DFW Caravan To Barn Raising II
 

For the first time in several years, it's time once again to make the trek to Bowling Green, Kentucky for Barn Raising II. :hurray:

Several folks have said that they would be interested in caravanning to the event as we have done in years past. Since most if not all are heading up on Wednesday, here are a few options:

We can meet at a predetermined rendezvous point early Wednesday morning and drive from there.

Another option...one that several of us chose for Cruise-In X...was to stay Tuesday night at a hotel in Rockwall (I think it was a La Quinta Inn) and leave from there on Wednesday morning. This allowed us to get a little more sleep, avoid the DFW morning rush hour traffic, get some breakfast and still leave early enough to arrive in Bowling Green at a decent hour. It does add another night of hotel stay, but as I recall it saved a lot of wear and tear on those who came from Fort Worth area and points west which tacks on at least another hour to the drive. Those from the Dallas area (e.g. Kevin, Liz, etc.) can either stay at the hotel or opt to meet us in the morning since they wouldn't have to drive as far.

All that said...either way is fine. We should just come to a consensus.

For expediency's sake, we should probably follow the usual route: Interstate 30 through Texarkana to Little Rock, then getting on Interstate 40 through Memphis to Nashville, then jumping on Interstate 65 north to Bowling Green.

A few things you might want to bring:
1) Radios. If you have a walkie-talkie, bring it so we can communicate.
2) A can of fix-a-flat. Take it from me...the pucker factor of having a flat in the middle of BFE can be debilitating. :ack:
3) Snacks. Cause everyone loves snacks.
4) Car charger for your cell. It's a long day. And we talk a lot.

One more thing: If you know anyone who's going from the Houston area, they can meet us in Memphis and join up (I'm going to assume they would come I-20 east then I-55 north to Memphis). Just point them to this thread.

Feel free to point others to this thread who might want to join us along the way (Arkansas, Tennessee, etc.).

Allright...Discuss... :bigears:

I wish I could join ya'll..but Karen and I are flying into and out of Atlanta and driving up. My little sister decided memorial weekend would be a good time to get married. :banghead:

There's a La Quinta and an Hampton Inn (Hilton Points) within a block of each other in Rockwall.

Torch Red Tim, NikiQ and I were discussing the route and are thinking about heading north on I-55 west to Memphis and routing through Union City. Just something different after the ass-whupping of I-30 / I-40 through Arkansas. :lilred:

:yesnod: The Parkways through Kentucky is a nice drive vs Interstate through Memphis and Nashville.

I'll be cool with whatever route and meeting place y'all want to do. I'll ask for Tuesday off.

We agree 100%. Let's just get this show on the road...:seasix:

I'll have to make a detour to Nashville to the Airport.

OK...several of us are going to meet on Tuesday evening and spend the night in Rockwall. As I recall, we stayed at La Quinta last time (which was fine...they have free brekkie too) but hotel choices are up to everyone.

Dallas peeps: Your choice as to whether you'd like to spend the night in Rockwall or meet us in the morning.

We'll shove off early Wednesday morning when everyone is ready. :yesnod:

Wendy: You can break off from the rest of us in Memphis and head east to the airport in Nashville.

Karin: You're kinda stuck being in Baton Rouge. I wouldn't suggest driving all the way back to Dallas. You could take I-20 east to I-55, then drive north on I-55 and meet us in Memphis on Wednesday afternoon and we can all go from there. Or if you have a way to get to Little Rock that would work too. Just let us know how you'd like to work it. :cert:


PLEASE LET DIXIEVETTE KNOW THAT YOU WILL BE ARRIVING LATE SO HE CAN SAVE FOOD FOR YOU!

I'll have a chat with the Buck family and see what they want to do. I'll let you know. It's only @ 6 hours to Memphis for me. What's the drive time from Memphis to BG like?

My dad likes the memphis idea. I believe it will be me, buck sr, and you Beadist.

Sounds good. I'm 40 minutes from 55, I can meet you in Hammond and it's a straight shot from there. Ask Buck Sr. what the drive time is from Memphis to BG. Just curious.

I have another option available to me. I could leave Tuesday, spent the night with my uncle in Nashville and then get to BG nice and early on Wed. I have the time.

BRI was so much fun. I got to meet so many people. Wish I could make it to BRII. Maybe BRIII....

If we were to go straight up I-65 it's pretty easy. However, Torch Red Tim who is from that area, is going to take us on a somewhat more scenic route. I believe it goes through the mountains and/or forests. Wide open parkways with little traffic on them. It's supposed to be beautiful and should only take us a bit longer.

Oh, that sounds nice :yesnod: I'll follow Joebuck Sr. on whatever route he decides to take.:dance:

my dad likes the idea of going though the mountains, but I am not sure my parents are going to be able to leave early now because of my mothers job.

We'll figure it out.

Would love to meet up in Arkansas, but not sure if we can leave Tuesday night to make it up there. We were planning leaving Houston Wednesday morning, I don't even know if anyone else from Houston is going to BR. Will talk it over tonight to see what we can swing.

worse comes to worse ill leave early

Mr. Hole and Stangkiller and their S/O's are going, but I know that Chris and Karen are flying in.

For those that might want to link up along the way, I'm putting down a few estimates of when we'll roll through major cities. Keep in mind that these are ESTIMATES based on a "best case scenario." A lot depends on the speed we drive (I'm using an average of 75MPH), any traffic we may encounter, stops for gas, etc. My guess is that we will leave Rockwall, Texas at around 7AM, but again that is subject to change.

Rockwall to Texarkana = 150 miles = 2 hours. Should pass through around 9:00AM or so.

Texarkana to Little Rock = 145 miles = 2 hours. Should arrive there around 11:00 and a possible stop for lunch (add an hour).

Little Rock to Memphis = 135 miles = 2 hours. Should pass through Memphis around 2PM.

Memphis to Nashville = 214 miles = 3 hours. Should be through Nashville at around 5PM.

From Nashville to Bowling Green: The "standard route" up I-65 is another hour with arrival in Bowling Green at 6PM. Some folks are going to veer off and take a scenic route up through Union City, TN. I have no idea how much that will add to the trip. One of our party will be going to the airport in Nashville.

I'm sure several of us will make our cell numbers available so we can be contacted on the road. :cert: