AARoads Forum

Never too early to start thinking about them.  :sombrero:

-Central Susquehanna Valley (PA) (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=20281.0) - April 21
-Fairbanks/Dalton Highway (AK) (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=18996.0) - Meet on May 29, Dalton Drive is May 30-31
-Louisiana (Shreveport) (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=21343.0) - March 17
-Aurora-Naperville, Illinois (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=21951.0) - May 19
-Southwest Missouri (Springfield) (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=22451.0) - July 6
-NE Ohio (Ashtabula/Mentor/Cleveland (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=22188.0) - Sept 29
-Catskills/Kingston (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=22484.msg2313510#new) - Oct 27
-Hoosier Heartland (Laffayette) (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=23371.0)  - Nov 10
Updating the OP with the list of proposed/planned meets --sso

I'd like to see the La Crosse/Winona bridge meet happen. I'll let SSO take first dibs since it's his baby but I'll gladly step in if you don't want to.

I had an idea though for that one which I hadn't discussed yet which was making it a two-day with a day for Rochester material. I suppose that can also be post-meet if we don't feel there's enough but I have a few things in mind.

Quote from: Brandon on September 21, 2017, 03:30:05 PM
Never too early to start thinking about them.  :sombrero:

I'm glad someone started this thread. :)

Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on September 22, 2017, 12:31:56 AM
I'd like to see the La Crosse/Winona bridge meet happen. I'll let SSO take first dibs since it's his baby but I'll gladly step in if you don't want to.

I had an idea though for that one which I hadn't discussed yet which was making it a two-day with a day for Rochester material. I suppose that can also be post-meet if we don't feel there's enough but I have a few things in mind.

When Scott first shared his idea about a La Crosse meet, I was very interested - and I still am. I actually have a friend who is in Rochester doing a seminary internship until next August. If this meet happens before next August, I could potentially include a visit with him. :)

Since I didn't get to make it to the Twin Cities meet, I'd be interested in anything in the general area of Minnesota/western Wisconsin. I could get my extended trip to visit North Dakota in during that trip.

I'm getting burned out on travel to the northeast, but I'm hoping to make it to Jason's Central Susquehanna Valley meet

Other areas for which I'd like to see meets are the south/southeast. Health issues precluded my attendance at the Mississippi meet back in the spring, unfortunately. I'd be very interested in anything in Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia or northern Florida. The midwest is also in large part unexplored territory for me so I'd be game for something in Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska or the Dakotas.

North Carolina used to be the meet capital of the Northern Hemisphere, and there is probably enough going on there that if someone wanted to host something, they could come up with an interesting tour. I recently drove US 52 through Winston-Salem and it looked like there was quite a bit happening there.

I will probably do something small focused on the Portsmouth, Ohio bypass project. I scouted it earlier this year but opted instead to do a western Kentucky meet. That would most likely be in late winter/early spring before they get too much farther along on the project. Preliminary plans are to eat at Fat Patty's in Ashland (again), drive the new Ironton-Russell bridge, then go up to Portsmouth and check out the bypass construction at two or three different spots.

This may be the year for Fairbanks/Dalton Hwy.

Quote from: Alps on September 22, 2017, 07:02:47 PM
This may be the year for Fairbanks/Dalton Hwy.

As far as I'm concerned, it is. Even if the only attendees are me and my better half. We're going to Alaska with or without anyone else.

Quote from: Duke87 on September 22, 2017, 07:26:54 PM

Quote from: Alps on September 22, 2017, 07:02:47 PM
This may be the year for Fairbanks/Dalton Hwy.

As far as I'm concerned, it is. Even if the only attendees are me and my better half. We're going to Alaska with or without anyone else.

So am I.








after 2020.

Quote from: hbelkins on September 22, 2017, 11:21:31 AM
I'd be very interested in anything in Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia or northern Florida. The midwest is also in large part unexplored territory for me so I'd be game for something in Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska or the Dakotas.

I am very interested in many of these areas as well. I recall a year or two ago someone (maybe David Backlin?) talked about hosting a NW Arkansas meet. I was hoping that would come to fruition. Arkansas is a state I've barely spent any time in, so if I have a reason to go there, I'd be happy. I also have a strong interest in exploring more of Louisiana, Georgia (Atlanta meet anyone?), Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, and the Dakotas. A few weeks ago when my husband and I were passing through Fargo on our vacation out west, I was telling him how I'd love for someone to host a meet in Fargo or Grand Forks. Heck... any city in North Dakota would be awesome. Sioux Falls SD would be cool too.

Quote from: hbelkins on September 22, 2017, 11:21:31 AM
North Carolina used to be the meet capital of the Northern Hemisphere, and there is probably enough going on there that if someone wanted to host something, they could come up with an interesting tour.

That must have been a long time ago. I started attending meets in 2004 and don't really recall hearing about many North Carolina meets since then... unless they were announced on forums that I wasn't using. However, it's possible that I heard about North Carolina meets but I was at a point in my life financially where it would have been next to impossible for me to go to one.

Quote from: hbelkins on September 22, 2017, 11:21:31 AM
I will probably do something small focused on the Portsmouth, Ohio bypass project.

I'm definitely still interested in this one!

Quote from: Alps on September 22, 2017, 07:02:47 PM
This may be the year for Fairbanks/Dalton Hwy.

Another option, which could possibly be combined with Fairbanks/Dalton Hwy. (might be a stretch, though), is whatever celebrations are planned next summer for the extension of the Dempster Highway to Tuktoyaktuk NT. (This in addition to the official ceremonies when the highway opens this November -- not exactly tourist-friendly timing, thus the post-opening summer 2018 events.)

I might actually go there next summer, if I can fly up to Inuvik and rent something at a non-ridiculous price to drive the rest of the way to Tuktoyaktuk.

I'm considering trying to host a Louisiana meet in 2018. Stay tuned. Hopefully work will not mess me up like it did last time.

Quote from: oscar on September 23, 2017, 09:31:31 PM
Another option, which could possibly be combined with Fairbanks/Dalton Hwy. (might be a stretch, though), is whatever celebrations are planned next summer for the extension of the Dempster Highway to Tuktoyaktuk NT. (This in addition to the official ceremonies when the highway opens this November -- not exactly tourist-friendly timing, thus the post-opening summer 2018 events.)

I might actually go there next summer, if I can fly up to Inuvik and rent something at a non-ridiculous price to drive the rest of the way to Tuktoyaktuk.

I don't think a trip upon that highway is at all road-meet friendly. I mean, I'd love to, but it'd be quite an expensive affair.

Has anyone considered one recently for the Pacific Soutbwest region.  I would have thought I-580 would have drawn some interest or some of these mudslide repair projects. 

Quote from: MNHighwayMan on September 30, 2017, 12:46:57 PM

Quote from: oscar on September 23, 2017, 09:31:31 PM
Another option, which could possibly be combined with Fairbanks/Dalton Hwy. (might be a stretch, though), is whatever celebrations are planned next summer for the extension of the Dempster Highway to Tuktoyaktuk NT. (This in addition to the official ceremonies when the highway opens this November -- not exactly tourist-friendly timing, thus the post-opening summer 2018 events.)

I might actually go there next summer, if I can fly up to Inuvik and rent something at a non-ridiculous price to drive the rest of the way to Tuktoyaktuk.

I don't think a trip upon that highway is at all road-meet friendly. I mean, I'd love to, but it'd be quite an expensive affair.

It's more of a "a few of us want to do it and we're inviting anyone else who wants to join." The meet would actually be a Fairbanks meet, not that that's much cheaper.

Depending on how the situation with our twins are doing next year, I may host a Huntsville, AL Road Meet. I need to figure out the format. I have considered a new scavenger hunt type format to try something new, but I may also do a typical road meet setup. Haven't made up my mind yet.

I'll probably host something.  I've been thinking for the last couple of years that a Pocono/Lehigh Valley Road Meet could be fun.  I could also do another Long Island meet, since I'll probably be living out there by that point, perhaps something out in Hampton Bays or one of the other towns in the area covering some of the stuff that was too far east to be included in the 2015 meet.

As you all probably know by now I will be putting on a road meet focusing on the Central Susquehanna Valley Expressway Project in spring 2018. I will have the dates up for voting around mid December, I am really leaning heavily on late April for this, for one thing the chances for winter weather should be way down at that time plus I have other activities with my other hobby going on around that time. My nephew and I did some scouting last week when I was in PA and got some good pics, the construction on the new Susquehanna River bridge is coming along well with several supports constructed and lots of earth moved on both sides of the river.

As for lunch I am leaning towards Hosses Steak and sea house, they are a PA regional chain with a good salad bar and have meeting rooms that can accommodate a large group (especially if it ends up being as big as my last PA meet) Also I mentioned about the 322/144 construction, I have decided to put this on the back burner and focus on the area from Selinsgrove to maybe Williamsport, there is an old abandoned bridge in Lewisburg and a nice park up top of a scenic overlook that offers great views of the 2 Susquehanna Rivers converging at Northumberland and Sunbury with a distant view of the construction at PA 147.

Again I am open for any suggestions on any other options besides what I mentioned but the US 322 4 lane project at Potters Mills is on hold for this road meet, not a whole lot going on in that area.

I've been considering a meet in either the Catskills or Berkshires for 2018 or 2019. Catskills would be based out of Kingston or Saugerties, Berkshires out of Pittsfield or North Adams. Catskills would likely include the Rosendale trestle, Perrine's Covered Bridge, the Kingston-Port Ewen Suspension Bridge, and a ton of other more minor things throughout the eastern part of the mountains (my grandmother lived in Boiceville until she passed away, so I'm quite familiar with the area). Berkshires would mainly focus on the ancient signs in Western Massachusetts.

It will depend on where I find a job, but I intend to host a meet at some point in 2018.

I guess I'll throw my hat in the ring for a possible Iron Range meet in northeastern MN. Focuses would be the new Rouchleau Pit bridge on US 53 and the Eagle's Nest project on MN 1, among other things. There probably isn't going to be enough interest in two MN meets depending on what happens with the aforementioned La Crosse meet so I'll keep this on the backburner.

Would probably be in May before Memorial weekend if it happens.

Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on October 06, 2017, 01:47:14 AM
I guess I'll throw my hat in the ring for a possible Iron Range meet in northeastern MN. Focuses would be the new Rouchleau Pit bridge on US 53 and the Eagle's Nest project on MN 1, among other things. There probably isn't going to be enough interest in two MN meets depending on what happens with the aforementioned La Crosse meet so I'll keep this on the backburner.

Would probably be in May before Memorial weekend if it happens.

Oh, that sounds neat. But I'd attend either one, for sure.

I've got a few ideas for Arkansas, but haven't had time to put anything together.

The St. Louis meet in 2014 was the roadmeet to end all roadmeets, and it looks like it truly did end all roadmeets.

Quote from: bandit957 on October 07, 2017, 11:47:08 AM
The St. Louis meet in 2014 was the roadmeet to end all roadmeets, and it looks like it truly did end all roadmeets.

For you, maybe.

Quote from: US71 on October 07, 2017, 08:25:28 PM

Quote from: bandit957 on October 07, 2017, 11:47:08 AM
The St. Louis meet in 2014 was the roadmeet to end all roadmeets, and it looks like it truly did end all roadmeets.

For you, maybe.

Yeah, I'm having trouble figuring out that last statement as well. There have been plenty of meets since then. And from what I heard, that 2014 meet was a real cluster foxtrot, with people getting lost and going off on their own separate routes. While I've been known to head off on roadtrips without any specific routes or destinations planned and just making choices on the fly, I prefer my meets organized.

Quote from: hbelkins on October 07, 2017, 09:16:32 PM
Yeah, I'm having trouble figuring out that last statement as well. There have been plenty of meets since then. And from what I heard, that 2014 meet was a real cluster foxtrot, with people getting lost and going off on their own separate routes. While I've been known to head off on roadtrips without any specific routes or destinations planned and just making choices on the fly, I prefer my meets organized.

The 2014 St. Louis meet was GREAT! I did go to the 2015 meet in Madison WI, and it was great too! But meets really have trailed off since 2014.

Quote from: bandit957 on October 07, 2017, 11:16:17 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on October 07, 2017, 09:16:32 PM
Yeah, I'm having trouble figuring out that last statement as well. There have been plenty of meets since then. And from what I heard, that 2014 meet was a real cluster foxtrot, with people getting lost and going off on their own separate routes. While I've been known to head off on roadtrips without any specific routes or destinations planned and just making choices on the fly, I prefer my meets organized.

The 2014 St. Louis meet was GREAT! I did go to the 2015 meet in Madison WI, and it was great too! But meets really have trailed off since 2014.

In quantity or quality? 2014/15 I was not very active with my mom being ill and all the related BS.

The Front Range meet was pretty awesome. UP was also a lot of fun.

Quote from: bandit957 on October 07, 2017, 11:16:17 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on October 07, 2017, 09:16:32 PM
Yeah, I'm having trouble figuring out that last statement as well. There have been plenty of meets since then. And from what I heard, that 2014 meet was a real cluster foxtrot, with people getting lost and going off on their own separate routes. While I've been known to head off on roadtrips without any specific routes or destinations planned and just making choices on the fly, I prefer my meets organized.

The 2014 St. Louis meet was GREAT! I did go to the 2015 meet in Madison WI, and it was great too! But meets really have trailed off since 2014.

A pretty subjective opinion to say the least.  Let's just leave it at that.

Road meet quantity has skyrocket with the number of ambitious ideas for meets popping up.  However there are only so many opportunities in a year and the whole thing starts to become competitive.  We have folks both on the east coast and the Midwest initiating meets left and right that it's hard to decide what direction for the average Michigander to go (yes - they're popular at meets :bigass: ) It also presents the unfortunate side effect of too many meets that not all will succeed.  STL 2014 was very popular with both midwesterners and east-coasters and even drew certain residents of Oklahoma, Texas, and (at the time) Montana.  It was extra hilarious in that the organizer tried to fit a weekend's worth of sights into a single day combined with the growing impatience of some attendees, resulting in a fragmenting of the group and the use of a nickname tied to a certain precision F-Strike to describe the result.  Now, compare with NYC (same year).  Also very popular, but at the same time - very organized.  The host picked from a very large (even for a 2-day weekend) list of relics a small sampling and left the rest for the attendee to (and I quote) "make your own meet".  Day 1 involved the city itself and despite the risk of losing time in NYC's weekend traffic and losing cars in the maze that is NYC's grid, it went off well without a hitch.  The group I was in improvised, taking the outer lane of the 59 Street bridge (a.k.a the Queensboro) - a lane I coined "the 59 Street Sidewalk".  Both meets drew long time but dormant roadders out.  At the same time, they both attracted new blood.  Was St. Louis "the meet to end all meets?"  Ask NYC.  Roadders drop off the map for various reason.   I didn't attend any meets in three years time (between NYC and the Twin Cities) and blame work.

Quote from: bandit957 on October 07, 2017, 11:16:17 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on October 07, 2017, 09:16:32 PM
Yeah, I'm having trouble figuring out that last statement as well. There have been plenty of meets since then. And from what I heard, that 2014 meet was a real cluster foxtrot, with people getting lost and going off on their own separate routes. While I've been known to head off on roadtrips without any specific routes or destinations planned and just making choices on the fly, I prefer my meets organized.

The 2014 St. Louis meet was GREAT! I did go to the 2015 meet in Madison WI, and it was great too! But meets really have trailed off since 2014.

Sorry man, I don't agree with you there, meets are still alive and well and I am well on my way to nailing down my April 2018 meet and it looked like the Columbus meet was pretty good which I would have attended but had a toy show scheduled the same day in Knoxville, TN and Like Onson said road meet quantity has skyrocket with the number of ambitious ideas for meets popping up. I think mine is the first "official announced" road meet of 2018.

Quote from: US71 on October 07, 2017, 11:53:03 PM
In quantity or quality?

Both, at least in my part of the country.

I wanted to go to the Columbus meet, but I have no energy.

Quote from: bandit957 on October 08, 2017, 12:35:00 PM

Quote from: US71 on October 07, 2017, 11:53:03 PM
In quantity or quality?

Both, at least in my part of the country.

I wanted to go to the Columbus meet, but I have no energy.

B 12

^^ Maybe if you didn't blast it all through your bunker, you'd have some for other endeavors.

No exact date yet, but the annual Jefferson Highway Conference will be in St Joseph, MO in 2018.

Quote from: froggie on October 11, 2017, 03:27:34 PM
^^ Maybe if you didn't blast it all through your bunker, you'd have some for other endeavors.

:-D

You win the Internet today!

Has anyone done a South Hampton Roads VA road meet recently?

Recently completed and within general close proximity --
-- Elizabeth River Tunnels project, new Midtown Tunnel, rehabbed existing tunnels, MLK Freeway Extension
-- Dominion Boulevard project, freeway upgrade and high-level bridge
-- Gilmerton Bridge project, replacement with high-level lift span bridge
-- Jordan Bridge, replacement with high-level bridge

I ran one about 4-5 years ago which included construction of the first 3 (including several vantage points along Dominion Blvd) and completion of the Jordan Bridge.

Quote from: A.J. Bertin on September 22, 2017, 07:25:03 AM

Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on September 22, 2017, 12:31:56 AM
I'd like to see the La Crosse/Winona bridge meet happen. I'll let SSO take first dibs since it's his baby but I'll gladly step in if you don't want to.

I had an idea though for that one which I hadn't discussed yet which was making it a two-day with a day for Rochester material. I suppose that can also be post-meet if we don't feel there's enough but I have a few things in mind.

When Scott first shared his idea about a La Crosse meet, I was very interested - and I still am. I actually have a friend who is in Rochester doing a seminary internship until next August. If this meet happens before next August, I could potentially include a visit with him. :)

I've been toying with the idea of a family camping trip near LaCrosse and Winona next year, so this is actually a bit attractive to me as well.

Quote from: froggie on October 17, 2017, 10:40:44 AM
I ran one about 4-5 years ago which included construction of the first 3 (including several vantage points along Dominion Blvd) and completion of the Jordan Bridge.

Since you now live a long way from there, maybe I should consider leading one.  They are pretty interesting to drive on, over, under and across.

Has there been a Springfield, MO, road meet?

Quote from: froggie on October 17, 2017, 10:40:44 AM
I ran one about 4-5 years ago which included construction of the first 3 (including several vantage points along Dominion Blvd) and completion of the Jordan Bridge.

Spring 2014. Mike and Laura did one the next day in Salisbury, Md. I remember because my travel plans got messed up due to a sick pet at home. Had to leave early on Friday morning and drove all day, and made it in time to watch the Kentucky game on television Friday night. Had to depart the Sunday meet early because of the same sick pet and listened to UK take down then-undefeated Wichita State on the radio. Stayed that night in Farmville (back when that game was a big thing) and didn't get home in time before the kitty died. I had to stop at the Pikeville Walmart to get a box to bury her in.

Quote from: Beltway on October 17, 2017, 11:13:25 AM
Since you now live a long way from there, maybe I should consider leading one.  They are pretty interesting to drive on, over, under and across.

I'd sure consider attending that one. It might be my best chance to clinch US 158 on the way there. (Yes, I know US 158 doesn't enter Virginia, but I could take it all the way to the vicinity of the Outer Banks and then swing north).

Quote from: kphoger on October 17, 2017, 11:19:33 AM
Has there been a Springfield, MO, road meet?

Not that I can ever remember. If anyone was interested in doing a northwest Arkansas meet, which I've heard mentioned, this would be a great opportunity for back-to-back, Saturday-Sunday meets.

Quote from: hbelkins on October 17, 2017, 12:09:03 PM

Quote from: kphoger on October 17, 2017, 11:19:33 AM
Has there been a Springfield, MO, road meet?

Not that I can ever remember. If anyone was interested in doing a northwest Arkansas meet, which I've heard mentioned, this would be a great opportunity for back-to-back, Saturday-Sunday meets.

Could even add Craig County, Oklahoma, to that one.

Quote from: kphoger on October 17, 2017, 01:22:54 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on October 17, 2017, 12:09:03 PM

Quote from: kphoger on October 17, 2017, 11:19:33 AM
Has there been a Springfield, MO, road meet?

Not that I can ever remember. If anyone was interested in doing a northwest Arkansas meet, which I've heard mentioned, this would be a great opportunity for back-to-back, Saturday-Sunday meets.

Could even add Craig County, Oklahoma, to that one.

CouLd bE an inTeResTinG MeEt.

Quote from: kphoger on October 17, 2017, 01:22:54 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on October 17, 2017, 12:09:03 PM

Quote from: kphoger on October 17, 2017, 11:19:33 AM
Has there been a Springfield, MO, road meet?

Not that I can ever remember. If anyone was interested in doing a northwest Arkansas meet, which I've heard mentioned, this would be a great opportunity for back-to-back, Saturday-Sunday meets.

Could even add Craig County, Oklahoma, to that one.

Or, to the NW Arkansas part, Delaware County OK and the OK-MO-AR tri-point, plus snagging the completed part of AR 549/Future I-49.

I visited the tri-point, and drove the short then-completed part of AR 549, as part of an Extra Miler Club meet (Bentonville AR, in 2015?).

Out of these ideas that have been toyed around over the past couple of days or so, I would consider attending meets in South Hampton Roads VA, Springfield MO, and NW Arkansas.  :spin:

Quote from: A.J. Bertin on October 17, 2017, 09:17:25 PM
Out of these ideas that have been toyed around over the past couple of days or so, I would consider attending meets in South Hampton Roads VA, Springfield MO, and NW Arkansas.  :spin:

Springfield, you'd have to talk to "Alternate 71" , but he's not on the forum.

NWA, I'd have to think.  549, 71/49 clusterfucktraffic circle. War Eagle Mill bridge, War Eagle Creek at Hunstville., the 49/112  clusterfuck junction. Part of the 412 bypass might be open.

Quote from: hbelkins on October 17, 2017, 12:09:03 PM

Quote from: froggie on October 17, 2017, 10:40:44 AM
I ran one about 4-5 years ago which included construction of the first 3 (including several vantage points along Dominion Blvd) and completion of the Jordan Bridge.

Quote from: Beltway on October 17, 2017, 11:13:25 AM
Since you now live a long way from there, maybe I should consider leading one.  They are pretty interesting to drive on, over, under and across.

I'd sure consider attending that one. It might be my best chance to clinch US 158 on the way there. (Yes, I know US 158 doesn't enter Virginia, but I could take it all the way to the vicinity of the Outer Banks and then swing north).

South Hampton Roads VA road meet, recently completed projects
-- Elizabeth River Tunnels project, new Midtown Tunnel, rehabbed existing tunnels, MLK Freeway Extension
-- Dominion Boulevard project, freeway upgrade and high-level bridge
-- Gilmerton Bridge project, replacement with high-level lift span bridge
-- Jordan Bridge, replacement with high-level bridge

That is about 100 miles from where I live, but now that I am fully retired I certainly have the time to plan and lead such a meet.  It would start with proposing a set of possible Saturdays and soliciting feedback on what day would draw the most attendance.  Probably early 2018.

Most of the road trip would be actually driving these facilities as there are not very many vantage points to stop, but all of the bridges can be gotten under.

I have a Buick LaCrosse that can comfortably seat 5 people, and I am ok with blowing enough tolls to drive all of these highways in both directions (probably only about $12 or so total).

Springfield (MO) has at least five DDIs, plus the beautiful stack at 65/60.  And the first place I met my wife face-to-face (Greyhound station), but that's probably not tour-worthy.

To the south, Branson has another DDI, a nice view of old Taneycomo bridge while driving the new one, the weird oval-type-roundabout-thing just south of the bridges, a five-way roundabout by Skaggs, several steel truss bridges in the area (Table Rock Dam, Kimberling City, 2 at Forsyth), and I honestly think the High Road is worth driving just to appreciate the difficulty of putting four-lane highways in the Ozarks.

I wouldn't mind reprising my 2014 NE Wisconsin I-41 meet sometime next year, too.  There's been a lot of very interesting highway upgrade work around here since then.

Mike

A NW AR meet would be doable for me, a days drive from middle TN on Friday and if I have a toy show up in St Louis on Sunday of the same weekend that would work out great.

As of right now, the only meet outside the northeast I'm likely to attend this year is one that is still in the planning stages (and I'm not going to provide details/location because I'm not the organizer). I'd love to see the cool stuff going on elsewhere, but the cross country trip I'm planning in August to visit national parks and clinch I-70/I-90 won't be cheap.

That being said, the lists of potential places to visit on these meets will give me a ton of places I could stop/drive through on my long road trips next year, so keep them coming (especially if any of the sites are near I-70, I-5, or I-90.  :D

Quote from: cl94 on October 18, 2017, 01:23:53 PM
As of right now, the only meet outside the northeast I'm likely to attend this year is one that is still in the planning stages (and I'm not going to provide details/location because I'm not the organizer).

C'mon, spill the beans -- privately, if you prefer. I'm not to the point where I can attend a whole lot of meets, so I want to budget my trips judiciously to get the maximum bang for the buck (US/interstate route clinches, new counties).

Plus my brother is trying to nag me into going out west with him sometime. I'll have to save enough vacation days to drive out and back, since I don't fly, and that will impact the number of meets I can attend that will require travel on Fridays and Mondays (and possibly Thursdays as well). If all my illnesses this year hadn't eaten up all my accrued vacation time I'd be in a lot better shape.

I'm interested in attending Hampton Roads, though it seems like everything is targeting the early part of the year.  Between CSVT and my trip to Florida next May, I think it's safe to say that I'm not attending any other meet requiring a hotel stay in that timeframe.  Fall would be preferable.

Not a road meet pre-se, but the World Route 66 Festival will be in Shamrock, Texas  July 12-15

http://www.shamrock2018.com

Not at all sure if/when I'll be able to host a Cincy meet in '18 with a relocation looming to Oklahoma City. That said, I could be talked into something in the new home area once I get the lay of the land.

Will there be a St. Louis-area meet again next year?

Quote from: vdeane on October 18, 2017, 09:06:06 PM
I'm interested in attending Hampton Roads, though it seems like everything is targeting the early part of the year.  Between CSVT and my trip to Florida next May, I think it's safe to say that I'm not attending any other meet requiring a hotel stay in that timeframe.  Fall would be preferable.

Also interested in Hampton Roads.  Never been to that part of Virginia.  Could also be an excuse to clinch the CBBT.

Quote from: dgolub on November 12, 2017, 09:22:23 AM

Quote from: vdeane on October 18, 2017, 09:06:06 PM
I'm interested in attending Hampton Roads, though it seems like everything is targeting the early part of the year.  Between CSVT and my trip to Florida next May, I think it's safe to say that I'm not attending any other meet requiring a hotel stay in that timeframe.  Fall would be preferable.

Also interested in Hampton Roads.  Never been to that part of Virginia.  Could also be an excuse to clinch the CBBT.

I'm using Louisiana as an excuse to clinch the CBBT (and US 13, for that matter). That thing has somehow never made it into a family trip.

I'd use a Hampton Roads meet trip as an excuse to clinch US 360, and possibly US 501 in Virginia.

Quote from: hbelkins on November 12, 2017, 02:10:06 PM
I'd use a Hampton Roads meet trip as an excuse to clinch US 360, and possibly US 501 in Virginia.

That is at least 3 people that have expressed interest in my proposal.  I will see what I can do ... is winter generally considered infeasible?  Maybe I should propose a few dates starting in March?

I did coordinate the I-295/I-64 Flyover Project meeting in 2007, and it wasn't difficult to do.

Quote from: Beltway on November 12, 2017, 02:54:58 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on November 12, 2017, 02:10:06 PM
I'd use a Hampton Roads meet trip as an excuse to clinch US 360, and possibly US 501 in Virginia.

That is at least 3 people that have expressed interest in my proposal.  I will see what I can do ... is winter generally considered infeasible?  Maybe I should propose a few dates starting in March?

I did coordinate the I-295/I-64 Flyover Project meeting in 2007, and it wasn't difficult to do.

If you were to hold this thing in the fall, I'd definitely consider attending. I have never been to the Hampton Roads area and have no problem blowing tolls to clinch stuff. The meets this year all seem to be in the late winter and spring, which will prevent the people who are willing to travel long distances to meets from attending multiple.

Quote from: Beltway on November 12, 2017, 02:54:58 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on November 12, 2017, 02:10:06 PM
I'd use a Hampton Roads meet trip as an excuse to clinch US 360, and possibly US 501 in Virginia.

That is at least 3 people that have expressed interest in my proposal.  I will see what I can do ... is winter generally considered infeasible?  Maybe I should propose a few dates starting in March?

I did coordinate the I-295/I-64 Flyover Project meeting in 2007, and it wasn't difficult to do.

I already have a set weekend in April to go see my parents for their 40th anniversary.  So I would prefer later in the year as well.

Quote from: Beltway on November 12, 2017, 02:54:58 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on November 12, 2017, 02:10:06 PM
I'd use a Hampton Roads meet trip as an excuse to clinch US 360, and possibly US 501 in Virginia.

That is at least 3 people that have expressed interest in my proposal.  I will see what I can do ... is winter generally considered infeasible?  Maybe I should propose a few dates starting in March?

Winter weather is so unpredictable. I'd recommend starting your search for dates in March.

Quote from: hbelkins on November 12, 2017, 04:38:44 PM

Quote from: Beltway on November 12, 2017, 02:54:58 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on November 12, 2017, 02:10:06 PM
I'd use a Hampton Roads meet trip as an excuse to clinch US 360, and possibly US 501 in Virginia.

That is at least 3 people that have expressed interest in my proposal.  I will see what I can do ... is winter generally considered infeasible?  Maybe I should propose a few dates starting in March?

Winter weather is so unpredictable. I'd recommend starting your search for dates in March.

As a tentative proposal, how does one of these Saturday dates sound?
March 3
March 10
March 31

Since Adam F. recently lived in this area for several years, and could also help directing the road trips, I would put priority on a date when he could participate.  Also H.B., considering the distance traveled and the fact that he has attended so many meets in the past.

Again --
South Hampton Roads VA road meet, recently completed projects
-- Elizabeth River Tunnels project, new Midtown Tunnel, rehabbed existing tunnels, MLK Freeway Extension
-- Dominion Boulevard project, freeway upgrade and high-level bridge
-- Gilmerton Bridge project, replacement with high-level lift span bridge
-- Jordan Bridge, replacement with high-level bridge

-- Early construction on I-64 widening and new high-level bridge over Elizabeth River Southern Branch

Probably will look for a restaurant within a mile or so of the I-64/I-464 junction.

Quote from: Beltway on November 12, 2017, 11:27:54 PM
As a tentative proposal, how does one of these Saturday dates sound?
March 3
March 10
March 31

Later is better (given the possibility of winter weather), so I'd pick March 31. However, I've also got my heart set on the Louisiana meet. The problem is that the Louisiana meet is also supposed to be happening in March. I wish I could attend both of these meets, but living in Michigan, it's doubtful that I would go to both Virginia and Louisiana meets in the same month - although I think the Louisiana meet might be happening on March 17. A two-week spacing between these meets might be feasible for me.

Quote from: BeltwaySince Adam F. recently lived in this area for several years, and could also help directing the road trips, I would put priority on a date when he could participate.

If this is the intention, then March 10 is definitely out as I have a conference that weekend.  That said, between the distance (12-13 hours) and the question mark of my job prospects come next month (when I graduate), I'm not sure if I'd make it down for a Hampton Roads meet.  We shall see.

QuoteProbably will look for a restaurant within a mile or so of the I-64/I-464 junction.

The 2014 meet lunch was at Kelly's Tavern on Greenbrier just south of 64.  Wasn't a bad spot.

If this meet does take place in March then I am out, I have a toy show every weekend scheduled and plan to do the Louisiana road meet too. I have been to the Hampton Roads\ Norfolk region many times over the years so not too big of a deal for me but I am always open to a road meet there if my schedule permits.

Quote from: A.J. Bertin on November 13, 2017, 06:29:11 AM

Quote from: Beltway on November 12, 2017, 11:27:54 PM
As a tentative proposal, how does one of these Saturday dates sound?
March 3
March 10
March 31

Later is better (given the possibility of winter weather), so I'd pick March 31. However, I've also got my heart set on the Louisiana meet. The problem is that the Louisiana meet is also supposed to be happening in March. I wish I could attend both of these meets, but living in Michigan, it's doubtful that I would go to both Virginia and Louisiana meets in the same month - although I think the Louisiana meet might be happening on March 17. A two-week spacing between these meets might be feasible for me.

Agreed.  You can still get snow in March, which if it's bad could make the roads no longer passable, especially for those of us coming from further north.  (On the other hand, doing the 2015 Scranton Road Meet in the snow was rather fun, but there might have been no meet at all if we had had more snow than we did the day before.)

Quote from: froggie on November 13, 2017, 08:00:01 AM

Quote from: BeltwaySince Adam F. recently lived in this area for several years, and could also help directing the road trips, I would put priority on a date when he could participate.

If this is the intention, then March 10 is definitely out as I have a conference that weekend.  That said, between the distance (12-13 hours) and the question mark of my job prospects come next month (when I graduate), I'm not sure if I'd make it down for a Hampton Roads meet.  We shall see.

I'll just have to see what kind of interest there is for the various dates, before I decide what to do.

I didn't realize it was that far, but now I see on Google Maps that it is about 650 miles.

Quote from: dgolubYou can still get snow in March, which if it's bad could make the roads no longer passable, especially for those of us coming from further north.

Not really.  March snow that's beyond a dusting is uncommon in Norfolk, and rare by the end of the month.  And there have been NUMEROUS years where there was no March snow at all.

Quote from: BeltwayI didn't realize it was that far, but now I see on Google Maps that it is about 650 miles.

Most direct route from here is about 700 miles.

Quote from: Beltway on November 12, 2017, 11:27:54 PM
Since Adam F. recently lived in this area for several years, and could also help directing the road trips, I would put priority on a date when he could participate.  Also H.B., considering the distance traveled and the fact that he has attended so many meets in the past.

Don't schedule the meet around my availability. I would like to attend the Louisiana meet, but if it's in close proximity to a Hampton Roads meet, I'd have to pick between the two. Plus, a Louisiana meet would easily eat up six days for me (two days down, two days for the meet, and two days back) while a Hampton Roads meet would be much closer (a day and a half, given the route clinching that I would want to do on the way there, and I could easily make it back home in a day but would probably take two days to travel at a more leisurely pace).

I see that some have expressed a preference for a date later in the year, which would be OK with me. Once the schedule gets set, people will pick and choose which meets they wish to attend.

I still have in mind to do a small Portsmouth, Ohio meet, but can schedule that around whatever else that's bigger gets organized. Since Portsmouth is so close to where I live, I could put that together pretty easily, having already done some preliminary scouting.

Quote from: froggie on November 13, 2017, 11:25:06 AM

Quote from: dgolubYou can still get snow in March, which if it's bad could make the roads no longer passable, especially for those of us coming from further north.

Not really.  March snow that's beyond a dusting is uncommon in Norfolk, and rare by the end of the month.  And there have been NUMEROUS years where there was no March snow at all.

Sure, but for those of us coming for further north, we can still get snow at that point and may be unable to get there.

Based on this discussion so far, here's what I see as a list of possible meets for 2018:

-La Crosse, Wisconsin
-Central Susquehanna Valley (PA)
-Fairbanks/Dalton Highway (AK)
-Louisiana
-Huntsville, Alabama
-Portsmouth, Ohio
-Northeastern Minnesota
-Arkansas?
-South Hampton Roads (VA)
-Northeastern Wisconsin (I-41)

Other ideas have been tossed around, but these are the ones that sound like they have a possibility of happening. Am I missing ideas that have been shared that are a significant possibility? I figured putting all these ideas into one list might be helpful.

After thinking about it I'm dropping any NE Minnesota meet for next year. Maybe 2019 if I'm still in the area.

What? No West coast road "geek" meetup? I'm in southern CA and would it be great to a meetup in California or the western USA (anywhere west of the 100th meridian-or farther east to Kansas City, MO/KS). In fact, we need a 1000-person meetup in the middle of the USA or North America, so we all can meet up from east, west, north and south regions. And I figured out Kansas City will be perfect, close to the center of the mainland USA.

Quote from: Desert Man on November 20, 2017, 11:37:27 PM
What? No West coast road "geek" meetup? I'm in southern CA and would it be great to a meetup in California or the western USA (anywhere west of the 100th meridian-or farther east to Kansas City, MO/KS). In fact, we need a 1000-person meetup in the middle of the USA or North America, so we all can meet up from east, west, north and south regions. And I figured out Kansas City will be perfect, close to the center of the mainland USA.

I'll probably be going to the Mud Creek Slide reopening next summer on 1 provided it isn't delayed for some reason.  I figured that might be something worth looking into for the local folks on the West Coast.

Quote from: Desert Man on November 20, 2017, 11:37:27 PM
What? No West coast road "geek" meetup? I'm in southern CA and would it be great to a meetup in California or the western USA (anywhere west of the 100th meridian-or farther east to Kansas City, MO/KS). In fact, we need a 1000-person meetup in the middle of the USA or North America, so we all can meet up from east, west, north and south regions. And I figured out Kansas City will be perfect, close to the center of the mainland USA.

We've noted this issue before, which is that for whatever reason 99% of the people who plan and attend meets live east of the Mississippi River. It's a very East Coast-centric hobby.

Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on November 21, 2017, 01:14:30 AM

Quote from: Desert Man on November 20, 2017, 11:37:27 PM
What? No West coast road "geek" meetup? I'm in southern CA and would it be great to a meetup in California or the western USA (anywhere west of the 100th meridian-or farther east to Kansas City, MO/KS). In fact, we need a 1000-person meetup in the middle of the USA or North America, so we all can meet up from east, west, north and south regions. And I figured out Kansas City will be perfect, close to the center of the mainland USA.

We've noted this issue before, which is that for whatever reason 99% of the people who plan and attend meets live east of the Mississippi River. It's a very East Coast-centric hobby.

Which is why there's a New York meet almost every year, a PA meet most years, an AL meet most years... The problem is that, with most of us living out east, a lot of planning is required for a long-distance meet. And the people out west are pretty spread out. Not like out east where I have 20+ potential attendees within an easy day's drive.

Quote from: cl94And the people out west are pretty spread out.

Not fully.  There are concentrations in both Seattle/Portland and California.  It's just that, for whatever reason, they haven't tried organizing their own meets.

Quote from: Desert Man on November 20, 2017, 11:37:27 PM
What? No West coast road "geek" meetup? I'm in southern CA and would it be great to a meetup in California or the western USA (anywhere west of the 100th meridian-or farther east to Kansas City, MO/KS). In fact, we need a 1000-person meetup in the middle of the USA or North America, so we all can meet up from east, west, north and south regions. And I figured out Kansas City will be perfect, close to the center of the mainland USA.

Quote from: froggie on November 21, 2017, 09:21:37 AM

Quote from: cl94And the people out west are pretty spread out.

Not fully.  There are concentrations in both Seattle/Portland and California.  It's just that, for whatever reason, they haven't tried organizing their own meets.

If there aren't any meets planned in your area, plan one yourself and host it. It's not that hard.

And the logistics of a 1,000-person meet would be impossible. Meets with 20 or so people are hard enough to manage. And I have attended two meets in Kansas, and I think there have been others in the KC-area in the past that I haven't attended, so there have been meets there previously.

Quote from: froggie on November 21, 2017, 09:21:37 AM

Quote from: cl94And the people out west are pretty spread out.

Not fully.  There are concentrations in both Seattle/Portland and California.  It's just that, for whatever reason, they haven't tried organizing their own meets.

In California the regulars on the board are spread out pretty far.  I'm in Fresno but there are others in the Bay Area, San Diego, Los Angeles, and the Inland Empire from what I've observed.  Given Caltrans lack of major projects I think it's hard to draw interest for a get together over such a wide area.  About the only project that really would have garnered that kind of interest would have been the Hinkley Bypass or I-580 being extended in Carson City.  A lot members just went to those projects in their own travels.  Really it's just the Mud Creek Slide and West Side Parkway as the big projects that I can think of in the near future that might worth seeing.   I'm always up for something like a somewhat unique route clinch or really any excuse to get out of the house. 

Quote from: Desert Man on November 20, 2017, 11:37:27 PM
In fact, we need a 1000-person meetup in the middle of the USA or North America, so we all can meet up from east, west, north and south regions.

We have had "national meets", drawing people from at least three time zones. None of the ones I attended had more than a few dozen participants.

This forum doesn't have 1000 people who do road meets. And for the ones who do, it's hard to round them all up on any specific date and place, considering work and family obligations, financial situations, etc.

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on November 21, 2017, 11:27:11 AM

Quote from: froggie on November 21, 2017, 09:21:37 AM

Quote from: cl94And the people out west are pretty spread out.

Not fully.  There are concentrations in both Seattle/Portland and California.  It's just that, for whatever reason, they haven't tried organizing their own meets.

In California the regulars on the board are spread out pretty far.  I'm in Fresno but there are others in the Bay Area, San Diego, Los Angeles, and the Inland Empire from what I've observed.  Given Caltrans lack of major projects I think it's hard to draw interest for a get together over such a wide area.  About the only project that really would have garnered that kind of interest would have been the Hinkley Bypass or I-580 being extended in Carson City.  A lot members just went to those projects in their own travels.  Really it's just the Mud Creek Slide and West Side Parkway as the big projects that I can think of in the near future that might worth seeing.   I'm always up for something like a somewhat unique route clinch or really any excuse to get out of the house. 

If there are 40 million people in CA, Imagine 200 forum members who ever posted on AAroads are Californian, and I suppose 100 of them are regulars...and finally, 50 want to have a meetup. I suggest the state capital of Sacramento, esp in a hotel conference room...if not a place exciting enough, how about the Disneyland hotel lobby room?

Quote from: Desert Man on November 24, 2017, 01:13:49 AM

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on November 21, 2017, 11:27:11 AM

Quote from: froggie on November 21, 2017, 09:21:37 AM

Quote from: cl94And the people out west are pretty spread out.

Not fully.  There are concentrations in both Seattle/Portland and California.  It's just that, for whatever reason, they haven't tried organizing their own meets.

In California the regulars on the board are spread out pretty far.  I'm in Fresno but there are others in the Bay Area, San Diego, Los Angeles, and the Inland Empire from what I've observed.  Given Caltrans lack of major projects I think it's hard to draw interest for a get together over such a wide area.  About the only project that really would have garnered that kind of interest would have been the Hinkley Bypass or I-580 being extended in Carson City.  A lot members just went to those projects in their own travels.  Really it's just the Mud Creek Slide and West Side Parkway as the big projects that I can think of in the near future that might worth seeing.   I'm always up for something like a somewhat unique route clinch or really any excuse to get out of the house. 

If there are 40 million people in CA, Imagine 200 forum members who ever posted on AAroads are Californian, and I suppose 100 of them are regulars...and finally, 50 want to have a meetup. I suggest the state capital of Sacramento, esp in a hotel conference room...if not a place exciting enough, how about the Disneyland hotel lobby room?

There aren't that many of us that active on here every day even on this forum.  I tend to see just as many as five people logged on from California much less post something on a daily basis.  You'd probably be looking at 5-7 realistically if there was a long discussion about a possible get together.

Quote from: A.J. Bertin on November 14, 2017, 07:25:52 AM
Based on this discussion so far, here's what I see as a list of possible meets for 2018:

-La Crosse, Wisconsin
-Central Susquehanna Valley (PA)
-Fairbanks/Dalton Highway (AK)
-Louisiana
-Huntsville, Alabama
-Portsmouth, Ohio
-Northeastern Minnesota
-Arkansas?
-South Hampton Roads (VA)
-Northeastern Wisconsin (I-41)

Other ideas have been tossed around, but these are the ones that sound like they have a possibility of happening. Am I missing ideas that have been shared that are a significant possibility? I figured putting all these ideas into one list might be helpful.

I'm sort of kicking around a possible Springfield/SW Missouri meet, but haven't had time to discuss this with my Alternate self.

^^ Since you two are discussing it, a few days ago I ran a check of every active (or semi-active) poster and which state they're located in.  Basic criteria were at least 300 posts, have at least logged into the forum (not necessarily posted) within the past month, and I was able to derive their general location from their posts if they didn't include it outright in their profile.  Found 13 "active" members in California, with 6 of those 13 in the Bay Area.

Quote from: froggie on November 24, 2017, 05:46:07 PM
^^ Since you two are discussing it, a few days ago I ran a check of every active (or semi-active) poster and which state they're located in.  Basic criteria were at least 300 posts, have at least logged into the forum (not necessarily posted) within the past month, and I was able to derive their general location from their posts if they didn't include it outright in their profile.  Found 13 "active" members in California, with 6 of those 13 in the Bay Area.

I'm pretty much up for something.  Really I think it just depends on whether we could find a road project worth seeing along with a place people would actual want drive to. 

Some contributors upthread expressed a desire to visit several midwestern and frontier-tier states, such as Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas.

In terms of road meets, I think it might make more sense to do one in Kansas in 2019 rather than 2018, to give several ongoing major construction projects time to finish.  In Wichita (last road meet held in 2013) these include the upgrade of I-235/Kellogg from cloverleaf to stack/turban hybrid and the eastward extension of the Kellogg freeway that includes redevelopment of the Kellogg/Webb/Turnpike interchange.  In northeastern Kansas the SLT and the Johnson County Gateway are both open and ORT at the Eastern Terminal on the Kansas Turnpike will be done in a few weeks, but ORT construction will be underway at East Topeka in 2018 and work will also begin on the Lewis and Clark viaduct that carries I-70 across the state line.

I am less familiar with what is going on in Nebraska and Iowa, but I do follow the contract lettings for both states.  Nebraska has the Build Nebraska Act now (apparently to inject added funding for road construction) and there have been many fat I-80 contracts lately.  Iowa DOT is in the middle of a multi-year expansion of I-80 and I-29 in Council Bluffs as well as replacement of the I-74 Mississippi River bridges.

Quote from: J N Winkler on November 27, 2017, 03:17:51 PM
In terms of road meets, I think it might make more sense to do one in Kansas in 2019 rather than 2018, to give several ongoing major construction projects time to finish.  In Wichita (last road meet held in 2013) these include the upgrade of I-235/Kellogg from cloverleaf to stack/turban hybrid and the eastward extension of the Kellogg freeway that includes redevelopment of the Kellogg/Webb/Turnpike interchange.  In northeastern Kansas the SLT and the Johnson County Gateway are both open and ORT at the Eastern Terminal on the Kansas Turnpike will be done in a few weeks, but ORT construction will be underway at East Topeka in 2018 and work will also begin on the Lewis and Clark viaduct that carries I-70 across the state line.

Ooh... I'd love to attend a Wichita meet if possible.

Quote from: J N Winkler on November 27, 2017, 03:17:51 PM
Some contributors upthread expressed a desire to visit several midwestern and frontier-tier states, such as Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas.

In terms of road meets, I think it might make more sense to do one in Kansas in 2019 rather than 2018, to give several ongoing major construction projects time to finish.  In Wichita (last road meet held in 2013) these include the upgrade of I-235/Kellogg from cloverleaf to stack/turban hybrid and the eastward extension of the Kellogg freeway that includes redevelopment of the Kellogg/Webb/Turnpike interchange.  In northeastern Kansas the SLT and the Johnson County Gateway are both open and ORT at the Eastern Terminal on the Kansas Turnpike will be done in a few weeks, but ORT construction will be underway at East Topeka in 2018 and work will also begin on the Lewis and Clark viaduct that carries I-70 across the state line.

Maybe Richie could be talked into doing another meet in his area.

Quote from: J N Winkler on November 27, 2017, 03:17:51 PM
Some contributors upthread expressed a desire to visit several midwestern and frontier-tier states, such as Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas.

In terms of road meets, I think it might make more sense to do one in Kansas in 2019 rather than 2018, to give several ongoing major construction projects time to finish.  In Wichita (last road meet held in 2013) these include the upgrade of I-235/Kellogg from cloverleaf to stack/turban hybrid and the eastward extension of the Kellogg freeway that includes redevelopment of the Kellogg/Webb/Turnpike interchange.  In northeastern Kansas the SLT and the Johnson County Gateway are both open and ORT at the Eastern Terminal on the Kansas Turnpike will be done in a few weeks, but ORT construction will be underway at East Topeka in 2018 and work will also begin on the Lewis and Clark viaduct that carries I-70 across the state line.

I am less familiar with what is going on in Nebraska and Iowa, but I do follow the contract lettings for both states.  Nebraska has the Build Nebraska Act now (apparently to inject added funding for road construction) and there have been many fat I-80 contracts lately.  Iowa DOT is in the middle of a multi-year expansion of I-80 and I-29 in Council Bluffs as well as replacement of the I-74 Mississippi River bridges.

Before Steve had squired me off to his houseparty, last month, I was intending to drive out from C-bus to Omaha and then double back through Iowa & Illinois to cover the Lincoln Hwy between Omaha and Chicago (actually I wanted to go see the Tama, Ia Lincoln Highway bridge (which the local authorities are threatening to tear down) , but figured I need something more than just one bridge).
You mentioned the Council Bluffs I-80/I-29 rebuild. There is a "new" bridge for US 34, crossing the Missouri River, north of Plattsmouth, Neb (3 years old). In Omaha there was the rebuild of the I-480/US75 interchange (that was completed 5 years ago), old US 75 between Offutt AFB and the south edge of Omaha, and old Lincoln Highway stuff can be found.

So there's my argument for Omaha-Council Bluffs (just don't ask me for food or lodging recommendations)

Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on November 29, 2017, 07:57:20 PM(actually I wanted to go see the Tama, Ia Lincoln Highway bridge (which the local authorities are threatening to tear down)

This one?

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.millenniumhwy.net%2F2010_Iowa_Day_4%2FImages%2F26.jpg&hash=e2412c000594405fc80c31bf633c223b570f912c)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.millenniumhwy.net%2F2010_Iowa_Day_4%2FImages%2F27.jpg&hash=f794a9b7857c8b72bf9747a6b15d4502d189ec59)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.millenniumhwy.net%2F2010_Iowa_Day_4%2FImages%2F28.jpg&hash=71f58e1467c9f237b35e9e0c70056e40dbe0b9fb)

(Photos taken in 2010 during the two-day Iowa meet; more at http://www.millenniumhwy.net/2010_Iowa_Day_4/index.html)

And what is wrong with the locals that they'd want to tear that bridge down? It's a tourist attraction.

 :confused:  :ded:  :pan:  :banghead:  :crazy:
Concerning the Tama, Iowa LH Bridge (In order of most recent, to oldest...)
http://www.tamatoledonews.com/page/content.detail/id/605355/Focus-of-talks-continuing-on-the-Lincoln-Highway-Bridge.html?nav=5006 (http://www.tamatoledonews.com/page/content.detail/id/605355/Focus-of-talks-continuing-on-the-Lincoln-Highway-Bridge.html?nav=5006)

http://www.tamatoledonews.com/page/content.detail/id/605059/Another-round-on-the-Lincoln-Highway-Bridge--Michael-says--Fix-it--and-fix-it-now-.html?nav=5006 (http://www.tamatoledonews.com/page/content.detail/id/605059/Another-round-on-the-Lincoln-Highway-Bridge--Michael-says--Fix-it--and-fix-it-now-.html?nav=5006)

http://www.tamatoledonews.com/page/content.detail/id/605021/Calls-for-more-support-for-Lincoln-Highway-Bridge-restoration.html?nav=5003 (http://www.tamatoledonews.com/page/content.detail/id/605021/Calls-for-more-support-for-Lincoln-Highway-Bridge-restoration.html?nav=5003) (Editorial)

http://www.tamatoledonews.com/page/content.detail/id/604981/Paving-underway---cosmetic--repairs-approved-for-Lincoln-Highway-Bridge.html?nav=5006 (http://www.tamatoledonews.com/page/content.detail/id/604981/Paving-underway---cosmetic--repairs-approved-for-Lincoln-Highway-Bridge.html?nav=5006)

http://www.tamatoledonews.com/page/content.detail/id/604767/Grants-fall-through--New-sources-need-to-be-sought-to-restore-Lincoln-Highway-Bridge.html?nav=5006 (http://www.tamatoledonews.com/page/content.detail/id/604767/Grants-fall-through--New-sources-need-to-be-sought-to-restore-Lincoln-Highway-Bridge.html?nav=5006)

According to a recent local news article (http://www.tamatoledonews.com/page/content.detail/id/605355/Focus-of-talks-continuing-on-the-Lincoln-Highway-Bridge.html?nav=5006), a recent bridge inspection suggested that the bridge would become unusable within 5 years without repairs, and the question is about who would pay for the repairs.  There is *NOTHING* in the article to suggest that "local authorities are threatening to tear it down".  In fact, the city's mayor is quoted as noting that making sure the bridge stays on the National Historic Registration list is a concern.

Quote from: froggie on November 30, 2017, 10:05:26 AM
According to a recent local news article (http://www.tamatoledonews.com/page/content.detail/id/605355/Focus-of-talks-continuing-on-the-Lincoln-Highway-Bridge.html?nav=5006), a recent bridge inspection suggested that the bridge would become unusable within 5 years without repairs, and the question is about who would pay for the repairs.  There is *NOTHING* in the article to suggest that "local authorities are threatening to tear it down".  In fact, the city's mayor is quoted as noting that making sure the bridge stays on the National Historic Registration list is a concern.

I'd say bypass the bridge. 

Quote from: US71 on November 30, 2017, 10:35:07 AM

Quote from: froggie on November 30, 2017, 10:05:26 AM
According to a recent local news article (http://www.tamatoledonews.com/page/content.detail/id/605355/Focus-of-talks-continuing-on-the-Lincoln-Highway-Bridge.html?nav=5006), a recent bridge inspection suggested that the bridge would become unusable within 5 years without repairs, and the question is about who would pay for the repairs.  There is *NOTHING* in the article to suggest that "local authorities are threatening to tear it down".  In fact, the city's mayor is quoted as noting that making sure the bridge stays on the National Historic Registration list is a concern.

I'd say bypass the bridge. 

No money. Grant money fell through (bottom link in my last post)

Technically, the bridge has already been "bypassed"...the BUS US 30 bridge is a short distance north.

Quote from: froggie on November 30, 2017, 11:04:13 AM
Technically, the bridge has already been "bypassed"...the BUS US 30 bridge is a short distance north.

This. You could totally just close it for now.

Quote from: Alps on November 30, 2017, 02:24:25 PM

Quote from: froggie on November 30, 2017, 11:04:13 AM
Technically, the bridge has already been "bypassed"...the BUS US 30 bridge is a short distance north.

This. You could totally just close it for now.

Of course, "for now" will probably morph into "forever" if Iowa is anything like states out here when it comes to transportation funding.

By the looks of the past posts on this thread, I don't see any meets out west. Is there just too much space in between our cites, or is it just a lack of organization for the people out here. Either way, is there a way that one can get on the calendar? It's not likely that I'll go because of my school and running schedule but I want to happen for all of the road-geeks out here.

Quote from: Hurricane Rex on December 05, 2017, 11:40:34 PM
By the looks of the past posts on this thread, I don't see any meets out west. Is there just too much space in between our cites, or is it just a lack of organization for the people out here. Either way, is there a way that one can get on the calendar? It's not likely that I'll go because of my school and running schedule but I want to happen for all of the road-geeks out here.

Sure. Anyone can organize a meet, anywhere, anytime. It's really that simple. I would recommend a few months' notice though; also, there is a lot of dead time over the winter when meets in the north and northeast can't really be held so that might be a good time to plan one.

Quote from: Hurricane Rex on December 05, 2017, 11:40:34 PM
By the looks of the past posts on this thread, I don't see any meets out west. Is there just too much space in between our cites, or is it just a lack of organization for the people out here. Either way, is there a way that one can get on the calendar? It's not likely that I'll go because of my school and running schedule but I want to happen for all of the road-geeks out here.

I hosted a Denver meet back in 2015 which was successful, but otherwise we haven't had a whole lot of luck (or frankly tried much) with western meets lately. Even at the Denver meet, in terms of western participants, there was me and about three people from Colorado. The majority of the meet attending population is located east of the Mississippi, and that's where the other 16 of 20 or so meet attendees came from.

I'd certainly be interested in attending more meets out west and getting the meet culture going out here, but I don't have the time or energy to spearhead those efforts. Population density is an issue, as is site density. Even in Denver, I struggled to fill an afternoon with meet-worthy tour stops, simply because in the west (outside of the west coast) we don't have the same concentration of old bridges and abandoned alignments that make for good meet bait (in addition to touring whatever construction). That being said, if somebody else has a better idea to approach it and make meets work better in the west, I'm all ears.

I'd like to be able to host a Cincinnati meet, but my health isn't very good, and it would take a lot of energy. Besides that, I don't even have no car.

Quote from: bandit957 on December 06, 2017, 10:13:51 AM
I'd like to be able to host a Cincinnati meet, but my health isn't very good, and it would take a lot of energy. Besides that, I don't even have no car.

Wasn't the last Cincinnati-area meet hosted by someone with no car?

Even though I'm only about three hours or less from that area, I don't know enough about it to put together a meet. Although I did hear that the new roundabout on KY 9 at KY 8 is now open. I went through that area a few weeks ago when I had a work-related meeting in Newport.

Quote from: corco on December 06, 2017, 12:10:32 AMI hosted a Denver meet back in 2015 which was successful, but otherwise we haven't had a whole lot of luck (or frankly tried much) with western meets lately. Even at the Denver meet, in terms of western participants, there was me and about three people from Colorado. The majority of the meet attending population is located east of the Mississippi, and that's where the other 16 of 20 or so meet attendees came from.

I remember the Denver meet a little differently.  We did have a large complement from east of the Mississippi, but besides yourself and the Colorado participants, we had one person from South Dakota, at least one person from Texas (DFW area), and one person from Kansas.

Quote from: corco on December 06, 2017, 12:10:32 AMI'd certainly be interested in attending more meets out west and getting the meet culture going out here, but I don't have the time or energy to spearhead those efforts. Population density is an issue, as is site density. Even in Denver, I struggled to fill an afternoon with meet-worthy tour stops, simply because in the west (outside of the west coast) we don't have the same concentration of old bridges and abandoned alignments that make for good meet bait (in addition to touring whatever construction). That being said, if somebody else has a better idea to approach it and make meets work better in the west, I'm all ears.

My recollection is that the Denver meet proceeded on the third of three draft itineraries, major changes having been forced by the prolonged closure of the Mount Evans highway by late spring snows.  Some of the participants were active county collectors and wanted a stop that put them just inside Gilpin County so that they didn't need to make a side trip for it later (several went west on I-70 for the Glenwood Canyon segment the following day).  In terms of major projects then ongoing in the Denver area, we viewed the US 6 expansion but not the US 36 express lanes.  A fair amount of picking and choosing was necessary to structure a meet itinerary that would not overspill an early summer afternoon.  The itinerary actually used for the meet got rid of stops planned in earlier drafts, such as Vail Summit, the Gilman ghost town, and the US 24 Eagle River bridge (all of which I visited the next day).

I don't want to minimize site density and population density as concerns, but even in the intermountain West, there are some offsetting factors.  There are major cities that are still virgin territory for road meets--as far as I know, we have never had one in Albuquerque, for example.  And while low population density means that meet attendees are less likely to be coming from short distances away, to an extent this can be compensated for by planning a meet well in advance as a destination event, as was done for the Denver meet to an extent, and is currently being done for Fairbanks/Dalton Highway.

Quote from: J N Winkler on December 06, 2017, 11:42:16 AM

Quote from: corco on December 06, 2017, 12:10:32 AMI hosted a Denver meet back in 2015 which was successful, but otherwise we haven't had a whole lot of luck (or frankly tried much) with western meets lately. Even at the Denver meet, in terms of western participants, there was me and about three people from Colorado. The majority of the meet attending population is located east of the Mississippi, and that's where the other 16 of 20 or so meet attendees came from.

I remember the Denver meet a little differently.  We did have a large complement from east of the Mississippi, but besides yourself and the Colorado participants, we had one person from South Dakota, at least one person from Texas (DFW area), and one person from Kansas.

Quote from: corco on December 06, 2017, 12:10:32 AMI'd certainly be interested in attending more meets out west and getting the meet culture going out here, but I don't have the time or energy to spearhead those efforts. Population density is an issue, as is site density. Even in Denver, I struggled to fill an afternoon with meet-worthy tour stops, simply because in the west (outside of the west coast) we don't have the same concentration of old bridges and abandoned alignments that make for good meet bait (in addition to touring whatever construction). That being said, if somebody else has a better idea to approach it and make meets work better in the west, I'm all ears.

My recollection is that the Denver meet proceeded on the third of three draft itineraries, major changes having been forced by the prolonged closure of the Mount Evans highway by late spring snows.  Some of the participants were active county collectors and wanted a stop that put them just inside Gilpin County so that they didn't need to make a side trip for it later (several went west on I-70 for the Glenwood Canyon segment the following day).  In terms of major projects then ongoing in the Denver area, we viewed the US 6 expansion but not the US 36 express lanes.  A fair amount of picking and choosing was necessary to structure a meet itinerary that would not overspill an early summer afternoon.  The itinerary actually used for the meet got rid of stops planned in earlier drafts, such as Vail Summit, the Gilman ghost town, and the US 24 Eagle River bridge (all of which I visited the next day).

I don't want to minimize site density and population density as concerns, but even in the intermountain West, there are some offsetting factors.  There are major cities that are still virgin territory for road meets--as far as I know, we have never had one in Albuquerque, for example.  And while low population density means that meet attendees are less likely to be coming from short distances away, to an extent this can be compensated for by planning a meet well in advance as a destination event, as was done for the Denver meet to an extent, and is currently being done for Fairbanks/Dalton Highway.

ABQ would be a neat one - I think the US 66 shield is still there, there's the Big 5 (High 5?) interchange, and probably enough other odds and ends to put together since most people haven't seen it. The downside is that no one is local, a) for scouting and b) everyone would basically be flying. b) worked for Denver but I think that city and area in general is enough of a draw to entice flying, whereas ABQ has limited appeal to many.

Quote from: Alps on December 06, 2017, 09:42:02 PM

Quote from: J N Winkler on December 06, 2017, 11:42:16 AM

Quote from: corco on December 06, 2017, 12:10:32 AMI hosted a Denver meet back in 2015 which was successful, but otherwise we haven't had a whole lot of luck (or frankly tried much) with western meets lately. Even at the Denver meet, in terms of western participants, there was me and about three people from Colorado. The majority of the meet attending population is located east of the Mississippi, and that's where the other 16 of 20 or so meet attendees came from.

I remember the Denver meet a little differently.  We did have a large complement from east of the Mississippi, but besides yourself and the Colorado participants, we had one person from South Dakota, at least one person from Texas (DFW area), and one person from Kansas.

Quote from: corco on December 06, 2017, 12:10:32 AMI'd certainly be interested in attending more meets out west and getting the meet culture going out here, but I don't have the time or energy to spearhead those efforts. Population density is an issue, as is site density. Even in Denver, I struggled to fill an afternoon with meet-worthy tour stops, simply because in the west (outside of the west coast) we don't have the same concentration of old bridges and abandoned alignments that make for good meet bait (in addition to touring whatever construction). That being said, if somebody else has a better idea to approach it and make meets work better in the west, I'm all ears.

My recollection is that the Denver meet proceeded on the third of three draft itineraries, major changes having been forced by the prolonged closure of the Mount Evans highway by late spring snows.  Some of the participants were active county collectors and wanted a stop that put them just inside Gilpin County so that they didn't need to make a side trip for it later (several went west on I-70 for the Glenwood Canyon segment the following day).  In terms of major projects then ongoing in the Denver area, we viewed the US 6 expansion but not the US 36 express lanes.  A fair amount of picking and choosing was necessary to structure a meet itinerary that would not overspill an early summer afternoon.  The itinerary actually used for the meet got rid of stops planned in earlier drafts, such as Vail Summit, the Gilman ghost town, and the US 24 Eagle River bridge (all of which I visited the next day).

I don't want to minimize site density and population density as concerns, but even in the intermountain West, there are some offsetting factors.  There are major cities that are still virgin territory for road meets--as far as I know, we have never had one in Albuquerque, for example.  And while low population density means that meet attendees are less likely to be coming from short distances away, to an extent this can be compensated for by planning a meet well in advance as a destination event, as was done for the Denver meet to an extent, and is currently being done for Fairbanks/Dalton Highway.

ABQ would be a neat one - I think the US 66 shield is still there, there's the Big 5 (High 5?) interchange, and probably enough other odds and ends to put together since most people haven't seen it. The downside is that no one is local, a) for scouting and b) everyone would basically be flying. b) worked for Denver but I think that city and area in general is enough of a draw to entice flying, whereas ABQ has limited appeal to many.

If somebody did ABQ in late May or August 2019, it would definitely be high priority for me. Another time and I probably couldn't make it, unfortunately.

Quote from: cl94 on December 06, 2017, 10:15:20 PM

Quote from: Alps on December 06, 2017, 09:42:02 PM
ABQ would be a neat one - I think the US 66 shield is still there, there's the Big 5 (High 5?) interchange, and probably enough other odds and ends to put together since most people haven't seen it. The downside is that no one is local, a) for scouting and b) everyone would basically be flying. b) worked for Denver but I think that city and area in general is enough of a draw to entice flying, whereas ABQ has limited appeal to many.

If somebody did ABQ in late May or August 2019, it would definitely be high priority for me. Another time and I probably couldn't make it, unfortunately.

Why don't you organize it then? No one else is going to claim jurisdiction.

Quote from: Alps on December 07, 2017, 12:37:18 AM

Quote from: cl94 on December 06, 2017, 10:15:20 PM

Quote from: Alps on December 06, 2017, 09:42:02 PM
ABQ would be a neat one - I think the US 66 shield is still there, there's the Big 5 (High 5?) interchange, and probably enough other odds and ends to put together since most people haven't seen it. The downside is that no one is local, a) for scouting and b) everyone would basically be flying. b) worked for Denver but I think that city and area in general is enough of a draw to entice flying, whereas ABQ has limited appeal to many.

If somebody did ABQ in late May or August 2019, it would definitely be high priority for me. Another time and I probably couldn't make it, unfortunately.

Why don't you organize it then? No one else is going to claim jurisdiction.

I would definitely consider attending an Albuquerque meet if I have enough time off to do the drive there and back. It would give me a reason to go there and I'm sure I could find a fun route there and back.

Quote from: A.J. Bertin on December 07, 2017, 10:21:24 PM

Quote from: Alps on December 07, 2017, 12:37:18 AM

Quote from: cl94 on December 06, 2017, 10:15:20 PM

Quote from: Alps on December 06, 2017, 09:42:02 PM
ABQ would be a neat one - I think the US 66 shield is still there, there's the Big 5 (High 5?) interchange, and probably enough other odds and ends to put together since most people haven't seen it. The downside is that no one is local, a) for scouting and b) everyone would basically be flying. b) worked for Denver but I think that city and area in general is enough of a draw to entice flying, whereas ABQ has limited appeal to many.

If somebody did ABQ in late May or August 2019, it would definitely be high priority for me. Another time and I probably couldn't make it, unfortunately.

Why don't you organize it then? No one else is going to claim jurisdiction.

I would definitely consider attending an Albuquerque meet if I have enough time off to do the drive there and back. It would give me a reason to go there and I'm sure I could find a fun route there and back.

I could see Albuquerque having decent attendance just because it's a bit of a destination. It would be quite the fun drive and a chance to get a ton of I-40 and something else.

I can't organize an Albuquerque meet if I've never been west of the I-35 corridor. Who has familiarity with that area?

Quote from: cl94 on December 07, 2017, 10:36:09 PM
I can't organize an Albuquerque meet if I've never been west of the I-35 corridor. Who has familiarity with that area?

You could check the Mountain West board, for the few people who regularly post about New Mexico and sometimes specifically Albuquerque/Santa Fe. My impression is that our collective experience with that area is a little thin.

I have a moderate level of interest, but also a lot of potential schedule conflicts in mid-2018 that would get in the way of my attending let alone organizing.

Given time and interest, I may organize a small-scale Petersburg, VA area meet at some point. There have been a few projects in the area recently.

-reconfigured interchange at I-95 and VA 144
-reconfigured intersection at VA 226 and SR 600
-US 301 bridge replacement over the Nottoway River (still in progress)

Quote from: Takumi on December 10, 2017, 11:52:13 AM
Given time and interest, I may organize a small-scale Petersburg, VA area meet at some point. There have been a few projects in the area recently.
-reconfigured interchange at I-95 and VA 144
-reconfigured intersection at VA 226 and SR 600
-US 301 bridge replacement over the Nottoway River (still in progress)

I have been thru all of them in the last few weeks, and they are real improvements.  As I live in Richmond I could most likely attend.

Quote from: Takumi on December 10, 2017, 11:52:13 AM
Given time and interest, I may organize a small-scale Petersburg, VA area meet at some point. There have been a few projects in the area recently.

-reconfigured interchange at I-95 and VA 144
-reconfigured intersection at VA 226 and SR 600
-US 301 bridge replacement over the Nottoway River (still in progress)

I would do either this one or a Hampton Roads meet, but most likely not both. Same territory to cover in getting to both of them.

Quote from: hbelkinsI would do either this one or a Hampton Roads meet, but most likely not both. Same territory to cover in getting to both of them.

So what you're saying is that you've been on EVERY highway route between southeastern Kentucky and both Richmond and Hampton Roads...😌

Quote from: froggie on December 11, 2017, 08:23:04 AM

Quote from: hbelkinsI would do either this one or a Hampton Roads meet, but most likely not both. Same territory to cover in getting to both of them.

So what you're saying is that you've been on EVERY highway route between southeastern Kentucky and both Richmond and Hampton Roads...😌

Not exactly, but I've been on the major ones -- I-64, US 60, US 460 and US 58. Also US 250 between Staunton and Richmond. Not many other choices for through east-west travel.

Quote from: US71 on November 24, 2017, 09:17:51 AM
I'm sort of kicking around a possible Springfield/SW Missouri meet, but haven't had time to discuss this with my Alternate self.

Only if, coming down from Joplin, we can avoid traffic by using the completed BVB.   :biggrin:

Quote from: kphoger on December 13, 2017, 04:22:26 PM

Quote from: US71 on November 24, 2017, 09:17:51 AM
I'm sort of kicking around a possible Springfield/SW Missouri meet, but haven't had time to discuss this with my Alternate self.

Only if, coming down from Joplin, we can avoid traffic by using the completed BVB.   :biggrin:

Don't hold your breath

Quote from: US71 on December 13, 2017, 07:53:37 PM

Quote from: kphoger on December 13, 2017, 04:22:26 PM

Quote from: US71 on November 24, 2017, 09:17:51 AM
I'm sort of kicking around a possible Springfield/SW Missouri meet, but haven't had time to discuss this with my Alternate self.

Only if, coming down from Joplin, we can avoid traffic by using the completed BVB.   :biggrin:

Don't hold your breath

/me breaths out.  Whew!

Quote from: Alps on December 07, 2017, 12:37:18 AM

Quote from: cl94 on December 06, 2017, 10:15:20 PM

Quote from: Alps on December 06, 2017, 09:42:02 PM
ABQ would be a neat one - I think the US 66 shield is still there, there's the Big 5 (High 5?) interchange, and probably enough other odds and ends to put together since most people haven't seen it. The downside is that no one is local, a) for scouting and b) everyone would basically be flying. b) worked for Denver but I think that city and area in general is enough of a draw to entice flying, whereas ABQ has limited appeal to many.

If somebody did ABQ in late May or August 2019, it would definitely be high priority for me. Another time and I probably couldn't make it, unfortunately.

Why don't you organize it then? No one else is going to claim jurisdiction.

Hi Guys, I am just now seeing this since I have been busy in PA all last week with little internet access, how about mid July 2019 for an Albuquerque meet and ME hosting  :sombrero:, here is why I am volunteering, Steph and I go to Albuquerque every other July for my other hobby (diecast cars\ convention) and I can easily put together a place for lunch and tour old route 66 and the "big I" and I can scout out "remotely" other options, I have been to Albuquerque 5 times over the past decade and know the area well enough that with some extra research I can do a tour and even have a mini van to help with car pooling, draw back would be Steph staying behind to sell my merchandise out of our hotel room like we do every year.

Quote from: jpi on December 17, 2017, 05:53:32 PM
Hi Guys, I am just now seeing this since I have been busy in PA all last week with little internet access, how about mid July 2019 for an Albuquerque meet and ME hosting  :sombrero:, here is why I am volunteering, Steph and I go to Albuquerque every other July for my other hobby (diecast cars\ convention) and I can easily put together a place for lunch and tour old route 66 and the "big I" and I can scout out "remotely" other options, I have been to Albuquerque 5 times over the past decade and know the area well enough that with some extra research I can do a tour and even have a mini van to help with car pooling, draw back would be Steph staying behind to sell my merchandise out of our hotel room like we do every year.

Sounds great to me! I would love to try and attend that if it happens. :)

Quote from: jpi on December 17, 2017, 05:53:32 PM
Hi Guys, I am just now seeing this since I have been busy in PA all last week with little internet access, how about mid July 2019 for an Albuquerque meet and ME hosting  :sombrero:, here is why I am volunteering, Steph and I go to Albuquerque every other July for my other hobby (diecast cars\ convention) and I can easily put together a place for lunch and tour old route 66 and the "big I" and I can scout out "remotely" other options, I have been to Albuquerque 5 times over the past decade and know the area well enough that with some extra research I can do a tour and even have a mini van to help with car pooling, draw back would be Steph staying behind to sell my merchandise out of our hotel room like we do every year.

I like it!  Count me in.

It's too early to book, but I love the concept of a 2019 ABQ meet - especially in July since I would only have to take a single day off work to make it.

gives me a bit of motivation to complete the interstates of CO and NM (only I-25 remains in both)

Reality: Depends on work demand and house projects.

Then its settled  :sombrero:, this time next year I will start planning this and that will give everyone plenty of time to plan, this would be on one Saturday in July, roughly the 3rd Saturday, I will know the dates of the convention later this summer and I will go from there :D

Quote from: SSOWorld on December 18, 2017, 04:26:03 AM
gives me a bit of motivation to complete the interstates of CO and NM (only I-25 remains in both)

Reality: Depends on work demand and house projects.

Then turn it into a good road trip!

I'd probably interested in the something in New Mexico since I'm planning on doing something Route 66 road trip related in 2019 anyways. 

Other 2018 road meets that are scheduled, with or without you (or us)

---

Lincoln Highway Association Annual Meeting - Iselin, New Jersey (June 20-24)
http://www.paft-nj.org/WEB_PAGE_LHA_FILES/LHA_MARKETING_PPT/170706_LHA_2018_ANNUAL_MTG_MARKETING_PRESENTATION.pdf (http://www.paft-nj.org/WEB_PAGE_LHA_FILES/LHA_MARKETING_PPT/170706_LHA_2018_ANNUAL_MTG_MARKETING_PRESENTATION.pdf)

Jefferson Highway Association Annual Meeting - St. Joseph, Missouri (April 26-28)
http://www.jeffersonhighway.org/ (http://www.jeffersonhighway.org/)

Preserving the Historic Road Conference - Fort Collins, Colorado (Sept. 20-23)
http://www.historicroads.org/ (http://www.historicroads.org/)

Roadmap Collectors Association - Their yearly expo & swapmeet will occur in Hershey, Pennsylvania at the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum http://www.aacamuseum.org/ (http://www.aacamuseum.org/) on September 21 & 22
https://roadmaps.org/ (https://roadmaps.org/)

Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on December 20, 2017, 09:44:20 PM
Other 2018 road meets that are scheduled, with or without you (or us)

---

Lincoln Highway Association Annual Meeting - Iselin, New Jersey (June 20-24)
http://www.paft-nj.org/WEB_PAGE_LHA_FILES/LHA_MARKETING_PPT/170706_LHA_2018_ANNUAL_MTG_MARKETING_PRESENTATION.pdf (http://www.paft-nj.org/WEB_PAGE_LHA_FILES/LHA_MARKETING_PPT/170706_LHA_2018_ANNUAL_MTG_MARKETING_PRESENTATION.pdf)

Jefferson Highway Association Annual Meeting - St. Joseph, Missouri (April 26-28)
http://www.jeffersonhighway.org/ (http://www.jeffersonhighway.org/)

Preserving the Historic Road Conference - Fort Collins, Colorado (Sept. 20-23)
http://www.historicroads.org/ (http://www.historicroads.org/)

Roadmap Collectors Association - Their yearly expo & swapmeet will occur in Hershey, Pennsylvania at the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum http://www.aacamuseum.org/ (http://www.aacamuseum.org/) on September 21 & 22
https://roadmaps.org/ (https://roadmaps.org/)

2018 International Route 66 Festival JULY 12-15, 2018
https://www.facebook.com/Shamrock-2018-Route-66-Festival-1155787707848348/

Add comprehensive list to OP.

Quote from: SSOWorld on December 22, 2017, 04:07:14 PM
Add comprehensive list to OP.

Louisiana (Shreveport) is also confirmed for March 17th.

Quote from: cl94 on December 22, 2017, 04:11:12 PM

Quote from: SSOWorld on December 22, 2017, 04:07:14 PM
Add comprehensive list to OP.

Louisiana (Shreveport) is also confirmed for March 17th.

Sweet!  I was waiting for a confirmation from the organizer.  I really want to attend this and incorporate it into a much larger vacation/road trip that I've been planning.

Quote from: cl94 on December 22, 2017, 04:11:12 PM

Quote from: SSOWorld on December 22, 2017, 04:07:14 PM
Add comprehensive list to OP.

Louisiana (Shreveport) is also confirmed for March 17th.

I should be there.

Quote from: cl94 on December 22, 2017, 04:11:12 PM

Quote from: SSOWorld on December 22, 2017, 04:07:14 PM
Add comprehensive list to OP.

Louisiana (Shreveport) is also confirmed for March 17th.

Updated - with link to post.

Since you're updating the OP, Scott, it's been mentioned up thread that the NE Minnesota meet isn't happening anymore. :-(

Quote from: MNHighwayMan on December 23, 2017, 11:44:16 AM
Since you're updating the OP, Scott, it's been mentioned up thread that the NE Minnesota meet isn't happening anymore. :-(

Has there ever been a Twin Cities meet? and when?

Quote from: kphoger on December 23, 2017, 04:53:35 PMHas there ever been a Twin Cities meet? and when?

Yup.  Last summer.  I almost went, but ended up saving the itinerary for a future self-guided tour.

Quote from: J N Winkler on December 23, 2017, 05:08:40 PM

Quote from: kphoger on December 23, 2017, 04:53:35 PMHas there ever been a Twin Cities meet? and when?

Yup.  Last summer.  I almost went, but ended up saving the itinerary for a future self-guided tour.

Hmmm, I wonder if that was during my "away time."  I see the thread now, but I never posted in it and don't recall seeing it before.  That's a shame.

Quote from: MNHighwayMan on December 23, 2017, 11:44:16 AM
Since you're updating the OP, Scott, it's been mentioned up thread that the NE Minnesota meet isn't happening anymore. :-(

What NE MN Meet? ;)

Translation: Removed :P

Thanks for updating the original post, Scott. I noticed that Omaha/Council Bluffs was added to the list. Is that far enough in the planning stages to go on the list for '18? Who is planning on that one? I'd love to try and make that if possible.

I would be interested in Omaha myself as long as my schedule permits, would be a good way to get some Nebraska and Iowa counties. Steph and I passed through Omaha back in July 2013 and clinched all of tis interstates.

I'm hoping somebody does a fall meet next year. That part of the year appears to have nothing so far. Do it Columbus Day Weekend and you'd probably get a decent crowd.

Omaha was mentioned - but I failed to see who would want to plan it - I marked it with a ? due to that.

I was thinking about a few road meet ideas, and road meets that seem to have since fallen by the wayside. I should note that this is my understanding, so feel free to correct me on inaccurate details. These are all East Coast meets, and are mostly Pennsylvania and Maryland.

-Pittsburgh
My understanding: It has come up a few times, and there was a thread created with that possibility, but it seems nobody could host. It was discussed that there was somebody from Morgantown, WV that could host, but it was unknown if he/she was still active or not. There's a lot of areas of interest such as the Wabash Tunnel and the Fort Pitt Tunnel.

-Boston
My understanding: There could've been one in recent years, but it seems nobody has mentioned it. I believe there may never have been any meets in the Boston area, but I did suggest some areas of interest. Preferably, I'd rather have a local create the itinerary and host the meet.

-State College area + I-99 construction
My understanding: The last meet in this area was also in 2008 or so, so it's been about ten years. I believe there has been progress with I-99 in the I-80 area, and there's also been recent efforts to extend the US 322 freeway west to link it with the State College bypass. Aside from that, there's practically nothing of interest, so IMO this should be a mini-meet.

-Harrisburg
My understanding: This'll be covered soon enough (along with Pennsylvania's first DDI) by jpi's planned meet in 2019. From what I can take away, it seems projects such as the Eisenhower Interchange Reconstruction will be completed by then. I'd be up to host this meet, as I know the area pretty well, but I'll still let someone else host if they know the area better or know of better areas of interest. A few ideas I have are the Walnut Street Bridge stub (still has signs on it), the Eisenhower Interchange, the York Split, and a few other areas I could be missing.

-Philadelphia
My understanding: I believe there was a meet near Trenton that covered the NJ 29 tunnel, and may have covered parts of Philadelphia, but I don't think there's been a meet in at least 3 years or so. I'll leave whoever wants to host open, because it seems there's a fair amount of people in this forum that have either lived near or visited Philadelphia a fair amount of times. Ideas I have are the PA 90 freeway stubs, Roosevelt Boulevard, PA 63 freeway stubs and assorted signs, I-695 freeway stubs, old PA 291 within PHL, and old US 322 on the NJ side (there's a stub roadway numbered NJ 324 - it leads to the Delaware River where there was a ferry dock, and was removed when the Commodore Barry Bridge was built).

-Buffalo/Niagara Falls
My understanding: There's quite a load of interesting material in this area, but it seems there's been little interest for anybody to host a meet here. The closest meets in this area that I can think of are way up in Toronto. I do know that there are forum members up in Western NY, but I believe that they are in college, and thus may not have time to host a meet. I myself cannot host, considering that Buffalo is just too far for me (New River Gorge was pretty much the limit, and that was 5 hours away). However, there's quite a few areas of interest such as LaSalle Expressway stub, Robert Moses State Parkway closed section and half removal, NY 33 stub, NY 198, remnants of Honeymoon Bridge, I-990 stub, and many more places.

EDIT (12/26/17): Removed Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Corridor H. Seems there have been recent meets that I don't know about.
Added Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Buffalo/Niagara Falls.

Quote from: noelbotevera on December 26, 2017, 06:32:14 PM
I was thinking about a few road meet ideas, and road meets that seem to have since fallen by the wayside. I should note that this is my understanding, so feel free to correct me on inaccurate details. These are all East Coast meets, and are mostly Pennsylvania and Maryland.

-Pittsburgh
My understanding: It has come up a few times, and there was a thread created with that possibility, but it seems nobody could host. It was discussed that there was somebody from Morgantown, WV that could host, but it was unknown if he/she was still active or not. There's a lot of areas of interest such as the Wabash Tunnel and the Fort Pitt Tunnel.

I've been trying to get this one started for a couple of years but Pittsburgh is tangled enough that I need someone with the ability to scout locations and routes. 28 reconstruction is complete, PA 576 is actually more recent than the previous meet, new sections of Mon-Fayette... definitely some items worth pursuing. I'd love for someone to step up.

Quote
-Boston
My understanding: There could've been one in recent years, but it seems nobody has mentioned it. I believe there may never have been any meets in the Boston area, but I did suggest some areas of interest. Preferably, I'd rather have a local create the itinerary and host the meet.

I actually don't know of any meets. I've prepared guides for several people heading to the area. While I would defer to anyone living in Boston or its environs if they wanted to host (not sure if Bob Malme reads this thread), I could do it myself fairly easily. Sites of interest: Allston/Brighton/Cambridge interchange on the Mass Pike (and the idea of AET in general), is the Longfellow Bridge finally done with construction?, ... I don't know. I'd like a third.

Quote
-Washington DC
My understanding: It's been nearly ten years since the last meet, although there may have been some minor visiting during the ICC meet about five years ago. I'm not sure if there's any construction of interest, but I personally am interested in a meet here, for things such as the ancient gantry near the Watergate. I believe there was a meet planned by cpzillacus for the toll lanes, but that may have required an EZPass, which I don't have.

There have been a couple of more recent DC meets that you're missing. (And Baltimore, for that matter.) It's not neglected. Cross this one off.

Quote
-Corridor H

DEAR GOD NO MORE CORRIDOR H MEETS

Quote from: Hurricane Rex on December 19, 2017, 02:41:13 AM

Quote from: SSOWorld on December 18, 2017, 04:26:03 AM
gives me a bit of motivation to complete the interstates of CO and NM (only I-25 remains in both)

Reality: Depends on work demand and house projects.

Then turn it into a good road trip!

Let me clarify.  Depends on work due to availability of vacation time (which is at a premium right now) and house projects due to them eating money hand-over-fist.

Outside of that - yes I do cluster a meet with a good scenic route.

Quote from: noelbotevera on December 26, 2017, 06:32:14 PM
I was thinking about a few road meet ideas, and road meets that seem to have since fallen by the wayside. I should note that this is my understanding, so feel free to correct me on inaccurate details. These are all East Coast meets, and are mostly Pennsylvania and Maryland.

-State College area + I-99 construction
My understanding: The last meet in this area was also in 2008 or so, so it's been about ten years. I believe there has been progress with I-99 in the I-80 area, and there's also been recent efforts to extend the US 322 freeway west to link it with the State College bypass. Aside from that, there's practically nothing of interest, so IMO this should be a mini-meet.


JPI's take on this- I-99 has been open in this area for the past decade with NO progress on the 80/99 interchange, this is still several years out and yes PENNDPT does plan on extending the 322 expressway to Potters Mills and this was originally part of my planned April 18 meet but now has been dropped in favor of full focus on the CSVT area.


-Harrisburg
My understanding: This'll be covered soon enough (along with Pennsylvania's first DDI) by jpi's planned meet in 2019. From what I can take away, it seems projects such as the Eisenhower Interchange Reconstruction will be completed by then. I'd be up to host this meet, as I know the area pretty well, but I'll still let someone else host if they know the area better or know of better areas of interest. A few ideas I have are the Walnut Street Bridge stub (still has signs on it), the Eisenhower Interchange, the York Split, and a few other areas I could be missing.



JPI's take on this- My plan for spring 2019 will be the DDI in Shrewsbury with a lunch stop in that area, then travel the recently rebuilt Loganville interchange and travel the "new" PA 214 in the area then possibly a hike on a rail trail to the oldest active railroad tunnel then a re-visit of the Mt Rose Ave interchange which means anything around Harrisburg meet wise may be held off until 2020 or 2021 and yes I plan on doing the hosting since my wife and I are from the area and we know it very well and despite living 700 miles away I am still up in the area enough through out of the year that I can easily scout out the area with no issues and know the restaurants in the area well.

So anything in central PA rest assured it is covered  ;-)

Quote from: Alps on December 26, 2017, 08:15:32 PM

Quote from: noelbotevera on December 26, 2017, 06:32:14 PM
I was thinking about a few road meet ideas, and road meets that seem to have since fallen by the wayside. I should note that this is my understanding, so feel free to correct me on inaccurate details. These are all East Coast meets, and are mostly Pennsylvania and Maryland.

-Pittsburgh
My understanding: It has come up a few times, and there was a thread created with that possibility, but it seems nobody could host. It was discussed that there was somebody from Morgantown, WV that could host, but it was unknown if he/she was still active or not. There's a lot of areas of interest such as the Wabash Tunnel and the Fort Pitt Tunnel.

I've been trying to get this one started for a couple of years but Pittsburgh is tangled enough that I need someone with the ability to scout locations and routes. 28 reconstruction is complete, PA 576 is actually more recent than the previous meet, new sections of Mon-Fayette... definitely some items worth pursuing. I'd love for someone to step up.

Quote

Is Jeff Kitsko still alive? He's not active here and I never see him on Facebook anymore.

Quote from: hbelkins on December 27, 2017, 04:31:18 PM
Is Jeff Kitsko still alive? He's not active here and I never see him on Facebook anymore.

(you had an extra quote tag) He is. I've been in touch.

Last I saw him was sometime last year in Monroeville, PA

sounds like he chose to go offline.  Can't say I blame him.

Quote from: SSOWorld on December 27, 2017, 10:14:05 PM
sounds like he chose to go offline.  Can't say I blame him.

He's still on my FB page, but doesn't post very often

Quote from: A.J. Bertin on September 23, 2017, 08:31:15 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on September 22, 2017, 11:21:31 AM
I'd be very interested in anything in Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia or northern Florida. The midwest is also in large part unexplored territory for me so I'd be game for something in Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska or the Dakotas.

I am very interested in many of these areas as well. I recall a year or two ago someone (maybe David Backlin?) talked about hosting a NW Arkansas meet. I was hoping that would come to fruition. Arkansas is a state I've barely spent any time in, so if I have a reason to go there, I'd be happy.

If there is any interest, I could host a NWA meet or co-host it with US71 or at least help out with planning it and choosing destinations. I know the area quite well and there are plenty of interesting sites to visit. It's only a couple of hours from me. The only bad thing is that the points of interest are scattered around the region and there would be a lot of driving involved.

Quote from: bugo on December 29, 2017, 05:06:06 PM

Quote from: A.J. Bertin on September 23, 2017, 08:31:15 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on September 22, 2017, 11:21:31 AM
I'd be very interested in anything in Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia or northern Florida. The midwest is also in large part unexplored territory for me so I'd be game for something in Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska or the Dakotas.

I am very interested in many of these areas as well. I recall a year or two ago someone (maybe David Backlin?) talked about hosting a NW Arkansas meet. I was hoping that would come to fruition. Arkansas is a state I've barely spent any time in, so if I have a reason to go there, I'd be happy.

If there is any interest, I could host a NWA meet or co-host it with US71 or at least help out with planning it and choosing destinations. I know the area quite well and there are plenty of interesting sites to visit. It's only a couple of hours from me. The only bad thing is that the points of interest are scattered around the region and there would be a lot of driving involved.

We're Americans.  Just make sure there's food at every stop, and we'll gladly follow.   :cheers:

Quote from: bugo on December 29, 2017, 05:06:06 PM

Quote from: A.J. Bertin on September 23, 2017, 08:31:15 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on September 22, 2017, 11:21:31 AM
I'd be very interested in anything in Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia or northern Florida. The midwest is also in large part unexplored territory for me so I'd be game for something in Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska or the Dakotas.

I am very interested in many of these areas as well. I recall a year or two ago someone (maybe David Backlin?) talked about hosting a NW Arkansas meet. I was hoping that would come to fruition. Arkansas is a state I've barely spent any time in, so if I have a reason to go there, I'd be happy.

If there is any interest, I could host a NWA meet or co-host it with US71 or at least help out with planning it and choosing destinations. I know the area quite well and there are plenty of interesting sites to visit. It's only a couple of hours from me. The only bad thing is that the points of interest are scattered around the region and there would be a lot of driving involved.

That's what keeps me from planning much.  I've also been talking to "ALT 71" about Springfield/Branson, but not much going on as far as ideas.

Quote from: bugo on December 29, 2017, 05:06:06 PM
The only bad thing is that the points of interest are scattered around the region and there would be a lot of driving involved.

It wouldn't be a road meet without driving...that's just me.

Quote from: kphoger on December 29, 2017, 05:54:12 PM
We're Americans.  Just make sure there's food at every stop, and we'll gladly follow.   :cheers:

I'll drink to that too! :cheers:

If there is any interest in a Tulsa/NE Oklahoma meet/bridgehunt next fall I could start planning one. There is plenty of stuff to see that we didn't see at the 2010 meet. Some possible highlights are button copy signs downtown. the Gilcrease Expressway, the Jenks and Bixby bridges which are rare 19 span pony truss bridges, some trusses in northern Tulsa county, the newly reconstructed I-44, the IDL (Inner Dispersal Loop, I-244/444), the active railroad track in the median of the BA (Broken Arrow Expressway, OK 51/US 64), US 66, the Keystone Lake area where there are several highways that disappear underwater and other places.

Another idea would be an Osage County bridgehunt. According to bridgehunter.com, there are about 40 truss bridges in the county. Osage County is a huge county, at over 2300 square miles which is bigger than the state of Delaware on the east coast. There are plenty of other road related things in the area to see (Part of Tulsa is in Osage County, and there is plenty to see there) and things like signs and old alignments and what not would be . This kind of meet might appeal to some in the bridge community and have crossover appeal with bridge enthusiasts and road enthusiasts, two communities with a lot less overlap that you might imagine. We could stop at some of the bridges to socialize. I think it might work.

Quote from: US71 on December 29, 2017, 06:39:09 PM

Quote from: bugo on December 29, 2017, 05:06:06 PM

Quote from: A.J. Bertin on September 23, 2017, 08:31:15 PM

Quote from: hbelkins on September 22, 2017, 11:21:31 AM
I'd be very interested in anything in Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia or northern Florida. The midwest is also in large part unexplored territory for me so I'd be game for something in Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska or the Dakotas.

I am very interested in many of these areas as well. I recall a year or two ago someone (maybe David Backlin?) talked about hosting a NW Arkansas meet. I was hoping that would come to fruition. Arkansas is a state I've barely spent any time in, so if I have a reason to go there, I'd be happy.

If there is any interest, I could host a NWA meet or co-host it with US71 or at least help out with planning it and choosing destinations. I know the area quite well and there are plenty of interesting sites to visit. It's only a couple of hours from me. The only bad thing is that the points of interest are scattered around the region and there would be a lot of driving involved.

That's what keeps me from planning much.  I've also been talking to "ALT 71" about Springfield/Branson, but not much going on as far as ideas.

I can come up with some ideas. I'll send you an email and CC Alt 71 so we can share ideas and discuss logistics.

Quote from: cjk374 on December 29, 2017, 06:53:04 PM

Quote from: bugo on December 29, 2017, 05:06:06 PM
The only bad thing is that the points of interest are scattered around the region and there would be a lot of driving involved.

It wouldn't be a road meet without driving...that's just me.

The Osage County meet I proposed would be a nice mix of driving and socializing.

Quote from: US71 on December 29, 2017, 06:39:09 PM
I've also been talking to "ALT 71" about Springfield/Branson, but not much going on as far as ideas.

Even though I live out here in Wichita, my wife is from Branson and her mom and sisters still live there.  So, with enough advance notice, I might be able to help with a Springfield/Branson meet.

Due to whooping cough, I have to rest for 6 months.

Quote from: bandit957 on January 04, 2018, 03:34:34 PM
Due to whooping cough, I have to rest for 6 months.

Seriously? I'm not sure I could do that.

Yes, that seems like a long time, hope you get better soon, nasty stuff going around.

I haven't updated everyone on the potential Huntsville road meet. My first stab at an itinerary would be a mix between new construction and some obscure signage and bridges. It will most likely be in early November based upon when construction begins on some of the other major projects in the area. However, I have a second itinerary which I have already completed in case construction has not begun on the Northern Bypass, the Memorial Pkwy/Mastin Lake Road overpass, and the Cecil Ashburn widening project.

All of this also depends on how things go with my newborn twins.

Quote from: codyg1985 on January 05, 2018, 10:08:39 AM
I haven't updated everyone on the potential Huntsville road meet. My first stab at an itinerary would be a mix between new construction and some obscure signage and bridges. It will most likely be in early November based upon when construction begins on some of the other major projects in the area. However, I have a second itinerary which I have already completed in case construction has not begun on the Northern Bypass, the Memorial Pkwy/Mastin Lake Road overpass, and the Cecil Ashburn widening project.

All of this also depends on how things go with my newborn twins.

How far south is ALDOT taking the freeway construction of Memorial Parkway?

Quote from: cjk374 on January 05, 2018, 04:05:25 PM

Quote from: codyg1985 on January 05, 2018, 10:08:39 AM
I haven't updated everyone on the potential Huntsville road meet. My first stab at an itinerary would be a mix between new construction and some obscure signage and bridges. It will most likely be in early November based upon when construction begins on some of the other major projects in the area. However, I have a second itinerary which I have already completed in case construction has not begun on the Northern Bypass, the Memorial Pkwy/Mastin Lake Road overpass, and the Cecil Ashburn widening project.

All of this also depends on how things go with my newborn twins.

How far south is ALDOT taking the freeway construction of Memorial Parkway?

The construction goes to Lily Flagg Road, but the freeway will end at Weatherly Road for the time being.

Quote from: J N Winkler on December 23, 2017, 05:08:40 PM

Quote from: kphoger on December 23, 2017, 04:53:35 PMHas there ever been a Twin Cities meet? and when?

Yup.  Last summer.  I almost went, but ended up saving the itinerary for a future self-guided tour.

I'm hoping to do the same. Most meets I save the itineraries in case I someday have time to go back.

Quote from: US71 on January 06, 2018, 12:34:00 PM

Quote from: J N Winkler on December 23, 2017, 05:08:40 PM

Quote from: kphoger on December 23, 2017, 04:53:35 PMHas there ever been a Twin Cities meet? and when?

Yup.  Last summer.  I almost went, but ended up saving the itinerary for a future self-guided tour.

I'm hoping to do the same. Most meets I save the itineraries in case I someday have time to go back.

As someone who's obviously spent a lot of time in the Twin Cities, the whole point of that meet, for me, was to meet other people, not to see the sights. I couldn't fit it into my schedule, though, and I ended up not going. I would totally attend an Omaha or KC meet sometime this year, though, because I'm pretty confident I could make it work.

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 19, 2017, 08:17:14 AM
I'd probably interested in the something in New Mexico since I'm planning on doing something Route 66 road trip related in 2019 anyways. 

I'm late to the discussion, but I'd be interesting in providing ideas for a 2019 ABQ area road meet. There's not a lot of new construction to see (we could ooh and aah at the new and improved Paseo del Norte interchange), but there are historic corridors to see. I spent some time a few years ago trying to find the original route up La Bajada, and located the bottom of it along with a late 1920s bridge over the Santa Fe River. (Though apparently Cochiti Pueblo has closed access at the bottom). The road to the top of the grade seems to be accessible, though I haven't yet gone to find it. Since there are two historic Route 66 corridors out of Albuquerque, that could fill some time.

Quote from: The High Plains Traveler on January 09, 2018, 02:10:29 PM

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 19, 2017, 08:17:14 AM
I'd probably interested in the something in New Mexico since I'm planning on doing something Route 66 road trip related in 2019 anyways. 

I'm late to the discussion, but I'd be interesting in providing ideas for a 2019 ABQ area road meet. There's not a lot of new construction to see (we could ooh and aah at the new and improved Paseo del Norte interchange), but there are historic corridors to see. I spent some time a few years ago trying to find the original route up La Bajada, and located the bottom of it along with a late 1920s bridge over the Santa Fe River. (Though apparently Cochiti Pueblo has closed access at the bottom). The road to the top of the grade seems to be accessible, though I haven't yet gone to find it. Since there are two historic Route 66 corridors out of Albuquerque, that could fill some time.

I'm planning a cross-country 66 trip.  Albuquerque is the junction of a huge realignment hence my interest tends to coincide with a meet there.

Quote from: The High Plains Traveler on January 09, 2018, 02:10:29 PM

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 19, 2017, 08:17:14 AM
I'd probably interested in the something in New Mexico since I'm planning on doing something Route 66 road trip related in 2019 anyways. 

I'm late to the discussion, but I'd be interesting in providing ideas for a 2019 ABQ area road meet. There's not a lot of new construction to see (we could ooh and aah at the new and improved Paseo del Norte interchange), but there are historic corridors to see. I spent some time a few years ago trying to find the original route up La Bajada, and located the bottom of it along with a late 1920s bridge over the Santa Fe River. (Though apparently Cochiti Pueblo has closed access at the bottom). The road to the top of the grade seems to be accessible, though I haven't yet gone to find it. Since there are two historic Route 66 corridors out of Albuquerque, that could fill some time.

From last month-

"Then its settled  :sombrero:, this time next year I will start planning this (Albuquerque) and that will give everyone plenty of time to plan, this would be on one Saturday in July, roughly the 3rd Saturday, I will know the dates of the convention later this summer and I will go from there :D" Yes I am aiming on hosting a meet in Albuquerque, NM mid July 2019

Quote from: jpi on January 09, 2018, 05:21:33 PM

Quote from: The High Plains Traveler on January 09, 2018, 02:10:29 PM

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 19, 2017, 08:17:14 AM
I'd probably interested in the something in New Mexico since I'm planning on doing something Route 66 road trip related in 2019 anyways. 

I'm late to the discussion, but I'd be interesting in providing ideas for a 2019 ABQ area road meet. There's not a lot of new construction to see (we could ooh and aah at the new and improved Paseo del Norte interchange), but there are historic corridors to see. I spent some time a few years ago trying to find the original route up La Bajada, and located the bottom of it along with a late 1920s bridge over the Santa Fe River. (Though apparently Cochiti Pueblo has closed access at the bottom). The road to the top of the grade seems to be accessible, though I haven't yet gone to find it. Since there are two historic Route 66 corridors out of Albuquerque, that could fill some time.

From last month-

"Then its settled  :sombrero:, this time next year I will start planning this (Albuquerque) and that will give everyone plenty of time to plan, this would be on one Saturday in July, roughly the 3rd Saturday, I will know the dates of the convention later this summer and I will go from there :D" Yes I am aiming on hosting a meet in Albuquerque, NM mid July 2019

Around the 4th likely would be an issue for me.  I have a bunch of inventories I oversee during the July time frame.  June and August are way more open. 

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 09, 2018, 05:25:51 PM

Quote from: jpi on January 09, 2018, 05:21:33 PM

Quote from: The High Plains Traveler on January 09, 2018, 02:10:29 PM

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 19, 2017, 08:17:14 AM
I'd probably interested in the something in New Mexico since I'm planning on doing something Route 66 road trip related in 2019 anyways. 

I'm late to the discussion, but I'd be interesting in providing ideas for a 2019 ABQ area road meet. There's not a lot of new construction to see (we could ooh and aah at the new and improved Paseo del Norte interchange), but there are historic corridors to see. I spent some time a few years ago trying to find the original route up La Bajada, and located the bottom of it along with a late 1920s bridge over the Santa Fe River. (Though apparently Cochiti Pueblo has closed access at the bottom). The road to the top of the grade seems to be accessible, though I haven't yet gone to find it. Since there are two historic Route 66 corridors out of Albuquerque, that could fill some time.

From last month-

"Then its settled  :sombrero:, this time next year I will start planning this (Albuquerque) and that will give everyone plenty of time to plan, this would be on one Saturday in July, roughly the 3rd Saturday, I will know the dates of the convention later this summer and I will go from there :D" Yes I am aiming on hosting a meet in Albuquerque, NM mid July 2019

Around the 4th likely would be an issue for me.  I have a bunch of inventories I oversee during the July time frame.  June and August are way more open. 

Unfortunetly it would have to be in mid July for me to host this since my wife and I both will be in Albuquerque for a 3 day long toy convention (mattel reps, banquet, the whole 9 yards) and it is always around the 3rd weekend in July so June and August are out, it is a day and a half drive for me running I-40 west from the Nashville, TN area so I would be VERY limited with planning another weekend for this. I will have the date nailed down as soon as the end of this July.

Quote from: The High Plains Traveler on January 09, 2018, 02:10:29 PM

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 19, 2017, 08:17:14 AM
I'd probably interested in the something in New Mexico since I'm planning on doing something Route 66 road trip related in 2019 anyways. 

I'm late to the discussion, but I'd be interesting in providing ideas for a 2019 ABQ area road meet. There's not a lot of new construction to see (we could ooh and aah at the new and improved Paseo del Norte interchange), but there are historic corridors to see. I spent some time a few years ago trying to find the original route up La Bajada, and located the bottom of it along with a late 1920s bridge over the Santa Fe River. (Though apparently Cochiti Pueblo has closed access at the bottom). The road to the top of the grade seems to be accessible, though I haven't yet gone to find it. Since there are two historic Route 66 corridors out of Albuquerque, that could fill some time.

Google Maps is your friend, though it took a bit of digging around to find. https://goo.gl/maps/TLjvVS3DHeF2
And yes, the bottom is closed. Gotta ask the pueblo nicely.

If one in OKC is going to happen, I think summer of next year is the timeframe. I want to avoid the situation of being mid-meet and having a tornado threat (which can occur quite often between March-May). Not to mention, if there's a tornado threat, I'd likely be on a storm chase.

Due to changes at work, it has become nearly impossible for me to schedule anything without knowing a year in advance. In fact, today was the last day for vacation requests for the rest of the year. Anything here on out is a 2-day limit (so La Crosse would be in). I set a week in June that I think I'll be tackling US 8/141 and I-41, but don't know if I can have it Tuesday-Tuesday or it has to be Sunday-Saturday.

An ABQ meet the third weekend of July 2019 sounds lovely. I just got to NM the first time in 20 years last year but I still need to get Santa Fe and want more of US 66. OTOH, it would set me up for driving through the bulk of Kansas for the third time in three years.

As for anything in Sioux City and Omaha, I've thought about it but it would depend on who wanted to see things mid-construction as opposed to near completion. (It's also another two hours each way for me over there now, so I wouldn't be scouting like I did in 2010.) The I-74 bridge is getting pilings just this year so aside from land-clearing on the Iowa side and US 67 conversion, there's not much to see.

Stickied for index purposes - will be doing this every year.

Quote from: SSOWorld on March 23, 2018, 12:16:44 PM
Stickied for index purposes - will be doing this every year.

Great idea... thanks, Scott!