I've decided on a Hampton Roads-area meet on March 22. Given the wildness of my remaining time in Norfolk, I can commit to that date. Unfortunately, it also means that I am no longer able to commit to a DC area meet. I'm sure there'll be plenty of people willing to take that up in the future (I've already had conversations with Laura).
Daylight Savings begins on the 9th, so we'll have plenty of daylight...sunset isn't until 7:15ish.
(EDIT) The meet will be held at the Greenbrier location of Kelley's Tavern. We will start right at 11. Restaurant address is 1412 Greenbrier Parkway, Chesapeake, VA 23320. The physical location of the restaurant is here (https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=36.775485,-76.232849&hl=en&ll=36.775889,-76.231084&spn=0.005268,0.011362&sll=36.775657,-76.233058&sspn=0.002634,0.007725&mra=mift&mrsp=0&sz=18&t=m&z=17).
The main highlights will be construction on the Midtown Tunnel and MLK Freeway extension projects, and US 17/Dominion Blvd and the Steel Bridge in Chesapeake. Time and opportunity-permitting, we can also pop over to Virginia Beach to check Nimmo Pkwy status or go on a sign scavenger hunt. Also, if time, opportunity, and interest permit, I can give a limited number of attendees (up to 4) a tour of the Norfolk Naval Base, the largest (in terms of ships and workers) navy base in the world. If any other attendees have base access privileges, we can of course increase this number or make it part of the overall meet.
Lastly, for any hockey fans who are interested, the Norfolk Admirals (AHL) are at home against the Binghamton Senators that evening. Gametime is at 7:15.
Somewhere between the naval base tour and the hockey game, I may have enough interest to join.
I'm in.
I forgot to add that I will have copies of the latest Vermont and North Carolina state maps available for attendees. I might pick up another state or two to hand out as well prior to the meet.
Given that this is a consecutive weekend with Nashville, I am not going to attend both since that would require taking two consecutive Fridays off from work, which I don't want to do.
Also, this potentially conflicts with family events.
If there is a meet in Delmarva on Sunday the 23rd I may go to that since I could do it as a day trip, but Norfolk is definitely a no.
Blast, was really looking forward to this, but just realized that I'm going to be out of town (Convention in Richmond) on the weekend of the 22nd.
Three really good meets on three consecutive weekends -- STL, this and Nashville -- and even if I had the cash, there's no way I could attend all three. I'm going to have to pick and choose. I've pretty much decided that I'm definitely going to Nashville since it's the closest. Calendar-wise, it would be easier for me to go to STL, but in terms of the actual drive itself, this is preferable. (There's really no good, scenic way to get to STL that I'm not tired of driving even though it's about two hours closer than Hampton Roads.) I'm going to wait until the itinerary is ready before I make a decision on this one, but if I do come, I won't be doing the hockey game since I'll need to make a getaway to get far enough west that I can get on home by Sunday evening.
Likely route if I do come will be I-64 one way and either US 460 or US 58 the other way, but which route for which direction is yet to be determined. It's possible that I do 460 one way and 58 the other way and skip 64, but I won't decide that until the itinerary and meet location is announced.
Attendance may hinge on whether or not I've gotten my tax refund by then.
As I noted, plan on it starting either 11 or noon, and somewhere on the "Southside" (whether Norfolk, Portsmouth, or Chesapeake). That should be enough for your pre-planning...the specifics don't really make a difference on the weekend.
For anyone unable to make it, I'm seriously considering doing another meet for the area in a couple years.
Quote from: Duke87 on January 26, 2014, 10:38:48 PM
If there is a meet in Delmarva on Sunday the 23rd I may go to that since I could do it as a day trip, but Norfolk is definitely a no.
I will be at the Hampton Roads meet on the 22nd and hosting a Delmarva meet on the 23rd.
Quote from: Laura Bianca on January 27, 2014, 09:27:15 PM
I will be at the Hampton Roads meet on the 22nd and hosting a Delmarva meet on the 23rd.
Looking forward to the details of that. This may change my travel plans if I make it to Hampton Roads.
Sounds like a great tour, unfortunently I will not be able to make this one, got a small toy show in East Ridge, TN that day and this falls inbetween Kim's St Louis meet that I will be attending and my road meet in Lebanon\ Nashville, TN
Quote from: jpi on January 28, 2014, 04:17:00 PM
Sounds like a great tour, unfortunently I will not be able to make this one, got a small toy show in East Ridge, TN that day and this falls inbetween Kim's St Louis meet that I will be attending and my road meet in Lebanon\ Nashville, TN
Ditto. I'm in the same boat as you, jpi. It's between both meets, and it also happens to be my birthday weekend. BTW, I've already put in for the 28th off so I can drive down to Nashville. St. Louis is a mere 3.5 to 4 hour trip one way for me.
Even if I don't go to StL - I can't make this one - even to see the Nuclear Wessels. ;)
While cleaning out my house this week I found some old VDOT maps, mostly from 1989. I can bring a spare Prince George County from it if anyone wants it.
Quote from: Takumi on January 29, 2014, 06:29:35 PM
While cleaning out my house this week I found some old VDOT maps, mostly from 1989. I can bring a spare Prince George County from it if anyone wants it.
I would most definitely be interested in that. I cannot commit to going to the meet at this time. I will most likely be in the Petersburg/Colonial Heights/Hopewell area a week to two weeks earlier though.
I don't *think* I'll be there, but who knows!
Quote from: 74/171FAN on January 29, 2014, 10:33:51 PM
Quote from: Takumi on January 29, 2014, 06:29:35 PM
While cleaning out my house this week I found some old VDOT maps, mostly from 1989. I can bring a spare Prince George County from it if anyone wants it.
I would most definitely be interested in that. I cannot commit to going to the meet at this time. I will most likely be in the Petersburg/Colonial Heights/Hopewell area a week to two weeks earlier though.
It's yours. Consider it a late birthday present...let me know next time you're in the area.
Quote from: Takumi on February 01, 2014, 10:33:39 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on January 29, 2014, 10:33:51 PM
Quote from: Takumi on January 29, 2014, 06:29:35 PM
While cleaning out my house this week I found some old VDOT maps, mostly from 1989. I can bring a spare Prince George County from it if anyone wants it.
I would most definitely be interested in that. I cannot commit to going to the meet at this time. I will most likely be in the Petersburg/Colonial Heights/Hopewell area a week to two weeks earlier though.
It's yours. Consider it a late birthday present...let me know next time you're in the area.
Thanks. I'll let you know in a few weeks when I know my plans then.
Like H.B., among St. Louis, Nashville and Hampton Roads, I have to choose only one of the three. I would lean toward Hampton Roads anyway, but with Laura hosting Delmarva the following day, that seals the deal for me. Only a (natural or man-made) disaster could keep me away.
I picked up some West Virginia and Pennsylvania maps this weekend that will be available at the meet, along with the NC and VT maps I acquired previously. Whatever doesn't get taken at the Hampton Roads meet will be available for those at the Delmarva meet the next day.
Quote from: froggie on February 02, 2014, 01:30:36 PM
I picked up some West Virginia and Pennsylvania maps this weekend that will be available at the meet, along with the NC and VT maps I acquired previously. Whatever doesn't get taken at the Hampton Roads meet will be available for those at the Delmarva meet the next day.
What year's listed on the WV maps? I think they're putting out maps with two years on the cover now. Can't remember what years were listed on the last maps I got.
They are. These are 2014-15.
Definitely newer than anything I have, then.
Waiting to see an itinerary/concept for the Delmarva meet.
Quote from: Alps on February 02, 2014, 11:39:37 PM
Waiting to see an itinerary/concept for the Delmarva meet.
As of right now, we'll be scouting the meet over this coming weekend (2/15) and will have an itinerary shortly afterwards.
Is there a facebook group for this meet?
As of right now, I'm a yes for both Hampton Roads and Delmarva.
I'm leaning heavily toward this as the second of the two meets I plan to attend of the four consecutive that are planned. (Well, technically it's the first one on the calendar since it happens the weekend before Tennessee).
Quote from: mtantillo on February 17, 2014, 06:56:43 PM
Is there a facebook group for this meet?
As of right now, I'm a yes for both Hampton Roads and Delmarva.
Haven't seen one. I'm only in for Hampton Roads.
I was not intending to do a Facebook group.
this meet will be unlikely for me. I'm about to change employers, and even Jason's meet the following weekend will be a stretch as I did not get vacation approved for that week. I did get vacation approved for the week of the STL meet.
I can do a facebook event for the Delmarva portion...unless it would be weird to have an event for one half but not the other, if for no other reason than the fact that I know some roadgeeks who are there but not here.
As an update, Mike and I have two different itineraries. We scouted what we wanted to be our itinerary for this meet - Queen Anne's and Caroline Counties, but we're concerned that there won't be much to see with the 404 construction since it has just started. There's so much "quintessential Maryland" in that region though...
We are scouting out the Salisbury area on Saturday and will make our final decision between the two regions then.
Quote from: Laura on February 20, 2014, 10:26:04 PM
I can do a facebook event for the Delmarva portion...unless it would be weird to have an event for one half but not the other, if for no other reason than the fact that I know some roadgeeks who are there but not here.
As an update, Mike and I have two different itineraries. We scouted what we wanted to be our itinerary for this meet - Queen Anne's and Caroline Counties, but we're concerned that there won't be much to see with the 404 construction since it has just started. There's so much "quintessential Maryland" in that region though...
We are scouting out the Salisbury area on Saturday and will make our final decision between the two regions then.
If I come -- and it's still very much up in the air -- I may stay three nights in the Norfolk area. Depending on what the itinerary looks like, I may just drive up Sunday morning from Norfolk and then drive back down there Sunday night, since I'd like to drive, for the most part, US 58 one way and US 460 the other.
If I decide to do a meet that weekend, I would just do Hampton Roads so I could get back to Blacksburg sometime Sunday. I might need some convincing though.
Of those who are interested in attending, who's interested in either A) a Navy Base tour, or B) the hockey game?
Interested in A, depending on when it's going to be. Not a hockey fan in the slightest, so definitely not B.
Quote from: froggie on February 22, 2014, 06:47:46 PM
Of those who are interested in attending, who's interested in either A) a Navy Base tour, or B) the hockey game?
Does the Navy Base have ROAD SIGNS? (And would we be allowed to take photos)
I wouldn't expect a military base to have anything special in terms of road signs. At least, the two that I've been on did not. They follow the MUTCD and there's nothing old.
I'd be interested in a naval base tour, but only if my car friends in the area are busy. I'd be a maybe.
I'm definitely not interested in the hockey game.
I got a base tour with Froggie as part of his Norfolk road meet long ago, so I'm not overly interested in a do-over.
HB: base tour would likely be mid-late afternoon, depending on whether we do lunch or not.
Regarding road signs, there really aren't that many on the Norfolk Navy base, but there are a couple gems here and there, including VA 170 trailblazers inside a long-closed entry/exit gate, for a road that hasn't been VA 170 in 35 years. There's also remnants of ground-mounted horizontal traffic signals, and a VA 564 shield just off base.
Regarding photos on base, they're generally allowed, though to be safe, I'd be discreet with the photo taking and not do it when base police are nearby...
I think A and B would be fun; that said, if no one else is interested, don't go out of your way to do them just for us.
As for Delmarva, we have a location set (meet in Salisbury, MD) and will be exploring Salisbury and the surrounding MD/DE stuff for the tour. I'll have official details done and posted by midnight.
iPhone
Quote from: froggie on February 23, 2014, 07:15:22 AM
HB: base tour would likely be mid-late afternoon, depending on whether we do lunch or not.
So after the meet tour, then? Sounds like something I'd be up for, since right now I expect to be staying in the area Saturday night if I attend and then heading up to Salisbury the next morning for Laura and Mike's meet.
It looks like I will have an unexpected trip to Texas in the next two weeks or so. If so, it probably takes me out of the Hampton Roads/Delmarva weekend. I may have an opportunity to make the St. Louis meet on the return trip.
Any lodging recommendations in the Hampton Roads area? I generally like Choice and Wyndham properties, along with Best Western and Red Roof. I'll check the facilities out on TripAdvisor, but I tend to like the motor lodge-style with exterior entrances where you can park right outside your room.
My Vue goes in the shop tonight. Some minor maintenance stuff (spark plugs and brake pads) but also something that may end up being more costly. Just how costly will play a big role in whether or not I'm able to attend.
I'm starting to look at the trip itself. What I want to do is take US 58 east starting at a point somewhere east of Damascus and proceeding toward the coast. What I really want to do is go to Tazewell and then take VA 16 south to Marion and then probably to US 58, then east through Independence and Galax to Hillsville. If I come, I'll be starting the trip on Thursday afternoon, so overnight could be anywhere in SW Virginia (Abingdon, Marion, Galax or Hillsville), depending on if I choose the VA 16 option or if I just go to Abingdon and then hit I-81.
(I drove US 58 between Damascus and Independence several years ago; it's a typical two-lane mountain road and I don't have a burning desire to drive it again so that's why I'd rather hit 58 near Independence.)
On Friday, I'll be heading east on US 58. Side trips will depend on time. What I'd like to do, once I hit the South Hill area, is to go south into North Carolina and then north on I-85 all the way to Richmond, which would clinch I-85 for me, then take I-95 south into NC to knock out another chunk of that route, then back to US 58 to continue east to the Hampton Roads area. If I have enough time, I might work on clinches of US 13 and/or US 258 in Virginia.
Lodging decision has not yet been made. That will depend on where the meet actually occurs. What I will most likely do is stay both Friday and Saturday nights in the same place and then drive north to Salisbury on Sunday morning for that meet.
I had originally thought about returning to Hampton Roads Sunday evening and heading out from there, but I'm rethinking my plans. I drove US 50 between Salisbury and the Bay Bridge fall before last and don't really want to do it again, but I'm not crazy about dealing with Hampton Roads traffic on a Monday morning when I head west. I can drive US 50 west and then I-95 south to Richmond, since I need most of I-95 between the Springfield Interchange and Fredericksburg as well, and I know most major traffic issues with that stretch are northbound instead of southbound on Sunday evenings. I could stay in the Richmond area on Sunday night, then take US 360 west to VA 307 to US 460, then take US 221 between Lynchburg and Bedford before getting back on 460, then I-81 south to Christiansburg, then 460 again back into Kentucky.
I'll post part of this in the Delmarva meet thread for opinions as well.
I'll know next week whether I'll attend or not. It would be very tough for me to do so, but I'm also unsure of when I would be in Hampton Roads again.
HB, I actually plan on taking US 58 east from Hillsville (I-77) to South Hill (I-85) tonight. I wanted to go as far east as US 258 (Franklin), but the wintry weather coming will probably truncate my trip, and I am hoping I can get the rest of US 58 I need east of South Hill at a later date.
QuoteI had originally thought about returning to Hampton Roads Sunday evening and heading out from there, but I'm rethinking my plans. I drove US 50 between Salisbury and the Bay Bridge fall before last and don't really want to do it again, but I'm not crazy about dealing with Hampton Roads traffic on a Monday morning when I head west.
If you stay on the "Southside" (i.e. VaB/Norfolk/Chesapeake/Suffolk), traffic shouldn't be a huge problem. I'm intending to look for a restaurant in Chesapeake, so if you stay there, worst you'll likely run into is a few minutes delay getting onto I-64, and a few minutes at the High Rise. Otherwise, heading out to 460 shouldn't be a problem (since you'd mentioned an interest in taking 460 back west).
As much as I'd like to go to this meet, I either need 1. a new car, or 2. a serious and thorough tune-up on my current car. It's having significant engine and reliability issues at this time.
Barring any issues with a windshield replacement on Fri March 21 (second one this winter!), I intend to attend the Hampton Roads meet on March 22...
Mapmikey
I've updated the OP to reflect that I've selected a meet location: the Greenbrier location of Kelley's Tavern. It's a local Hampton Roads chain known for good burgers (the original location opened in the Ghent part of Norfolk in 1983). I would like to get a head count of who's attending no later than Friday so I can give the restaurant our info.
I hope to know by then. How hard I get hit by my car repair bill will make all the difference in whether I can come or not. A vehicle insurance bill came in the mail today, and that doesn't help the situation.
I'll know for certain by Friday. Basically, if I don't post that I am coming, consider me a no.
Consider me attending.
Quote from: froggie on March 08, 2014, 09:17:40 PM
I would like to get a head count of who's attending no later than Friday so I can give the restaurant our info.
Count me in!
Pretty much have my travel plans set. Unless something very unforeseen happens this week, I'm coming.
The plan is to leave Thursday and go to Tazewell, Va., probably by way of KY 15, US 119, US 23, Alternate US 58 and US 19. Google Maps shows it being only 10 miles and 10 minutes longer than US 460 through Pikeville and Grundy. Then I want to drive VA 16 across to Marion, and from there on to Galax for the night. I've done VA 16 and US 58 through Mouth of Wilson and Independence to Galax, but heading west instead of east, and I can't remember if US 58 was four lanes between Galax and Independence at the time, as the Virginia official maps now shows. If time is an issue, Google says it's quicker to take I-81 and I-77 from Marion to Hillsville and backtrack to Galax. I picked Galax for the night because I can get a free night at a motel there at a minimal cost of Choice Privileges points.
Friday, I want to shoot east across US 58, detouring to clinch US 311 in Virginia, going all the way to South Hill. From there I'm going to cut across US 1 into North Carolina, then take I-85 all the way to its terminus, then back south on I-95 into North Carolina. Unless someone can present a better option to get to Franklin, I will probably backtrack on 95 north to Emporia and then continue across 58. When I get to Franklin, I am going to go south on US 258 into North Carolina and then backtrack north to Franklin, then continue via Isle of Wight and Smithfield to Benns Church. At that point, I need to decide if I want to back down to Suffolk via VA 10/VA 32 or continue on 258 for the clinch. I have 258 from Benns Church to I-64, and the one time I drove the Newport News and Hampton sections, I remember it being clogged with traffic, so I might be better served by going back to Suffolk and taking US 13 south into North Carolina for more mileage and to give me an opportunity to clinch that route in Virginia. That's probably what I'll do, as I can always go across I-664 to pick up what I need of 258 in Hampton. I'm thinking sometime on Friday, Saturday or Sunday morning I can finish off what I need of 13 in Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Right now I plan to get a room at the Red Roof in Chesapeake, which isn't too far from the meet location, and spend both Friday and Saturday nights there before heading to Salisbury Sunday morning.
Trip plans will continue in that thread. Comments on this route welcome and appreciated.
Mind bringing some Ale-8? Glass bottles, preferably.
A back way from North Carolina to Franklin would be NC/VA 186 from I-95 (it was recently extended from US 301, which is east of I-95 there, to NC 48 west of it) to VA 35, then SR 671 from there to Franklin.
I'll probably leave my house around 8 AM, then take VA 10 down to Benns Church/Carrollton, then US 17/VA 164 into the area to clinch VA 337A and 196 on my way to the meet, and maybe another route or two depending on time. Last time I took VA 10 to Suffolk I got slowed down by tractors and rain.
Quote from: Takumi on March 16, 2014, 10:54:35 PM
Mind bringing some Ale-8? Glass bottles, preferably.
Any other requests? Speak now or forever hold your peace.
[/quote]A back way from North Carolina to Franklin would be NC/VA 186 from I-95 (it was recently extended from US 301, which is east of I-95 there, to NC 48 west of it) to VA 35, then SR 671 from there to Franklin.
[/quote]
Only reason I didn't consider US 158 across to Murfreesboro is that I drove it a few years ago.
Quote from: hbelkins on March 16, 2014, 10:47:22 PM
Pretty much have my travel plans set. Unless something very unforeseen happens this week, I'm coming.
The plan is to leave Thursday and go to Tazewell, Va., probably by way of KY 15, US 119, US 23, Alternate US 58 and US 19. Google Maps shows it being only 10 miles and 10 minutes longer than US 460 through Pikeville and Grundy. Then I want to drive VA 16 across to Marion, and from there on to Galax for the night. I've done VA 16 and US 58 through Mouth of Wilson and Independence to Galax, but heading west instead of east, and I can't remember if US 58 was four lanes between Galax and Independence at the time, as the Virginia official maps now shows. If time is an issue, Google says it's quicker to take I-81 and I-77 from Marion to Hillsville and backtrack to Galax. I picked Galax for the night because I can get a free night at a motel there at a minimal cost of Choice Privileges points.
Friday, I want to shoot east across US 58, detouring to clinch US 311 in Virginia, going all the way to South Hill. From there I'm going to cut across US 1 into North Carolina, then take I-85 all the way to its terminus, then back south on I-95 into North Carolina. Unless someone can present a better option to get to Franklin, I will probably backtrack on 95 north to Emporia and then continue across 58. When I get to Franklin, I am going to go south on US 258 into North Carolina and then backtrack north to Franklin, then continue via Isle of Wight and Smithfield to Benns Church. At that point, I need to decide if I want to back down to Suffolk via VA 10/VA 32 or continue on 258 for the clinch. I have 258 from Benns Church to I-64, and the one time I drove the Newport News and Hampton sections, I remember it being clogged with traffic, so I might be better served by going back to Suffolk and taking US 13 south into North Carolina for more mileage and to give me an opportunity to clinch that route in Virginia. That's probably what I'll do, as I can always go across I-664 to pick up what I need of 258 in Hampton. I'm thinking sometime on Friday, Saturday or Sunday morning I can finish off what I need of 13 in Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Right now I plan to get a room at the Red Roof in Chesapeake, which isn't too far from the meet location, and spend both Friday and Saturday nights there before heading to Salisbury Sunday morning.
Trip plans will continue in that thread. Comments on this route welcome and appreciated.
US 58-221 was 4-laned from VA 274 to VA 94 in the very late 1990s...
I can also vouch for using NC/VA 186, a bit of VA 35, and SR 671 to get from I-95 in the Weldon area to Franklin VA.
Mapmikey
QuoteUnless someone can present a better option to get to Franklin, I will probably backtrack on 95 north to Emporia and then continue across 58.
There's the option that Takumi and Mapmikey mentioned (which I've done as well). If you're concerned about Emporia cops, I'm of the opinion now that it's more reputation than reality. The only cops I've seen on 95 South or 58 in the Emporia area my last few times through there were state police. Furthermore, with I-95 now 70 MPH and with 58 now 60 MPH between Emporia and Courtland, you can make good time. 186/35/671 is technically shorter, but you can make better time on 95/58 even if you stick to the speed limit.
I could also use an Ale-8-1 restocking. Drank my last one in Vermont this weekend.
Quote from: froggie on March 18, 2014, 09:00:50 PM
There's the option that Takumi and Mapmikey mentioned (which I've done as well). If you're concerned about Emporia cops, I'm of the opinion now that it's more reputation than reality. The only cops I've seen on 95 South or 58 in the Emporia area my last few times through there were state police. Furthermore, with I-95 now 70 MPH and with 58 now 60 MPH between Emporia and Courtland, you can make good time. 186/35/671 is technically shorter, but you can make better time on 95/58 even if you stick to the speed limit.
I could also use an Ale-8-1 restocking. Drank my last one in Vermont this weekend.
Not worried about Emporia law enforcement at all, just looking at different route options. I see something called the "Jackson Cutoff" in North Carolina that connects to 158 on both ends, so I might opt for that and then head north on 258 out of Murfreesboro.
Picking up the Ale-8 tomorrow around noontime.
Here's the preliminary attendence list:
Takumi
Mike & Laura
HBE
Mike Tantillo
Oscar
Mike Roberson (Mapmikey)
Mts83 and guest
Daniel Greenstein (from Facebook)
Brian LeBlanc
CP Zilliacus
If your name is in error, or you are not on this list but plan on attending, let me know ASAP.
In addition to the goodies Froggie has indicated he is handing out, I will also be giving out 3-CD sets containing:
1932 VDOT County Atlas
75+ VA Officials 1922-2006
75+ NC officials 1922-2013
SC officials or commercial 1922-51
If you happen to have a laptop with you I might be able to also provide:
1958 VDOT County Atlas
1938 NCDOT County set
nearly 700 different SCDOT county maps from 1939-2005.
Looking forward to meeting everybody...
Mapmikey
Looking forward to the meet!
I thought Brian Reynolds had sent his regrets due to his recent Texas trip.
If he did, it wasn't in this thread (or on the Delmarva Facebook page).
I thought it may have been somewhere in the St. Louis meet thread, but I could be wrong.
Quote from: Mapmikey on March 19, 2014, 10:23:59 AM
If you happen to have a laptop with you I might be able to also provide:
1958 VDOT County Atlas
1938 NCDOT County set
nearly 700 different SCDOT county maps from 1939-2005.
I'll bring a netbook and a flash drive.
I made an error...Brian did mention something in this thread (that I must've skimmed over). List has been updated accordingly with that and other changes.
As has happened frequently in the past with prior meets, veterinary issues may impact my attendance.
One of our senior felines has been in declining health and seemed to deteriorate quickly the past couple of days. We took her to the vet this afternoon, where she got IV fluids because of dehydration and a decreased appetite. She has to go back tomorrow night for more fluids and hopefully the vet will be able to draw enough blood to do some tests to see if she has kidney failure going on.
At the very least, I'll be altering my travel plans significantly. If I do come, I won't be leaving until Friday morning, which means I'll have to adjust my route. (I still want to do US 58, but this means no VA 16, possibly no I-85 and I-95 and US 258.) Worst case, I have to cancel my trip and drink the Ale-8 I bought today for those who requested it.
I should know for sure this time tomorrow evening. The bad part is the money I'd save by not coming will probably go for vet bills.
Update: I'll have detailed itineraries at the meet, but in short, we'll leave from lunch up to 64, then onto 17 south, with 4-5 stops at various locations around the 17/Dominion Blvd construction. We'll then head up 464, across the Jordan Bridge, and scope out part of the MLK Freeway extension construction. We'll then drive through part of that construction, up to and through through the Midtown Tunnel, and to a vantage point for the Midtown Tunnel expansion.
After that, it's pretty open-ended and will be in part up to the group. There's the Nimmo Pkwy construction in Virginia Beach (which might be done now). Or we could go on a sign scavenger hunt. There's 2 of us that can access the navy base for any potential base tour, but that's not enough to get everyone on the base.....we'll play that one by ear.
Disclosure: this route will incur two ETC tolls. Highly recommend that tour drivers have EZPass.
Lastly, if anyone will be in Norfolk early enough on Saturday or lingering into Sunday morning, there's a pretty good diner downtown i'd like to invite folks to breakfast at.
I'll be meeting someone to sell a car part at some point, so I'll play things by ear depending on when the buyer wants to meet.
Still iffy for me, even after a vet visit earlier today. She seems better, but I'm going to see how she does over the next few hours.
I won't be driving on the tour, but if necessary we can take my EZPass along on the tour.
I prefer not to drive, as I can take only one passenger (and I'll probably have a drink with lunch), but I can if absolutely necessary. My car's back seats are more vestigial than anything else, and its stiff suspension isn't very friendly to the bumpier roads around the Tidewater (as Sanctimoniously can attest). It's also on the loud side and has no AC, which might be a problem with temps looking to be in the mid 70s.
I'll be driving to the meet stops as I am one of the two who should be able to access the Base.
I have EZpass so no worries with that...
I can fit 3 adult passengers comfortably or 4 if really needed...
Mapmikey
I'll be driving down in my Prius, leaving D.C. around 6am Saturday morning (still catching up on things from the St. Louis meet, so a Friday arrival in Norfolk is not possible).
My car will have room for three passengers, and will have my E-ZPass transponder installed.
I have some extra E-ZPasses if a driver doesn't have.
Long day, but I'm in Chesapeake now. Just hoping I can stay up to watch the UK game.
Go to bed...catch it tomorrow. That way, you can catch breakfast with me in the morning.
Quote from: oscar on March 20, 2014, 08:21:37 PM
I'll be driving down in my Prius, leaving D.C. around 6am Saturday morning (still catching up on things from the St. Louis meet, so a Friday arrival in Norfolk is not possible).
My car will have room for three passengers, and will have my E-ZPass transponder installed.
I'll race you. <smile>
And you will win. I am probably taking 301 to 17 to 64.
See you there. Drive carefully.
Just got home, had a great time. It was great meeting everyone and seeing the people I've met before again.
Between two of the stops, my boss texted me asking if I could cover for someone. It'd be a bit hard being two hours away, and not near my car at the time!
My route to the restaurant today: VA 144 → VA 36 → VA 156 → VA 10 → US 258 → US 17 → VA 164 → US 58 (VA 337A westbound was closed at the end of the MLK) → US 17 → VA 337A → a couple wrong turns in Portsmouth → VA 239 → I-264 → US 17 → VA 196 → US 13/460 → I-464 → I-64 → Greenbrier. My route home was simply Greenbrier to Military Highway all the way to its end, then onto 13/58/460 until I got off at 460 towards home.
Didn't have a chance to attend this meet, but at least I held a meet of my own! The meet location was Panda House in Springfield, MA. From there, the tour proceeded under the concrete arch on Main St., by where the state-name I-91 shield used to be, then drove the old-school US 5 freeway down the west shore of the Connecticut River. We checked out the MA 57 stub, then headed to an old state-line sign and border monument where the meet photo was taken. (Side note: I did not actually know about this sign, but the opportunity presented itself.) From there, we went into CT to look at the CT 190 freeway-let that was once planned as a full four-lane facility, then headed back up into Springfield, eventually ending up on US 5 north as it merges into I-91 (there's a great view of the 5 bridge from that perspective). We continued north to MA 116, and drove that from the bottom up to the old truss bridge in Chicopee, currently closed but under rehabilitation (fortunately instead of replacement). That was our second tour stop. The meet then headed around to the other side of 116, through town, and, dodging a St. Patrick's Day Parade (hey, where have we had that happen before?), clinched I-391 on the way back into Springfield. The tour finished with a sweeping panorama of downtown from the I-91 SB ramp to I-291. We then parted ways and continued on. My half of the tour checked out the old Merritt Parkway tollbooth on the way south.
Incidentally, this was a two-person birthday meet.
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3735/13343697665_e1466e3a72_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/alpsroads/13343697665/)
Thank you all for coming...we wound up with 13 total (including Brian LeBlanc!). The "official tour" took us to several vantage points of the US 17/Dominion Blvd project, which is replacing the "Steel Bridge" with a 4-lane 95ft-high fixed span toll bridge, and also upgrading US 17 to freeway (sans the toll bridge) from VA 168 south to VA 165/Cedar Rd. From there, we went into Portsmouth (via the Jordan Bridge) to view where the MLK Freeway extension (to be a VA 164 extension) will connect into I-264. We then proceeded through the Midtown Tunnel to a small Norfolk park overlooking some of the Midtown Tunnel construction, where we took the group photo.
After that, we basically split. Some went back to Chesakeape to get their cars and continue their own touring, while several of us proceeded through Norfolk on a sign scavenger hunt, through the VA 337/Hampton Blvd railroad underpass construction, a brief stop on the Navy Base, and up to Fort Monroe to search for the old ferry landing. Several of us then got together for dinner afterwards.
All in all, a good day. Looking forward to seeing several of the attendees at today's Delmarva meet in a few hours.
It was nice to meet everybody yesterday. I had a very nice time touring around the Tidewater area. For the NC Officials I gave out, I only downloaded the map side unless the insets were on the reverse. If you want to obtain the back sides of other issues, I got these from this website: http://www2.lib.unc.edu/dc/ncmaps/
A few ad hoc questions/discussions came up during the meet here are some definitive answers...
Where was the Ferry Landing at Old Point Comfort?
The link below shows a picture of the wharf, to the east of the hotel (2nd place we looked). Incidentally 1942 Topo map shows no road along the seawall facing HRBT and 1944 Topo does show it. The 1958 Topo and 1963 aerial view shows nothing to suggest ferry landing was west of the hotel. Incidentally, the Willoughby Spit landing was on the Willoughby Bay side essentially due south of the Exit 272 ramps from I-64 EB. Still looking for more definitive proof...Esso maps of the Hampton Roads area are detailed enough but I only have 1963.
http://www.cardcow.com/279311/old-point-comfort-wharf-monroe-virginia/?gcsct=0ChMI8IKHlv-ovQIVifHnCh0mSAAAGAMgASgA
When was HRBT twinned?
According to Kozel's well-researched site, the second (EB) structure opened in June 1976. Tolls were dropped at that time.
When were tolls dropped from Midtown and Downtown tunnels?
Midtown (opened Sept '62) stopped tolling in Aug '86
Downtown (opened May '52) stopped tolling in Aug '86; second tube opened March '87
When did the London Blvd interchange with US 58 west of Midtown tunnel open?
Originally US 58 just ran to High St along what is now VA 337 ALT. The March 1968 CTB shows the changes to put US 58 and VA 141 onto London Blvd. The 1963 aerial of the area definitely shows no London Blvd interchange or construction thereof.
Mapmikey
Two more...
Was the 2-lane bridge paralleling US 60 to the north at Diamond Springs Rd ever part of US 60?
The 1944 Topo shows US 60 using its current alignment through here and no road at all paralleling it to the north. So I can upgrade my answer from probably not to definitely not...
Wish we had thought of it earlier, but the US 13 Ferry Rd that went from Diamond Springs Rd then underneath both of these bridges appears to be drivable all the way to the waterfront still based on satellite and 2007 GMSV. The railroad berth for the ferry is still there and the cars either used the same pier or one immediately next to it...
How about the Ocean View Amusement Park?
Was located at the end of Granby St and was built around the start of the 20th century. Slated to be torn down in the mid-70s but made it long enough to appear in 2 movies - "Rollercoaster" (Henry Fonda) and "The Death of Ocean View Park" (Mike Connors) which included the actual 1978 destruction of the 1927 wooden rollercoaster and the park was removed. Details at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_View_Amusement_Park
Mapmikey
Quote from: froggie on March 23, 2014, 08:00:13 AM
Thank you all for coming...we wound up with 13 total (including Brian LeBlanc!). The "official tour" took us to several vantage points of the US 17/Dominion Blvd project, which is replacing the "Steel Bridge" with a 4-lane 95ft-high fixed span toll bridge, and also upgrading US 17 to freeway (sans the toll bridge) from VA 168 south to VA 165/Cedar Rd. From there, we went into Portsmouth (via the Jordan Bridge) to view where the MLK Freeway extension (to be a VA 164 extension) will connect into I-264. We then proceeded through the Midtown Tunnel to a small Norfolk park overlooking some of the Midtown Tunnel construction, where we took the group photo.
Adam, thanks for researching and organizing this meet. Very informative and fun.
We only drove over the South Norfolk Jordan Bridge, but that was a highlight (and maybe high point) of the tour. It was more impressive "in person" than in the images I have seen of it.
Thanks to Oscar for driving - and to my amazement, I actually fit in the rear seat of his car!
Quote from: cpzilliacus
We only drove over the South Norfolk Jordan Bridge, but that was a highlight (and maybe high point) of the tour. It was more impressive "in person" than in the images I have seen of it.
Indeed it was. I took several pictures while on it, mostly looking over the sides. They turned out very well.
Incidentally, the pieces of VA 337 we drove were about half of what I need to clinch it. Now I need from VA 191 to the west end of 337A and the downtown Norfolk sections.
Yes, thank you for hosting. I will post a full trip report at a later date.
On a very sad note, our cat Mouse died today while I was on the way home. It happened while I was out of cell phone service range between Claypool Hill and Grundy on US 460. Her condition was one reason I skipped out on the tour portion of the Delmarva meet and tried to push a bit farther west than I'd originally planned on Sunday. I didn't do any of the planned exploration I had planned for the return trip this morning once I learned her condition had deteriorated greatly between last night and this morning, but I still didn't make it home in time.
Quote from: cpzilliacus on March 24, 2014, 05:43:19 PM
Thanks to Oscar for driving - and to my amazement, I actually fit in the rear seat of his car!
My Prius has a lot of legroom in back. Maybe enough to hold suspects, should the Arlington County police ever decide to use some Prius patrol cars (not beyond the realm of possibility, considering how the county government is so madly in love with white Priuses).
My thanks also to Froggie for organizing the meet.
On the way there, I clinched VA 143 (needed only the part in Hampton). After the "official" tour was over, I skipped the optional sign-scavenger tour, plus other activities that would've put me way past my bedtime, to get a head start on getting to the Eastern Shore ahead of the Delmarva meet the following day (details to follow in that thread).
Here are two of the three group photos I took, near the Midtown Tunnel, at the Hampton Roads meet. As I expected, the other photo got seriously overexposed, but no loss as it was otherwise similar to the first photo below.
(//www.alaskaroads.com/norfolk-meet-group-photo-SENDHELP_DSC2142.jpg)
(//www.alaskaroads.com/norfolk-meet-group-photo-noSENDHELP_DSC2143.jpg)
From left to right:
Michael Temme-Solfer [mts83], Keith Thomas, Michael Elmore [Takumi], Daniel Greenstein, Brian LeBlanc, Mike Tantillo [mtantillo], Mike Pruett [MDRoads], Laura Bianca-Pruett [Laura], H.B. Elkins [hbelkins], C.P. Zilliacus [cpzilliacus], Mike Roberson [Mapmikey], Adam Froehlig [froggie, kneeling[, Oscar Voss [oscar]
takumi is Michael Elmore. (he's identified himself by name in another caption for the Oct '13 Richmond meet, so I'm okay with posting his personal info.)
To the left of me in the photo are Michael Temme-Soifer (mts83, all the way on the left) and Keith Thomas (just left of me), and Daniel Greenstein is on my right.
The camera usually hates me, but I don't look derpy in the top photo. The bottom photo is typical for me.
Quote from: hbelkins on March 21, 2014, 08:33:34 PM
One and done: A phrase often used to describe John Calipari's recruits for the University of Kentucky's basketball team. Also applicable to the 2013-14 team's tournament appearance if it keeps laying eggs in big games against good opponents.
Now that the UK men are in the Final Four, time to amend your .sig file?
Probably. :-D
Here is a quick assortment of photos that I put online from my trip. It's publicly accessible.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152305390341469.1073741826.275641381468&type=1