Announcin' the 2017 Northeast Speedstah Carahvan tah Carlisle

You're coming to my Retirement Diner !

I hope the invitation is open for that, Alan. 

And, Gordon, it's about time...

Yeah, I know......   Way to much "Family Stuff" has gotten in the way over the past 5 years but that's all behind us.  Besides, someone has to watch out for Bill Drayer and his "Cousin Eddy" Speedster Support Vehicle.  At least he as a Keurig in there.

Alan, I never got a "retirement dinner" when I retired - more like "Get out!  Get out!  Get out!", so it'll be a treat to go to yours... 

At least I've learned enough from past caravans to Carlisle to put the support trailer at the BACK of the caravan when on interstate highways, rather than the front (Duh...) 

Looking forward to another ride like this:

And maybe another spotting of that elusive species, "Homus-MUSBJIMicus"

Allllright Gordon.  As Bob Barker said - come on down!

And I believe it's a pretty safe bet we will have a chance to spot that elusive "Homus-MUSBJIMicus". 

Just because"Homus-MUSBJIMicus" wears sandals to a formal doesn't make him LGBT. You guys are so old school.  

Hi Gordon

Any chance you could caravan across the Tappan Zee bridge. I live 15-20 minutes south west of the bridge. From my house to the motel its 200 miles -4 hours driving time -5 hrs with 1 rest stop and 1 lunch stop & fuel fill. I take 80w to 278 south to 78w to 81. There is only one toll of $1.00 when you enter Pa. This way is much shorter than 84. You an use my home for coffee and rest stop since its on the way.

See ya-Joel

Big question here, Joel:  

Last time I went across I-78 (2014), practically the entire friggin length was somehow "under construction" with the usual backups and slowdowns.  It seemed to be that way for 5 or 6 trips to Carlisle over the years, too.  THAT's why we ended up doing the longer, more peaceful I-84/I-81 route instead.  That and a LOT less traffic on the northern route.  True, it's longer, but only by 30-45 minutes, and it's a nicer route.  

I could go either way, but I'll leave it up to the caravan and see what they want to do.  We would drop Danny P. if we go your way, but we always go too slow for him, anyway.  

So what's the traffic report for I-78 these days?  Construction finally done?  Still a lot of traffic?   I always miss that silly cut-off eastbound from 78 to 287 in Bedminster (probably from not paying attention but it's a weird off ramp) and end up going farther east and over the GWB  

You NE guys work it all out, we'll see yah Thurs PM.  Meanwhile, The MAIN MISSION this year will be the attendance of the King of Stanistan, and so we need to bring the pressure to bear.  While we have had great numbers of very fine folks over the years, and even a world famous author or two, we have never had true Royalty, so that would be a big plus.  Although the extra security required might be a problem . . . C'mon folks, we can do this.

David Stroud posted:

Who is Stan and why should he be there ?

David,

Nobody of consequence, and to give the fellas somebody to laugh at, I guess.

"Pressure" is counterproductive in motivating me, Mr. Fraz. I can be bribed with decent dark-roast, however

Well, that I can do, no problem.  See you there.

Stan wrote:  "I can be bribed with decent dark-roast, however "

Then dark roast it shall be, as long as no one spills the beans.  We do have grounds to hope you'll f(l)avor us with an appearance.  We don't want to press too much, though, or you'll just filter us out.  Hopefully, we'll grind you down eventually, and we'll get to see your mug at Carlisle. 

That was sweet, Bob.  You're really milkin' it.

Nice job, Bob.  We don't want to put too much (es)press(o)ure on Stan.  Heck, I might have to bring the machines for that (espresso maker, grinder, frother).

Oh man. There needs to be a "groan" button next to the "like" button.

I think a brass thingy sound bite option would be fun too " Ting....ting............ing.............tinc   %#@!."

edsnova posted:

Oh man. There needs to be a "groan" button next to the "like" button.

Well, that could get dangerous around here...

What's happened to my thread?

.

Stan Galat, '05 IM, 2276, Nowhere, USA posted:

David Stroud posted:

Who is Stan and why should he be there ?

David,

Nobody of consequence, and to give the fellas somebody to laugh at, I guess.

"Pressure" is counterproductive in motivating me, Mr. Fraz. I can be bribed with decent dark-roast, however

Stan....that was said with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek....hope you took it that way.  :-)

You know, Stan, there's a Dunkies within walking distance to the hotel....

Jus Sayin.......

And they have BOTH Dark Roast and cold brewed Dark Roast.

Joel - Sent you a PM!

WOW -- right to brass thingies in no time flat. Amazing. So in addition to a beer tasting session, we're going to duke it out about coffee too?  Sounds good to me.

Gordon, don't fret about us. We(Lenny, Michelle, and I) are leaving Thursday morning so should be at the hotel before 1:00 p.m. if everything goes according to plan. Breakfast, then hit the road. 

When we brought the dog home from Maryland in January, almost all the I-84 construction is completed. So it was easy sailing, and looks good for May.

Stan, I'll bring some stouts and porters, they have dark roast(malt) in them LOL!

A local brewery makes Joe Mama's Milk, which is their Mother's Milk stout with Monkey Joe's (local coffee place) beans in the brew. Delicious!

I'll bring some if you're showing. Enticed?

I don't believe that President Stan imbibes.  Pressures of office, you understand.  Stan, if it'll help convince you to come I'll bring my espresso/cappuccino machine.

I think the Casa de Bill has a Keurig, too.

Roger that, Danny.  Thank you.

The Gallos will be heading down a day or two early to visit relatives, so that brings the current list of the Northeast Caravan to Me, Chris, Tom Marantz and Joel Abraham.

Anyone else want to join us?  

Here is the route we’ll be taking with estimated ETA’s:

Gordon/Chris Nichols, Grafton, MA - Trailering a white CMC Speedster behind a Burgundy GMC Pickup - Leaving Grafton, MA @7am sharp

Arrive Southington, CT @ 8:45A - Pick up Tom

Exit 31 off of I-84

Dunkin Donuts

956 West Street, Southington, CT 

(Gas station just up the street)

 Leave Southington @ 9A, Arrive Spring Valley, NY @ 10:30A - Fuel up and pick up Joel

110-130 Chestnut Ridge Road, Spring Valley, NY

GPS: 41.072644, -74.053916

 Get off at Schoolhouse Road (1st exit) and meet Joel there.

Joel: We’ll need gas about then, so let me know the address of a decent gas station nearby and we'll meet you there instead.

 We then take a shortcut to I-78 and avoid tolls on the Garden State Parkway.

There is a rest stop where we pay the toll when we enter Pa. on I-78 that has clean bathrooms.

 Leave Spring Valley @ 10:45A, Arrive Hamburg, PA @ 12:45 - 1P for lunch and fuel

Loves Truck Stop

3700 Mountain Road, Hamburg, PA

We can stop for lunch at Loves on 78 (stay on the "car" side) which has a Subway with seating, a Macdonalds, and fuel - It will be time to fill up.

 Leave Hamburg, PA @ 1:30P, Arrive Mechanicsburg, PA 2:30P

Courtyard by Marriot

4921 Gettysburg Rd., Mechanicsburg, Pa

 There is some extra time in there, so we should make the hotel around 2:30 PM-ish. 

Just want to bump this to make sure we have everyone OR if anyone wants to join up with us along the way.

Current NE Caravan people are:

Me and probably my wife, Kathy (Chris just returned from a business trip with the precursor of the Pneumonia we've gotten over, so I may toss him out of the boat).

Tom Marantz with his JPS Coupe - pickup in Southington, CT @ 9am

Joel Abraham with his Speedster - Pickup in Spring Valley, NY @ 10:30am

THE ROUTE:

I-90 in Mass. to I-84 through Danbury,

Then I-684 down to the Sawmill River Parkway and then to the Tappan Zee bridge,

Then I-287 south to the Garden State Parkway to Spring Valley (follow GPS), 

Then follow Joel Abraham to I-78, 

Then connect to I-81 all the way to Carlisle/Mechanicsburg

Any late joiners?

Safe trip to all you guys. We may be there by Wednesday noon.