MetaChat - Asheville National Meetup, a.k.a. Bunnystock

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06 April 2006

Asheville National Meetup, a.k.a. Bunnystock This is the thread about the possibility of a national Mecha meetup in Asheville, NC. →[More:]Previously mentioned here. An alternative to, not a substitute for, the Vegas meetup. Different coast, small town/natural rather than urban, with possibilities of camping out, even river rafting. Let's discuss it!

post by: matildaben at: 15:07 | 56 comments

i'd love to go to asheville.
i'm long overdue.

posted by ethylene 06 April | 15:11

P.S. Apologies to Brits, Europeans, Australians, and Canadians who may feel excluded by my inadvertent use of the word "National". That should say "North American Meetup". Thank you for listening to this public service announcement. And you can come too if you can get a ticket!

posted by matildaben 06 April | 15:13

I am not allowed that far South. What about someplace northern. Massachusetts is nice if you like trees & stuff.

posted by dame 06 April | 15:14

And the location for the motel / hideout scene in Thunder Road!

posted by warbaby 06 April | 15:14

Might could do.

posted by Wolfdog 06 April | 15:20

I'll be there. But I lost a leg to the sea, I'll just watch the rafting.

posted by cmonkey 06 April | 15:24

I could maybe, maybe do this if it fell in the autumn. Outside chance. However, I've always wanted to visit that area, so I would try. I'm a camper.

posted by Miko 06 April | 15:25

Please update thineselves on ye olde wiki.

posted by matildaben 06 April | 15:30

I can't; it keeps saying there's a conflict.

Stupid wiki.

posted by cmonkey 06 April | 15:38

Truly, I'd prefer outdoor activities to Vegas hedonism. That sounds really cool, however, my biggest concern would be the distance to travel and getting time off work. Any idea when this would be happening?

posted by pieisexactlythree 06 April | 15:39

Sorry, cmonkey, that was my fault. Try now.

Pi - Summer or fall. Hasn't been narrowed down yet.

posted by matildaben 06 April | 15:42

I would go to Asheville if at all possible. Might even get the family to go so we can visit my uncle who lives in North Carolina somewhere (and save me some money in the process... heh heh). Just depends when it is and what is going on.

posted by weretable and the undead chairs 06 April | 15:45

I'm a 4-5 hour drive away, so, yeah.

posted by wens 06 April | 15:46

This idea makes me happy. After taking two bar exams in July, I will have a month off and a desperate need for a vacation.

posted by amro 06 April | 15:53

I am too far away. Poop.

posted by Specklet 06 April | 16:00

I'm doing both!

posted by mike9322 06 April | 16:01

Aw, Speck, I'm farther away and I'm going!

posted by matildaben 06 April | 16:13

I'd love to do both, granted that they're not right after one another.

posted by YouCanCallMeAl 06 April | 16:19

Everyone, please put your preferred dates in the wiki next to your name. The Vegas meetup is in September 23-ish. Does anyone know how late decent camping/rafting weather goes in Asheville?

posted by matildaben 06 April | 16:23

Whoa!! Okay!! Asheville meetup! All of this sprang out of me planning on throwing a huge party in June and/or July. I am thinking about any time after June 23 - give me some dates, okay? Amro emailed & said August but I'm concerned that that might bump up against Las Vegas. The garden looks it's best in June/July (by August I've usually given up) and the weather is usually pretty stellar - warm days, cool nights. my birthday is next month on May 4 and y'all could come then too but I know it's late notice

I am thinking big party - this is my annual party where I pretty much invite everyone I've ever met - at my house Friday night, smaller - just bunnies - party Saturday night, either out or at my house again or maybe at Moonbirds. I have room for a few people & room in the backyard for tents; the town is crawling with motels; check out the official tourist website for a quick overview.

Camping/rafting weather is awesome in Asheville from mid May to early October.

posted by mygothlaundry 06 April | 16:33

Aw, Speck, I'm farther away and I'm going!

I ain't gots the money. D'oh!

posted by Specklet 06 April | 16:37

I'm goin'!!! Goodie!

posted by chewatadistance 06 April | 16:52

Oh, I'll convince you, Specklet. Somehow.

posted by cmonkey 06 April | 17:16

Where does one fly when visiting Asheville?

posted by mudpuppie 06 April | 17:38

Well, you can fly to Asheville. I'll probably drive down from the Baltimore/DC area, so anyone who wants could get here and we could get there.

posted by omiewise 06 April | 17:54

ooooh, that'd be cool, if possible, omie.

And I'm going to change my wiki entry, because I'm probably good mid July onwards

posted by gaspode 06 April | 18:02

The problem for West Coast people is that (unlike Vegas) there aren't a lot of cheap flights to the East Coast. That puts a big speed bump in the works for me.

posted by mudpuppie 06 April | 18:07

I'm thinking about flying into Atlanta and driving up with BoringPostcards. Maybe if there's enough of us coming from Atlanta we could rent some kind of minivan or something. My research says it's about 3-4 hours drive (same as Seattle to Portland!)

mgl mentioned some other airport that is cheaper to fly into than Asheville. Unfortunately I cannot find it despite the best efforts of gmail.

How far away is Baltimore? Google Maps says 10 hours.

posted by matildaben 06 April | 18:23

Oh, I'll convince you, Specklet. Somehow.

If only I could shrink down and fit in your pocket...

That would be great, because you could sneak me airline peanuts and tickle my tummy on the flight. Then I could take a nap.

posted by Specklet 06 April | 18:23

Ooh, if I'm on that flight too, could I take you out and play with you somtimes?

posted by matildaben 06 April | 18:24

mudpuppie: since it's summer, we might be able to hop freight trains, if I can get enough time off. Seriously.

That would be great, because you could sneak me airline peanuts and tickle my tummy on the flight. Then I could take a nap.

And you could totally freak out the stewardess when she comes by with the drink trolly!

posted by cmonkey 06 April | 18:28

Freight trains, eh...?

Would I have to pee in a jug?

posted by mudpuppie 06 April | 18:34

Probably not. And we could play songs on a harmonica while sitting on the porch of a grainer, watching the world go speeding by.

posted by cmonkey 06 April | 18:48

Hey, I have a harmonica!

posted by mudpuppie 06 April | 18:53

specklet, if you don't come, I'll cry. For real.

posted by mike9322 06 April | 18:55

Perfect, mudpuppie! Regardless of how you get there, you should bring that to the next meetup we're both at. I can't play, but I sure do like listening to other people play harmonica.

posted by cmonkey 06 April | 18:58

I am thinking about any time after June 23 - give me some dates, okay?

I hereby propose the weekend of July 28th.

And I hope cmonkey and mudpuppie hop freight trains to get there, so my gutless self can live vicariously through them.

posted by amro 06 April | 19:03

This thread is making me so very very happy. But Specklet has to come or I'll be a little sad at the same time. And so does mudpuppie.

posted by matildaben 06 April | 19:05

Cmonkey, I didn't say I could play the harmonica. I said I have one. There's a difference.

posted by mudpuppie 06 April | 19:07

Aww nuts :(

posted by cmonkey 06 April | 19:16

Ooh, if I'm on that flight too, could I take you out and play with you somtimes?

Duh, of course! Wouldn't that be so freakin' cute?!

And you could totally freak out the stewardess when she comes by with the drink trolly!

I could take a freakin' bath in one gin and tonic!

specklet, if you don't come, I'll cry. For real.

See, I don't know if I can let that happen! *wrings hands* Why oh why aren't I freakin' rich? Or pocket-sized?

My mom is coming to visit in July, but I need to get the exact dates from her. Remind me to do this tomorrow...

posted by Specklet 06 April | 19:23

Asheville? I might want some of that.

posted by box 06 April | 19:45

Hmmmm.....how very tempting....

posted by bunnyfire 06 April | 20:01

I suggest Mid-Atlantic (and perhaps further North) carpool/caravaners meet at places along I-81 like Staunton, VA (where 81 meets 64).

If anyone decides to fly into DC to join the roadtrip, I could provide a room for the night. Google maps says it's 10 hours from my place to Asheville, but I find that hard to believe. I used to make it to Johnson City in 6 hours and Asheville is only like 1.5 hours past that.

posted by danostuporstar 06 April | 20:42

Ah, Staunton. My gas and pee break spot during road trips from Virginia Tech back home. rainbaby, I'll pick you up on the way!

posted by mike9322 06 April | 20:59

My mom was born in Staunton, VA.

posted by matildaben 06 April | 21:17

I way prefer North Carolina to Vegas, man. I'm definitely interested. I may even stay!

posted by Lipstick Thespian 06 April | 21:42

Wow, hey... party at my place!! And the Thunder Road motel is literally across the street. Idyllic, it is.

posted by moonbird 06 April | 22:43

Atlanta's much closer to Asheville than DC or Balto. Maybe a better fly-in option.

That reminds me I have to verify a July trip to Toronto - no idea on the dates yet.

posted by chewatadistance 07 April | 01:16

I'll have to choose between Vegas and Asheville.

My status for Asheville is: probable, hotel, carpool interest, anytime.

posted by rainbaby 07 April | 07:28

I'd like to go, but I'm about to quit my job and I don't know what my near future holds. But if I can go, I'll be able to make it down to the MD/DC/VA area, and maybe take someone up on the kind carpooling offers. I don't drive, but I'm extremely useful on road trips. Among other things, I make a mean hand sandwich.

posted by Hugh Janus 07 April | 07:45

It's about 8.5 hours from Baltimore, max, like 7 hours from DC, about 3.5 hours from Atlanta and exactly 12 from NY. The cheaper airport is Greenville/Spartanburg, which is in South Carolina but is only about an hour away from Asheville.

posted by mygothlaundry 07 April | 10:36

Hugh, I could rent a car. I love driving long distances. Otherwise I'll probably train to DC or so and try and pick up a ride with someone.

posted by gaspode 07 April | 10:51

Expedia suggests alternate airports as Greenville (GSP-41 mi), Tri-City (TRI-72 mi), Knoxville (TYS-86 mi), and Charlotte (CLT-91 mi). Any comments on the goodness/badness of any of these alternatives? I'll also add this info to the wiki.

posted by matildaben 07 April | 11:45

I've been trying to edit myself into the wiki with the above info all day. Will someone take pity on me and stick my info up there? Thanks. I am teh lame.

posted by rainbaby 07 April | 14:50

GSP is a decent airport. Small and right on I-85. Probably have to go through some other hub to get there though.

posted by chewatadistance 07 April | 16:26

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