke-visitor-evacuation-order-on-dec-2/)
Latest update regarding Ocracoke Island.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-12-02-ocracoke-reopens-ferry-schedules.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-12-02-ocracoke-reopens-ferry-schedules.aspx)
NC-12 on Ocracoke Island will reopen to all traffic tomorrow.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-12-04-nc12-reopens-ocracoke.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-12-04-nc12-reopens-ocracoke.aspx)
Has this been committed to the April 25th date?
Quote from: Beltway on January 28, 2020, 12:01:18 AM
Has this been committed to the April 25th date?
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on August 29, 2019, 07:01:00 PM
Based on earlier discussion about all the meets that are in the planning stages for the spring of 2020, I decided I shouldn't wait until this poll closes (on October 1) to make April 25 the official date of my Outer Banks meet.
Quote from: Beltway on January 28, 2020, 12:01:18 AM
Has this been committed to the April 25th date?
Yes indeed. What I need to do now is pick the lunch venue in Nags Head and the dinner venue in Elizabeth City.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2020/2020-02-11-ocracoke-sandbag-project.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2020/2020-02-11-ocracoke-sandbag-project.aspx)
QuoteOCRACOKE — The N.C. Department of Transportation Wednesday will begin placing additional sand and sandbags along portions of N.C. 12 on Ocracoke Island. The project is designed to shore up four segments of the roadway damaged by Hurricane Dorian and a subsequent storm in November.
The project will involve placing more than 2,500 sandbags along 4,200 feet of roadway at the north end of the island. While no major traffic delays are anticipated, NCDOT will have traffic control in place to maintain a safe environment.
Contractors hope to have the project complete in three months, but the process is extremely weather-dependent. If completion is not possible by Mid-May, work will stop until after Labor Day in order to facilitate summertime traffic.
I'm interested, but very unlikely to be able to attend that weekend. I'll make note of the date in case plans change.
I've decided where we will have lunch and dinner for our gathering in the Outer Banks. I just shared the details in the Facebook event, but I thought I'd share them here as well.
We'll gather for lunch at 11:30 at Blue Moon Beach Grill in Nags Head (4104 S. Virginia Dare Trail #16, Nags Head, NC 27959). I would have preferred 11:00, but the restaurant doesn't open until 11:30.
Dinner, for those who are interested, will be at 7:30 at Grouper's Waterfront Restaurant (400 S. Water St. #6, Elizabeth City, NC 27909). I figure this will give everyone a full 6 1/2 hours to explore the Outer Banks area between leaving lunch and reconvening for dinner. I had to make a wild guess for the number for the dinner reservation, so I said 12. (On the Facebook event, we have 8 listed as going and I'm not sensing that I'll have as big of a group in Outer Banks as I had in Providence last year.) I can always change the number for the reservation as it gets closer to the date, but if you're on the fence and can try to let me know sooner rather than later whether or not you plan to attend, that would be helpful... either here or in the Facebook event.
This meet is only two months away. I'm really excited to host my second "city-meet-style" gathering and to explore the Outer Banks for the first time. :D
I'm out on this at this point due to other plans that will eventually lead me to the Gulf Coast for my cousin's wedding the next weekend.
This gives me the opportunity to clinch US 64 and 158 east of Raleigh. I'll probably only be there for the lunch since I don't have that much to clinch in the area.
Quote from: Alps on February 29, 2020, 03:49:44 PM
This gives me the opportunity to clinch US 64 and 158 east of Raleigh. I'll probably only be there for the lunch since I don't have that much to clinch in the area.
That's cool. It will be good to have you join us for lunch!
Hi all, just came back to say I'm officially out for this, despite being interested in it in the past. I've got quite a lot going on these days.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2020/2020-03-06-basnight-bridge-lane-closures.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2020/2020-03-06-basnight-bridge-lane-closures.aspx)
QuoteNAGS HEAD — Daytime lane closures in the work zone around the Marc Basnight Bridge in Dare County will resume March 9.
During the lane closures, workers will complete "punch list" items on the bridge project, including finishing touches to the bridge deck and railings, and paving the final asphalt layer on the roadway leading up to the bridge itself.
Motorists should be aware of the possibility of daytime lane closures at any time from 7 a.m. Mondays through 3 p.m. Fridays. During the lane closures, contractors will use flaggers to control traffic and post appropriate warning signs. Lane closures will vary in length but will typically be between a half-mile and one mile long. One lane of traffic will be open at all times. Drivers are urged to slow down and use caution while crews are at work.
The work is expected to be complete by mid-June.
I am officially out too, I will be on the road from east TN to Hershey\ Harrisburg PA that day for the annual spring toy show in Hershey on Sunday and visiting family\ friends that week, Hope to see some of you at the Cinncy Meet and the Sauk Valley Road Meet in June.
Quote from: jpi on March 09, 2020, 10:46:32 AM
I am officially out too, I will be on the road from east TN to Hershey\ Harrisburg PA that day for the annual spring toy show in Hershey on Sunday and visiting family\ friends that week, Hope to see some of you at the Cinncy Meet and the Sauk Valley Road Meet in June.
I, as well as a few others from the Northeast plan on going to Cincy. I was considering Sauk Valley, but I'm planning on going to La Crosse instead.
Quote from: signalman on March 09, 2020, 02:53:12 PM
Quote from: jpi on March 09, 2020, 10:46:32 AM
I am officially out too, I will be on the road from east TN to Hershey\ Harrisburg PA that day for the annual spring toy show in Hershey on Sunday and visiting family\ friends that week, Hope to see some of you at the Cinncy Meet and the Sauk Valley Road Meet in June.
I, as well as a few others from the Northeast plan on going to Cincy. I was considering Sauk Valley, but I'm planning on going to La Crosse instead.
Checking out the pony show?
Quote from: Alps on March 09, 2020, 05:42:24 PM
Quote from: signalman on March 09, 2020, 02:53:12 PM
Quote from: jpi on March 09, 2020, 10:46:32 AM
I am officially out too, I will be on the road from east TN to Hershey\ Harrisburg PA that day for the annual spring toy show in Hershey on Sunday and visiting family\ friends that week, Hope to see some of you at the Cinncy Meet and the Sauk Valley Road Meet in June.
I, as well as a few others from the Northeast plan on going to Cincy. I was considering Sauk Valley, but I'm planning on going to La Crosse instead.
Checking out the pony show?
Life is just a rodeo.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on March 09, 2020, 06:22:16 PM
Quote from: Alps on March 09, 2020, 05:42:24 PM
Checking out the pony show?
??
There's a... meme?... circulating with a certain pony show in La Crosse. It's not for posting here.
Quote from: Alps on March 09, 2020, 09:19:16 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on March 09, 2020, 06:22:16 PM
Quote from: Alps on March 09, 2020, 05:42:24 PM
Checking out the pony show?
??
There's a... meme?... circulating with a certain pony show in La Crosse. It's not for posting here.
Ah, I have not seen that meme. Therefore, I didn't know what you were attempting to allude to. Thank you for asking, AJ. I was assuming that it was something that I should know about and don't. I was too embarrassed to ask for clarification.
Starting tomorrow, Hyde County will be restricting visitors to Ocracoke Island.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2020/2020-03-18-ocracoke-visitor-restrictions.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2020/2020-03-18-ocracoke-visitor-restrictions.aspx)
Quote from: LM117 on March 18, 2020, 06:23:55 PM
Starting tomorrow, Hyde County will be restricting visitors to Ocracoke Island.
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2020/2020-03-18-ocracoke-visitor-restrictions.aspx (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2020/2020-03-18-ocracoke-visitor-restrictions.aspx)
I'm dealing with the harsh reality that I very well may have to postpone this meet for a future year unless this COVID-19 situation resolves itself much more quickly than everyone is thinking it will. I'm not quite ready to announce the cancellation yet. I want to see how things shake out over these next few weeks. I don't know yet what North Carolina's situation is on dine-in restaurants, but the concept of the city meet (at least, according to how I host them) is dependent upon dine-in restaurants being open for lunch and dinner.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on March 18, 2020, 07:44:09 PM
I'm dealing with the harsh reality that I very well may have to postpone this meet for a future year unless this COVID-19 situation resolves itself much more quickly than everyone is thinking it will. I'm not quite ready to announce the cancellation yet. I want to see how things shake out over these next few weeks. I don't know yet what North Carolina's situation is on dine-in restaurants, but the concept of the city meet (at least, according to how I host them) is dependent upon dine-in restaurants being open for lunch and dinner.
Is it possible to have a picnic instead?
It isn't just Ocracoke. All of Dare County is closed to non residents/property owners...
https://www.darenc.com/Home/Components/News/News/5970/17
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on March 18, 2020, 07:44:09 PM
I'm dealing with the harsh reality that I very well may have to postpone this meet for a future year unless this COVID-19 situation resolves itself much more quickly than everyone is thinking it will. I'm not quite ready to announce the cancellation yet. I want to see how things shake out over these next few weeks. I don't know yet what North Carolina's situation is on dine-in restaurants, but the concept of the city meet (at least, according to how I host them) is dependent upon dine-in restaurants being open for lunch and dinner.
5 1/2 weeks away.
Perhaps wait until about 2 weeks before, to see if it looks viable.
Quote from: Mapmikey on March 18, 2020, 08:20:37 PM
It isn't just Ocracoke. All of Dare County is closed to non residents/property owners...
https://www.darenc.com/Home/Components/News/News/5970/17
Yep, since yesterday at 2 p.m., announced last minute with little notice.
All restaurants were ordered close yesterday as well statewide.
However it shakes out for other people in the next few weeks, I'm almost certainly out. The "social distancing" business is a deal-killer for me. It's not going to be much fun for us to sit at a lunch or dinner table six feet apart from each other, or with me six feet from everyone else. Younger people might be comfortable fudging that guideline, even if the restaurant will go along (a huge "if"), or we do a picnic instead. But not me, at the lower end of the "elderly" at-risk group.
I just got back from a two-week road trip. mostly within the western Carolinas and Georgia. It was definitely "non-essential travel", though the guideline against that didn't kick in until I was well on my way back north. By that time, it was "essential" for me and my car to make the last three days of my trip home. I expect all the Canadian snowbirds I saw on I-95 heading north will say something like that to the Canadian border agents, should they get a hard time about what started off for them as "non-essential travel" back when soaking up the sun in south Florida was perfectly OK.
That trip was fun. But my plans for further travel outside the Washington-Baltimore metro (including a spring trip into Canada) look to be on hold for a long time.
Six feet really isn't a huge distance.
Quote from: bandit957 on March 18, 2020, 08:53:36 PM
Six feet really isn't a huge distance.
For a group of a dozen or more people, it would mean a lot of shouting.
A picnic doesn't really fit the style for my "city meet" concept for multiple reasons. (Besides, there would have to be two picnics... a lunch picnic and a dinner picnic.) Yes... the meet is 5 1/2 weeks away and a lot can change in that span of time, which is why I'm not nearly ready to make any announcement about a postponement. I am, however, dealing with the possibility that I may have to postpone it for next year... for a reason that I would obviously have no control over.
Quote from: sprjus4 on March 18, 2020, 08:34:33 PMAll restaurants were ordered close yesterday as well statewide.
Yep. Only take-outs and deliveries are allowed.
https://governor.nc.gov/news/governor-cooper-issues-executive-order-close-sit-down-service-restaurants-and-bars-and-make (https://governor.nc.gov/news/governor-cooper-issues-executive-order-close-sit-down-service-restaurants-and-bars-and-make)
Quote from: oscar on March 18, 2020, 08:50:45 PM
However it shakes out for other people in the next few weeks, I'm almost certainly out. The "social distancing" business is a deal-killer for me. It's not going to be much fun for us to sit at a lunch or dinner table six feet apart from each other, or with me six feet from everyone else.
I'm optimistic that in two to three weeks, things will be getting back to normal. Some news reports I heard said that the peak should be around this weekend.
We should not be alarmed at an increase in the number of reported cases. As the testing increases, the numbers will increase. It doesn't mean that more people have it; they just know they have it.
Quote from: hbelkins on March 19, 2020, 02:44:46 PM
I'm optimistic that in two to three weeks, things will be getting back to normal. Some news reports I heard said that the peak should be around this weekend.
I strongly doubt it will peak that early. Regardless of that, the Cincinnati meet is set in stone.
Those of you who were considering taking the ferry from Cedar Island or Swan Quarter to Ocracoke might want to think carefully about that, assuming they're running at the time. The ferries are fairly small for the amount of time the trip takes, and unless you stay in your car the whole way it's not particularly easy to stay six feet away from other people. Especially if it rains, sitting in your stationary car for the full ferry trip would be miserable.
Just a thought.
Quote from: hbelkins on March 19, 2020, 02:44:46 PM
Quote from: oscar on March 18, 2020, 08:50:45 PM
However it shakes out for other people in the next few weeks, I'm almost certainly out. The "social distancing" business is a deal-killer for me. It's not going to be much fun for us to sit at a lunch or dinner table six feet apart from each other, or with me six feet from everyone else.
I'm optimistic that in two to three weeks, things will be getting back to normal. Some news reports I heard said that the peak should be around this weekend.
We should not be alarmed at an increase in the number of reported cases. As the testing increases, the numbers will increase. It doesn't mean that more people have it; they just know they have it.
I'm not. Every forecast I've seen has the earliest peak in June or July.
Quote from: oscar on March 18, 2020, 08:58:56 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on March 18, 2020, 08:53:36 PM
Six feet really isn't a huge distance.
For a group of a dozen or more people, it would mean a lot of shouting.
You should have went to Froggie's thing in Saratoga...
Quote from: Alps on March 19, 2020, 04:23:48 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on March 19, 2020, 02:44:46 PM
I'm optimistic that in two to three weeks, things will be getting back to normal. Some news reports I heard said that the peak should be around this weekend.
We should not be alarmed at an increase in the number of reported cases. As the testing increases, the numbers will increase. It doesn't mean that more people have it; they just know they have it.
I'm not. Every forecast I've seen has the earliest peak in June or July.
I wouldn't put any salt in anyone's predictions. Even a professionally modeled forecast is only as good as the assumptions that go into it, and since there is no modern precedent to this event there's going to be low certainty in any of the assumptions.
The number of new cases peaking within the next week, or not peaking until summer, are frankly both plausible. We won't know until it happens.
Dare I point out that there were modeled predictions in the 1970s that global oil production would peak by 1990...
This meet, as the one nearest in the future, is the most likely of any to need to be canceled or postponed. But we still won't know for sure for a few more weeks.
There are two pretty obvious things that would force me to postpone this meet: 1) if restaurants remain closed to dine-in service, and 2) if the Outer Banks remain closed to non-residents. I think I mentioned this earlier (or elsewhere), but I'm not going to make any decisions until probably early to mid April when I see what the status is of the COVID-19 outbreak at that time. If I need to postpone the meet, I need to do so early enough to give everyone (and myself) time to cancel lodging accommodations and whatnot.
A couple months ago I bought my ticket for the Cedar Island-to-Ocracoke ferry. That's another reservation I'll need to cancel and get a refund on if I am forced to postpone this meet.
^^^
Most lodging establishments are being very lenient about canceling reservations. I'm not sure if the ferry runs to that particular county, but if it does, they may be restricting (and probably are restricting) who can use it.
Quote from: hbelkins on March 21, 2020, 09:59:24 PM
I'm not sure if the ferry runs to that particular county, but if it does, they may be restricting (and probably are restricting) who can use it.
The ferries to Ocracoke in Hyde County from Cedar Island (where A.J. would leave from) and Swan Quarter (where I would leave from) were closed to visitors starting March 19 (https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2020/2020-03-18-ocracoke-visitor-restrictions.aspx).
As noted upthread, Dare County (where the meet lunch in Nags Head would take place) has both entry and exit restrictions.
As I noted in the coronavirus thread, a stay-at-home order has been issued in NC, which will take effect this Monday at 5:00pm and last until April 29. The order also bans gatherings of more than 10 people and requires people to stay at least 6 feet apart from others.
https://governor.nc.gov/news/governor-cooper-announces-statewide-stay-home-order-until-april-29 (https://governor.nc.gov/news/governor-cooper-announces-statewide-stay-home-order-until-april-29)
With a heavy heart, I have no choice but to postpone my meet due to the stay-at-home order in North Carolina that is lasting until April 29.
Because this was the exact time of year that seemed to be most ideal, and because of everything else going on with COVID-19 and in my personal life (not to mention hurricane season coming up later this year), I am postponing this meet for exactly one year. My plan at this point will be to host this gathering on Saturday, April 24, 2021.
I hate that this had to happen, but public health, saving lives, and complying with government orders is obviously way more important.
As hard of a decision as it must have been, it was the right one. Thank you for doing the right thing given the circumstances.
I've got that weekend next year marked on the calendar and I'm sure many of us will do the same. We'll see you next year!
Well, you had no choice other than violating the decree of the government and risking their wrath ...
Quote from: Beltway on March 28, 2020, 06:31:38 PM
Well, you had no choice other than violating the decree of the government and risking their wrath ...
Well, restaurants are closed to dine-in service... and the Outer Banks themselves are closed to non-residents. Even if I wanted to violate government decree, it would still be impossible to move forward with this gathering on April 25.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on March 28, 2020, 09:45:16 PM
Quote from: Beltway on March 28, 2020, 06:31:38 PM
Well, you had no choice other than violating the decree of the government and risking their wrath ...
Well, restaurants are closed to dine-in service... and the Outer Banks themselves are closed to non-residents. Even if I wanted to violate government decree, it would still be impossible to move forward with this gathering on April 25.
I wouldn't recommend anyone violating the decree of the government and risking their wrath.
Quote from: Beltway on March 28, 2020, 09:47:03 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on March 28, 2020, 09:45:16 PM
Quote from: Beltway on March 28, 2020, 06:31:38 PM
Well, you had no choice other than violating the decree of the government and risking their wrath ...
Well, restaurants are closed to dine-in service... and the Outer Banks themselves are closed to non-residents. Even if I wanted to violate government decree, it would still be impossible to move forward with this gathering on April 25.
I wouldn't recommend anyone violating the decree of the government and risking their wrath.
It's not even safe to criticize the decree of the government, at least where this matter is concerned. If you do, you're selfish and you want people to die and you don't understand epidemiology.
My personal opinion is that extending this out a month is overreaching. I was actually considering using part of my tax rebate (which is what I'm considering the coronavirus stimulus check to be) to attend this.
Quote from: hbelkins on March 28, 2020, 09:55:43 PM
It's not even safe to criticize the decree of the government, at least where this matter is concerned. If you do, you're selfish and you want people to die and you don't understand epidemiology.
Sadly, I've noticed this too. The talking heads endorsing these lockdowns don't know a thing about social science. Nothing. They don't realize that lockdowns will kill off society. People need some degree of social activity.
Quote from: bandit957 on March 28, 2020, 10:01:23 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on March 28, 2020, 09:55:43 PM
It's not even safe to criticize the decree of the government, at least where this matter is concerned. If you do, you're selfish and you want people to die and you don't understand epidemiology.
Sadly, I've noticed this too. The talking heads endorsing these lockdowns don't know a thing about social science. Nothing. They don't realize that lockdowns will kill off society. People need some degree of social activity.
That's right!!! And I better think carefully before I post anything like this again!
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on March 28, 2020, 11:21:23 AMI am postponing this meet for exactly one year. My plan at this point will be to host this gathering on Saturday, April 24, 2021.
Let the word go forth: one year is exactly 364 days! :-D
Quote from: bandit957 on March 28, 2020, 10:01:23 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on March 28, 2020, 09:55:43 PM
It's not even safe to criticize the decree of the government, at least where this matter is concerned. If you do, you're selfish and you want people to die and you don't understand epidemiology.
Sadly, I've noticed this too. The talking heads endorsing these lockdowns don't know a thing about social science. Nothing. They don't realize that lockdowns will kill off society. People need some degree of social activity.
Tim and HB agree on something?
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/Operation_Upshot-Knothole_-_Badger_001.jpg/250px-Operation_Upshot-Knothole_-_Badger_001.jpg)
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on March 29, 2020, 03:49:47 AM
Quote from: bandit957 on March 28, 2020, 10:01:23 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on March 28, 2020, 09:55:43 PM
It's not even safe to criticize the decree of the government, at least where this matter is concerned. If you do, you're selfish and you want people to die and you don't understand epidemiology.
Sadly, I've noticed this too. The talking heads endorsing these lockdowns don't know a thing about social science. Nothing. They don't realize that lockdowns will kill off society. People need some degree of social activity.
Tim and HB agree on something?
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/Operation_Upshot-Knothole_-_Badger_001.jpg/250px-Operation_Upshot-Knothole_-_Badger_001.jpg)
Dude, I've been in the same boat for a week now.
That said, the Outer Banks is a string of islands, so it can block outsiders. Cincinnati or northern Kentucky can't do it. If I lived on an island, we could block people. But it would be ridiculous and impractical for most places.
Moved irrelevant discussion away. Let's just move on.
I'm definitely interested in this meet since it is a year out.
While we can't all convene in-person on 4/25 as per the original plan, perhaps some (if not all) of us can convene remotely instead thanks to this fine 'substitute' event:
Our next installment in the "Virtual Tour" series over on the 'roadwaywiz' YouTube channel is scheduled to take place on Saturday (4/25) at 6 PM ET. Come join me and members of the AARoads community as we profile Interstate 8 across southern California and discuss the history and features of this highway, all while enjoying a real-time video trip along the length of the freeway Yuma, AZ and San Diego, CA.
A link to the event location can be found below:
Quote from: Takumi on February 29, 2020, 10:48:28 PM
Hi all, just came back to say I'm officially out for this, despite being interested in it in the past. I've got quite a lot going on these days.
Well, this aged like milk.
I might actually make this in 2021 (if it happens). I'm starting to get into the roads thing again a little bit.
Quote from: Takumi on June 29, 2020, 09:24:41 PM
Quote from: Takumi on February 29, 2020, 10:48:28 PM
Hi all, just came back to say I'm officially out for this, despite being interested in it in the past. I've got quite a lot going on these days.
Well, this aged like milk.
I might actually make this in 2021 (if it happens). I'm starting to get into the roads thing again a little bit.
I'm sure there will be others in the same boat as you. Of course, we don't know how good, bad, or (hopefully not) ugly the COVID will be next year, so who knows.
Quote from: kevinb1994 on June 30, 2020, 05:06:02 AM
Well, this aged like milk.
2020 has been a horrid year for me in between the pandemic and financial crap and planning an interstate move in the middle of it all. At least I am gainfully employed (and an essential worker) at two jobs, which is more than a lot of people can say.
I've put road meets on not only the back burner, but the burner in the back room. This is the first time I'm even visiting the forums in about six months, too. That said, I've always wanted to see the Outer Banks, and I assumed I would one day with my father-in-law in Raleigh... but then he moved to Tennessee.
I'm doing what I can to avoid declaring bankruptcy right now. Hopefully by the time April 2021 rolls around, I'll be in a much better place and might even be able to attend this.
Hello, everyone! I thought I would revive this thread to let everyone know that I'm still considering hosting this meet in April. Just to remind everyone, this is a choose-your-own-adventure "city meet" like the gathering I facilitated in Providence RI in 2019... not a traditional meet with an organized tour/itinerary that all the attendees follow together.
Over the next few months, I will be keeping an eye on what's going on with the pandemic... particularly in North Carolina. It's certainly good news that the COVID vaccine is gradually starting to be distributed, but I have to admit that I'm still not sure if the pandemic will be subsided enough for this meet to happen. There are two essential components of my city meet concept that make it the social gathering that it is: 1) a lunch restaurant, and 2) a dinner restaurant. Between lunch and dinner, folks are on their own to explore... and what makes the Outer Banks gathering different than what I hosted in Providence is that lunch and dinner are in separate locations (Nags Head vs. Elizabeth City), so logistically, folks will likely be driving separately if they want to participate in both lunch and dinner. Otherwise, I can imagine that perhaps some attendees (or maybe small groups of attendees) might only join for lunch or dinner, but not both.
But back to my thought on the restaurants... I do understand that the road meets that were held in 2020 comprised an arrangement where everyone met at a park and brought their own lunches which worked out just fine. That idea doesn't exactly translate to my city meet concept because I can't exactly scope out parks in person to get a sense of the picnic tables/pavilions that are available in those parks. It's possible that one or both of the restaurants that I select for lunch/dinner may have outdoor dining available, and I may inquire about that with the restaurants and/or reserve it in advance... but I don't want to promote any arrangement that could potentially spread the virus more easily (indoors as opposed to outdoors, which tends to be a bit safer). Without restaurant meals, my do-it-yourself gathering doesn't exactly work because there wouldn't be a practical way for all the participants to get together before and/or after their self-guided tours.
What it boils down to is... I'm really torn about what to do. I really want to go to the Outer Banks in 2021 and gather with other roadgeeks there, but because of the pandemic, I'm wondering if I should just scrap the idea of the gathering and make a plan to just take a trip there by myself. That way I can do my own thing without others feeling pressured to be unsafe during the pandemic. I hate the idea of pushing off this meet by yet another year. An argument could be made that I could host Omaha in 2021 (because the city where the gathering starts and ends would be the same... logistically it would be easier) and host Outer Banks in 2022, but with other meets that are on the calendar for 2021, I'm not sure I'd want to add Omaha to that mix... especially since I'd choose a later time of the year than April to host Omaha... and the calendar for later in the year is starting to get a bit full with other road meets that have been proposed.
Ultimately, I think I just need to wait and see what happens over the next couple of months. By early to mid March, I'd like to make a decision about whether or not to host this in 2021. That would give me, and anyone who's interested in attending, plenty of time to make my travel arrangements, make restaurant reservations, etc. As of now, I'm just wondering if what I'm trying to accomplish in the Outer Banks will be too complicated and awkward while the pandemic is still running its course. I'd love to hear any feedback that others have. I'd especially be curious to hear from anyone who attended my Providence meet in 2019 because they have firsthand experience with the self-guided "city meet" concept and can offer their insights about what worked in Providence and how this may or may not work in the Outer Banks with the pandemic... particularly with the lunch and dinner being in separate cities.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on January 09, 2021, 09:50:37 PM
But back to my thought on the restaurants... I do understand that the road meets that were held in 2020 comprised an arrangement where everyone met at a park and brought their own lunches which worked out just fine. That idea doesn't exactly translate to my city meet concept because I can't exactly scope out parks in person to get a sense of the picnic tables/pavilions that are available in those parks. It's possible that one or both of the restaurants that I select for lunch/dinner may have outdoor dining available, and I may inquire about that with the restaurants and/or reserve it in advance... but I don't want to promote any arrangement that could potentially spread the virus more easily (indoors as opposed to outdoors, which tends to be a bit safer). Without restaurant meals, my do-it-yourself gathering doesn't exactly work because there wouldn't be a practical way for all the participants to get together before and/or after their self-guided tours.
I've never been to OBX, but it's a common east coast beach destination, so other folks here on the forum might have ideas for places where we could do lunch and dinner. I personally would be down for a picnic on the beach!
I want to attend this even more in 2021 than I did in 2020 because the pandemic makes me miss y'all more than ever. Provided that I don't get COVID, I even have vacation time built up right now for the first time ever and would love to use it somewhere fun!
Quote from: Laura on January 15, 2021, 01:57:45 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on January 09, 2021, 09:50:37 PM
But back to my thought on the restaurants... I do understand that the road meets that were held in 2020 comprised an arrangement where everyone met at a park and brought their own lunches which worked out just fine. That idea doesn't exactly translate to my city meet concept because I can't exactly scope out parks in person to get a sense of the picnic tables/pavilions that are available in those parks. It's possible that one or both of the restaurants that I select for lunch/dinner may have outdoor dining available, and I may inquire about that with the restaurants and/or reserve it in advance... but I don't want to promote any arrangement that could potentially spread the virus more easily (indoors as opposed to outdoors, which tends to be a bit safer). Without restaurant meals, my do-it-yourself gathering doesn't exactly work because there wouldn't be a practical way for all the participants to get together before and/or after their self-guided tours.
I've never been to OBX, but it's a common east coast beach destination, so other folks here on the forum might have ideas for places where we could do lunch and dinner. I personally would be down for a picnic on the beach!
Hmm... great idea, Laura! Thank you for that suggestion. I'll have to seriously think about that. Maybe we can do lunch on the beach near Nags Head, but dinner would be somewhere in Elizabeth City. This meet will be unique in that lunch and dinner are in different locations... and again, remember that it will be a self-guided tour where I won't have an organized itinerary for folks to follow.
So, this is about 10 weeks out at this moment. I am saving the date in hopes that this really happens. The Covid trend is in the right direction, but we have seen that before.
Quote from: brianreynolds on February 15, 2021, 09:39:56 PM
So, this is about 10 weeks out at this moment. I am saving the date in hopes that this really happens. The Covid trend is in the right direction, but we have seen that before.
I decided to put a question mark at the end of the date in the subject line of this thread because I still do not know, at this point, whether I will be hosting this gathering in 2021. Last year when I postponed the meet by one year, I of course assumed that this pandemic would be well behind us by the same time this year... but I just do not know at this point. It is encouraging that the vaccine has started to be distributed across the U.S., but we still have a long ways to go before a significant majority of the population (or, at least a significant majority of the population who is choosing to be vaccinated) will actually be vaccinated. I'm guessing that the restrictions in North Carolina will be mostly non-existent in April, if they're already non-existent now, but I'm feeling a little gun shy at this point about decisively executing this meet in 2021... given its format where gathering at one or two restaurants is an important component. Laura Bianca-Pruett did suggest gathering for lunch at the beach, which is kind of a neat idea, but I'm not sure that idea fits with my vision for this gathering.
Having said all of that, I will make a decision by mid-March as to whether I will move forward with hosting this as is. Yes, other road meets have been successful so far during the pandemic, but the unique style of this gathering doesn't jive too well with pandemic restrictions... and the comfort level that folks may or may not have with gathering at restaurants. If I decide not to go through with this in 2021, I will likely postpone it by yet another year. We will see how things are looking in early- to mid-March. People who know me well enough know that I'm not the kind of person to flake out on something like this, and I will not be making my decision lightly.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 16, 2021, 07:42:11 PM
Quote from: brianreynolds on February 15, 2021, 09:39:56 PM
So, this is about 10 weeks out at this moment. I am saving the date in hopes that this really happens. The Covid trend is in the right direction, but we have seen that before.
I decided to put a question mark at the end of the date in the subject line of this thread because I still do not know, at this point, whether I will be hosting this gathering in 2021. Last year when I postponed the meet by one year, I of course assumed that this pandemic would be well behind us by the same time this year... but I just do not know at this point. It is encouraging that the vaccine has started to be distributed across the U.S., but we still have a long ways to go before a significant majority of the population (or, at least a significant majority of the population who is choosing to be vaccinated) will actually be vaccinated. I'm guessing that the restrictions in North Carolina will be mostly non-existent in April, if they're already non-existent now, but I'm feeling a little gun shy at this point about decisively executing this meet in 2021... given its format where gathering at one or two restaurants is an important component. Laura Bianca-Pruett did suggest gathering for lunch at the beach, which is kind of a neat idea, but I'm not sure that idea fits with my vision for this gathering.
Having said all of that, I will make a decision by mid-March as to whether I will move forward with hosting this as is. Yes, other road meets have been successful so far during the pandemic, but the unique style of this gathering doesn't jive too well with pandemic restrictions... and the comfort level that folks may or may not have with gathering at restaurants. If I decide not to go through with this in 2021, I will likely postpone it by yet another year. We will see how things are looking in early- to mid-March. People who know me well enough know that I'm not the kind of person to flake out on something like this, and I will not be making my decision lightly.
Hope this works out ok! I would REALLY love going to OBX! Its 100+miles away, but its worth every penny! A.J. Bertin, how does a roadmeet work? :hmmm:
Quote from: snowc on February 17, 2021, 10:11:29 AM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 16, 2021, 07:42:11 PM
Quote from: brianreynolds on February 15, 2021, 09:39:56 PM
So, this is about 10 weeks out at this moment. I am saving the date in hopes that this really happens. The Covid trend is in the right direction, but we have seen that before.
I decided to put a question mark at the end of the date in the subject line of this thread because I still do not know, at this point, whether I will be hosting this gathering in 2021. Last year when I postponed the meet by one year, I of course assumed that this pandemic would be well behind us by the same time this year... but I just do not know at this point. It is encouraging that the vaccine has started to be distributed across the U.S., but we still have a long ways to go before a significant majority of the population (or, at least a significant majority of the population who is choosing to be vaccinated) will actually be vaccinated. I'm guessing that the restrictions in North Carolina will be mostly non-existent in April, if they're already non-existent now, but I'm feeling a little gun shy at this point about decisively executing this meet in 2021... given its format where gathering at one or two restaurants is an important component. Laura Bianca-Pruett did suggest gathering for lunch at the beach, which is kind of a neat idea, but I'm not sure that idea fits with my vision for this gathering.
Having said all of that, I will make a decision by mid-March as to whether I will move forward with hosting this as is. Yes, other road meets have been successful so far during the pandemic, but the unique style of this gathering doesn't jive too well with pandemic restrictions... and the comfort level that folks may or may not have with gathering at restaurants. If I decide not to go through with this in 2021, I will likely postpone it by yet another year. We will see how things are looking in early- to mid-March. People who know me well enough know that I'm not the kind of person to flake out on something like this, and I will not be making my decision lightly.
Hope this works out ok! I would REALLY love going to OBX! Its 100+miles away, but its worth every penny! A.J. Bertin, how does a roadmeet work? :hmmm:
you show up, socialize, and follow a tour of roads
Quote from: Alps on February 17, 2021, 06:06:18 PM
Quote from: snowc on February 17, 2021, 10:11:29 AM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 16, 2021, 07:42:11 PM
Quote from: brianreynolds on February 15, 2021, 09:39:56 PM
So, this is about 10 weeks out at this moment. I am saving the date in hopes that this really happens. The Covid trend is in the right direction, but we have seen that before.
I decided to put a question mark at the end of the date in the subject line of this thread because I still do not know, at this point, whether I will be hosting this gathering in 2021. Last year when I postponed the meet by one year, I of course assumed that this pandemic would be well behind us by the same time this year... but I just do not know at this point. It is encouraging that the vaccine has started to be distributed across the U.S., but we still have a long ways to go before a significant majority of the population (or, at least a significant majority of the population who is choosing to be vaccinated) will actually be vaccinated. I'm guessing that the restrictions in North Carolina will be mostly non-existent in April, if they're already non-existent now, but I'm feeling a little gun shy at this point about decisively executing this meet in 2021... given its format where gathering at one or two restaurants is an important component. Laura Bianca-Pruett did suggest gathering for lunch at the beach, which is kind of a neat idea, but I'm not sure that idea fits with my vision for this gathering.
Having said all of that, I will make a decision by mid-March as to whether I will move forward with hosting this as is. Yes, other road meets have been successful so far during the pandemic, but the unique style of this gathering doesn't jive too well with pandemic restrictions... and the comfort level that folks may or may not have with gathering at restaurants. If I decide not to go through with this in 2021, I will likely postpone it by yet another year. We will see how things are looking in early- to mid-March. People who know me well enough know that I'm not the kind of person to flake out on something like this, and I will not be making my decision lightly.
Hope this works out ok! I would REALLY love going to OBX! Its 100+miles away, but its worth every penny! A.J. Bertin, how does a roadmeet work? :hmmm:
you show up, socialize, and follow a tour of roads
Of course, in this case, it's not a traditional road meet with an organized tour to follow. The "city meet" concept is a self-guided tour bookended by a lunch meal and a dinner meal where a significant portion of the socializing is done.
Quote from: Alps on February 17, 2021, 06:06:18 PM
Quote from: snowc on February 17, 2021, 10:11:29 AM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 16, 2021, 07:42:11 PM
Quote from: brianreynolds on February 15, 2021, 09:39:56 PM
So, this is about 10 weeks out at this moment. I am saving the date in hopes that this really happens. The Covid trend is in the right direction, but we have seen that before.
I decided to put a question mark at the end of the date in the subject line of this thread because I still do not know, at this point, whether I will be hosting this gathering in 2021. Last year when I postponed the meet by one year, I of course assumed that this pandemic would be well behind us by the same time this year... but I just do not know at this point. It is encouraging that the vaccine has started to be distributed across the U.S., but we still have a long ways to go before a significant majority of the population (or, at least a significant majority of the population who is choosing to be vaccinated) will actually be vaccinated. I'm guessing that the restrictions in North Carolina will be mostly non-existent in April, if they're already non-existent now, but I'm feeling a little gun shy at this point about decisively executing this meet in 2021... given its format where gathering at one or two restaurants is an important component. Laura Bianca-Pruett did suggest gathering for lunch at the beach, which is kind of a neat idea, but I'm not sure that idea fits with my vision for this gathering.
Having said all of that, I will make a decision by mid-March as to whether I will move forward with hosting this as is. Yes, other road meets have been successful so far during the pandemic, but the unique style of this gathering doesn't jive too well with pandemic restrictions... and the comfort level that folks may or may not have with gathering at restaurants. If I decide not to go through with this in 2021, I will likely postpone it by yet another year. We will see how things are looking in early- to mid-March. People who know me well enough know that I'm not the kind of person to flake out on something like this, and I will not be making my decision lightly.
Hope this works out ok! I would REALLY love going to OBX! Its 100+miles away, but its worth every penny! A.J. Bertin, how does a roadmeet work? :hmmm:
you show up, socialize, and follow a tour of roads
cool. thanks steve!
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 16, 2021, 07:42:11 PM
I decided to put a question mark at the end of the date in the subject line of this thread because I still do not know, at this point, whether I will be hosting this gathering in 2021. Last year when I postponed the meet by one year, I of course assumed that this pandemic would be well behind us by the same time this year... but I just do not know at this point. It is encouraging that the vaccine has started to be distributed across the U.S., but we still have a long ways to go before a significant majority of the population (or, at least a significant majority of the population who is choosing to be vaccinated) will actually be vaccinated. I'm guessing that the restrictions in North Carolina will be mostly non-existent in April, if they're already non-existent now, but I'm feeling a little gun shy at this point about decisively executing this meet in 2021... given its format where gathering at one or two restaurants is an important component. Laura Bianca-Pruett did suggest gathering for lunch at the beach, which is kind of a neat idea, but I'm not sure that idea fits with my vision for this gathering.
I'd advocate for further postponement. This one is definitely of interest to me, but I'm not looking to stay in hotels until I'm vaccinated, and it's too far for me to do as a day trip.
Quote from: dgolub on February 20, 2021, 08:57:53 AM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 16, 2021, 07:42:11 PM
I decided to put a question mark at the end of the date in the subject line of this thread because I still do not know, at this point, whether I will be hosting this gathering in 2021. Last year when I postponed the meet by one year, I of course assumed that this pandemic would be well behind us by the same time this year... but I just do not know at this point. It is encouraging that the vaccine has started to be distributed across the U.S., but we still have a long ways to go before a significant majority of the population (or, at least a significant majority of the population who is choosing to be vaccinated) will actually be vaccinated. I'm guessing that the restrictions in North Carolina will be mostly non-existent in April, if they're already non-existent now, but I'm feeling a little gun shy at this point about decisively executing this meet in 2021... given its format where gathering at one or two restaurants is an important component. Laura Bianca-Pruett did suggest gathering for lunch at the beach, which is kind of a neat idea, but I'm not sure that idea fits with my vision for this gathering.
I'd advocate for further postponement. This one is definitely of interest to me, but I'm not looking to stay in hotels until I'm vaccinated, and it's too far for me to do as a day trip.
me too. we have to wait until march 10. what a bummer.
Quote from: dgolub on February 20, 2021, 08:57:53 AM
I'd advocate for further postponement. This one is definitely of interest to me, but I'm not looking to stay in hotels until I'm vaccinated, and it's too far for me to do as a day trip.
I wouldn't think hotels would be especially hazardous.
Quote from: hbelkins on February 20, 2021, 11:54:17 PM
Quote from: dgolub on February 20, 2021, 08:57:53 AM
I'd advocate for further postponement. This one is definitely of interest to me, but I'm not looking to stay in hotels until I'm vaccinated, and it's too far for me to do as a day trip.
I wouldn't think hotels would be especially hazardous.
Depends on how much they care about COVID protocols and how much turnover there is. I'm myself willing to do so, but I respect others who aren't.
Quote from: hbelkins on February 20, 2021, 11:54:17 PM
Quote from: dgolub on February 20, 2021, 08:57:53 AM
I'd advocate for further postponement. This one is definitely of interest to me, but I'm not looking to stay in hotels until I'm vaccinated, and it's too far for me to do as a day trip.
I wouldn't think hotels would be especially hazardous.
They aren't. You spend maybe a few minutes getting the key from the desk clerk, and then you barely see anyone after that. Quite frankly, you're far more likely to get it from a doctor's office or hospital, or from relatives/neighbors in a home setting (~70% of all transmittals).
Quote from: Brandon on February 21, 2021, 08:50:21 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on February 20, 2021, 11:54:17 PM
Quote from: dgolub on February 20, 2021, 08:57:53 AM
I'd advocate for further postponement. This one is definitely of interest to me, but I'm not looking to stay in hotels until I'm vaccinated, and it's too far for me to do as a day trip.
I wouldn't think hotels would be especially hazardous.
They aren't. You spend maybe a few minutes getting the key from the desk clerk, and then you barely see anyone after that. Quite frankly, you're far more likely to get it from a doctor's office or hospital, or from relatives/neighbors in a home setting (~70% of all transmittals).
Hotels - especially major chains - have a liability obligation and will do what they can to serve guests. Risks exist
but as Brandon and H.B said they are much less risk and can be trusted more than another house - even a family or friend's house. Higher-end chains have apps that you can use to go contact free (even the desk clerk) - but it's a learning curve for the non-tech-savvy and you pay a premium. Even the economy hotels still are less of a risk even in rural areas where people don't even give the risk a second thought. Each hotel's practice (even within a chain) is variant though.
EDIT: Alps brings up another good point and I do also respect those that wish not to take the risk.
I had plans on going to the 2020 version of this meet before it got pushed back. I'll go ahead and say that my attendance for this meet, whether in 2021 or a future year, seems very unlikely at this point considering I'll be living much farther away from OBX within the next 3 months.
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 21, 2021, 11:02:29 AM
Quote from: Brandon on February 21, 2021, 08:50:21 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on February 20, 2021, 11:54:17 PM
Quote from: dgolub on February 20, 2021, 08:57:53 AM
I'd advocate for further postponement. This one is definitely of interest to me, but I'm not looking to stay in hotels until I'm vaccinated, and it's too far for me to do as a day trip.
I wouldn't think hotels would be especially hazardous.
They aren't. You spend maybe a few minutes getting the key from the desk clerk, and then you barely see anyone after that. Quite frankly, you're far more likely to get it from a doctor's office or hospital, or from relatives/neighbors in a home setting (~70% of all transmittals).
Hotels - especially major chains - have a liability obligation and will do what they can to serve guests. Risks exist but as Brandon and H.B said they are much less risk and can be trusted more than another house - even a family or friend's house. Higher-end chains have apps that you can use to go contact free (even the desk clerk) - but it's a learning curve for the non-tech-savvy and you pay a premium. Even the economy hotels still are less of a risk even in rural areas where people don't even give the risk a second thought. Each hotel's practice (even within a chain) is variant though.
EDIT: Alps brings up another good point and I do also respect those that wish not to take the risk.
There's also the question of the other guests. I've read enough cases of people not wearing masks or socially distancing in common spaces to be concerned (they certainly don't at my apartment complex - I have NEVER seen anyone other than myself wear a mask in the laundry room - EVER). And how isolated are the individual rooms, air-wise? This is especially important as science is showing that airborne transmission is the primary mode of virus spread by far - not surfaces - and with indoor spaces it doesn't really matter what your distance is to other people if you're breathing the same air for a sufficiently long time. Staying 6' apart indoors only helps if you're there for an hour or two or less. After 4-8 hours, even masks don't help.
Quote from: vdeane on February 21, 2021, 08:05:00 PM
There's also the question of the other guests. I've read enough cases of people not wearing masks or socially distancing in common spaces to be concerned (they certainly don't at my apartment complex - I have NEVER seen anyone other than myself wear a mask in the laundry room - EVER). And how isolated are the individual rooms, air-wise? This is especially important as science is showing that airborne transmission is the primary mode of virus spread by far - not surfaces - and with indoor spaces it doesn't really matter what your distance is to other people if you're breathing the same air for a sufficiently long time. Staying 6' apart indoors only helps if you're there for an hour or two or less. After 4-8 hours, even masks don't help.
Avoid common spaces.
Quote from: vdeane on February 21, 2021, 08:05:00 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on February 21, 2021, 11:02:29 AM
Quote from: Brandon on February 21, 2021, 08:50:21 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on February 20, 2021, 11:54:17 PM
Quote from: dgolub on February 20, 2021, 08:57:53 AM
I'd advocate for further postponement. This one is definitely of interest to me, but I'm not looking to stay in hotels until I'm vaccinated, and it's too far for me to do as a day trip.
I wouldn't think hotels would be especially hazardous.
They aren't. You spend maybe a few minutes getting the key from the desk clerk, and then you barely see anyone after that. Quite frankly, you're far more likely to get it from a doctor's office or hospital, or from relatives/neighbors in a home setting (~70% of all transmittals).
Hotels - especially major chains - have a liability obligation and will do what they can to serve guests. Risks exist but as Brandon and H.B said they are much less risk and can be trusted more than another house - even a family or friend's house. Higher-end chains have apps that you can use to go contact free (even the desk clerk) - but it's a learning curve for the non-tech-savvy and you pay a premium. Even the economy hotels still are less of a risk even in rural areas where people don't even give the risk a second thought. Each hotel's practice (even within a chain) is variant though.
EDIT: Alps brings up another good point and I do also respect those that wish not to take the risk.
There's also the question of the other guests. I've read enough cases of people not wearing masks or socially distancing in common spaces to be concerned (they certainly don't at my apartment complex - I have NEVER seen anyone other than myself wear a mask in the laundry room - EVER). And how isolated are the individual rooms, air-wise? This is especially important as science is showing that airborne transmission is the primary mode of virus spread by far - not surfaces - and with indoor spaces it doesn't really matter what your distance is to other people if you're breathing the same air for a sufficiently long time. Staying 6' apart indoors only helps if you're there for an hour or two or less. After 4-8 hours, even masks don't help.
Unless it's a huge downtown convention-type hotel, it's probably going to have a ventilation system that pulls in air from the outside via a unit mounted below the window, unique to each room. IOW, no central ventilation system that mixes air from different rooms.
Quote from: okroads on February 21, 2021, 05:12:11 PM
I had plans on going to the 2020 version of this meet before it got pushed back. I'll go ahead and say that my attendance for this meet, whether in 2021 or a future year, seems very unlikely at this point considering I'll be living much farther away from OBX within the next 3 months.
Moving back to Oklahoma from Columbus?
I haven't had a chance to chime back in over the past couple of days since respondents starting talking about the pandemic-related risks associated with staying at hotels. I've stayed in plenty of hotels since the pandemic started and continue have no qualms about staying at hotels. My reason for postponing this meet again has nothing to do with hotels. A lot of the more respected hotel chains ask everyone to wear masks, and generally you are not congregating in large groups with other people in a hotel. You might interact with the front desk clerk briefly a few times during your stay, but those interactions are generally pretty minimal... and you can choose to stand 6 feet (or more) apart from other guests who might be at the front desk around the same time as you. For the most part, if I'm staying at a hotel, I hardly spend anytime around other people when I'm there.
The real reason I'm strongly considering postponing this meet has to do with restaurants. To me, restaurants pose much greater of a risk than hotels do. This is because you can potentially have a lot of people in a single dining room where everyone is eating, talking, laughing, etc. You can't exactly eat with a mask on, and North Carolina is a state where its people seem to be denying that a pandemic is going on. (I saw that firsthand when I was in the Greensboro area in November for the road meet that took place there... lots of crowded restaurants and little to no enforcement of any mask requirements.) Outdoor seating is certainly a possibility, but not a guarantee.
I'll say this again... I know that other road meets have been successful during the pandemic... and what's made them successful is that the hosts have scouted out picnic areas at parks and encouraged the attendees to bring their own lunches. That format doesn't work for my "city-meet" style of gathering, for multiple reasons.
I'm still curious to hear what opinions others have, but the more I think about this, the more I think that I really don't want to host this in 2021. My version of the "city-meet" style of gathering just doesn't work in a pandemic. I'm not saying I have definitely decided against it for 2021, but that's what I'm leaning toward at this point. I very well might be postponing it by yet another year. I'll make my decision at some point over the next few weeks.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 21, 2021, 09:22:45 PMI'm still curious to hear what opinions others have, but the more I think about this, the more I think that I really don't want to host this in 2021.
North Carolina is a little far for me right now, but everyone I know is much more afraid of pandemic restrictions than of catching the virus. The case count has been absolutely crashing lately, and vaccines have been out for a couple months now, so the case numbers will continue to crash.
I've been looking at trends and statistics mostly. This site has been very good at showing them: https://covid19-projections.com/
North Carolina: https://covid19-projections.com/infections/us-nc
Quote from: okroads on February 21, 2021, 05:12:11 PM
I had plans on going to the 2020 version of this meet before it got pushed back. I'll go ahead and say that my attendance for this meet, whether in 2021 or a future year, seems very unlikely at this point considering I'll be living much farther away from OBX within the next 3 months.
Ugh... that's a bummer. I'm really sorry to hear that, but I understand completely.
Personally, I have been thinking that a Raleigh/Durham Meet after the opening of the East End Connector would a viable NC meet in 2021, but that is my personal opinion.
I am probably out on this one at this point even if it does occur. I am not planning on going to NC again until after the East End Connector is finally open.
Quote from: hbelkins on February 21, 2021, 09:00:23 PM
Quote from: okroads on February 21, 2021, 05:12:11 PM
I had plans on going to the 2020 version of this meet before it got pushed back. I'll go ahead and say that my attendance for this meet, whether in 2021 or a future year, seems very unlikely at this point considering I'll be living much farther away from OBX within the next 3 months.
Moving back to Oklahoma from Columbus?
Correct, likely sometime between mid-March & mid-May.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 21, 2021, 10:02:54 PM
Quote from: okroads on February 21, 2021, 05:12:11 PM
I had plans on going to the 2020 version of this meet before it got pushed back. I'll go ahead and say that my attendance for this meet, whether in 2021 or a future year, seems very unlikely at this point considering I'll be living much farther away from OBX within the next 3 months.
Ugh... that's a bummer. I'm really sorry to hear that, but I understand completely.
I'm bummed too. I've really wanted to explore the area since I ran out of daylight to do so a couple years back, and had to be back in Columbus the next day so didn't have time to see it. You can thank COVID for ruining the hotel business for a long time... :-/
Quote from: hbelkins on February 21, 2021, 09:00:23 PM
Quote from: vdeane on February 21, 2021, 08:05:00 PM
There's also the question of the other guests. I've read enough cases of people not wearing masks or socially distancing in common spaces to be concerned (they certainly don't at my apartment complex - I have NEVER seen anyone other than myself wear a mask in the laundry room - EVER). And how isolated are the individual rooms, air-wise? This is especially important as science is showing that airborne transmission is the primary mode of virus spread by far - not surfaces - and with indoor spaces it doesn't really matter what your distance is to other people if you're breathing the same air for a sufficiently long time. Staying 6' apart indoors only helps if you're there for an hour or two or less. After 4-8 hours, even masks don't help.
Unless it's a huge downtown convention-type hotel, it's probably going to have a ventilation system that pulls in air from the outside via a unit mounted below the window, unique to each room. IOW, no central ventilation system that mixes air from different rooms.
One thing: that unit below the window likely does not normally have a ventilation component to it and merely recirculates the air that is already in the room. It may have the ability to ventilate if you explicitly make it do so (check the controls), but it won't otherwise.
Regardless, yeah, sharing of air between hotel rooms is not something I'd be worried about. Keep the door to your room closed and you're in an air plenum that is fairly well isolated. Even if the place appears to have air ducts, typically there is still a self-contained system for each room/suite, so you're still good. It is rare for a hotel to actually have a centralized air distribution system simply because this precludes being able to control the temperature in each room individually, and paying customers at hotels don't like not having that ability.
I had a lengthy back-and-forth exchange with A.J. earlier, and I mentioned to him that I had family conflicts that would probably prevent me from attending in 2021.
As such, I hope this will be rescheduled to April of 2022. I am far more likely to attend, and it will be be far more likely to draw the numbers that make a meet a MEET!.
I will support A.J.'s decision either way. Perhaps you might, too. Your choice.
I don't know whether or not I'll attend, but it will be independent of which year is chosen.
Quote from: brianreynolds on February 23, 2021, 11:19:02 PM
As such, I hope this will be rescheduled to April of 2022. I am far more likely to attend, and it will be be far more likely to draw the numbers that make a meet a MEET!.
I will support A.J.'s decision either way. Perhaps you might, too. Your choice.
Thank you, Brian. I appreciate that.
It's not like the Outer Banks will be disappearing anytime soon. They will still be available next year for us to explore, if I decide to postpone this gathering by another year. If I do postpone and others want to gather there this year without me (essentially taking over this meet for me in 2021), I would not be offended by any means; I'd still plan to do this next year.
I'll make my decision by March 15.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 24, 2021, 08:58:03 PM
It's not like the Outer Banks will be disappearing anytime soon.
environmentally speaking... :/
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 24, 2021, 08:58:03 PM
It's not like the Outer Banks will be disappearing anytime soon. They will still be available next year for us to explore
Don't tempt this year's hurricane season :-D
Quote from: Alps on February 24, 2021, 11:07:06 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 24, 2021, 08:58:03 PM
It's not like the Outer Banks will be disappearing anytime soon.
environmentally speaking... :/
Yes... that thought crossed my mind. Perhaps they will be gone by, say, 2040 (sad to say)... but not by 2022.
Quote from: US 89 on February 24, 2021, 11:18:47 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 24, 2021, 08:58:03 PM
It's not like the Outer Banks will be disappearing anytime soon. They will still be available next year for us to explore
Don't tempt this year's hurricane season :-D
Has NC 12 offered an opinion yet?
After giving this some careful thought, I've decided I am definitely postponing this meet by another year. I know that some folks will support me in this decision while others will not, and that's okay because the decision is mine to make. I wasn't planning on making my final decision until mid March, but a big reason I decided to settle on this decision now is because I know there are some folks who very much want to see an Outer Banks gathering happen in 2021, and I feel I am simply getting out of their way to allow them to create a gathering in their own innovative style. I'll still of course attend other, traditional, meets this year, but I simply do not have the same mindset/motivation about organizing my own gathering until the pandemic is closer to being over. It will not be over by April 24. I am much more optimistic that we'll be closer to normalcy by April of 2022, and by then, I'm guessing I'll feel much more confident in my ability to host a gathering in the method of my choosing. I'm just not there at this point.
For those of you who support my decision, thank you... and I hope to see you in 2022 in the Outer Banks. For those of you who don't, I have no hard feelings and hope you have a great time in the Outer Banks in 2021, if you choose to move forward this year without me. You'd still be welcome to join us in 2022 if you have the desire to explore the Outer Banks two years in a row. Totally understandable if you don't. :)
Not everyone in the road enthusiast community is an engineer (or an innovator in general), but everyone in this community deserves respect for the rational decisions they make.
AJ, I agree with your decision. The "city meet" concept works best when we can all gather together after to recount our experiences, and that would be difficult to do safely with COVID (outdoors, daylight limitations). I think you're not interpreting correctly the role of "engineering or innovating" as it applies to meets. The idea is that we need to keep our minds open to doing different things, and that specific concept was more being pitched to the general viewership, not you. I think we all know you understand that, as your city meet itself is exactly that - innovative.
QuoteNot everyone in the road enthusiast community is an engineer (or an innovator in general), but everyone in this community deserves respect for the rational decisions they make.
The good news at this point is that I think we are good (for the most part) to do at least day trips wherever. Part of my personal issue through all this is feeling told that doing things that are mostly safe (such as a drive by myself for a day trip) is considered bad even though the chances of spreading the virus is quite low in this scenario.
As I have stated earlier in this thread, I would be open to a socially distanced Raleigh/Durham Meet later this summer when the East End Connector is open.
Quote from: 74/171FAN on March 01, 2021, 09:12:01 AM
QuoteNot everyone in the road enthusiast community is an engineer (or an innovator in general), but everyone in this community deserves respect for the rational decisions they make.
The good news at this point is that I think we are good (for the most part) to do at least day trips wherever. Part of my personal issue through all this is feeling told that doing things that are mostly safe (such as a drive by myself for a day trip) is considered bad even though the chances of spreading the virus is quite low in this scenario.
As I have stated earlier in this thread, I would be open to a socially distanced Raleigh/Durham Meet later this summer when the East End Connector is open.
What we do is far enough out of the mainstream that they're not thinking of us when they list safe states and mandatory quarantines. How many people would drive 2 states over to check out a bridge and back home in the same day? That said, there's very little enforcement of "are you on the most direct route" that I'm aware of in this country (moreso in Canada).
I am in for East End. Name your weekend.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 28, 2021, 08:19:06 AMif you have the desire to explore the Outer Banks two years in a row. Totally understandable if you don't. :)
They weren't roadgeeking trips, but when I was a kid, we went to the Outer Banks two years in a row, taking different routes to and from each time.
QuoteI am in for East End. Name your weekend.
I plan to start a thread on this later in the week.
Understanding this to be April 30 I am likely in now that my schedule conflict has resolved.
Saving for South Africa. I'm out.
I figure it's time for me to refresh this thread and confirm for everyone that, at this point, I am planning on moving forward with this meet on Saturday, April 30. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my third attempt at doing this will be the charm! Just like the Providence RI gathering I hosted in 2019, this will be a purely self-guided adventure where the only things I will be organizing for the group will be the lunch and dinner. I've never been to the Outer Banks before, so I'm inviting others to explore it alongside myself.
As it gets closer to the date of the meet (perhaps over the next few weeks), I will decide and announce the meeting times and restaurants for lunch and dinner. At some point before too long, I will also create a Facebook event. I completely understand that COVID is still very much a reality we are all dealing with, but lunch and dinner will still take place at restaurants... possibly indoors and possibly outdoors, depending on what the options are and how many attendees I will anticipate having. I will do my best to prioritize outdoor dining to accommodate folks who might be uncomfortable with the idea of indoor dining right now, but I cannot make any guarantees. Folks will have to decide what they are or are not comfortable with, and I will completely understand if folks decide not to attend either lunch or dinner if either of these options are indoors and they are not comfortable with that.
The big difference between this meet and Providence from 2019 will be that the lunch and dinner will be in separate cities, so the logistics will be different. Lunch will be in the Nags Head area, and dinner will be in Elizabeth City. Some folks may decide to attend lunch only, and some may decide to attend dinner only... which is totally fine!
I recognize that this meet will not be everyone's cup of tea (it's still part of the experiment I started in 2019), but everyone is invited and I look forward to seeing some of you there! More details to come.
Hi, everyone! I thought I'd share an update of how things are progressing with my Outer Banks gathering in a couple months.
A few weeks, I created a Facebook event for this gathering. Even if you didn't receive an invitation on Facebook, you're still invited and welcome to join us for lunch, dinner, or both.
I am considering moving the lunch location from Nags Head to Kill Devil Hills, but that's not finalized yet. (Of course, I haven't selected the lunch restaurant yet.) I did, however, select the dinner restaurant in Elizabeth City. We have a reservation for 7 p.m. at Grouper's Waterfront Restaurant - 400 Water St., Elizabeth City, NC 27909. I made a rough guess as to how many folks we might have for dinner, but I figure I can adjust that number as it gets closer to the date, if necessary. They have an outdoor patio, which I requested for seating if the weather is suitable.
If you haven't received the Facebook invitation and would like to join us, please let me know here whether you plan to attend. I'll share another update once I select the lunch restaurant.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 27, 2022, 05:07:34 PM
Hi, everyone! I thought I'd share an update of how things are progressing with my Outer Banks gathering in a couple months.
A few weeks, I created a Facebook event for this gathering. Even if you didn't receive an invitation on Facebook, you're still invited and welcome to join us for lunch, dinner, or both.
I am considering moving the lunch location from Nags Head to Kill Devil Hills, but that's not finalized yet. (Of course, I haven't selected the lunch restaurant yet.) I did, however, select the dinner restaurant in Elizabeth City. We have a reservation for 7 p.m. at Grouper's Waterfront Restaurant - 400 Water St., Elizabeth City, NC 27909. I made a rough guess as to how many folks we might have for dinner, but I figure I can adjust that number as it gets closer to the date, if necessary. They have an outdoor patio, which I requested for seating if the weather is suitable.
If you haven't received the Facebook invitation and would like to join us, please let me know here whether you plan to attend. I'll share another update once I select the lunch restaurant.
Yelp suggests you may want to keep looking for restaurants...
I live in Currituck, and might want to meet for both lunch and dinner! I am a native of Pennsylvania, but have lived here for about 20 years. It would be great to have a lovely convertible day at the Outer Banks and Elizabeth City on April 30th!
Quote from: Alps on February 27, 2022, 08:12:44 PM
Yelp suggests you may want to keep looking for restaurants...
I usually rely on TripAdvisor for restaurant reviews. I didn't see anything too concerning there about the restaurant I selected for dinner.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 27, 2022, 10:10:22 PM
Quote from: Alps on February 27, 2022, 08:12:44 PM
Yelp suggests you may want to keep looking for restaurants...
I usually rely on TripAdvisor for restaurant reviews. I didn't see anything too concerning there about the restaurant I selected for dinner.
I may or may not be wedded to Yelp, but I saw a lot of "seafood isn't fresh" issues!
Quote from: Alps on February 27, 2022, 11:07:01 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 27, 2022, 10:10:22 PM
Quote from: Alps on February 27, 2022, 08:12:44 PM
Yelp suggests you may want to keep looking for restaurants...
I usually rely on TripAdvisor for restaurant reviews. I didn't see anything too concerning there about the restaurant I selected for dinner.
I may or may not be wedded to Yelp, but I saw a lot of "seafood isn't fresh" issues!
Hmm... thanks for bringing this to my attention. I'm open to the possibility of selecting a different restaurant if you feel strongly against Grouper's based on the Yelp reviews, but part of the reason I chose Grouper's was its location near downtown and along the water, the nearby (free) parking, the outdoor seating option, the menu prices being reasonable, and their ability to split up the check for a large group. We might not get all of those things with a different restaurant, but I'll certainly consider it.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 28, 2022, 06:15:01 AM
Quote from: Alps on February 27, 2022, 11:07:01 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 27, 2022, 10:10:22 PM
Quote from: Alps on February 27, 2022, 08:12:44 PM
Yelp suggests you may want to keep looking for restaurants...
I usually rely on TripAdvisor for restaurant reviews. I didn't see anything too concerning there about the restaurant I selected for dinner.
I may or may not be wedded to Yelp, but I saw a lot of "seafood isn't fresh" issues!
Hmm... thanks for bringing this to my attention. I'm open to the possibility of selecting a different restaurant if you feel strongly against Grouper's based on the Yelp reviews, but part of the reason I chose Grouper's was its location near downtown and along the water, the nearby (free) parking, the outdoor seating option, the menu prices being reasonable, and their ability to split up the check for a large group. We might not get all of those things with a different restaurant, but I'll certainly consider it.
Up to you. I'm not the host, it's your call, and I'll meet you wherever for dinner.
Quote from: Alps on February 28, 2022, 07:26:49 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 28, 2022, 06:15:01 AM
Quote from: Alps on February 27, 2022, 11:07:01 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 27, 2022, 10:10:22 PM
Quote from: Alps on February 27, 2022, 08:12:44 PM
Yelp suggests you may want to keep looking for restaurants...
I usually rely on TripAdvisor for restaurant reviews. I didn't see anything too concerning there about the restaurant I selected for dinner.
I may or may not be wedded to Yelp, but I saw a lot of "seafood isn't fresh" issues!
Hmm... thanks for bringing this to my attention. I'm open to the possibility of selecting a different restaurant if you feel strongly against Grouper's based on the Yelp reviews, but part of the reason I chose Grouper's was its location near downtown and along the water, the nearby (free) parking, the outdoor seating option, the menu prices being reasonable, and their ability to split up the check for a large group. We might not get all of those things with a different restaurant, but I'll certainly consider it.
Up to you. I'm not the host, it's your call...
True, but that doesn't mean I'm inflexible. I value your input and am certainly considering utilizing it.
We're now just a little over 4 weeks away from our gathering in the Outer Banks. If you received an invitation on Facebook and haven't responded yet with either a "no", "maybe", or "yes", I would ask that you please select one of those options. If you're still undecided about going, it would be super helpful if you could mark yourself down as a "maybe". If you are currently in the "maybe" category and have an idea as to whether your "maybe" will shift to a "yes" or "no", please mark yourself down accordingly. If you haven't received the invitation on Facebook, you're of course still invited! If that's the case, just reply here letting me know that you'll be attending.
As of now, I think the minimum number of participants we'll have (including myself) will be five. I could see us having perhaps up to 10 or 12 participants for lunch, dinner, or both.
I've made my final selections for our lunch and dinner locations:
- At 11 a.m., we will gather for lunch at Dirty Dick's Crab House - 2407 S. Croatan Hwy., Nags Head, NC 27959. (Hilarious name!)
- At 7 p.m., we will gather for dinner at Cypress Creek Grill - 113 S. Water St., Elizabeth City, NC 27909. (This is an update from the restaurant that was previously announced.)
For lunch at Dirty Dick's, we will be arriving when the restaurant opens. I was assured that a party of 10 (I had to guess) shouldn't have difficulty getting a table. (They don't take reservations.) For dinner at Cypress Creek Grill, I made a reservation for a party of 10.
Between lunch and dinner, of course, everyone is free to explore the Outer Banks on their own. If anyone is only able to join us for lunch or dinner but not both, that is totally fine!
I'm looking forward to seeing some of you in a little over 4 weeks!
Work finally gave me the time off. :nod:
I am unable to find the Facebook Event, but I do plan on attending.
Quote from: 74/171FAN on April 20, 2022, 04:55:02 PM
I am unable to find the Facebook Event, but I do plan on attending.
That's great! I wasn't able to send you the Facebook invitation when I first created the event because you and I weren't connected on there. A little while ago, I accepted your friend request and will send you an invitation so you can respond there too.
I'll be attending, both lunch and dinner.
My plan is to take the ferry to Ocracoke from Swan Quarter (long ago clinched the other ferry route to Ocracoke) the day before the meet, then head north on NC 12 via a short free ferry crossing. Hopefully, the new "jughandle" bridge over the east edge of Pamlico Sound near Rodanthe (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=100.msg2725964#msg2725964), between that free ferry crossing and the new Oregon Inlet bridge (opened 2019) and about a half-hour south of Nags Head, will be open to motor vehicle traffic by the time I get there. Once we're done in Elizabeth City, back home via NC 615 and its ferry crossing of Currituck Sound. My plans between Nags Head and Elizabeth City, TBD.
Well, we're down to the final week before our gathering in the Outer Banks next Saturday. Goodness... I've waited something like 2 1/2 years and we're almost here, finally! The forecast for the Outer Banks, as of right now, looks quite pleasant for next weekend... partly to mostly sunny and temps in the mid to upper 60s (maybe a tad warmer in Elizabeth City) which should be quite pleasant. Of course, the forecast could change but it's looking pretty good.
If you haven't responded to the event either here or on Facebook and you think you'll be joining us, please let me know as soon as possible. I'm looking forward to seeing some of you next Saturday!
Quote from: oscar on April 21, 2022, 12:54:14 AM
Hopefully, the new "jughandle" bridge over the east edge of Pamlico Sound near Rodanthe (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=100.msg2725964#msg2725964), between that free ferry crossing and the new Oregon Inlet bridge (opened 2019) and about a half-hour south of Nags Head, will be open to motor vehicle traffic by the time I get there.
Alas, looks like that will be postponed until mid-May. https://www.wavy.com/news/north-carolina/obx/nc-12-bridge-near-rodanthe-at-outer-banks-to-open-later-this-month/
I'll still be passing through the Rodanthe area, on my way to Nags Head from the south.
UPDATE: Having done that, some suggestions for those thinking of checking out some stuff south of Nags Head:
-- The Rodanthe bridge is indeed not yet open to traffic. But you can see it from NC 12, facing west.
-- To get there, you'd travel the awesomely scenic Marc Basnight bridge over Oregon Inlet, which opened 2019 as a replacement for an older bridge. I encourage you to go at least that far.
-- It took me longer than usual to take the ferry between Ocracoke and Hatteras islands, more than an a hour plus wait time, since the channel between the islands is being dredged. Trying to include Ocracoke Island, or even the southern half (past Rodanthe) of Hatteras Island, would be pushing it for a day trip from Nags Head.
See ya tomorrow.
I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who joined us in the Outer Banks yesterday! I thought the long (2 1/2-year) wait was definitely worth it. Hopefully everyone who attended agrees with me on that. It was great to see several folks at lunch and dinner... and some for the sightseeing in between. Hopefully everyone is having, or had, a safe and pleasant trip home. :cool:
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on May 01, 2022, 05:28:34 PM
I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who joined us in the Outer Banks yesterday! I thought the long (2 1/2-year) wait was definitely worth it. Hopefully everyone who attended agrees with me on that. It was great to see several folks at lunch and dinner... and some for the sightseeing in between. Hopefully everyone is having, or had, a safe and pleasant trip home. :cool:
Yep. Thanks for everything AJ. I am at my parents' house still waiting for the rain to pass before heading back to PA tomorrow.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on May 01, 2022, 05:28:34 PM
I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who joined us in the Outer Banks yesterday! I thought the long (2 1/2-year) wait was definitely worth it. Hopefully everyone who attended agrees with me on that. It was great to see several folks at lunch and dinner... and some for the sightseeing in between. Hopefully everyone is having, or had, a safe and pleasant trip home. :cool:
I am happy that you got this through. It's been a rough 2.5 years indeed. Wishing myself to be there, but we both know acknowledge why I wasn't)
Looking forward to the potential future "city meets" you set up. DIY isn't limited to home improvement and auto repair :-D
Quote from: SSOWorld on May 01, 2022, 08:34:07 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on May 01, 2022, 05:28:34 PM
I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who joined us in the Outer Banks yesterday! I thought the long (2 1/2-year) wait was definitely worth it. Hopefully everyone who attended agrees with me on that. It was great to see several folks at lunch and dinner... and some for the sightseeing in between. Hopefully everyone is having, or had, a safe and pleasant trip home. :cool:
I am happy that you got this through. It's been a rough 2.5 years indeed. Wishing myself to be there, but we both know acknowledge why I wasn't)
Looking forward to the potential future "city meets" you set up. DIY isn't limited to home improvement and auto repair :-D
Haha... thanks for saying that, Scott! You certainly had a VERY good reason for not being able to attend this one. :)
As far as future "city meets" are concerned, I'm reasonably confident that I will host more of them in the future. If I do host more, they will be similar to Providence where the starting and ending points will be in the same place... to make it easier for folks to ride together if they wish to do so and return to their individual vehicles at the end of their self-guided (small group?) tours. Outer Banks was an exception to that because the lunch venue and dinner venue were in cities that were about 60 miles apart. It's highly doubtful that I will host another "city meet" in the future that will have an arrangement like that. It worked okay, but it will be good to get back to more of the Providence-style arrangement.
It still worked, though ;)
Glad I got to see some of my Michigan people at the meet. Forgot to show you my dark blue addition to my plate collection. Until next time!
Here's my photo of the lunch group in Nags Head. Steve went only to dinner in Elizabeth City, for which A.J. has the group photo.
(http://www.alaskaroads.com/Outer-Banks-meet-lunch-group-photo-DSC_8916B.jpg)
http://www.alaskaroads.com/Outer-Banks-meet-lunch-group-photo-DSC_8916B.jpg (http://www.alaskaroads.com/Outer-Banks-meet-lunch-group-photo-DSC_8916B.jpg) (if the above hotlink doesn't work for you)
From left to right: Scott, Patrick, Matt, A.J. (meet host, in front), Sam, Brian, Mark, Oscar
Quote from: oscar on May 06, 2022, 09:03:48 AM
Here's my photo of the lunch group in Nags Head. Steve went only to dinner in Elizabeth City, for which A.J. has the group photo.
http://www.alaskaroads.com/Outer-Banks-meet-lunch-group-photo-DSC_8916B.jpg (http://www.alaskaroads.com/Outer-Banks-meet-lunch-group-photo-DSC_8916B.jpg) (if the above hotlink doesn't work for you)
From left to right: Scott, Patrick, Matt, A.J. (meet host, in front), Sam, Brian, Mark, Oscar
Thanks for sharing this photo, Oscar!