Seems the Detroit guys have dropped the ball onto me. If there are enough people that would come to a meet in Cincinnati, I will take charge of it and do my best to organize it.

So i need the answers to the following questions:
1. how many would come
2. how many would need a place to stay for the night (there are many hotels around here and I can try and get a group rate or something) or would people enjoy a campout and party all night long
3. would people prefer an outdoor cookout in a park or lake setting or would people prefer a nice air conditioned restaurant

Maybe someone who has done this could PM me with suggestions and I can contact the empeg people to see if they can send any prizes or if we need to furnish them. I have some vacation time coming so I could try and do this right if there is the interest.

Two from South Carolina are interested

I'd prefer an indoor meet, but I'm flexible.

I've never even been to one before, but I'm used to making large group arrangements if you need any help.

3 so far. It's got to be a little cooler up here than down south for being outdoors. But it is summer. I'll plan it far enough in advance to give everyone time to make arrangements.

Maybe I'll take you up on your help. I've never planned anything like this before but I'm good at organization.

Maybe someone would be willing to do the button hack at this meet? Or something along those lines.

Would August or September be better for people coming?

I'll drive down (I'm in Cornlumbus)

September is a nicer time to come to southern Ohio I think. It doesn't get as humid in the fall months.

Oh yeah, if there is interest (Mark Lord) I would be willing to organize a rock climbing trip to the Red River Gorge, which is only 2 hours away from Cincinnati. It's some of the best sport climbing in the east but it has a lot of cool trad, too. September is a primo time to go there.

September would be a better month, cooler and less humid. But some of the people may be in school and not be able to make it then. It has my vote though.

I might go for that rock climbing trip if you're willing to include an inexperienced newbie who is afraid of heights

Hey no problem, it's usually easy to split up into small groups based upon skill level and experiance and go climbing in different areas there. Climbing is very safe and a lot of fun.

Count me in. I would need hotel, but can take care of it myself. If I fly (50/50 chance), Site59.com has low flight+hotel package rates from New York to Cincinnati. I think the outdoor thing is probably more fun... but restaurant has it's merits (a/c and wide choice of beer).

I'll make sure you get a ride from the airport with someone. Unless you want to rent a car.

I think the outdoor thing would be more fun also. We could do the park most of the day then off to dinner some where. Unless we want to make it a 2 day thing but I doubt many people could do that.

Thanks for the offer!

I am driving from NY to Georgia in July. That trip is 14 hours each way (mapquest time). Cincinnati is 10. How tolerable the Georgia drive is will determine if I drive to Cincinati. If I fly and the meet is one day, I will likely rent a car. If I need a car for more than one day, I may take you up on that offer. Being under 25, I get charged $25 a day extra on car rentals.

Hi Laura

I'm in too, as long as it's a weekend

I would probably leave Windsor Friday night to be able to attend the festivities on Saturday and then head back on Sunday. I like the idea of the outdoor thing but a sit-down meal with some coolies later in the day would be great as well.

How about Saturday, September 21st for a date. Any objections? Maybe Mark can set up the rock climb for Sunday for those who wish to stay and do that.

As revlmwest mentioned in his post, I'm in. Coming up from SC.

We're up to 6 of us. Hopefully more will decide to come. I look forward to meeting you guys.

Count me in! I would be coming from St. Louis. I am a new owner, and I would love to meet with those more experienced with these units!

This meet is going to be a go. I am going to gather ideas this weekend and check out a few places to hold it. I won't let it fizzel away and maybe it will be bigger than the Boston meet and hopefully this can be a yearly event.

Any others want to come? There will be contests and prizes, not sure what yet, but something.

I'll drive over from Baltimore. I might have a friend or two that also have empegs that might want to go.

Count on me and three others from the chicago area. I think outdoors is better. How will we get all our cars inside to show off? A weekend event with an outdoor location and hotels close by would be the setting in my opinion, with a backup area to meet in case a a weekend long thunderstorm. As for the date of this event as long as it is not between 8/25/02 and 9/10/02 we are good to go. I will be getting sunburned in Hawaii during that time. The Irish don't tan...

I like coolies too!!

I'll let everyone know more about it early next week. I am working on some ideas this weekend. It will be September 21st and if enough people want it to be 2 days then also the 22nd.

I'm excited about doing this

It should be fun, thanks a ton for organizing this!

Hey, no problem. I want to show off my install, everyone I know could care less about it and just give me blank stares when I try to explain the empeg to them. If it goes well, we can make this an annual fall event.

I think we can all relate to the blank stares. The 21st is good, for the SC crew. Looking forward to it...

I would be interested, and would bring a friend or two for sure. It would have to be a saturday, cause most of us work, right? Where should we go for more info? I'm sure this post will get very long and hard to find info soon. By the way, i'd be driving from NJ

Yeah, i agree, i forgot to say before that i would prefer an outdoor camping type event, if that's what everyone else wants, and the rock climbing idea sounds good, it will give us all a chance to bond, and have something else to do.

that sounds good to me.

I'll put a post up early next week about the plans so far. I have contacted a couple of people about donating prizes and I have some help on how to plan it.

If people want to send me an email (mine is listed under my profile) that they are coming I will keep you updated that way. I have a few places in mind to hold it and want to check them out further.

I'll ask around about local bars that are good for those that want to go off and party that night, I have no idea since I tend to stay away from bars

How does the idea of a state park nearby sound to everyone? There is much to do there, hiking, biking, a lake, etc. We can have a choice of staying in the lodge for about $115 a night and they sleep 2, or camping or renting a group of cabins for about $145 a night per cabin and they sleep 6. There is a college town nearby that has some bars for those wanting to go off or we can have a cookout and bonfire at the cabins. I would need to set up reservations soon for this so everybody decide on a choice and how many nights people want to stay. Or if this doesn't sound good at all I will come up with something else.

I'm not the outdoorsey type. If the last two meets I've been to are any indication, most empeggers aren't.

Not that I think I'll get to the Cinci meet, but I would have like an outdoor meet. I think a overnight camp-out would be great, a few beers around a campfire, and the chance to get to know everyone so much better. Now it just needs someone to design a campfire-suitable steam turbine and a ruggedised docking station with amp and speakers!

In reply to:

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I'm not the outdoorsey type. If the last two meets I've been to are any indication, most empeggers aren't.

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That's too bad, it might do you guys some good! Staying in cabins isn't exactly roughing it, they have running water and electricity, but if the majority feel that way I'll come up with a plan B.

I thought a marshmellow and wienie roast would be fun

OK, do it then. You're organizing it. Just letting you know I prefer a/c over open windows any day. I'm still coming.

Thanks Rob for being a good sport about it. Maybe I'll get out voted anyway. I guess I am used to open windows, I don't have central air in my house, just a couple of window units that I don't run very often.

Hey Rob, you're in luck. They have central air. Here is what they say about the cabins.

Family Cottages
The two-bedroom family cottages have been completely renovated and feature gas fireplaces, cable TV, new furnishings and furniture, and a fully equipped kitchen, including coffee maker, toaster, and microwave. Each family cottage has a stove and oven and a refrigerator/freezer. They retain their rustic charm inside with wooden paneling and comfortable furniture while providing all of the luxuries of a resort, including central heat and air-conditioning. One bedroom has a queen-size bed. The second bedroom has a bunk bed with a double bed on the bottom, a single on top, and a single pull out trundle. The screened-in porch holds a picnic table and additional seating.

Is this the description for the 115 a night? I must confess I was leaning towards the hotel idea, but this sounds pretty nice.

Ok, it's going to be late September anyway. I doubt you would even need it. I'm still coming.

No it's for the $145 a night but it sleeps 6 and can be split so the cost wouldn't be that much per person. I might stay 2 nights and make this my vacation, Friday and Saturday. Some others may want to also.

Oh no!! I have become an addict!! What will my friends and family think of me now.

I'm not the outdoorsey type. If the last two meets I've been to are any indication, most empeggers aren't.

Laura, don't pay attention to him, you just need to know a few magic words to get them outside. My two lately have been "Motorcycle" and "Geocaching".

Ah, motorcycles. I miss mine sometimes but it started to scare the [censored] out of me riding the streets. I popped the clutch once and stalled and almost got rear ended and another time a group of kids threw balls at the bike. Another time I stalled it and dropped it at a stop sign on the way to work and had to sit on the curb and wait for someone to help me lift it back up. Can you tell I was a newbie If I ever get another one it will be a dirt bike.

As for Geocaching, I have read some on it but never tried it. I don't have a GPS to play with.