2018 MI Fall mini-meet

[smskeeter23]

So we'd meet you guys at the site... and you will have already made the cool stops and pictures on the way up :(

[MattStrike]

So being that the major consensus is to break this drive up into two days, I've updated the map to be a little more scenic:
https://goo.gl/maps/UEbg7aP7K7u

[smskeeter23]

So which side is the most scenic? West along Lake Michigan or the East side towards Detroit?

[MattStrike]

I can't speak to that, but I expect the west side to be better (tunnel of trees), though I hear that the east side is just as good.

[MattStrike]

The first prediction is in:

http://k1025.com/2018-michigan-fall-fol ... edictions/

TLDR October 6th will mark the beginning of the peak colors for northern MI, and will be be done by the 19th.

So fair to say, tentatively plan on 12-14th of October for this event. I'll keep watch for any updates, I would need to finalize the date by mid September to make sure I get the time off.

[gweg_b]

Those dates, if they hold, would be perfect. The week before, my boss is going on vacation, and is not thrilled with the idea of me taking time off again while he's gone (as this happened in June). So, hopefully this holds out.

[MattStrike]

Latest:
https://www.mlive.com/weather/index.ssf ... _in_1.html

http://rivergrandrapids.com/when-to-see ... n-in-2018/


I will finalize the dates on September 17th. For now, Northern MI is on track for the weekend of 12-14.

In the meantime, I need to figure out how I'm going to get a supercharged car running in time for this event!

[MattStrike]

I'm locking in the weekend of the 12-14th. I put my time off in.

We are working out logistics (baby-sitter and dog-sitter) still. Either way we will make this a Friday-Saturday-Sunday event, just have to hash out the route to work around our schedule.

One alternate option is to meet up at my place Friday for beer and chili and bonfire, cruise the route up Saturday and back Sunday.

[gweg_b]

Just put my time in. I wanted to also take that Monday off, but we have a staff development day, and I can't get approval for that.

Now assuming I can get my brakes done, there should be nothing stopping me from doing this.

[MattStrike]

I posted in the FB group as well:

Baby sitter situation is worked out. My current plan is leave my house early Friday to our meetup point in SW Michigan (exact location up for debate). We could work in a lunch and depart by noon. That puts us at what appears to be a good photo opp after the tunnel of trees about an hour before sunset.

Need to figure out who all needs to come out Thursday evening, I can work out a location for us to stay in SW MI that night if necessary, though my personal arrival time to that would be around 1am. Alternately, those who need it could stay the night at my place and drive over in the morning when I do.

As far as camping goes, there are two KOA sites, one on either side of the bridge. North of the bridge looks like it runs about $26 for two adults and no hookup that night, and $32 if you want electricity. The one south of the bridge only has sites with electricity and the rate is $40 for that night. It costs $4 to cross the bridge, so kindof a wash unless people don't need electricity. If there's no preference, I'm planning to call up the St. Ignace one and make sure we can get a block of sites in the same area.

[bs009]

No preference on campsites myself. There's no way I'm not driving across that bridge though so the toll is going to happen either way for me.

The Grand Prix should be the car I take for this. It's getting rear discs right now and a 3.73 rear end that'll be in it by the time this happens. Just need to fix the valve stem seals and it should be good to go!