Louisiana meet--March 17 & 18, 2018

[US71]

I'm making this happen. Longest distance I will have traveled for a meet and by far longest road trip I will have taken to that date. Of course, I'll be taking a longer trip 5 months later. 

Anyway, bring on the Cajun food, BBQ, and Waffle House!

And Huddle House 

[jasonh300]

We may be interested in attending. I just saw the thread and was hopeful for Lake Charles, but Shreveport isn't that much further. I'll have to see how the work schedule is running as we get closer to that date. How much advance notice would you need, or can we just show up?

[cjk374]

We may be interested in attending. I just saw the thread and was hopeful for Lake Charles, but Shreveport isn't that much further. I'll have to see how the work schedule is running as we get closer to that date. How much advance notice would you need, or can we just show up?

I was gonna ask for "an official head count" around the beginning of March. The main reason would be to make sure I had enough itineraries printed for everyone.  Otherwise just come on up & have a good time.

[Brandon]

I'm figuring on the following to go back north:

I-20 west to US-80, go around Marshall to TX-154.  From there, go to US-271 and go north to the Indian Nation Turnpike.  Exit at US-69, and go to I-44, stopping by CraIG COuNtY along the way.  Get off at Miami and take Alt US-69 and US-166 through Kansas back to I-44 in Missouri.  I-44 to I-270 to I-64 back to I-55 due to a ramp closure.

[cl94]

Just out of curiosity: how long do you figure the tour will last? That will affect whether I stay in Lafayette or Baton Rouge after the meet.

[hbelkins]

Any outside chance I had of attending this meet is now gone. I had to use an annual day today because my knee was hurting so badly when I got up this morning.

I'm looking forward to seeing the tour itinerary. Perhaps I can replicate this trip someday, because I do want to make the journey down US 79.

[US71]

I'm figuring on the following to go back north:

I-20 west to US-80, go around Marshall to TX-154.  From there, go to US-271 and go north to the Indian Nation Turnpike.  Exit at US-69, and go to I-44, stopping by CraIG COuNtY along the way.  Get off at Miami and take Alt US-69 and US-166 through Kansas back to I-44 in Missouri.  I-44 to I-270 to I-64 back to I-55 due to a ramp closure.

Lots of construction around McAlestar

[cjk374]

Just out of curiosity: how long do you figure the tour will last? That will affect whether I stay in Lafayette or Baton Rouge after the meet.

I am going make another run today to see if I can get the timing nailed down a little bit better. I will let you know something this evening.

I'm looking forward to seeing the tour itinerary. Perhaps I can replicate this trip someday, because I do want to make the journey down US 79.

When I get the itinerary nailed down, I'll try to send it to you. That could be a couple of weeks away.

[cjk374]

After today's driving of the meet's route, it seems like the tour will be about 5 hours...if all 5 stops take 20 minutes each. One of these stops will be a potty break at a restroom that will allow you to flush paper products in the toilet instead of putting all used paper in a trash can.

Yes, there is a story behind that last sentence. It will be shared at the meet.

Unfortunately, this bathroom break is at a Cash Magic casino/c-store whose bathroom only has 1 toilet. There are no better bathrooms... I've looked at the ones that seemed "inviting".

[cl94]

That answers my question. Lafayette it is (and where I'd prefer to stay even if it means the next two days are longer, as it is cheaper). Definitely don't have a problem with that, as I think these long meets can be quite cool (especially if it's an area I'm unfamiliar with).

[oscar]

I'm about 100% in for the meet, with hotel reservations set on the west side of Shreveport. But a summons for jury duty the week before complicates my itinerary, and off chance I'll get picked to serve on a jury (unlikely, in my area lawyers usually get passed over, though as a retired lawyer I'm not automatically exempt from jury selection) for a prolonged trial.

My itinerary will likely include clinching US 79, in Texas US 87 and US 287 (snagging the remaining untraveled segments of 87 in Wyoming, and 287 in Montana, on a later trip), and the various new Interstate segments popping up near Memphis and in North Carolina. Just that the sequencing will have to be worked out, navigating between jury duty and Easter.

[jpi]

I am another big step closer to going, 4 new tires on the Kia Spectra which we plan on driving to the meet, Texarkana on Friday night and west side of Shreveport Saturday night and Steph did get the Sunday off so we are in.

[hbelkins]

I'm about 100% in for the meet, with hotel reservations set on the west side of Shreveport. But a summons for jury duty the week before complicates my itinerary, and off chance I'll get picked to serve on a jury (unlikely, in my area lawyers usually get passed over, though as a retired lawyer I'm not automatically exempt from jury selection) for a prolonged trial.

My itinerary will likely include clinching US 79, in Texas US 87 and US 287 (snagging the remaining untraveled segments of 87 in Wyoming, and 287 in Montana, on a later trip), and the various new Interstate segments popping up near Memphis and in North Carolina. Just that the sequencing will have to be worked out, navigating between jury duty and Easter.

I got called for jury duty a few years ago, and I had several trips planned for the period that service was to cover. I asked for, and received, a deferment of a few months. Of course it helped that the circuit judge was one of my best childhood friends.

[SSOWorld]

I cannot guarantee commitment at this time.  Too many variables in the employment department will result in possible lack of time off at that time due to personal circumstances

Though the above still stands, I am more optimistic about my chances - yet still not putting my commitment in yet.  We're still a month-and-a-half out

[oscar]

I got called for jury duty a few years ago, and I had several trips planned for the period that service was to cover. I asked for, and received, a deferment of a few months. Of course it helped that the circuit judge was one of my best childhood friends.

Problem with asking for a deferment is if I remove this possible schedule conflict, unless I can defer until next winter (EDIT: which I can't, in my county deferrals can last no longer than three months) I might create a worse one. I only get called for jury duty once every few years (people in D.C. aren't so lucky), so I'll probably just get this one out of the way quickly.

I expect this one will just be a one-day thing, where if I'm even scheduled for a trial I'll have to get up early, go to the courthouse, have one side or the other exercise a peremptory challenge (this is one situation where the unpopularity of lawyers works to my advantage), and get released from jury duty.

[US71]

After today's driving of the meet's route, it seems like the tour will be about 5 hours...if all 5 stops take 20 minutes each. One of these stops will be a potty break at a restroom that will allow you to flush paper products in the toilet instead of putting all used paper in a trash can.

Yes, there is a story behind that last sentence. It will be shared at the meet.

Unfortunately, this bathroom break is at a Cash Magic casino/c-store whose bathroom only has 1 toilet. There are no better bathrooms... I've looked at the ones that seemed "inviting".

I've been to Louisiana: little surprises me. 

[webny99]

One of these stops will be a potty break at a restroom that will allow you to flush paper products in the toilet instead of putting all used paper in a trash can.

Yes, there is a story behind that last sentence. It will be shared at the meet.

This sounds good - can you share the story here after the meet for those of us who aren't attending? 

[SSOWorld]

I cannot guarantee commitment at this time.  Too many variables in the employment department will result in possible lack of time off at that time due to personal circumstances

Still stands (with an impacting event beginning this Friday) but I do not expect it to impact the trip and have been granted time off for 1.5 weeks and have booked hotels so I am going.  The plan puts me in the Shreveport area on Friday and leaving Sunday morning. 

The planned trip will complete I-30 as I will be driving over to DFW for a night on Sunday. It will also complete AR to this point Interstate-wise (Until remaining I-49 is built and I-57 gets its tags).  An updated trip plan may also complete the Missouri interstates (until remaining I-49 is built). 

[cjk374]

We are just a month shy of the meet now. It will be here quick, fast, & in a hurry! I believe it is now time to try to get a head count so I can try to rustle up a big table or two at Strawn's for lunch. This isn't going to keep you away from the meet or anything like that. Everyone will be welcome. So far I have the following members saying they are definitely coming based on responses in this thread:

cl94, SSOWorld, US 71, signalman, jpi & Mrs. jpi, highwayman 394, A.J. Bertin, Brandon, & Oscar.

Those listed as "possible": jasonh300, US 81, Sam, & Gene VanDusseldorp (mentioned by US 71)

Let me know if y'all are coming by March 10. I may try to get some maps if I get a chance.

[US71]

We are just a month shy of the meet now. It will be here quick, fast, & in a hurry! I believe it is now time to try to get a head count so I can try to rustle up a big table or two at Strawn's for lunch. This isn't going to keep you away from the meet or anything like that. Everyone will be welcome. So far I have the following members saying they are definitely coming based on responses in this thread:

cl94, SSOWorld, US 71, signalman, jpi & Mrs. jpi, highwayman 394, A.J. Bertin, Brandon, & Oscar.

Those listed as "possible": jasonh300, US 81, Sam, & Gene VanDusseldorp (mentioned by US 71)

Let me know if y'all are coming by March 10. I may try to get some maps if I get a chance.

I've not heard back from Gene, so I'm not sure.  Small chance Power of 7 (aka Alternate 71) may come down from Branson. He won't know for sure until about a week out. I'll remind him, though.

[cl94]

I actually found some NY maps today at a rest area (not easy to come across), so I grabbed 4 to bring down for people. I'll try and grab some more before the meet. I really don't like the new map style, but whatever, not like I need a NY map. 

[jpi]

2018 TN maps still have not come out yet, hopefully before this meet and Mrs JPI and myself are still a go

[cl94]

2018 TN maps still have not come out yet, hopefully before this meet and Mrs JPI and myself are still a go

I never said mine are new. NY hasn't printed a new map since 2015 (and the Watertown inset still shows I-781 as "future" even though it opened in 2012). And 2018 TN maps are out, as I got one in the mail last week. Probably will be hitting rest areas soon.

[SSOWorld]

The variables affecting me are now gone.  If there is any change in employment - it will not happen before or during the trip.

My plans you may ask?

7 days on the road/at the meet/at side trip locations:

Day 1-2 drive to Shreveport with stopover in Cape Girardeau.  Intentions on using US-61 from where it splits from US-67 to where it ultimately rejoins I-55 at I-555.  This would get me US-61 completed into MS as I already have it from I-555 to Tunica Resorts (MS-304)  After which I'll veer on to the construction heavy I-40 toward LR.  I'll be veering off on I-530 to Pine Bluff for the lulz. but outside that, heading to Texarkana and taking I-49 down to Shreveport.

Day 3 - you know what happens on day 3.

Day 4-7.  West on I-20 to DFW where I intend to finish the area Interstates (primarily in FW).  If I can get my hands on a K-Tag, I might do some toll roads. (K-Tag works on any Texas toll road and does come in a hard-case format unlike the Tex-ass tags)  If not - I'll be skipping them.  After which I-30, the Little Rock 3dI's and I-40 (with the occasional turn off to get the segments of I-49 that have been built) and I-70 to either StL or Effingham depending on energy) will be focused.  That would complete AR and MO interstates (at least until more I-49 is constructed)

[US71]

The variables affecting me are now gone.  If there is any change in employment - it will not happen before or during the trip.

My plans you may ask?

7 days on the road/at the meet/at side trip locations:

Day 1-2 drive to Shreveport with stopover in Cape Girardeau.  Intentions on using US-61 from where it splits from US-67 to where it ultimately rejoins I-55 at I-555.  This would get me I-61 completed into MS as I already have it from I-555 to Tunica Resorts (MS-304)  After which I'll veer on to the construction heavy I-40 toward LR.  I'll be veering off on I-530 to Pine Bluff for the lulz. but outside that, heading to Texarkana and taking I-49 down to Shreveport.

Day 3 - you know what happens on day 3.

Day 4-7.  West on I-20 to DFW where I intend to finish the area Interstates (primarily in FW).  If I can get my hands on a K-Tag, I might do some toll roads. (K-Tag works on any Texas toll road and does come in a hard-case format unlike the Tex-ass tags)  If not - I'll be skipping them.  After which I-30, the Little Rock 3dI's and I-40 (with the occasional turn off to get the segments of I-49 that have been built) and I-70 to either StL or Effingham depending on energy) will be focused.  That would complete AR and MO interstates (at least until more I-49 is constructed)

Which way are are you going from PB: AR 530?