MD-VA-DC Meetup

[terrpn]

I have a venue, place for a meetup if anybody from the MD-VA-DC area wants to meet after the 1st of the year? I would say from DC we are about an hour give or take with traffic

It is in Southern Maryland, not far from the Virginia line depending on which way you are coming. This is Amish country, so if your driving be careful of the horse and buggies

29449 Charlotte Hall Road
Charlotte Hall, MD 20659

- Plenty of space, tables-chairs, parking....
- Wireless
- Restrooms
- Can have refreshments; drinks, coffee, pastries (on me) if you guys want them
- Can have a couple carts if people have more than they can carry to help bring their stuff in
- There is I think about a 50" television (off to the side) if anybody wants to make any video's, demonstrations, etc. to play during the meet-up (whether you are coming or not) for people to watch
- Right now it is just for a Saturday, but if you want to do do a Sat-Sun I can check, the only thing is it is a rural area and most of the better eating places, hotels are 20-30 minutes away
- If there is enough interest we will set up a Fountain Pen, Inks, sampling table.....?
- You will need to sign in with security at the desk, get a visitors pass and the Multipurpose Room is just 10-20' away, can't miss it

         

Date..........TBD

Some people are wanting to schedule around the Washington DC Pen Show in August

[billnye]

This is only about a 7 hour drive for me, so I might be able to go!

[dorkvader]

This is only about a 7 hour drive for me, so I might be able to go!

7 hours for me too! If I can get 2-3 GH'ers along the way to help pay for gas and tolls I can probably afford to go.

[intelli78]

I'll be in DC, so I am definitely in.

[Binge]

i have a venue, place for a meetup if anybody from the MD-VA-DC area wants to meet after the 1st of the year?

it is in Southern Maryland, plenty parking, plenty space, we can figure out food, drinks......

there is also wireless we can tap into

Show Image

If you're organizing I'll make it.  I live round Harrisburg so the drive isn't terrible.

[hwood34]

I'll try and make it out. Should only be an hour/hour 1/2 drive for me

[Puddsy]

This is only about a 7 hour drive for me, so I might be able to go!

7 hours for me too! If I can get 2-3 GH'ers along the way to help pay for gas and tolls I can probably afford to go.

interest registered

[hwood34]

This is only about a 7 hour drive for me, so I might be able to go!

7 hours for me too! If I can get 2-3 GH'ers along the way to help pay for gas and tolls I can probably afford to go.

interest registered

git yo ass here boy

[Flyersfan1]

This is only about a 7 hour drive for me, so I might be able to go!

7 hours for me too! If I can get 2-3 GH'ers along the way to help pay for gas and tolls I can probably afford to go.

Would totally contribute to this if you decide to go!

[dorkvader]

just need one more. Let's see if vibex is down.

Oh one requirement, two of you have to be short to fit in the backseat.

[Flyersfan1]

just need one more. Let's see if vibex is down.

Oh one requirement, two of you have to be short to fit in the backseat.

Well I'm 6'1, but would have no issue with squeezing into a compact space.

[Puddsy]

just need one more. Let's see if vibex is down.

Oh one requirement, two of you have to be short to fit in the backseat.

Well I'm 6'1, but would have no issue with squeezing into a compact space.

Are you me?

as long as we stop every few hours so that I can get some leg stretches in, we're golden.

[Vibex]

just need one more. Let's see if vibex is down.

Oh one requirement, two of you have to be short to fit in the backseat.

Totally in! And I can sit in the back too, I've got no problem with small spaces.

[engicoder]

I'm interested...when you say "Southern Maryland", do you mean on the eastern shore? or the southern part near DC?

[CPTBadAss]

If my work schedule permit and this doesn't interfere with the three other meetups being planned (Chicago, East Coast, Melvang's), I'll be there.

[hwood34]

I miiiight be able to give someone in VA a ride. I may or may not have a car by then, or even my license.

[tp4tissue]

I miiiight be able to give someone in VA a ride. I may or may not have a car by then, or even my license.

well, that certainly doesn't inspire confidence in your driving skillz.. hahahahaha

[hwood34]

I miiiight be able to give someone in VA a ride. I may or may not have a car by then, or even my license.

well, that certainly doesn't inspire confidence in your driving skillz.. hahahahaha

I've had my permit for 7 months and I still drive better than a lot of the idiots on the road. They really should make driving tests harder...

[terrpn]

I'm interested...when you say "Southern Maryland", do you mean on the eastern shore? or the southern part near DC?

The place is just inside St Mary's County, Maryland-- Charlotte Hall, MD

Very rural.......lots of Amish, buggies, close to the Virginia border.

Some of you guys already know I am a bit older than most of you, retired military and a disabled Vet that is in a chair. Saying that I can do a lot, but could use a little help as the day gets going and more people show up? I see a few GH'rs who are coming that are into fountain pens, so I might setup a fountain pen display as well............we got plenty of time to figure out.

I could maybe get the space for Sat-Sun. but would need to get permission. Security is right as you walk into the place, so we could lock it down at a specific time. I can also have carts available if anybody plans on or want to bring anything to help get your stuff in side.

Whatever you guys decide I will try and make it work on my end

[CPTBadAss]

I propose a field trip to Farhney's. I also endorse fountain pen displays.

[HoffmanMyster]

Hmmm....14 hours....

So...who wants to carpool this roadtrip with me??

[dorkvader]

just need one more. Let's see if vibex is down.

Oh one requirement, two of you have to be short to fit in the backseat.

Well I'm 6'1, but would have no issue with squeezing into a compact space.

the only problem is that the back seats have a low ceiling. I am 5'10" and my head hits. There's plenty of side to side room and "enough" legroom, but it's the headroom that's an issue.

Looks like picking up TS will add about 30-45 minutes to the time. I get 35 mpg highway, so 494 miles is about 14.5 - 15 gallons of fuel. Divided between 4 people looks like toll bridges in Brooklyn and the Jersey turnpike will make up the bulk of the cost. Still split 4 ways it's pretty cheap.

[CPTBadAss]

Hmmm....14 hours....

So...who wants to carpool this roadtrip with me??

Swing through Cincinnati and I'll carpool bro.

[Lurch]

Hmmm....14 hours....

So...who wants to carpool this roadtrip with me??

Swing through Cincinnati and I'll carpool bro.

I'm in if you want to take the scenic route through NJ.

[HoffmanMyster]

Hmmm....14 hours....

So...who wants to carpool this roadtrip with me??

Swing through Cincinnati and I'll carpool bro.

   Will do.

I'm in if you want to take the scenic route through NJ.

Hah.  Yahhh, okayyy. 

[terrpn]

updated the OP......

[vivalarevolución]

Charlotte Hall?  Fun name.  That entices me, along with the rural locale in a part of the country I have not visited.    I've got some Southwest Airlines points laying around, they fly direct to BWI for me, along with other airlines that fly direct to Dulles and Reagan.  Plus, Jan/Feb flights are the cheapest of the year.  So maybe I'm in.

[dorkvader]

I'm in if you want to take the scenic route through NJ.

duke it out with flyersfan1 for seat #4. I'll be driving through both NJ and philly so unless you're in atlantic city either are possible.

[CPTBadAss]

Idea: We do this the same weekend as DC Super Show. One day we do keyboards, one day we go to the fountain pen show .

[hwood34]

Idea: We do this the same weekend as DC Super Show. One day we do keyboards, one day we go to the fountain pen show .

shiiiit so much money lost

[terrpn]

isn't the DC show in august....?

[CPTBadAss]

isn't the DC show in august....?

Yup! Did you already have a date in mind?

shiiiit so much money lost

Oh don't worry, if it's not the pen show, it'll be Farhney's (a famous fountain pen store in DC).

[terrpn]

hopefully sooner than that.........

at least march I was kind of thinking, I could probably pull a January together, but the DC weather can be unpredictable

what do you guys feel like?

[HoffmanMyster]

hopefully sooner than that.........

at least march I was kind of thinking, I could probably pull a January together, but the DC weather can be unpredictable

what do you guys feel like?

Personally, I prefer to do roadtrips after the ice will have melted (unless I have a better car by then - rear wheel drive baby truck means no traction).  But that's just me.  That might not matter as much to all the locals.

[engicoder]

hopefully sooner than that.........

at least march I was kind of thinking, I could probably pull a January together, but the DC weather can be unpredictable

what do you guys feel like?

I'm having a hip swapped out on 1/13, so before or at least a month after would be better for me. I agree that January is kind of a crap shoot. Could have sun, rain, ice, snow or any combination or the above, so March or later would probably be a safer option.

[terrpn]

right...........forgive me as i was selfish in not thinking how crazy the weather can be.

whatever you guys decide on i am fine with.

we have the space, so that is not an issue as long as the date does not conflict with anybody else already booked?

[dorkvader]

Personally, I prefer to do roadtrips after the ice will have melted (unless I have a better car by then - rear wheel drive baby truck means no traction).  But that's just me.  That might not matter as much to all the locals.

Should get more traction when it's all loaded up with keyboards.

right...........forgive me as i was selfish in not thinking how crazy the weather can be.

whatever you guys decide on i am fine with.

we have the space, so that is not an issue as long as the date does not conflict with anybody else already booked?

c'mon guys the highways are flat I drove from virginia up to boston and back last winter and it's total cake. I don't get what the big deal is winter is fine.

[HoffmanMyster]

c'mon guys the highways are flat I drove from virginia up to boston and back last winter and it's total cake. I don't get what the big deal is winter is fine.

Well I'm not sure why I have to defend wanting to be safe, but here goes.

If I'm driving 1,000 miles each way, part of which is through the mountains, I don't very much want to get stranded somewhere in the snow or spin off into a ditch. 

I learned to drive in the snow, I've been driving in snow for years, that's really not the issue.   

Unless of course you were being sarcastic, in which case that's a cruel joke.

[vivalarevolución]

c'mon guys the highways are flat I drove from virginia up to boston and back last winter and it's total cake. I don't get what the big deal is winter is fine.

Well I'm not sure why I have to defend wanting to be safe, but here goes.

If I'm driving 1,000 miles each way, part of which is through the mountains, I don't very much want to get stranded somewhere in the snow or spin off into a ditch. 

I learned to drive in the snow, I've been driving in snow for years, that's really not the issue.   

Unless of course you were being sarcastic, in which case that's a cruel joke.

The snow you all got up there in Wisconsin/Minnesota is a different beast than what they wussy Mid-Atlantic people deal with.  South of Chicago, it's all easy riding.

[HoffmanMyster]

c'mon guys the highways are flat I drove from virginia up to boston and back last winter and it's total cake. I don't get what the big deal is winter is fine.

Well I'm not sure why I have to defend wanting to be safe, but here goes.

If I'm driving 1,000 miles each way, part of which is through the mountains, I don't very much want to get stranded somewhere in the snow or spin off into a ditch. 

I learned to drive in the snow, I've been driving in snow for years, that's really not the issue.   

Unless of course you were being sarcastic, in which case that's a cruel joke.

The snow you all got up there in Wisconsin/Minnesota is a different beast than what they wussy Mid-Atlantic people deal with.  South of Chicago, it's all easy riding.

Ah, that's fair enough. Didn't know that. My only long winter road trips so far have been to Canada and Cincinnati, both in cars much better than mine.

At any rate, I didn't mean to derail, I was just sharing my opinion on the matter. 

[Puddsy]

Hoff, that's a fair concern.

Not being dead should take precedence over keyboards.

[terrpn]

hopefully sooner than that.........

at least march I was kind of thinking, I could probably pull a January together, but the DC weather can be unpredictable

what do you guys feel like?

I'm having a hip swapped out on 1/13, so before or at least a month after would be better for me. I agree that January is kind of a crap shoot. Could have sun, rain, ice, snow or any combination or the above, so March or later would probably be a safer option.

as engicoder was saying................our snows here are typically wet, refreeze at night where driving is pretty atrocious

[engicoder]

The snow you all got up there in Wisconsin/Minnesota is a different beast than what they wussy Mid-Atlantic people deal with.  South of Chicago, it's all easy riding.

That's what all northerner's, my self included think about southern winters. I grew up in New England and spent 6 years at school far upstate in  New York. I once drove a 1969 Camaro with a 427, 3 hours down the NY throughway in near blizzard conditions, but I don't dare drive when the winter weather is lousy here in NC.

Here's were northern thinking on winter driving falls apart in the south
1) Snow plows...northern states have 1000's with experienced drivers. The plows are out before it snows and stay out all night. How many have experienced the side by side freeway plow? The south jerry rigs a few general purpose dump trucks with cheap plows and turns Billy-Bob loose. Often road graders or front loaders are used to plow roads.

2) Road conditions. In the north, the ground is cold and the snow is cold. Cold snow is not slick. In the south the progression is as follows:  it starts to snow, but the ground is warm, so the snow melts on road. After a short time, road cools and the wet roads turns to black ice which is covered by wet snow. This is the most treacherous surface imaginable.

3) Even if your driving safely, you may be slammed by the other idiots with their shiny new 4WD/AWD's

Come to the NC in the winter and most of the cars off the road after the first messy storm with have northern plates on them, the locals are humble enough to stay home.

Some of you may have seen this picture on the web a few years ago. Its a picture of a road here in Raleigh after the black ice was covered with snow and without snow.

[Glod]

Consider me as "maybe" attending this work schedule permitting, I don't know my schedule yet but I really would love to meet some of you guys and can bring some of my unique boards.

[CPTBadAss]

It's looking like Keycon Chicago will be during spring break.

[terrpn]

It's looking like Keycon Chicago will be during spring break.

so keycon Chicago is going to be first of march (talk about possibility of bad weather ), i am guessing that keycon East will be at some point after?

not to be lazy and not look, but what is the date for keycon east?

y'all wanna do next fall then? we can go big scale or keep it simple

[CPTBadAss]

It's looking like Keycon Chicago will be during spring break.

so keycon Chicago is going to be first of march (talk about possibility of bad weather ), i am guessing that keycon East will be at some point after?

Dunno. I'd rather do Chicago in March than January in DC.

not to be lazy and not look, but what is the date for keycon east?

Keycon East is looking to be "Early Summer" at the moment.

y'all wanna do next fall then? we can go big scale or keep it simple

I have no preferences but I'd like the meetups to be spread out if possible. Problem is no one is setting a hard date. So if everyone sticks to their current ideas, fall is looking good imo.

we can go big scale or keep it simple

What does this mean? I don't understand what this means in terms of timing.

[terrpn]

It's looking like Keycon Chicago will be during spring break.

so keycon Chicago is going to be first of march (talk about possibility of bad weather ), i am guessing that keycon East will be at some point after?

Dunno. I'd rather do Chicago in March than January in DC.

not to be lazy and not look, but what is the date for keycon east?

Keycon East is looking to be "Early Summer" at the moment.

y'all wanna do next fall then? we can go big scale or keep it simple

I have no preferences but I'd like the meetups to be spread out if possible. Problem is no one is setting a hard date. So if everyone sticks to their current ideas, fall is looking good imo.

we can go big scale or keep it simple

What does this mean? I don't understand what this means in terms of timing.

with it being a ways off we can keep it simple with a basic single day meetup or if you guys want i can try and get the space for 2 days and kick it up a notch?

i am just offering what i might be able to do on my end........

[CPTBadAss]

Personally, I find with a lot of the smaller meetups, a day is plenty. I dunno what East and Midwest are planning. East I would guess is a day. Midwest I'd guess is two. But again, I'm just throwing my opinion out there. Please feel free to gather more opinions.

[terrpn]

Personally, I find with a lot of the smaller meetups, a day is plenty. I dunno what East and Midwest are planning. East I would guess is a day. Midwest I'd guess is two. But again, I'm just throwing my opinion out there. Please feel free to gather more opinions.

never been to a meet-up, so whatever you guys want