Ok, here are the "Official" travel plans:
We will be departing NESHO (320 Main St, Spencer, MA 01562) at
7:00AM SHARP on Sunday the 17th. (In Kirk's words, "Tell them that doesn't mean 7:01 or 7:10, anyone who isn't there and ready to leave at 7:00 will have to catch up!")
Ideally, it would be best if everyone arrived at about 6:45AM to allow time for a quick route review, picking an FRS channel, exchanging cell phone numbers, etc. Please arrive with a full tank of gas, any refreshments you'll desire, etc. Depending on the direction you'll be coming from, there are a couple of gas stations with good gas prices and pretty good stores: Cumberland Farms at the intersection of Rte's 56 and 9 in Leicester, and Hess on Rte 9 about 1/2 mile east of Rte 49. We're going to try to do the trip in ~4 hour legs. We'd like to try to minimize unscheduled stops as much as possible. We'll be covering about 870 miles. Our expectation is to arrive in Indy around 9:00PM.
Right now, our route takes us down I-84, to I-81, and then either to I-80, or possibly to the PA Turnpike to avoid construction on I-80, and/or possibly to meet up with some more caravanees, through to Indy. Since the PA Turnpike is a toll road, please don't forget to bring a few extra bucks for tolls, or your EZ-Pass (which is what we'll be using). Ultimately, the route will be decided as we go along, mostly at Kirk's discretion.
I will have a spare FRS radio if someone needs to borrow it. Everyone else, don't forget batteries for your radios! Kirk and I will be bringing a small number of tools, and we hope to not have to use them. Hopefully nobody would venture on a 1800+ mile adventure with a car that wasn't up to the task!
I've put together a quick check-list of things everyone might want to use in preparation for this trip:
CAR PREP:
o Maintenance check, fluids, filters, brakes, alignment, lights/bulbs, etc.
o Tire pressure check, including spare (good time to put the jack back in the trunk!)
o Clean windows
o Spare fluids
o Compressor Oil*
PERSONAL ITEMS:
o License and Registration
o Clothes
o Toiletries
o Toe Nail Clippers*
o Barf Bag*
o Hotel Confirmation Numbers, Convention paperwork, etc.
o Map Book
OTHER ITEMS
o Racing helmet, shoes, etc.
o AAA Card
o Bail Money*
o Radar Detector
o Money, Money, Money
(*These items are only applicable to certain individuals!)
Hopefully a fun and safe time will be had by all. Kirk and I are unsure about when we'll be leaving to head home, so we'll just play it by ear. It would be nice to have a caravan home too, but we realize some people may have other plans or may not be staying as long as others.
Kirk also has a spare room booked at the Marriott from the 17th through the 21st (checking out Friday the 22nd). It's about $520 for the week IIRC. If anyone needs this room, please speak up now, otherwise he'll be calling to release the reservation on Friday morning, 7/15.
If I've missed anything, please let me know!
