Help me plan the Billyskank & Joan_Alpern Grand USA Roadshow

[billyskank]

Here's the deal. I got three weeks off work in a row, starting the 8th October. I need to accomplish the following things (not necessarily in this order):

* Visit Detroit and see MrsGrumpy.
* Visit Ann Arbor and see progmom & Misunderestimator, unless I see them somewhere else.
* Visit NYC for a meetup (to be arranged, if there is interest). I expect this would need to be on a Saturday.
* Visit Tennessee and see AirmensMom & harleydad.
* If possible, visit Texas and see redqueen. I also have an aunt who lives here, if I make it this far it might be a good idea to end the tour with her.

At this point, I know nothing except that Joani has graciously offered to drive me around a bit. I don't even know where I'm going to fly to and from, or when! I am just publicly notifying you all of my planned visit, and inviting suggestions.

:hi:

[bicentennial_baby]

1. Come to Boston Billy!!

:bounce:

[billyskank]

4. I'd love to, 'baby

but (looking at the map) that looks a bit too far. :(

:hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

12. But you can go to Texas?!

x(

[billyskank]

13. I can't do both, at any rate.

I'm sorry. Joani isn't one to say no, but I don't want to kill us. :(

[billyskank]

15. The main problem is I have no conception of how long it takes to drive places

Your country is fucking massive, more huge than I can comprehend, and that is about all I can ascertain by looking at a map. It is very difficult for me. The entire of Britain is only as big as the average U.S. state.

[Critters2]

19. I'd recommend going to mapquest to get driving times

I think you're gonna want to fly at least between Michigan and Texas. It's a long drive. If you do decide to drive it, you might end up going by here--on Interstate 80. If so, I'd be willing to treat you to a meal and some (fairly) good conversation.

[billyskank]

23. Okay, I see where NYC is.

Maybe. I might have to strike out Texas (too ambitious), if I did that then almost certainly yes.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

2. are you flying into nyc?

[billyskank]

3. I don't even know that much yet!

I am so hopeless. I am still trying to work out what is best to do. I don't want to kill Joani with travelling.

[redqueen]

5. Aww I hope the Texas part turns out to be possible!

:bounce:

[billyskank]

7. So do I

Your state is so big and so far away- from, ah, places that are far away from it. :silly:

But I very much hope it is possible too. :hug:

[redqueen]

8. hehehehehe...

Yes, we're at the ass-end down here. :P

I'll keep my fingers crossed. :hug:

[kay1864]

6. I posted a Lounge request on your behalf for an airline pass

Good luck!

[billyskank]

10. Does that involve getting on planes for free?

'Cause that would be über-cool, but I wouldn't dare hope for luck as awesome as that. :)

[kay1864]

21. Not free, but perhaps 1/3 the normal cost

It's based only on the miles traveled, so a NYC-Detroit leg would add about $100, Detroit-Nashville another $60, and Nashville-Dallas about another $50. London-NYC would be about $400, plus the cost of any other legs. You don't want to backtrack if possible.

The downside is you're flying standby, but if you've got three weeks you can obviously be flexible.

A buddy pass from American would be ideal, or perhaps Northwest, since they have hubs in the above cities/states.

[Parche]

9. airlines tickets

I sell airline tickets!! :hi:

[billyskank]

11. "Lunar shuttle tickets, lunar shuttle tickets, bah tha aisle, bah tha window..."

You do? This sounds like a match made in heaven! :hi:

[Parche]

14. tickets

Yes I do, and not just for the halibut.........:rofl: :hi:

[lost-in-nj]

47. not for nothing

but that jet is kinda creepy....


lost

[Writer]

16. I'll wave at you from atop the Rockies.

[billyskank]

17. I'll look that way for you.

I'm sure if I squint very hard I'll see you. :hi:

[Writer]

20. You'll see this little dot on top of Long's Peak. Hehe.

You should do a USA tour - the Western Version - someday. :)

[supernova]

18. Any chance of stopping in NC?

before or after you head west?

Edit: October is usually beautiful here, fall colors and really pleasant temps.

[billyskank]

25. Definitely maybe.

LoZoccolo will love me for that. :hi:

[supernova]

27. That would be great!

I would love to see you in person. :D

Besides me there is Struggle4Progress, nclib (though she mostly reads), dicksteele, Lex, NC_Nurse, KoKo01, and xchrom will be living here by then. And a bunch of others that can't name right now.

Sounds like a great road trip. :-)

edit: Yes, Joanie, I would love to see you too. :silly: ;-)

[Left Is Write]

22. It appears that I'm much too far west to be included on the tour.

[billyskank]

24. I am afraid so. It is a real shame.

I don't have enough time or money to go everywhere I would like to. :(

[KitchenWitch]

26. Me too!

:cry:

[madinmaryland]

28. You're not stopping in DC??

You might even get to meet Skinner. Lots of DU'ers in the DC/Maryland/Virginia & Delaware(think LynneSin)

:hi:

[billyskank]

29. Could be.

If I do go to North Carolina, that looks like it would be on the way from New York. :hi:

[billyskank]

30. I gotta go out for an hour or so.

I'll be back.

[In_The_Wind]

31. You really should fly into Newark, NJ.

This will give you a bit of help guesstimating drive time from DUer to DUer. http://www.mapquest.com
However mapquest doesn't take into account, road work, rainy weather, foggy mountain breakdowns, etc. ... it will take longer than they estimate.

[supernova]

32. Oh yeah, we've got never ending

orange barrels around here. :eyes:

[In_The_Wind]

35. They seem to be everywhere.

:shrug:

[billyskank]

33. I can fly BA direct from Heathrow to there, a little over £300 return

That is certainly acceptable, more than acceptable, and would be my preferred way of getting there too. :hi:

[In_The_Wind]

34. We can do anything.

Just remember we will be towing a camper (with a propane tank that will give us some tunnel restrictions) and will have very precious cargo ~ Miss Frodo.

If you come in a day or two before a NYC meet-up you can use the camper as your own private space while you acclimate yourself to daylight savings time.

We need to fill the camper refrigerator with yummies that you'll enjoy.
I don't know what you like to eat and drink.

[billyskank]

36. To eat and drink

Easiest way to explain is to say what's not fine for me: meat, fish, eggs, and alcohol or anything that contains any of those four. Everything else is a-ok. ;)

It looks like then, the question is to fly early in the week (monday, tuesday) or midweek (wednesday, thursday). British Airways seem to have one flight a day on that route.

[wildhorses]

37. hey good lookin'

:hi:

i can meet up with you at airmensmom and harleydad's. are they in their new house? or, i can hook up with you somewhere in nc...or if need be you can crash here at my place...let me know how i can help you out, ok? that goes for joani, too.

:grouphug:

[billyskank]

38. Wherever we go

we are definitely seeing you. :hug:

:loveya:

[wildhorses]

39. wo0t

:hug:

:loveya:

[MissHoneychurch]

41. Meet with her at AirmensMom's

I can tell ya ... you will have fun!!!

Proof:

[billyskank]

42. I don't think my arse is that good.

;)

Okay, how tall is wildhorses? :wow:

[supernova]

44. Wow wildhorses

is a long drink of water. *whistles*

:D

[MissHoneychurch]

45. I think she is about my size

a bit taller. In the last pic she looks so tall because I was more sitting on the tree than standing.


btw, nothing wrong with your backside ;)

[lost-in-nj]

40. I'll come to the NY meet

if there is one!!!!

:toast: :toast:

lost

[billyskank]

43. Or we'll come to you.

:hi:

[lost-in-nj]

55. .....

:hi: :hug:

need dates so i don't make other plans!!!


lost

[Fire Walk With Me]

46. There used to be several excellent record stores in Ann Arbor, if you collect.

Wazoo, Schoolkids, etc. It's a really nice town. Have a great trip.

[lizziegrace]

48. I'll come to Detroit to see you

and MrsG. :hug:

[PassingFair]

49. Don't forget to stop by and meet ME!

I'm literally just around the corner!

:hi:

[lizziegrace]

50. Of course!!

You and mini-MrsG and Mini-PassingFair. :)

:hi:

[PassingFair]

54. Toy PassingFair is in INDIA...

for ELEVEN months on a student exchange!

:cry:

But BABY PassingFair is still here, having to doing double duty.....

[billyskank]

56. OMG

That would kick ass! :hug:

:loveya:

[Rising Phoenix]

51. come to boston

or western mass on the 11th....come play

[SPKrazy]

52. Sounds like fun Billy!

If you are in Oklahoma or Arkansas and meet up I'd go hunt ya down!

Or even Texas maybe?

:shrug:

:hi:

[u4ic]

53. Oooooo...how fun!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[taterguy]

57. Go west young man

The Grand Canyon lives up to the hype. It has to be seen in person. Pics don't do it justice but I'll post some anyway. Late fall would be a good time to go because it won't be too hot.

[ThomCat]

58. Yay! Definitely plan some time in NYC!

:hug:

[Rosie1223]

59. Visit Illinois

Home of skyscrapers:



and corn fields: