AARoads Forum

Starting a thread for the New River Gorge Bridge/Beckley, WV meet.

First order of business is to choose a date. Either of the two options works for me (I prefer April 1) but I will probably select the date that has the most votes.

I'm in Beckley as I type this and will post a preliminary itinerary in the next couple of days after final scouting is complete.

I have a wedding to go to in VA on March 25th so I had to choose April 1st.

I picked March 25th, because my dad's off. However, he wants to sleep because...I don't know.

So, guess I'm basically alone. Whomever carpools has gotta carpool us two around, unless we run out of space in everyone's car.

He's still not convinced to drive after getting lost in Central PA, even though we made it back safe and sound.

I'm good with either date. It's only about a 4-hour drive from Columbus and it would allow me to clinch the remaining section of US 33 in Ohio (from Athens to WV). I picked April 1 just because there would be slightly more daylight than March 25.

Does April 1 mean that we all go to the meet and you never show up? :-D

Quote from: Alps on February 18, 2017, 12:40:43 AM
Does April 1 mean that we all go to the meet and you never show up? :-D

Not sure, but it does mean I'll have to have my April Fool's joke for my web site all queued up and ready to go before I leave for the meet.

Maybe April 1 means we'll all have to be dressed up (nearly a whole year after the Tuxedo meet, after all).

Considering the current consensus right now, guess I've been excluded for the meet. Just gotta see what happens.

Quote from: noelbotevera on February 18, 2017, 06:39:40 PM
Considering the current consensus right now, guess I've been excluded for the meet.

"Excluded" sounds a bit whiny. If a date is chosen that works best for other people, but doesn't work for you, then this will just be a meet you can't make. That happens to everybody, myself included (for this meet, neither date works for me, both too close to when I hopefully complete recovery from eye surgery).

Quote from: oscar on February 18, 2017, 07:00:46 PM

Quote from: noelbotevera on February 18, 2017, 06:39:40 PM
Considering the current consensus right now, guess I've been excluded for the meet.

"Excluded" sounds a bit whiny. If a date is chosen that works best for other people, but doesn't work for you, then this will just be a meet you can't make. That happens to everybody, myself included (for this meet, neither date works for me, both too close to when I hopefully complete recovery from eye surgery).

Yeah, I've known that feeling. I've wanted to go to many, but some haven't come to fruition. I'm just into doing road trips and meets and such, because I don't really go out of my area much. But maybe something will happen...

Did the scouting today and have the details set. After I crunch the numbers, I may be able to push the start time back later than 10 a.m. Much of that will depend on which of the two dates is chosen.

Quote from: noelbotevera on February 17, 2017, 10:24:44 PM
I picked March 25th, because my dad's off. However, he wants to sleep because...I don't know.

So, guess I'm basically alone. Whomever carpools has gotta carpool us two around, unless we run out of space in everyone's car.

He's still not convinced to drive after getting lost in Central PA, even though we made it back safe and sound.

The reason I'm leaning toward April 1 is because there will be more daylight, and it's a week later than the other option, so that gives people more time to plan their trips. (six weeks vs. five weeks.)

The drivers shouldn't have difficulty on the tours (there will be two separate portions.) Neither route is very complicated, and in fact the majority of the first portion of the meet is on a one-way road.

Quote from: hbelkins on February 18, 2017, 07:24:39 PM
Did the scouting today and have the details set. After I crunch the numbers, I may be able to push the start time back later than 10 a.m. Much of that will depend on which of the two dates is chosen.

Quote from: noelbotevera on February 17, 2017, 10:24:44 PM
I picked March 25th, because my dad's off. However, he wants to sleep because...I don't know.

So, guess I'm basically alone. Whomever carpools has gotta carpool us two around, unless we run out of space in everyone's car.

He's still not convinced to drive after getting lost in Central PA, even though we made it back safe and sound.

The reason I'm leaning toward April 1 is because there will be more daylight, and it's a week later than the other option, so that gives people more time to plan their trips. (six weeks vs. five weeks.)

The drivers shouldn't have difficulty on the tours (there will be two separate portions.) Neither route is very complicated, and in fact the majority of the first portion of the meet is on a one-way road.

I understand your rationale for April 1st, but my mom has a friend who's got an anniversary, so I can't do that. My dad also didn't apply for time off on that date.

Fayette Station Road...that seems hairy to do stops on (unless there are no stops planned for the first part of the meet). Personally, I'd take pictures on the US 19 arch bridge, but it's your call.

Quote from: vdeane on February 18, 2017, 05:49:07 PM
Maybe April 1 means we'll all have to be dressed up (nearly a whole year after the Tuxedo meet, after all).

Just wait.  I have an April Fool's road meet joke that will be even better...

Quote from: noelbotevera on February 18, 2017, 07:46:26 PM
I understand your rationale for April 1st, but my mom has a friend who's got an anniversary, so I can't do that. My dad also didn't apply for time off on that date.

You all could make a day trip of it at another time. Perhaps in June when there will be a lot of daylight and you could see everything you want (Corridor H or Sideling Hill, and Greenbrier) without it being dark.

QuoteFayette Station Road...that seems hairy to do stops on (unless there are no stops planned for the first part of the meet). Personally, I'd take pictures on the US 19 arch bridge, but it's your call.

There are several pullouts designed for people to stop; many of them have display boards for people to stop and read.

I voted for April 1 however, there will be a BIG diecast car convention the next weekend in Pittsburgh that Steph and I are commited to so it would still be up in the air if I can attend but still keeping it in mind.

Update: I'm eligible to go, but not certain. My dad can apply for leave on April 1st, but he may not be granted it.

Still though, I'm hoping.

H.B., do you have a list of items to see for the meet?

For me, it'll probably come down to a spur of the moment decision if I attend or not. I've been all through the Beckley/NRG area many times so there's nothing new from a roadgeek perspective, but it's nice to catch up with people.

Quote from: hbelkins on February 18, 2017, 09:08:13 PM

Quote from: noelbotevera on February 18, 2017, 07:46:26 PM
I understand your rationale for April 1st, but my mom has a friend who's got an anniversary, so I can't do that. My dad also didn't apply for time off on that date.

You all could make a day trip of it at another time. Perhaps in June when there will be a lot of daylight and you could see everything you want (Corridor H or Sideling Hill, and Greenbrier) without it being dark.

....

Big thing is, if you don't need to go there in late July, don't, because the National Scout Jamboree will be held in that area not terribly far from the bridge. I believe the previous Jamboree in 2013 drew some 45,000 people for the duration (meaning not counting people who showed up just to visit the site for a day or two), so that's a lot of extra traffic in the area if you aren't careful.

Update Update: I'm going to see if I can't find a hotel reservation in Beckley for the meet. Any suggestions?

I also can't decide if I want to pick US 19 or the WV Turnpike once I clinch Corridor H (I decided on Corridor H because there may be new construction since the meet, so I may as well take it up).

And yes, I can do both dates, or I may not go at all. My dad still hasn't applied for leave on the night of March 31st.

Quote from: Bitmapped on February 20, 2017, 12:27:40 PM
H.B., do you have a list of items to see for the meet?

For me, it'll probably come down to a spur of the moment decision if I attend or not. I've been all through the Beckley/NRG area many times so there's nothing new from a roadgeek perspective, but it's nice to catch up with people.

Gather at the visitors center and take a group photo on one of the observation areas. Then a self-guided, at-your-own-pace tour down Fayette Station. Lunch on your own or in small groups (no formal lunch). Reconvene in Beckley for a tour of East Beckley Bypass construction, out to the current end of the Coalfields Expressway and back to Beckley via I-64 east and the existing portion of the bypass. No post-meet meal or activity planned.

Quote from: noelbotevera on February 20, 2017, 02:40:22 PM
Update Update: I'm going to see if I can't find a hotel reservation in Beckley for the meet. Any suggestions?

I've stayed in four hotels in Beckley. The Microtel on Eisenhower Drive is very nice. I've stayed there multiple times. The EconoLodge and Travelodge are basic, no-frills motels and I was very satisfied with both of them. I also spent a night at the Baymont and was not impressed.

QuoteI also can't decide if I want to pick US 19 or the WV Turnpike once I clinch Corridor H (I decided on Corridor H because there may be new construction since the meet, so I may as well take it up).

Using the Turnpike adds about 60 miles, an hour of travel time and $4 in tolls to your trip.

Quote from: hbelkins on February 20, 2017, 08:40:57 PM

Quote from: noelbotevera on February 20, 2017, 02:40:22 PM
Update Update: I'm going to see if I can't find a hotel reservation in Beckley for the meet. Any suggestions?

I've stayed in four hotels in Beckley. The Microtel on Eisenhower Drive is very nice. I've stayed there multiple times. The EconoLodge and Travelodge are basic, no-frills motels and I was very satisfied with both of them. I also spent a night at the Baymont and was not impressed.

QuoteI also can't decide if I want to pick US 19 or the WV Turnpike once I clinch Corridor H (I decided on Corridor H because there may be new construction since the meet, so I may as well take it up).

Using the Turnpike adds about 60 miles, an hour of travel time and $4 in tolls to your trip.

Late reply, but I don't care about time. I'm just trying to compare scenery. I could take US 19, but I don't think any recent work has happened on Corridor L. Corridor H is my main focus, and the WV Turnpike or Corridor L is a sidedish.

Nice. Will consider those.

Working on the itinerary now, and it looks as if Saturday, April 1 will be the date, but I do want to note a couple of things.

There is lodging available in the Fayetteville/Oak Hill area, but there's a wider selection nearby in Beckley and Summersville. Most of Beckley's hotels/motels are located at the WV 3 Harper Road exit off the WV Turnpike. Summersville's accommodations are along US 19.

Also, there will be no formal lunch associated with this meet. The tour down into the New River Gorge will be self-guided, and you can either carpool or drive on your own. Then when you're done with that portion of the meet, lunch will be on your own or in small groups. There's a wide variety of restaurants in Beckley (fast food and familiar sit-down chains such as Cheddar's, Logan's Roadhouse, etc.). There are some options in the Fayetteville/Oak Hill area (Shoney's and Bob Evans). And there are a couple of well-recommended local establishments in Fayetteville, Pies & Pints (a regional pizza chain that also has a location in Lexington, Ky.) and under the same ownership, an eclectic sandwich shop called Secret Sandwich Society. Be thinking about where you might want to eat lunch. Keep in mind that it's a 30-mile drive from the visitors center to where we'll gather for the Beckley-area part of the tour in the afternoon, and it typically takes about 30 minutes to drive under normal traffic.

(As for me, I will probably get MTO at one of the area Sheetz locations.)

I'll go ahead and start taking RSVPs since it looks like April 1 is going to be the date.

Note your attendance by emailing hbelkins (at) gmail.com.

Once the vote closes, I'll do a public Facebook event as well.

I will be declining on the basis of baseball, but also, I will be seeing this area in a couple weeks anyway.

I do have a question though. How car accessible is CH 82?>

Quote from: Roadgeek Adam on February 24, 2017, 02:00:45 AM
I do have a question though. How car accessible is CH 82?>

Very.  It's a paved road.

Quote from: Rothman on February 24, 2017, 07:56:31 AM

Quote from: Roadgeek Adam on February 24, 2017, 02:00:45 AM
I do have a question though. How car accessible is CH 82?>

Very.  It's a paved road.

Yes indeed, although the uphill side has a few potholes. I've driven it twice and have seen small cars, pickup trucks, SUVs and just about every other flavor of passenger vehicle on it.

The date is officially set for Saturday, April 1 at 10 a.m. We will meet initially at the Canyon Rim Visitors Center.

Facebook meet page is up at https://www.facebook.com/events/1578391525521708/

If you're on Facebook, please share the event or invite others you think might be interested. It's a public event and anyone can view it. I sent invitations to a few roadgeek friends who live in the general area but I'm sure I left a few out (no offense intended if I did.)

If you indicate you're attending on that page, I will accept that as an RSVP. Otherwise, please RSVP by emailing hbelkins@gmail.com. Since there's no formal lunch, I really won't need a head count nor will I need to set a hard and fast RSVP deadline, but it would be nice to know who's coming and how many to expect to gather at the visitors center that morning so we don't take the group photo without anyone.

I'll have a meet itinerary in a few days. I'll try to post it on the Facebook meet page and will also post it on the Millennium Highway website and will share the link here. I'm not doing a meet webpage like I have done for past meets I've hosted.

By the way, considering I'm using US 19 and having to go through speed trap towns, where are the ones that are likely to pull me over? I've been able to pinpoint some using GMaps and how they show town boundaries, but I'm bound to miss one.

In order from north to south:
Summersville, Fayetteville, Oak Hill, Mount Hope, Bradley, Beckley.

I ended at Beckley because that's where I'll be clinching Corridor L. I got two corridors done with this meet, nice!

QuoteBy the way, considering I'm using US 19 and having to go through speed trap towns, where are the ones that are likely to pull me over?

As long as your father slows down for speed zones, I don't see where the problem would be.

Quote from: noelbotevera on February 26, 2017, 01:11:10 PM
By the way, considering I'm using US 19 and having to go through speed trap towns, where are the ones that are likely to pull me over? I've been able to pinpoint some using GMaps and how they show town boundaries, but I'm bound to miss one.

In order from north to south:
Summersville, Fayetteville, Oak Hill, Mount Hope, Bradley, Beckley.

I ended at Beckley because that's where I'll be clinching Corridor L. I got two corridors done with this meet, nice!

After leaving the 55 mph zone near Oak Hill, US 19 is 65 mph all the way to the turnpike. There's a traffic light at the access to Glen Jean and Thurmond, but no issues other than that.

Wait, no formal meet lunch or post meet dinner? Any special reason?


iPhone

Quote from: Laura on February 26, 2017, 10:39:24 PM
Wait, no formal meet lunch or post meet dinner? Any special reason?


iPhone

Because this is about roads, not people. Who goes to roadmeets for people? Then they'd be called peoplemeets.

Quote from: Alps on February 27, 2017, 12:11:13 AM

Quote from: Laura on February 26, 2017, 10:39:24 PM
Wait, no formal meet lunch or post meet dinner? Any special reason?


iPhone

Because this is about roads, not people. Who goes to roadmeets for people? Then they'd be called peoplemeets.

I am pretty sure that HB is not stopping anyone from having a post-meet dinner in Beckley afterwards. :-o  He just will not be organizing it.

Also Steve, I think the term peoplemeets could be used for any gathering of people.   :-D

"Peoplemeets" sounds like a more polite version of the term "sausage fest."  :-o

Heh.  I ducked out of the tour for the last meet I attended.

Very accessible. It's asphalt and is one-lane one-way (for the most part).

Quote from: Laura on February 26, 2017, 10:39:24 PM
Wait, no formal meet lunch or post meet dinner? Any special reason?


iPhone

The tour down into the gorge is designed to be an at-your-own-pace tour. There are several stopping points, but everyone may not want to stop at every possible place. Some people may want to stop at every pull-out, others may want to just hit the highlights, others may not want to stop anywhere and just drive Fayette Station Road. That's why I set it up as lunch on your own. Whenever you finish up with Fayette Station Road, you can eat wherever you wish, on your own or in small groups, before reconvening in Beckley for the construction part of the tour.

As for after-meet gatherings, I've never really been a fan of them. I'm usually departing the meet locale for some pre-planned destination once the tour is over. If those who attend want to go to dinner together once the afternoon tour is over, they're free to set something up.

The western Kentucky/I-69 meet I'm thinking about doing later this year will probably include the traditional lunch prior to the tour. This meet lends itself better to a "no formal lunch" format due to the logistics.

Putting this out there ... I was scheduled to attend a training class on Wednesday, but it was cancelled due to the forecasted severe weather since it was a Kentucky Emergency Management-sponsored class. (At least I may be getting an expenses-paid trip and an overnight stay in northern Kentucky out of the deal since the class got postponed after I checked into my motel room).

The class has not yet been rescheduled. If the organizers choose March 31 as the date for this class, I will have to reschedule the meet. March 25 will be the alternate date if this happens.

How likely is it that they would pick that date?  I already booked my hotels; while I did make sure to get free cancellation and I could PROBABLY swing the earlier date in theory (though I'd have to move one of my overnights, and I'm not sure how comfortable I am with trying to rush to pack everything and leave directly from a work presentation in Syracuse), I'm not sure about how easy it would be to reschedule those closer to the date (I think I claimed the last room at one, or at least the last non-smoking, cheapest rate room).

Quote from: vdeane on March 03, 2017, 12:43:54 PM
How likely is it that they would pick that date?  I already booked my hotels; while I did make sure to get free cancellation and I could PROBABLY swing the earlier date in theory (though I'd have to move one of my overnights, and I'm not sure how comfortable I am with trying to rush to pack everything and leave directly from a work presentation in Syracuse), I'm not sure about how easy it would be to reschedule those closer to the date (I think I claimed the last room at one, or at least the last non-smoking, cheapest rate room).

Given my luck, probably very likely.  :-D

Seriously, I don't know.

Did you book in Beckley? If so, where? My intent is to take Friday off to do some clinching in West Virginia, so I expect to stay Thursday night in Parkersburg, Friday night in Beckley and then Saturday night somewhere else, either the Princeton/Bluefield area, Charleston or Huntington.

Well I have to wait until the class make-up date is finalized at this point.  I cannot do March 25th whatsoever.

Quote from: hbelkins on March 03, 2017, 04:27:49 PM

Quote from: vdeane on March 03, 2017, 12:43:54 PM
How likely is it that they would pick that date?  I already booked my hotels; while I did make sure to get free cancellation and I could PROBABLY swing the earlier date in theory (though I'd have to move one of my overnights, and I'm not sure how comfortable I am with trying to rush to pack everything and leave directly from a work presentation in Syracuse), I'm not sure about how easy it would be to reschedule those closer to the date (I think I claimed the last room at one, or at least the last non-smoking, cheapest rate room).

Given my luck, probably very likely.  :-D

Seriously, I don't know.

Did you book in Beckley? If so, where? My intent is to take Friday off to do some clinching in West Virginia, so I expect to stay Thursday night in Parkersburg, Friday night in Beckley and then Saturday night somewhere else, either the Princeton/Bluefield area, Charleston or Huntington.

Friday and Saturday I'm staying at the Microtel on US 19 in Beckley.  Thursday is in Hancock, MD and Sunday is in one of Baltimore's eastern suburbs.  In addition to exploring West Virginia and the Maryland panhandle, I intend to fill in some clinches in Pennsylvania and along the northeast corridor.

Hopefully we'll find out soon.  My luck tends to be decent with respect to things I care a lot about (it's terrible with everyday niceties though), but not always, so we'll see.

I'm gonna book a room in Summersville soon. Let's hope the rooms haven't run dry...

Quote from: vdeane on March 03, 2017, 08:45:07 PM
Friday and Saturday I'm staying at the Microtel on US 19 in Beckley.

Excellent choice. I have stayed there on at least three separate occasions and it's a nice facility. Very bright and clean. Plenty of dining a couple of miles north of there.

Quote from: noelbotevera on March 03, 2017, 09:46:29 PM
I'm gonna book a room in Summersville soon. Let's hope the rooms haven't run dry...

I don't know why they would. I don't know of anything going on in the area that weekend to cause a run on motel rooms.

Any idea when you might find out when the training is rescheduled for?

Quote from: vdeane on March 07, 2017, 12:32:40 PM
Any idea when you might find out when the training is rescheduled for?

Found out yesterday. It's May 3. So it will not conflict with the meet.

Glad I didn't have it scheduled for this weekend. They're predicting a big snow for that part of West Virginia.

I should get the itinerary up by the end of the week.

Sorry I keep asking questions (I tend to do so a lot), but I'm wondering how to clinch CR 82. Google says it ends at WV 16 in Fayetteville, uses Keller Avenue, turns left onto Fayette Station Road (and intersects US 19 before the arch bridge), and follows Fayette Station Road up until its end at CR 5.

The WV county maps are HORRIBLY unclear, so that's why I used Google.

Quote from: noelbotevera on March 07, 2017, 09:35:13 PM
Sorry I keep asking questions (I tend to do so a lot), but I'm wondering how to clinch CR 82. Google says it ends at WV 16 in Fayetteville, uses Keller Avenue, turns left onto Fayette Station Road (and intersects US 19 before the arch bridge), and follows Fayette Station Road up until its end at CR 5.

The WV county maps are HORRIBLY unclear, so that's why I used Google.

It doesn't end at CR 5. Our tour route will use CR 5 from US 19, then turn right onto the Fayette Station portion of CR 82. CR 5 ends there; you can either turn right onto CR 82 (Fayette Station) or continue straight onto CR 82 (Lansing-Edmond Road).

Quote from: hbelkins on March 07, 2017, 08:23:02 PM

Quote from: vdeane on March 07, 2017, 12:32:40 PM
Any idea when you might find out when the training is rescheduled for?

Found out yesterday. It's May 3. So it will not conflict with the meet.

Glad I didn't have it scheduled for this weekend. They're predicting a big snow for that part of West Virginia.

I should get the itinerary up by the end of the week.

Awesome!  This is definitely a trip I'm looking forward to.

Preliminary meet itinerary is up at http://www.millenniumhwy.net/2017NewRiverGorgeMeetItinerary.pdf

Also posted this on Facebook but currently 99% likely that I will be going. Current plan is to leave Columbus early Saturday morning then spend the night somewhere in WV Saturday night before clinching some WV routes and counties Sunday on the way back. I have not seen the gorge area before and haven't driven through Beckley on the WV Turnpike in 12 years, so I am looking forward to seeing this area in more detail and getting some updated pictures.

Quote from: hbelkins on March 08, 2017, 11:10:48 AM

Quote from: noelbotevera on March 07, 2017, 09:35:13 PM
Sorry I keep asking questions (I tend to do so a lot), but I'm wondering how to clinch CR 82. Google says it ends at WV 16 in Fayetteville, uses Keller Avenue, turns left onto Fayette Station Road (and intersects US 19 before the arch bridge), and follows Fayette Station Road up until its end at CR 5.

The WV county maps are HORRIBLY unclear, so that's why I used Google.

It doesn't end at CR 5. Our tour route will use CR 5 from US 19, then turn right onto the Fayette Station portion of CR 82. CR 5 ends there; you can either turn right onto CR 82 (Fayette Station) or continue straight onto CR 82 (Lansing-Edmond Road).

Wow, CR 82 is longer than I thought. I actually thought CR 82 was just Fayette Station and that's it.

Quote from: noelbotevera on March 08, 2017, 03:32:31 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on March 08, 2017, 11:10:48 AM

Quote from: noelbotevera on March 07, 2017, 09:35:13 PM
Sorry I keep asking questions (I tend to do so a lot), but I'm wondering how to clinch CR 82. Google says it ends at WV 16 in Fayetteville, uses Keller Avenue, turns left onto Fayette Station Road (and intersects US 19 before the arch bridge), and follows Fayette Station Road up until its end at CR 5.

The WV county maps are HORRIBLY unclear, so that's why I used Google.

It doesn't end at CR 5. Our tour route will use CR 5 from US 19, then turn right onto the Fayette Station portion of CR 82. CR 5 ends there; you can either turn right onto CR 82 (Fayette Station) or continue straight onto CR 82 (Lansing-Edmond Road).

Wow, CR 82 is longer than I thought. I actually thought CR 82 was just Fayette Station and that's it.

As we were discussing in another thread somewhere, there's really no rhyme or reasoning to the numbering of WV county roads. You can be traveling on a "whole number" route and then it will turn off to dead-end up some holler somewhere, and the through route will continue as a "fractional" route.

Quote from: hbelkins on March 08, 2017, 02:12:04 PM
Preliminary meet itinerary is up at http://www.millenniumhwy.net/2017NewRiverGorgeMeetItinerary.pdf

Huh. Seems pretty simple. By the way, any updates? I'm just wondering, as there's three weeks until the meet.

Quote from: noelbotevera on March 11, 2017, 10:48:19 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on March 08, 2017, 02:12:04 PM
Preliminary meet itinerary is up at http://www.millenniumhwy.net/2017NewRiverGorgeMeetItinerary.pdf

Huh. Seems pretty simple. By the way, any updates? I'm just wondering, as there's three weeks until the meet.

No updates. Only thing that might change is the time. I might push the start back to 10:30 instead of 10 a.m.

As we get closer, I'll try to get a better handle on who's going to be there. Right now I only have a couple or so of RSVPs on the Facebook page and one that was sent by private email. I'm guessing this will be a rather small meet.

I am almost certain that I am coming.  I just need to finalize my route plan and room stuff  (which I may have plenty of time to do Tuesday with the impending snowstorm).

Quote from: noelbotevera on March 08, 2017, 03:32:31 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on March 08, 2017, 11:10:48 AM

Quote from: noelbotevera on March 07, 2017, 09:35:13 PM
Sorry I keep asking questions (I tend to do so a lot), but I'm wondering how to clinch CR 82. Google says it ends at WV 16 in Fayetteville, uses Keller Avenue, turns left onto Fayette Station Road (and intersects US 19 before the arch bridge), and follows Fayette Station Road up until its end at CR 5.

The WV county maps are HORRIBLY unclear, so that's why I used Google.

It doesn't end at CR 5. Our tour route will use CR 5 from US 19, then turn right onto the Fayette Station portion of CR 82. CR 5 ends there; you can either turn right onto CR 82 (Fayette Station) or continue straight onto CR 82 (Lansing-Edmond Road).

Wow, CR 82 is longer than I thought. I actually thought CR 82 was just Fayette Station and that's it.

CR 82 runs from WV 16 in Fayetteville to US 60 near Winona. It was previously WV 82, which is why the route number turns several times onto different roads.

About 10 days have passed, and 13 more to go. Not sure if anything's changed, but I'm set on going.

Quote from: noelbotevera on March 19, 2017, 12:24:30 AM
About 10 days have passed, and 13 more to go. Not sure if anything's changed, but I'm set on going.

Still no changes. As stated previously, the only possible change that can be foreseen at this point is pushing the start time back to 10:30 instead of 10. That decision won't be made until next Monday and depends whether or not UK is in the NCAA Final Four. If Kentucky plays and is in the late game on that Saturday night, pushing back until 10:30 is a possibility.

Steph and I are out, I have to work some O.T. that weekend then head to Pittsburgh a few days later. Hope you guys have fun, it is a beautiful part of West Virginia  :nod:

Update ... well, there isn't really much of an update.

So far, I have the following attending: the Curley family, Alex and his father, Eric Stuve, Mark Moore, Rob Sargent, Daniel Westfall, Valerie Deane, Mike Tantillo and John Verrier. Corey Dukes has to work so he won't be able to make it. Any other takers out there?

Also, someone please bring a tripod and be prepared to take the group photos. I've never used the self-timer function of my camera before so I don't trust it.

Adding +2 here. My mom and older brother are coming along to the meet (because of sudden last minute decisions). Which, also disqualifies our car for carpooling (it can fit five (three back seats) but someone has to sit in the middle. I'm pretty sure a lot of people know that feeling of being in the middle). They may or may not be in the photo.

My dad also has his leave approved for April 1st (works night shift, so this is really night of 3/31 to morning of 4/1). So there's 2 families coming along to account for. 8 days remain, and it's all smooth cruising from here.

Carpooling will only be a factor for the afternoon part of the tour. I wouldn't be surprised if everyone who attends decides to drive down into the gorge just to set their own itineraries for stops. That's why I set it up as self-guiding. People can do the morning tour down CR 82 at their own pace, stopping where they want for pictures.

I won't be able to take anyone with me on either leg of the meet. My vehicle stays full of stuff and all the other seats will have items in them so there's no room for any passengers.

Speaking of hotels, has anyone ever been to the Super 8 in Summersville? I've heard Super 8s tend to be hit and miss, but I'm uncertain about this one. I've read TripAdvisor and it's generally average. Just want to know people's opinion here.

Quote from: hbelkins on February 27, 2017, 09:44:13 AM

Quote from: Laura on February 26, 2017, 10:39:24 PM
Wait, no formal meet lunch or post meet dinner? Any special reason?


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The tour down into the gorge is designed to be an at-your-own-pace tour. There are several stopping points, but everyone may not want to stop at every possible place. Some people may want to stop at every pull-out, others may want to just hit the highlights, others may not want to stop anywhere and just drive Fayette Station Road. That's why I set it up as lunch on your own. Whenever you finish up with Fayette Station Road, you can eat wherever you wish, on your own or in small groups, before reconvening in Beckley for the construction part of the tour.

As for after-meet gatherings, I've never really been a fan of them. I'm usually departing the meet locale for some pre-planned destination once the tour is over. If those who attend want to go to dinner together once the afternoon tour is over, they're free to set something up.

The western Kentucky/I-69 meet I'm thinking about doing later this year will probably include the traditional lunch prior to the tour. This meet lends itself better to a "no formal lunch" format due to the logistics.

Ahh, gotcha. Makes sense.

husband and I will be coming!!!

Just booked my hotel reservation.  I'm coming!

Well, subtract one, my mom isn't coming.

Posted from the Facebook Event for HB:

"For those of you coming from a distance, what is the latest I can cancel this meet and reschedule it? I've had a flare-up of sciatia and I don't know if I will be able to come. I've been confined to a recliner and not able to stand or walk without suffering excruciating pain."

Please see the Facebook Event for more info.  Some of us will probably just meet up down there anyway.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1578391525521708/permalink/1615171491843711/?notif_t=event_mall_reply&notif_id=1490751721518995

Per HB on the Facebook event page, the meet has been postponed to Saturday, April 8.

I'm still planning on driving down to WV this Saturday and know several others are as well, but I will likely leave Columbus a little later Saturday morning and explore the areas on my own as part of a larger multi-day trip I had planned on taking.

This is not good....

My dad DID reserve leave on April 8th, BUT the Super 8 we reserved did not allow cancellation. Now, it is much more convenient that is the 8th, but we do have to pay $135. I was unable to tell my dad in advance because of how sudden this was.

I'm also not even sure if his leave is approved for April 8th, as he did it 2-3 weeks before that date. He has a good chance (over 60-70%), but there's still that chance of his leave being denied.

The good that comes from this is that I'm not rushed to get down to West Virginia after having to go to Dulles (family issues), but my dad isn't happy about this. I'll PROBABLY go down anyway, but I'm not certain.

Hope HB gets better.

Hope HB gets better, it is a shame this got postponed for you guys, I was on the fence on this too up until a couple weeks ago, I will be thinking of you guys that Saturday while I am 3 hours north in Pittsburgh selling toy cars

It sounds like the best way to handle things at this point, since quite a few people have committed to hotel reservations and/or time off surrounding this weekend, is to simply have the meet go on without its intended host - have one of the attendees take over as lead and have H.B. forward the tour notes along to said person. There is precedent for this, it happened with the Ottawa meet in 2012.

While I am not attending this meet, if I had been planning on doing so I would be completely unable to reschedule my trip at this point and would still be driving to West Virginia this weekend. I imagine quite a few of the attendees are in a similar situation. Attempting to reschedule the meet is going to result in only a few people showing up while everyone else either still gathers this weekend or attends neither.

I'm back...

I had an intense flareup of pain in my right hip and leg, so severe that i could not get up and go to work Monday, Tuesday or today. I went to the hospital today and was diagnosed with piriformis syndrome. The piriformis is the big muscle that surrounds the sciatic nerve and causes symptoms similar to sciatia.

I was given a few days' supply of pain and anti-inflammatory medicine, but there's no way I will be able to make it on Saturday. Therefore, I am officially rescheduling the meet for Saturday, April 8, using the same agenda previously presented.

I know some of you can't change your travel plans and are planning on going this weekend despite my absence. That's perfectly understandable. If I need to tweak the meet notes for your benefit, please let me know.

I will be there next Saturday, the 8th, in case anyone wants to postpone their trip a week and come on the official meet date. No hard feelings for those of you who need to come this weekend because of prior arrangements.

Please just let me know who is going to be there this weekend and who plans to come next weekend when I will be there.

I hope none of you ever come down with piriformis syndrome or sciatica. It's the most painful thing I've ever dealt with. I was unable to get up out of my recliner without suffering agonizing pain. i'm just hoping that the pain subsides enough for me to go to work Thursday and Friday, and to be able to head to WV next week/weekend as previously planned.

Again, just sound off on who's going to the cancelled meet and who's coming to the rescheduled meet.

My apologies to all, but this was something that was totally unavoidable. I have no idea what caused the piriformis syndrome to pay a visit to me.

Quote from: Duke87 on March 29, 2017, 06:29:40 PM
It sounds like the best way to handle things at this point, since quite a few people have committed to hotel reservations and/or time off surrounding this weekend, is to simply have the meet go on without its intended host - have one of the attendees take over as lead and have H.B. forward the tour notes along to said person. There is precedent for this, it happened with the Ottawa meet in 2012.

While I am not attending this meet, if I had been planning on doing so I would be completely unable to reschedule my trip at this point and would still be driving to West Virginia this weekend. I imagine quite a few of the attendees are in a similar situation. Attempting to reschedule the meet is going to result in only a few people showing up while everyone else either still gathers this weekend or attends neither.

Basically, you are right in that is what is happening.  I will be there this weekend as I have implied in the Facebook Event, but I had also made plans to sneak by Blacksburg Sunday and after events in my life last weekend I could not let myself postpone that portion of my trip.

I'm one of the few that decided to change. Reason for that was because April 1st would conflict with having to go to Dulles Airport to drop off my mom. If the meet doesn't happen, I'm still heading down anyways.

I am still planning on going to WV this weekend, as I am not able to go next weekend, but am still figuring out my schedule as this is the first part of what will hopefully be a multi-day trip through VA, MD, and PA. I may or may not be at any of the "cancelled" meet, that is still TBD.

Can I get a count of who's going tomorrow anyway,and who will be there next weekend when (hopefully) I will be recovered enough to be there?

Even if I abandoned my plan of doing some route clinching and came directly to the meet tomorrow, my leg is telling me that's not going to happen. I'm in hopes of getting a painkiller stronger than hydrocodone to knock this thing out.

CP, David, Husband, and I are coming tomorrow (4/1). We will miss you HB! Rest up and feel better soon. Piriformis syndrome sucks. I go to Pelvic floor physical therapy for it, actually, and have learned to completely change the way I sit and walk. Also learned some really cool exercises for it sitting, standing, and against the wall. But take care and don't over push yourself.

I gather from the facebook event that it's the 4 of us plus Valerie, Josh, Mark, and Chris. Anyone I'm missing?


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Hate to do this, but I'm going to have to pull the plug on the meet for this weekend. I went to the doctor today and got two shots and three oral medications, but I don't see this clearing up in time for me to be able to stand the drive to West Virginia. Plus, I have to go in for an x-ray Tuesday and the results of that will determine whether I need further examination, such as an MRI.

Watch this space and the Facebook page for any future announcements about the meet, and if anyone wants to go this weekend and use the posted itinerary (as some of you did last weekend), feel free.

I've seen a few pictures of the meet, but not very many, and no accounts or recaps of the meet itself. Would love to see how everyone enjoyed (if they did) the meet.

Quote from: hbelkins on April 03, 2017, 10:24:10 PM
Hate to do this, but I'm going to have to pull the plug on the meet for this weekend. I went to the doctor today and got two shots and three oral medications, but I don't see this clearing up in time for me to be able to stand the drive to West Virginia.

Your health comes first.  Wouldn't want to go on a meet where the meet host couldn't be there to provide information and insight on the roads involved.  As I said on the FB page, I'm not available this Saturday anyway -- the high school robotics team I mentor for made it to District Championships, which means I'll be driving down to Richmond tomorrow and driving back home very late on Saturday night.  If they do well there, it could mean I get to plan a drive to St. Louis for the World Championships, so I may hit you up for some suggestions for stops in Kentucky, HB.  Last time I went to Worlds (in 2015), it was the very first time I had ever driven through or even been to Kentucky, and before I was active on this site.  Maybe this time, I'll plan better, and actually have time to tour a bourbon distillery instead of just visiting their gift shop.  I could also do the northern route through Ohio as I've never been on that part of I-70, but I'm guessing there's not much to see that way.

Anyway, I'm rambling off the topic.  Go rest and recuperate and listen to your doctor, and let us know when the meet can happen.

My apologies again for this meet falling through. For those of you who are not my friends on Facebook, I ended up in the hospital and at one point my wife was told not to expect me to live. Long story short: Don't take prescription strength ibuprofen, even if prescribed, if you are taking metformin or have kidney issues that cause your creatinine levels to run high. I was in renal failure, but to the chagrin of some, I lived.  :bigass:

I hope everyone who decided to go anyway had a good time. I've seen a few photos; I'd love to see some recaps of your trips.

I had a near death experience at Sandstone Falls (really Brooks Falls, but I just call it Sandstone).

My dad and were shooting pictures of the falls (basically - short whitewater rapids and a five to ten foot drop). We decided to get closer, thanks to some rocks that got close to river level and were the riverbank itself. I decided to try to take a photo of me dipping my hand in the water (prove that I was in one of the oldest rivers in the world, cause bragging rights). I was on a rock that was half "wet", and I spotted a point on the rock that, if I kneeled, I could dip my hand into the water there. It was much closer to the river than where I was standing.

The issue was that it was in the wet area. I assumed it was just water, and that I wouldn't slip. I tried walking over to the point, and upon entering the wet area, I almost fell to my feet. Luckily, my phone (which I was using as a camera) was in my pocket, and didn't fall out. Had I slipped, I would've either cracked my head on the rock, or fell into the whitewater rapids and get pummeled by the rocks in the falls. I also would've probably lost my phone. Luckily, I didn't, and told my dad that there was a slippery part of rock. My dad told me that it was algae that was near invisible to the eye, and not to stand there.

Lesson learned, so I tried another spot that was dry. I never took the picture, since my dad wanted me to pose in a photo.

Glad you are well, HB!

Quote from: hbelkins on April 22, 2017, 02:17:22 PM
My apologies again for this meet falling through. For those of you who are not my friends on Facebook, I ended up in the hospital and at one point my wife was told not to expect me to live. Long story short: Don't take prescription strength ibuprofen, even if prescribed, if you are taking metformin or have kidney issues that cause your creatinine levels to run high. I was in renal failure, but to the chagrin of some, I lived.  :bigass:

I hope everyone who decided to go anyway had a good time. I've seen a few photos; I'd love to see some recaps of your trips.

Holy cow, HB. I'm glad you are doing a lot better but still. We have years of your wisdom and wisecracks left :)

Quote from: seicer on May 08, 2017, 11:29:54 AM

Quote from: hbelkins on April 22, 2017, 02:17:22 PM
My apologies again for this meet falling through. For those of you who are not my friends on Facebook, I ended up in the hospital and at one point my wife was told not to expect me to live. Long story short: Don't take prescription strength ibuprofen, even if prescribed, if you are taking metformin or have kidney issues that cause your creatinine levels to run high. I was in renal failure, but to the chagrin of some, I lived.  :bigass:

I hope everyone who decided to go anyway had a good time. I've seen a few photos; I'd love to see some recaps of your trips.

Holy cow, HB. I'm glad you are doing a lot better but still. We have years of your wisdom and wisecracks left :)

No, "Right".