Hello All,
As promised, here is the breakdown of the route that SaltNPepper and myself have decided to follow en route to CatJam 2008 (with respect to thread "CJ Routes" (http://"http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=18910")).
We have decided to take two cars, both Cougar X and Salt will be going to CatJam 2008 :) (Both are very awesome ;) , and they're both White). Any Canadian and/or American that sees a potential to join us is more than welcome.
Please post questions on this forum. If you are definitly interested (agree to the route & join us), please PM CougarXLS. This offer will be extended to June 11/2008; this will give all partints a chance to determine stops and breaks, and potential minor changes to the route and me a chance to update this thread with time to spare!
If SaltNPepper and myself decide to change this route in a major way, it will only be modified because of a greater demand for an alternative route. Any potential alternative route will be solidifed and posted by June 11/2008.
Here's the Route! PLEASE JOIN US, IF YOU CAN!!!!! :)
You can see the google route by clicking here (http://"http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=12527303513231437235,43.819340,-79.030260%3B18338634621976581935,43.575350,-79.671328%3B7093214243971614697,43.442980,-79.704280%3B4786467351754903038,41.121645,-80.767084&saddr=North+Gower,+ON&daddr=HWY-403+W+%4043.575350,+-79.671328+to:HWY-403+W%2FQEW+%4043.442980,+-79.704280+to:5431+76+Dr,+Youngstown,+OH+44515,+United+States+(Econo+Lodge)&mra=mr&mrcr=0&via=1,2&sll=43.818179,-79.168854&sspn=0.227407,0.639954&ie=UTF8&z=6").
* Edit: I included the times to this route.
If you'd like to see the Google printout, PM me and I'll forward it to you (its a PDF)
SaltNPepper and myself will depart from the Kemptville Tim Hortons at 08:00 EST (all times expressed in this post are Eastern Standard Time and represented in the 24-hour clock) and merge on the 416 via Highway 43 (in Kemptville).
We'll spend about 25 minutues on the 416 before we hit the 401 in Prescott.
If there is anybody that is coming to CatJam, wants to join us and lives between Kemptville and Prescott, let me know, we'll setup something.
------
So now we're in Prescott, and it's about 08:25
5. Take the exit onto HWY-401 W/MacDonald-Cartier West
6. Slight left at HWY-401 Express W (signs for Express entering Toronto Area)
I figure it will take us about four hours to reach exit 344, so its now about 12:30.
This four hours includes a shorter (gas and bathroom break) rest stop at the service centre between Kingston and Toronto (for the life of me, I can't remember where exactly along the 401 it is, but I can tell you, it's one of the last ones (or the last) before hitting the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and it has a Tim Hortons on the Westbound side of the 401).
**Edit: May 11/2008 - Changed steps 7,8,9.
7. Take exit 344 for HWY-403 toward QEW/Hamilton.
8. Slight Left at HWY-403 West.
9. Take the QEW exit toward Hamilton.
10. Merge onto QEW
I've never driven on the QEW before, but based on Google Maps' estimated time it should take about an hour and thirty minutes to travel the QEW before hitting the Peace Bridge and crossing into USA.
So, now it's about 14:00.
11. Continue on Peace Bridge
Entering United States (New York)
12. Continue on Peace Bridge
I have not crossed the border in recent years and frankly have NO idea how long it will take to cross. This one's the wildcard. Canadians, you do not need a passport to cross the border. You WILL need proof of identity and proof of citizenship (or some other accepted, ie Nexus cards. This WILL change in the spring (June 01) of 2009, so for CatJam next year, you WILL need a passport).
13. Turn right onto the ramp to I-190 S/New York State Thruway South
14. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for New York State Thruway/Downtown Buffalo/I-90/I-190 S and merge onto I-190 S/New York State Thruway
About 15 minutes later and assuming that there are no problems at the border, its now about 14:15.
** This would be a good time to take a break, I'll be on the look out for a station before hitting the I-90. If you have a good idea, let me know. I'd like this to be a little longer break, say forty-five minutes, give us time to Eat and such.
So now it's about 15:00
15. Take exit 54-61 to merge onto I-90 W toward Erie
Partial toll road
Passing through Pennsylvania
Entering Ohio
Google estimates that it will take about two hours to travel the I-90W twd Erie, so now it's about 17:00.
** Time to take another break, again, not sure where. But some of us may need to gas up! This will be a shorter break, i.e. Gas and a bathroom run ;). Say about 20 minutes.
So now it's about 17:20
16. Take exit 228 to merge onto OH-11 S toward Youngstown
17. Take the exit onto I-80 W/OH-11 S toward 422/OH-711 S/Girard/Youngstown Continue to follow I-80 West
18. Take exit 223 for OH-46 toward Niles
Google estimates that it will take about another hour, so now its 18:20.
Here's where are caravan will probably be going separate ways, as anybody joining us, may not be at the Econo Lodge hotel. Please refer to Eric's Hotel List (http://"http://www.coolcats.net/catjam/hotelinfo.html") for your specific hotel.
19. Turn right at N Canfield Niles Rd/OH-46
20. Turn left at 76 Dr
To: Econo Lodge
5431 1/2 Seventy Six Drive, Youngstown, OH 44515, USA
(Thanks EricCoolCats ;) for posting this address on CatJam 2008. (http://"http://www.coolcats.net/catjam/hotelinfo.html"))
I've never tried to organize a Caravan before, and am not entirely sure of potential rules and conduct. I am doing the best I can. Please feel free to voice concerns/questions on this thread. I hope we can arrange some sort of convony to CatJam!
Kevin Harris
Go :cougarsmily: GO! (and yes, Go :birdsmily: Go! ;) )
Theres a rest stop, a few miles before the PA border. resturants and stuff. that would be a good place to meet up, and you could get something to eat before the last 3 hrs of trip.
Just a thought
Hey cool...
I just posted this route... that stop sounds good to me!
You interested in setting up a rendevouz??? PM me if you're interested!
Do you have an idea of times and day?
You have a long haul. it takes me about 3 hrs to get to youngstown my self.(also everyone in the Niagara Falls area of Canada) so it would be easier to link up with your schedule as your passing through
I will try to be more specific with times after I talk with SaltNPepper; my apologies, I forgot all about a literal timeline. Shoot, a big no no! But! :hick: , I didn't forget the day: The day will be Friday July 11/2008.
I will post an update within the next 24 hours.
eeeek! My apologies again :(
no problem, I'll keep an eye out
LOL, cougarxls is funny...i would say off the top my head, that we will leave at 9am! i dunno, but it does set a basis to meet with others. If we meet for say 12 and take it from there that should eave a little bit of time for puppies it to! lol. we can change the times accordingly, like leave at 8 and meet at 11 to be there fer 4 or sumthin...
Why do you think I am funny?
We'll still need to talk when I am back from my last final exam tomorrow @1ish, (hopefully earlier!) ;)
Sorry for the delays all, time
will free up after my last final tomorrow!
Considering past the QEW, my route is exactly the same, we should meet up in niagara falls off the QEW ;) id join the caravan! The border people always love hearing that i go to car shows with my cougar, having 3+ in line would just be perfect!
What day/time woudl you guys be heading up?
Considering that I live so close to Mikkel that I can smell it when he farts, count me in as well.
Ka-CHING
I guess you could count me in as well...
Thanks for
that mental picture. :yuck:
I've updated the first post to include times. :)
Hey! We could be up to six cars right now! WooHoo!
If I can get friday off from work, I'd meet up with you in the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area.
thatd be awesome not batman! hope u can get it off! i think we can be in Buffalo at around approx. 230..i hope we dont dogg it too much but its just an approximation still
well we never had to make any stops for gas on our way down there the past two times, so I think there should be no need for a gas stop after crossing the border.
As for the speed limit, when me and Alex went down together we cruised at 140-150kms/h the whole way (HE was leading not me... LOL), the next time I went down I was alone, and cruise with the traffic. speeds were typically around 120-135kms/h. If we do the speed limit we will be not only g of a bunch of people trying to get where they are going in a hurry, but it will also take forever to get there.
I will be cruising with the flow of traffic, so if the caravan isnt, then I will be pulling out and passing it. Not trying to sound like a dick, but if I have a destination to get to I like to do just that.... get too it, not putter along and take my time.
even at cruising speeds, conservatively it will only take about 3.5 hours to get there once we cross the border. I've done that trip so many times I can do it with my eyes closed. My record time once was, from my house in Welland, to there, including crossing the border, 3 hours and 15 minutes.
The go with the flow traffic is around 75ish. don't remember what that is converted.
My average speed to just the other side of cleveland, when I go is usually 80-85. Puts me just under 3 hrs from buffalo. (In my van)
Well, I am open to suggestions, and of course go with the flow, but that's illegal, so you didn't see me write that. ;)
Sometimes my flow is a little faster than others. And people still pass me like I'm standing still.
I wasn't looking to turn this thread into a discussion about speeds ;)
I've never done a caravan before so I am still learning. The caravan needs to be associated with the times so people know where and when to join us! I am not talking about religiously staying at the speed limit, but the caravan can't go too fast... we'll be *going with the flow* but if you want to sail down to Youngstown at 200 kph, it's your car and your potential demerit points. Join us if you can or pull out and pass us if you get bored.
In a nutshell, I am concerned about times and rendevouz points and will do my best to accomodate everyone. :)
We won't be driving down like a little old man in a hat out for a Sunday cruise but we won't be driving down like a bat out of hell either.
So, anybody still interested?? :hick:
Sounds to me like we'll need some cell phone contact in case of a slow down or time change on friday.
and maybe CB's in the cars is a good call to.
I'll pickup a handheld set If I need, would come in handy on my property too
I have a cell phone. As we get closer and everything solidifies, I'll share it via PM's.
not a good idea 2 use cellz...price will sky rocket!! wer from canada eh? walky talky it!!
I have updated the route... Steps 7,8,9 have changed slightly.
They were:
7. Take exit 352 for RTE-427 S/HWY-427 S toward Q.E.W.
8. Merge onto HWY-427 South
9. Take the Q.E.W. exit toward Hamilton
They are now:
7. Take exit 344 for HWY-403 toward QEW/Hamilton.
8. Slight Left at HWY-403 West.
9. Take the QEW exit toward Hamilton.
Please let me know if this inconviences anyone.
Also, if anybody knows specific locations along this route, let me know so I can punch it into google.
As far as keeping in contact goes, I am entirely open to cost efficient solutions, but know that worst case scenario, I have a cell.
Why did you decide to take the 403 instead of the 427?
After talking to a few people, namely the old man who drives down there more often than I do.... he recommended the change. Traffic concerns was the primary reason....
Is this a good idea baxo? Do you have another suggestion?
I guess it all depends on the time of the day, I'm just a type of guy that likes to pick the shortest routes, and I just find that the 403 way is slightly "out of the way" and 427 is more of a direct route. Honestly it just all comes down to preference. Either route takes you from point A to point B
Does that change affect the likelyhood you'd be able to join us?
Oh absolutely not, I live about 25 minutes away from where you'll be crossing the border, I'm farther down on your route from that!
Where exactly is the spot you'll be crossing?
I'm not that good if I'm not on the QEW
The QEW ends right at the Peace Bridge (Fort Erie / Buffalo border crossing). Which then goes to the I-190, that goes to the I-90. Hope that helps
OK I get it now
I never knew it ended there. I always crossed at the Queenston-Lewiston bridge. . I was just trying to picture the route he was taking without looking it up. I should have known better then trusting my memory. lol
Learn something new every day eh? It starts at the Peace Bridge, and turns into the Gardiner Expressway in Toronto
That one I knew, the Gardiner is no friend of mine in rush hour. esp. on a game night
Exactly one month to go before CJ, I am more excited than ever. Which is why I am now disappointed more than ever. Where it really sucks is it's for the usual :bs: reasons. Life just keeps throwing curve balls.
I can't make it to CatJam this year.
Money just kept getting tighter and tighter. And this is a very citical summer for my family (forgive me for not wanting to go into details on that one).
SaltNPepper started a new job earlier this year, and is now finding out how pathetic management is... they're not even letting her take the July 11-14 off!! Oh sure, she gets a few days, but usually only when they say.
So, sometimes I am glad this is a forum and nobody can see how upset I really am... :mad: :evilgrin: :punchballs: :( :disappoin :( :shakehead
I wish the caravan I tried to organize all the best of luck at getting something going.
I'd also wish that while everybody's down there, havin' a grand ol' time, to spare a thought for the Crazy Canuk Siblings!
I am even more determined for next year.
Until Then... Go Cougar Go.
Don't worry, I'm bringing my camera and laptop with me.
I'll post pics every day from there.
So, who's left to caravan?
Awesome, I'm gonna hold you to that :)
No problem, There will be dog rescue picnic pics with that too.
Lol, I finally got that.... thanks daminc!!!