...if any of our "left coast" Members have plans to hold a get-together for Big Blue Members, similar to the one instigated last spring by Steve (e-paw).
Day Trip For Gauge Members
The reason I'm asking is because I'll need to start my whining soon if there's to be any chance of the "Chancellor-ess of the Exchequer" making funds available for me to make the trip. I know that she'd be glad to be rid of me, but a couple of weeks worth of lodging, plus food and gas for "stoopid trains" may be a hard sell.
Wayne (eager for another road trip)
I was wondering too, but I wouldn't go that far, I want to stay far away as I can from cali.
It seems to be in talks for another north east meet up, a few of us are starting to chat about it.
Well, I figured it would be in either California or Arizona, although I'm not too fussy which it is. My plan was to visit a few folks in Pennsylvania first, some friends in Ohio and Wisconsin, and another in northern British Columbia, then toodle on down to the get-together. After that, I was thinkin' of a stopover in Texas, and maybe another in New Jersey on the way home.
Obviously, this one's going to be tough to arrange, but I figure if I'm going to dream, I might as well dream big.
Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that Cookie Gibson, CEO of GERN, asked me to pick-up a couple of starlets for him when I'm in California, too.
I dunno, maybe he's thinkin' of goin' into the movie business, like Howard Hughes.
I'd be interested in another east coast gathering, too, so please keep me posted. As far as I know, my summer is one big opportunity except for a week in July when I have a "dog-sitting engagement".
Wayne
I'd never be able to sell that kind of adventure.
"Like I'd let you go on that kind of trip without me and the kids!", is what she would say.
Besides, at 37 I'm saving up to go back to school in January of 2011, so I'm out unless its only a 2-3 hour drive.
hmm. Distances here are too great to make a "day trip" where very many members can attend. The distance between railroad sites is also greater. Since most people will be traveling more than one day, it seems logical to hold an event someplace where someone can make the trip worthwhile with several nearby attractions. I would suggest either California or Colorado in order to find enough railroad activities in a general area. I would suggest a trip to the railroad between Chama, NM, and Antonito, CO. It is a great steam powered ride, has a lot of old equipment to check out, and is nearby the San Louis and Rio Grande scenic railroad, not too far from Durango, plus the railroad museums around Denver are not that far away for those who may want a railroad mini vacation. Plus, it is not too far of a travel for Arizona, Colorado, Utah, or New Mexico members (but would be an at least a 3-day trip). The trip would be also be feasible for members in Southern California, but a bit further of a road trip.
In Chama they let you wander around the yard at will to check out the old equipment. They even have a self guided tour pamphlet. If your reallll nice, you might get a private tour of the engine house/machine shop. Whereas in Durango... no such luck. Although I did get a tour of the Blackstone factory in Durango.
doctorwayne Wrote:Well, I figured it would be in either California or Arizona, although I'm not too fussy which it is. My plan was to visit a few folks in Pennsylvania first, some friends in Ohio and Wisconsin, and another in northern British Columbia, then toodle on down to the get-together. After that, I was thinkin' of a stopover in Texas, and maybe another in New Jersey on the way home. Wayne
Sorry Wayne, but I just have to ask.
Is your travel planner.....
Ricochet bing, bing, bing, Rabbit !?!????
My traveling days are very definitely on hold, due to the balance of income as compared to the balance of "required payouts".
At least once this summer I want to get out to the Illinois Railway Museum, there is rumor that the decapod might be running this summer.
In the meantime, I certainly have enough projects to keep me busy.
While the modular group will not be at the National Train Show this year in Milwaukee, I will be at the GCLaser booth, and then again, in November, at Trainfest.
Gee, who knew?? I've been thinking about another Eastern type get together, too!!
Hello Everyone---As much as I would like to accompany my good friend Wayne on his Big Blue adventure,I know it probably will not happen for me this year.Last year our get together at Steamtown in Scranton PA. and the extended trip throughout Pennsylvannia and New Jersey was an opportunity to make some lasting friendships and enjoy some spectacular railfanning and train activities that will last a lifetime.Organizing a get together requires a lot of planning and time committments---I'm sure many members would love to attend,but for many it's just not possible.Perhaps as an alternative to a get together,maybe we could consider a designated "BIG BLUE DAY" where all members could make an attempt to do something train related either individually or with a group of members from your area---we could then post our activities in a common thread.
cn nutbar Wrote:Hello Everyone---As much as I would like to accompany my good friend Wayne on his Big Blue adventure,I know it probably will not happen for me this year.
Naw, I knew that you probably wouldn't be making the longer trip (I probably won't either, but hope springs eternal...), but I'm assuming Pennsylvania and Ohio are still in the plans.
Wayne
Part of the problem of doing a "left coast' gathering is distances out here. I'm not sure how many members are from So Cal. I know of a couple, Josh "Trucklover" is from Southern Orange county, and JBakko is from San Diego area. I have not been able to meet up with either of them, but hope to one of theses days. There may be others from down here, I'm not sure. Miles Western is from the an Francisco Bay area about 400 miles North of Los Angeles. The Arizona guys are probably 400 miles or more East of Los Angeles, and Galen (Ocaliecreek) is up near the Canadian border in Northern Washington State. We have 3 states out here that cover an area close to if not larger than the original 13 colonies on the East Coast. When you travel from Toronto to Philadelphia, you may have covered the distance from San Francisco to Los Angeles or San Diego to San Francisco. Where I live near Los Angeles, I'm probably 800 to 900 miles from the Oregon border.
but I'm assuming Pennsylvania and Ohio are still in the plans.
Wayne[/quote]
Now that trip will be a piece of cake compared to the western odyssey :race:
While I'm unlikely to make the trip of which I spoke, Russ, if I do, no one will have any excuse to not be there if they're living in North America. The rough estimate of the distance, supposedly "as the crow flies" rather than "as the Canucklehead drives", is over 7,000 miles, and that doesn't include any of the "side trips" which I'd surely want to make.
Wayne
I was planning an setting up another trip for this year.. I'll make a post tomorrow.
We managed a tour this year to Los Angeles and San Francisco (and a lot of the other places along the way). We took 3 months for it without meeting up with any Gaugers (sorry, Fifer).
Los Angeles - San Francisco was 2 days trip, the slow way, while the return was one day. I think the trip out to LA was 7 days driving, but some of those were short days -- driving a motor home cuts down how far you can drive and you also have to be choosy about where you stop.