NY/NJ/CT empeg meet planning

Myself and a friend have been talking about getting a meet going for the past week or two. We've picked out a couple places and are trying to get a meet together for a late March 2003 weekend morning/afternoon.

We have narrowed it down to 4 places. If you are thinking of attending, reply with what you think would be the better venue.

1. Fiesta Cancun Mexican Restaurant: In my home town, this mexican resaurant is packed every night, so they have a large parking lot. But, during lunch, the place is not busy so we would have a large lot to park and show off our installs. There is also outdoor dining and a pretty nice view of the Hudson River.
2. Palisades Center Mall: The 2nd largest mall in the country a year or two ago, this place has a good meeting place (I think). There is an aux. lot that is rarely used. We could all meet in there and then walk to the mall for lunch at Chili's, TGIFriday's, or something like that. The mall is right off I-287 (exit 13) in Nyack, NY.
3. Nanuet Mall: This mall was being put out of business by the Palisades Center, but it making a comeback. They have a lot of parking since they have much fewer customers now. Ruby Tuesday would be the lunch choice. This is probably a better place to meet than Palisades Center due to less traffic.
4. Anthony Wayne Rec. Area: This place is basically a big parking lot. It is on the border of Rockland and Orange Counties off the Palisades Parkway (exit 17).

That's what we've got so far. I think Fiesta Cancun is the best plan mainly because I would kill for a Combo #3 right now. If you think you may want to attend, please reply to this thread for now. I will see about putting something more official up on riocar.org as we get closer.

I'll put my vote in for Fiesta Cancun.

Only if there is a nearby Geocache.

Only if there is a nearby Geocache.

I don't know about walking distance, but there are quite a few around Stony Point.

That's unfortunate timing, we were just in NYC last week.

Rob

Hmm...how far is this from Niagra Falls?

A mere 7 or 8 hours on the QEW and the thruway and you're here!

Maybe at the speed limit (and it still sounds a bit high)

I live In Brooklyn, New York City.
It's ashame is getting cold!

Rob,

Glad you spoke up on the mid-north-east meet idea. If I had any guts, I'd try to plan it, but I'll leave that for the pros. Anyway, I'm there whenever it will be.

Regarding location, do you think we could make it a multi-day event (like I was led to believe the recent Ohio meet was)? Though I'll do the day trip because I'm close, some people might want to make it a more substantial stay to justify their potentially long drives (though I'm sure they won't MIND the drive thanks to the empeg).

There are plenty of nice camping-type places in NJ and outside of NYC. No, there is probably not much civilization around them to get food and stuff (and probably not too many geocaches either, sorry). It's just an idea that I'm tossing out.

Or maybe we could take over the residence of a local empeger. That would never fly with my house (though I'd love to do it) because I'm too paranoid, but that would be a nice homey kinda thing. Well, unless we have 50 people come to the meet, that is.

Well, I'll keep an eye out for ideas for a meet (and maybe an extended meet). Oh, and I VOTE FRISBEE to be played!

like I was led to believe the recent Ohio meet was

The Ohio meet was multi-day. I don't know of anything like Hueston Woods (Ohio meet location) in NY, but that is an interesting idea. I'll look into that. After all, I'm looking to hold it 5 months from now so there is plenty of time.

Rob,
I am planning this for next year, so there is plenty of time for you to get your arse back over here.

Cool. If I make it till next year, it will be nice and warm and i can take the top off to show the full powers of the MP3 in play.

Also, some nice empeg software and inventions should be out by then as well.

I don't know of anything like Hueston Woods (Ohio meet location) in NY

Why don't you rent a nice house up in the Hamptons?

<Mr. Howell voice>I live for the Haaaamptons!</Mr. Howell voice>

OK, I've been looking for some cabins. I would like to be somewhere close to me, so no Hamptons... sorry.

(the city of) Port Jervis, NY is a sh*t hole. But, there are parts that are very beautiful. Check this place out. Port Jervis is on the border of NY, PA, and NJ off I-84. Plus it is only about 1 hour from my house. What do you guys think?

Assuming my time stays not sucky I'd do that.

Sounds good to me. I'll keep my eyes out for other stuff too. So, no Long Island? Hm, I know a kick ass "yacht club" up there that could be fun...

Oh, and how about this: serial thieft at a meet. Think about it, tens of thousands of dollars in empegs and other car audio equipment flow into the meet just waiting for some smart thief to come and take. Am I being paranoid about my new empeg?

Yes you're paranoid. But to be on the safe side we can have a select few with shotguns take shifts watching our gear

There's nothing wrong with paranoid when it comes to protecting your empeg. That being said, I reccomend the tactic I used at the last meet -- Just wait for the convertible ferrari with nav and an empeg to pull in.... Your car will immediatly blend into the background. Unless of course you drive some other 100k+ car, in wich case I have no sympathy.

Matthew

i live in queens, i just sold my car so i don't have an empeg INSTALLED right now,... i jus tmoved here, i have no idea where any of these things are.. but i would be interested in meeting fellow empegers.. i work in manhattan and live in whitestone area.,.. let me know if either of those are anywhere near.. if i can get a guage of who is coming, i may be able to bring some presents from work :P nothing big, just a little somethin somethin.

If I hold it in Port Jervis, there is an NJ Transit train line that goes all the way up there so you don't even need a car. If it's in Stony Point, you can take a Metro North train to Ossining, NY (Westchester) and then take a high-speed ferry across the Hudson. That will put you in Haverstraw, NY which is right next to Stony Point so I (or anyone) can pick you up easily from there.

By car....
From the George Washington Bridge, Stony Point is about 45 minutes on the Palisades Parkway (GWB connects directly to the parkway). Port Jervis is about 2 hours by car.

You might have a car then.. the meet is in the spring/summer
not this grey cold winter.

It got grey and cold there? Two weeks ago I almost roasted in NYC!

Rob

I heard rumors that it was snowing in Manhattan today.

I heard rumors that it was snowing in Manhattan today.

Bleah. I hope it's not that way Friday.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Bring the snow on! Screw warm and sunny weather. You can't ski on grass and rocks...

nwa, the rain was falling like snow though.. we had a noreater (O>?) it wasn't as bad as everyone said it would be.. I have a new car, well an old free van.. but who can turn down a free van.. anyway, i would like to come.

yah the highs have been mid 50's the last week or so.

Bring the snow on! Screw warm and sunny weather. You can't ski on grass and rocks...

I can't ski on snow, either.

However, I'll point out I'm not big on sun or warm, I just don't like snow.

No snow this morning in Manhattan, anyway.

So what's the status on this?

I'm kinda taking it slow for now since the meet won't be for quite a few months (too cold out now). However, It seems at this point that people prefer a Cincinnati-style meet where we all hang out for a weekend. I prefer that kind of meet too, but now I am the one that has to plan it.

I also started making designs for meet shirts. I was going to do screened T shirts at first, but I think embroidered Polos might be better.

It does take some planning, especially for one that lasts a few days.

I'll have another next year in Cincinnati about the same time as this year, late September, so everyone save some vacation time to come for the weekend.

ewww.. ohio. 8 + hours from New York City.
Darn. Good Luck with the meet!

JeepBastard,

The Cincinnati meet was well worth the drive. I think, for me, it was more like 10 hours (coming from Rockland County). I think that the meet location was great too, and I will be planning the NY meet based on that place.

I have to agree, an 8-10 hour drive would be well worth it for another meet like the first Ohio one. It was well worth it to me to fly out there. Laura, if you do plan this, I'll be there again.

I had too much fun to not plan another one I hope everyone will come back again and some newcomers also.

I'll be there Laura. And I'll bring a carton of smokes.

ewww.. ohio. 8 + hours from New York City.

Wimp! It's 50+ hours from Alaska!

tanstaafl.

So you're going, then?

...And I'll bring a carton of smokes.

No, don't do that. I've been trying to get her to quit!

tanstaafl.

No, don't do that. I've been trying to get her to quit!

It was kinda an inside joke. I try to kid myself into thinking I'm not a smoker which, for the most part, I'm not. But, when I'm in a social situation I tend to smoke (at a bar, party, or standing around looking at cars/empegs). I was bumming smokes of Laura all weekend. If Laura is still smoking by next year, I will have to bring some with me because I feel bad. Those things aren't exactly cheap.

If you come I promise not to smoke around you

And Rob, you don't have to pay me back, just bring your own next time.

Laura: Hell yeah, I'd drive to Ohio for a meet (even though I'm in NJ now). With a fully loaded 30 gig empeg, it'll be no sweat.

Rob: I'd feel guilty coming to your meet without doing anything to help. Are you still looking for a location, lodging, activities etc? I proprose low-rules just-for-fun Ultimate Frisbee! If you need anything, let me know.

Thanks for the offer for help. I already have another empegger friend on the lookout for locations, so we should be good for now. But, if you have any good ideas let me know. What part of NJ are you in?

We can have 3 legged sack races and eat potatoe salad.