[MR] Driving Distances

[chagankhulan at clan-whitewing.org]

The lady has a point - as do many of us who have either greater distances
to travel or must travel through traffic based war zones like the DC
beltway.  We have options - leave early, don't go, find the backway
around, etc.  Helicopters are cost prohibitve, unfortunately.

HOWEVER - there is something that can be done for major events that might
help these folks out.  We could create a "Shortcut book" of routes that
get folks around problem areas.  Post a link to this book on the Atlantian
website so it is available to anyone with a computer running.

Example; I live in Carroll County Maryland (Bright Hills) and I want to
get to something in Richmond on Memorial Day weekend.  I already know that
I have to add 2 hours of DC I-495 and I-95 traffic time to a usual 3 hour
trip. How to avoid that - From the Baltimore Beltway I-695 I take I-97
south to MD rte 3 / 301 and follow that south, cross the Nice Bridge (it's
name - not its condition)into Virginia and follow 301 to I-95 brigning me
out just north of Fredericksburg.  Time to Richmond - 3.5 hours. 
Additional mileage - about 30 miles, I think.  Was it worth it?
Definitely!

In addition to that (wish I'd thought of this years ago) any autocrat near
an area like this could include those shortcuts past problem areas for
folks enroute to their event.  Could have saved HRM a couple hours getting
around DC on his way to Crusades back when...

Since a lot of events are being posted on websites now - ESPECIALLY
KINGDOM EVENTS - adding a link to those shortcuts would be simple to do
and I for one would appreciate them. I love maps!

Just my 2 Tugriks worth...

Chagan

P.S. - A request concerning this topic.  Would the folks who write the
directions to sites PLEASE drive the route and make notes before posting
the directions.  I can mention some small horror stories concerning
directions and most are from sites out in no man's land. If you aren't
local you won't know the old esso station burned down and was replaced by
a flower shop...or that the main road sign is behind the pinetree and
can't be seen till you pass it.  Please - be kind to your incoming
attendees.



>
> I think that those of us who are at the far reaches of the Kingdom have
> grown used to having to drive insane hours to attend large events. In 17
> years (In July) I have only attended one Crown Tourney and that was the
> one hosted by Brockshore Abbey a few back. I simply refuse to drive that
> far.
>
> Lets not forget that Charleston, SC is not the bottom of our Kingdom. The
> bottom of our Kingdom ends at Hilton Head Island, SC. For our members who
> live there it's an hour drive in good traffic just for them to get to the
> interstate, and then it's three more hours before they even get out of our
> Barony (Hidden Mountain). I don't care what MapQuest tells you, I live
> here and I know the traffic.
>
> I understand the reasoning behind Our King's idea and it does seem like
> the smarter solution. No matter where these events are held it is going to
> be a haul for some of us. At least with one location chosen people can
> plan as we do for War of the Wings. We know where we will be going and we
> know the time of year we need to plan the trip for.
>
> My two pence..
>
> -Shae
>
>
>
>
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