Ryans323i's Travelogue

[Ryans323i]

Getting ready!

This is my route to SIGFest; Black Mountain, NC to Hilton Garden Inn, Williamsburg, VA (my Hotel):

- Take the ramp onto I-40 E , 131 mi
- Slight left to stay on I-40 E, 31.5 mi
- Merge onto I-85 N, 46.0 mi
- Slight left to stay on I-85 N, Entering Virginia, 124 mi
- Keep left at the fork, follow signs for I-95 N/Richmond and merge onto I-95 N, 15.8 mi
- Keep right at the fork to continue toward E Wythe St 0.4 mi
- Turn right onto E Wythe St 0.6 mi
- Continue straight onto E Washington St 3.7 mi
- Continue onto VA-36 E/Oaklawn Blvd 0.8 mi
- Merge onto I-295 N via the ramp to Washington 18.4 mi
- Take exit 28 to merge onto I-64 E toward Norfolk , 34.1 mi
- Take exit 234 for VA-199/State Route 646 toward Lightfoot, 0.3 mi
- Turn right onto VA-199 E , 1.5 mi
- Take the US-60 exit toward Lightfoot/Williamsburg, 0.2 mi
- Turn right onto US-60 E/Richmond Rd, Destination will be on the right, 3.4 mi

Important intersections

Greensboro, NC & I-85- 10:30 am
Durham, NC - 11:30 am
Fort Lee, I95 intersection @ Oaklawn Blvd - 1:30pm
Richmond, VA @ I-64 : 2:30 pm
Hilton Garden Inn : 3pm

These times could be delayed due to traffic, meeting up with caravaners, and/or eating and restroom breaks.

[danewilson77]

In for pics of the trip. Looking forward to meeting you guys.

[cakM3]

Wouldn't it be awesome if most, if not all of us, from the north could meet up with everyone traveling from the sourh at Richmond to make the trip in?

TT + iPhone4

[Ryans323i]

It would be cool. But, I'm heading straight to the Hotel, not Dane's. Maybe those of us staying at the hotel can ride over to Dane's together?

[kpro]

^ Good idea Ryan. We're headed to get Horney (Justin) and then to the hotel. Going to find a carwash, a liquor store (if time allows) then hit Dane's around 5:00 :)

[Ryans323i]

Sounds about like my plans. I'm bringing some waterless car wash and plan on cleaning the car up in the hotel parking lot. It can do 5-6 cars (it says) and you and anyone else is free to use it if you want. Also, I wonder if the hotel has a water spigot, I'll bring a hose! Then cleaning myself up, then it should be about time to head to Dane's. Btw, what liquor are you planning on picking up? I don't want to drink too much so I'd be happy throw in on a bottle of something if you'll share.

[kpro]

I'm not really sure if I want beer or if I'm going all in. If its liquor (which it most likely will be) then Vodka or Rum with a Calorie Free mixer is most likely my choice, so which ever you prefer. I have very very limited space in the 135 as the trunk is teeeny tiny, and I'm trying to pack lightly and then stop for booze and things when I get there. Horney gets the backseat for him and his gear, and he's tallll, this will be interesting. I don't mind sitting in my own back seat if I have to. I will take you up on the waterless car wash though, not having luck finding a do-it-yourself car wash near the hotel.

[Ryans323i]

I prefer Vodka, personally, but Rum's fine too. Either way it's not a big deal. We can work it out at the Hotel.

Justin in the back seat of a 135!?!? Take pictures! I've sat in the back of a 135 and was "ok", but Kyle, who is ~5'7" was cramped.

[Johnmadd]

There is a new carwash around the corner from Danes, google map- colonial carwash.
I like Captain Morgans if you two would want to go in thirds on that, and I would also pick it up as a bonus.

[HokieZHP]

Ryan, would you want to meet up in Durham for the drive up?

[Hornung418]

:rofl

This is gonna be good!

[Mtnman]

You guys are killin me. I should be in this thread. Daaaaaang! I need pics and text updates (from non-driving partners) throughout the day and weekend.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

David, you should bring the bambino with you.

[iZHP]

Good idea. Makes sense to head over together :) Hadley & I should be there around 12-13:00.

[cakM3]

David, you should bring the bambino with you.

+1

[ryankokesh]

I prefer Vodka, personally, but Rum's fine too. Either way it's not a big deal. We can work it out at the Hotel.

Justin in the back seat of a 135!?!? Take pictures! I've sat in the back of a 135 and was "ok", but Kyle, who is ~5'7" was cramped.

I've actually sat in the MIDDLE of the back of a 135... that was a hoot! (if you don't know, there isn't actually a middle seat...) Good luck with that, Justin :)

[Johnmadd]

I've actually sat in the MIDDLE of the back of a 135... that was a hoot! (if you don't know, there isn't actually a middle seat...) Good luck with that, Justin :)

I believe Justin is like 6 foot six or something, if he can fit in the back for the whole ride he might get a blood clot from the cramps hehe

[Hornung418]

I'm good at squeezing in to cramped quarters. No worries mates :)

I'm on the moon.

[Ryans323i]

Ryan, would you want to meet up in Durham for the drive up?

Yep. I thought I sent you a PM about that? If you can name a non-crowded exit, maybe a little outside Durham, to meet up that would be great.


You guys are killin me. I should be in this thread. Daaaaaang! I need pics and text updates (from non-driving partners) throughout the day and weekend.

You really should be going David!

[danewilson77]

Plus.....he's on the moon....so his gravitational pull will be less...on the seats :o/

[BCS_ZHP]

^ Good idea Ryan. We're headed to get Horney (Justin) and then to the hotel. Going to find a carwash, a liquor store (if time allows) then hit Dane's around 5:00 :)

Kristen,
I stopped and saw Dane a month or so ago, there's a car wash on the road between his house & the Hilton Garden Inn. Both self wash & automatic wash, plus the guy on duty came out to knock the heavily bugged front end with some spray before I entered the automatic wash. He was admiring the ZHP, so he's going to flip when dozens of them stop by his wash. It came out pretty decent for a $10 wash but no attendants to dry the car, so bring towels.
Bruce

[danewilson77]

Bruce is referring to Colonial car wash.

6950 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA
(757) 206-1876 ()

It's at the red "A"

My house is in direction of red "arrow"....about 1/2 mile belond the map edge.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/VA%20Meet%202012/1-4.jpg

[iZHP]

Thanks Dane. I'm sure my car's going to be covered in bug juice by the time I get there.

[kpro]

Thanks guys! I'm putting that on my list of addresses that are important for this trip! I can't wait!!!!

[Nivo]

It would be cool. But, I'm heading straight to the Hotel, not Dane's. Maybe those of us staying at the hotel can ride over to Dane's together?

I believe we are leaving from mass at 10pm Thursday to get to south eastern CT by midnight and meet up with BP. then head down. It says hotel check in time is 3pm!? man its going to be a long morning for us.

[Ryans323i]

It's 6:30 am, I've been up for 15 mins, and I'm still not awake! Didn't sleep well, too excited. It's going to be a long day. :)

I've got a few more things to pack, and I'll get ready, then we'll be hitting the road, hopefully, around 8.

[Ryans323i]

4008

Gasing up and leaving!

[johnrando]

Can't wait to meet you, your fiancee, and Lucy! Unfortunately my flight doesn't leave until 2:15 Pacific. Safe travels!

[Ryans323i]

4009

Meet up with Hokie. Grabbed some food. About to hit the road again!

[Mtnman]

Safe Travels all!

[Ryans323i]

Sorry this thread died. Once I/we reached Williamsburg I was so excited I forgot to update. I also didn't take a single picture all weekend. You may think "weird" but I was too busy trying to take in every moment first hand rather than from behind the camera lens. I have entire cache full of mental pictures though. Best weekend ever.

Btw, Lucy and her nearly 200k miles did great. Not a single hiccup.

[Au2bahn]

It was nice meeting you Ryan. I like the paintwork on your car. :-)

[cakM3]

Ryan,

You did not disappoint. Lucy is just as beautiful as she is in her pics :thumbsup

Enjoyed the visit and it was really nice to meet you and Kyle. You guys are awesome! :biggrin

[Ryans323i]

Thanks Jon and Charlie!

[BCS_ZHP]

Ryan,
I ogled Lucy Saturday, she brought back memories of modding my son's first car, a 323ci. Too many cars and people with not enough time in our one day trip. If we get over to my in-law's summer home at Toxaway this summer, I'll be sure to invite you, Kyle, and Lucy up the mountain for a visit. The road to get there is most of the fun. Unfortunately I only ever get to drive there in the family SUV, with our trusty prone to car sickness Labrador, so those last few miles of constant esses are always an adventure.
Bruce

[Ryans323i]

Definitely Bruce. I felt the same way, not enough time. The road to Lake Toxaway is one of my favorite drives, especially now they've repaved most of it. We would be honored to join your family for a visit.