AARoads Forum

I'm hosting a meet in Lafayette, Indiana this fall as a sort of replacement for the traditional fall/winter Michigan meet.

Where:
Grindstone Charley's
3443 South St
Lafayette, IN 47905

When:
Saturday, November 10, 2018
11:00 am

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The tour can be divided into two major parts.

Part 1 explores Lafayette/West Lafayette, including:

• the US 52/US 231 bypass that was completed in 2013 and a previous alignment of US 231
• the remains of the Brown Street Bridge, Tippecanoe County's first bridge over the Wabash River
• a beautifully restored pedestrian bridge that once carried SR 26
• a new 938 foot bridge (under construction) that will carry eastbound Sagamore Parkway (old US 52) over the Wabash
• abandoned concrete from SR 25's original crossing of Wildcat Creek

And yes, there will be button copy.  :nod:

Part 2 is a quick jaunt from Lafayette to Logansport and back along SR 25, the Hoosier Heartland Highway, a 4 lane expressway also completed in 2013. We will see:

• Freedom Bridge, an 1897 bridge that was moved to a rail trail that crosses over SR 25
• Monticello Road, the sparsely used former US 35 bypass of Logansport
• a large number of BGS on US 24/US 35 that were hastily modified when the Hoosier Heartland Highway was built
• several historic bridges in Delphi around the Wabash and Erie Canal, including a 1901 stone arch bridge
• the Jewettsport Ford Bridge, a long one lane truss bridge carrying SR 225 over the Wabash River
• I-65's recent widening around the east side of Lafayette

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Looks like we'll have a crowd of about a dozen. Follow this thread for updates.

I'm eyeing this one, actually. Not certain I could swing it, but if I can, it's a chance to get a boatload of new mileage and counties.

Woo hoo!!! I'm definitely looking forward to this meet. I voted for Oct. 13 and Nov. 10. I technically could do Oct. 6 but didn't vote for it because I will have just gone to the Mentor OH meet the weekend before, and it's always nice to have a weekend buffer when possible between road trips.

Oct. 27 is out for me because that's my husband's and my wedding anniversary weekend, and I'm not fond of the December dates because of the potential for wintry weather and because it's so close to the holidays (the holidays tend to be a busy time).

Interested, but iffy.

The 6th is the weekend after Mentor, OH , so I'll sort of be in the area.

Dec 15 is workable

The other dates conflict with my faire schedule., though I may be dropping my October faire.

Early October is my annual fall vacation to Lake Superior, so if it's too close to that I won't be able to make it.

I'm going to abstain from voting for now, but I might be interested in this one

I might come to this meet, and I drove on this route on my way back from Indianapolis yesterday, LOL!!

EDIT: I am not going now as I am going to be in Arizona for college...

Well, my vote is for 10/27, it's mine and Steph's anniversary and is the only weekend of these dates that I don't have a toy show going on, October and November are shaping up to be busy months for me for my other hobby so chances are I may not be able to make it if the preferred dates are chosen.

I'm not voting yet, as I don't know my schedule for any of those months yet, and jury duty compounds things. This is reasonably close, and I'm already pretty sure I won't be able to do the Ohio meet because September is so crazy for me right now with a couple of multi-night work trips on tap.

I used up my time off fuel in July, but I'll see where it stands in a month (pretty open)

Actually, I voted for the three October dates, because of DST.

Any idea on a lunch site or time yet?

Quote from: hbelkins on August 01, 2018, 01:10:50 PM
Actually, I voted for the three October dates, because of DST.

I didn't think Indiana observed DST ?

Quote from: US71 on August 01, 2018, 01:35:19 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on August 01, 2018, 01:10:50 PM
Actually, I voted for the three October dates, because of DST.

I didn't think Indiana observed DST ?

They started observing ~10 years ago. Became too much of an issue with the communities on the Ohio and Kentucky borders.

Did anyone check to see if there are any home Purdue football games that would conflict with any of these dates? I would imagine such would cause issues with traffic, lodging and finding a restaurant.

Quote from: hbelkins on August 06, 2018, 04:38:11 PM
Did anyone check to see if there are any home Purdue football games that would conflict with any of these dates? I would imagine such would cause issues with traffic, lodging and finding a restaurant.

None of them do, leading me to think Sam accounted for those.

Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on August 06, 2018, 05:23:11 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on August 06, 2018, 04:38:11 PM
Did anyone check to see if there are any home Purdue football games that would conflict with any of these dates? I would imagine such would cause issues with traffic, lodging and finding a restaurant.

None of them do, leading me to think Sam accounted for those.

You'd be right. Considering I also have multiple September conflicts and a December 1 conflict, I was almost amazed that there were dates left at all.

I haven't heard anything about this meet since voting closed last month.  Is this going to be held on the winning date of November 10?  I'm debating attending and would like to start making plans if this is still on.

If I'm not working by then, I may consider a lengthy roadtrip to attend this.  I have two friends in Lafayette that I wouldn't mind visiting.

Not sure how I missed this, but I would probably be able to attend on November 10. I can also act as a guide to the Lafayette area seeing as I've lived here for the last 3.5 years.

Ah crap, I forgot I probably can't be out of town over the 10th. Don't change it just because of me, but if that ends up being the date I won't be able to attend.

Apologies, all. I just spent an unexpected week in the hospital (long story, but it's all behind us now).

But yes, November 10 is officially our date! Look for information about the venue and a more detailed itinerary in early October.

Glad to hear you are doing better now Sam!

If you're looking for anything else to add to the itinerary, I'd suggest the one-lane truss on SR 225 over the Wabash. Not too much of a detour from the new IN 25.

Is there anything on Sunday the 11th or is this just a Saturday only meet?

Quote from: dvferyance on October 15, 2018, 03:32:05 PM
Is there anything on Sunday the 11th or is this just a Saturday only meet?

This meet will be a Saturday only meet AFAIK.

I've never been to a meet before but I would be interested in this one.  I have a niece who's at Purdue and my wife and kids have been talking about taking a day to go visit her and the campus.  Could I get dropped off somewhere, ride with someone else, and get picked back up somewhere?

I won't know for sure for a couple weeks, but am interested.

Quote from: cabiness42 on October 17, 2018, 07:36:08 AM
I've never been to a meet before but I would be interested in this one.  I have a niece who's at Purdue and my wife and kids have been talking about taking a day to go visit her and the campus.  Could I get dropped off somewhere, ride with someone else, and get picked back up somewhere?

Don't see why not.  If you get dropped at the restaurant, one of us could get you back to your wife and kids.

I'm a maybe. It's a long shot at this point, but there's a chance I can still make this work. I won't know for certain until another week or two passes.

Quote from: cabiness42 on October 17, 2018, 07:36:08 AM
I've never been to a meet before but I would be interested in this one.  I have a niece who's at Purdue and my wife and kids have been talking about taking a day to go visit her and the campus.  Could I get dropped off somewhere, ride with someone else, and get picked back up somewhere?

Bring the entire family to the meet!!

I will be at a wedding the night immediately prior (in New York). Unfortunately this logistically precludes my attendance.

I just found out Lafayette has a Dog n Suds. That may be dinner Friday night :)

Hey, this thread got popular today!

Facebook event (https://www.facebook.com/events/351272508951494/) is now up.

I'll be making one final visit to Lafayette on the 27th or 28th to check on the progress of the Sagamore Parkway bridge (https://www.in.gov/indot/3431.htm) and see if the eastern leg (http://www.restoresagamore.com/) of Sagamore Parkway has anything worth checking out. After that, we'll have an itinerary and a venue.

Now, some answers:

Quote from: csw on September 24, 2018, 06:20:01 PM
If you're looking for anything else to add to the itinerary, I'd suggest the one-lane truss on SR 225 over the Wabash. Not too much of a detour from the new IN 25.

It's a possibility, especially since we'll pass very close to it on old SR 25. However, there's a lot of ground to cover (the Lafayette/West Lafayette half could almost be a full meet on its own) and sunset will be around 5:30, so I will have to leave out some material in the interest of time.

Quote from: dvferyance on October 15, 2018, 03:32:05 PM
Is there anything on Sunday the 11th or is this just a Saturday only meet?

This is a Saturday only meet. I know there are folks staying in the Lafayette area on Saturday night, so we could arrange a post-meet dinner if there's interest. I'm not sure of my Saturday night plans because I have a family obligation in Michigan on Sunday but don't know what time it is yet.

Quote from: cabiness42 on October 17, 2018, 07:36:08 AM
I've never been to a meet before but I would be interested in this one.  I have a niece who's at Purdue and my wife and kids have been talking about taking a day to go visit her and the campus.  Could I get dropped off somewhere, ride with someone else, and get picked back up somewhere?

Yes. To elaborate on Brandon's response, the roadmeet will start with a group lunch at a local restaurant. Then we all tend to carpool for the duration of the tour. We'll drive around the Lafayette area and then head out to Logansport and back, making periodic stops at the bigger points of interest. The meet ends where it began since that's where the non-drivers are parked.

Quote from: US71 on October 17, 2018, 08:03:31 PM
I just found out Lafayette has a Dog n Suds. That may be dinner Friday night :)

There are two! I ate at the West Lafayette location earlier this year and it was excellent.  :nod:

Quote from: getemngo on October 17, 2018, 11:23:16 PM
Now, some answers:

...

Quote from: dvferyance on October 15, 2018, 03:32:05 PM
Is there anything on Sunday the 11th or is this just a Saturday only meet?

This is a Saturday only meet. I know there are folks staying in the Lafayette area on Saturday night, so we could arrange a post-meet dinner if there's interest. I'm not sure of my Saturday night plans because I have a family obligation in Michigan on Sunday but don't know what time it is yet.

This reply is by one of them.

Quote from: getemngo on October 17, 2018, 11:23:16 PM

Quote from: US71 on October 17, 2018, 08:03:31 PM
I just found out Lafayette has a Dog n Suds. That may be dinner Friday night :)

There are two! I ate at the West Lafayette location earlier this year and it was excellent.  :nod:

nice - more local spots

Hotel booked and time off booked.  I'll being doing the serious scenic route and when finished, another state's Interstates will be completed.

I'll likely just straight shot it out there, but may take the scenic route home if I can find some old bridges close to my route. I'm officially still on the fence, but leaning towards attending. I have some stuff at home I need to tend to before I can commit.

I don't have facebook but am planning on attending.

I am officially out of this, sadly. Project deadlines and other work requirements come first. Hopefully, I'll see some of the attendees in the relatively near future.

I've already mentioned on the Facebook event for this road meet that I am also probably not going to be able to attend this one. Jaguars will be in Indy that weekend coincidentally lol

I'm in.

Gotta get left-side tires due to a bead leak, but I'll be doing the very scenic route.  How scenic? Let's just say that the only I-70 left that I need when done will be east of I-68.

Quote from: SSOWorld on October 26, 2018, 08:25:15 PM
I'm in.

Gotta get left-side tires due to a bead leak, but I'll be doing the very scenic route.  How scenic? Let's just say that the only I-70 left that I need when done will be east of I-68.

You're going to Breezewood!!!

Quote from: hbelkins on October 26, 2018, 09:16:57 PM

Quote from: SSOWorld on October 26, 2018, 08:25:15 PM
I'm in.

Gotta get left-side tires due to a bead leak, but I'll be doing the very scenic route.  How scenic? Let's just say that the only I-70 left that I need when done will be east of I-68.

You're going to Breezewood!!!

And Hancock, MD evidently.

Quote from: hbelkins on October 26, 2018, 09:16:57 PM

Quote from: SSOWorld on October 26, 2018, 08:25:15 PM
I'm in.

Gotta get left-side tires due to a bead leak, but I'll be doing the very scenic route.  How scenic? Let's just say that the only I-70 left that I need when done will be east of I-68.

You're going to Breezewood!!!

Been there.

Quote from: SSOWorld on October 27, 2018, 07:54:09 AM

Quote from: hbelkins on October 26, 2018, 09:16:57 PM

Quote from: SSOWorld on October 26, 2018, 08:25:15 PM
I'm in.

Gotta get left-side tires due to a bead leak, but I'll be doing the very scenic route.  How scenic? Let's just say that the only I-70 left that I need when done will be east of I-68.

You're going to Breezewood!!!

Been there.

So have I. I stopped long enough for some photos, then moved on.

I've updated the original post with the specific location and time, as well as a more detailed list of our points of interest. We're meeting at local chain restaurant Grindstone Charley's (http://grindstonecharleys.com/) at 3443 South St at 11:00 Saturday. It's okay if you can't be there at 11 sharp, just as long as you're there when we depart on our tour by 12:30. Please RSVP here or on Facebook if you haven't already.

I'll have a full itinerary posted on Facebook hopefully tomorrow night. It's not required reading before the meet, nor do you need to print your own copy (I'll provide enough for everyone).

Several of you have asked about a post-meet dinner. It turns out that I will be staying in Lafayette on Saturday night, so it can certainly be arranged. Nine Irish Brothers (http://www.nineirishbrothers.com/) was my runner-up for the meet venue. We can eat there or pick out something else.

Unfortunately, Dog n Suds is closed for the season. If you're looking for locally brewed root beer, perhaps Triple XXX (https://www.triplexxxfamilyrestaurant.com/) will intrigue you?

Hope everyone has fun, I will be there in spirit, also on my drive back from Pittsburgh I plan on swinging through the Hoosier state to check out the I-69 construction progress on my way home.

I'm out, unfortunately.

For those who attended this meet, the under-construction Sagamore Parkway bridge we saw from below was opened about a week afterwards (November 19th).

Quote from: csw on December 11, 2018, 05:21:17 PM
For those who attended this meet, the under-construction Sagamore Parkway bridge we saw from below was opened about a week afterwards (November 19th).

Nice! :)