There is some preliminary plans up on the St. Louis Roads facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/369721483111108/), and over the next two weekends some of the key details will be hammered out. The focus will be the new I-70 bridge over the Mississippi River (which locals are now calling the Stan Span), there is other construction. Other points of interest that will be possibly talked about is I-64 and I-70 across the Missouri River, MO 364 Phase 3 construction, and maybe I-57 in Mt. Vernon/Marion area.
MoDOT has set the opening date for February 9 with ceremonies on February 8.
Due to work schedules putting me on the midnight shifts that weekend and the ASA umpire-related stuff the following two weekends, the date of the roadgeek meet has been set for March 15 at 11 AM. RSVP deadline is set for midnight CDT on March 10 - you may RSVP by either the Facebook event post, text message (cell phone is on the related file on the St. Louis Roads group), private message on this site, or Facebook private message. The RSVP deadline is set due in part that we are going with a catered meal for the luncheon this year and need a head count to tell the restaurant on March 11. The possible menu has also been posted to the facebook group - we need input on which meat and which side to go with.
https://www.facebook.com/events/607250339312398
MEET Info
March 15, 11 AM at Pappy's Smokehouse (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pappys-Smokehouse/120479017988450) in St. Louis 3106 Olive Street, St. Louis 63103
(We have reserved their private room and going with their catering)
We will have lunch first, then go visit the sites.
Tentative schedule and ilternary as of 2/18 (http://kharvey10.wordpress.com/2014/01/24/2014-st-louis-roadgeek-meet-set-for-march-15/)
I'm open to any of the dates, but chose March 15 as it should be less likely to have snow and ice.
Totally dependent on finances. Maybe I'll win the lottery between now and then. No raises in six years means I'll be much less likely to attend any meets that require lengthy travel and/or overnight stays.
I am leaning toward March 15 myself, the next day is when the local diecast car club has a swap meet in St Louis so I can set up there too (like I did back in December) Also the weekend before should be good for me too because the "other" toy show held in Bridgeton I think is that Sunday too. Either way I should be able to attend since it's an easy drive up from Nashville, TN
I should know for sure whether or not I can get the time off necessary to attend the NYC meet by the time this meet is on. If I do that, that'll eat both my budget and available vacation time for any trips more than two days long for next year, since that'd be a 20 day roadtrip. If I can't, I'll probably attend this and Starved Rock. I'm not voting since I'm 75% sure I'll be going to NYC, but if I can make it either President's Day weekend (Feb 15) or the last couple weekends (longer days, better roads) would be optimal. Or if I can't get all the time off but can get some of the time off to attend NYC and then fly out and take a 10 day trip instead, I'd probably attend that and either this or Starved Rock. I'd rather do Starved Rock from a location perspective, but from a spacing out trips perspective this is better.
March 8 works best with my school schedule, but I won't complain if I don't get my way.
This will be hard to pull off financially, as it's easily farther than I've ever traveled for a meet, and I'd need to find somebody to split lodging with. It will also probably be the last long trip I take in my current car. But it sounds like a great adventure in a city I've never seen!
I really want to attend this meet. My preference would be one of the later dates in March (I voted for March 22) just because that means there will be less of a chance for bad weather for those of us driving from farther away.
MoDOT has just set the opening date for February 9, which means the roadgeek meet will likely be either March 8 or 15. I will more than likely be working nights in February which will rule out the remaining possible February date, and the majority of the people are favoring the March dates anyway.
Either one works for me. You should go ahead and set up an event on Facebook, Kim. :bigass:
I'm open to either one
I am ok with both March dates, there is a toy show on both Sundays :-) Looks like March 29 should be good for my meet then. I will put out a facebook announcment after the first of the year :-)
As long as we both can get the Friday before the meet off of work, then Mike and I will come out to this meet. Either March 8th or 15th is fine. We have never traveled this far for a meet before, but think it would be doable as long as we left Baltimore Thursday evening and left St. Louis Saturday evening.
Sweet! Steph may be able to come with me on this trip too :-)
It is leaning more towards the 15th, I will be trying to get some of the details squared away tomorrow.
I'm likely out. I have 2 shows im March with about 5 days between to resort and repack.
15th works out good for me, local diecast club will have there monthly show that Sunday morning. :-)
The 15th is the only day I have a shot at coming, being spring break. It'll be complicated, though, since that's also my birthday. :)
Quote from: Molandfreak on December 20, 2013, 12:25:02 AM
The 15th is the only day I have a shot at coming, being spring break. It'll be complicated, though, since that's also my birthday. :)
Birthday road meets are so much fun! Definitely come! My birthday weekend fell on a road meet this year (Brick/Wall, NJ) and will this coming year (NYC National Meet).
I have officially set the date for March 15. https://www.facebook.com/events/607250339312398
I'm going to plan on attending this. I'm not Facebook friends with Kim, so I'll need one of my mutual Facebook friends to invite me so I can RSVP there. :)
RSVPing in just a few minutes! :-)
If I am able to attend, I will either RSVP here or privately to Kim since I don't accept Facebook event invitations other than to say "maybe."
As I've said before, totally dependent on finances and I will quite likely have to decide between this one and Nashville and probably Hampton Roads if that's where Froggie ends up doing his meet -- if I am able to attend any meets at all this year.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on December 30, 2013, 10:16:29 AM
I'm going to plan on attending this. I'm not Facebook friends with Kim, so I'll need one of my mutual Facebook friends to invite me so I can RSVP there. :)
A.J., I attempted to do so, but it looks like she's created the event for the St. Louis Roads FB group, which you aren't a member of, so I couldn't.
I'm comfortable saying I'll be at this meet. Depending on scheduling it's possible I'll be a little bit tired the morning of the meet from driving a good chunk of the night, but, hey, roadmeet and barbeque.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on December 30, 2013, 10:16:29 AM
I'm going to plan on attending this. I'm not Facebook friends with Kim, so I'll need one of my mutual Facebook friends to invite me so I can RSVP there. :)
One of us will do so. I plan on attending. :)
Quote from: corco on December 30, 2013, 02:48:42 PM
I'm comfortable saying I'll be at this meet. Depending on scheduling it's possible I'll be a little bit tired the morning of the meet from driving a good chunk of the night, but, hey, roadmeet and barbeque.
It'll be good to meet you then. :cool:
I am going to try to take the day before off from work (Friday) then Steph and I will drive up after she gets off work Friday evening since it's only 5 and a half hours and I don't need to make any side trips.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on December 30, 2013, 10:16:29 AM
I'm going to plan on attending this. I'm not Facebook friends with Kim, so I'll need one of my mutual Facebook friends to invite me so I can RSVP there. :)
A.J., I attempted to do so, but it looks like she's created the event for the St. Louis Roads FB group, which you aren't a member of, so I couldn't.
[/quote]
Thanks for trying, H.B. I just submitted a request to join the FB group. :)
I'm mega excited about this meet. I've put myself as a "maybe" but as long as Mike and I can get off from work that Friday, we should be good to make it.
Can't make it. Don't have the ca$h.
This is now more possible than I originally thought, but given that it's the first of three successive meets that are within reasonable driving distance from me (this one, then whatever Froggie decides to do re: DC vs. Hampton Roads, then Nashville) I will definitely have to forego at least one of the meets.
Three meets in three weekends might equal divorce. :-D
Well H.B., I will be ok if you skip mine since I am sure I will see you at the St Louis meet ;-) Laura- that is good news, especailly since Steph should be coming with me on this trip, you guys can catch up! :-)
I'm a probable, with my plan to include the St. Louis meet on my way back from a trip to Texas and/or New Mexico. I'll confirm later as my plans solidify.
That would get me home in plenty of time for Froggie's and Mike/Laura's meets penciled in for the following weekend. But Nashville the weekend after that would be pushing it.
I'll definitely be at this one.
It's not out of the realm of possibility for me. Getting Jeremy and Tim together at a meet would be reason enough.
This meet falls at the end of my spring break week, so I could be a possible depending on how feasible it is to get there from the UP of Michigan and a few other things.
Quote from: Steve on January 14, 2014, 12:58:53 AM
It's not out of the realm of possibility for me. Getting Jeremy and Tim together at a meet would be reason enough.
Damn, we're gettin' the mtr band back together! :cheers: :-D
Quote from: Brandon on January 26, 2014, 03:56:36 PM
Quote from: Steve on January 14, 2014, 12:58:53 AM
It's not out of the realm of possibility for me. Getting Jeremy and Tim together at a meet would be reason enough.
Damn, we're gettin' the mtr band back together! :cheers: :-D
You were there??
He was.
Got on mtr back in 1997 and haven't been the same since. :bigass:
Quote from: Brandon on January 26, 2014, 09:35:18 PM
Got on mtr back in 1997 and haven't been the same since. :bigass:
I must have just ignored you, since you weren't Lansford or Kozel. :D
I was on MTR too as "JPI" but only posted here and there.
The Musial Bridge opened to traffic yesterday. The meet is just over a month away, and while its great during the day the view is even better at night.
So I've buyed a bus ticket, and I'm on my way to where the air is sweet!
Quote from: bandit957 on February 11, 2014, 04:49:07 PM
So I've buyed a bus ticket, and I'm on my way to where the air is sweet!
See you in Saint Louis, Louie. :D
Got the time off approved today, going to leave Friday the 7th, drive out via US 2 and check out the upper peninsula (go to the north terminus of US 41), swing down to southern Ohio to see family, head down through Appalachia to visit SC/GA/AL/MS, then come back up to St Louis, all off interstate once get I out of Montana. Then I'll have two days to get back. Should be action packed but fun.
Quote from: corco on February 11, 2014, 07:11:03 PM
Got the time off approved today, going to leave Friday the 7th, drive out via US 2 and check out the upper peninsula (go to the north terminus of US 41), swing down to southern Ohio to see family, head down through Appalachia to visit SC/GA/AL/MS, then come back up to St Louis, all off interstate once get out of Montana. Then I'll have two days to get back. Should be action packed but fun.
Wow, that's a lot of ground to cover! What's your route going to be through the south?
Pick up US 19 somewhere in WV, then US 421 in Bristol to US 221 in Boone, probably spend the night in Boone. Then US 221->US 76->spend the night in Chattanooga, then US 72->US 45->various Illinois state highways->St Louis, so yeah, I'm just clipping the northern edges of those southern states- a total of 36 miles in Mississippi!
Quote from: corco on February 11, 2014, 07:17:39 PM
US 421 in Bristol to US 221 in Boone
Unless you have a burning desire to clinch US 421 in Tennessee or enjoy winding around mountains on switchbacks, I'd recommend I-81 from Bristol (or US 11/19, if you prefer) through Abingdon to US 58 and Damascus, then VA/TN 91 south to US 421 at Mountain City. Much better road, probably faster, and no big honkin' mountains to cross.
I do like me some big honkin' mountains and switchbacks, but if I'm short on time I'll definitely keep your suggestion in mind as a good alternate.
As with the Ashland meet, I'll have some extra time between arrival and the start of the meet. Anyone know of anything Roads Scholarly that I might want to check out? (I have a few ideas already.)
Quote from: bandit957 on February 11, 2014, 10:40:48 PM
As with the Ashland meet, I'll have some extra time between arrival and the start of the meet. Anyone know of anything Roads Scholarly that I might want to check out? (I have a few ideas already.)
US 66 bridge stub (http://goo.gl/maps/Dmxii) (and RR truss next door)
Head north and/or east from there and you can probably find a handful of 44-55-64-70 type hyphenated shields. There was also construction on Tucker Blvd. near Cass Ave. last time I was there - along the route of old US 66. May be done now.
Pretty much every bridge carried US 66 at some point. Check them out.
The US 66 stub is on my list already.
Does anyone know where the St. Louis CITY courthouse is? I can't seem to find it on a map. (I assume it has a courthouse, since it's an independent city.)
Quote from: bulldog1979 on January 25, 2014, 02:52:28 AM
This meet falls at the end of my spring break week, so I could be a possible depending on how feasible it is to get there from the UP of Michigan and a few other things.
I'm going, and I plan on driving through Wisconsin and Illinois, so I could be your ride! I'm leaving Friday at 10 am and returning Sunday evening. However, you'd have to put up with my clinching of counties that lie between I-39 and I-43, and I was planning on crashing at a friend's apartment in DeKalb on Friday night, so we'd have to find new lodging.
But it'd be great to have you at another meet, and I could use a car companion, so I am willing to make this work if you are.
So, I am going to this. If you need to add me to the list of RSVPs, please do so. Thanks!
I'm negotiating this on the domestic front. It's an event I would like to make, and would give me the opportunity to extend or complete U.S. highway clinches.
Forget NYC. This is the true national meet. All of the big players will be there, from all different parts of the country.
Sounds like this is gearing up to be quite the party!
Unfortunately I have family-related obligations the weekend of the 15th so this is completely off the table for me.
Quote from: bugo on February 16, 2014, 03:38:35 AM
Forget NYC. This is the true national meet. All of the big players will be there, from all different parts of the country.
It's too late! You can't stop it! There is only... THE MEET!
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F24.media.tumblr.com%2F65b6cbe9048520fe696cbc06b3cd98b9%2Ftumblr_mor6jexCTF1ra49u2o1_500.jpg&hash=422e19cc3c4f8534fa00cba3667cd88fb735ae25)
Quote from: bugo on February 16, 2014, 03:38:35 AM
Forget NYC. This is the true national meet. All of the big players will be there, from all different parts of the country.
Well, then my challenge is to top this one.
Updated the tentative plans of the meet as of 2/18 - projected attendance numbers will be in the 20s based from the current RSVP and the number of undecided people out there.
Quote from: kharvey10 on February 19, 2014, 10:38:14 AM
Updated the tentative plans of the meet as of 2/18 - projected attendance numbers will be in the 20s based from the current RSVP and the number of undecided people out there.
That's a pretty decent-sized crowd. :-o It's nice to see. :cool:
Quote from: Brandon on February 19, 2014, 10:50:14 AM
Quote from: kharvey10 on February 19, 2014, 10:38:14 AM
Updated the tentative plans of the meet as of 2/18 - projected attendance numbers will be in the 20s based from the current RSVP and the number of undecided people out there.
That's a pretty decent-sized crowd. :-o It's nice to see. :cool:
:-(
Heck yay!! Can't wait to see everyone again! :-)
Still doubtful for this one. I'm still leaning toward the Hampton Roads/Delmarva "twofer" as my other meet besides Tennessee.
Mostly because I-64 west of Louisville is such a boring drive. :sleep:
Quote from: hbelkins on February 20, 2014, 01:50:32 PM
Still doubtful for this one. I'm still leaning toward the Hampton Roads/Delmarva "twofer" as my other meet besides Tennessee.
Mostly because I-64 west of Louisville is such a boring drive. :sleep:
I'll likely still be in Mississippi that weekend. :(
I'd love to have a copy of the itinerary, though. Maybe this Summer I can drive up and have a look.
The main part of the itinerary is a trip up IL 100 and across a ferry, then some downtown exploring and the new bridge.
Quote from: US71 on February 20, 2014, 03:59:10 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on February 20, 2014, 01:50:32 PM
Still doubtful for this one. I'm still leaning toward the Hampton Roads/Delmarva "twofer" as my other meet besides Tennessee.
Mostly because I-64 west of Louisville is such a boring drive. :sleep:
I'll likely still be in Mississippi that weekend. :(
I'd love to have a copy of the itinerary, though. Maybe this Summer I can drive up and have a look.
I think the itinerary is posted on the Facebook meet page.
Quote from: bugo on February 20, 2014, 07:08:33 PM
The main part of the itinerary is a trip up IL 100 and across a ferry, then some downtown exploring and the new bridge.
If I'm looking at the right itinerary, it notes the ferry might be closed on that date, so there might be a plan B that omits the ferry.
If it's the Brussels Ferry, I've been on that free ferry, as well as the private toll ferry crossing the river from Missouri, both after the 2008 St. Louis road meet. But I didn't drive the part of IL 100 south/east of the ferry.
Quote from: bugo on February 20, 2014, 07:08:33 PM
The main part of the itinerary is a trip up IL 100 and across a ferry, then some downtown exploring and the new bridge.
There's a couple of ferries across the Illinois River there, as well as the ferries across the Mississippi River. I took the Kampsville Ferry (IL-108) several years ago as well as across the lift bridge at Hardin.
Quote from: oscar on February 20, 2014, 10:22:33 PM
Quote from: bugo on February 20, 2014, 07:08:33 PM
The main part of the itinerary is a trip up IL 100 and across a ferry, then some downtown exploring and the new bridge.
If I'm looking at the right itinerary, it notes the ferry might be closed on that date, so there might be a plan B that omits the ferry.
If it's the Brussels Ferry, I've been on that free ferry, as well as the private toll ferry crossing the river from Missouri, both after the 2008 St. Louis road meet. But I didn't drive the part of IL 100 south/east of the ferry.
It is indeed the Brussels Ferry, which appears to be operational. Assuming we make it up that far, it can be a gametime decision, since it's either there or it's not and we'll be on the river road right next to it.
We should have plenty of time to make the ferry as long as we don't lollygag around too much at the restaurant.
'Lollygag' is a funny word.
Quote from: bugo on February 21, 2014, 09:08:33 AM
We should have plenty of time to make the ferry as long as we don't lollygag around too much at the restaurant.
With a crowd as big as is expected, that will be a bit of an accomplishment. Paying (although since it's catered, it'll probably be a set amount for everyone), making sure everyone uses the facilities before departure and organizing the caravan and determining who's driving and who's riding with whom can be a chore sometimes.
Quote from: hbelkins on February 21, 2014, 01:49:05 PM
making sure everyone uses the facilities before departure
Pooing is cool.
Quote from: NE2 on February 21, 2014, 04:59:48 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on February 21, 2014, 01:49:05 PM
making sure everyone uses the facilities before departure
Pooing is cool.
In the washroom, yes. On the side of the road, no.
I was told that we have the room strictly until only 1 PM. So at this meet, we may have the "threat of force" to make us move our asses. Plus, paying will not be a big deal at this meet-my understanding is that it is a set amount per person, and that we can actually pay the host at any point during the day.
Quote from: yanksfan6129 on February 21, 2014, 10:34:50 PM
I was told that we have the room strictly until only 1 PM. So at this meet, we may have the "threat of force" to make us move our asses. Plus, paying will not be a big deal at this meet-my understanding is that it is a set amount per person, and that we can actually pay the host at any point during the day.
That only pushes us all into the parking lot. Assembling the caravans (at the restaurant, and it sounds from the itinerary there will be a second round of sorting at the Days inn-Collinsville after we've all crossed the river) will take longer.
At least we will have changed over to Daylight Savings Time the preceding weekend, giving us more post-lunch daylight to work with.
Quote from: oscar on February 21, 2014, 10:43:05 PM
Quote from: yanksfan6129 on February 21, 2014, 10:34:50 PM
I was told that we have the room strictly until only 1 PM. So at this meet, we may have the "threat of force" to make us move our asses. Plus, paying will not be a big deal at this meet-my understanding is that it is a set amount per person, and that we can actually pay the host at any point during the day.
That only pushes us all into the parking lot. Assembling the caravans (at the restaurant and/or elsewhere) will take longer.
At least we will have changed over to Daylight Savings Time the preceding weekend, giving us more post-lunch daylight to work with.
One good thing though is that we're pretty much all staying at the same hotel, so we'll probably form most of the carpools at that site and carpool to lunch. The few local folks will be the only ones that have to figure it out at the hotel parking lot on the way back.
I'll be driving down that morning from Joliet, about 3-1/2 hours from Collinsville. I can stop there and pick up anyone who wants a ride over into St Louis.
Chloe is coming! She won't be at the meet itself, but she will be in my motel room and everybody is going to get to meet her.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8061/8198080654_03ff97c33b_c.jpg)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8198077016_13198b73e2_c.jpg)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8481/8170976632_15909c4754_c.jpg)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8208/8196983029_cae2abe2bb_c.jpg)
If I come, I'll probably be staying in Evansville or Mt. Vernon on Friday night, and driving in the rest of the way, and will also stay somewhere between STL and Louisville on the way back Saturday night.
Quote from: hbelkins on February 22, 2014, 02:39:22 PM
If I come, I'll probably be staying in Evansville or Mt. Vernon on Friday night, and driving in the rest of the way, and will also stay somewhere between STL and Louisville on the way back Saturday night.
I'll be in Washington up a bit on I-69 that Friday. If you wanted to join me there, we can share dinner and a room, and you can check out that new freeway.
Well, at this late date if there's room for one more, I'd like to participate. I will be en route returning to Michigan from Texas at that time, and a close encounter with the St. Louis area is almost mandatory.
It seems there's no room at the Collinsville Days Inn though. The place is booked solid with some sort of crazy hobbyist bunch. Guess I'll have to stay elsewhere. Probably wouldn't get any sleep among that rowdy crowd anyway.
Quote from: brianreynolds on February 27, 2014, 12:12:37 AM
Well, at this late date if there's room for one more, I'd like to participate. I will be en route returning to Michigan from Texas at that time, and a close encounter with the St. Louis area is almost mandatory.
It seems there's no room at the Collinsville Days Inn though. The place is booked solid with some sort of crazy hobbyist bunch. Guess I'll have to stay elsewhere. Probably wouldn't get any sleep among that rowdy crowd anyway.
If you're talking about Saturday night... there is a bed available... inquire within
Quote from: Alps on February 27, 2014, 12:17:14 AM
Quote from: brianreynolds on February 27, 2014, 12:12:37 AM
It seems there's no room at the Collinsville Days Inn though. The place is booked solid with some sort of crazy hobbyist bunch. Guess I'll have to stay elsewhere. Probably wouldn't get any sleep among that rowdy crowd anyway.
If you're talking about Saturday night... there is a bed available... inquire within
Thanks, Steve. I'll probably be rolling in about mid-afternoon on Friday. There are several other hostels within a stone's throw. I'll be nearby.
We struck out at the Day's Inn but got a room for the same price at the Comfort Inn in Edwardsville. off I-270. Since that's the chain I'm currently collecting points at, it didn't bother me.
For headcount purposes, the "domestic negotiation" I cited above means that I agreed to bring the wife and extend the trip after we leave St. Louis. We both have cabin fever after a cool winter (which I hope has relented by mid-March).
^^
There is a Walmart on the south side of I-55/70 there. It might make a good location for those of us who are not driving and not staying at the Days Inn to use as a park and ride lot.
https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=38.677838,-90.014205&spn=0.019465,0.042272&t=h&z=15
We have an extra bed in our room Friday night. PM me for details. We'd be happy to share (and it would help our budget for this trip).
Quote from: brianreynolds on February 27, 2014, 12:12:37 AM
Well, at this late date if there's room for one more, I'd like to participate. I will be en route returning to Michigan from Texas at that time, and a close encounter with the St. Louis area is almost mandatory.
It seems there's no room at the Collinsville Days Inn though. The place is booked solid with some sort of crazy hobbyist bunch. Guess I'll have to stay elsewhere. Probably wouldn't get any sleep among that rowdy crowd anyway.
I can't vouch for its quality, but the Super 8-Collinsville (where I'm booked for two nights) is within walking distance of the Days Inn-Collinsville. Not as convenient to party central, but it'll do.
There's a Comfort Inn right next door too, and a low-rate Hampton (<$100 for the AAA Rate) right across the street. Even the Super 8 is just across a field.
^^ There's a bunch of hotels in that area. I went to the Holiday Inn there about 10 years ago for work. It's also surrounded by several restaurants, including a barbeque place called Bandana's.
I plan to stay in the Fort Campbell, KY area Friday night since the concert I am going to may not let out until 10 or 11 that night, Saturday night I plan to stay in the Crestwood, MO area since that is close to the toy show I will be at on Sunday morning.
Thank you to Steve and Laura for the offers. I am declining only because I will be there for two nights. Also, thanks to all who offered advice, especially Oscar. I now have my room at the nearby Super 8 locked down for Friday and Saturday nights.
To quote an old Hollywood classic, "Meet me in St. Louis".
Quote from: brianreynolds on February 27, 2014, 11:36:59 PM
Thank you to Steve and Laura for the offers. I am declining only because I will be there for two nights. Also, thanks to all who offered advice, especially Oscar. I now have my room at the nearby Super 8 locked down for Friday and Saturday nights.
To quote an old Hollywood classic, "Meet me in St. Louis".
No worries! The room is still open for anyone else.
Ahhhh the meet is two weeks away...I seriously cannot wait.
This is going to be epic. This roadmeet will make all others pale in comparison.
Quote from: Laura on March 01, 2014, 03:29:50 PM
Quote from: brianreynolds on February 27, 2014, 11:36:59 PM
Thank you to Steve and Laura for the offers. I am declining only because I will be there for two nights. Also, thanks to all who offered advice, especially Oscar. I now have my room at the nearby Super 8 locked down for Friday and Saturday nights.
To quote an old Hollywood classic, "Meet me in St. Louis".
No worries! The room is still open for anyone else.
I will take you up on the offer, but I get to sleep in Mike's bed with him. Does he enjoy spooning?
Watch out for Mike's trouser snake.
TMI, TMI...
Quote from: bugo on March 01, 2014, 08:26:13 PM
Quote from: Laura on March 01, 2014, 03:29:50 PM
Quote from: brianreynolds on February 27, 2014, 11:36:59 PM
Thank you to Steve and Laura for the offers. I am declining only because I will be there for two nights. Also, thanks to all who offered advice, especially Oscar. I now have my room at the nearby Super 8 locked down for Friday and Saturday nights.
To quote an old Hollywood classic, "Meet me in St. Louis".
No worries! The room is still open for anyone else.
I will take you up on the offer, but I get to sleep in Mike's bed with him. Does he enjoy spooning?
Actually, I think you'd get the empty bed. I have a feeling that Mike and Laura might want to be together. They are married, you know.
Best keep your "Send Help" signs at home for this meet. They're not being made anymore, and one attendee has stated that he plans to confiscate and destroy any signs that are displayed at the meet.
Quote from: hbelkins on March 02, 2014, 02:29:17 PM
Best keep your "Send Help" signs at home for this meet. They're not being made anymore, and one attendee has stated that he plans to confiscate and destroy any signs that are displayed at the meet.
I can indeed verify that that the Send Help signs aren't being made anymore. I only have my own personal Selp Help sign / Adirondack Northway map, so I can't even produce Send Help signs for others. I doubt I will bring my Send Help sign to the St. Louis meet, on purpose rather than accidentally forgetting it at home. I am flying to the meet in St. Louis, and as a result, will bring only what I need to bring with me.
Quote from: Dougtone on March 02, 2014, 05:49:32 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on March 02, 2014, 02:29:17 PM
Best keep your "Send Help" signs at home for this meet. They're not being made anymore, and one attendee has stated that he plans to confiscate and destroy any signs that are displayed at the meet.
I can indeed verify that that the Send Help signs aren't being made anymore. I only have my own personal Selp Help sign / Adirondack Northway map, so I can't even produce Send Help signs for others. I doubt I will bring my Send Help sign to the St. Louis meet, on purpose rather than accidentally forgetting it at home. I am flying to the meet in St. Louis, and as a result, will bring only what I need to bring with me.
Aside of the fact that mine is sitting on my dorm room window at the moment, I have to ask why. You don't have to like the signs. You can ask people don't display it in the group photo. (I listened to that request, and was happy to keep mine folded in Burlington.) Threatening to destroy them is a bit insane.
Quote from: Roadgeek Adam on March 02, 2014, 05:55:58 PM
Quote from: Dougtone on March 02, 2014, 05:49:32 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on March 02, 2014, 02:29:17 PM
Best keep your "Send Help" signs at home for this meet. They're not being made anymore, and one attendee has stated that he plans to confiscate and destroy any signs that are displayed at the meet.
I can indeed verify that that the Send Help signs aren't being made anymore. I only have my own personal Selp Help sign / Adirondack Northway map, so I can't even produce Send Help signs for others. I doubt I will bring my Send Help sign to the St. Louis meet, on purpose rather than accidentally forgetting it at home. I am flying to the meet in St. Louis, and as a result, will bring only what I need to bring with me.
Aside of the fact that mine is sitting on my dorm room window at the moment, I have to ask why. You don't have to like the signs. You can ask people don't display it in the group photo. (I listened to that request, and was happy to keep mine folded in Burlington.) Threatening to destroy them is a bit insane.
In Burlington, I think we wound up taking a group picture with the Send Help sign, along the the group picture without the Send Help sign. I thought that was a reasonable compromise, and in hindsight, maybe better that way.
Quote from: Dougtone on March 02, 2014, 06:06:18 PM
Quote from: Roadgeek Adam on March 02, 2014, 05:55:58 PM
Quote from: Dougtone on March 02, 2014, 05:49:32 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on March 02, 2014, 02:29:17 PM
Best keep your "Send Help" signs at home for this meet. They're not being made anymore, and one attendee has stated that he plans to confiscate and destroy any signs that are displayed at the meet.
I can indeed verify that that the Send Help signs aren't being made anymore. I only have my own personal Selp Help sign / Adirondack Northway map, so I can't even produce Send Help signs for others. I doubt I will bring my Send Help sign to the St. Louis meet, on purpose rather than accidentally forgetting it at home. I am flying to the meet in St. Louis, and as a result, will bring only what I need to bring with me.
Aside of the fact that mine is sitting on my dorm room window at the moment, I have to ask why. You don't have to like the signs. You can ask people don't display it in the group photo. (I listened to that request, and was happy to keep mine folded in Burlington.) Threatening to destroy them is a bit insane.
In Burlington, I think we wound up taking a group picture with the Send Help sign, along the the group picture without the Send Help sign. I thought that was a reasonable compromise, and in hindsight, maybe better that way.
Yes we did, and if you look in the sign-less photo, the sign is folded up under my right arm. So, the question I have is, why not here?
Because bugo is anal.
Send Help signs are awesome and I hope somebody brings one.
Sounds to me like its a dying meme.
Quote from: NE2 on March 02, 2014, 06:15:30 PM
Because bugo is anal.
How did you know it was him?
Quote from: hbelkins on March 02, 2014, 06:54:38 PM
Quote from: NE2 on March 02, 2014, 06:15:30 PM
Because bugo is anal.
How did you know it was him?
I thought it was obvious. He's the only person I know of who is on the record as vehemently hating the Send Help sign.
I'm bringing a "Send Poo" sign.
Quote from: bandit957 on March 02, 2014, 07:57:45 PM
I'm bringing a "Send Poo" sign.
I'm bringing multiple SEND HELP signs, on the premise that there will be an opportunity to use them at some point. Maybe if the meet comes to East St. Louis.
Quote from: Duke87 on March 02, 2014, 07:17:11 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on March 02, 2014, 06:54:38 PM
Quote from: NE2 on March 02, 2014, 06:15:30 PM
Because bugo is anal.
How did you know it was him?
I thought it was obvious. He's the only person I know of who is on the record as vehemently hating the Send Help sign.
I figured it was him because it just sounds like something he would do.
Quote from: Brandon on March 02, 2014, 07:54:40 AM
Quote from: bugo on March 01, 2014, 08:26:13 PM
Quote from: Laura on March 01, 2014, 03:29:50 PM
Quote from: brianreynolds on February 27, 2014, 11:36:59 PM
Thank you to Steve and Laura for the offers. I am declining only because I will be there for two nights. Also, thanks to all who offered advice, especially Oscar. I now have my room at the nearby Super 8 locked down for Friday and Saturday nights.
To quote an old Hollywood classic, "Meet me in St. Louis".
No worries! The room is still open for anyone else.
I will take you up on the offer, but I get to sleep in Mike's bed with him. Does he enjoy spooning?
Actually, I think you'd get the empty bed. I have a feeling that Mike and Laura might want to be together. They are married, you know.
I have the feeling that you don't get my sense of humor.
Quote from: hbelkins on March 02, 2014, 02:29:17 PM
Best keep your "Send Help" signs at home for this meet. They're not being made anymore, and one attendee has stated that he plans to confiscate and destroy any signs that are displayed at the meet.
That's right.
Actually if you want to bring your silly signs, bring them, but just don't take a picture with me and the sign both in it or I will confiscate your camera and destroy your picture.
Bring a raincoat, everyone, because they're saying it might be raaaaaaaaaai-nee! I just checked the long-range forecast.
Quote from: bugo on March 03, 2014, 03:51:06 AM
Actually if you want to bring your silly signs, bring them, but just don't take a picture with me and the sign both in it or I will confiscate your camera and destroy your picture.
Why do you dislike the sign so much?
Quote from: bandit957 on March 03, 2014, 01:02:56 PM
Bring a raincoat, everyone, because they're saying it might be raaaaaaaaaai-nee! I just checked the long-range forecast.
Is this the forecast you're referring to?
http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/saint-louis-mo/63101/daily-weather-forecast/349084?day=11 (http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/saint-louis-mo/63101/daily-weather-forecast/349084?day=11)
Quote from: Dougtone on March 03, 2014, 06:26:20 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on March 03, 2014, 01:02:56 PM
Bring a raincoat, everyone, because they're saying it might be raaaaaaaaaai-nee! I just checked the long-range forecast.
Is this the forecast you're referring to?
http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/saint-louis-mo/63101/daily-weather-forecast/349084?day=11 (http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/saint-louis-mo/63101/daily-weather-forecast/349084?day=11)
So far out I don't even worry about it.
Quote from: hbelkins on March 03, 2014, 01:15:45 PM
Quote from: bugo on March 03, 2014, 03:51:06 AM
Actually if you want to bring your silly signs, bring them, but just don't take a picture with me and the sign both in it or I will confiscate your camera and destroy your picture.
Why do you dislike the sign so much?
I don't even dislike the sign, I just don't want my picture taken with it.
Quote from: Dougtone on March 03, 2014, 06:26:20 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on March 03, 2014, 01:02:56 PM
Bring a raincoat, everyone, because they're saying it might be raaaaaaaaaai-nee! I just checked the long-range forecast.
Is this the forecast you're referring to?
http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/saint-louis-mo/63101/daily-weather-forecast/349084?day=11 (http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/saint-louis-mo/63101/daily-weather-forecast/349084?day=11)
Yes.
Remember, there's only 2 kinds of Roads Scholars: Those who have Scholared in the rain, and those who will.
Quote from: Brandon on March 03, 2014, 07:26:29 PM
Quote from: Dougtone on March 03, 2014, 06:26:20 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on March 03, 2014, 01:02:56 PM
Bring a raincoat, everyone, because they're saying it might be raaaaaaaaaai-nee! I just checked the long-range forecast.
Is this the forecast you're referring to?
http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/saint-louis-mo/63101/daily-weather-forecast/349084?day=11 (http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/saint-louis-mo/63101/daily-weather-forecast/349084?day=11)
So far out I don't even worry about it.
I'll usually start paying attention to the weather forecast a few days out. It still may not be a bad idea for some of the attendees to think ahead by remembering to pack a jacket or umbrella, since some of us are traveling from far distances.
The forecast might be a worst-case scenario, so I wouldn't urge anyone to cancel their trip just because of it. But personally, I just assume it's correct, since I'm used to rain.
It will be 29 and overcast.
It will be -34 with hail.
Now they're saying cloudy with a high of 52 and a low of 44. There's a small chance of rain, but it looks like it won't be the washout that they had been predicting.
Did we really expect every roadmeet in the Midwest at this time of year to be perfectly dry? We actually lucked out at the Ashland meet.
Seems awfully early to have such accurate forecasts 10-14 days in advance.
Quote from: bandit957 on March 05, 2014, 11:30:01 AM
Did we really expect every roadmeet in the Midwest at this time of year to be perfectly dry? We actually lucked out at the Ashland meet.
We had some rain at Pikeville last fall. Chattanooga was a washout. The Columbus meet about 10 years ago, which I didn't attend, had some pretty heavy thunderstorms. And the Monticello, NY meet last March had snowfall.
Tim: A weather forecaster can't accurately predict the weather for the next day in this part of the country, and they certainly can't predict it a week and a half away. I put about as much faith in long term forecasts that I put faith in the Republican Party doing something good for a change.
Quote from: bugo on March 05, 2014, 02:41:20 PM
Tim: A weather forecaster can't accurately predict the weather for the next day in this part of the country, and they certainly can't predict it a week and a half away. I put about as much faith in long term forecasts that I put faith in the Republican Party a politician doing something good for a change.
FIFY. They're all alike, R or D.
I was using a metaphor. Don't take things so literally, Brandon.
QuoteTim: A weather forecaster can't accurately predict the weather for the next day in this part of the country, and they certainly can't predict it a week and a half away. I put about as much faith in long term forecasts that I put faith in the Republican Party doing something good for a change.
Speaking as a meteorologist, a reasonably accurate forecast can be made up to 5 days out. Beyond about 5 days, there are too many variables involved and it gets too subjective.
Now they say it's a 0% chance of rain. I guess that doesn't mean much when it's still 9 days away.
Quote from: froggie on March 06, 2014, 05:22:23 AM
QuoteTim: A weather forecaster can't accurately predict the weather for the next day in this part of the country, and they certainly can't predict it a week and a half away. I put about as much faith in long term forecasts that I put faith in the Republican Party doing something good for a change.
Speaking as a meteorologist, a reasonably accurate forecast can be made up to 5 days out. Beyond about 5 days, there are too many variables involved and it gets too subjective.
Sometimes it can be correctly predicted. Many times, however, the forecasters' predictions are flat out wrong. Meteorology is not an exact science.
Quote from: bugo on March 03, 2014, 07:35:31 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on March 03, 2014, 01:15:45 PM
Quote from: bugo on March 03, 2014, 03:51:06 AM
Actually if you want to bring your silly signs, bring them, but just don't take a picture with me and the sign both in it or I will confiscate your camera and destroy your picture.
Why do you dislike the sign so much?
I don't even dislike the sign, I just don't want my picture taken with it.
I have a "Send Help" sign from a meet (King of Prussia PA, or damn near it?) eons ago. I plan to bring it along.
Does Jeremy have a sense of humor (I'm pretty sure he does)? If so, he will pose with me and the sign for a pic.
He's welcome to scowl at the camera. I'll probably be grinning, but if Jeremy wants me to, I'll scowl along with him.
If we go via Calhoun County, the ferries are open again.
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local/illinois&id=9458172
The RSVP deadline for the luncheon is at midnight CDT on Monday, and the current head count for the meet stands at 25.
If I change my mind and come, I just won't eat at the restaurant.
I'm not going to eat because of medical reasons. I will, however, drink a Coke.
Quote from: kharvey10 on March 08, 2014, 11:01:48 AM
the current head count for the meet stands at 25.
What. Awesome.
WOW! Shaping up to be a HUGE turn out! Too bad my mini van will be full of small toy cars, I will have to ride with someone on the tour. So far weather is starting to look good for Saturday, partly cloudy and 60 :-)
The weather forecast is shaping to be partly cloudy with High of 59 and Low of 41. Jason you can ride with me during the tour itself - riding shotgun. I still got room in my vehicle for 2 more - I got 2 vans as well but they're no fun shooting road photos from the backseat.
Anyone that needs my cell number can PM me
I will keep that in mind Kim, I should getting to the restaurant by 11 driving up from Clarksville, TN
If I'm not mistaken, there's some big marathon in downtown St. Louis that morning.
Quote from: bandit957 on March 09, 2014, 05:57:40 PM
If I'm not mistaken, there's some big marathon in downtown St. Louis that morning.
http://www.irishparade.org/
lol oops
I'm arriving in St. Louis mighty early, and I plan on doing a little walking tour around the area. I designed my walking tour so it doesn't conflict with the parade or the marathon.
The big marathon is in April - the St. Patrick's Parade down on Market Street is that morning.
Quote from: yanksfan6129 on February 21, 2014, 10:34:50 PM
I was told that we have the room strictly until only 1 PM. So at this meet, we may have the "threat of force" to make us move our asses. Plus, paying will not be a big deal at this meet-my understanding is that it is a set amount per person, and that we can actually pay the host at any point during the day.
We are planning to leave the place at 1 PM to
start viewing sites - and it can easily take 5 hours to visit all the sites - and sunset is around 7 PM. I will be taking the money during the lunch - but I understand if you need to get to an ATM to get the money and don't want to pay the hideous fees that some of the ATM locations have. I tried to find a place that I could get the per person costs around $10 or less - I know several people coming that have tight budgets - and had good quality food at the same time.
Quote from: kharvey10 on March 10, 2014, 12:48:16 PM
Quote from: yanksfan6129 on February 21, 2014, 10:34:50 PM
I was told that we have the room strictly until only 1 PM. So at this meet, we may have the "threat of force" to make us move our asses. Plus, paying will not be a big deal at this meet-my understanding is that it is a set amount per person, and that we can actually pay the host at any point during the day.
We are planning to leave the place at 1 PM to start viewing sites - and it can easily take 5 hours to visit all the sites - and sunset is around 7 PM. I will be taking the money during the lunch - but I understand if you need to get to an ATM to get the money and don't want to pay the hideous fees that some of the ATM locations have. I tried to find a place that I could get the per person costs around $10 or less - I know several people coming that have tight budgets - and had good quality food at the same time.
Instead of delaying the tour by making us all stop at an ATM for one person, everyone should just be prepared in advance and have their cash ready before they arrive at the restaurant.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on March 10, 2014, 02:02:35 PM
Instead of delaying the tour by making us all stop at an ATM for one person, everyone should just be prepared in advance and have their cash ready before they arrive at the restaurant.
How DARE you insert reason and logic into this discussion? :-D
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on March 10, 2014, 02:02:35 PM
Quote from: kharvey10 on March 10, 2014, 12:48:16 PM
Quote from: yanksfan6129 on February 21, 2014, 10:34:50 PM
I was told that we have the room strictly until only 1 PM. So at this meet, we may have the "threat of force" to make us move our asses. Plus, paying will not be a big deal at this meet-my understanding is that it is a set amount per person, and that we can actually pay the host at any point during the day.
We are planning to leave the place at 1 PM to start viewing sites - and it can easily take 5 hours to visit all the sites - and sunset is around 7 PM. I will be taking the money during the lunch - but I understand if you need to get to an ATM to get the money and don't want to pay the hideous fees that some of the ATM locations have. I tried to find a place that I could get the per person costs around $10 or less - I know several people coming that have tight budgets - and had good quality food at the same time.
Instead of delaying the tour by making us all stop at an ATM for one person, everyone should just be prepared in advance and have their cash ready before they arrive at the restaurant.
Whoever doesn't have cash ready doesn't get to eat.
Yea It's not that hard to stop at an ATM in Springfield, IL :P
The lunch RSVP deadline has passed: the final head count is at 23 (double counted twice, and had one person withdraw). I will post the final documents to the St. Louis Roads group once everything is confirmed with the caterer.
Hi guys,
Slight change of plans for me, I am still going but instead of staying in Clarksville, TN Friday night I am going to stay in Paducah, KY this puts me closer to the area and since I am going solo (Steph has to work) I been thinking more and more about meeting up with you guys at the Collinsville, IL Days Inn and leaving my mini van there and car pooling with someone (Cody\ Brandon| Mike- Laura?)as opposed to driving into downtown and finding a parking place. My mini van will be packed with diecast cars for a small toy swap meet I am setting up at Sunday morning so I would not be able to drive (this will change with my Nashville area meet). I am wide open all day Saturday into the evening and I will be staying Saturday night at the Econo Lodge in the Kirkwood area of St Louis (I-44\ I-270\ MO 366) so I am pretty flexable with what ever we decide to do.
Quote from: jpi on March 11, 2014, 08:08:17 PM
I been thinking more and more about meeting up with you guys at the Collinsville, IL Days Inn and leaving my mini van there and car pooling with someone (Cody\ Brandon| Mike- Laura?)as opposed to driving into downtown and finding a parking place.
Jason - there's a very good chance that Cody, Brandon, and I will ride together from Collinsville to St. Louis. We haven't determined which of us will be driving, but I'm sure you can ride with us!
AJ- That would work out great! About what time do you guys plan to leave the motel?
Quote from: jpi on March 11, 2014, 11:07:39 PM
AJ- That would work out great! About what time do you guys plan to leave the motel?
Probably around 10:30 or 10:40. According to Google Maps, it looks like it takes maybe 15-20 minutes to get from the Collinsville Days Inn to Pappy's Steakhouse.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on March 11, 2014, 11:34:31 PM
Quote from: jpi on March 11, 2014, 11:07:39 PM
AJ- That would work out great! About what time do you guys plan to leave the motel?
Probably around 10:30 or 10:40. According to Google Maps, it looks like it takes maybe 15-20 minutes to get from the Collinsville Days Inn to Pappy's Steakhouse.
I would suggest 10:30 so we can fill up the vehicle and have a full tank at the start.
Long stories short, Mike's coworker went into labor prematurely and I was in a car accident yesterday (no one is injured and the car is still drivable but has no bumper or right headlight; won't be fixed in time for meet). Mike is unable to attend because he will be working extra hours to cover for her early maternity leave (mom and baby are ok last I heard); as of right now, I am able to attend with Steve, provided that nothing else crazy happens between now and then.
iPhone
Sounds like a bitchin' labor party.
Quote from: Laura on March 12, 2014, 08:48:33 AM
Long stories short, Mike's coworker went into labor prematurely and I was in a car accident yesterday (no one is injured and the car is still drivable but has no bumper or right headlight; won't be fixed in time for meet). Mike is unable to attend because he will be working extra hours to cover for her early maternity leave (mom and baby are ok last I heard); as of right now, I am able to attend with Steve, provided that nothing else crazy happens between now and then.
Bummer on all accounts, but glad you're OK. But so much for Jeremy's wish to spoon with Mike. :-D
Agraed Laura, glad you are ok, a shame Mike is missing out on this, Steph has to also since she is now working at Amazon and has to work Friday night and Sunday night so I am solo for this trip, safe travels to you and Alpert, you guys have a LONG drive ahead but I am sure it will be fun :-)
That is such a bummer for Mike.
Kim, thanks for emailing the itinerary, based on what I read, I will still car pool with someone to the restaurant but since we will be coming back to the days inn\ park and ride area and based on where we will end up (Mid rivers mall area), I may drive my own vehicle from there and follow everyone, if someone would like to ride with me thats fine too since I will have room for one other person. I would still be up for aftermeet activities and with me driving this part, I will be much closer to where I will spending Saturday night.
Quote from: kharvey10 on March 12, 2014, 06:34:10 PM
That is such a bummer for Mike.
It really is. This will be the first meet I attend without him. (He has been to two meets without me.) We've both been sad about it, but he wants me to go because then we'd both be sitting at home sad this weekend :(
Jason, I will pack a couple of blankets so we can conceal the stuff later on. I did a little dry run on the Illinois side of the river - there is like 2 parking spots at the Catsup Bottle and the photo ops there are very poor at best (it is better to park in the nearby McDonalds and do the photos at a short distance, the grounds where the Catsup Bottle itself is located is private property).
It is approximately 45 minutes to get from the Chain of Rocks area to the Brussels Ferry and Hardin is 20 miles from that ferry. Calhoun County is very hilly and there are very few services and poor cell phone reception for Doug's live tweeting - so I spent looking for a decent place to do snack stop #2 that has restroom facilities.
You'll be able to meet Chloe.
Quote from: kharvey10 on March 11, 2014, 01:47:49 AM
The lunch RSVP deadline has passed: the final head count is at 23 (double counted twice, and had one person withdraw). I will post the final documents to the St. Louis Roads group once everything is confirmed with the caterer.
Too structured, oy. I will be at the meet, but I guess I can't attend lunch, as I did not know whether I was going to be able to make it or not until two hours ago; such is the way it works with my job.
Quote from: bugo on March 12, 2014, 09:53:51 PM
You'll be able to meet Chloe.
This makes me super happy.
Quote from: Crazy Volvo Guy on March 13, 2014, 12:42:23 AM
Quote from: kharvey10 on March 11, 2014, 01:47:49 AM
The lunch RSVP deadline has passed: the final head count is at 23 (double counted twice, and had one person withdraw). I will post the final documents to the St. Louis Roads group once everything is confirmed with the caterer.
Too structured, oy. I will be at the meet, but I guess I can't attend lunch, as I did not know whether I was going to be able to make it or not until two hours ago; such is the way it works with my job.
You can have Mike's lunch spot since he withdrew after the deadline.
iPhone
Oh sweet. Sucks he's not coming, though.
Does he get Mike's bed spot spooning with bugo?
Quote from: NE2 on March 13, 2014, 01:34:51 AM
Does he get Mike's bed spot spooning with bugo?
I'm gonna spoon every hot guy there before the night is over.
Quote from: bugo on March 13, 2014, 02:00:08 AM
Quote from: NE2 on March 13, 2014, 01:34:51 AM
Does he get Mike's bed spot spooning with bugo?
I'm gonna spoon every hot guy there before the night is over.
And by that, I mean I'll be spooning myself all night.
Crazy Volvo Guy you can have Mike's spot for lunch since he was forced to withdraw due to circumstances beyond his control. PM me your email address.
Quote from: kharvey10 on March 13, 2014, 09:08:18 AM
Crazy Volvo Guy you can have Mike's spot for lunch since he was forced to withdraw due to circumstances beyond his control. PM me your email address.
PM sent, thanks.
Quote from: NE2 on March 13, 2014, 01:34:51 AM
Does he get Mike's bed spot spooning with bugo?
Laura now gets my bed on Friday, so if anyone wants to keep me company in the hotel lobby... Washington, Indiana. <3
Today is the big travel day. Be safe everyone.
Quote from: bugo on March 14, 2014, 10:28:57 AM
Today is the big travel day. Be safe everyone.
Today? Some of us won't leave until tomorrow morning. :-P
Otherwise, I fully agree with Jeremy - stay safe. It's supposed to be nice today and tomorrow, highs in the 60s (or 70) around St Louis.
I a have about 4 more hours at work, then later tonight I will be enroute to Paducah, KY for the night, see you guys in Collinsville mid morning tomorrow! :-)
I am at the Peelot (Pilot, for you non-trucker people) in E. Saint Louis taking a shower, then I'll meet those who are getting in tonight at the hotel.
Even if I had been planning on coming, I wouldn't have been able to. I just got my vehicle out of the shop tonight.
Heading to the hotel now.
PASSING DOUG AT 95MPH IN A TURBO SONATA LOL
The meet was overall a success - there were a few hiccups that did happen (the St. Patrick's Parade downtown drew at least 300K people and the MoDOT traffic pattern change the day before the meet in the downtown area did not help and we were forced to scrap a lot of the downtown plans) and Brandon missed his turn to the Brussels Ferry and not everyone got to make it to Hardin as a result. We were unable to get a group photo with the Musial Bridge in the background because there were people that obviously looked like they were up to no good at the Pumphouse when we arrived there and the traffic made it impossible to get in the Lacledes Landing area (and the parking in areas was $20). The weather was very nice, which was a blessing (didn't have to deal with Mother Nature) and a curse (led to big crowds at that parade). We ran out of sunlight before we could get into St. Charles County to explore that stuff - we will attempt that area again in 2016.
Some of them are going to try to get back into downtown this morning before leaving the area but the weather today is not favorable at all with rain and snow in the forecast.
There are a couple photos on the St. Louis Roads Facebook group this morning - more photos will be posted by the various attendees at a later date.
In short, I would extend Thank Yous to the following:
1. everyone that attended
2. Pappy's Smokehouse for the awesome meal that was catered.
3. Ravanelli's in Collinsville for quickly seating 12 people after we returned to the hotel
4. Days Inn Collinsville for allowing us to park and carpool from that location.
The next St. Louis Roads Meet will be held sometime in 2016.
This was a huge clusterfuck of a meet but it was fun.
Here are two of my group photos from the meet, taken at the restaurant. The second photo mostly chopped me out, but does include lots of SEND HELP and other signs. I'll take a shot at captioning them later (I'm still on my way back home) -- Kim, etc., could you help me on some of the names, especially the taller guys in the back who unfortunately were just beyond the reach of my camera's flash?
(//www.alaskaroads.com/St-Louis-meet-group-photo_DSC2044.jpg)
(//www.alaskaroads.com/St-Louis-meet-group-photo_DSC2042.jpg)
from left: Tim Brown (bandit957), Steve Riner's wife (forgot name - sorry - sso), Doug Kerr (Dougtone) - behind Tim in top photo, David Corcoran (corco), Jeremy Lance (bugo) top photo only, Steve Riner (The High Plains Traveler), Cody Goodman (codyg1985), Cullen Wassell (Crazy Volvo Guy), Jason Ilyes (jpi), Kim Harvey (kharvey10), Marc Welby (lonestar14), Steve Alpert (Alps), Sam Scholtens (getmngo), Gene VanDusseldorp, Brandon Gorte (Brandon), Laura Bianca Pruett (Laura), Brian Reynolds (brianreynolds), Michael Gronseth (bulldog1979), Scott Onson (SSOWorld), A. J. Bertin (A. J. Bertin), Oscar Voss (oscar)
hope that helps :) --sso
Quote from: Takumi on March 16, 2014, 09:57:07 PM
Poor Doug, not even visible in the first picture.
Yeah, an inside photo of a large group was less than ideal, but as Kim noted upthread the originally-planned outdoor shot near the Musial Bridge (which would've let people spread out more, rather than squeeze into one corner of the restaurant) turned out not to be an option, and our large group got broken up by the later stops on the tour.
Next weekend's meets, I'll try to bring a bigger flash, but doing those group shots outdoors (conditions permitting) would be ideal.
Forecast looks good for next weekend.
Removed my previous post to ask about names in the picture. I recognize about half the attendees.
There are a few I don't recognize.
Quote from: oscar on March 16, 2014, 10:03:53 PM
Quote from: Takumi on March 16, 2014, 09:57:07 PM
Poor Doug, not even visible in the first picture.
Yeah, an inside photo of a large group was less than ideal, but as Kim noted upthread the originally-planned outdoor shot near the Musial Bridge (which would've let people spread out more, rather than squeeze into one corner of the restaurant) turned out not to be an option, and our large group got broken up by the later stops on the tour.
Next weekend's meets, I'll try to bring a bigger flash, but doing those group shots outdoors (conditions permitting) would be ideal.
True, but we did get back together again later only to divide in half. One group (with me) going to an Italian restaurant with a 5 cheese baked mac and cheese to die for, the others to Steak 'N Shake.
However, that said, it was a very long day, but very fun day for me. I left here at 6:30 am and did not get back until after 2 am.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi837.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz298%2Fmidamcrossrds%2F100_3827_zpsaf98d908.jpg&hash=ff7ff85c777df187e8733272cf5e9f7a1866abcf) (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/midamcrossrds/media/100_3827_zpsaf98d908.jpg.html)
We met at the hotel where many of the attendees were staying at and drove over to Pappy's in St Louis. Good BBQ, Kim - nice choice of venue.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi837.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz298%2Fmidamcrossrds%2F100_3821_zps2e179182.jpg&hash=c83bd2a17fe237b606a3df4b9dda82bdae7a695e) (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/midamcrossrds/media/100_3821_zps2e179182.jpg.html)
We drove on the new I-70 bridge and had catsup.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi837.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz298%2Fmidamcrossrds%2F100_3829_zps731b2d3a.jpg&hash=ad6806ba10f5e9aef6d3917de40910da1f664c89) (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/midamcrossrds/media/100_3829_zps731b2d3a.jpg.html)
With cookies.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi837.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz298%2Fmidamcrossrds%2F100_3828_zps3a18ee68.jpg&hash=70f0f3cc84984ff8f5bcc861de8aa7aa11654f30) (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/midamcrossrds/media/100_3828_zps3a18ee68.jpg.html)
We drove back and got some good views of the bridge in a not-so-good part of town. At least I didn't get "fuck yo mama" yelled at me like Clark W. Griswold.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi837.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz298%2Fmidamcrossrds%2F100_3834_zpse59075b3.jpg&hash=777fd8302fac19cd1590c160472a26574e277d56) (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/midamcrossrds/media/100_3834_zpse59075b3.jpg.html)
Had to go around the breakup of the St Paddy's Parade in downtown St Louis, but got a four-plex instead.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi837.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz298%2Fmidamcrossrds%2F100_3835_zps4216d5a9.jpg&hash=cc39052546b18533cfcd5b3e42cf6b506560d827) (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/midamcrossrds/media/100_3835_zps4216d5a9.jpg.html)
Then we got snack and drinks, and did some cool pooing and peeing before going up to the Chain of Rocks.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi837.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz298%2Fmidamcrossrds%2F100_3839_zps9d05c8dc.jpg&hash=55abaa563b1246a953f0c668f4c409b9e204ca66) (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/midamcrossrds/media/100_3839_zps9d05c8dc.jpg.html)
From there, our group went along the Mississippi bluffs on IL-100. We did see a Piasa Bird.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi837.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz298%2Fmidamcrossrds%2F100_3844_zps3d1d34ae.jpg&hash=7de9cb003e1b73a922d3008448ab981bceefa60a) (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/midamcrossrds/media/100_3844_zps3d1d34ae.jpg.html)
Then we took rode two ferries through Illinois's Appalachia.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi837.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz298%2Fmidamcrossrds%2F100_3849_zps0e0d5faf.jpg&hash=e5f6d1d47868f39e2c10324b45708f3103536f36) (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/midamcrossrds/media/100_3849_zps0e0d5faf.jpg.html)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi837.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz298%2Fmidamcrossrds%2F100_3855_zpsf4c20077.jpg&hash=c3b87075d0f74d25a2b6363c8d9b25345210c13a) (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/midamcrossrds/media/100_3855_zpsf4c20077.jpg.html)
Then we went back to the hotel area for dinner.
Quote from: oscar on March 16, 2014, 09:54:03 PM
Here are two of my group photos from the meet, taken at the restaurant. The second photo mostly chopped me out, but does include lots of SEND HELP and other signs. I'll take a shot at captioning them later (I'm still on my way back home) -- Kim, etc., could you help me on some of the names, especially the taller guys in the back who unfortunately were just beyond the reach of my camera's flash?
Quote from: oscar on March 16, 2014, 10:03:53 PM
Quote from: Takumi on March 16, 2014, 09:57:07 PM
Poor Doug, not even visible in the first picture.
Yeah, an inside photo of a large group was less than ideal, but as Kim noted upthread the originally-planned outdoor shot near the Musial Bridge (which would've let people spread out more, rather than squeeze into one corner of the restaurant) turned out not to be an option, and our large group got broken up by the later stops on the tour.
Next weekend's meets, I'll try to bring a bigger flash, but doing those group shots outdoors (conditions permitting) would be ideal.
Oscar - I captioned your pics. I forgot a name and noted Jeremy/Doug MIAs
Thanks for the photos Brandon. The meet looked like a good time. Maybe one day I'll be able to attend one of these...
Quote from: Brandon on March 16, 2014, 10:36:21 PM
We drove back and got some good views of the bridge in a not-so-good part of town. At least I didn't get "fuck yo mama" yelled at me like Clark W. Griswold.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi837.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz298%2Fmidamcrossrds%2F100_3834_zpse59075b3.jpg&hash=777fd8302fac19cd1590c160472a26574e277d56) (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/midamcrossrds/media/100_3834_zpse59075b3.jpg.html)
East St. Louis, I presume? I've heard about that place. Still better than Detroit most likely.
Did anyone get a photo of the Hardin Bridge? The battery on my phone decided to die while I was taking a panoramic photo of the structure, so I lost that.
Other than that, I very much enjoyed the meet and my first trip to Missouri!
Quote from: bulldog1979 on March 17, 2014, 01:12:21 AM
Did anyone get a photo of the Hardin Bridge? The battery on my phone decided to die while I was taking a panoramic photo of the structure, so I lost that.
Other than that, I very much enjoyed the meet and my first trip to Missouri!
Steve, corco, yanksfan and I got plenty of em.
Quote from: Zeffy on March 17, 2014, 12:03:58 AM
East St. Louis, I presume? I've heard about that place. Still better than Detroit most likely.
Nope. This is from the St Louis side. St Louis also has some rather sketchy areas.
And I've been to Detroit (quite often); St Louis and East St Louis have both lost more population. St Louis and Detroit are like any other big city - good parts and not-so-good parts. ESL is terminally broken, as is Cairo, Illinois (population has dropped from 12,000 to 2,000).
Looks like there was a huge turnout. I really wanted to go to this meet, but I had to work all weekend. With two guys out sick, I had no one to ask to cover my shifts either.
Who's between Steve and Gene (behind Sam)? Oh wait, that IS Sam. So who's in the front row wearing the shorts and glasses?
I took these pics of the Hardin bridge last spring, when the water was way way way up and IL 100 was under water almost immediately north of the bridge.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm8.staticflickr.com%2F7289%2F8742230206_8987c8e431.jpg&hash=5588b55ff92b3c4ae2473a88f9386366f4e8615d)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm8.staticflickr.com%2F7282%2F8741114029_7b06ba5033.jpg&hash=a25e47b7c7b39cbf066c02fce95948fe409fcf3e)
Quote from: hbelkins on March 14, 2014, 08:29:47 PM
Even if I had been planning on coming, I wouldn't have been able to. I just got my vehicle out of the shop tonight.
It really is a shame you missed such a great meet.
You don't know how great it was. This was truly the roadmeet to end all roadmeets.
It was 14 years in the making, and I feel bad for anyone who missed it.
Quote from: oscar on March 16, 2014, 09:54:03 PM
Here are two of my group photos from the meet, taken at the restaurant. The second photo mostly chopped me out, but does include lots of SEND HELP and other signs. I'll take a shot at captioning them later (I'm still on my way back home) -- Kim, etc., could you help me on some of the names, especially the taller guys in the back who unfortunately were just beyond the reach of my camera's flash?
(//www.alaskaroads.com/St-Louis-meet-group-photo_DSC2044.jpg)
(//www.alaskaroads.com/St-Louis-meet-group-photo_DSC2042.jpg)
from left: Tim Brown (bandit957), Steve Riner's wife (forgot name - sorry - sso), Doug Kerr (Dougtone) - behind Tim in top photo, David Corcoran (corco), Jeremy Lance (bugo) top photo only, Steve Riner (The High Plains Traveler), Cody Goodman (codyg1985), Cullen Wassell (Crazy Volvo Guy), Jason Ilyes (jpi), Kim Harvey (kharvey10), Marc Welby (lonestar14), Steve Alpert (Alps), Sam Scholtens (getmngo), Gene VanDusseldorp, Brandon Gorte (Brandon), Laura Bianca Pruett (Laura), Brian Reynolds (brianreynolds), Michael Gronseth (bulldog1979), Scott Onson (SSOWorld), A. J. Bertin (A. J. Bertin), Oscar Voss (oscar)
hope that helps :) --sso
I'm looming over people.
Quote from: Brandon on March 17, 2014, 06:47:53 AM
Nope. This is from the St Louis side. St Louis also has some rather sketchy areas.
And I've been to Detroit (quite often); St Louis and East St Louis have both lost more population. St Louis and Detroit are like any other big city - good parts and not-so-good parts. ESL is terminally broken, as is Cairo, Illinois (population has dropped from 12,000 to 2,000).
Doing further research on St. Louis, apparently the center of the city is a shithole, along with other parts.
Yes, big cities do have good areas and bad areas, but there are some cities where the bad areas are in a larger quantity than the good areas. See: Camden NJ. 2014's most dangerous city (yet again).
Quote from: hbelkins on March 17, 2014, 11:02:52 AM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm8.staticflickr.com%2F7282%2F8741114029_7b06ba5033.jpg&hash=a25e47b7c7b39cbf066c02fce95948fe409fcf3e)
Is the '1000' under Hardin the population count for the town? I thought it would say 'Pop. 1000' if that were the case.
Camden? who knew? I never have gotten nearly as weird a vibe from that place as I have from East St. Louis.
hope you guys found some state-named Illinois interstate shields!
Quote from: Zeffy on March 17, 2014, 12:30:55 PM
Is the '1000' under Hardin the population count for the town? I thought it would say 'Pop. 1000' if that were the case.
Population. IDOT does not include the word population or its abbreviation in their signs and they round off the number.
Quote from: Zeffy on March 17, 2014, 12:30:55 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on March 17, 2014, 11:02:52 AM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm8.staticflickr.com%2F7282%2F8741114029_7b06ba5033.jpg&hash=a25e47b7c7b39cbf066c02fce95948fe409fcf3e)
Is the '1000' under Hardin the population count for the town? I thought it would say 'Pop. 1000' if that were the case.
Yes. IDOT posts these signs for incorporated municipalities on surface streets. There are none on freeways or tollways (ISTHA does not post such signs). IDOT District 1 (Chicago area) is a bit inconsistent with some of them due to recent annexations by municipalities, but they're fairly consistent with them in the other 8 districts. They're always in the format:
MUNICIPALITY
POPULATION
such as:
HARDIN
1000
as in the photo above. The only one without such signs is Chicago.
A few other examples from Google Street View:
Woodridge: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.772944,-88.070161&spn=0.009298,0.021136&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.773064,-88.070202&panoid=iq-u1Bujn7VziC5YrpeqJQ&cbp=12,177.53,,2,1.26
(Note the greenout where the population was changed - explanation below.)
Yorkville: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.608399,-88.438096&spn=0.009322,0.021136&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.608265,-88.438012&panoid=kahP5_JYE5e_9icBGrFM-g&cbp=12,354.77,,2,3.59
Illinois municipalities have special censuses when they grow. This is in part due to how they get money from the state and to determine if they are eligible for home rule (without a special election). The minimum population for home rule is 25,000. As they hold special censuses, the population on these signs can and will change, hence the greenout in the Woodridge example.
Quote from: Big John on March 17, 2014, 01:01:31 PM
Quote from: Zeffy on March 17, 2014, 12:30:55 PM
Is the '1000' under Hardin the population count for the town? I thought it would say 'Pop. 1000' if that were the case.
Population. IDOT does not include the word population or its abbreviation in their signs and they round off the number.
IDOT does not always round off the number. See the Woodridge example in my post above.
Quite a few bunker blasts were detected during this meet.
Quote from: bandit957 on March 17, 2014, 12:15:09 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on March 14, 2014, 08:29:47 PM
Even if I had been planning on coming, I wouldn't have been able to. I just got my vehicle out of the shop tonight.
It really is a shame you missed such a great meet.
You don't know how great it was. This was truly the roadmeet to end all roadmeets.
It was 14 years in the making, and I feel bad for anyone who missed it.
Yes, you should feel bad for missing it. Despite the clusterphauck, it was the most fun at a roadmeet I've yet had.
Quote from: oscar on March 16, 2014, 09:54:03 PM
Here are two of my group photos from the meet, taken at the restaurant. The second photo mostly chopped me out, but does include lots of SEND HELP and other signs. I'll take a shot at captioning them later (I'm still on my way back home) -- Kim, etc., could you help me on some of the names, especially the taller guys in the back who unfortunately were just beyond the reach of my camera's flash?
(//www.alaskaroads.com/St-Louis-meet-group-photo_DSC2044.jpg)
from left: Tim Brown (bandit957), Steve Riner's wife (forgot name - sorry - sso), Doug Kerr (Dougtone) - behind Tim in top photo, David Corcoran (corco), Jeremy Lance (bugo) top photo only, Steve Riner (The High Plains Traveler), Cody Goodman (codyg1985), Cullen Wassell (Crazy Volvo Guy), Jason Ilyes (jpi), Kim Harvey (kharvey10), Marc Welby (lonestar14), Steve Alpert (Alps), Sam Scholtens (getmngo), Gene VanDusseldorp, Brandon Gorte (Brandon), Laura Bianca Pruett (Laura), Brian Reynolds (brianreynolds), Michael Gronseth (bulldog1979), Scott Onson (SSOWorld), A. J. Bertin (A. J. Bertin), Oscar Voss (oscar)
hope that helps :) --sso
I don't see myself. I think I'm hiding behind Riner.
In that pic I was hiding behind Kim and standing on my toes.
My understanding of how the meet went:
1) Restaurant. We all made it there. Leftovers ended up with Doug, who handed them to me. My belly thanks you all.
2) Catsup bottle. We all made it there, eventually.
3) Waterfront stop. I only know that four cars made it. "1st St." is not much of a street, and the other streets are similarly unsigned and haven't been paved in 60 years. It wasn't the worst view. I heard another car (Marc W) got a better view off of Broadway - probably more easily accessed.
4) Ted Drewes. This is where the downtown traffic really got in the way. My understanding is only one car actually made it there - two others made it close (I was one) and the rest ended up at Chain of Rocks. My car, to my knowledge, was the only one to circle around and hit up the McKinley Bridge US 66 stub south of downtown.
5) Chain of Rocks. We all made it here, though by the time the last car arrived, the first car already left.
6) Hardin Bridge. My car left Chain of Rocks early in order to use daylight, and made it up the ferry and the west side of the Illinois River. We stopped in Brussels (really nice town, incredibly out of the way) and had an hour of sunlight left as we came back down from there, allowing some scenic waterfront driving and some bonus highway mileage along IL 3 and 143 to 159. I believe there were 5 other cars. Three of them hit the ferry, went across, decided there wasn't enough daylight, and skipped the bridge to use the second (toll) ferry to Missouri. Two of them missed the ferry and ended up at the Hardin Bridge anyway, made the stop, and came straight back via IL 16 to IL 255.
7) Steak 'n' Shake. At least 20 of us actually made it there, and enough of us came inside to unsettle the waitstaff. That's when the majority split off to Italian.
This meet, more than any other, proves the importance of written directions. That, and scouting your meet first. ;)
Quote from: Alps on March 17, 2014, 06:44:10 PM
3) Waterfront stop. I only know that four cars made it. "1st St." is not much of a street,
You might be thinking of If Poo Road.
Quote from: bandit957 on March 17, 2014, 06:46:22 PM
Quote from: Alps on March 17, 2014, 06:44:10 PM
3) Waterfront stop. I only know that four cars made it. "1st St." is not much of a street,
You might be thinking of If Poo Road.
But only.
Oh there was a lot of poo on that road, only if poo
The meet was scouted out ahead of time - MoDOT changed the downtown traffic patterns (taking away our originally planned option of staying on Memorial Drive) the day before and the nice weather meant more people that normal at that parade. I did what I could to keep people away from Market Street (where the parade was held) but Washington Street was a bigger cluster**** than I had anticipated and there was no parking at all. Couple of my facebook friends scouted out the downtown area a couple weeks prior to the meet as I was pulling 60 hour weeks on the night shift at my employer - and almost every night off up to the meet had poor weather. The nice weather cause the parade to draw over 300K people - and the Pumphouse that we tried to get the group photos - the guys had zero problems at that site at the 2012 meet and just two weeks earlier my friend got pictures there without incident. The other way to get a group photo by the Musial Bridge is the Illinois side of the river and that area along Route 3 is in a very bad area of town complete with adult entertainment places.
Some of the people went back into downtown the following day and had zero problems - in fact MoDOT has not even replaced any of the signage on I-44 past the Musial Bridge.
I tried to put in the plans that Hardin was an hours drive from the Chain of Rocks area. Still there were couple people that missed the well marked turn to the Brussels Ferry.
The line at Ted Drewes was so long that we used the restroom and left. The last group that arrived at Chain of Rocks had to stop at the nearby Hardee's to get a snack as a result.
Quote from: kharvey10 on March 17, 2014, 07:31:09 PM
The meet was scouted out ahead of time - MoDOT changed the downtown traffic patterns (taking away our originally planned option of staying on Memorial Drive) the day before and the nice weather meant more people that normal at that parade. I did what I could to keep people away from Market Street (where the parade was held) but Washington Street was a bigger cluster**** than I had anticipated and there was no parking at all. Couple of my facebook friends scouted out the downtown area a couple weeks prior to the meet as I was pulling 60 hour weeks on the night shift at my employer - and almost every night off up to the meet had poor weather. The nice weather cause the parade to draw over 300K people - and the Pumphouse that we tried to get the group photos - the guys had zero problems at that site at the 2012 meet and just two weeks earlier my friend got pictures there without incident. The other way to get a group photo by the Musial Bridge is the Illinois side of the river and that area along Route 3 is in a very bad area of town complete with adult entertainment places.
Some of the people went back into downtown the following day and had zero problems - in fact MoDOT has not even replaced any of the signage on I-44 past the Musial Bridge.
I tried to put in the plans that Hardin was an hours drive from the Chain of Rocks area. Still there were couple people that missed the well marked turn to the Brussels Ferry.
The line at Ted Drewes was so long that we used the restroom and left. The last group that arrived at Chain of Rocks had to stop at the nearby Hardee's to get a snack as a result.
Kim, just a couple of clarifications:
Re: planning - Whoever was responsible for scouting downtown missed the concept that the 1st St. area really doesn't belong on a meet tour. The roads are terrible, even if the neighborhood weren't sketchy.
Re: the ferry - The directions said "the ferry is on your left" - there was misunderstanding that the directions didn't say "turn left and take the ferry", so some people thought it was just to point out that there was a ferry.
Re: Drewes - My car never heard that you had cancelled the stop, we just heard car after car giving up on traffic and heading to the following stop.
I'd like to thank Kim for putting on a fun meet over this past weekend. I had been wanting to explore around St. Louis for a while now and this gave me the opportunity to do so. It was also nice seeing some familiar faces as well as meeting some more of my fellow roads enthusiasts as well. I actually just got home, thanks to my flight being canceled yesterday (as some of you may already know) and boarding flights today as a result.
I had planned a walking tour for before the meet, and I was able to fulfill almost all of it. It even included the old bridge approach on the south end of downtown.
Quote from: Alps on March 17, 2014, 07:35:04 PM
Re: planning - Whoever was responsible for scouting downtown missed the concept that the 1st St. area really doesn't belong on a meet tour. The roads are terrible, even if the neighborhood weren't sketchy.
That was my FAVORITE PART!!!!!
Why is everybody so against that part of the meet?
Quote from: bandit957 on March 17, 2014, 08:48:28 PM
Why is everybody so against that part of the meet?
Because awesome hep cats.
Quote from: NE2 on March 17, 2014, 09:03:58 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on March 17, 2014, 08:48:28 PM
Why is everybody so against that part of the meet?
Because awesome hep cats.
Hep or otherwise, those cats were sketchy. That said, the sketchiness of a couple of the roads is really the overriding factor here, especially since my own Baltimore meet sent 32 prairie dogs into hep cat central at I-170.
Quote from: Crazy Volvo Guy on March 16, 2014, 01:02:17 AM
PASSING DOUG AT 95MPH IN A TURBO SONATA LOL
So, Cullen, do you like my Sonata? I'm sad no one mentioned the epic U-Turn I pulled over four lanes of Poplar St. Bridge traffic in said Sonata.
Quote from: Alps on March 17, 2014, 09:09:26 PM
Quote from: NE2 on March 17, 2014, 09:03:58 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on March 17, 2014, 08:48:28 PM
Why is everybody so against that part of the meet?
Because awesome hep cats.
Hep or otherwise, those cats were sketchy. That said, the sketchiness of a couple of the roads is really the overriding factor here, especially since my own Baltimore meet sent 32 prairie dogs into hep cat central at I-170.
It was a bit sketchy, and not because of the people. It was the group of people there (mixed race, apparently teenagers) with the abandoned buildings. I strongly suspect they were not there when the meet was scouted. The road wasn't much worse then what I've found this winter in Chicago. However, as they stayed in their group and left ours alone, all was cool.
We wound up trying to get through downtown. My mad Chicago driving skillz came in very handy, especially when one of the other drivers tried to sideswipe us on Broadway! I took Pine west to 7th only to find that the road was blocked a block south. We then took Pine to Tucker and got out of there.
As for the bridge stubs, we actually got to them before getting on I-44 to go to Drewes. Did not get a picture off fast enough (trying to catch up with everyone else). We didn't make it to Drewes. Instead, we got off a Hampton and went to the Shell there (been there before) and went up to I-64, out to I-170, and back across I-270 to the Chain of Rocks. We, in my car, clinched I-170. I used my rad Detroit driving skillz to pass people on I-170 and I-270.
Then, when we went north, we thought we were all going to the bridge and then back to the Golden Eagle Ferry. Two of us went straight, three went into the ferry. We turned around after consultation (it was getting late), and those three passed us in the other direction. As a consequence, we missed the bridge (I've been there before) and rode the Brussels Ferry, across some county roads in Calhoun County (a first for two of my passengers - not me though), and across the Golden Eagle Ferry.
We heard about the epic U-turn at dinner after we drove I-270 at 10-15 over the limit. :bigass:
Quote from: Brandon on March 17, 2014, 09:34:02 PM
It was the group of people there (mixed race, apparently teenagers) with the abandoned buildings.
Smells like urban decay to me. One of the worst things to ever be by is an abandoned building in a city.
Quote from: Brandon on March 17, 2014, 09:34:02 PM
We wound up trying to get through downtown. My mad Chicago driving skillz came in very handy, especially when one of the other drivers tried to sideswipe us on Broadway! I took Pine west to 7th only to find that the road was blocked a block south. We then took Pine to Tucker and got out of there.
What was the reason for such (aggressive? idk) driving?
Quote from: agentsteel53 on March 17, 2014, 12:57:33 PM
Camden? who knew? I never have gotten nearly as weird a vibe from that place as I have from East St. Louis.
Camden is completely overshadowed by Philadelphia - what can you do in Camden that Philadelphia can't do 100x better? When all of that industrial manufacturing went away, Camden was left behind.
Who wants to do a roadmeet in Camden. At night. :bigass:
Quote from: Lonestar14 on March 17, 2014, 09:16:25 PM
Quote from: Crazy Volvo Guy on March 16, 2014, 01:02:17 AM
PASSING DOUG AT 95MPH IN A TURBO SONATA LOL
So, Cullen, do you like my Sonata? I'm sad no one mentioned the epic U-Turn I pulled over four lanes of Poplar St. Bridge traffic in said Sonata.
You did ;) - As Gene said - it was good that you did that in Illinois because the Wait-a-minute cables would prevent that in Missouri.
camden roadmeet:
view of downtown skyline at ben franklin bridge. totally awesome at night
i-676 clinch. odd signs. get your flash ready
CR 537 EB at US 30, still button copy i think. stop and frame your photo
head through i-295/NJ 42 construction, this might be best done before dinner instead of after
totally doable. shall we?
Quote from: Lonestar14 on March 17, 2014, 09:16:25 PM
Quote from: Crazy Volvo Guy on March 16, 2014, 01:02:17 AM
PASSING DOUG AT 95MPH IN A TURBO SONATA LOL
So, Cullen, do you like my Sonata? I'm sad no one mentioned the epic U-Turn I pulled over four lanes of Poplar St. Bridge traffic in said Sonata.
I should have mentioned that. I have to bow to your prowess. That was the move of the meet, and my high-speed pass certainly cannot hold a candle to its awesomeness.
I did enjoy the car though.
Quote from: Alps on March 17, 2014, 10:35:57 PM
camden roadmeet:
view of downtown skyline at ben franklin bridge. totally awesome at night
i-676 clinch. odd signs. get your flash ready
CR 537 EB at US 30, still button copy i think. stop and frame your photo
head through i-295/NJ 42 construction, this might be best done before dinner instead of after
totally doable. shall we?
Which downtown skyline? Camden or Philadelphia's? :-P Wish we could do Trenton though - there are nice places to eat in Downtown Trenton that I've been to. (Plus, the Trenton Makes bridge is a great nighttime attraction) I mean, maybe when the I-95 gap gets closed that would be ideal, but that's so far away still.
However, I think I may be getting a personal vehicle soon (YAY!!) and if that's the case and we're serious about meeting in Camden, I'm all for it. Or Trenton.
I would aim for maybe autumn of 2014 and I should be good-to-go. I would plan the meet... but... uh... South Jersey isn't my cup of tea.
Quote from: Zeffy on March 18, 2014, 12:26:18 AM
Quote from: Alps on March 17, 2014, 10:35:57 PM
camden roadmeet:
view of downtown skyline at ben franklin bridge. totally awesome at night
i-676 clinch. odd signs. get your flash ready
CR 537 EB at US 30, still button copy i think. stop and frame your photo
head through i-295/NJ 42 construction, this might be best done before dinner instead of after
totally doable. shall we?
Which downtown skyline? Camden or Philadelphia's? :-P Wish we could do Trenton though - there are nice places to eat in Downtown Trenton that I've been to. (Plus, the Trenton Makes bridge is a great nighttime attraction) I mean, maybe when the I-95 gap gets closed that would be ideal, but that's so far away still.
However, I think I may be getting a personal vehicle soon (YAY!!) and if that's the case and we're serious about meeting in Camden, I'm all for it. Or Trenton.
I would aim for maybe autumn of 2014 and I should be good-to-go. I would plan the meet... but... uh... South Jersey isn't my cup of tea.
not to mention the increased chance of being mauled and robbed - and perhaps being killed... :ded:
Quote from: SSOWorld on March 18, 2014, 05:06:49 AM
not to mention the increased chance of being mauled and robbed - and perhaps being killed... :ded:
St. Louis has areas that are just as dangerous as Camden. The reason Camden is so high up is because of the crime numbers for the size of the city. Mind you that crime statistics are skewed - there is no % of targetted vs untargetted (random) incidents. In Camden, I would believe that most incidents are targetted, because of the heavy gang presence and the drug market. Don't buy drugs or stare at people and nothing bad will happen.
If a meet were to happen, I would propose meeting on the Camden Waterfront (I was jk'ing about the whole night trip thing) This is the safest area in the city, and I've been here myself to know that there is no reason to be afraid while in the waterfront sections of the city. Plus you can easily get to I-676 from the waterfront by driving a few blocks east.
If the mods feel it's applicable - these posts should probably be split into it's own topic in this forum.
Quote from: Zeffy on March 18, 2014, 11:03:02 AMIf a meet were to happen, I would propose meeting on the Camden Waterfront (I was jk'ing about the whole night trip thing) This is the safest area in the city, and I've been here myself to know that there is no reason to be afraid while in the waterfront sections of the city. Plus you can easily get to I-676 from the waterfront by driving a few blocks east.
It's worth noting that most of the
public activity at the Camden Waterfront typically takes place during the warmer months; Camden Riversharks baseball and outdoor concerts at the neighboring Susquehannah Bank Center (formerly the Tweeter Center and formerly the E-Center) being two of the outdoor venues. So if one were to indeed plan a meet focusing on the Jersey-side of the Delaware Valley; an event at one of the above-venues could be a post-meet event.
Similar worked for last year's Brick, NJ meet when most if not all who attended went to the Lakewood Blueclaws game later that evening.
Kim did a fine job of scouting and compiling the itinerary.
I did not feel at all uncomfortable or threatened on First Street, but the street was kinda like driving across the moon. But, hey, we're roadgeeks, right? Terrain like this, urban or rural, no sweat for old cats like us.
The curve ball was thrown by the St. Louis city fathers. They seem to have taken their crowd-and-traffic control lessons from the same folks who planned the ice storm evacuation event in Atlanta. This was not Kim's doing.
When faced with an hour delay downtown, some of us pressed ahead at ever greater velocity bent and intent on squeezing it all in.
Others simply lowered our expectations (and anxiety) and enjoyed the ride. Learn to roll with it. Life can be so much more pleasant.
Quote from: brianreynolds on March 18, 2014, 09:01:56 PM
Kim did a fine job of scouting and compiling the itinerary.
I did not feel at all uncomfortable or threatened on First Street, but the street was kinda like driving across the moon. But, hey, we're roadgeeks, right? Terrain like this, urban or rural, no sweat for old cats like us.
The curve ball was thrown by the St. Louis city fathers. They seem to have taken their crowd-and-traffic control lessons from the same folks who planned the ice storm evacuation event in Atlanta. This was not Kim's doing.
When faced with an hour delay downtown, some of us pressed ahead at ever greater velocity bent and intent on squeezing it all in.
Others simply lowered our expectations (and anxiety) and enjoyed the ride. Learn to roll with it. Life can be so much more pleasant.
I lowered my anxiety by meeting my expectations.
Quote from: brianreynolds on March 18, 2014, 09:01:56 PM
Kim did a fine job of scouting and compiling the itinerary.
I did not feel at all uncomfortable or threatened on First Street, but the street was kinda like driving across the moon. But, hey, we're roadgeeks, right? Terrain like this, urban or rural, no sweat for old cats like us.
Did anybody start walking towards your car? That was what made me want to leave. I wasn't scared, I just didn't want a confrontation.
That was a great meet. Good choice of restaurant, good people, and really the only bad part was getting out of downtown. (Brian suggested just heading west until we reached Wyoming!) Wish I'd been in one of the ferry groups after we all got separated, but you can't have everything.
We should really all stay in the same hotel more often! Who knew roadgeeks could party?
On my way to and from, I picked up 24 counties and clinched US 41 in Michigan, US 41 in Wisconsin minus the surface street portions in Milwaukee, I-43, and I-39. But St. Louis to Sault Ste. Marie in one day was a mistake. Took over 15 hours.
Quote from: hbelkins on March 17, 2014, 10:49:44 AM
Who's between Steve and Gene (behind Sam)? Oh wait, that IS Sam. So who's in the front row wearing the shorts and glasses?
I'm not that short, H.B. Nobody remembers I'm over 6 feet tall. :no: But I was fighting to not be blocked by Gene. Every time I moved left, he moved left, and every time I moved right, he moved right.
Guy in front of me was Scott something. The Scott who isn't named Onson.
Quote from: jpi on March 17, 2014, 03:31:23 PM
In that pic I was hiding behind Kim and standing on my toes.
Brandon was cheating with his height too!
The Christian prayer was.....weird and I felt out of place, being an atheist. I didn't close my eyes and I saw several guys looking around uncomfortably. I would have preferred to have been warned so I could have stepped outside.
I will agree with that, and I know there were some Christian roadgeeks who weren't comfortable with it either, mostly because it was so unexpected.
I know for a fact that several atheists were at the meet, and several other non-Christians. At least you could tell who were unbelievers by the fact that they didn't bow their heads and close their eyes.
Quote from: getemngo on March 19, 2014, 02:58:46 AM
We should really all stay in the same hotel more often! Who knew roadgeeks could party?
Agreed!! I suspect this is a trend that will stick around for good reasons.
Also, I think we'll see more personal events surrounding meets that go beyond dinner. I know that when I host my upcoming Baltimore meet (see 2014 meets thread), I want to host something at my apartment afterwards. I've heard talk of similar things for other potential future meets.
iPhone
Quote from: Laura on March 19, 2014, 08:45:19 AM
Quote from: getemngo on March 19, 2014, 02:58:46 AM
We should really all stay in the same hotel more often! Who knew roadgeeks could party?
Agreed!! I suspect this is a trend that will stick around for good reasons.
This trend was started at the Tulsa meet a few years ago.
Besides, there were no geeks in that room.
Quote from: bugo on March 19, 2014, 11:54:37 AM
Quote from: Laura on March 19, 2014, 08:45:19 AM
Quote from: getemngo on March 19, 2014, 02:58:46 AM
We should really all stay in the same hotel more often! Who knew roadgeeks could party?
Agreed!! I suspect this is a trend that will stick around for good reasons.
This trend was started at the Tulsa meet a few years ago.
Besides, there were no geeks in that room.
Fair enough and yes. I just haven't participated in it until now because I don't usually travel that far from home for meets ;)
iPhone
Quote from: getemngo on March 19, 2014, 02:58:46 AM
Guy in front of me was Scott something. The Scott who isn't named Onson.
Looks like Scott Davis, but I didn't know he was coming to St. Louis.
Quote from: bugo on March 19, 2014, 03:35:39 AM
The Christian prayer was.....weird and I felt out of place, being an atheist. I didn't close my eyes and I saw several guys looking around uncomfortably. I would have preferred to have been warned so I could have stepped outside.
Who initiated a prayer? It's routine for me to attend various work luncheons where a prayer is said, and most often they are somewhere between moderate Christian and non-denominational. One of my co-workers is pretty devout, and if we are at a function where no blessing is said, she will usually bow her head and say a brief silent prayer by herself before we eat. I don't ever remember a blessing being said at a road meet luncheon.
Quote from: Laura on March 19, 2014, 08:45:19 AM
Quote from: getemngo on March 19, 2014, 02:58:46 AM
We should really all stay in the same hotel more often! Who knew roadgeeks could party?
Agreed!! I suspect this is a trend that will stick around for good reasons.
Also, I think we'll see more personal events surrounding meets that go beyond dinner. I know that when I host my upcoming Baltimore meet (see 2014 meets thread), I want to host something at my apartment afterwards. I've heard talk of similar things for other potential future meets.
I tend to stay at hotels that work more within my travel schedule, or are inexpensive or are offering certain loyalty program rewards. This is the first time I remember their being an "official" motel/hotel for a meet, although several of us stayed at the same place during the two-day Indy meet a few years ago.
I also don't often stick around for any post-meet activities, for a couple of reasons. One is that I'm usually trying to get started toward home after the meet and hope to make some time before it gets dark. (My dislike for driving on high-speed highways after dark because of the fear of hitting a deer has almost become a phobia or paranoia for me). The other is that, in general, I'm not really a social person and I'm getting more anti-social as I get older. It's not that I don't like everyone, because I do. I can see Jeremy and me sitting down and talking about college basketball for an hour or more. I'm just not big on a lot of socializing and I generally avoid crowded events such as ballgames. I guess I am a geek because I'd rather be reading than socializing.
Quote from: bugo on March 19, 2014, 03:35:39 AM
The Christian prayer was.....weird and I felt out of place, being an atheist. I didn't close my eyes and I saw several guys looking around uncomfortably. I would have preferred to have been warned so I could have stepped outside.
The correct thing to do when someone initiates a prayer is to find the nearest person of the same sex and start fucking. Maybe kissing if you don't want to offend anyone.
Quote from: hbelkins on March 19, 2014, 01:45:16 PM
Who initiated a prayer? It's routine for me to attend various work luncheons where a prayer is said, and most often they are somewhere between moderate Christian and non-denominational.
such a difference in culture. I've never, not once, had a prayer at a work function.
Quote from: NE2 on March 19, 2014, 02:11:30 PM
The correct thing to do when someone initiates a prayer is to find the nearest person of the same sex and start fucking. Maybe kissing if you don't want to offend anyone.
what
Quote from: bugo on March 19, 2014, 03:45:26 AM
I know for a fact that several atheists were at the meet, and several other non-Christians. At least you could tell who were unbelievers by the fact that they didn't bow their heads and close their eyes.
As an atheist, I just look around awkwardly while everyone else does their thing. This was especially noticeable when I was dragged to a church in Brooklyn for...something, and everyone knew what they were doing and I was like "what's going on here?". Evidently I'm the only atheist in my entire family. Who knew.
QuoteI tend to stay at hotels that work more within my travel schedule, or are inexpensive or are offering certain loyalty program rewards. This is the first time I remember their being an "official" motel/hotel for a meet, although several of us stayed at the same place during the two-day Indy meet a few years ago.
We got really lucky this time- the hotel was a Wyndham, which a lot of us collect points for, was cheap (<$70/night), and was actually quite nice (I would have been comfortable paying $20 more for a room of its quality), and we were quite loud I think on Saturday night without disturbing anybody. It really couldn't have worked out any better.
I probably would have stayed at the same hotel as you guys but since my other event was on the southwest end of St Louis I opted to stay ion that area Saturday night but had a good time as always hanging out with everyone at Steak N' Shake and that was one of the better ones I have ate at recently. Kim was the one who started the prayer and I was a little suprised at this but I think it was mainly for Rich Piehl whos is not in great health (he was the one who hosted the first STL meet in the spring of 08) Still over all it was a fun weekend :-)
My favorite meet photo ever (plus two others from the restaurant on Flickr):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm8.staticflickr.com%2F7236%2F13276572495_03c622f696_z.jpg&hash=e86f5a4e322a093f091984cf14f135b0cbfcab18) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alpsroads/13276572495/)
Quote from: Alps on March 19, 2014, 12:11:47 AM
Quote from: brianreynolds on March 18, 2014, 09:01:56 PM
Kim did a fine job of scouting and compiling the itinerary.
...
When faced with an hour delay downtown, some of us pressed ahead at ever greater velocity bent and intent on squeezing it all in.
Others simply lowered our expectations (and anxiety) and enjoyed the ride. Learn to roll with it.
I lowered my anxiety by meeting my expectations.
Glad that worked out for you. My personal preference is to avoid the anxiety. Serenity is a good fit for me. Agitation might be a good fit for you. Different strokes for different folks.
If I had followed your lead, I would have missed the finest moments of the entire meet. A dozen or more of us enjoyed a rather leisurely walk across the Chain of Rocks Bridge. The bridge itself was an outstanding experience. The opportunity to engage individually with lots of fellow road enthusiasts along the way made it ever so much more enjoyable.
The prayer before the lunch meal was a surprise, but not a particularly unpleasant one. Prayer before meals is not a part of my personal tradition, but it is somewhat common among people I routinely associate with. For me, this was no big deal.
Yes, congregating at a common hotel is a great idea. I'm surprised it took this long to catch on.
I thought I would chime in with my thoughts on the meet. In general, it was fun. Was it the best meet I've ever attended? Probably not but it might come close. Was it the worst? Absolutely not.
I think it was a great idea having us all meet up at the Days Inn in Collinsville first. Having as few cars as possible at the restaurant was smart. Kim picked a great restaurant, and she was very generous in spending her own money on reserving the private room for all of us. It was so awesome that we were all able to hang out, move around, talk to different people all over the room, and not feel confined to one seat. Ten dollars was a good deal for all that!
As far as the Christian prayer was concerned, I am a person of faith and appreciated what Kim was doing. However, for me the idea of praying with people around me and not knowing their faith backgrounds is just awkward and I always fear that it might make other people uncomfortable. I am not opposed to the blessing (I think blessings are a good thing), but at road meets they just seem out of place.
I'm glad we did our group photo before we left the restaurant - even though it did seem a bit like herding cats to get everyone moving in the right direction to make that happen. (I guess that's what happens when the group is so big.)
The world's largest catsup/ketchup bottle was actually kinda disappointing. I was expecting it to be much bigger than that. Interesting to see, and I was glad that we only spent less than 5 minutes there.
Things began to get chaotic after we left the ketchup bottle. The directions were a little unclear in spots, and it was disappointing that all the cars got split up. It's not Kim's fault that the parade was taking place downtown, and she tried her best to keep a reasonable itinerary. She made a good attempt, but unfortunately things happened and it was not an ideal situation. It was actually pretty hilarious passing through the nasty part of town on 1st Street. In Brandon's car, we were all like "Where the hell are we going?!?!"
I think the biggest concern I had with the tour was how long it took. Generally speaking, when I attend a Saturday road meet, I'm mentally ready for it to be over by 5 or 5:30. But it kept going and going until, what, 8:00? I will say, though, that I loved experiencing the two car ferries. Those were pretty fun. But as Steve mentioned in an earlier message, the directions could have been clearer about all the drivers needing to TAKE the ferry.
The planning for dinner after the meet was pretty amusing. Steve had his heart set on going to Steak 'N Shake, and I'm glad he got to experience that for the first time. (I could totally understand his motivation.) I shouldn't find it funny, but looking back, it was actually pretty hilarious thinking about how all 20-ish of us walked into an already-crowded Steak 'N Shake and how we probably scared all the staff. I'm just glad enough of us had the desire to leave and go instead to the local Italian restaurant nearby. I and many others can eat at Steak 'N Shake anytime we want to at home. :)
The room I stayed in at the Days Inn was next to the party room. I popped in and said hello to Steve, Laura, David, Scott, and others - but I really only wanted to stay a minute because I was exhausted and needed some peace and quiet. It was nice that I wasn't disturbed by any noise coming from that room.
As I've said before, what really appeals to me with attending road meets is hanging out with friends I seldom get to see, as well as exploring a new city for the first time. Seeing the infrastructure is cool and all, but it's really all about the people and the experience in a new place. It was awesome that so many people were able to go, but being more of an introvert, I tend to prefer hanging out in smaller groups with people I know best. It was great to reconnect with old friends and meet some new people too. It's always sad when we have to say our goodbyes and go our separate ways home afterwards.
Thanks, Kim, for organizing this meet! I am so glad I was there. :D
How many states did the attendees come from? I know there were attendees who currently live in Oklahoma, New Jersey, Colorado, Montana, Maryland, Alabama, Michigan (several), Kentucky, New York, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Texas. What states am I missing?
Jason Ilyes came from Tennessee.
I'm gonna start associating faces with names. Please tell me I got all your names right. :)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FgprCfLu.png&hash=58f256d7af232a4a8ac95221ab2d1d3ad30655c7)
Sammi: You have Cullen and I mixed up. :p
Quote from: codyg1985 on March 22, 2014, 01:25:41 PM
Sammi: You have Cullen and I mixed up. :p
They were given in that order though... :)
Quote from: oscar on March 16, 2014, 09:54:03 PM
Steve Riner (The High Plains Traveler), Cody Goodman (codyg1985), Cullen Wassell (Crazy Volvo Guy), Jason Ilyes (jpi)
Fixed.
Editing a quoted post and replying "Fixed" in a completely non-sarcastic way. Wow. Bravo.
Quote from: Duke87 on March 22, 2014, 08:38:36 PM
Editing a quoted post and replying "Fixed" in a completely non-sarcastic way. Wow. Bravo.
I changed the URL of the image because I made some changes to it. I guess "Fixed" wasn't necessary.
The one in front of Sam2 is also Scott. to tell the difference put 'sconsin on my Scott. ;)
Also mark Jeremy as "off the map" *waits for bugo reaction* ;)
Quote from: bugo on March 22, 2014, 12:08:45 PM
How many states did the attendees come from? I know there were attendees who currently live in Oklahoma, New Jersey, Colorado, Montana, Maryland, Alabama, Michigan (several), Kentucky, New York, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Texas. What states am I missing?
Virginia (me).
Wisconsin (me) (if you were thinking me as Iowa - that's close enough ;) )
Oh wow, you actually think corco is Luis. How cute.
Quote from: Alps on March 22, 2014, 11:34:50 PM
Oh wow, you actually think corco is Luis. How cute.
Of course not. But I like calling him Luis. :P
I also had a footnote but I don't know where it went. >.>Where?
Quote from: sammi on March 22, 2014, 11:47:29 PM
Quote from: Alps on March 22, 2014, 11:34:50 PM
Oh wow, you actually think corco is Luis. How cute.
Of course not. But I like calling him Luis. :P
I also had a footnote but I don't know where it went. >.>
Where?
too many internet faces
If we ever have a St. Louis meet again, we should all meet at the intersection of Lewis & O'Fallon.
Quote from: bandit957 on March 24, 2014, 06:18:56 PM
If we ever have a St. Louis meet again, we should all meet at the intersection of Lewis & O'Fallon.
Nothing like a bit of urban archaeology to start the day, eh? :bigass:
Rootwad Park is funny.
What was up with the weather that weekend? It was fine during the meet itself but the drive home was awful. I left around 2am and about 50 miles west of St Louis it started raining. It rained/sleeted all night until I got to Claremore when ir started snowing. That trip was miserable. Visibility was measured in inches. When passing large trucks, I couldn't see much past the front of my car. It was highly dangerous. Had somebody been stopped in traffic in front of me I wouldn't have had a chance. Another attendee left a few hours after I did and it took them several hours to get from St Louis to Joplin and that traffic was very slow.
Quote from: bugo on February 22, 2019, 04:41:11 AMWhen passing large trucks, I couldn't see much past the front of my car. It was highly dangerous.
That's unusual. It's been my experience in driving on the interstate in snowstorms that the big trucks fly, while passenger vehicles tend to drive at appropriately safe speeds. That's why I avoid driving on the interstate in a snowstorm. On the way back from a conference in DC in January 2004, I actually bailed off the interstate at Strasburg, Va., and opted to take VA/WV 55, WV 42, WV 93 and US 219 (this was before Corridor H was built) because I felt safer driving on a snowy two-lane mountainous road than on an interstate where the trucks were driving like it was a sunny, dry day.
I recall that this meet included 3 bunker blasts. This even included an SBD standard stinker during the luncheon!
So many fond memories!
Quote from: hbelkins on February 22, 2019, 10:44:49 AM
Quote from: bugo on February 22, 2019, 04:41:11 AMWhen passing large trucks, I couldn't see much past the front of my car. It was highly dangerous.
That's unusual. It's been my experience in driving on the interstate in snowstorms that the big trucks fly, while passenger vehicles tend to drive at appropriately safe speeds. That's why I avoid driving on the interstate in a snowstorm. On the way back from a conference in DC in January 2004, I actually bailed off the interstate at Strasburg, Va., and opted to take VA/WV 55, WV 42, WV 93 and US 219 (this was before Corridor H was built) because I felt safer driving on a snowy two-lane mountainous road than on an interstate where the trucks were driving like it was a sunny, dry day.
This wasn't snow so much as a nasty mix of rain, freezing rain and sleet. I probably shouldn't have been driving like that but I'm glad I left when I did.
Quote from: bugo on February 23, 2019, 12:06:58 AMThis wasn't snow so much as a nasty mix of rain, freezing rain and sleet. I probably shouldn't have been driving like that but I'm glad I left when I did.
That was right when I headed for home using Greyhound. We had good weather during the meet itself, but it was cold and windy on my way home.
Greyhound also bungled my trip home by leaving 2 hours late and directing everyone to Dayton instead of Cincinnati. It was complete incompetence on their part.
I remember driving home that Sunday after a morning toy show, 64 east was ok but things got interesting when I hit 57 south and 24 east, went from rain to sleet to snow- back to sleet and rain then HEAVY wet snow and by the time I got to Paducah, KY it was windy and rain but never got below freezing and my drive was fine back to Nashville on 24
The weather for the meet was great but the weather on the next day was awful. it's a good thing that the meet was not held on the next day.