I may be driving alone from Boston to central Florida on the weekend of 12 June.
If this happens, I expect to spend Saturday night in Virginia, possibly in the Fredericksburg area where HarnCon III (?) was held, or maybe dinner there and press southward some more before turning in.
I can pass through Gainesville around suppertime on Sunday before arriving late in Lady Lake, FL.
I'd be glad to meet up with fellow Harniacs along my route. I am willing to adjust my trajectory within a fairly wide range.

The whole thing might not happen, but right now it looks likely.
john

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Heroes should be uncommon. They just happen to be the PCs.

On June 12 I will be hosting an annual Crawfish Boil and Barbecue just off 287 in NJ. PM me if you want specifics.

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Any sufficiently analyzed magic is indistinguishable from SCIENCE! -- Agatha Heterodyne

John, I live north of Fredricksburg and Ken Snellings in the Fredricksburg area, maybe we could all hook up for a dinner. Does that sound possible?

Maybe I can do lunch in NJ and supper in Fredericksburg.
Right now my plan is to listen to 11 hours of operas on Day 1, and 14 hours on Day 2 (Wagner's Ring Cycle end-to-end in a single day!). The most direct route is only something like 21 hours, so I need to take a somewhat more circuitous route.
I-287 helps, and I am sure the Washington Beltway will do its part...

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Heroes should be uncommon. They just happen to be the PCs.

Get the Solti version. Still the best IMNSHO.

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The Melderyn Campaign

I've got Solti's Die Walkure and Gotterdammerung, Levine's Das Rheingold and some x for Siegfried. It will have to do. I could get Boulez's Gotterdammerung at my public library. Are you willing to lend Sir George for a weekend?

Fredericksburg is not yet a sure thing, but Harper's Ferry could happen. Savannah and Gainesville are possible, too, but all pend invites from local Harniacs.
Rob, of course, I will drive any distance for, and Nichola too, except maybe he'll be too busy with a social event to have time for a Harniac-level confabulation.

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Heroes should be uncommon. They just happen to be the PCs.

No no no no no!

Let's talk. I can lend you Das Rheingold and Siegfried from Solti. How can you let Siegfried go slumming? Crikey, John, that's what Wagner did for the better part of a decade.

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The Melderyn Campaign

Assuming a lunchtime arrival, I will most likely be handling the onerous duty of drinking beer and watching the ribs smoke - hey, someone has to do it.

Crawfish and the better foods probably won't be ready until mid-afternoon, at which point I will be much busier. In any case, you are welcome to stop by any time after 10 AM or so and stay as long as you want.

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Any sufficiently analyzed magic is indistinguishable from SCIENCE! -- Agatha Heterodyne

It's a sure thing now.
My plan is to depart Worcester, MA around noon on Saturday the 12th, arriving in Fredericksburg or the vicinity around 10pm or later depending how long I tarry at Chez Nichola if that works out.
(How bad is the Beltway on a Saturday night?)
On Sunday I plan to depart Fredericksburg early (7am) and drive through for 14 hours to Gainesville and then Lady Lake, FL.
Naturally, meeting with Harniacs along the way is always of interest and I will gladly modify my route as needed.

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Heroes should be uncommon. They just happen to be the PCs.

The DC Beltway is bad any time of day.... That said, evenings should be okay, southbound I95 towards Fredricksburg is bad during daylight/early evening hours on Saturdays, Route 1 is moves better but has tons of traffic lights. If you stick with your plans, you should be okay John. As a local here, I know when to avoid I95. I'll PM you with my tel numbers a bit later in case you wish to stop earlier or to meet. If you like steaks, I know a great place....

I've booked my hotel - an EconoLodge in Fredericksburg, near Fredericksburg Battlefield. I hope the ghosts don't keep me awake!

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Heroes should be uncommon. They just happen to be the PCs.

Well, they were only intermittently noisy during the night. You should be fine.

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The Melderyn Campaign

It looks like I'll be passing through Knoxville and Chattanooga, TN en route to FL. I-95 would get me there way too early.
I note that I-75 in GA is supposed to be a "high law enforcement area" ...

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Heroes should be uncommon. They just happen to be the PCs.

Still looking towards the meeting John. Should be good.

I've driven from here in New Hampshire down to Charlottesville, Virginia a couple times and I've learned one thing that might make your journey a bit more enjoyable (or less aggravating). I-95 would be the first choice of many for your trip from Boston. I would recommend against it. Take the Pike to Worcester and hook up with 84 all the way to Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. There you take Route 81 (I don't recall the highway but its an interstate). This highway pretty much follows the Appalachian Mtns south-southwest but on the west side of the mountains. The I-95 path takes you through major metropolitan area after major metropolitan area. The chances of hitting nasty traffic is significant. The western passage is a bit longer but the risks are greatly reduced and it's definitely a more pleasant ride. There are many major highways that bring you east again to the coast to choose from. Route 64 (iirc) in southern, western Virginia is a nice one as you are past the Richmond, DC, Baltimore, Philly, NYC glob.

Just a thought

My plan is to stay west, via Harrisburg PA, overnight in Fredericksburg VA, then on to Chattanooga before turning south thru Atlanta and Gainesville to The Villages, FL.
I have driven the northeast corridor stretch of I-95 and you're right, it's not fun.

Where in NH? I drive through NH frequently, to Portsmouth, Concord, Keene, Lebanon, Conway, and even Littleton and Pittsburg.

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Heroes should be uncommon. They just happen to be the PCs.

I-95, the highway to hell...

An unwelcome element of risk has intruded upon my plan.
For the last 8 months or so I have had trouble with a nerve in my neck. I had a nerve-blocker procedure from a pain doctor, and then a lot of physical therapy to unwind muscles that had gotten all wound up from that constantly-firing nerve.
I was feeling fine for some months, but...for the last few days, I have felt the old pain again. I think the nerve-blocker may no longer be effective (AFAIK it doesn't "wear off", the nerve grows new branches or somesuch). I see the MD on Tuesday. If I need another procedure, then I cannot drive to Florida this weekend.

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Heroes should be uncommon. They just happen to be the PCs.

I need the procedure. I get it a on Wednesday, the 16th. I won't be driving to Florida or VA or anywhere more than an hour from home until the 17th.
I am not too proud to accept best wishes for a procedure so near the spinal column.
As for those I had hoped to meet along the way - we can do it another time. I'd still love to chat with you all.

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Heroes should be uncommon. They just happen to be the PCs.

Ooh - sorry to hear that, John, it's news that sucks. I hope the fix goes well, and wish you a swift and complete recovery!

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Balesir
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- Eschew Obfuscation!

Sorry to hear about your pain John.
I hope all goes well.

Anborn

Best wishes John! Sorry for the unwelcome intrusion - I know how much you were looking forward to the trip.

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The Melderyn Campaign

Good luck John!

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Ok, let me get this straight. These guys come in, trash the place, slap Agrik & Larani around, and the most intelligible thing they said was "Zog!"?

Best of luck John. Hope everything works out well for you. Over the past week, I've have my own medical "issues". I will now say the two words that will make all knowledgeable men shudder...


Kidney stones



According to a nurse (female type), it's the closest men come to the pain of childbirth. It's agony....and hit me 3 times over four days. Hopefully, all over with, at least for now.

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Leitchy
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OUCH Peter! Hope you feel better too.