AARoads Forum

Several of us draw road maps for fun. I've noticed two of us are in New Jersey. Is there interest in having a meet where instead of driving roads, we get together and draw them for an afternoon? (And share drawings, and just socialize in general.) For the first one, I'm thinking this can be anywhere between Philly and New York, whichever would draw more people.

Quote from: Alps on February 11, 2014, 10:53:12 PM
I'm thinking this can be anywhere between Philly and New York, whichever would draw more people.

So are we drawing maps or people, then? :P

This sounds like fun. I don't draw maps nearly as much as I used to (when you've completed an 11,000+ mile highway on a fictional planet that fills 14 notebooks and written backstory for the world it's in, just how do you top that?) but I'm down.

I haven't done this in far too long. I'm in.

I used to draw maps when I was kid and as recently as my teenage years, depending on if I am in the area or not I would be up to it. :-)

Most of my drawings now occur on the back of the pages of those page-a-day calendars...just something to kill a little time at work after I rip yesterday's page off and before I throw away the page. 

It's been a while since I drew a map by hand; but I'd be up for attending, schedule permitting.

Why the heck not. I'll go if I'm available.

Damn, I 'draw' maps on my computer nowadays - the handwritten ones are too cryptic to be understood by anyone but myself. I also don't have any way to go anywhere. This sounds like fun too. =(

FYI, I'll be passing through Sunday March 2nd...

Thoughts thus far:
* People are definitely interested
* I like the idea of doing it soon, when there's still not too much daylight for a typical road meet
* If I have it near Hillsborough, maybe Zeffy can attend
* March 2nd is a possibility

But March 2nd is a Sunday. On the other hand, I think my Saturdays are all booked up into April, except possibly March 8th.
Poll time!

Zeffy, I guess we can bring our laptops. :)

There seem to be a lot of meets crammed into the first half of the year, especially March into April. This may go on hold for something toward the end of the year.

Quote from: Alps on February 13, 2014, 03:49:38 PM
There seem to be a lot of meets crammed into the first half of the year, especially March into April. This may go on hold for something toward the end of the year.

Thank you times infinity. I was going to suggest postponing this because there are so many meets this March and April that I already have to decide between them.

Quote from: Laura on February 15, 2014, 09:02:58 PM
Thank you times infinity. I was going to suggest postponing this because there are so many meets this March and April that I already have to decide between them.

Seriously.

There are four meets on four consecutive weekends, all within normal travel distance for me. I'm pretty much 100 percent on Tennessee since it's the closest, and realistically can only do one of the remaining three (St. Louis, Hampton Roads/Delmarva and Elmira/Corning). These may be the only meets I get to attend this year so I'm in the process of trying to decide which other one besides Tennessee.

All have pros and cons. I'm leaning toward Hampton Roads/Delmarva but can be convinced otherwise.

(FB friends should have seen my post about it with an invitation to sway me toward a different second meet).

I like the idea of a map drawing meet and actually had voted for March 8th.  However, I would have to agree that this is an event that may work better in November or December when there aren't quite as many potential road meets all bunched up in a row.

The upside to moving it back is that I actually may be able to get my own personal vehicle, which of course opens up more location possibilities for everyone.

Quote from: Zeffy on February 17, 2014, 12:14:55 PM
The upside to moving it back is that I actually may be able to get my own personal vehicle, which of course opens up more location possibilities for everyone.

If the weather's alright, we could hold it on the unopened Hillsborough Bypass anyway.

 :-o I've been drawing maps of non-existent towns since I was five! Other people do this too?! Incredible.

I should be able to open up a slot in my schedule to attend. Looking forward to this!  :nod:

I have somewhere to be in Cherry Hill on 2 March, but 9 March and 15 March are within the spring break period at college, and I'll be using my vacation time from work for that week.

Quote from: Alps on February 17, 2014, 07:57:51 PM
If the weather's alright, we could hold it on the unopened Hillsborough Bypass anyway.

I've driven the opened portions of the bypass. Hopefully the new segments make it a bit more exciting.  :)  Anyway, if we can get a good date set I can see about my availability for this. I would love to be a part of a roadmeet in any aspect. If I had my own car, I would definitely go to the NYC one.

QuoteIf I had my own car, I would definitely go to the NYC one.

Perhaps not the right thread for this, and the details haven't been hashed out, but given that it's the NYC area, it's theoretically possible you'd be able to go to the meet without requiring a car to get there.  We've had 3 DC-area meets where one could take transit to get there (2 of them were literally right on the Metrorail).

NYC (as with DC) also strikes me as one of those regions where, the fewer cars there are driving on the tour, the better...

Paging Alps' Roads...

I'm exhuming this thread because now that Fall and Winter are approaching, I want to do this. In addition to map drawing, I could also bring my various geography-themed board games to the mix.

Quote from: Laura on August 23, 2014, 10:42:37 PM
Paging Alps' Roads...

I'm exhuming this thread because now that Fall and Winter are approaching, I want to do this. In addition to map drawing, I could also bring my various geography-themed board games to the mix.

Paged. Fall is always a travel season for me, so let's think about winter. It's a good time to all get together and hunker down for a storm.

Quote from: Alps on August 25, 2014, 11:28:49 PM

Quote from: Laura on August 23, 2014, 10:42:37 PM
Paging Alps' Roads...

I'm exhuming this thread because now that Fall and Winter are approaching, I want to do this. In addition to map drawing, I could also bring my various geography-themed board games to the mix.

Paged. Fall is always a travel season for me, so let's think about winter. It's a good time to all get together and hunker down for a storm.

Yes! Winter sounds good to me.

I've reset the date choices with a few good Devils games. Figure we meet for lunch (or earlier), draw maps, shoot the breeze, then head on into Newark, have some Dino BBQ (or any other desired food), catch the game.
12/6, 12/20 = Capitals
1/3 = Flyers
1/31 = Panthers (cheaper tix)
2/21 = Hurricanes


* Edit: Doug wants to see the Islanders on Friday, January 9, in which case the meet would be the following day with no hockey thereafter. But you could all come the night before!

Percent chance of my attendance on any of the given dates:

12/6: 70%
12/20: 1%
1/3: 45%
1/10: 45%
1/31: 99%
2/21: 99%

Of all of these weekends, 1/31 would be my best shot, on Sunday 2/1 there is a toy show in Shrewsbury, PA where I grew up so I could possibly swing this if it is 1/31, otherwise I am out. 12/6 is Steel City Con so I will be in Monroeville, PA that whole weekend, if all goes well 1/10 I will be in the St Louis area and may get the last of the MO counties I need to clinch that whole state (weather permitting) so we will see :-)

The 31st is my best shot because I will be back in my dorm, not in Buffalo by that point.

I see a few different angles of approaching a date. Essentially, should we have a holiday get together (might be a nicer gesture, but harder to assemble folks) or wait until after the holidays when individual schedules are more flexible.

There's nothing saying we can't have more than one, either.

Dec. 20 would be the least likely for me (debating whether or not to take the whole week off around Christmas), though I'm not 100% sure whether I'd attend or not.  Probably depends on the money/mileage budgets (I'm anticipating that I'll be attending an unusually large number of roadmeets; including the Map Drawing meet would put the total at 7-8 rather than my usual 4-5), weather, who's attending, and how easy it would be to carry/plug in my laptop.  Fortunately, northern NJ is just 2.5-3 hours away, and driving to the meet would allow me to clinch NY 32 on the way.

If it were on the 26th of January, that would be my greatest birthday present ever, but that would also mean I would need a way to get there. Is there a set location for this? If it was held in Newark, I could get someone to drive me to the Somerville station and just take a train into Newark Penn Station, but that only works if it's held in the downtown area of Newark. Theoretically, I could also get to Trenton from the Somerville station, but that would probably take a rather long time seeing as I would have to hop trains...

Quote from: Alps on November 12, 2014, 06:13:26 PM
There's nothing saying we can't have more than one, either.

I was thinking of hosting an open roadgeek party here in Baltimore on 1/3, actually. We have to be out of our apartment by 1/31, and I suspect we will be moving someplace smaller, so I wanted to have one last hurrah here.

Percent chance of my attendance on any of the given dates:

12/6, 12/20, 1/31: 0%
1/3: 99% (although I'd rather host this day)
1/10, 2/21: 75%

Percent chance of my attendance on 12,20, 1/3, 1/10: 99%
Percent chance of my attendance on 12/6, 1/31, 2/21: 0%

Quote from: Laura on November 13, 2014, 10:40:15 PM
Percent chance of my attendance on any of the given dates:

12/6, 12/20, 1/31: 0%
1/3: 99% (although I'd rather host this day)
1/10, 2/21: 75%

Quote from: yanksfan6129 on November 14, 2014, 12:29:26 AM
Percent chance of my attendance on 12,20, 1/3, 1/10: 99%
Percent chance of my attendance on 12/6, 1/31, 2/21: 0%

And this is why we have a poll!

Quote from: Alps on November 14, 2014, 07:52:45 AM

Quote from: Laura on November 13, 2014, 10:40:15 PM
Percent chance of my attendance on any of the given dates:

12/6, 12/20, 1/31: 0%
1/3: 99% (although I'd rather host this day)
1/10, 2/21: 75%

Quote from: yanksfan6129 on November 14, 2014, 12:29:26 AM
Percent chance of my attendance on 12,20, 1/3, 1/10: 99%
Percent chance of my attendance on 12/6, 1/31, 2/21: 0%

And this is why we have a poll!

The percentages are still helpful in the case of a tiebreaker.


iPhone

The percentages are useful because at this point there are undetermined variables that may impact attendance on any given date, so it isn't a simple yes or no question.

In my case, I have no set plans 12/6 but I may need to use the day to do other things because hey, December = Christmas. 12/20 is an almost certain no because I anticipate I'm probably moving that day. 1/3 and 1/10 are iffy because I might be moving again on one of those dates and if not might have to devote time to preparing for MAGFest. By the end of January I will probably be planted in new digs, though, and MAGfest is the weekend prior to 1/31, so I'm clear from there forward.

1/31 looks like the favored date, so I'll start with that one. I'll see when I can get a room and go from there. Will try to get one in a place that offers parking. (:

Based on feedback, I think it would be nice to have two meets and try to get different people to come, so I'm going to set the two dates as January 10 and February 21. Still have not found a venue where people can park and not have to pay extraordinary amounts of money. Suggestions welcome.

Something arose and took out my February 21 meet, so I'm down to just the one this Saturday the 10th for now. (I may still be free on Sunday, February 22nd.)

For lack of finding a convenient open space, and for the pleasures of alcohol (I have beer! bring more!), I've decided to just have the meet here at my apartment. I have enough seating and table space for around 10-12 happy map drawers, which should be plenty. I have paper, pencils, pens, markers, etc. to cover everyone, but anything you bring is appreciated.

If you want to share in lunch, try to arrive here by around 11:30 so that we can order. Otherwise, come anytime you like. The official meet is from 1-5. Post-meet activities may include a group dinner, Cards Against Humanity, or similar.

If you don't have my address, please contact me directly. You can message me through this site if you have no other contact. Under 21s are welcome - this is not a drunkfest, just a pleasant gathering.

Of course, when I am still in Buffalo.

I'll be there.

I am out, I have a toy show in St. Louis, MO this weekend and it will be tied in with my first road geeking\ county clinching road trip of 2015 :-) the big focus areas of said trip are northern Arkansas and southeastern Kansas, especailly now that I have all of Missouri clinched.

I will also be there, sans Husband. He has other plans on Saturday.

I will be bringing craft beer, fine cheeses and materials in which to draw maps with.

Quote from: Dougtone on January 07, 2015, 12:30:51 PM
I will be bringing craft beer, fine cheeses and materials in which to draw maps with.

I have a small supply of chips, salsa, and beer. Anything people want to bring is welcome.
So far, no one has contacted me - I assume everyone who plans to come knows where to find me. Zeffy, can you get a day pass?

Quote from: Dougtone on January 07, 2015, 12:30:51 PM
I will be bringing craft beer, fine cheeses and materials in which to draw maps with.

Just the cheese necessary to draw with :P

Quote from: SSOWorld on January 07, 2015, 07:59:31 PM

Quote from: Dougtone on January 07, 2015, 12:30:51 PM
I will be bringing craft beer, fine cheeses and materials in which to draw maps with.

Just the cheese necessary to draw with :P

I really want to move to Wisconsin.

Vermont's better.

Beer, Cheese, and Roads.  Really doesn't get any better than that.

Ironically, a beerfest may prevent me from attending this Saturday.  It's in Philly, and I and my wife signed up to volunteer for the event.  Thus, we get in for free, and during breaks, volunteers are allowed to sample the beers as well.  I can only see this as going bad for us real quick! Haha.

The most I could stop up for is an hour or so at the start, so I think I'm going to bow out unfortunately.

I have Cabot cheese to bring, as well as the official artisan cheese of the Buffalo Sabres. Attendees may want to bring snacks as well as beverages.

Quote from: jeffandnicole on January 08, 2015, 08:16:24 AM
Beer, Cheese, and Roads.  Really doesn't get any better than that.

Ironically, a beerfest may prevent me from attending this Saturday.  It's in Philly, and I and my wife signed up to volunteer for the event.  Thus, we get in for free, and during breaks, volunteers are allowed to sample the beers as well.  I can only see this as going bad for us real quick! Haha.

The most I could stop up for is an hour or so at the start, so I think I'm going to bow out unfortunately.

This is by far the best excuse I can accept. Fest on!

Y'all left a lot of maps here. I recognize Doug's atlas, but don't know whose most of the others are. (I recognize Scottsylvania.) If you wanted your map, like the US 46 shield drawn in roads, I'll be happy to hold onto it, just let me know which it is. Otherwise, they will be bundled for recycling (you adorable little ragamuffins).

The downtown loop with no river and blue subways is mine, but you can recycle it. I don't need more clutter.

Also, totally not official meet photos:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FT0hvdak.jpg&hash=74369e7955d7930afe6755638becff834fd4c315)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FZYmJWIa.jpg&hash=0df321359b5bcee19194522a518903fd6d76f3c0)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FnQ4OneU.jpg&hash=751251431e6c27b5aa0e0294f18db1300019440e)

I'm not pictured because I'm taking them and my girlfriend is not pictured because she had not arrived yet.

I get the distinct impression that Alps likes roads.

I used to really enjoy drawing road maps when I was younger.  I'll try to make the next one.  Hoping my five year old takes up the hobby too - He's already picking up on the local roads and surprised me recently by pointing out a shortcut to his school.

Lou looks totally excited to be there.

Quote from: Roadrunner75 on January 11, 2015, 02:14:18 PM
I get the distinct impression that Alps likes roads.

I used to really enjoy drawing road maps when I was younger.  I'll try to make the next one.  Hoping my five year old takes up the hobby too - He's already picking up on the local roads and surprised me recently by pointing out a shortcut to his school.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR53OMsn1Pg