Hi everyone,
I had mentioned this some time last year about hosting my first road
meet in memphis with emphasis on the future I-269 construction that is
now in full swing in both TN and MS. Cody Goodman and I scouted out
the corridor and found some great vantage points to check out the
construction and determiened a good possible restaurant to have the
meet. I am considering Huey's which is a regional chain with severl
Memphis locations, the locati\ area I have in mind is Cordova which is
near Wolfchase Gallaria off I-40 exit 16, there is alot of motels in
this area and is right off I-40 on the east side of Memphis. The tour
afterwards will consist of us traveling TN 385 (future I-269) from
I-40 south to Mississippi, the highway itself is open to TN 193, then
we would turn on to TN 205 which runs along the construction path of
385 south to Collierville, there is a couple good pull off area along
205 where we can view the construction. The freeway picks up again at
TN 57 then just to the south is ghost ramps for what will be I-269
south going into Mississippi (there is also several SPUI interchanges
along 385) from here we would exit off to US 72 east and travel a
couple miles to Cayce RD which goes into MS and to the general area
where there is heavy construction for I-269.
Afterwards we can see other sights and projects around Memphis\
northern Mississippi, there is also alot of tourist stuff to do (of
course Graceland) and "road geek worthy" stuff too. The tentative
dates I am looking at are the following-
Saturday March 17
Saturday March 31
Saturday April 14
Saturday April 21
I am leaning towards the March dates but any of these dates are fine.
Any feedback please let me know. This will be the first meet ever held
in Memphis, TN
Jason Ilyes
JPI
Lebanon, TN
Home of the Barrel
March 31 and April 14 work best for me. I'll be working the other two weekends.
The March dates are out for me.
On the 17th, I'll be as far away as you can be from Memphis and still be in Tennessee. In other words, I'll be in Bristol, TN attending the NASCAR races that weekend.
I probably won't be available on the 31st as my brother has to be out of his apartment by that date.
But, the 14th and the 21st of April look good for now.
I won't be going because I want to avoid drama, but Memphis is a little far for me to drive anyway.
Quote from: bugo on January 21, 2012, 01:26:48 AM
I won't be going because I want to avoid drama, but Memphis is a little far for me to drive anyway.
Don't let my tentative schedule stop you from coming if you want. I'm doubtful for any date besides March 17.
Besides, we'd be fine if we were both there. Remind me to tell the story about two antagonists who'd really been into it wandering off together to climb a hill at a bridge construction site at a meet I hosted a few years ago. I thought it might be "two go up, one comes down" but everything went off well.
Thanks guys, keep the feed back coming. I am starting to narrow it down a little to 3/31 or the April dates minus easter weekend of course.
Quote from: bugo on January 21, 2012, 01:26:48 AM
I won't be going because I want to avoid drama, but Memphis is a little far for me to drive anyway.
I might be able to give you a ride if you can make this far ;)
Quote from: US71 on January 21, 2012, 02:57:52 PM
Quote from: bugo on January 21, 2012, 01:26:48 AM
I won't be going because I want to avoid drama, but Memphis is a little far for me to drive anyway.
I might be able to give you a ride if you can make this far ;)
I can't attend anyway. I hafta work that day. I could take some paid time off, but I'd rather use that for visiting family and sick days and what not.
I think to settle on a date 3/31 would work best, but theoretically any date should work fine for me.
Ok, based on everyones feed back, I have the dates for the Memphis meet narrowed down to either March 30 or April 13, Also I know there is\ was interest in meeting up to see the damaged bridge on US 68 in KY so I do not want to cause a conflict with this. I am still looking at haveing the meet at Huey's in Cordova (east side of Memphis) The meet would start at 11:00pm for lunch and catching up with each other then proceed on the tour which includes TN-385 Future I-269 construction down to northern Mississippi and maybe check out other road worthy projects are around Memphis, maybe even touristy stuff. Keep the feedback coming guys, I will set an officail announcment later this month on here and facebook.
Jason Ilyes
JPI
Lebanon, TN
Home of the Barrel
The March date probably won't work unless my mother-in-law doesn't have her knee replacement. The April date is questionable.
BTW, I meant 11am not 11pm :crazy:
My brother is definitely moving out of his apartment at the end of March so that not available for me.
Mid-April may work, but I just remembered that it is near the IRS tax deadline and my employer has a big IRS contract. It's possible, at least if I bring my work laptop with me.
Anyway, are March 30 and April 13 the correct dates or do you mean 3/31 and 4/14. The 30th and the 13th are Fridays while the 31st and the 14th are Saturdays.
Any plans for a "meet & greet" on Friday?
Any of those dates would be pushing it, and if I could go, it would probably only be for one day. Money. Is. TIGHT, gas is expensive, and I'm stuck with my only running vehicle being a SUV, so even coming from NOLA may be prohibitively expensive.
Quote from: US71 on February 03, 2012, 10:50:36 PM
Any plans for a "meet & greet" on Friday?
If I can get the Friday off of work yes, BTW I have the date narrowed down, its very much looking like April 14, I will post a full announcment in the next 24 to 48 hours on here, facebook and yahoo groups.
Jason Ilyes
JPI
Lebanon, TN
Home of the Barrel
Post Merge: February 07, 2012, 11:02:15 PM
Quote from: mightyace on February 03, 2012, 09:05:17 PM
My brother is definitely moving out of his apartment at the end of March so that not available for me.
Mid-April may work, but I just remembered that it is near the IRS tax deadline and my employer has a big IRS contract. It's possible, at least if I bring my work laptop with me.
Anyway, are March 30 and April 13 the correct dates or do you mean 3/31 and 4/14. The 30th and the 13th are Fridays while the 31st and the 14th are Saturdays.
Sorry Andy, I meant 3/31 and 4/14 BTW I think 4/14 is going to work best, that seems to be the popular vote from everyone and that gives me 2 more moths to plan and the weather will be nicer and warmer then.
Looks like the April 28 date is the winner! :)
When: Saturday April 28, 2012
Where: Huey's Blue's, Brews and Burgers Cordova, TN Exit 16 I-40 and TN 177 North Germantown Parkway
http://hueyburger.com/
We will meet at Huey's at 11:00pm for lunch and socializing. After wards our tour will focus on the future I-269 construction on the eastern side of Shelby County, TN and northern Mississippi. We travel east on I-40 to TN 385 (future I-269) and travel along this corridor south, mainly along TN 205 and view the construction taking place, there are several vantage points along the way for us to view the construction all the way into northern MS. After wards we can check out other road worthy places like the I-69 freeway near Tunica and the Crump BLVD interchange on i-55 which is slated for a major overhaul. Also there is Sam Cooper BLVD which was originally going to be I-40 through downtown Memphis. Besides roads there is allot of tourist stuff to do such as Beale St and of course Graceland and the Memphis waterfront.
This will also be a meet of firsts, first meet ever held in Memphis and the first meet I have hosted. Mark your calenders for Saturday 4/14! There is also plenty of lodging in this area and is close to one of the largest malls in west TN. If you all have any questions, comments or any other ideas to add please let me know. :-) I will also be sending out an event notification on face book The directions to Huy's is Exit 16 (TN 177 Germantown PKWY) go south on TN 177 a mile and a half, Hueys is on the right just before Dexter Rd.
Jason Ilyes
JPI
Lebanon, TN
Home of the Barrel
:cool:
Barring any last minute changes to my schedule, I should be there.
Great to hear US71! There is also an event for this posted on facebook.
don't forget to check out the two 1948-spec US-78 shields which remain on mainline US-78 eastbound.
(//www.aaroads.com/shields/img/TN/TN19590781i1.jpg)
Quote from: agentsteel53 on February 09, 2012, 10:05:49 AM
don't forget to check out the two 1948-spec US-78 shields which remain on mainline US-78 eastbound.
(//www.aaroads.com/shields/img/TN/TN19590781i1.jpg)
SWEET! :clap: :clap: :clap:
If I find a way to make it, it's likely even I won't know until I'm out the door.
Thanks for the pic, I will keep that in mind!
(//www.aaroads.com/forum_images/southeast/tn-277_nb_app_us-064_070_079.jpg) (//www.aaroads.com/forum_images/southeast/tn-277_nb_app_us-064_070_079.jpg)
And if anyone wants to check out Sam Cooper Boulevard, there's still a set of black/white guide signs near the west end.
Quote from: Alex on February 09, 2012, 03:32:00 PM
(//www.aaroads.com/forum_images/southeast/tn-277_nb_app_us-064_070_079.jpg) (//www.aaroads.com/forum_images/southeast/tn-277_nb_app_us-064_070_079.jpg)
And if anyone wants to check out Sam Cooper Boulevard, there's still a set of black/white guide signs near the west end.
Thanks for the pic. I did mention about Sam Cooper BLVD in the meet announcment, I have not even been on Sam Cooper myself, just all of the interstates and some at grade boulavards. Also been to the zoo too.
Quote from: jpi on February 09, 2012, 03:49:00 PM
Thanks for the pic. I did mention about Sam Cooper BLVD in the meet announcment, I have not even been on Sam Cooper myself, just all of the interstates and some at grade boulavards. Also been to the zoo too.
It is definitely worth a quick look. Andy and I checked it out in 2010 and found at least three signs for westbound on-ramps to Little Rock and one pull-through panel on the mainline.
Quote from: Alex on February 09, 2012, 03:32:00 PM
(//www.aaroads.com/forum_images/southeast/tn-277_nb_app_us-064_070_079.jpg) (//www.aaroads.com/forum_images/southeast/tn-277_nb_app_us-064_070_079.jpg)
And if anyone wants to check out Sam Cooper Boulevard, there's still a set of black/white guide signs near the west end.
Wait, what the heck? I was there and I didn't see them.
Quote from: Steve on February 09, 2012, 05:49:25 PM
Quote from: Alex on February 09, 2012, 03:32:00 PM
And if anyone wants to check out Sam Cooper Boulevard, there's still a set of black/white guide signs near the west end.
Wait, what the heck? I was there and I didn't see them.
As that road has a lot of trees, the signs kind of sneak up on you. We had to double back around so I could shoot them again.
Quote from: Steve on February 09, 2012, 05:49:25 PM
Quote from: Alex on February 09, 2012, 03:32:00 PM
And if anyone wants to check out Sam Cooper Boulevard, there's still a set of black/white guide signs near the west end.
Wait, what the heck? I was there and I didn't see them.
Don't feel bad. I've been on Sam Cooper several times (back when I was doing research in Memphis for my grad work at LSU) and I don't remember seeing that bridge and signs either.
Now it's looking like I may not be able to go, but we'll have to see how it goes.
My company has some hot projects in the Charleston/North Charleston area that we have the entire month of April to work on, and I may not be able to break away.
But if I were to go, it would definitely be a perfect opportunity to use up some points for a free hotel room! Plus I'd be able to take the I-20 - US 78 route up there (for some reason I don't have I-20 clinched b/w Atlanta and Birmingham), and I'd finally be able to check out the I-22 interchange construction in Birmingham en route.
I would presume that photo is on East Parkway approaching Union Avenue...
I'm gonna see if I can possibly swing from Memphis to Joliet in a week. Call it a maybe.
^^^
I understand. With any group more than 2-4 people, it is very hard if not impossible to find a date that works for everyone.
Enjoy everyone.
As I said in the discussion thread for selecting a date, that hits the peak weekend for my company. (IRS Tax Deadline)
While I won't say it's impossible, it's highly unlikely.
So, enjoy everyone.
I would really like to go. Memphis is the one "big city" in Tennessee that I haven't spent much time in or around.
Quote from: Steve on February 12, 2012, 09:35:31 PM
I'm gonna see if I can possibly swing from Memphis to Joliet in a week. Call it a maybe.
Sure you can. Gives you your chance to check out the damaged bridge in Western Kentucky, among other things in the area.
Quote from: hbelkins on February 13, 2012, 09:22:19 PM
Quote from: Steve on February 12, 2012, 09:35:31 PM
I'm gonna see if I can possibly swing from Memphis to Joliet in a week. Call it a maybe.
Sure you can. Gives you your chance to check out the damaged bridge in Western Kentucky, among other things in the area.
HB does have a point. The bridge is just a couple hours from Memphis.
Quote from: hbelkins on February 13, 2012, 09:22:19 PM
Quote from: Steve on February 12, 2012, 09:35:31 PM
I'm gonna see if I can possibly swing from Memphis to Joliet in a week. Call it a maybe.
Sure you can. Gives you your chance to check out the damaged bridge in Western Kentucky, among other things in the area.
I'd be going the opposite way - up to Route 66, over to Tulsa, around through Green Bay, down to Joliet.
Quote from: Steve on February 14, 2012, 12:37:24 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on February 13, 2012, 09:22:19 PM
Quote from: Steve on February 12, 2012, 09:35:31 PM
I'm gonna see if I can possibly swing from Memphis to Joliet in a week. Call it a maybe.
Sure you can. Gives you your chance to check out the damaged bridge in Western Kentucky, among other things in the area.
I'd be going the opposite way - up to Route 66, over to Tulsa, around through Green Bay, down to Joliet.
Should still be do-able, depending on where you plan to hit 66. Sunday travels would get you to that point, and you could check out the bridge(s) that day. I'm presuming you plan to overnight in Tulsa. So that's Monday and Tuesday to do 66 from Illinois to Tulsa, Wednesday and Thursday to get back up toward Green Bay, and Friday to finish up the exploration there and make Joliet by nightfall on Friday.
The trip to Memphis might give you a chance to pick up some of the routing that you wanted to use when you were hoping to come down here a couple of weekends ago.
I hate to spring this on everyone, I know I had 4/14 set in stone
however, something has come up, I do not want to cancel this meet but would
moveing it to Saturday 4/28 be better for everyone? I have not said
anything on facebook yet (I would not be until later this evening anyway)
I'm sorry guys but if April 28 would be a better option, I will make the
change in the next 48 hours.
Just let me know.
Thanks for your understanding. :-)
Quote from: jpi on February 15, 2012, 03:27:09 PM
I hate to spring this on everyone, I know I had 4/14 set in stone
however, something has come up, I do not want to cancel this meet but would
moveing it to Saturday 4/28 be better for everyone? I have not said
anything on facebook yet (I would not be until later this evening anyway)
I'm sorry guys but if April 28 would be a better option, I will make the
change in the next 48 hours.
Just let me know.
Thanks for your understanding. :-)
Iffy.
I have a small Ren-Faire I'm supposed to go on the 28th, but it may be cancelled. If it cancels, I can do the Road Meet that weekend.
That might be a better date for me to make, it'd give me more time to scrape together money for gas and a motel room.
Ok, the date is now officially changed to April 28, still a Saturday, same time, same place. This may give more people time to plan and prep if anyone is interested, I am also seeing what else may be going on that weekend outside of our road activities.
Quote from: Darkchylde on February 15, 2012, 09:46:26 PM
That might be a better date for me to make, it'd give me more time to scrape together money for gas and a motel room.
There is a Microtel in Cordova right by the where the restaurant is, I booked a room there for Steph and I and the rate is pretty good.
Quote from: jpi on February 15, 2012, 10:30:05 PM
Quote from: Darkchylde on February 15, 2012, 09:46:26 PM
That might be a better date for me to make, it'd give me more time to scrape together money for gas and a motel room.
There is a Microtel in Cordova right by the where the restaurant is, I booked a room there for Steph and I and the rate is pretty good.
What kind of deal did you get? Most of the stuff I've found in the area is $$, but I'm looking at a Quality about 5 miles away. I don't have enough points for a free night yet, but I figure if I reserve now, I may get a better rate.
Addendum:
OK, looks like around $48 for Microtel. May be the best deal.
Quote from: Darkchylde on February 15, 2012, 09:46:26 PM
That might be a better date for me to make, it'd give me more time to scrape together money for gas and a motel room.
If I go, you're welcome to crash in whatever room I grab. But I don't think I can make it and do what I want on vacation.
Quote from: jpi on February 15, 2012, 10:30:05 PM
Quote from: Darkchylde on February 15, 2012, 09:46:26 PM
That might be a better date for me to make, it'd give me more time to scrape together money for gas and a motel room.
There is a Microtel in Cordova right by the where the restaurant is, I booked a room there for Steph and I and the rate is pretty good.
I think that's the Microtel where I stayed when I was on a trip several years ago (circa 2006). It was a nice place at that time.
That Microtel is nice, Steph and I stayed there several years ago, may have been our first trip to Memphis back in the fall 03. Thanks everyone for your patience with this date change, hopefully this may help out.
If there is a meet and greet the night before I may be tempted to come the day before and get a motel room. Otherwise, I will probably drive in the day of the meet.
Quote from: codyg1985 on February 16, 2012, 07:35:26 AM
If there is a meet and greet the night before I may be tempted to come the day before and get a motel room. Otherwise, I will probably drive in the day of the meet.
I know if I come, I'll be in the night before. It's not unusual for some of us who are in town for a meet the night before to have an impromptu gathering with dinner and drinks.
Quote from: Steve on February 15, 2012, 10:53:28 PM
If I go, you're welcome to crash in whatever room I grab. But I don't think I can make it and do what I want on vacation.
Well, if I make it either. I need a $300 root canal. Gonna try to squeeze in both.
Quote from: rawmustard on February 16, 2012, 08:35:18 AM
Quote from: codyg1985 on February 16, 2012, 07:35:26 AM
If there is a meet and greet the night before I may be tempted to come the day before and get a motel room. Otherwise, I will probably drive in the day of the meet.
I know if I come, I'll be in the night before. It's not unusual for some of us who are in town for a meet the night before to have an impromptu gathering with dinner and drinks.
I'll be in Friday night if I go. Then, maybe spend a couple hours Sunday wandering around before heading home
I think I posted this on another thread, I strongly suggest booking a room at the Microtel in Cordova, right by where we are haveing the meet, I got in touch with the motel and got my reservation changed to Friday night and Saturday night 4/27 and 4/28 so if anyone does get in town Friday night let me know. Steph and I will get in town that evening after she gets off work and its about 3 hours from Lebanon, TN (exit 238) to Memphis\ Cordova
Quote from: jpi on February 16, 2012, 10:20:40 PM
I think I posted this on another thread, I strongly suggest booking a room at the Microtel in Cordova, right by where we are haveing the meet, I got in touch with the motel and got my reservation changed to Friday night and Saturday night 4/27 and 4/28 so if anyone does get in town Friday night let me know. Steph and I will get in town that evening after she gets off work and its about 3 hours from Lebanon, TN (exit 238) to Memphis\ Cordova
Looks like rooms are running $47-$50. I'll probably set something up next week
If I am able to make it, it's doubtful I will spend either night in Memphis. I'd like to be able to stay in the Clarksville/Ft. Campbell/Hopkinsville on Friday night (however, it's a four-hour drive from there to Memphis) and then immediately after the meet on Saturday, I'd head north and stay somewhere in Paducah or elsewhere in western Kentucky.
Quote from: hbelkins on February 16, 2012, 11:16:40 PM
If I am able to make it, it's doubtful I will spend either night in Memphis. I'd like to be able to stay in the Clarksville/Ft. Campbell/Hopkinsville on Friday night (however, it's a four-hour drive from there to Memphis) and then immediately after the meet on Saturday, I'd head north and stay somewhere in Paducah or elsewhere in western Kentucky.
HB- if you can get down to Dickson from Clarksville\ Ft Campbell and get a room there, you would be about 2 hours out from the meet location, unless you had another option in mind. Dickson is only 45 minutes south of Clarksville taking state route 48 south.
Quote from: jpi on February 17, 2012, 12:26:27 AM
HB- if you can get down to Dickson from Clarksville\ Ft Campbell and get a room there, you would be about 2 hours out from the meet location, unless you had another option in mind. Dickson is only 45 minutes south of Clarksville taking state route 48 south.
I was looking to take US 79 and US 70A out of Clarksville, after checking out the Natcher and Pennyrile extensions on the way down.
Quote from: hbelkins on February 17, 2012, 11:36:30 AM
Quote from: jpi on February 17, 2012, 12:26:27 AM
HB- if you can get down to Dickson from Clarksville\ Ft Campbell and get a room there, you would be about 2 hours out from the meet location, unless you had another option in mind. Dickson is only 45 minutes south of Clarksville taking state route 48 south.
I was looking to take US 79 and US 70A out of Clarksville, after checking out the Natcher and Pennyrile extensions on the way down.
I see, US 79 is a good road, I traveled that back in 06 when I was getting alot of the northwest TN counties I needed.
Start your text after the LAST /quote tag.
I talked to Sam Scholtens one evening last week, and there's a decent possibility that the two of us might go together to the Memphis meet. I'm really excited about this possibility. I'd get to travel through three new states (Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi) and Sam would get to travel through four new ones (those three plus Tennessee). Granted, we wouldn't be spending much time in Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi, but hey - it's still three new states for me!
If he and I go, we'll probably end up driving down from Michigan on Friday - staying Friday and Saturday night in Memphis, and then making the trek home on Sunday.
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on February 21, 2012, 07:09:30 AM
I talked to Sam Scholtens one evening last week, and there's a decent possibility that the two of us might go together to the Memphis meet. I'm really excited about this possibility. I'd get to travel through three new states (Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi) and Sam would get to travel through four new ones (those three plus Tennessee). Granted, we wouldn't be spending much time in Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi, but hey - it's still three new states for me!
If he and I go, we'll probably end up driving down from Michigan on Friday - staying Friday and Saturday night in Memphis, and then making the trek home on Sunday.
Cool! My plan is for Steph and I to get into the Memphis area Friday evening after Steph gets off work (3:30pm CT) Just keep me posted and let me know via FB and here.
Based on my trip schedule, I'm gonna have to say no. I'll barely make it to Tulsa by Friday night.
Anyone having a hard time with hotels? I'm finding everything sold out. :banghead:
I may have to beg for floor space from one of my SCA contacts.
Quote from: US71 on February 28, 2012, 07:22:53 PM
Anyone having a hard time with hotels? I'm finding everything sold out. :banghead:
I may have to beg for floor space from one of my SCA contacts.
I'm still seeing many Wyndham brands within 50 miles available for both 4/27 and 4/28 (including the recommended Microtel). Although if I wind up driving myself, I may stay closer to Memphis Friday night while getting something two to three hours closer to home Saturday (this is definitely something for the other Michiganders who have expressed interest to consider).
Quote from: rawmustard on February 29, 2012, 06:01:20 PM
Quote from: US71 on February 28, 2012, 07:22:53 PM
Anyone having a hard time with hotels? I'm finding everything sold out. :banghead:
I may have to beg for floor space from one of my SCA contacts.
I'm still seeing many Wyndham brands within 50 miles available for both 4/27 and 4/28 (including the recommended Microtel). Although if I wind up driving myself, I may stay closer to Memphis Friday night while getting something two to three hours closer to home Saturday (this is definitely something for the other Michiganders who have expressed interest to consider).
I found a Clarion about 5 miles down the road. I don't know why I was having a problem with Wyndham.
Quote from: rawmustard on February 29, 2012, 06:01:20 PM
I'm still seeing many Wyndham brands within 50 miles available for both 4/27 and 4/28 (including the recommended Microtel). Although if I wind up driving myself, I may stay closer to Memphis Friday night while getting something two to three hours closer to home Saturday (this is definitely something for the other Michiganders who have expressed interest to consider).
Sam Scholtens and I are tentatively planning on driving down Friday and staying both Friday and Saturday nights in Memphis before doing the drive back home on Sunday. This will give us a chance to hang out and explore more of Memphis another night before driving home.
I guess I'd better start looking for a hotel room soon!
Quote from: A.J. Bertin on March 02, 2012, 12:59:27 PM
Quote from: rawmustard on February 29, 2012, 06:01:20 PM
I'm still seeing many Wyndham brands within 50 miles available for both 4/27 and 4/28 (including the recommended Microtel). Although if I wind up driving myself, I may stay closer to Memphis Friday night while getting something two to three hours closer to home Saturday (this is definitely something for the other Michiganders who have expressed interest to consider).
Sam Scholtens and I are tentatively planning on driving down Friday and staying both Friday and Saturday nights in Memphis before doing the drive back home on Sunday. This will give us a chance to hang out and explore more of Memphis another night before driving home.
I guess I'd better start looking for a hotel room soon!
Good to hear AJ! Steph and I are going to the Joliet road meet too so we will see you guys 2 weekends in a row!
Quote from: US71 on February 28, 2012, 07:22:53 PM
Anyone having a hard time with hotels? I'm finding everything sold out. :banghead:
I booked a room at a LaQuinta on the southeast side of Memphis. It's near the interchange of I-240 and U.S. 72/TN 57.
Just a reminder we are now 1 month out from the meet!
If you can't make Memphis, I'm thinking about having a small Tulsa meet on the 27th and 28th. It will be mostly a loop through Oklahoma, with some possible stops at the Glass Mountains and Little Sahara. Time permitting, we might swing as far south as Lawton. Let me know if you're interested.
Just wanted to send out a reminder the Memphis Road Meet is coming up this Saturday April 28.
We will meet at Huey's at 11:00pm for lunch and socializing. After wards our tour will focus on the future I-269 construction on the eastern side of Shelby County, TN and northern Mississippi. We travel east on I-40 to TN 385 (future I-269) and travel along this corridor south, mainly along TN 205 and view the construction taking place, there are several vantage points along the way for us to view the construction all the way into northern MS. After wards we can check out other road worthy places like the I-69 freeway near Tunica and the Crump BLVD interchange on i-55 which is slated for a major overhaul. Also there is Sam Cooper BLVD which was originally going to be I-40 through downtown Memphis. Besides roads there is allot of tourist stuff to do such as Beale St and of course Graceland and the Memphis waterfront.
This will also be a meet of firsts, first meet ever held in Memphis and the first meet I have hosted. Mark your calenders for Saturday 4/14! There is also plenty of lodging in this area and is close to one of the largest malls in west TN. If you all have any questions, comments or any other ideas to add please let me know. :-) I will also be sending out an event notification on face book The directions to Huy's is Exit 16 (TN 177 Germantown PKWY) go south on TN 177 a mile and a half, Hueys is on the right just before Dexter Rd.
Also that evening at 6:00PM the Memphis Red Birds will be hosting Omaha so if anyone wants to catch a base ball game just let me know I can look into getting tickets. And if anyone is coming in Friday evening Steph and I will be getting into town around 7 to 8pm as long as traffic coming out of Nashville is ok. Looking forward to another fun weekend of roads and socializing like this past weekend in Joliet! :-)
Jason Ilyes
JPI
Lebanon, TN
Home of the Barrel
Great job of preparation for the meet! I've got family obligations and won't make it.
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on January 11, 2012, 03:03:14 AM
Rumor has it that I-69 has been shortened again. I was just talking to Chris Lawrence (http://www.openstreetmap.org/user/Chris%20Lawrence) and he says that the signs that announce the Start/End of I-69 have been moved back to the Tunica/DeSoto County Line once again (the original place) from the previous location @ the old MS-304 intersection area. Does anybody have picture proof of this?
(above quote from I-69 in MS (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=4783.0) thread)
Quote from: jpi on April 24, 2012, 09:41:41 PM
After wards we can check out other road worthy places like the I-69 freeway near Tunica
If the group and/or any of the individuals make it over to I-69, please solve the above mystery. Have a great time!
Quote from: Grzrd on April 25, 2012, 08:10:56 AM
Great job of preparation for the meet! I've got family obligations and won't make it.
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on January 11, 2012, 03:03:14 AM
Rumor has it that I-69 has been shortened again. I was just talking to Chris Lawrence (http://www.openstreetmap.org/user/Chris%20Lawrence) and he says that the signs that announce the Start/End of I-69 have been moved back to the Tunica/DeSoto County Line once again (the original place) from the previous location @ the old MS-304 intersection area. Does anybody have picture proof of this?
(above quote from I-69 in MS (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=4783.0) thread)
Quote from: jpi on April 24, 2012, 09:41:41 PM
After wards we can check out other road worthy places like the I-69 freeway near Tunica
If the group and/or any of the individuals make it over to I-69, please solve the above mystery. Have a great time!
If the meet doesn't make it there, I'll try to look before I head home Sunday.
Quote from: US71 on April 25, 2012, 12:08:55 PM
If the meet doesn't make it there, I'll try to look before I head home Sunday.
Thank you for your scholarly interest. ;-)
We should be able to make it to I-69, its not that far from the I-269 right of way where there is some construction going on since the first leg of the tour will be the focus on I-269 construction in TN and MS
Just got done the "rough draft" of our tour. Just got print out some maps and type up the directions but overall it looks good, found some good vantage points for the stub end of I-69 at I-55 and a drive along Overton Park AVE downtown along what would have been I-40.
I'm doing an Oklahoma roadtrip with a fellow road guy on that date. We're thinking about doing a Tulsa-Enid-Woodward-Altus-Lawton-Duncan-Ada-Henryetta-Okmulgee-Tulsa loop, time allowing. Mostly two lane roads. We'll be sure to get lots of pictures.
So... how was Memphis?
Quote from: Steve on April 29, 2012, 10:05:18 PM
So... how was Memphis?
Had a great time! We drove part of Future I-269, all of I-69 in Mississippi, almost all of Sam Cooper Blvd, (still has I-40 exits posted), had some good food, and pleasant traveling companions ;)
You should have been there.
Quote from: US71 on April 29, 2012, 10:32:24 PM
Quote from: Steve on April 29, 2012, 10:05:18 PM
So... how was Memphis?
Had a great time! We drove part of Future I-269, all of I-69 in Mississippi, almost all of Sam Cooper Blvd, (still has I-40 exits posted), had some good food, and pleasant traveling companions ;)
You should have been there.
Wanted to, just a bit too much to handle. If one more day could be inserted in the week, it would have worked.
Jason did an awesome job hosting his first road meet. The tour was just the right length - not too short and not too long either. The seven of us who attended had a great time, and we were all able to fit in Jason's minivan for the tour.
I particularly enjoyed seeing the I-269 construction in the area where TN 385 is now. One thing I found hilarious was the signs along Sam Cooper Blvd. that referenced Little Rock (WB) and Nashville (EB) as control cities with a blank space where the interstate shield would have been.
Brian Rawson-Ketchum and I left Portage, Michigan before 8 a.m. on Friday for the drive down to Memphis. We took the route that included I-57, and it was my first time driving on I-57 at all. Our drive down was nice, and it was funny watching the temperature gradually climb the farther south we drove. (Waking up in Grand Rapids on Friday morning it was 28 degrees. In Memphis that evening it got up to the mid 80s!) This route gave us the chance to experience a little bit of Missouri and Arkansas for the first time. By the time we arrived in Memphis, it was about 5:30 p.m. local time. All seven of us met for dinner that night at Corky's BBQ and experienced some absolutely delicious food. :)
On Sunday morning five of us met for breakfast at a Cracker Barrel along I-40 on the northeast side of town before we all started our journeys back home. Brian and I took I-40 to I-65 and then up to I-69. Brian was trying to talk me into taking U.S. 31 back to Michigan instead of I-69, and I really wanted to. But I was in too much of a hurry to want to bother with slowing down for the towns along that stretch (Kokomo and others). I'm sure I didn't save too much time at all by taking I-69 (since it's so much out of the way), but still ... I was able to drive as fast as I wanted to. Brian and I had left the Cracker Barrel at 8:15 a.m. Central and didn't get back to Portage until about 9:30 p.m. Eastern. (The route home was about 100 miles longer than the route down.)
Thanks to Jason for a great meet. It was a blast!
Pics, or it didn't happen :P
This past Saturday was the first ever Roadmeet to be held in Memphis, TN. I want to thank all who attended and we had a great time and beautiful weather. We met at Hueys on Germantown Pike for lunch and socializing, from there we loaded up into my mini van and set out on our tour which included the construction of TN 385 (future I-269) and ventured into northern Mississippi to clinch I-69 and see where it ends at I-55, from there we travelled back into Memphis and had our group photo taken at Crump Park with the Tennessee-Arkansas bridge in the back ground (this pic will be coming soon) Last was a tour of Sam Cooper BLVD (what would have been I-40 through downtown Memphis)
We had visitors from Alabama, Arkansas and Michigan along with myself and Stephanie from Lebanon, TN I may do another meet there in a couple years when more of future I-269 opens and more consturction projects let.
Jason Ilyes
JPI
Lebanon, TN
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