DCS 2012 Caravan Thread

[dmc6960]

I know not everyone going to/driving to the show is on DMCTalk, most of us have our local circles and know the going-ons of within. Post your starting locations and desired timing, and throughout this thread we can get a few designated routes planned out for traveling in herds. Some of my fondest DCS memories were the caravans going to Memphis and Pigeon Forge. We had 18-22 cars on the final leg of the Pigeon Forge one. What a blast.

My plans for tentative purposes...

Depart Minneapolis/St Paul on Tuesday, June 12, drive south down the "Avenue of the Saints" into St Louis, approx ~10hr drive time. Spend night in St Louis area. Wednesday, June 13, drive down I-64/57/24/75 into Atlanta, spend night somewhere just south of Atlanta. Drive time ~10hr. Thursday, June 14 (first day of show), drive into Orlando, drive time ~8hr (early start on Thursday, would like to arrive at or before 4:00pm).

Driving home I plan to do a similar route if not the same, but do it in 2 days instead of 3.

[dvonk]

man, if i had a DeLorean (and if it were driveable), i would totally rendezvous with you in iowa or missouri; it sounds like a blast to drive in a DeLorean caravan.

in lieu of a D, however, were just going to fly.

[Rich W]

The non-mountainous route (the long way) from Chicago to Orlando.

I have been debating what route to take since the location of DCS 2012
was first announced. After having many issues towing trailers through
the mountains, blowing trailer tires, loosing transmissions, eating up brake
pads and in general, extra wear on the tow vehicles and the trailers,
I have decided to "go the long way" and take I-57 and I-55 to around
New Orleans and "make a left", taking I-10 most of the rest of the way.

This route will add about 6 hours and about 360 miles to the trip, however
the terrain will only include a few hills vs. mountains, so I think it will be a
much easier route for the tow vehicle, trailers and all their tires and brakes,
not to mention their transmissions (and A/C, depending upon June temps).

As of now, I plan to depart the Chicago area on Monday evening with my
Diesel RV towing my 20ft enclosed trailer with the DeLorean Convertible
and my F350 Dually towing my 32ft enclosed trailer with the DeLorean Limo.
My brother will pilot the RV (with my mom and most of his family inside) and
I will pilot the F350 with one or more of my nephews riding "shotgun".
I plan to stop for fuel about every 4-5 hours or every 250-300 miles.

Each "break" stop will be about 500-600 miles apart (3 break stops planned).

First "break" food stop will be in Memphis early Tuesday morning and we will
make sure to stop for a few Elvis T-Shirts after a quick meal and power nap.
Back on the road before noon, taking I-55 to about Hammond, LA at I-12,
make a left and take I-12 to I-10 and continue to next stop in Pensacola, FL.

Another power nap for the drivers, while my mom, my sister-in-law and my
four nephews check out one or more nearby beaches in Pensacola. After a
little rest and food, back on the road (I-10 East again) until we get to the
Jacksonville, FL area (make a right) and head down I-95 to Daytona Beach.

Another power nap for the drivers while my nephews check out the Nascar
Museum and the Daytona 500 Speedway. I plan to rest up here, maybe
take the DeLorean Convertible out for a ride on the sand at Daytona Beach,
then head over to Orlando, to check in sometime on Wednesday afternoon.

While my nephews enjoy the pool at the hotel, I plan to catch up on some
much needed "real sleep", to be "fresh" to start the day on Thursday. My
nephews will do the Disney Parks on Thursday and Friday, and they will be
hanging around for the car Show on Saturday (when not in the pools).

My trip back will start later Sunday afternoon, taking a similar route home,
(except for Daytona) but I may stop for less time at the break stops while
heading back. It will be great to have the RV for the power naps between
the long driving stages, but it will still take a while to drive this route home.

Later,
Rich W.

BTW: I will try to post some actual planned "times" on each day as we get
closer to the trip. Maybe I can meet Farrar and Steve along the way on I-10.

[Lenny]

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?89...012-Orlando-FL

Post #28

I don't know how to paste a link to an individual post. I suggested that we could all meet in Wildwood, go down the turnpike together.

[dmc6960]

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?89...ull=1#post4953

I don't know how to paste a link to an individual post.

If you click on the post number, you'll notice its actually a direct link to the post. The copy the path and paste it wherever you want.

[Farrar]

I am (and probably a few other Louisiana owners) are hoping to meet up with other owners heading east on I-10. I sent a message to the Texas group but was told it's too early to plan anything right now.

Points of reference: Houston is about 5 hours west of New Orleans on I-10; New Orleans is about 10 hours from Orlando.

[Ron]

If you click on the post number, you'll notice its actually a direct link to the post. The copy the path and paste it wherever you want.

FWIW: Right Click>>"Copy Shortcut" does it in one step.

[dmc6960]

Bringing this back, I know Rich has a travel updates thread, but thats a little different from a Caravan thread.

I am looking for people to join with for a caravan. I do not need personal support with my car, I can however realistically offer personal support to other people who may need it. Also, driving in a caravan is just damn fun.

My approximate travel route is as follows....

Tuesday June 12th, Minneapolis to ~St Louis area VIA Avenue of the Saints.
Wednesday June 13th, ~St Louis area to ~Atlanta area VIA I-64/I-57/I-24/I-75.
Thursday June 14th, ~Atlanta area to Orlando Disney Hilton VIA I-75/FL Turnpike.

Planned arrival at the hotel is around mid-afternoon on Thursday. Apparently none of the Atlanta folk seem interested in Thursday activities so they seem out for joining up with. Anyone else think they will join me or already have approximate plans I could join?

[Iznodmad]

Jim,
There was a thread somewhere about the Florida group having a mini tech session on Thursday. I plan to drive the whole way on Wednesday and will have all day Thursday to do whatever. I know a couple of the locals and might try to arrange something with them. I think you have my cell phone #. I used to have yours, but my phone got wiped out a couple of months ago or so. Send me a PM with it again if you don't mind.

[ydjk58]

I'll be leaving wednesday from Williamsport, PA, heading down US 15/11 and jumping on I95 down near DC, so if anyone wants to join along, they are more than welcome, I wish I was taking my delorean, but I am currently awaiting on a new one, so I will be in my ford flex, just look for a red one with a DMC plate and irish flag on the front, as well as a DMA sticker on the rear. It's not to hard to miss, it is a rolling brick after all. I'll have my jump pack and some tools with me in case anyone needs help on the way down, if I should encounter anyone.