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National Boards => Road Enthusiasts Meetings => Topic started by: froggie on March 17, 2015, 08:44:40 AM

Poll
Question: Which weekend works best for you for a Lyndonville, VT mini-meet?
Option 1: May 9-10
Option 2: May 23-24
Option 3: May 30-31
Option 4: June 6-7
Option 5: June 13-14
Option 6: June 20th (Saturday only)
Title: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT - May 9, 2015
Post by: froggie on March 17, 2015, 08:44:40 AM
I've decided to hold this on May 9th...it's the date that got the most votes and appears to have the least impact to those in the Northeast who are heading out to Denver.

We will meet at 11:30am at a park-and-ride off VT 122 right next to one of the bridges, the Miller's Run Bridge.  The park-and-ride is located here (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/44.5427421,-72.0098686//@44.5427,-72.0096541,17z).

We'll decide on lunch from the P&R (it'll depend on preferences and how many people show up), and then tour the bridges after lunch.  Optional side trips (time and interest-permitting) include a world-famous brewery or a nearby wind power farm (which I recently learned one can drive right up to).

Old post below:

------------------

At one point in history, the town of Lyndon, VT had 19 covered bridges within the town limits.  The great flood of 1927 wiped out 6 of them.  Attrition and replacement have whittled the number down further, to where only 5 remain.  Neighboring St. Johnsbury also had 19 covered bridges, but all of theirs were lost.

This mini-meet (I'm calling it a mini-meet as the covered bridges are the singular focus) will explore the 5 remaining covered bridges in Lyndon, and drive the two of them that are still driveable.  I'm looking at hosting this in the 2nd half of May or the 1st half of June, somewhere between the college's graduation weekend and Father's Day weekend.  A quick search of the meet threads suggests only one meet currently planned during this timeframe (and, with one notable exception already mentioned, an unlikely chance of duplication between meet attendees.  The poll is to determine the best weekend to host this.

There are no restaurants in the area with rooms large enough to host the typical meet gathering-size.  That said, we may still gather at a local eatery and just commandeer multiple tables/booths as needed if we have a large entourage (similar to the Burlington meet dinner of a couple years ago).
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: Duke87 on March 17, 2015, 11:47:43 AM
June 13-14 is the only one of those four weekends that I could conceivably attend. May 23-24, May 30-31, and June 6-7 will all be occupied by two weeks of me driving all over creation with a stop in Denver for a road meet in the middle of it.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: oscar on March 17, 2015, 12:53:32 PM
Quote from: Duke87 on March 17, 2015, 11:47:43 AM
June 13-14 is the only one of those four weekends that I could conceivably attend. May 23-24, May 30-31, and June 6-7 will all be occupied by two weeks of me driving all over creation with a stop in Denver for a road meet in the middle of it.

I have a similar schedule conflict with the Denver meet, except I'm not even sure I'll be back from Colorado in time for the weekend of June 13-14. Otherwise I'd be up for this.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: froggie on March 17, 2015, 01:02:37 PM
I've added an option for Saturday, June 20th...that Sunday is unavailable due to prior commitments, and I'd prefer not to do it during the summer heat so July/August is out.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: vdeane on March 17, 2015, 04:42:12 PM
I've put in a vote for the four dates that aren't Memorial Day weekend (which I typically spend with relatives in Canandaigua Lake), but the two later ones MAY conflict with the family picnic (which has traditionally been mid-late June the past few years, but I won't know the exact date until much closer).
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: jpi on March 17, 2015, 04:54:08 PM
Highly doubt I would be able to make this since I am set for Denver and traveling to the southwest in July but wouls like to get back up to that part of the USA sometime.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: oscar on March 17, 2015, 05:25:46 PM
Quote from: froggie on March 17, 2015, 01:02:37 PM
I've added an option for Saturday, June 20th...that Sunday is unavailable due to prior commitments, and I'd prefer not to do it during the summer heat so July/August is out.

Is late April/early May out, too?

I cast my only vote for June 20, but even that date I'm a "maybe".
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: Duke87 on March 17, 2015, 07:48:50 PM
Okay, so June 20th is preferable to June 13th but I already voted and can't unvote/revote.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: froggie on March 17, 2015, 09:47:12 PM
QuoteIs late April/early May out, too?

Val is doing Utica/Rome on the 2nd.  Early May is also end of the semester so is a busy time.  I can possibly do late April...but given the weather this winter, I can't rule out lingering snow.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: Alps on March 17, 2015, 10:37:02 PM
Quote from: Duke87 on March 17, 2015, 07:48:50 PM
Okay, so June 20th is preferable to June 13th but I already voted and can't unvote/revote.
Now you can.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: vdeane on March 18, 2015, 02:12:09 PM
Quote from: froggie on March 17, 2015, 09:47:12 PM
QuoteIs late April/early May out, too?

Val is doing Utica/Rome on the 2nd.  Early May is also end of the semester so is a busy time.  I can possibly do late April...but given the weather this winter, I can't rule out lingering snow.

Incidentally, the reason why I put Utica/Rome on the 2nd was to clear a Cincinnati meet that's been postponed.  Since Cincinnati is no longer happening in May, that frees up May 16/17 from a meet perspective, though I don't know what your schedule's like then.  It would likely result in fewer conflicts with the Denver meet that everyone and their dog is going to.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: froggie on March 18, 2015, 09:16:03 PM
Quotethat frees up May 16/17 from a meet perspective, though I don't know what your schedule's like then.

That's graduation weekend at Lyndon State...not a good weekend to have a meet in the same town.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: vdeane on March 19, 2015, 09:37:38 PM
I would expect that June 20 would be less likely to conflict with the family picnic than June 13/14 would (judging by past years), though it's not a sure thing.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: Dougtone on March 22, 2015, 05:50:01 PM
Quote from: froggie on March 17, 2015, 09:47:12 PM
QuoteIs late April/early May out, too?

Val is doing Utica/Rome on the 2nd.  Early May is also end of the semester so is a busy time.  I can possibly do late April...but given the weather this winter, I can't rule out lingering snow.


Plus, that late April/early May time frame is part of mud season
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: froggie on March 30, 2015, 09:29:18 PM
After further consideration (and looking at my calendar), I have reset the poll and added the weekend of May 9-10.  If you had voted previously, please re-vote.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: froggie on April 02, 2015, 11:17:42 AM
Has everyone who previously voted re-voted?  Highest vote right now only has two.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: adamjackson on April 03, 2015, 12:37:26 PM
voted!

Busy a lot of weekends in the summer but 2 of those are open.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: Dougtone on April 03, 2015, 08:07:33 PM
I've voted on a couple of weekends that I thought may work best for me.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: vdeane on April 04, 2015, 07:52:56 PM
So it turns out the Family Picnic will be the weekend of the 28th this year, so you can add an additional vote for the 13/14th and the 20th.  I had voted for the other dates that were not Memorial Day weekend.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: vdeane on April 11, 2015, 03:22:53 PM
When can we expect to have the date chosen?
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: froggie on April 12, 2015, 11:05:09 AM
As of present, May 9th (or 10th) is the leading vote getter.  Anyone have a preference or objection to that weekend?  For me, it's the weekend before finals, but I think I can still make it work.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: oscar on April 12, 2015, 11:12:07 AM
Quote from: froggie on April 12, 2015, 11:05:09 AM
As of present, May 9th (or 10th) is the leading vote getter.  Anyone have a preference or objection to that weekend?  For me, it's the weekend before finals, but I think I can still make it work.

FWIW, that's now the only weekend that could work for me. Various schedule conflicts rule me out for any of the late May or June dates.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: Duke87 on April 12, 2015, 12:41:53 PM
I'd prefer June 20th to May 9th since my girlfriend might be able to come with for the former but has a definite schedule conflict for the latter.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: adamjackson on April 21, 2015, 01:50:27 PM
Not sure if these are on the docket or not but VT's only floating bridge is re-opening May 23rd - https://www.facebook.com/NewFloatingBridge
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT
Post by: froggie on April 22, 2015, 09:14:28 AM
A bit far to be on the docket...it's about an hour-15 one-way from here.  But good to know for future reference.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT - May 9, 2015
Post by: froggie on April 23, 2015, 09:32:16 AM
I've decided on May 9th (had the most votes, and the least impact to those who are interested but also going to Denver).  I've updated the original post to reflect things.  Any comments or suggestions, please fire away.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT - May 9, 2015
Post by: oscar on April 23, 2015, 11:21:13 AM
See ya there on the 9th.

Any thoughts on when the meet tour will wrap up? One option for me is to cross into Quebec after the meet and stay overnight in Sherbrooke before continuing my journey. But I want to allow ample time for the border crossing, given my history as a magnet for vehicle searches.

I like the option in your revised OP, for a side trip to a wind farm.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT - May 9, 2015
Post by: froggie on April 23, 2015, 06:02:57 PM
When we wrap up depends heavily on what and how many optional trips we take.  We could realistically do all 5 covered bridges in just over an hour, especially if we begin the meet next to one.

I wouldn't worry about the border crossing.  It's only 80 miles from Lyndonville to Sherbrooke, and it's all Interstate/Autoroute.  Even if you get delayed an hour at the border, you'll be in Sherbrooke in less than 2.5 hours.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT - May 9, 2015
Post by: Dougtone on April 24, 2015, 09:03:07 AM
Count me in.

I would've suggested a drive up the Burke Mountain Auto Road, but it doesn't open until Memorial Day weekend, I believe.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT - May 9, 2015
Post by: froggie on April 24, 2015, 12:12:07 PM
I'd already inquired with Burke about the toll road, but they have no idea when they'll be able to get it open.  Best guess right now is late May.  The snows we've had overnights this week haven't helped any (they had 3" last night).
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT - May 9, 2015
Post by: adamjackson on April 24, 2015, 03:35:56 PM
On May 9th, I'll still be doing my euro-trip so I can't make it. So sorry!

Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT - May 9, 2015
Post by: vdeane on April 25, 2015, 03:51:57 PM
Going.  I had been planning to clinch I-91 in VT on the way home but changed my mind.  Now I'm staying in Littleton and will drive down I-93 before heading back to Albany.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT - May 9, 2015
Post by: Duke87 on April 25, 2015, 06:43:28 PM
I'm going to bow out of this. I am seeking to do a VT/NH trip with my girlfriend on a future weekend when she's free, though.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT - May 9, 2015
Post by: bob7374 on April 26, 2015, 10:19:31 PM
I'm leaning toward going. Though with the recent VT weather, hope its still a covered bridge meet and not a snow covered road meet.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT - May 9, 2015
Post by: Dougtone on May 06, 2015, 08:40:17 AM
Quote from: bob7374 on April 26, 2015, 10:19:31 PM
I'm leaning toward going. Though with the recent VT weather, hope its still a covered bridge meet and not a snow covered road meet.
Doesn't look like it would be a snow covered road meet by looking at the forecast.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT - May 9, 2015
Post by: froggie on May 06, 2015, 09:03:33 AM
No, in fact there's almost no snow left up on Stannard Mtn, and Burke is looking close to bare now too.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT - May 9, 2015
Post by: bob7374 on May 07, 2015, 10:02:57 AM
Yes, the weather looks quite summery, so I am happy to go and be able to leave my boots at home. The trip up will give me a chance to clinch I-93 in NH and VT (and therefore in its entirety) as well as document the progress of sign replacement projects along I-95/MA 128.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT - May 9, 2015
Post by: froggie on May 08, 2015, 09:59:01 AM
So far, looks like Doug, Bob, Val, and Oscar.  Anyone else I'm missing?  I've created a pamphlet on the bridges and need to know how many to print.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT - May 9, 2015
Post by: oscar on May 10, 2015, 06:44:03 AM
Here are two group photos from yesterday's meet.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alaskaroads.com%2Fgroup-at-millers-run-bridge_DSC5770.jpg&hash=6630560c38cf7e690d2ffc8934b6a31a723a5634)

This first one is at the north end of the Millers Run Bridge in Lyndonville, on Center Street just south of the park-and-ride off VT 122. This bridge is open to auto traffic; some of the others we visited are pedestrian-only. From left to right: Doug Kerr (NY), Valerie Deane (NY), Bob Malme (MA), Adam Froehlig (VT - meet host), Oscar Voss (VA).

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alaskaroads.com%2Fgroup-at-lake-willoughby_DSC5878.jpg&hash=f6c26c699d4dedbceca1f6e8ea1b133ec0ae643b)

Here we are, on a side trip after our covered bridges tour, on the beach at the north end of Lake Willoughby near the junction of VT 5A and VT 16 about 20 miles north of Lyndonville.

Many thanks to froggie for organizing a very interesting tour.
Title: Re: The Covered Bridges of Lyndon, VT - May 9, 2015
Post by: froggie on May 10, 2015, 09:11:37 AM
Thanks to Oscar, Doug, Val and Bob for coming.  Was a great afternoon, even if the weather was so-so.