Texas Meet

Shall we start a new Texas Meet Thread to discuss dates ans places?

(Copied form “For those in and around Houston, TX” in OT) Yes, good idea. I’ll start one

For those who haven’t been following the OT thread, I believe the decision has been made to meet in Austin, though the time is still up for grabs. Here are the Dave’s suggests for places to meet:

Dave & Buster's - The new meet discussion arose from an arcade game post, so the D&B in North Austin has lots of parking, video games, food and drink. We can reserve a table and gather in the lot to show off our systems.

Lake - An idea excellent, IMHO! Emma Long Park on Lake Austin is nice. The have a pavillion we can reserve (need to check on any fees) bbq grills, I can create some BBQ at home to bring as well, and last time I was drunk at the park, there was no problem with bringing alcoholic beverages and there is the lake and plenty of room for frisbee etc. And the lake has BIG BASS in it so I'm there with my bass boat!

Or we can try for closer to downtown if an evening on Sixth Street is a popular idea.

As for my preferences, D&B is always fun (though I don’t drink), and BBQ seems appropriate for a Texas meet if we go the lake route

Mark me down as a maybe.

Mark me down as a yes, I like driving to Austin One day I just need to not drive back to Houston.

Well I guess I am in, and for me the lake will be the best option, as there are D&B everywhere.

Dave - If you need some cash from us to help ease the fees for anything you need to reserve then let us know. And if you need help organising something then I don't mind doing my bit.

Oh, and as for dates, anytime but the weeks either side of when I am getting married (12th July) should be fine.

I should mention that I should probably not be the person in charge of this, as I don't live in Austin and have terrible organizational skills. That being said, I'd love for this to happen (I've been feeling left out of all the other meets ) and will do whatever I can.

OK I did some checking for the lake/park thing. Apparently you need to request reservations 7 MONTHS IN ADVANCE for the facilities. I can however, get a hold of a buddy that is very good friends of the park manager at Emma Long Park. He may be able to help me out there. While there are plenty of picnic sites, the pavillions need reservations, and in TX in the spring, you know what can happen... Rain, lots of it, all at once...

So I'll start a poll for dates and then we'll see what's available for our use.

Austin, TX Meet - Pick your #1 choice of date
May 10-11
May 17-18 davec unavailable 17th
May 24-25 (Memorial Day weekend not a good weekend for the lake)
May 31-June 1 davec unavailable June 1
June 7-8
June 14-15
June 21-22
June 28-29 davec unavailable on 28th
July 5-6 (Independence Day, not a good weekend for the lake, again)
July 12-13 davec unavailable on 12th
July 19-20
July 26-27

The dates I list myself unavailable are to influence people to not pick that weeknd so it'd be easier for me to get stuff organized. The last meet we tried never developed, but I'd like to get this one to happen before it gets too dang HOT! Plus we need to nail down Saturday or Sunday

I pretty much assumed the lake locale, since it is nice down there and the springtime on Lake Austin is wonderful. Lots of room to run around and play frisbee, lounge around or enjoy the lake. And from commects so far, it seems more popular than D&B's... Of course other options will be considered.

Personally June 7-8 or June 14-15 is best for me.

As for Saturday or Sunday, I MUCH prefer Saturday. I lead music both on Sunday mornings and evenings for my church, so it makes it very difficult for me to plan stuff for Sundays. However, I can take a week off if necessary.

BTW, the lake sounds like a really great idea; I hope it works out. And as was mentioned before, let us know of any upfront costs so we can help you cover them.

Uh, Rob, uh, don't you live in N.Y.?
Bit of a long drive isn't it?
I figured we might get some "foreigners" (Okies & Cajuns), but heck, I guess even Yankees are welcome
Y'all come on down!

BTW Dave: that's exactly the place I was thinking about when I suggested "by the lake". I just didn't remember WTH that park was called. It HAS been 20(!) years since my three great wasted years at UT.

Yeah we'll let the Yankees in, but we're gonna keep an eye on y'alls...

BTW Emma Long Park (aka City Park) has 6.5 miles of mountain bike/motorcycle trails as well as 2.5 miles of hiking trails, too. It's really a gem in the city. But they do say that Austin is a city within a park...

Here's some info links:
PDF of Park Facilities
A map from City of Austin (not real good, I've seen better)
Bike trail review
More trail info

Mmm.. now, if this were held near Fredericksburg, I might even show up.. Enchanted Rock is right near there. But t'would be too hot in the summer, so I suppose not.

Cheers

Wouldn't be much of a challenge for a Rocker like you, would it? IIRC you can walk right up it!

Well I voted 14-15th June, but as I said before, pretty much any dates are OK.

On the other hand it would take my mind off the fact that I am not at Le Mans if the meet does happen that weekend. As for Saturday or Sunday, I don't mind as I don't have any major commitments on either day.

It's steeper on the back side, and their's lots of fun stuff on the smaller domes in the area, too!

[Emily Litella]Oh, that's different. Never mind[/Emily Litella]

Uh, Rob, uh, don't you live in N.Y.?

My new years resolution was to go to every empeg meet in 2003. So far, I think I'm covered.

I'm definitely game for a Texas meet. Austin would seem the logical "in the middle" destination. One possibility I haven't heard mentioned is Hippie Hollow. While not everybody might be interested in having the first ever Live Nude Empeg Meeting , they do have a nice parking lot and a pleasant lake. Alternatively, we could meet up at the Salt Lick, even if it is out in the middle of nowhere. Mmm... barbeque....

Personally, I'm travelling on business for almost the entire month of May (*sigh*), but most of June and July work just fine for me. I've driven to Austin plenty of times. I usually budget 2.5 - 3 hours to get there from Houston, mostly depending on traffic on the end-points rather than in the middle. Given the heat, we might want to save the obligatory "playing with each other's car stereos" session until after sundown.

Don't know how I missed this one!
Count me in, I am only up the road in Round Rock

Count me in. I live in Austin which doesn't give me the excuse that it's too far to drive. My suggestion is to go with a park or the lake idea since that leaves us nearer our cars and beloved empegs... City park is nice. I keep a frisbee (for no-wind days) and a kite (for windy days) in my car at all times, so I'm set

--pj
30GB Empeg Mk2 in a 2002 Honda Insight

Unless it comes during the week of our family vacation to Canada, (mid June) I will definitely be there. I have not been able to go to any of the meets yet. This is the first one even remotely close to Houston.

If I got my empeg finally installed by then, I'll try to make it.

If I got my empeg finally installed by then, I'll try to make it.

Not a requirement, in fact you may get some ideas looking at everyone else's installs... The more the merrier!!!

Any word yet on whether we can bribe our way into a pavillion? It looks like the popular favorite weekend so far is 6/14-15.

Yeah, I am an Okie that will definatly try and make it since I do not forsee an Oklahoma meet. I think there may be a grand total of three of us. But I am not really sure. This is assuming my new car is in of course.

Okie huh? Where from generally? I may attend this meet if I can fuse it with a trip home to see the family...

Haven't been able to get a hold of the right folks yet...

It looks like the popular favorite weekend so far is 6/14-15.

I have to be in Oregon that weekend. Any other weekend in June or July would be fine for me...

I am from and live in Oklahoma City

I'm down. Don't hit the forum much here, but just noticed this.

I live in Austin, so it's just a matter of me waking up

I'd definitely 2nd The Salt Lick.

Mmm... barbeque.... Very good barbeque.
http://www.saltlickbbq.net/

What's the word guys? I'm driving down from Oklahoma for this one... I'd like to combine it with business if possible.

Yes, I'd like some more info too. My wife really wants me to firm up a date.

/me tries not to think about that out of context...

I wasn't going to say it.

- trs

lol...me neither.

speaking of Austin, I live here and just voted for June 14-15. I have a 2001 Audi A6 2.7T that i just put my 20gb mk2a into - with 2 problems. the tuner doesn't work and it doesn't go into standby when i turn it off. i've been through all the faqs and consulted with others in the forum, but it's still not working. anyone in austin who has a tuner i could test with would earn themselves a free copy of my 10+GB of punk and alternative music! any takers?

I've got the 2001 A4 and I'll tell you what I ended up doing...

The tuner, initially, didn't work. This has to do with the original radio powering the antenna. You need to go by audio dimensions or custom sounds and pick up an antenna adapter, make sure it's the adapter with a red wire coming off the side ... this means it will accept power from the blue antenna line coming off the empeg.

As for standby when removing the ignition, mine will sometimes stay on for about 5 or 6 seconds after i turn off the ignition, but then it goes into standby. If yours does not, I would investigate the wiring. My guess is that the ignition and battery leads are swapped from the harness.

Greg

Long as we don't have any brazen Sooners, I don't care how many Okies come ... we can talk slow for you.



Greg

Greg, thanks for the reply. i do in fact have the adapter you are referring to, but it made no difference. i have the little cable (blue in my case) hooked up to the 12v power connection (tried both constant and ignition sense). I will try hooking it up to the blue wire you mention - i didn't use the extension cable (to keep my wires to a minimum) so that wire isn't present. regardless, i was providing power, so it should have worked. interestingly, when it did work, i had decent reception with no antenna plugged in and even better with just the antenna adapter plugged in (but no power applied, and not actually connected to the antenna - just sort of hanging there).
see my threads at http://empeg.comms.net/php/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=empeg_tech&Number=156887&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart= about the tuner and http://empeg.comms.net/php/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=install&Number=156884&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart= about the standby issue.

my problem in standby is not that it stays on, but that it cuts off completely. the wiring harness was reversed - but i fixed that. are you in austin?

I'm in Dallas now, unfortunately. I miss Austin so very very much.

The room in the dash is so tight that my tuner module was crammed in there against the antenna adapter. I had to pull it out and readjust it a number of times in order to maintain a decent connection on it. Don't know if you're having space issues like I was.

Off topic, what did you use for a fascia for your empeg? If I remember right, your dash opening is the same as mine. I ended up having to custom build one out of MDF then cover it in vinyl .. what a pain in the butt.

Greb

Relatively speaking, Austin isn't that far from Fredricksburg. I think it's only an hour drive or so.

But, naturally, you can say anything you want as long as you throw in the phrase "relatively speaking". See examples:

"All Bush Presidents are Fascists, ... relatively speaking."

"Margaret Thatcher is soooo hot, ... relatively speaking."

Greg

i'm testing mine out of the dash, so space isn't an issue at this time. for the external fascia, i bought one online...don't have the company's name right now, but when i get all my problems solved, i'll post all the details, including pics. i attached one here of the finished product

FYI, here's what my adapter looks like. From what I understand, this is the only one appropriate for newer Audis.

http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/images/catalogue/acc/autpc552.jpg

yep - mine is the same, but the wire is blue (still +12v). i think i've now concluded the tuner module is bad. this morning for example, it worked, then over the course of about 30 seconds the signal went from great to good to bad to nonexistent - all while i was doing nothing but staring at it.

Is this an Empeg tuner or one of Patrick's?

Greg

straight from Rio, bought in the fire sale...

Well dates for reserving space are scare at City Park. The only date available in June is the 28th, and I have more than one thing on my schedule already that day. A small non-reserved space gathering can be done at City Park, I can get there early to get space/tables if need be. I think what we may want to do is plan for a larger, more organized 2004 meet and just get a sort of impromptu gathering this summer. What does everyone think?

Personally I would go for c) all of the above... Let's just name a restaurant and a date for anyone who wants to go this year and then start planning the 2004. We could even use the 2003 to plan the the 2004.

Personally I would go for c) all of the above

Agreed! I'm tired of missing out on all of the fun.

I am with everyone else so far, lets just get something happening and worry about a big organised event next year

So have we given up on this, or does someone from Austin just want to pick a resturant and time?

I haven't given up, it's just I'm not from Austin

I could pick a resturant and time if you want, although as I have never been there it may end up being a little north of Austin (around 200 miles actually)

Sorry, couldn't resist.

200 miles north of Austin wouldn't hurt my feelings any.... if Austin falls through.

If Austin falls through, it could always be in San Antonio.

I realise San Antonio's not exactly convenient for most of Texas, but hey, I can throw it out there, right?

-Magnus

OK, reading back through the thread, Saturday the 14th June was the most popular in the vote, but DWallach cannot make that. The following week only got 1 vote, but is there anyone UNABLE to make Saturday 21st June in Austin??

If no-one objects I say we set that date, then worry about the exact location in the next few days, that still gives us time to get a booking in at some resturant and those who are travelling from further afield time to get travel arangements made.

So anyone with me????

Heh, I already tried for SA in the orininating thread. Kind of a far drive for those Dallas people though.

Just to throw something out there let's do Austin on June 14th at noon. I'm totally making this up to get something out here, so if anyone has a better suggestion for a time please chime in. I don't know about resturants in Austin, the only one I've eaten at is "Texas Land and Cattle", and you can get that a lot of different places. So again, if anyone has any ideas let's get this rolling. If it doesn't happen, then Magnus and I can just have lunch in SA!

Ah, you beat my post. 21st is fine with me.

You have a PM

If I could get there I would but I'll suggest anyway,

Artz Rib House
Stubb's
Pappasitos
Baby Acapulco's (good drinks but maybe not the best while handling your empeg)
The Oasis (bit of a tourist trap but good photo ops)

Here's some suggestions:

Green Mesquite
El Sol Y La Luna
County Line
Dirty's (AKA Martin's Kumback Place) (Best Grease Burgers)
Sholz's Bier Garten
Anyplace near an Amy's Ice Cream

g

I would have to add my 2c for the Oasis.
It has very good parking, especially in the far lot, is a big place so seating is no problem either.
Parking is a big problem for Baby A's or Stubbs, Pappasitos is OK parking I suppose.
The food is a better at Pappasitos, but the views at Oasis are pretty cool.

This is terrible...I went to college in Austin, but tore out of there soon after for cooler temperatures in Colorado. I wish I could make it to the meet...

21st works for me...

[aol mode]
ME TOO!!!
[/aol mode]

Ok, since the 21st seems cool, The Oasis seems like a place that could work. Someone mentioned a far parking lot that might be reserved for the competitions?

All right then, I'm going to speak with Chimaera tonight and we're going to get some of the details solidified. This means if you have anything else to add now’s the time to do it!

If you need my help for anything, let me know...

All right, then. I've been speaking with Chimaera trying to nail down some specifics and here's what we have:

12:00 on June 21st at the Oasis (if we can get a room).

Dave's going to check on availability at the Oasis, but I need a headcount, so I'm going put a poll in. Also, Chimaera was thinking some people might be interested in doing dinner as well as lunch so I figured I gauge the interest. My plan is for this to be a low hassle affair with a very loose itinerary (where we can plan a more developed meet next year). Still, it'd be best if we could reserve an accurate space, so here's the poll (I included options for two people in case you're bringing a better half):

Texas Meet Head Count
1 person, lunch only
2 people, lunch only
1 person, lunch & dinner
2 people, lunch & dinner

I will likely be bringing our brat^H^H^H^H cute and loveable young son as well, but he only needs a highchair.
I guess staying for dinner would depend on how well the small child holds out.
So I put 2 for lunch.

The Oasis doesn't do reservations, but I did get on the "Call Ahead" list where we will get seated ahead of others when the entire party arrives. She said that weekends aren't too busy for lunch, dinner time is when the crowds set in for the sunset views from the decks.

Some other things she mentioned:

They don't do seperate checks, and there is a 15% gratuity, so we'll need an empeg with hijack installed for the calculator.... I also told her it would be individual meals, no catered function.
I requested outside seating, non-smoking, hope that's cool with everyone. If not I can probably change it. I think the decks are shaded enough that it wouldn't be miserable and it is in the early part of the day so heat shouldn't be too bad then. Plus it overlooks the main lake part on Travis, lots of sailboats on weekends out there.

Let me know if we need to reconsider outside/inside seating. (They have no "rooms" to reserve unless, I assume, you are getting a catered event. Then they probably charge for the room too.)

So hoping for cooler but still sort of dry weather for the 21st at noon, I think we could probably start gathering in the lot at 11AM-ish and move inside for food and fun then back out to the lot for showin' off the empegs and their sled holders...

So we are on the Call Ahead list for up to 20 people oin June 21st at noon. (Start gathering at 11AM-ish)
Does this sound like a plan?

PS I need ot go drive out there to get accurate directions, the one's on the Net don't place it accurately.

Well, I'm trying to make it but at this point it doesn't seem like it's going to happen. Cheapest flight I can get is around $500 and in this economy it doesn't sound like a good thing to blow that much money.

Still put me down as a "maybe." I'd hate to break my new years resolution.

Still put me down as a "maybe." I'd hate to break my new years resolution.

I told them up to 20, I think we had 12 on the poll, so there's room. It'd be cool if you make it, I have a spare room at hte house if you need a place to crash. I'm about 15-20 minutes from the Oasis 30-45 from the airport.

I think we may be able to take this opportunity to start planning on a larger gathering for 2004...

Excellent work Dave. Thanks for checking this all out and making the reservation (er . . . "call ahead"). I hope we can get a good gang out there.

Cheapest flight I can get is around $500

Rob, have you checked flying into Houston or Dallas and then riding up with someone else? I'm not sure about airports in Austin, but I know Dallas and Houston serves as hubs for some airlines (and could potentially be cheaper). It'd end up making for a two hour drive after you land, but a New Year's Resolution means some sacrifice might be in order.

I should also add Rob, if you can't get a flight out I wouldn't feel too bad about missing this one, as it's going to be pretty informal anyway. Now next year . . .

Rob,

I have a couple of spare rooms, so could put you up for a while if you want to take some extra time in Dallas, as for the flights, there is DFW and Love Field in Dallas, neither of which are a problem to pick a visitor up from

Orbitz have flights between LGA and DFW on Northwest for $254 on that weekend (Friday to Monday) with what looks like a reasonable choice of times, still economy, but half the price.

Thanks for the room offers guys. I would probably stay at a hotel anyway (no offense).

Coming into DFW was an option, but it gets a bit pricey for the flights I want to be on. I will keep looking. At this point I'd say I've got a 50-50 chance of being there.

No problem, and no offense taken.

If you do end up coming into DFW and need a lift, to or from the airport or the meet let me know and we can arrange something.

Ok I actually found the website for the Oasis, and I drove by on the way home, PLENTY of parking for us in the lot across the street. The website should answer most questions on how to get there, etc.

I think I'll plan on getting there before 11AM, probably with boat in tow from Lake Austin, so look for the BIG black Dodge RAM with the pretty white/black boat hooked on the back. If the boat isn't on it, you still can't miss the truck, it's got a large Triton Boats decal on the back window.

Yeah, that far parking lot is pretty large, eve with the restaurant packed it doesn't get full.
It is well worth staying for sunset as well, it is probably the only time the place is quiet Most folks to shut up and stare, then they ring a bell to declare the sun 'down' and the place goes back to its noisy self.
How do I know this? I came to Austin as a tourist 13 or 14 years ago, some things don't change.

Is this meet still happening? I think I can make it.

Yes, as far as I know we're going to do it. I hope to see you there!

I'll be there, and hopefully not the only one there!

I'll be there...

It's official. I will be there.

If anyone wants to swap cell numbers, send me a PM.

Rob,

Will you be able to have any of the black sleds there?

Thanks,

If I have them ready (and I should be able to), I will definitely bring some.

I will be there too,

Both me and my better half as well as our pint size will be there

90% likely, I'll be there as well.