EIM Preps for HPM in the Black Hills - 14-17 May

[Gil-galad]

For everyone planning on passing through Sioux Falls on their way to HPM, there is a South Dakota Information Center and Rest Stop located 36 miles west of the I-29 / I-90 interchange. It is at Mile Post 362.7 (westbound) and just past the US-81 exit to Salem.

I propose a 2 pm CDT rendezvous at this stop so we can caravan west from there.

Any takers?

[Note: this proposed rendezvous has been superseded by revised plans in Post #41]

[deanman]

That sounds reasonable (and good) to me. I'm still hoping to tag along with someone though, so don't count on me just yet.

[deanman]

Do you think it’s a coincidence that park admittance will be free when the EIMs get to SD? I think not.

[Gil-galad]

From our Saturday conversation, it sounds like this previously proposed rendezvous place and time is a "go" for deanman, D3m0N, R56MINICooper, 05MINI, and Gil-galad. I'll let Atomic #47 know so he can join us if he wants.

[Note: Rendezvous location and time updated in Post #41]

Did you CR-IC area folks plan an initial meet-up in the morning?

[D3m0N]

Sioux falls would be a good stop for a rest and meet up to gather more MINIs for the final push

[D3m0N]

I think we may be changing plans from the Golden Spike to this spot

http://www.newtonforkranch.com/forest_haven.html

appears that it may be better for pets and 1/2 mile from town

[Gil-galad]

So D3m0N, R56MINICooper -- any thoughts on my proposed rendezvous in Post #24?

[D3m0N]

I have no problem with that just need to work out the details maybe in Clinton 2 weekends from now?

[Gil-galad]

Originally Posted by D3m0N

I have no problem with that just need to work out the details maybe in Clinton 2 weekends from now?

Yeah...that'd be a good opportunity to nail it down.

[R56MINICooper]

Sounds good. I think Lisa and I are up for whatever, just as long as we make it there

[05MINI]

All I am sure of is that we are going. I, too, hope we can nail down details on the 25th.

[Gil-galad]

Well, good news...the ample snow cover has been disappearing rapidly around Rapid City (pun intended). Check out this snow depth animation from the past two weeks.

http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/nsa/js_an...=Upper_Midwest

I anticipate a good motoring conditions forecast.

[D3m0N]

Yes we did 7:00 AM at the rest area on I80

[R56MINICooper]

So am I correct in assuming this is basically our route?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...282227&t=h&z=7

Looks to put us up in Hill City area at nearly 8pm or so if we leave by 7am sharp and don't take too long on stops in between.

[Gil-galad]

Originally Posted by R56MINICooper

So am I correct in assuming this is basically our route?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...282227&t=h&z=7

Looks to put us up in Hill City area at nearly 8pm or so if we leave by 7am sharp and don't take too long on stops in between.

Rob, I can't speak for the first half of your trip but the post-Sioux Falls part looks right. Also, assume you factored in the gain of an hour of daylight motoring time crossing over into MDT.

Also, I just wanted to mention that I'm viewing the Badlands Loop simply as an available option. I know I'm going to take it for certain (unless the weather is REALLY crappy) and everyone else is warmly welcome to tag along with me. If people have done it before, get too tired on the trip out, etc., they can just remain on I-90 and keep on motoring west. No one really has to commit until we arrive at Exit 131 near Cactus Flats.

[D3m0N]

Originally Posted by R56MINICooper

So am I correct in assuming this is basically our route?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...282227&t=h&z=7

Looks to put us up in Hill City area at nearly 8pm or so if we leave by 7am sharp and don't take too long on stops in between.

That is indeed the route I was thinking

[deanman]

I somehow lost track of when we changed in our meet up location. Are we meeting at exit 362 at 2 PM, or 131 later, or?????

[Gil-galad]

Originally Posted by deanman

I somehow lost track of when we changed in our meet up location. Are we meeting at exit 362 at 2 PM, or 131 later, or?????

Sounds like you have to keep track of two:
1. Your 7 am meet with D3m0N and R56MINICooper on I-80
2. The 2 pm rendezvous at I-90 Mile Post 362.7 (west of Sioux Falls) [Note: superseded by info in Post #41]

(Exit 131 is just a reference to the turn-off from I-90 to the Badlands Loop.)

...or you could just blindly follow Brian and trust he'll get you there.

[Gil-galad]

Okay EIMers, I'd like to propose a change to our rendezvous plans!

I originally chose the SD rest area west of Sioux Falls based on the assumption that some of our MINIs might be coming north on I-29. Based on responses so far, it appears that instead everyone will be catching I-90 in the vicinity of Albert Lea. I figure there's no need to wait all the way until SD to hook up, since we'll all be on the same road anyway.

So my new target rendezvous point -- if the rest of you approve -- is at the Blue Earth Rest Stop located along I-90 in Minnesota at Mile Post 119.2 (westbound). This location is just a mile or so to the west of where US-169 crosses I-90 near Blue Earth, MN. I propose we meet here at 12:00 pm (i.e., high noon) which should still provide ample time for the IC contingent to get there and lots of time to complete the trip west in daylight.

Here's some info on that particular rest area:
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/restareas...wb.html#center

Is this plan acceptable to everyone?

[deanman]

The third and final location??????????

[Gil-galad]

Originally Posted by deanman

The third and final location??????????

Technically the 2nd...but yes -- hopefully the final! (I wouldn't have bothered, but this plan makes a lot more sense)

[R56MINICooper]

New location sounds good to me, we should be able to make that if we take off right at 7 and get a good move on

[Gil-galad]

Originally Posted by R56MINICooper

New location sounds good to me, we should be able to make that if we take off right at 7 and get a good move on

We could always make it noon, if you and Brian prefer to have a bit more time.

Have you guys given any thought to going thru Waterloo and Mason City and catching I-35 at Clear Lake as an alternative? By my calculations, it would save you 43 miles. Just a thought.

[D3m0N]

I am fine with that route as well really dont have any prefrences actually I will work with Rob to hammer out those details.

I think maybe noon may be a better overall fit as Cora doesnt really want to get moving that early anyway.

Rob: if we head up the 218 route thru Waterloo where would you want to meet? Exit 4 on 380 the gas station right there (North Liberty exit)?
Or would you prefer the interstate trip?

[05MINI]

Originally Posted by D3m0N

I am fine with that route as well really dont have any prefrences actually I will work with Rob to hammer out those details.

I think maybe noon may be a better overall fit as Cora doesnt really want to get moving that early anyway.

Rob: if we head up the 218 route thru Waterloo where would you want to meet? Exit 4 on 380 the gas station right there (North Liberty exit)?
Or would you prefer the interstate trip?

Daryl & I are meeting in Waterloo, also. We could follow the 218 route with the rest of you. I had planned to continue on Hwy 20 to I35 just so we could connect with you sooner. 20 to I35 is about 10 minutes longer than 218 to I35, so the time there is nominal. One MINI is cute, two are fun but a caravan? Head turning fun!