I wasn't intending to make my announcement about my 2023 "city meet" quite so soon, but certain factors emerged that have prompted me to do so. I've decided that my gathering in 2023 will be held in Omaha, Nebraska!
I will continue the same format I used for my previous gatherings (Providence RI in 2019 and Outer Banks NC in 2022)... a choose-your-own-sightseeing event. I will select restaurants where the attendees will convene for lunch and dinner, and folks can explore certain aspects of Omaha individually or in small groups between lunch and dinner. My philosophy with these gatherings basically goes like this: "I'm exploring this city for the first time; come and explore it with me."
I'm not ready to make the date official, but I am strongly aiming for this event to take place on Saturday, April 29. It will likely not be until sometime in the fall that I will make the date official, but I just wanted to give everyone a heads up as to what I'm planning.
Omaha: still should have a couple non-reflective button copy signs around 480/80. Iowa 680 is now 880. Um... not sure what else. Suggest others chime in here what there is to see within daytrip range!
Some of the major projects happening in the Omaha/Lincoln area:
Lincoln South Beltway Project- Lincoln
Fremont Southeast Project- Fremont
I-29/I-480 Interchange Reconstruction Project (currently underway) & I-29/I-80 Express Lanes (completed)- Council Bluffs
Quote from: Alps on June 20, 2022, 12:18:34 AM
Omaha: still should have a couple non-reflective button copy signs around 480/80. Iowa 680 is now 880. Um... not sure what else.
Different folks will find different aspects of Omaha to explore and appreciate... some things being road-related and some not. Some folks won't have any interest in attending this gathering, and that's fine! It's not for everyone. :spin:
Omaha is fairly close to me and a place I have explored almost none of, so I am planning on being there whenever it is.
Will keep this in mind, would be a great way to clinch some more Nebraska Counties
I really really really want to go to this, especially since I missed Outer Banks
I am very interested in an excuse to see more of this part of the country, but a ton of factors at play here. Let's see what 2023 brings, but I like anything that gives me an excuse to eat at Runza.
Quote from: Alps on June 20, 2022, 12:18:34 AM
Omaha: still should have a couple non-reflective button copy signs around 480/80. Iowa 680 is now 880. Um... not sure what else. Suggest others chime in here what there is to see within daytrip range!
There's a road (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2755676,-96.2067096,3a,49.1y,269.8h,80.8t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1smIy_DWdFVTMyUxIEi7dmxg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) at the west end of Omaha with a 3-mile stretch of 1920 brick paving original to the Lincoln Highway.
There's also Carter Lake, IA, over on the Nebraska side of the river, complete with IA 165.
My brother lived in Omaha for a couple years, and here are some of the memorable road elements I remember.
The Dodge Street/US6 viaduct from I-680 west is a wacky bi-level freeway unique to the area https://goo.gl/maps/yy94pgUGv2tTKhED7
...And farther east along Dodge Street, the reversible lanes with their overhead signals were remarkable too. Dashed double-yellow lines, anyone?
https://goo.gl/maps/VT17Fr248TrzxVFp8
Lastly, I found the diagonally-oriented overhead truss arms an interesting setup for signal construction.
https://goo.gl/maps/iukEHCeqojzaYDMFA
This was on my radar when you first mentioned this idea to me years ago, and it's even more on my radar now that I live closer to Omaha. Will be keeping an eye on this meet for updates.
A few notes/tips from me following my quick visit to the Omaha area today:
The large-scale I-29/480 reconstruction project through Council Bluffs is well underway and involves replacements of ramps and reconstruction of freeway roadways across town. The project should still be in full swing come next April, so there will likely be construction-related things to see, as well as highway/street closures to keep in mind.
Still a few old non-reflective button copy assemblies along I-680 north of Omaha - hopefully they'll still be around come next year. The I-680 Mormon Bridges on the Missouri River are interesting and worth a quick side trip if bridges are your thing.
Speaking of bridges, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge is a unique cable-stayed bridge across the Missouri River near downtown Omaha that's built on a curved alignment and has become a popular destination for folks in the bridge enthusiasts community since it opened in 2008.
Finally, the city of Lincoln is about 45 minutes west of Omaha and is home to what I consider to be among the most impressive State Capitol buildings in the country. There's also the University of Nebraska main campus and the aforementioned South Lincoln Beltway project out that way as well if those appeal to you.
All in all, definitely enough going on out that way to support a meet in '23.
Quote from: roadwaywiz95 on July 04, 2022, 10:39:20 PM
A few notes/tips from me following my quick visit to the Omaha area today:
The large-scale I-29/480 reconstruction project through Council Bluffs is well underway and involves replacements of ramps and reconstruction of freeway roadways across town. The project should still be in full swing come next April, so there will likely be construction-related things to see, as well as highway/street closures to keep in mind.
Still a few old non-reflective button copy assemblies along I-680 north of Omaha - hopefully they'll still be around come next year. The I-680 Mormon Bridges on the Missouri River are interesting and worth a quick side trip if bridges are your thing.
Speaking of bridges, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge is a unique cable-stayed bridge across the Missouri River near downtown Omaha that's built on a curved alignment and has become a popular destination for folks in the bridge enthusiasts community since it opened in 2008.
Finally, the city of Lincoln is about 45 minutes west of Omaha and is home to what I consider to be among the most impressive State Capitol buildings in the country. There's also the University of Nebraska main campus and the aforementioned South Lincoln Beltway project out that way as well if those appeal to you.
All in all, definitely enough going on out that way to support a meet in '23.
Thank you for sharing this! :colorful:
Quote from: roadwaywiz95 on July 04, 2022, 10:39:20 PM
Speaking of bridges, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge is a unique cable-stayed bridge across the Missouri River near downtown Omaha that's built on a curved alignment and has become a popular destination for folks in the bridge enthusiasts community since it opened in 2008.
I've ran over that; it was quite interesting! On other bridge notes, there's also the public art bridges in Council Bluffs if anyone's interested in those. There's also the (I believe) last toll bridge across the Missouri at Bellevue (costs $1).
I was going to chime in about other things to see (since going back and forth from the Hills to KC on a semi-regular basis for 5 years and having family just west of Omaha has afforded me the opportunity to go pretty much everywhere in the city), but it looks like y'all have covered most everything!
Quote from: SD Mapman on July 05, 2022, 10:59:01 PM
There's also the (I believe) last toll bridge across the Missouri at Bellevue (costs $1).
There's also the Plattsmouth toll bridge just a little bit further south, with a $1.75 toll.
I understand that this meeting will be somewhere in the middle of America.
Quote from: CanesFan27 on July 06, 2022, 05:55:24 PM
I understand that this meeting will be somewhere in the middle of America.
Umm... yes? Omaha would be somewhere in the middle region of the United States. LOL
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on July 06, 2022, 09:59:28 PM
Quote from: CanesFan27 on July 06, 2022, 05:55:24 PM
I understand that this meeting will be somewhere in the middle of America.
Umm... yes? Omaha would be somewhere in the middle region of the United States. LOL
Not a Counting Crows fan, eh?
I am a Counting Crows fan but forget which song the lyrics are from
Quote from: CanesFan27 on July 07, 2022, 09:08:59 AM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on July 06, 2022, 09:59:28 PM
Quote from: CanesFan27 on July 06, 2022, 05:55:24 PM
I understand that this meeting will be somewhere in the middle of America.
Umm... yes? Omaha would be somewhere in the middle region of the United States. LOL
Not a Counting Crows fan, eh?
I like a couple of their songs but wouldn't say I'm a fan. I'm not familiar with this song you're quoting, but it's cool that you like them.
I'll consider attending, depending on how the finance, general life situation, etc. is by then.
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 07, 2022, 09:43:26 PM
I'll consider attending, depending on how the finance, general life situation, etc. is by then.
...and Counting Crows.
Quote from: jpi on July 07, 2022, 12:42:51 PM
I am a Counting Crows fan but forget which song the lyrics are from
Omaha! :D
Quote from: Alps on July 07, 2022, 11:03:39 PM
Quote from: jpi on July 07, 2022, 12:42:51 PM
I am a Counting Crows fan but forget which song the lyrics are from
Omaha! :D
Somewhere in middle America...
Quote from: Rothman on July 07, 2022, 11:08:18 PM
Quote from: Alps on July 07, 2022, 11:03:39 PM
Quote from: jpi on July 07, 2022, 12:42:51 PM
I am a Counting Crows fan but forget which song the lyrics are from
Omaha! :D
Somewhere in middle America...
If you're right to the heart of matters
It's the heart that matters more
Omaha? *San Diego Chargers jump offsides*
The direction this conversation about my Omaha meet has taken cracks me up! LOL
Downtown Omaha (and Council Bluffs) right now.
(https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cdn.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/1xk2q6.jpg)
Quote from: SSOWorld on July 09, 2022, 06:33:31 AM
Downtown Omaha (and Council Bluffs) right now.
(https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cdn.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/1xk2q6.jpg)
quite the detour indeed - just was there - I-29 is routed onto ramps and I-480 is inaccessible from it - plus several ramps are closed on 480 itself. Reminds me of ... MICHIGAN????!!!
I thought I'd give a quick update on this. I'm definitely moving forward with hosting my gathering in Omaha, and the official date is April 29. Over the next few months, I will decide on our restaurants for lunch and dinner and will create a Facebook event. I'm looking forward to hosting my third "city meet"!
Another thing to maybe check out...look at this weird-ass jelly bean-ass roundabout. https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2744798,-95.9907902,18.25z
Quote from: paulthemapguy on November 10, 2022, 10:26:15 PM
Another thing to maybe check out...look at this weird-ass jelly bean-ass roundabout. https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2744798,-95.9907902,18.25z
Those are becoming more popular in "village settings" with tight ROW. One's going to be installed in Central Square, NY if all goes to plan.
Quote from: Rothman on November 10, 2022, 11:11:28 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on November 10, 2022, 10:26:15 PM
Another thing to maybe check out...look at this weird-ass jelly bean-ass roundabout. https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2744798,-95.9907902,18.25z
Those are becoming more popular in "village settings" with tight ROW. One's going to be installed in Central Square, NY if all goes to plan.
To include, or not include, with the C-bus meet...
https://goo.gl/maps/PRnrP32YgXXyEafx7
(hint: its closer to my house than to Columbus)
Are we about to get magic roundabouts in the USA? How un-American 🤮
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on November 12, 2022, 10:09:12 AM
Quote from: Rothman on November 10, 2022, 11:11:28 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on November 10, 2022, 10:26:15 PM
Another thing to maybe check out...look at this weird-ass jelly bean-ass roundabout. https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2744798,-95.9907902,18.25z
Those are becoming more popular in "village settings" with tight ROW. One's going to be installed in Central Square, NY if all goes to plan.
To include, or not include, with the C-bus meet...
https://goo.gl/maps/PRnrP32YgXXyEafx7
(hint: its closer to my house than to Columbus)
If there's enough for a northward-oriented meet sure
Another oddity about Omaha, or at least the downtown: all the angled parking spaces alongside the street are set up so you back into them. They look backwards, in other words. (https://goo.gl/maps/BMWBXtBJg8SC5Pxp7) I despise this, because it assumes there's no traffic behind you as you try to park. There's a real threat that someone would be riding your back bumper as you go down the street looking for a parking stall, and this would impede your ability to park if you have to back into the diagonal stall.
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 04, 2022, 06:11:12 PM
Another oddity about Omaha, or at least the downtown: all the angled parking spaces alongside the street are set up so you back into them. They look backwards, in other words. (https://goo.gl/maps/BMWBXtBJg8SC5Pxp7) I despise this, because it assumes there's no traffic behind you as you try to park. There's a real threat that someone would be riding your back bumper as you go down the street looking for a parking stall, and this would impede your ability to park if you have to back into the diagonal stall.
works for me - I normally pull through when parking where appropriate (a one-way line isn't appropriate). and I park ass-first in my garage and at work.
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 04, 2022, 06:11:12 PM
Another oddity about Omaha, or at least the downtown: all the angled parking spaces alongside the street are set up so you back into them. They look backwards, in other words. (https://goo.gl/maps/BMWBXtBJg8SC5Pxp7) I despise this, because it assumes there's no traffic behind you as you try to park. There's a real threat that someone would be riding your back bumper as you go down the street looking for a parking stall, and this would impede your ability to park if you have to back into the diagonal stall.
Yes, but it is far safer when leaving said parking spot to pull out into traffic.
As for the concern about having someone tailgating you and impeding your ability to park....You're from Chicagoland, you know what to do. Slam on the brakes, get out and curse the other person out. And lord help them if they make contact with your car. They should be able to maneuver around you.
Just a quick update on my Omaha meet. I've already decided that lunch will take place at a Runza location; I just haven't decided yet which location it will be. I'm also researching dining options for dinner, and my hope is that the dinner restaurant is not too far from whichever Runza location I go with for lunch. Once I finalize these decisions, I'll provide another update and will then create the Facebook event.
April will be here before we know it!
Another thing for road enthusiasts to check out- the longest remaining stretch of brick road used as part of the old Lincoln Highway: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/old-lincoln-highway-omaha
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 15, 2023, 11:39:02 PM
Another thing for road enthusiasts to check out- the longest remaining stretch of brick road used as part of the old Lincoln Highway: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/old-lincoln-highway-omaha
Yep...
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46868226545_754db14815_n.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46995319784_9a678bbf34_n.jpg)
April, 2019 (closed due to Missouri River flooding that spring)
I just created a private event on Facebook and invited my friends whom I think may be interested in attending. If you received an invitation and you see others missing from the invitation who might be interested, please feel free to invite them if you are connected with them on Facebook. If you don't receive an invitation on Facebook but are interested in attending, you are more than welcome! Just let me know here whether you plan on attending.
Here are the details for the event:
- At 11:00 a.m. CT, we will gather for lunch at the Runza which is located at 13236 Arbor Plaza, Omaha, NE 68144.
- Because my "city meet" format is a choose-your-own-sightseeing format, everyone is encouraged to go off on their own and explore the Omaha area individually or in groups throughout the afternoon... whatever you'd prefer to do. This Runza is located near a large parking lot where folks who want to carpool with others can leave their cars.
- At 7:00 p.m. CT, we will gather for dinner at Charleston's Restaurant which is located at 7540 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68114. PLEASE NOTE: there are two Charleston's locations... one at 140th & Dodge and one at 76th & Dodge. We will be meeting at the 76th & Dodge location.
Of course, if you are only able to attend lunch or dinner but not both, that is totally fine. Just let me know your plans when you are able. I will be making the dinner reservation in early April, so I'm hoping to get a reasonable estimate by that time of how many attendees I can expect. (And in case anyone is curious, the restaurant should be able to separate the checks for our group.)
I am looking forward to seeing everyone in Omaha for my third "city meet"!
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on January 19, 2023, 10:11:22 PM
I just created a private event on Facebook and invited my friends whom I think may be interested in attending. If you received an invitation and you see others missing from the invitation who might be interested, please feel free to invite them if you are connected with them on Facebook. If you don't receive an invitation on Facebook but are interested in attending, you are more than welcome! Just let me know here whether you plan on attending.
Here are the details for the event:
- At 11:00 a.m. CT, we will gather for lunch at the Runza which is located at 13236 Arbor Plaza, Omaha, NE 68144.
- Because my "city meet" format is a choose-your-own-sightseeing format, everyone is encouraged to go off on their own and explore the Omaha area individually or in groups throughout the afternoon... whatever you'd prefer to do. This Runza is located near a large parking lot where folks who want to carpool with others can leave their cars.
- At 7:00 p.m. CT, we will gather for dinner at Acadian Grille (a Cajun-type restaurant), located at 725 North 114th Street, Omaha, NE 68154. Acadian Grille is not too far from the Runza.
Of course, if you are only able to attend lunch or dinner but not both, that is totally fine. Just let me know your plans when you are able. I will be making the dinner reservation in early April, so I'm hoping to get a reasonable estimate by that time of how many attendees I can expect. (And in case anyone is curious, the restaurant should be able to separate the checks for our group.)
I am looking forward to seeing everyone in Omaha for my third "city meet"!
Will you be giving attendees their money back at the door?
Quote from: CanesFan27 on January 20, 2023, 08:10:31 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on January 19, 2023, 10:11:22 PM
I just created a private event on Facebook and invited my friends whom I think may be interested in attending. If you received an invitation and you see others missing from the invitation who might be interested, please feel free to invite them if you are connected with them on Facebook. If you don't receive an invitation on Facebook but are interested in attending, you are more than welcome! Just let me know here whether you plan on attending.
Here are the details for the event:
- At 11:00 a.m. CT, we will gather for lunch at the Runza which is located at 13236 Arbor Plaza, Omaha, NE 68144.
- Because my "city meet" format is a choose-your-own-sightseeing format, everyone is encouraged to go off on their own and explore the Omaha area individually or in groups throughout the afternoon... whatever you'd prefer to do. This Runza is located near a large parking lot where folks who want to carpool with others can leave their cars.
- At 7:00 p.m. CT, we will gather for dinner at Acadian Grille (a Cajun-type restaurant), located at 725 North 114th Street, Omaha, NE 68154. Acadian Grille is not too far from the Runza.
Of course, if you are only able to attend lunch or dinner but not both, that is totally fine. Just let me know your plans when you are able. I will be making the dinner reservation in early April, so I'm hoping to get a reasonable estimate by that time of how many attendees I can expect. (And in case anyone is curious, the restaurant should be able to separate the checks for our group.)
I am looking forward to seeing everyone in Omaha for my third "city meet"!
Will you be giving attendees their money back at the door?
I don't know what kind of joke this is supposed to be, but it's not funny.
"Omaha, somewhere in middle America
If you're right to the heart of matters
It's the heart that matters more
I think you better turn your ticket in
And get your money back at the door."
Quote from: CanesFan27 on January 21, 2023, 08:20:15 AM
"Omaha, somewhere in middle America
If you're right to the heart of matters
It's the heart that matters more
I think you better turn your ticket in
And get your money back at the door."
Gotcha... another reference to this song that I'm not familiar with. LOL
I'm out on this one. I have a concert that Sunday.
Happy March!
We're down to about two more months until our gathering in Omaha. In the Facebook event, I've still got a lot of folks who haven't responded either way. If you received a Facebook invitation, please mark yourself down as a Yes, No, or Maybe as soon as you are able. (If you're not sure, that's not necessarily a "no" so feel free to mark yourself as a Maybe.) If you didn't receive an invitation on Facebook, you are still invited! You can let me know here if you are thinking of, or planning to, attend.
By the beginning of April, I'd like to have a clearer idea of how many folks I can expect so that I can make our dinner reservation. When I give the restaurant a count, I'll probably estimate a little higher than what the number is that I think I'll have... to incorporate folks who might decide more at the last minute that they'll attend. But regardless, I'd like to have a good idea by early April of how many we'll have. Thanks in advance, and I look forward to seeing some of you in Omaha!
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 07, 2022, 09:43:26 PM
I'll consider attending, depending on how the finance, general life situation, etc. is by then.
I won't be able to attend this one, as I'll have a trip to Nevada a few weeks afterward that I'll need to put the time and money toward.
Well, our gathering in Omaha is now about a month away. I'm looking forward to it and I hope everyone else who is attending is looking forward to it as well. :D
I am planning to contact Acadian Grille (the dinner restaurant) early next week to make our reservation. For the number of people joining us, I'll base that on how many folks in the Facebook event marked themselves down as Going, plus adding a few additional spots for those who might go but aren't ready to commit yet. (At this point, I don't believe we have anyone joining us from AARoads alone who hasn't received a Facebook invitation.)
Two other things to share:
1. If you received an invitation on Facebook and marked yourself down as a Maybe, and you're able to make the decision now that you're either going or not, please update your RSVP status accordingly. If you're still not sure, that's okay for now but I may want to contact the restaurant with a more accurate number as it gets closer to the date.
2. If you have not received an invitation on Facebook, you are absolutely still invited and welcome to join us. Please let me know here if that's the case and you plan on attending.
April 29 will be here before we know it! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone.
I'm planning to attend.
I am pleasantly surprised and humbled by the number of folks, both here and in the Facebook event, who have expressed interest in attending our gathering in Omaha.
Yesterday, I made a reservation for our dinner restaurant (Acadian Grille). As of midday yesterday, before I made the reservation, I was aware of 13 individuals including myself who are planning to attend... with several still in the Maybe column. Before I called the restaurant yesterday, my intent was to allow for a buffer of 5 more folks (beyond the 13) who weren't yet able to commit to going because I figured 5 was a reasonable number for that. Well, the maximum that this restaurant can allow for one table is 16... so I told them we'd have 16 with the thought process that I'd figure out a different plan if we have more than that. If we have more than 16, this restaurant would have to split us up into two separate tables which really doesn't make sense for this gathering is structured. We all really need to be at the same table.
I never thought I'd have to do this, but I'm considering capping the size of our group at 16. After I shared my update on Facebook yesterday evening, the number 13 quickly increased to 16... so I'm now at my max. I really don't want to look for a different restaurant to accommodate a larger group, but I may be forced to do so. However, I'm still aware of three individuals (both here and on Facebook) who are still in the Maybe column. While I don't want to force those folks to make a decision before they are able to do so, I also need to know sooner rather than later if I need to start looking for a different restaurant that can accommodate a larger group. I honestly never expected that I'd have more than, say, 12 folks attending but I'm delighted by the amount of interest my gathering has generated!
Stay tuned. :)
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on April 05, 2023, 07:21:44 AM
If we have more than 16, this restaurant would have to split us up into two separate tables which really doesn't make sense for this gathering is structured. We all really need to be at the same table.
Is this because the dinner is structured similarly to the Extra Miler Club (EMC) Annual Meetings, where everyone goes around the room and talks about their adventures? I love that about EMC meets, but that is also in a ballroom where there is practically zero other noise. Trying to sit at a restaurant table and trying to hear someone all the way at the other end of a 16 person table in a noisy restaurant would be super challenging!!
I understand why you wouldn't want to break the group into two 8-10 person tables (because then not everyone gets to hear every single other person's adventures) but they're not going to hear them anyway if they have to compete with a bunch of other restaurant noises!!
Quote from: Laura on April 05, 2023, 02:13:12 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on April 05, 2023, 07:21:44 AM
If we have more than 16, this restaurant would have to split us up into two separate tables which really doesn't make sense for this gathering is structured. We all really need to be at the same table.
Is this because the dinner is structured similarly to the Extra Miler Club (EMC) Annual Meetings, where everyone goes around the room and talks about their adventures? I love that about EMC meets, but that is also in a ballroom where there is practically zero other noise. Trying to sit at a restaurant table and trying to hear someone all the way at the other end of a 16 person table in a noisy restaurant would be super challenging!!
I understand why you wouldn't want to break the group into two 8-10 person tables (because then not everyone gets to hear every single other person's adventures) but they're not going to hear them anyway if they have to compete with a bunch of other restaurant noises!!
The city meets I've attended have not followed that format. No organized opportunity to yak about our adventures. But the breakfast gathering (even before going into that restaurant) might allow that, as well as our breaking into groups between the breakfast and dinner gatherings to tour the Omaha area.
My last message to A.J. had me down as a "maybe". Things have improved since then, especially with the aches and pains I brought back from Kentucky. So I'm more of a "yes" at this point. I'm concerned about the storms lately blowing through the upper Midwest, since I'm super-allergic about dodging tornadoes on the road. But AFAIK that's never canceled "Woodstock for Capitalists" (a/k/a the huge Berkshire Hathaway corporate annual meeting) in Omaha the weekend following our event.
The other bother that's been cleared up (more relevant to Laura's meet, and Max's Fresno meet) was I got a "save the date" for jury duty from the Federal court in Alexandria, starting for up to two weeks beginning May 5. This was like the county jury duty summons I got ahead of last year's Natchez meet. Fortunately, I've been excused from the Federal court date, since the court agreed with me that jury duty two years in a row would be really uncool.
Quote from: oscar on April 05, 2023, 03:10:00 PMThings have improved since then, especially with the aches and pains I brought back from Kentucky.
How did my state injure you? And where all were you in Kentucky?
As for this meet, I don't know if I'm on the Facebook invitation or not, as A.J. and I are not connected on Facebook, but I do list myself as "interested" for most meets so i can keep track of the festivities, being that circumstances prevent any long-distance travel. So if I'm showing as "maybe" or "interested" or whatever the current Zuckerterm is now, take this as my official notice that I won't be there.
Quote from: Laura on April 05, 2023, 02:13:12 PM
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on April 05, 2023, 07:21:44 AM
If we have more than 16, this restaurant would have to split us up into two separate tables which really doesn't make sense for this gathering is structured. We all really need to be at the same table.
Is this because the dinner is structured similarly to the Extra Miler Club (EMC) Annual Meetings, where everyone goes around the room and talks about their adventures? I love that about EMC meets, but that is also in a ballroom where there is practically zero other noise. Trying to sit at a restaurant table and trying to hear someone all the way at the other end of a 16 person table in a noisy restaurant would be super challenging!!
I understand why you wouldn't want to break the group into two 8-10 person tables (because then not everyone gets to hear every single other person's adventures) but they're not going to hear them anyway if they have to compete with a bunch of other restaurant noises!!
Laura, you make some good points. However, when I hosted my Providence "city meet" in 2019, we had something like 20 people sitting at a long table for dinner in a busy restaurant. Of course, folks at one end of the table could not hear what folks at the other end of the table were talking about... and vice versa. Despite the logistics of that, it worked well, everyone seemed to have a good time, and I received quite a bit of positive feedback from it.
The second "city meet" I hosted was almost a year ago in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Our group then was smaller... only 8 for lunch and 9 for dinner. Even with a smaller group, it was still definitely the case that separate conversations were happening simultaneously at the same table.
In both of these dinners I've organized, our entire group was sitting together at the same table which is important. Because this is not a regular road meet where the entire group is essentially together for a multi-hour tour in the afternoon, the only times when we are all together are lunch and dinner. Splitting our group up at one of those meals just doesn't make sense at all. As much as I'd love the idea of us having a private space together, separate from other patrons at the same restaurant, it's just not feasible. I am experiencing these restaurants for the first time just like everyone else who's attending, and there's only so much planning and research I can do from multiple states away, sight unseen. That's what makes it part of the adventure!
I haven't been to meet yet that has had a formal format. :D
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on April 05, 2023, 07:21:44 AM
If we have more than 16, this restaurant would have to split us up into two separate tables which really doesn't make sense for this gathering is structured. We all really need to be at the same table.
Quote from: Laura on April 05, 2023, 02:13:12 PM
Is this because the dinner is structured similarly to the Extra Miler Club (EMC) Annual Meetings, where everyone goes around the room and talks about their adventures? I love that about EMC meets, but that is also in a ballroom where there is practically zero other noise. Trying to sit at a restaurant table and trying to hear someone all the way at the other end of a 16 person table in a noisy restaurant would be super challenging!!
I understand why you wouldn't want to break the group into two 8-10 person tables (because then not everyone gets to hear every single other person's adventures) but they're not going to hear them anyway if they have to compete with a bunch of other restaurant noises!!
Quote from: oscar on April 05, 2023, 03:10:00 PM
The city meets I've attended have not followed that format. No organized opportunity to yak about our adventures. But the breakfast gathering (even before going into that restaurant) might allow that, as well as our breaking into groups between the breakfast and dinner gatherings to tour the Omaha area.
When I first came up with the idea for my "city meets", the intent, really, was for us to talk together at lunch about what we would each plan on seeing and doing throughout the afternoon. At my Providence meet in 2019, we were lucky because our large group had a private room and it was easy for everyone to go around the room and announce their sightseeing goals with the group. I actually got up in front of the group and asked everyone to go around the tables and share that. I think a really positive outcome of that was that the attendees got to form small groups when they heard that others had the same, or similar, sightseeing goals they had. With the lunch in the Outer Banks in 2022, we didn't really do this... but everyone sort of organically figured out where they wanted to go and whom they wanted to join. There wasn't an organized discussion or "round-robin" sharing of what everyone was planning to do. Everything worked out fine, though.
And then at our dinners (both in Providence in 2019 and the Outer Banks in 2022), I can't remember how organized our discussion was about what we'd seen during the afternoon. I know that it was all discussed... maybe not in the most organized of fashion, but it was still a good time overall.
In Omaha, I'm not sure how organized I will be in terms of having everyone go around the tables to share individually what they plan to see and do (and then, what they did/saw), but I think I'll play that by ear and see how things go. Sometimes it's hard to get a "round robin" like that started when folks are already in the midst of conversations at the table that they are enjoying.
Quote from: oscar on April 05, 2023, 03:10:00 PM
My last message to A.J. had me down as a "maybe". Things have improved since then, especially with the aches and pains I brought back from Kentucky. So I'm more of a "yes" at this point. I'm concerned about the storms lately blowing through the upper Midwest, since I'm super-allergic about dodging tornadoes on the road. But AFAIK that's never canceled "Woodstock for Capitalists" (a/k/a the huge Berkshire Hathaway corporate annual meeting) in Omaha the weekend following our event.
I'm glad those aches and pains for you have improved, Oscar! That's really good news. Based on you saying that you are leaning toward "yes" in terms of joining us, I'm now seriously considering looking for a different restaurant that can handle a group larger than 16 at the same table. When selecting a restaurant, these are the main factors I consider: 1) will parking be easy, 2) are the reviews good, and 3) can they split up the check and allow each individual paying separately to have a separate check.
Quote from: hbelkins on April 05, 2023, 04:46:19 PM
As for this meet, I don't know if I'm on the Facebook invitation or not, as A.J. and I are not connected on Facebook, but I do list myself as "interested" for most meets so i can keep track of the festivities, being that circumstances prevent any long-distance travel. So if I'm showing as "maybe" or "interested" or whatever the current Zuckerterm is now, take this as my official notice that I won't be there.
Hi, H.B.... I can confirm that you did not receive a Facebook invitation. Not because you're not invited (you absolutely are invited), but because you and I are not connected on Facebook as you mentioned. When I first created the event, I sent invitations to many of my road-enthusiast friends with whom I'm connected on Facebook. I set up the event to allow anyone I invited to invite others that hadn't already been invited by me (mainly thinking of folks with whom I'm not connected on Facebook but might be interested in attending). A few of the Facebook friends I invited did invite others, but you unfortunately did not receive one of those invitations.
To your point about marking yourself down on Facebook as "Interested", I think that option is only available when the Facebook events are "public"... which mine is not. For "private" events on Facebook like this one, the options are either Going, Maybe, or Can't Go. But regardless, thanks for letting me know that you won't be able to make it.
UPDATE:
In light of the fact that we have a larger group than I'd previously expected (and larger than the original dinner restaurant was able to accommodate for a single table), I've made a change. We will now be meeting for dinner at Charleston's Restaurant, which is located at 7540 Dodge St., Omaha, NE 68114. It's important to note that Charleston's has two locations... one at 140th & Dodge and one at 76th & Dodge. We will be meeting at the one at 76th & Dodge. The reservation is for 7 p.m. under the name "A.J."
Our gathering is only 18 days away!!!
Our gathering in Omaha is now only one week away! I wanted to share a few things because this may be my final post before next Saturday.
An early look at the weather forecast indicates that the high will be in the upper 50s with clouds/rain possible. Not the best forecast, but it can of course change between now and then.
For lunch at 11 a.m., make sure you are going to the Runza which is located at 13236 Arbor Plaza in Omaha. (At this point, I'm expecting to have 16 attendees for lunch.) And then for dinner at 7 p.m., I'm expecting 17 attendees at Charleston's (76th & Dodge - not 140th & Dodge).
If anyone needs to reach me between now and next Saturday, the best way to do that is by calling or texting me. Feel free to send me a private message if you need my number.
I look forward to seeing everyone next Saturday!!
I made it back home to Michigan a little while ago from my trip out to Omaha and back (drove a total of 1,625.1 miles on my journey which included some time exploring Iowa City IA between yesterday afternoon and this morning). I just want to give a huge THANK YOU to everyone who showed up on Saturday! I was very pleased with the turnout.
We were blessed with beautiful weather on Saturday, and it sounded like everyone had a good time exploring Omaha throughout the afternoon - either individually or in small groups. Some of the attendees focused their attention on road-related attractions, some did retail-geeking, some explored the downtown, some went to a brewery or two during the afternoon, some did a combination of the above things, and so on. Everyone was able to focus on the specific aspects of Omaha that they wanted to see. That's been my goal all along with my city meets, and I think the goal was accomplished in Omaha.
I'm always open to feedback on what went well and what could have been improved, so if anyone who attended has any feedback that they'd like to share, please let me know! This is now the third city meet I've hosted, and I learn something new each time I do it. I'm already looking forward to my 2024 city meet... wherever it will take place. Details will be forthcoming. :)