AARoads Forum

http://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2018/06/at_last_dot_commits_to_skyway_reopening_date_but_i.html (http://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2018/06/at_last_dot_commits_to_skyway_reopening_date_but_i.html)


With the Skyway set to reopen July 2nd, which is a Monday, I'd like to organize a mini meet where we can drive the new highway and take a look at the Route 7s. Unfortunately, I'm busy on the most convenient day (7/7), so here's a quick poll. Whatever wins becomes an organized mini meet - we'll do some sort of meal and see the highways. Open to any other ideas to tack on, but this is definitely informal and not a full-blown meet.

I'm in unless something comes up. Within daytrip range, so it's easy to get down there.

I'd like to attend if I'm off, but if it's going to be held on a Sunday I probably won't be able to go since I usually work Sundays.  I'll wait for a date to be set and go from there.

I'm more than a day trip away - and the direction of travel in that time period is to, around, or from Florida.

Quote from: signalman on June 16, 2018, 07:33:40 PM
I'd like to attend if I'm off, but if it's going to be held on a Sunday I probably won't be able to go since I usually work Sundays.  I'll wait for a date to be set and go from there.

If you don't vote, you don't get a say!

Debating going to Gene's Missouri-fest, but this would provide an opportunity to visit Suffolk and Nassau counties and get New York clinched. Plus, I've always wanted to do the Skyway. Can't do both, and one date conflicts with the Springfield stuff. I voted for my two preferred options but not making any commitments. (And I'm not sure I'd be welcome here.)

Quote from: hbelkins on June 16, 2018, 11:54:54 PM
Debating going to Gene's Missouri-fest, but this would provide an opportunity to visit Suffolk and Nassau counties and get New York clinched. Plus, I've always wanted to do the Skyway. Can't do both, and one date conflicts with the Springfield stuff. I voted for my two preferred options but not making any commitments. (And I'm not sure I'd be welcome here.)

All are welcome at road meets.

Quote from: Alps on June 17, 2018, 12:21:18 AM

Quote from: hbelkins on June 16, 2018, 11:54:54 PM
Debating going to Gene's Missouri-fest, but this would provide an opportunity to visit Suffolk and Nassau counties and get New York clinched. Plus, I've always wanted to do the Skyway. Can't do both, and one date conflicts with the Springfield stuff. I voted for my two preferred options but not making any commitments. (And I'm not sure I'd be welcome here.)

All are welcome at road meets.

But some get stonewalled at road meets.....

Quote from: MisterSG1 on June 17, 2018, 12:39:07 AM
But some get stonewalled at road meets.....

Meaning what? The police harass them for being gay?

Quote from: NE2 on June 17, 2018, 12:58:10 AM

Quote from: MisterSG1 on June 17, 2018, 12:39:07 AM
But some get stonewalled at road meets.....

Meaning what? The police harass them for being gay?

Stonewall as in people refusing to acknowledge or speak with others

*sighs heavily*
I'd like to organize a mini meet where we can drive the new highway and take a look at the Route 7s.

Interested.  I'm available any of the days, but Saturday would be easiest.

I am in, unless it is the 4th . . .

I may have some tidbits to offer from my work on the area projects as well -- as much as I can tell, anyway.

I am already going to be going to a Yankees game on July 4th (meeting my friends at a hotel near the Meadowlands) so I will try to fit this in myself.   Therefore, I would most likely skip out on any meet this time.

I voted for the 8th since it's the most convenient day for me.  I'll probably also be available on the 4th, but that's not confirmed yet.  I definitely can't do the 14th due to the family picnic being the following day, so I'll be heading to Rochester then.

Voting against the holiday option but I am likely to show up for any of the three given dates. There is a possibility I may even get Alyssa to come along for this, there just need to be people present who are willing to talk to her about something other than roads. :P

Quote from: NE2 on June 17, 2018, 12:58:10 AM

Quote from: MisterSG1 on June 17, 2018, 12:39:07 AM
But some get stonewalled at road meets.....

Meaning what? The police harass them for being gay?

Hey, that's an idea. We could make Stonewall a stop on this thing.

Quote from: cl94 on June 18, 2018, 11:10:19 PM

Quote from: NE2 on June 17, 2018, 12:58:10 AM

Quote from: MisterSG1 on June 17, 2018, 12:39:07 AM
But some get stonewalled at road meets.....

Meaning what? The police harass them for being gay?

Hey, that's an idea. We could make Stonewall a stop on this thing.

Wasn't planning on going into the city, but I figured other than the two main attractions it's just up to what people feel like doing.

With July 4 ruled out by voting, and July 8 taking a turn toward occupied, I'm setting this to be July 14. Based on the attendees I will either do this as a brunch/meet, lunch/meet, or meet/lunch - since it's Saturday there's no terrible rush. I'll set up a Facebook event but discussion can also happen here.


https://www.facebook.com/events/225241104932052/


(Start time subject to change if people want to meet earlier or later.)

If millennials have taught me anything, it is that any reputable brunch place these days still serves brunch into the 4-6pm time range or even later, so you could do meet then brunch.

Quote from: Dougtone on June 19, 2018, 09:31:07 PM
If millennials have taught me anything, it is that any reputable brunch place these days still serves brunch into the 4-6pm time range or even later, so you could do meet then brunch.

Well, the place he chose for lunch serves avocado toast...

Quote from: cl94 on June 19, 2018, 09:58:53 PM

Quote from: Dougtone on June 19, 2018, 09:31:07 PM
If millennials have taught me anything, it is that any reputable brunch place these days still serves brunch into the 4-6pm time range or even later, so you could do meet then brunch.

Well, the place he chose for lunch serves avocado toast...

Great! I'll remember to wear my clip-on man bun then.

Quote from: Alps on June 18, 2018, 11:38:03 PM
With July 4 ruled out by voting, and July 8 taking a turn toward occupied, I'm setting this to be July 14. Based on the attendees I will either do this as a brunch/meet, lunch/meet, or meet/lunch - since it's Saturday there's no terrible rush. I'll set up a Facebook event but discussion can also happen here.




https://www.facebook.com/events/225241104932052/




(Start time subject to change if people want to meet earlier or later.)

Turns out I not only counted my chickens before they hatched, I forgot to count my ducks after they waddled. The 14th is no good and I'm going to have to move it back to the 8th. I apologize.

I'll pencil it on the calendar. No guarantees though.

I'm having to bail on the Missouri trip, so I'm going to keep this in the back of my mind. I've always wanted to take the Skyway. And, as I've said before, the temptation of clinching New York's counties by visiting Suffolk and Nassau is strong.

OK, I want to pose a few questions here. If I did attend, I'd be looking at a two-night stay in the area. Arriving Saturday night and departing Monday morning. Also keep in mind that while I'm in the area, I want to get out to Long Island to visit Nassau and Suffolk counties, thus clinching New York. I'd have to do this either Saturday evening when I arrive in the area, or Sunday after the meet. My most likely route into the area would be I-78 from Pennsylvania. Another possibility is I-99 to I-80. I'd probably leave from work on Friday and spend that night somewhere in West Virginia.

So ... any suggestions on lodging that would not be too far away from the diner (an hour or so tops), but would still allow me to get out to LI and back during daylight hours but without major traffic issues? I was thinking perhaps the Easton, Pa. area for my two nights if I use I-78. And what route would those in the know suggest for me getting out to visit those two counties with a minimum of headaches on Saturday or Sunday evenings? I stayed at a Ramada on US 46 just east of NJ 23 (near Wayne) when I attended Adam Moss' meet a few years ago (the one where Carl's car got towed at the diner) so that's an option, but I don't know how easy the LI jaunt would be to attempt from there.

Suggestions appreciated from those in the know.

Quote from: hbelkins on July 03, 2018, 09:58:18 AM
OK, I want to pose a few questions here. If I did attend, I'd be looking at a two-night stay in the area. Arriving Saturday night and departing Monday morning. Also keep in mind that while I'm in the area, I want to get out to Long Island to visit Nassau and Suffolk counties, thus clinching New York. I'd have to do this either Saturday evening when I arrive in the area, or Sunday after the meet. My most likely route into the area would be I-78 from Pennsylvania. Another possibility is I-99 to I-80. I'd probably leave from work on Friday and spend that night somewhere in West Virginia.

So ... any suggestions on lodging that would not be too far away from the diner (an hour or so tops), but would still allow me to get out to LI and back during daylight hours but without major traffic issues? I was thinking perhaps the Easton, Pa. area for my two nights if I use I-78. And what route would those in the know suggest for me getting out to visit those two counties with a minimum of headaches on Saturday or Sunday evenings? I stayed at a Ramada on US 46 just east of NJ 23 (near Wayne) when I attended Adam Moss' meet a few years ago (the one where Carl's car got towed at the diner) so that's an option, but I don't know how easy the LI jaunt would be to attempt from there.

Suggestions appreciated from those in the know.

I made a brief reply in the Facebook event, but I'll expand on it here.

For hotels, it's looking like rates are reasonable (for the area) along 287 south/east of Somerville. The Ramada you stayed at and a few other things up there are also options. Actually cheaper in NJ than Easton at a quick glance.

As far as getting out to the Island, that's never easy. In terms of speed, your fastest option would likely be to use the GW Bridge, Cross Bronx, Throgs Neck Bridge, and Cross Island Parkway both ways. Do a loop involving the LIE or Northern State Parkway, Sagtikos Parkway, and Southern State Parkway, using the Cross Island to get back to Throgs Neck and the mainland, unless you wanted to make a U-turn immediately after entering Suffolk to save a few minutes. If you want to drive the new Goethals Bridge, that WILL take longer due to construction on the Belt Parkway, but I'd recommend taking that eastbound and doing the loop I said above counterclockwise, as you'd avoid the Verrazano toll. Take 278 and the Belt Parkway to get to the Southern State from NJ.