I have thought of an idea for a potential road meet that could happen next year: Little Rock, AR. There is a major project there to rebuild the I-30 corridor through North Little Rock and downtown Little Rock. Other potential attractions (in my mind) would be the I-430/I-630 interchange, various pedestrian crossings of the Arkansas River, and the completed US 67/167 rebuild in part of Jacksonville.
I am not very familiar with Little Rock, but if I get the opportunity to scout it prior to summer 2023, I could potentially host it. Admittedly, this would be a little bit out of my comfort zone since it is a city I don't know a whole lot about and it's six hours away from where I live.
Is there any interest in a meet there?
Yes, there is (at least from me).
I'm interested, but I already have a long trip based in Florida in March 2023 so I am unsure of the chances of my attendance.
Maybe I need my sister to convince me to visit her husband's family in Texas. ;-)
Count me in! Just a 3 hour drive for me, and I am quasi-familiar with LR.
Quote from: cjk374 on August 23, 2022, 04:02:03 PM
Count me in! Just a 3 hour drive for me, and I am quasi-familiar with LR.
Since you are kind of familiar with LR, would you know of some good places for us to eat for lunch?
The more I think about this, the more I see this working. I'd like to focus on the crossings of the Arkansas River (three pedestrian crossings, including one across a dam) as well as explore the area around the I-430/630 interchange since there is what appears to be a park-and-ride lot right there.
I have been on the "big dam project." It was a very nice walk across the lock & dam. I do remember this place called "The Purple Cow" we ate at a few years ago. I'll see if I can find some other choices to choose from as well.
I'm very interested!
I'm definitely interested. I need to spend more time in Arkansas.
Quote from: cjk374 on August 23, 2022, 04:17:11 PM
I have been on the "big dam project." It was a very nice walk across the lock & dam. I do remember this place called "The Purple Cow" we ate at a few years ago. I'll see if I can find some other choices to choose from as well.
Interesting. My little hometown, for years, had a restaurant called "The Purple Cow." It served good home cooking, plate lunches, and fantastic burgers. It has since become a Mexican restaurant but the owners retained a big purple cow mural that had been painted by some local art students and some of the old-style diner-type menu offerings.
I can recommend Corky's BBQ. All Aboard is a pretty neat train themed restaurant that delivers your food by train and lift system. Food is pretty good too. Even if you're not a kid.
Depending on date, I might be interested as well. I was just there last week. Hydroplaned about 200 ft of US-67 south of Jacksonville in the old pavement portion that pools up horribly during heavy rain doing about 60MPH. Thankfully had the presence of mind to keep the wheel straight and just ease off the gas until I regained pavement. They are thankfully done with I-430, although Cantrell is still a horrible mess. Should be much better next year, although I-30 isn't scheduled to be done until mid-2025. You can get lots of pretty current views of the Interstates around LR with the LRHN and Real World Police YouTube channels with various Chargers, Challengers, 300s fleeing from ASP. Hours of entertainment and lots of PIT maneuvers.
I am considering June 17th as the day of the meet. It is Juneteenth/Father's Day weekend.
Here is a draft itinerary for the road meet.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XcDHl16XpaM5RUtExeT1jII5ieuTJSjAqQJ6L3okSSM/edit?usp=sharing
Let me know if anyone has any trouble viewing this.
I would be very much interested in this since it is a similar drive time from my house but can stop in Bartlet Friday night then get to Little Rock in just a couple hours Saturday morning. There is however a toy show in St Louis the next day but I may be able to tie the 2 in together.
Quote from: codyg1985 on September 01, 2022, 11:17:36 AM
Here is a draft itinerary for the road meet.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XcDHl16XpaM5RUtExeT1jII5ieuTJSjAqQJ6L3okSSM/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XcDHl16XpaM5RUtExeT1jII5ieuTJSjAqQJ6L3okSSM/edit?usp=sharing)
Let me know if anyone has any trouble viewing this.
Actually was able to send you a message via Google because I don't have access.
Does anyone know of a way to attach a PDF to here so I can share it that way? Looks like I will have to grant access to everyone who looks at this document. :/
Quote from: codyg1985 on September 01, 2022, 02:46:27 PM
Does anyone know of a way to attach a PDF to here so I can share it that way? Looks like I will have to grant access to everyone who looks at this document. :/
On the document, once you click the Share button, you should be able to change "Restricted" to "Anyone with the link" under "General access".
Quote from: Nikolai on September 01, 2022, 03:22:23 PM
Quote from: codyg1985 on September 01, 2022, 02:46:27 PM
Does anyone know of a way to attach a PDF to here so I can share it that way? Looks like I will have to grant access to everyone who looks at this document. :/
On the document, once you click the Share button, you should be able to change "Restricted" to "Anyone with the link" under "General access".
Thanks for the tip. I have updated the share link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XcDHl16XpaM5RUtExeT1jII5ieuTJSjAqQJ6L3okSSM/edit?usp=sharing
Quote from: codyg1985 on September 01, 2022, 03:38:23 PM
Quote from: Nikolai on September 01, 2022, 03:22:23 PM
Quote from: codyg1985 on September 01, 2022, 02:46:27 PM
Does anyone know of a way to attach a PDF to here so I can share it that way? Looks like I will have to grant access to everyone who looks at this document. :/
On the document, once you click the Share button, you should be able to change "Restricted" to "Anyone with the link" under "General access".
Thanks for the tip. I have updated the share link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XcDHl16XpaM5RUtExeT1jII5ieuTJSjAqQJ6L3okSSM/edit?usp=sharing
Looks like a great itinerary. Only thing I see as a possible issue is that the time spent on the Big Dam Bridge is pretty tight, especially if you catch a towboat/barge going through the lock just downriver and directly under you. There's a fair number of placards on the bridge explaining the MKARNS and how much freight goes into each of the barges, given in number of tractor/trailer loads. I have walked it at night and they have it lit with colored uplighting that rotates colors, which is pretty neat for anyone who considered staying overnight before or after the meet and going back at/after dusk. The park at the south end is pretty safe after dark. There are places in LR away from the river that I might have some concern, though, after dark.
I'm interested, subject to the standard money and scheduling restrictions. I haven't spent much time in Little Rock.
Quote from: MikieTimT on September 01, 2022, 10:31:51 PM
Looks like a great itinerary. Only thing I see as a possible issue is that the time spent on the Big Dam Bridge is pretty tight, especially if you catch a towboat/barge going through the lock just downriver and directly under you. There's a fair number of placards on the bridge explaining the MKARNS and how much freight goes into each of the barges, given in number of tractor/trailer loads. I have walked it at night and they have it lit with colored uplighting that rotates colors, which is pretty neat for anyone who considered staying overnight before or after the meet and going back at/after dusk. The park at the south end is pretty safe after dark. There are places in LR away from the river that I might have some concern, though, after dark.
Thanks for the tip about the Big Dam Bridge. I added 20 minutes at that stop.
Depending on the amount of people attending, we would probably need to add a few minutes at each stop.
You know, I had noticed that American Airlines was about to begin direct LGA-LIT service buuuut yep, they're doing the thing they're doing with most of their new destinations from LGA where the service is fucking useless because it's one flight a day and the outbound flight gets in late while the inbound flight leaves at ass o'clock in the morning.
Nonetheless, color me interested as it is a city I've never been off the interstate in. And I'd either get a connecting flight so my itinerary doesn't disrupt my sleep schedule or just fly into MEM or DFW, both of which have reasonably timed flights.
even if I have to squeeze a 12 hour drive in to get there, I'll likely be there.
Quote from: 74/171FAN on August 23, 2022, 03:54:58 PM
I'm interested, but I already have a long trip based in Florida in March 2023 so I am unsure of the chances of my attendance.
Maybe I need my sister to convince me to visit her husband's family in Texas. ;-)
I'm currently planning to attend this one. I think I am going to change my route plan based on my friend in Nashville, TN, moving east to Richmond, VA, though.
Count me in as interested.
As for me I am still interested in this and my schedule will be changing to where I will be off Friday and Saturdays, I may still be able to get Sunday off too
I literally live in Little Rock so this is absolutely perfect for me, if you're still looking for people to attend.
I will be there! Looking forward to it!
Quote from: SSOWorld on January 02, 2023, 08:11:28 PM
even if I have to squeeze a 12 hour drive in to get there, I'll likely be there.
From likely to very unlikely. I'm planning a Great White North trip that will overlap.
I am in!!! :nod:
For those of you on Facebook. I have created a Facebook event (https://fb.me/e/4uzOWXzye) for the road meet.
We are about a month away from the road meet. I just want to chime in to see who is for sure coming to the road meet, especially for those of you not on Facebook.
It's on a Saturday but unfortunately I'll likely be running a store that day. Just a long day trip otherwise.
The itinerary looks pretty sound. Maybe contact an ARDOT representative to help lead the tour and explain what all is involved? Jacksonville ought to be a big part because they're just now clearing the ROW and all the sub-sub-substandard alignments will still be evident in just a 2-mile stretch.
I am planning on being there.
I'm planning on being there (my FB is also marked as "going").
Quote from: Brandon on May 14, 2023, 11:41:59 AM
I'm planning on being there (my FB is also marked as "going").
Same here
Unfortunately, work is taking me there tomorrow and Thursday, so I don't think I'm going to have enough goodwill with the Mrs. built up to watch kids for 2 trips to the Rock in that short of a timespan, so I guess I'll have to bow out.
Well, I just realized this was father's day weekend. This was not a big deal until my son decided to be off work this month, and he invited us to go see his new house in MS for father's day weekend. So now I will have to bow out of this meet.
Just an update, I am still 100% in however Steph is out, has to work on Saturday, also I will have to drive back home Saturday night, I still plan to stay for the whole thing, even if we all get dinner afterwards. I am staying in Forrest City Friday night too. Also the weather is looking good for Saturday, just typical mid south summer heat
I just realized that I never stated that I was going on Facebook.... Better late than never to fix that I guess.