I'm in the early stages of planning what I'll call the followup to this fall's DC meet. If I can make it work, it would cover the I-695 and I-895 interchanges (both of which have been rebuilt or are still being rebuilt), I-795 and the nearby SPUI on I-695, the dead I-170 in western Baltimore, and ICC construction closer to DC. Whether that's too much and what else we may be able to see along the way, I'll fill in as the dates get closer. Target date is Saturday, March 27 if the weather holds up, otherwise April 10 (skipping Easter and Passover). No need to RSVP yet, but keep this in the back of your mind and prepare for additional details in the coming months.
(also mentioned on MTR)
As I mentioned in the DC meet thread, I'd suggest waiting until late next year for the ICC stuff, after the first phase of the ICC opens.
As replied on MTR...
I'm a construction geek. I'd rather see the road before it opens. I-695 and I-895 interchanges will have enough new roadways to drive on - and I want to get there while there's some remnant of the old 695/95 crossover (95 is already fixed, 695 not yet but it's starting).
You'd still have plenty of ICC to view before it opens. Waiting until late next year would give you both...being able to drive part of the ICC, and being able to see the construction of the rest of the ICC.
IMO, it could easily be a separate meet in and of itself, not necessarily tied into Baltimore.
Definitely taken under consideration. There's enough to see around Baltimore where I might never get down that far anyway, hence the "whether that's too much" thrown in there. The I-395/95 interchange is another one to drive through, and there's a nice bridge on the original National Road...
I could possibly make it. Baltimore isn't far for me.
(also to be posted to MTR)
Depending on the timing, and also quite possibly W/ORT the timing, I may have to choose between this one and the Philly meet that's being bandied about. I know Jeff Kitsko said he was shooting for a springtime date for that, but Adam Moss is now saying he wants to do one in Philly in late February. I know I'm a special case in that I tend to travel longer distances than most for these things, since I'm now combining them with normal roadtrips and also county-collecting trips, but two meets in relatively-close proximity to each other in a short period of time might not work for me. After all, there are just so many ways to cross the Appalachians and I think I now know every pothole on I-79 in West Virginia on a first-name basis. Plus, there's now a 75-percent chance I'll do a multi-day Kentucky meet in May or June, and I'll need the Thursday and Friday of that week off work for that meet, so I'll have to be judicious with my vacation days.
H.B. even if Jeff and I do the meet, we can always merge the ideas for one meet. I don't have to be the leader you know
I'd be much more in favor of, and even more likely to attend, a May meet in Philly vs. a Feb meet.
I'll be in Washington 4/10-4/18, so if it were then that would be spectacular
This might definitely give me a chance to clinch at least two divisions of Interstate (DC, Delaware and possibly Maryland), two more city freeway grids (DC being the other - though I would have to plan DC carefully to allow clinching of I-66 or other freeways with car-pool restrictions). It does depend on my ability to accumulate funds for travel as I'm gonna be strapped for cash in the next year at a minimum.
Now that the date is getting closer, I have narrowed it down to April 10 or April 17. Easter is on the 4th so that shouldn't get in the way. (Passover will be over, too.) Please post here which of those dates you can attend so I can pick one over the other.
Either is fine.
I think I can make it if it is April 10 or 17. The 10th is the week after my Spring Break (I don't want it to be then, because I will be in Florida).
I'm going to say April 17th, Steve. There's a hockey game I'd like to see on the 10th.
I'll know in a few weeks if I get free airfare to Washington for the week of the 11th (>50% chance), and once I find out I can sort of make either, but the 17th would be a bit more convenient for me (I'd miss one fewer day of class/work and be on the hook for 1 night of lodging instead of 2, plus 1 day fewer of airport parking in Denver). That said, since I'm not for sure, don't use this as an official vote
10th is better for me. 17th is a duty weekend.
There were 3 others on MTR (including HBE) who noted a preference for the 10th. Someone also noted there's a home Orioles game that evening.
As far as I know, I have nothing planned for either date. Of course, April's in that big lull of federal holidays, but I could probably make the trip burning one vacation day like I did for State College last year. I'll know more as the next two months roll on. I've looked forward to making a trip to this area anyway, but it's all but certain it won't be next weekend as I originally had thought months ago.
Quote from: froggie on February 05, 2010, 08:28:16 AM
10th is better for me. 17th is a duty weekend.
There were 3 others on MTR (including HBE) who noted a preference for the 10th. Someone also noted there's a home Orioles game that evening.
Steve mentioned the 24th as a possibility in an MTR post. The same issues that preclude my attendance on the 17th (work-related conference in Louisville the 19th-21st) would necessarily preclude my attendance on the 24th. So it's the 10th or bust for me.
Well my own preference would be the 17th, for the same hockey game as Doug, but the reason I put the 10th out there is just in case a lot of people have conflicts with the 17th... which appears to potentially be the case. I'll give everyone a few days to respond anyway, but if the 17th and 24th BOTH don't work for people, then the 10th it'll have to be.
Only the 10th works for me, the 17th is my senior prom(if I decide to go) and the 24th I'm on a band trip
Quote from: AlpsROADS on February 05, 2010, 12:47:46 PM
Well my own preference would be the 17th, for the same hockey game as Doug...
Cue C.C. Slater and his thoughts on "the hockies..." :-D
Quote from: hbelkins on February 05, 2010, 02:20:36 PM
Quote from: AlpsROADS on February 05, 2010, 12:47:46 PM
Well my own preference would be the 17th, for the same hockey game as Doug...
Cue C.C. Slater and his thoughts on "the hockies..." :-D
I tend to like hockey just as much as I like roads. If there was a way I could fit in both the meet and the game, that would be best. This would be much better achieved by having the meet a different weekend than the game.
Quote from: dougtone on February 05, 2010, 02:44:22 PM
I tend to like hockey just as much as I like roads. If there was a way I could fit in both the meet and the game, that would be best. This would be much better achieved by having the meet a different weekend than the game.
Who's playing, anyway?
I can do either weekend. I'd like to get to this one.
Quote from: hbelkins on February 05, 2010, 10:28:14 PM
Quote from: dougtone on February 05, 2010, 02:44:22 PM
I tend to like hockey just as much as I like roads. If there was a way I could fit in both the meet and the game, that would be best. This would be much better achieved by having the meet a different weekend than the game.
Who's playing, anyway?
New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders. The Islanders to me is like University of Kentucky sports for you.
And therein lies the dilemma, if you will. Take in the hockies, but have fewer people at the meet? Or have more people at the meet, but not make it to the hockies? (though with the latter, we have an opportunity to attend the baseballs)
Quote from: dougtone on February 06, 2010, 04:18:07 AM
New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders. The Islanders to me is like University of Kentucky sports for you.
I didn't realize they were still playing regular season games that late in the year.
Quote from: froggie on February 06, 2010, 12:06:02 PM
And therein lies the dilemma, if you will. Take in the hockies, but have fewer people at the meet? Or have more people at the meet, but not make it to the hockies? (though with the latter, we have an opportunity to attend the baseballs)
Baseball has been dead to me since the players strike back in the mid 90s.
Hockey regular season typically goes into the first or second week of April as it is. Another factor to consider this year is the break for the Olympics.
Quote from: hbelkins on February 06, 2010, 08:22:05 PM
Quote from: froggie on February 06, 2010, 12:06:02 PM
And therein lies the dilemma, if you will. Take in the hockies, but have fewer people at the meet? Or have more people at the meet, but not make it to the hockies? (though with the latter, we have an opportunity to attend the baseballs)
Baseball has been dead to me since the players strike back in the mid 90s.
I could make just about any date you come up with. No preference, but 4/10 sounds fine. Dropped my O's season tix this year; I won't be missing anything but the terminus of I-395.
Steve, do you know what time of day the meet will take place?
Meets generally take place from 12-6 or 6:30 (based on the date). I don't plan on having a morning meet like has been done lately, just a lunch and tour. It also sounds like the baseball game doesn't particularly interest people... I haven't seen a game at Camden Yards myself, but that early in the year, it could be too cold at night for a game. Also, you'd start running into game traffic by 5:30 or 6...
I see. Do you also know where we will be meeting?
Will be announcing that once I get a firm hold on the date. I also want to scout down there before picking the restaurant.
Alright, sounds good!
Based on the feedback once I tallied all the votes, it looks like we'll get enough people either weekend for a fun time. Therefore, due to personal preference and enjoyment of hockey, the meet will be April 17. Meet time will be 12 noon, and I'll make an official announcement in a few weeks once I get down there to find a meeting point and put together the itinerary.
Quote from: AlpsROADS on February 10, 2010, 11:14:36 AM
Based on the feedback once I tallied all the votes, it looks like we'll get enough people either weekend for a fun time. Therefore, due to personal preference and enjoyment of hockey, the meet will be April 17. Meet time will be 12 noon, and I'll make an official announcement in a few weeks once I get down there to find a meeting point and put together the itinerary.
Not the date I was hoping for, but I understand your reasoning. I may try to make it work and do my Maryland-and-Jersey county collecting trip if there is a Philly/SEPA meeting elsewhen in the spring.
Quote from: AlpsROADS on February 10, 2010, 11:14:36 AMTherefore, due to personal preference and enjoyment of hockey, the meet will be April 17.
I had the State College Meet, fittingly enough, in the midst of last year's Turnpike series.
Thankfully I could get WXDX on my phone, since the Hilton Garden Inn didn't provide FSN Pittsburgh nor Versus.
If I am able to get a ride from somebody, I would prefer the 17th
So the meet is definetely on the 17th? I can't make it if it is the 10th, I found out that I may attend a signal fan meet in Philadelphia that weekend. So, 17th for me, even though it already looks as if is going to be then.