This is truly the "Full Vermont Experience ™".

Get your hopes up for something only to find out that it is closed or otherwise completely unavailable.

 

It would rule if you could be free that sat. If that was the case I would love to get together with you really soon for some scounting, route planning, and looking for places for ppl to stay. It's up to you though.
I may also hit Justin up for route and stop info he has.
My thought is to have a place for ppl to stay in your neck of the woods Fri night so we can all meet someplace other than the springfield area on Saturday morning, and then make a run north on some fun routes and make a few stops along the way (which I suck at figuring out). Then stay someplace decent Sat night with a decent dinner. Sunday would probably be a few more event type things and then a reverse of the drive...kinda sorta.
I don't really know...I am teh suck at logistics. It would sure help to sit down for a while over lunch or something and plan crap out.

let me know.

 

Good suggestions, Rob.

Also wishing that all is well in Justin's world.

We have made reservations at the same hotels Justin used for the GMT last year.

If someone else has something in mind, we are open to suggestions and can make changes. Unfortunately, for us it has to be on the 9th and 10th, since we already had vacation time scheduled.

 

We booked a room at the Best Western in Waterbury for Sat nite (close to Ben and Jerrys, Cold hollow cider mill and Cabot cheese factory) anyone else staying there ?

 

Lisa we're there!

Hopefully others will join in as well!

 

Thanks for the thoughts guys - just some brief info on my situation. It basically boils down to a few things. Work (takes time), School (takes more time), Home repairs (time time time and money money money), Car problems (I won't elaborate, but needless to say I doubt I >COULD NOT< do the GMT if I tried and the home repairs are eating up the capital to fix this problem).

Anyway, here's a brief synopsis of the route from last year:

Day 1:
Meet in Springfield (exit 7, off I-91).
Drive North on Route 5.
Left onto Route 131 West (Ascutney).
Stop at the intersection of Route 106 + 131 for lunch (outdoors sorta BBQ place)
Continue West on Route 131.
Take a right/intersect Route 103 North (Goes through Ludlow).
Take a right onto Route 100 North (Some gorgeous lakes here!).
Take a right onto Route 4 East (Goes through Woodstock - stop in Woodstock for gas and bathroom break).
Head North on Route 106.
Take a left onto Route 107.
Take a right onto Route 100...(passes a gorgeous waterfall...good place for a break, but no restroom. There are several stores and places to stop on Route 100. Route 100 will bring you into waterbury/stowe area. Last year we went to dinner in Waterbury and Ben & Jerry's and the Cider Mill).


Day 2:
Meet in Ben & Jerry's parking lot.
Head South on Route 100.
Take Route 100B South (scenic drive and it meets Route 100).
Take a right onto Route 17 (fun stretch of road - stop at the top for pictures).
Take a left onto Route 7 South.
Take a right onto Route 30 South (In Middlebury).
Follow Route 30 all the way into Manchester - break for a very late lunch.
The Alpine slide is here along with somewhat easy access back to NY, MA and NH.


Sorry again all for the trouble and I hope someone takes pictures for me!

 

Now that I think about it, doing the same route and basic idea as last year would probably be the best idea. Changing stuff around probably isn't such a great idea given the timeframe we have.
If the Holiday Express in springfield and the Best Western in Waterbury has rooms for ppl, I think we're pretty much set.


--update--
I just got off the phone with the Best Western Waterbury Stowe and they said they have plenty of availability. I booked a room for the night of July 9th for $117.
I also mentioned s2ki as the affiliation, but I don't think that really matters.

 

John my work schedule is a PITA so I can't guarantee that I will be free Sat. and don't want to promise it and then not be able to come through. It looks like a lot of people want to head up north so if thats the consensus then following last years plan would work. What i had been thinking was that we could all meet up here in sothern Vt and that would be somewhat of a central location for just about everybody its about 2 hours for those up north and 3-4 for those coming from southern New England. I know a lot of routes we could take down here that would fill up both days and some good places to eat. Its a long ride for folks from faraway areas on Sunday as they are driving from northern Vt. back to their homes southern new england etc. however people may still want to make the trek up to northern Vt like last year.
What we could do is have two groups, one group could make the trip like last year and another group could stay here in southern vt on Sat and I could meet up with them Sat afternoon and do a drive here and we could do dinner and then on Sun we could meet up with the group coming down from the north.

 

Hi S2K Folk,

I live in VT and would be happy to help you plan your trip. I have helped others do the same. I have found it most fun when everyone stays at the same hotel. If you decide to stay in Waterbury that is ok as there is a new brew pub in town that would be fun to eat/drink at. I live in the Mad River Valley and could help you find lodging and a good restaurant if you like.

I have seen your route from last year and could suggest a few modifications that will greatly improve your driving pleasure. I could possibly meet you in Woodstock for lunch as well and show you the way. How many cars will there be?.

Let me know how I might help out. I can send my phone # or PM if that will speed up the process.

Gary from VT
(1 mile off Rt. 17 {App. Gap} )

 

Since time is running short, it may be easier to keep to the same route as last year. We'd head up north from Springfield on Saturday, stay in Waterbury on Saturday evening and head to the south on Sunday.

Woodstock for lunch might be nice. It looked like a neat town when we had a rest stop there last year. A brew pub for dinner in Waterbury sounds like a good suggestion too. Maybe we can drag Josh out to join us for dinner on Saturday?

Justin was kind enough to post the route he and Josh planned out. If we stick to that, it will make it easier for folks to jump in or out along the way, depending on how much time they have to spare.