Hoffman Drives to Florida; or, Let's Meetup From WI to FL! (SCHEDULE POSTED)

[HoffmanMyster]

UPDATE WITH ITINERARY (text copied below)
Okay, here's the tentative schedule!  I will also copy this into the OP. 

Sat. Jan 2nd:

• 08:00 EST - Breakfast with @rainb1ood ?
• 10:00 EST - Leave Fort Myers
• 12:00 EST - Arrive in Tampa
• ALL DAY - Hang with Tampa peeps
• 22:00 EST - Snuggle with @VesperSAINT

Sun. Jan 3rd

• 10:00 EST - Leave Tampa
• 11:30 EST - Arrive in Orlando
• ALL DAY - Hang with Orlando peeps
• 22:00 EST - Snuggle with @heedpantsnow

Mon. Jan 4th

• ALL DAY - Hang with Orlando peeps
• 22:00 EST - Snuggle with @heedpantsnow

Tues. Jan 5th

• 07:00 EST - Leave Orlando
• 13:00 EST - Arrive in Atlanta
• MID-DAY - Hang with Atlanta peeps (@fohat.digs, @trizkut, @mullidan, @R1N3) <-- Depending on who is available at what times, I can stay in Atlanta longer
• 15:00 EST - Leave Atlanta
• 18:00 EST - Arrive in Eastern TN
• REST OF DAY - Hang with Eastern TN peeps

Weds. Jan 6th

• MORNING - Hang out in Eastern TN
• 14:00 EST - Leave Eastern TN
• 16:00 CST - Arrive in Nashville
• REST OF DAY - Hang with Nashville peeps (@mashby, @tigersharkdude, @livingspeedbump (??) + others?)
• 22:00 CST - Snuggle with mashby

Thurs. Jan 7th

• 07:00 CST - Leave Nashville
• 12:30 EST - Arrive in Indianapolis (SEE NOTE BELOW)
• LUNCH - Lunch with @vivalarevolución (timing flexible as needed, per viva's schedule) (SEE NOTE BELOW)
• 14:00 EST - Leave Indianapolis (SEE NOTE BELOW
• 16:30 CST - Arrive in Northern Chicago (probably later due to traffic)
• REST OF DAY - Chill with Chicago peeps (@Joey Quinn, @ImpendingxDoom, maybe @sorijealut too? )
• 22:00 CST - Snuggle with Joey Quinn and ImpendingxDoom

Fri. Jan 8th

• ALL DAY - Hang with Chicago peeps

Sat. Jan 9th

• ALL MORNING - Hang with Chicago peeps
• ??:?? CST - Leave Chicago
• ??:?? CST - Arrive home in NE WI
• ??:?? CST - Snuggle with self

Sun. Jan 10th

• ALL DAY - Sleep

I know I'm posting this less than a week before some of the dates, so if your availability has changed and you are no longer able to meetup, please let me know!  Also do please confirm availability, as I will not be assuming you are available. 

If I don't already have your phone number, please PM it to me so we can contact each other. 

Note: If @njbair has the parts and availability on Thurs. Jan 7th to sort his group buy, I may divert my route to Cleveland to assist with that.  njbair, please let me know if that is looking likely.

ORIGINAL POST

Friends!  I will be travelling to Florida (from Wisconsin) this coming winter for a family event.  The event will conclude on January 2nd, after which I will begin my journey back home.  It's on this return journey that I'd like to meet up with as many of you as are willing.

If you live anywhere near the route outlined in the photos below and are interested in meeting up, speak up!







If you are interested, just post here what date(s) you'll be available, what city/state it would be in, and what sort of activity we'd partake in (meal, drinks, skydiving, etc - I will not judge based on activity, I'm just curious ).

One note on proximity: Depending on how the timing works out, I may ask if people would be able to drive themselves as close as possible to my route if they want to meet up.  I know this may sound selfish, but since I'll be driving roughly 23 hours, multiple 2-3 hour detours will add up pretty quick.    But if the detour is a reasonable distance and wouldn't add too much travel time, I'm certainly not opposed to going off course to be able to visit your town and immerse myself in your life for a couple hours (my preferred option if it works out). 

[Binge]

No PA?  Lame trip bro.  I just got a puppy :-/

[HoffmanMyster]

No PA?  Lame trip bro.  I just got a puppy :-/

PA isn't exactly on the way to Sanibel. 

Trust me, if I had enough vacation days, I would make this a two-week+ venture.

[katushkin]

No UK?

[Halverson]

Nope, doesn't look like I'm on that route either.

[rpeterclark]

Hey, any other keyboard geeks in the Tampa/Ocala/Gainesville/Orlando area? If so, team up and meet up with the Hoff somewhere in that area for a hangout? I know that's a big area, but I'm sure he'd rather make one Florida stop than several. :-)

[ImpendingxDoom]

Whatever day you are in Chicago we can go out for drinks and live music. I have a bed (that probably is too small) and a couch (maybe big enough) for you to stay on if you really get your drink on. If the creative mood strikes you can also make some caps with me .






^{ALSO TACOS}

[vivalarevolución]

Couch available here in Indianapolis or perhaps a simple meetup for whatever.  But what is your anticipated date of passing through?  I'll be out of town around Christmas time.

[HoffmanMyster]

Hey, any other keyboard geeks in the Tampa/Ocala/Gainesville/Orlando area? If so, team up and meet up with the Hoff somewhere in that area for a hangout? I know that's a big area, but I'm sure he'd rather make one Florida stop than several. :-)

I know there are others in the area that might be interested!  I'm looking at you, Vesper and stopwearingpantsimmediately!  I'd be down for a big meetup.   

Whatever day you are in Chicago we can go out for drinks and live music. I have a bed (that probably is too small) and a couch (maybe big enough) for you to stay on if you really get your drink on. If the creative mood strikes you can also make some caps with me .

^{ALSO TACOS}

Ooooooh, definitely interested in this.  You're close enough that I don't need to make a stop there, but I'd love to hang out for a day.    And making caps sounds awesome. 

Couch available here in Indianapolis or perhaps a simple meetup for whatever.  But what is your anticipated date of passing through?  I'll be out of town around Christmas time.

I won't know a definitive date until I plan out my stops and how long I may or may not be staying in each place, but it'll be after Jan 2, since that's the date I'll be leaving my destination in Florida.

[Sent]

* Sent checks his location

Might be a bit out of Hoff's way...

[Fire Brand]

No UK?

Show Image

Samies

But I would steal hoff to myself anyway :/

[HoffmanMyster]

* Sent checks his location

Might be a bit out of Hoff's way...

So make it not out of my way?  I don't see the problem.  :3

No UK?

Show Image

Samies

But I would steal hoff to myself anyway :/

Sorry UK friends.  :(  I wish the event were in UK, I would love to visit you guys.  :-*

[Sent]

So make it not out of my way?  I don't see the problem.  :3

Brb, moving SoCal to a location that's not out of Hoff's way.

[HoffmanMyster]

So make it not out of my way?  I don't see the problem.  :3

Brb, moving SoCal to a location that's not out of Hoff's way.

Thank you, much appreciated.

[Michael]

I am pretty sure Las Vegas is on the way, here you go, I have provided a map for your convenience. Let's do beers and brats

[HoffmanMyster]

I am pretty sure Las Vegas is on the way, here you go, I have provided a map for your convenience. Let's do beers and brats

Show Image

I assure you that if I had the time I would go around the entire country.  :))  Sadly, this is not the case.  :(

[SpAmRaY]

So close yet so far.

[asdfjkl36]

I am pretty sure Las Vegas is on the way, here you go, I have provided a map for your convenience. Let's do beers and brats

Show Image

I assure you that if I had the time I would go around the entire country.  :))  Sadly, this is not the case.  :(

Right.

Just enough time to come to the west coast. Not the entire country, got it!

[HoffmanMyster]

So close yet so far.

I think I know what state you live in, and depending where you are the route can be altered slightly to accommodate.  Shoot me a PM if you think it'd work out.

I am pretty sure Las Vegas is on the way, here you go, I have provided a map for your convenience. Let's do beers and brats

I assure you that if I had the time I would go around the entire country.  )  Sadly, this is not the case. 

Right.

Just enough time to come to the west coast. Not the entire country, got it!

 

[heedpantsnow]

I'm off work for that whole time. Orlando. Smarmar, data, and ccarlitos are here. And vesper in Tampa. If you don't hang out with us we will withhold hugs from you for 1 year. Soup Nazi style.

We can all hang out at my house (grill out, watch bowl games, etc.) or we can meet somewhere more central. You are welcome to stay with me if you like. I'm not worried if you're a serial killer, because I'm one too!

[HoffmanMyster]

I'm off work for that whole time. Orlando. Smarmar, data, and ccarlitos are here. And vesper in Tampa. If you don't hang out with us we will withhold hugs from you for 1 year. Soup Nazi style.

We can all hang out at my house (grill out, watch bowl games, etc.) or we can meet somewhere more central. You are welcome to stay with me if you like. I'm not worried if you're a serial killer, because I'm one too!

YAY!!  :3  We will definitely have to get together.  I am 100% prepared to spend a few days in FL during this trip, before venturing back to the frozen landscape of the north.  If we can even tentatively set up some sort of plan for activities and such, it would help me to know when I'll be heading north and might be passing the other people in this thread.  Any ideas?

[user 18]

Hoff, you're driving in the wrong direction. Canada is north, not south

[HoffmanMyster]

Hoff, you're driving in the wrong direction. Canada is north, not south

Canada was last year!    I'm hoping to go back at some point, but the most likely destination with be somewhere in ON.  I want to head to BC at some point, but that's quite a trek.  :|

[heedpantsnow]

I'm off work for that whole time. Orlando. Smarmar, data, and ccarlitos are here. And vesper in Tampa. If you don't hang out with us we will withhold hugs from you for 1 year. Soup Nazi style.

We can all hang out at my house (grill out, watch bowl games, etc.) or we can meet somewhere more central. You are welcome to stay with me if you like. I'm not worried if you're a serial killer, because I'm one too!

YAY!!  :3  We will definitely have to get together.  I am 100% prepared to spend a few days in FL during this trip, before venturing back to the frozen landscape of the north.  If we can even tentatively set up some sort of plan for activities and such, it would help me to know when I'll be heading north and might be passing the other people in this thread.  Any ideas?

Ok I'll think about it and let you know tomorrow.

[mullidan]

What time do you think you'll be driving through north GA?

[HoffmanMyster]

What time do you think you'll be driving through north GA?

It will all depend on how much time I spend in Florida prior to that.  :-/  Unfortunately, it may take a bit of planning to really iron out the details such as this, which is why I started the thread this early.  I'm hoping to get at least a rough schedule set up so people will know the day/time I'll be in their area.  Still a work in progress though!

[jerue]

Hoffmannnnn

Stop by my dystopia of Columbia, SC and you can crash at my place, and I'll feed you the best chicken and waffles you might ever have, go record shopping...yadda yadda. Could take a day or two off for ya buddy (or more, as much as you need )

And the best part...the time/distance matches up with your schedule 

[HoffmanMyster]

Hoffmannnnn

Stop by my dystopia of Columbia, SC and you can crash at my place, and I'll feed you the best chicken and waffles you might ever have, go record shopping...yadda yadda. Could take a day or two off for ya buddy (or more, as much as you need )

And the best part...the time/distance matches up with your schedule 

Show Image

:-*

I will consider it! I'm hoping to stop by Atlanta, which makes it not quite as perfect a detour as it might otherwise be, but it's not out of the question. Only downside is now I'll want to go to NC as well.  :)) 

[deductivemonkee]

What? No stop in Canada? Hoff = #2.

I kid, I kid.

^{pls don't ban me Hoff.}

[trizkut]

Hoffmannnnn

Stop by my dystopia of Columbia, SC and you can crash at my place, and I'll feed you the best chicken and waffles you might ever have, go record shopping...yadda yadda. Could take a day or two off for ya buddy (or more, as much as you need )

And the best part...the time/distance matches up with your schedule 

Show Image

:-*

I will consider it! I'm hoping to stop by Atlanta, which makes it not quite as perfect a detour as it might otherwise be, but it's not out of the question. Only downside is now I'll want to go to NC as well.  :))

Atlanta sucks. 

I'm actually driving to the Boston area in the next week to see my parents and don't know when I'll be back in Atlanta, hopefully in time for this trip 

[njbair]

Hoff, you're driving in the wrong direction. Canada is north, not south

Wisconsin is basically Canada.

[Joey Quinn]

You know where the party'll be at in Chicago.    )

[exitfire401]

You're doing it all wrong. You need to drive through the UP and come visit! 

[Joey Quinn]

You're doing it all wrong. You need to drive through the UP and come visit! 

Where in the UP are you?

[exitfire401]

You're doing it all wrong. You need to drive through the UP and come visit! 

Where in the UP are you?

I'm not...I'm in Detroit, but since ferry season is over, driving through the UP and down is a better option haha

[Joey Quinn]

You're doing it all wrong. You need to drive through the UP and come visit! 

Where in the UP are you?

I'm not...I'm in Detroit, but since ferry season is over, driving through the UP and down is a better option haha

You had me excited for a second, the UP is the better michigan. 

[Delirious]

Funny coincidence, we met briefly during the NC Raleigh meetup and now I'm in Orlando for the thanksgiving week. We can meet up in Tampa or you could detour to Orlando and meet up in downtown Disney/Universal

[exitfire401]

You're doing it all wrong. You need to drive through the UP and come visit! 

Where in the UP are you?

I'm not...I'm in Detroit, but since ferry season is over, driving through the UP and down is a better option haha

You had me excited for a second, the UP is the better michigan. 

Traverse City is best MI...but my company doesn't have an office up there lol

[bocahgundul]

Goodluck with the trip mate. I Wish i live in America

[HoffmanMyster]

You're doing it all wrong. You need to drive through the UP and come visit! 

Where in the UP are you?

I'm not...I'm in Detroit, but since ferry season is over, driving through the UP and down is a better option haha

Well this is all on the way back up to WI, so it'd be Detroit and then up to the UP; but I also want to hit Chicago to see DOOM, so that complicates things.  I'll have to see how the timing plays out and decide which route to take at that point. 

Funny coincidence, we met briefly during the NC Raleigh meetup and now I'm in Orlando for the thanksgiving week. We can meet up in Tampa or you could detour to Orlando and meet up in downtown Disney/Universal

Hah, awesome!  Are you just down in FL for Thanksgiving though, or will you still be there in early 2016?  If you are down there at this time, you can add yourself to this probably FL meetup. 

Goodluck with the trip mate. I Wish i live in America

Thanks!  I wish you did too. 

[trees]

You're doing it all wrong. You need to drive through the UP and come visit! 

Where in the UP are you?

I'm not...I'm in Detroit, but since ferry season is over, driving through the UP and down is a better option haha

You're doing it all wrong. You need to drive through the UP and come visit! 

Where in the UP are you?

I'm not...I'm in Detroit, but since ferry season is over, driving through the UP and down is a better option haha

Well this is all on the way back up to WI, so it'd be Detroit and then up to the UP; but I also want to hit Chicago to see DOOM, so that complicates things.  I'll have to see how the timing plays out and decide which route to take at that point. 

Funny coincidence, we met briefly during the NC Raleigh meetup and now I'm in Orlando for the thanksgiving week. We can meet up in Tampa or you could detour to Orlando and meet up in downtown Disney/Universal

Hah, awesome!  Are you just down in FL for Thanksgiving though, or will you still be there in early 2016?  If you are down there at this time, you can add yourself to this probably FL meetup. 

Goodluck with the trip mate. I Wish i live in America

Thanks!  I wish you did too. 

Detroit represent!

But in all seriousness, if the date for Chicago gets set i would totally take the drive out 

[LXXXIX]

Tampa here.

[vivalarevolución]

I'll be home January 1st, so let me know if you need a place to stay or just want to have a short meetup.

[Joey Quinn]

Winter break Chicago meetup?

[tigersharkdude]

Let's have another nashville meet up

[livingspeedbump]

I may be able to be in Nashville

[heedpantsnow]

I'm not the most inventive person when it comes to tour-guiding.  Sorry.  I do like to hang out though.

In Central Florida/Orlando/Tampa, here are are some things I thought of to do, with estimated costs:
Theme parks: Disney, Universal, etc. (approx $110/day + parking + food)
Gatorland, etc.: $40 (hold gators, eat gators, learn about gators, etc.)
Airboat rides/swamp tours: $50-$100 depending on duration
Grill/hang out/watch TV at my house

It will probably not be warm enough for beach/swimming.  No spring training at that time.  Demolition derby isn't operating that weekend.  No football or soccer in season at that time. 

Please if other people have some ideas post them.  I'm just a moron with this kind of thing, sorry.

[HoffmanMyster]

I'm not the most inventive person when it comes to tour-guiding.  Sorry.  I do like to hang out though.

In Central Florida/Orlando/Tampa, here are are some things I thought of to do, with estimated costs:
Theme parks: Disney, Universal, etc. (approx $110/day + parking + food)
Gatorland, etc.: $40 (hold gators, eat gators, learn about gators, etc.)
Airboat rides/swamp tours: $50-$100 depending on duration
Grill/hang out/watch TV at my house

It will probably not be warm enough for beach/swimming.  No spring training at that time.  Demolition derby isn't operating that weekend.  No football or soccer in season at that time. 

Please if other people have some ideas post them.  I'm just a moron with this kind of thing, sorry.

Oh you don't need to tour guide or do anything fancy!  Sorry if that's what it seemed like I was implying.  Even anything as simple as "we'll hit this vidya game store one day, these ice cream shops every day, grillout every meal at my house", etc.  Just to get an idea of how much time I should be spending in FL.  I have been wanting to spend some time with you, Vesper, and the other FL peeps for quite some time, so I just want to be sure I give the proper time (as opposed to just stopping for two hours for lunch).  Hope that helps.    So we don't need to get crazy and spend a bunch of money or anything.  Unless you want to go skydiving, of course.  :3

Let's have another nashville meet up

I may be able to be in Nashville

YESSSS, I don't know how I missed these before, but we should definitely do something in Nashville.  I'm sure @mashby wouldn't mind us pulling him away from his other important work. 

[ccarlitos2]

I'll be in orlando from Dec 20th to Jan 10th from college so if anyone plans something in the Central Florida area I'm totally down! Maybe we could go to an Orlando Magic game as they have a home game on the 30th and on the 6th. If anyone is into climbing there is also a really popular bouldering and rock climbing gym in lake mary which is like 30 minutes away from us. Just let me know what the plan is and I'll do my best to come!!

[bcredbottle]

So close. Nothing mech-related happens in Miami