Joeking1978 brought up the issue of the lack of large meets in the Midwest. We have decided to remedy that issue. The pupose of this thread is to get ideas, gauge interest, and get even more ideas before we pitch the idea to (Erik) Cthree in order to get our own forum like the other megameets. Joeking's proposal was such:

"I honestly think a 2 or 3 day run starting in Petosky, Mi, going down the shoreline... and finishing in Chicago would be amazing! The only diffacult part... From Petosky to Chi-town... it is about a 6-7 hour drive. So for people coming from farther south... such as Cincinnati, Indi... etc... it'll be a hell of a drive just to get to the starting point. But the scenic views and perfectly paved winding roads would be more than worth it. There are a number of gorgeous Inns around the Petosky/Harbor Springs area... of which we could drive the 30 mile route out there a couple times the first day. Then stop in Saugatuk or Grand Haven for the same... then South Haven or St. Joseph... (South Haven has some beautiful points of interest, some nice Inns and some windy roads along the dunes... St Joe has the best dunes overall though...) or even Van Buren State park... and then lastly... meet at the pier in Chicago... I think that'd be one hell of a weekend!"

Everybody start throwing out ideas. You can add to Joeking's idea, subtract from it, or come up with a totally new plan.

 

So that means us chicago owners would have to drive to michigan and then back....?

 

I agree with Daman...

While that is a good plan, it would be impractical for Chicago drivers to participate outside of the final day.

 

Exactly, considering it, even if we all left friday make it by saturday and then drive all the way back down again by sunday. Thats a lil much.
By no way am i discouraging anyone from going, its a good idea. However, i'll be at the pier when you guys arrive with arms wide open.

 

Saab9-3's idea of doing a local chicago "run" makes more sense to me...

 

This is what I was originally thinking...

Instead of doing a weekend long "run" through the midwest...

Why not a weekend long trip in Chicago area doing misc. activities such as local runs, dealer meets, etc... and last but not least bar hopping at night.

PS - I wonder what a police escort would cost for a mild "run"?? He He...

 

Think about this too guys... for the Chi-town owners to have to drive to Petosky and back is realisticaly no different than the Michigan owners driving to Chicago... and then back... or the Indiana owners... or the Ohio owners...!! Chicago will have it easiest of all... drive there ( the hard part) and then the long weekend to drive back enjoying the wonders of Lake Michigan along the way (6 hours... road trip well worth it... thus the whole point of having about 3 stopping points and Inns to stay at along the way). For Michigan people... unless you live by Chicago or by Petosky... we'll still have to add a couple hours onto our trip to make it home above and beyond yours. So to wine about it being too far is being selfish. The whole point is to do something NEW and DIFFERENT!! Anyone can go to Chicago and motor around the city for a couple hours... big friggin deal... with this, the BIGGER THE BETTER!! if organized well... this could be the best meet/run ever! but you have to be open minded and willing to go out of your way a little to pull it off. Just like with anything else in life... the more you put into, the more reward there is in the end...

anyone disagree?

 

don't i feel like a jackass

 

Well, I don't think it's too bad for the Chicagoians, but it would be tough for the guys from Cinci and Indy as noted above.

I would rather see a more central location picked where we could have some events scheduled.

I would like to see mabey an autocross event setup, or possibly a track event. (Harry Cash, any help on this one?)

Perhaps get some help from a good Honda dealership. Ganley Honda in OH comes to mind. It would be great to get Hardtop guy to help us out.

Basically, I would like to mirror Fall Colors schedule without having to drive 9 hours to get there.

Logistics would be to leave Friday night, check in to hotel. Mabey have a 'cocktail hour' type thing at the hotel. The next day we could have a cruise in the morning. Meet at the Honda dealership for some demos. Dinner. Sunday have an AutoX event in the morning. Then disperse after lunch back to home.

 

a Temporary agenda... labor day weekend/memorial/4th of july... take your pick...

(4th would be amazing, if you could plan accourdingly with each cities firework shows over a three night span. Fire works over the harbor with 40 of your 'closest' friends in 20 S2000's would be one hell of a night and sight! Bar hopping in Chicago is alright on random nights, but bar hopping in Vacation type cities on Lake Michigan- when the populations are tripled for the holliday- can't be beat! ...especially if you are young and single!)

Everyone leave Wednesday night, or Thursday morning (depending on trip)

Thursday 12 noon
6 hour approx. drive to Harbor Springs. check into Inn. Thursday morning/ afternoon... barbeque/ small drinks/ orientation for everyone to meet.
-2pm... make 25 mile run on one the best roads in the country for an S maybe 7-8 times to Petosky and back.
-2:30pm (obviously we weren't going the speedlimit!! ) go to a couple meeting places... local dealerships ect. (actually be about 7pm.
-9 dinner and drinks at one of many local hangouts on the pier (if anyone has been there... tough to describe! beuatiful)

Friday

-8am. Breakfast and break out- Drive to Ludington or Grand Haven.
-10 to 11 am Check in: If Ludington... set up shop at local camp ground (right next to Lake Michigan), if Grand Haven... at one of the local Inns. A little more research would need to be done on the roads in the area... but sources are readily available!
-9pm Dinner and Drinks out and about on the town!

Saturday
-8am. Breakfast and break out... this time to South Haven or St. Joseph.
- 10 to 11 am: If South Haven... check in to stay at a historic Hotel off the Kzoo river, that over looks the piers. Line up cars along North Shore beach- let em check us out a while... (we get some more rest!) and then hand out the area maps and take some more scenic drives along the shoreline.
-9pm meet for dinner at drinks at Louies (on the water) or this antique riverboat/bar they have

Sunday
-8am Breakfast and breakout... last stop... Chicago.
-11 am meet at the pier. Hotel optional (depending on where you are coming from obviously. I'm sure the Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Minnesota folk will have to... )
-1pm.... let the Chicago folk show us what they are made of! and celebrate one hell of a trip!


Now I really do not see any diffaculties with this... each trip (with the exception of either getting to the origination point or leaving chicago) is approximately 2 hours max. Not bad. Those who do not want to spend ALL day driving, or simply want to save miles on their precious rides can do one of a thousand touristy/ sight seeing things in each of the historic lake front towns listed.

It's either this, or stay in Chicago the WHOLE weekend... driving the same routes over and over... Me frankly, I like to break out and try a little something different every once and while!? Who else doesn't like that?