(Reposting for the weekday crowd.)
I have to this point failed in one of my objectives for Oppositelock: to show off in person some of the more remote roads in Indiana, places you’d never discover without a guide or spending way too much time looking.
(Fortunately I’ve had both good guides and way too much time to explore.)
It occurred to me recently that I might try something simultaneously more and less ambitious than a meetup. Instead of trying to coordinate a date that works for everyone, I’ll set up a recurring commitment.
When my Jeep isn’t broken[†], a sadly too-frequent occurrence, I try to take a road trip at least once a month. So, I’m thinking I could commit to a bimonthly[*] schedule, and anyone interested in dropping by and wandering with me is welcome to show up. If no one does, that’s the same as every other road trip I take, so it’s not inconvenient for me.
(* In this case, every two months, not twice a month. Darn you to heck, English with your frequent ambiguities.)
So, I’m going to block the 3rd Saturday of every other month, starting in September, for Oppo folk. I’ll post a reminder the weekend prior with a location for that month’s excursion. I’ve also created an email alias, oppo@geekhavoc.com, that you’re welcome to use to let me know you’re interested.
You’ll need some clearance on your vehicle (I’m not taking ride-alongs until after our current crisis is past us), but AWD/4WD shouldn’t be necessary (update: except for Madison; there are some gnarly roads in that area).
I’ll probably hook my GMRS radio back up and bring FRS handhelds if anyone commits.
My current plans, subject to capricious change:
- September
19th26th: Paoli (update: was Cataract Falls) - November 21st: Madison (update: the most interesting roads here are among the most rugged anywhere in Indiana, so this trip would be best done with a more capable vehicle)
- January 16th: Brownsville
- March 20th: Hoosier National Forest (Pleasant Run unit)
Despite how some of the above may appear, these are all public roads. No off-roading, no private land, just roads.
Hope to see you one of these days.
(† Believe it or not, one reason I’ve been so interested in finding an XJ is so I could organize small back roads events in southern Indiana via Meetup.com. I don’t feel comfortable setting that up without a backup vehicle, but given how rare it’ll be that anyone from Oppo is interested and available to join in, I don’t think there’ll be a problem.)