CPTBadAss and Dorkvader Roadtrip Across the USA [Writeup+Pics Completed]

[dorkvader]

So my parents are super worried about me driving across the USA by myself, so I'm planning to drag the CPT along with me. Also, to keep me on top of things, I can take frequent breaks by visiting GH'ers! I will plan to see as many as possible, even for a short meeting.

I don't hate anyone.

Ok, well, anyone minus maybe 2.  But you aren't part of the two, tfr.

I think if you're stopping in Odessa for the night you should probably plan on at least one more overnight stop in TX, depending on which interstate you want to take to leave Odessa.

Get to see moose and tfr taking I-10 and me and some less loud members (I think there's 1 in Ft Worth and another in Dallas) taking I-20.  Or we meet somewhat in the middle in Austin.

One of my planned routes goes through odessa, so this is a very real possability.

If your course sends you my way, then I humbly suggest...

NASHVEGAS!

Three reasons to stop here:
   1. Visit MechanicalKeyboards.com on the way into town

   2. Crash at my place

   3. I'll cook you dinner

What Up Shoney? (ツ)_/¯

I was almost positive all the planned routes go near nashville, but I'm sure of it now!

---
Now for a very important question: I'm sure I can bring a keyboard or two on the plane with me. Which one(s) should I bring? General Dynamics Alphameric? IBM 4704 metal cased F? A generic cherry?


I'll also be relying on you guys for advice about road travel, etc.

Edit: ok a few things.
1. I have exactly 4 days to do all of this, and that does involve getting up early to take a flight to LA that lands before noon. I fully expect to be able to spend 1/2 a day in LA before starting, leaving 3 days to drive 35 hours or so. Is this feasible? I hope so, 'cause that's all the leave I have from work.

2. I live like 5 hours from the CPT, visiting Indiana is like a weekend trip for me. I can probably stop by NY when I visit my family for Christmas, so I can see you guys then.

3. Here is a possible trip I can take across the country.
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Los+Angeles,+California&daddr=Odessa,+TX+to:Nashville,+TN+to:Cincinnati,+OH+to:Roanoke,+VA

4. if I visit halverson (provided he's willing to drive an hour or so south)
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Los+Angeles,+California&daddr=las+vegas+to:odessa+tx+to:Nashville,+TN+to:Cincinnati,+OH+to:roanoke,+va

[jcrouse]

Yeah, we might do that moose as well as a mini-meet. Jdcarpe has said we're welcome to stay at his place. I'm not sure how far everyone is from Odessa but please let me know and help us plan.

I am 8 hours away from Odessa. I don't think my 04 Explorer can drive that far without breaking.  )

13.5 hour drive for me. A little too far.

John

[Wildcard]

If you are going through Des Moines, IA for some awful reason... you can stop by my place.

Dang Ivan, you live a lot closer then I thought. I'm in Omaha, NE. If you guys are driving through I'll treat you both to dinner and drinks. Depending on the night, I could take you guys out for some great prime rib

[CPTBadAss]

Whattttt Wildcard, I totally thought you were in Germany @.@

[Wildcard]

And I thought Ivan was in the UK so that makes two of us

[HoffmanMyster]

I see that everyone wants you to stay south (TX), but if for some reason you wanted to shoot north for a bit to Minneapolis, you could hang out with me.  And probably flynn.  And all the other people around here.  But it is a bit out of the way, so it's your call.

In fact, now that I think about it, this would be super easy.  Just hop on I-35 and take it right into town.  It's only one road, it can't be that far.

Not sure if we could swing going up north but I'll add you to the list.

If not, no worries.  But I definitely vote that you do swing going up north.   

[Binge]

On the East coast?  NO CPT-LOVE FOR YOU!

[CPTBadAss]

Pfft. I already told you I'd drive out to hang out with you one weekend Binge. And I'm planning on doing a NYC meet eventually. WHAT MORE CAN I DO??

[eth0s]

Well, that is an ambitious trip for 4 days.  Steinbeck took 4 months.

[CPTBadAss]

The only thing that will slow us down is mkawa talking too much while we're in LA

[thadood]

If ya end up coming through the midsouth (doubtful, judging by the midsouth being full of suck), let me know. Get you some of that good Memphis bbq, mmhm.

[CPTBadAss]

I think one of our routes takes us through Memphis. I'll have to see.

[dorkvader]

Well, that is an ambitious trip for 4 days.  Steinbeck took 4 months.

If I recall correctly, they had a "jalopy" and more people, that and they took time to bury rose-of-sharon (rosasharn), etc.

The only thing that will slow us down is mkawa talking too much while we're in LA

This is a legitimate concern. Maybe I'll just smack him for every topic jump

If ya end up coming through the midsouth (doubtful, judging by the midsouth being full of suck), let me know. Get you some of that good Memphis bbq, mmhm.

Right now, all our proposed routes take us through Memphis, though I don't know if we'll have time to stop for food, as we will likely continue to Nashville


---
Very important  to consider: we can probably stop at most places for a few minutes, but we might not have enough stomach room to take advantage of excellent food to be had. I will plan to min/max as best I can to account for this possibility.

Again, I'm honored that so many people want to meet up. I am sure it's CPTbadass that everyone wants to see. I don't blame you, I want to see him, too.

[CPTBadAss]

Very important  to consider: we can probably stop at most places for a few minutes, but we might not have enough stomach room to take advantage of excellent food to be had.

You obviously don't know me very well . I can eat *a lot*. Ask anyone who's met me.

Again, I'm honored that so many people want to meet up. I am sure it's CPTbadass that everyone wants to see. I don't blame you, I want to see him, too.

Pffft, you're cool too. And who doesn't like meet ups?

[dorkvader]

I think I'm going to make a table of everyone on the way and measure the driving time between them to help me better plan. Has anyone read the travelling salesman problem?

[mkawa]

note that the traveling salesman problem is np hard

my suggestion for solving this instance is to take the equivalent game of sudoku and have cptbadass solve the sudoku problem while you drive back

[iri]

I think I'm going to make a table of everyone on the way and measure the driving time between them to help me better plan. Has anyone read the travelling salesman problem?

even solved the equations in university

but in your case, decisions should be made based on proposed food!

[CPTBadAss]

my suggestion for solving this instance is to take the equivalent game of sudoku and have cptbadass solve the sudoku problem while you drive back

The sudoku will never be solved!

I think I'm going to make a table of everyone on the way and measure the driving time between them to help me better plan.

I'll post some info for you later.

but in your case, decisions should be made based on proposed food!

I like what iri is thinking way more!

[engicoder]

If your travels bring you through Raleigh, NC, you are welcome to crash with me. I have plenty of room.

[aggiejy]

TEXAS!!!

[CPTBadAss]

TEXAS!!!

You gonna show up and hang out aggie?

If your travels bring you through Raleigh, NC, you are welcome to crash with me. I have plenty of room.

Unfortunately the only East Coast love this is getting is western VA where Dorkvader is living. I'm getting dropped off in Cincinnati I won't be able to make it to the east. I might do an east coast tour later though.

[Thimplum]

I see that everyone wants you to stay south (TX), but if for some reason you wanted to shoot north for a bit to Minneapolis, you could hang out with me.  And probably flynn.  And all the other people around here.  But it is a bit out of the way, so it's your call.

In fact, now that I think about it, this would be super easy.  Just hop on I-35 and take it right into town.  It's only one road, it can't be that far.

If you did do this I might be interested. I doubt I can make it to Minnesota though.

[aggiejy]

TEXAS!!!

You gonna show up and hang out aggie?

I'd certainly try!  I guess it depends on what day and where, but I'd love to meet up.  And of course, if you guys want to come through Austin (which is likely way too far south), you're more than welcome to stay with me.  (In Wimberley, TX... outside of Austin about an hour or less)

[CPTBadAss]

I'll talk to DV and see how things go. I think Odessa and Dallas are better for us though.

[sherryton]

What s in westminster besides the abbey and is demik into vietnamese food or babes.

Viet coffee shops... LOL

[TheFlyingRaccoon]

I'll talk to DV and see how things go. I think Odessa and Dallas are better for us though.

I could most likely drive up to Dallas if you are going to stop there. 

[aggiejy]

I'll talk to DV and see how things go. I think Odessa and Dallas are better for us though.

I might be up for a drive to either, depending on the day.

[CPTBadAss]

I will talk to Dorkvader and see what's going on. He's still trying to work some things out. Last I heard he was trying to get another day off but we'll see what he says when he chimes in.

[Melvang]

CPT,

If you are getting dropped off in OH, you could stop by my place.  I live in Waterloo, IA.  It is about an hour north of Cedar Rapids on I-380.  The nice part is I-80 eastbound will pretty much take you all the way to Chicago.

Melvang

[CPTBadAss]

I'll add you to the list of possibles Melvang!

[Melvang]

Cool thanx

[CPTBadAss]

Dorkvader and I keep missing each other on Skype but I'm planning on sitting down with him and planning on a solid route with people we want to visit. When we finally get some things figured out, I'll post more here. In the mean time, if you wanna hang out, just let us know. I'll add you to the list and we'll see how things progress from there!

[Sifo]

wtf can i cvome

[CPTBadAss]

Yeah man, meet us in LA.

[Sifo]

wow.... when... to ofar... qq maybe i meet u half way there tell me when you plan out all the places you hit. and I'll come with you guys on the way back

[CPTBadAss]

Fly into LA, we drive to Cincinnati, fly back from Cincinnati.

[Sifo]

Fly into LA, we drive to Cincinnati, fly back from Cincinnati.

FUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.... plane tickets though expensive

plus i have to be back for wcs

EDIT: Whoah it's $380~ for me to fly to LA... hmmm

[CPTBadAss]

$380 one way or round trip?

[Sifo]

1 way -_______________________- if it was round trip I'd just come

[CPTBadAss]

Guess I'm flying to the next TO meetup

Anyone else wanna hang out? ^__^

[CPTBadAss]

I got Monday and Tuesday off this week so I'll be in LA from 10/13 to 10/16. We're leaving LA on 10/17. Yes, I have the week off to hang out with GHers across the USA.

[Input Nirvana]

Shiiiiiiiit!
What makes Demi an Kawa so damn special? (fughetabout it...I already know)

I'd totally give Hashbazs' left nut to meet up with you, but he's a chump and won't give it up. Yea, I already asked him, says he needs it or some shizz like that.

I doubt I can come down from the bay area so I'm very bummed   I finally leave socal and you guys start making cool plans! As some of you know I'm making some long needed transitions so my time is not as free as previously. Absolutely my loss if I can't meet up with you at this time. If I can, I'll be in touch!

[CPTBadAss]

Well I'm staying with kawa and demik apparently lives very close. And reaper too?

I can't control who Dorkvader buys a car from ok IN? Don't give me a hard time! Blame him not me! And Hashbaz isn't a team player? Boo. I'm already mad at him 'cause he can't come to see me. Something lame about a job and weekdays or something...

Anyways, let us know what's going on Mr. Input Nirvana

[jcrouse]

Well I'm staying with kawa ...

Just remember, you can check out anytime, but you an never leave. Welcome to the Hotel Kawafornia.

[CPTBadAss]

John if you don't hear from me in a week, please call mkawa and distract him from talking for a second so I can run for freedom!

<3 you kawa

[mkawa]

Well I'm staying with kawa ...

Just remember, you can check out anytime, but you an never leave. Welcome to the Hotel Kawafornia.

John if you don't hear from me in a week, please call mkawa and distract him from talking for a second so I can run for freedom!

<3 you kawa

ahahahaahahhaa oh you two

[Melvang]

Well I'm staying with kawa ...

Just remember, you can check out anytime, but you an never leave. Welcome to the Hotel Kawafornia.

Like the reference to The Eagles but the line from the song is

"you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave

[esoomenona]

Those two words don't really make any difference, per se. They were likely placed in the lyrics of the song to increase the length of the bar and help the flow and rhyming. But, in this case, we all knew what he meant, and the difference is null.

[Melvang]

Those two words don't really make any difference, per se. They were likely placed in the lyrics of the song to increase the length of the bar and help the flow and rhyming. But, in this case, we all knew what he meant, and the difference is null.

Yeah you are right just pointing that out cause I almost didn't catch the reference.

[CPTBadAss]

Hush children, just enjoy this place, such a lovely place.