Western Mass Meat Up (5/17/09)

braunsteinm


I've never been on a "Roadfood Meat Up."  I'd like this to be my first.

Go for it!
I'm going for it! And would love to have a chance to "meat' you, braunstein..
 
HEY, all....:  I just checked bus fares for fun last night on Greyhound...
I can get from AC to Northampton for $110 round trip! (7 day advance purchase fare)
That's a STEAL, as far as I'm concerned.
I'll probably take the bus to Hartford, though, so I can take the local Bradley Flyer to the Hartford airport to rent a car...(the only place to rent a car Sat. night)
 
I don't want to make the 5 hour trip from AC by car, cause with all the roadfood and shopping stops I make, it will be more like 8 hours (at least!)
On the bus, it's one stop in NYC, and that's it...
(of course, I'll sneak some good NYC food in during  the pitstop)
 
It's about 7 and a half hours travel time each way on the bus, but at least I can catch up on my newspapers and magazines.
I don't like driving so far (300 miles each way) for just a 2 night trip
 
Or I may take a bus/train combo....
still researching!!
 
Never been to Northampton!!


 

ellen4641

 
HEY, all....:  I just checked bus fares for fun last night on Greyhound...
I can get from AC to Northampton for $110 round trip! (7 day advance purchase fare)
That's a STEAL, as far as I'm concerned.
I'll probably take the bus to Hartford, though, so I can take the local Bradley Flyer to the Hartford airport to rent a car...(the only place to rent a car Sat. night)
 
I don't want to make the 5 hour trip from AC by car, cause with all the roadfood and shopping stops I make, it will be more like 8 hours (at least!)
On the bus, it's one stop in NYC, and that's it...
(of course, I'll sneak some good NYC food in during  the pitstop)
 
It's about 7 and a half hours travel time each way on the bus, but at least I can catch up on my newspapers and magazines.
I don't like driving so far (300 miles each way) for just a 2 night trip
 
Or I may take a bus/train combo....
still researching!!
 
Never been to Northampton!!
 

Train/bus/car might do the trick ... when do you see yourself making the trek?

Amtrak come all the way to Springfield.

I know the travel facilities in this neck of the woods pretty well.  Glad to help out.

We figure about 3 1/2 hour to the city from here.

I plan on making the trek to Western Mass the night before.
Sat. May 16th..... arriving in the early evening...
which, is usually too late for those neighborhood auto rental companies.
They tend to close by 6 pm, at best.

So that's why I figured I needed to get into Hartford, as I can then get a bus to take me to Hartford Airport to rent a car.
At least I know that decent sized airports , like Hartford's, have the 24 hour car rental.  Sounds a little complicated, but I've done stuff like this plenty before, and I'm very adventurous!
But it's good to know you're there for assistance, Gregg..
I just may need some! never know....

Ellen, you have other options as well.
You could always fly into Albany NY rent there and drive to North Hampton, great ride with many Roadfood options.
They just re-opened the Worcester regional airport, Jet Blue maybe I'll check.
Providence both an airport and Amtrack there. That little state sure has some great places to eat also.
Logan in Boston has bus service to North Hampton I believe, I see them on the Ma. pike often when going to Saratoga. Chow Jim

Actually, AMTRAK is just a little bit over 3 hours to Springfield from Penn Station.
The fare is about $80 RT.

The train goes through Hartford and I know there are some car rental places there ... that's about a 45 minute drive from here.

I just realized the we've settled in on Smith College graduation weekend.

The town will be buzzing ... but hotels will be in short supply.  West Springfield, Massachusetts or at the airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut is probably a good alternative ... especially for Priceline.

wheregreggeats.com


Actually, AMTRAK is just a little bit over 3 hours to Springfield from Penn Station.
The fare is about $80 RT.

The train goes through Hartford and I know there are some car rental places there ... that's about a 45 minute drive from here.

Thanks for the info, Gregg...
I just booked for Enterprise Rent a Car in Springfield, MA for Sat. 16th.
For 3 days, it came out to only $55.00 , including all taxes and fees!
Sat. and Sun was at the $9.99 rate, and Mon was $27.99. Gotta bring it back by 6 pm Monday, cause they close then.
(much cheaper than any of the other car rental places.) (they were mostly THREE times as much!)
The only catch is that I've gotta get there by 12 noon on Saturday, as that's when they close. I'll have them pick me up at either the bus or the train station.
You know Enterprise's slogan, "we'll pick you up!"
(I did'nt need to use a credit card to make the res.)
 
And,  Jim Eats, thanks for the info, also...but it's really not feasible for me to fly to Mass.
My nearest airport (ACY: Atlantic City airport) is only 5 miles away from me, but they've only got flights to Florida and Myrtle Beach (Spirit Airlines)
I'd have to either go about 60 miles in the wrong direction to Philly airport, or fly out of a NYC area airport. (and by then, I minds' well drive from NYC area to CT/MA)
 
I'll keep checking US AIRWAYS and SOUTHWEST out of Philly to New England (I'll check for miracle fares  ($39 each way , and/or computer errors, etc)
 
It's actually much easier and faster for me to get to Florida than it is to get to Mass. ! It's only a 2 hour flight to Florida, plus I get to the AC airport an hour early.
3 hours or so tops.
 
It's tough to match the $9.00 each way flight I got from Atlantic City airport to Fort Lauderdale for March. ($39 round trip after taxes/fees)
Spirit Airlines has some amazing deals. (even though bag check and seat selection fees are extra,  and a soda on the plane will cost you 2 bucks. )
 
Roll call for Western Mass !!!!
Who's going ?????
 
 

Gregg and Ellen, I have it penciled in my calendar and I hope to make it.  Is anyone coming from Boston?  I'm thinking of coming up for a weekend.  Maybe one way (Greyhound) to Boston on Friday, hit some spots and catch up with friends on Saturday, then off to Springfield on Sunday and take a one way back to NYC from Springfield later on Sunday.

billyboy


Gregg and Ellen, I have it penciled in my calendar and I hope to make it.  Is anyone coming from Boston?  I'm thinking of coming up for a weekend.  Maybe one way (Greyhound) to Boston on Friday, hit some spots and catch up with friends on Saturday, then off to Springfield on Sunday and take a one way back to NYC from Springfield later on Sunday.

Beth and Steve are planning to come ... from Framingham.

Thanks Gregg, I'll touch base with them.  What time is the meet -up?  

Travel UPDATE !!!!
Cancel all of my other ideas!

I found one of those "MIRACLE" air fares!!
I just Spirit Airlines e-mail they sent me this afternoon with their airline deal specials. I figured maybe I could catch another $9.00 each way to Florida!

I was pleasantly SURPRISED to see Spirit will be flying to BOSTON starting May 1st.  (thanks to Jimeats and Billyboy for getting Boston in
the back of my mind)
I got the $9.00 fare from AC to Boston for Sat. May 16th.
Returning on May 19th, Tuesday; no $9.00 fare was available, but $55.00 was still real good.

Total cost : $85.00 round trip ACY-BOS.
I'll rent a car at the Boston airport; I arrive in the early evening.
It sure beats taking those Greyhound buses !!!
(I would've had to take a bus from AC to NYC, then switch to another bus or an Amtrak train..... it would've been $110 round trip , AC-Springfield, MA........not bad, at all)
But this is even faster, and more comfortable..
and less schlepping around NYC dragging the luggage...
I'll just drive the 5 miles from my condo to AC airport, and in an hour and a half, I'll be in MASS already!
 
And would you believe, that in all  the domestic Roadfood traveling I've done, I've YET to go to BOSTON!
 
I thought this airline info might help some Roadfooders who are considering making the Western Mass "meat up" from the south Jersey/Philly/Baltimore area...
drive to AC airport, then hop on a plane to Boston hopefully for the $9.00 each way!!

Timing ...

How does about 11:30 in Williamsburg sound?
(See the map on the first page of this thread.)

We can all drive to Bub's in Sunderland (I am guessing 1:30-ish)

Then back to 'hamp, maybe for a stroll and/or some shopping then Joe's at 4.

I'm open to suggestions, especially from anyone who's done this before ... I'm thinking there's gotta be some time between meals.

There is plenty to do in the Valley between meals.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone.

It's getting down to less than 12 9 6 weeks, so I thought I'd bump this up.

MiamiDon


It's getting down to less than 12 weeks, so I thought I'd bump this up.

Thanks ... I am looking forward to it.  Almost time to take attendance.




 

Greg,

When will we fit Herrell's in?
 
FYI: 
 
I had to look this up.
 
Williamsburg Snack Shack
93 Main St
Haydenville, MA 01039

 

Greg: Count on Steve and me at 11:30 Sunday.
If Ellen and or Bill H and anyone else wants to do dinner Saturday in Boston, we're in.
WHere are you hankering to go?
Bill, if you need a place to stay or a ride again, let me know.
Ellen, so excited to meet you!!!
and the others who have expressed interest!!!!
 beth

It is staring to feel like Spring up here.

We had a bear breaking into the bird feeder last night, so spring has arrived!

Billyboy, Steve and I are planning on meeting at Durgin Park in BOston for dinner Sat. night, the evening before the Meet Up, around 6:30 pm. It is right in Faneuil Hall itself, and is very good as we ate there last year on a roadfood trip.
Anyone like to join us?
bethgrd

bethgrd


Billyboy, Steve and I are planning on meeting at Durgin Park in BOston for dinner Sat. night, the evening before the Meet Up, around 6:30 pm. It is right in Faneuil Hall itself, and is very good as we ate there last year on a roadfood trip.
Anyone like to join us?
bethgrd

Beth,

I might be up in Boston Saturday evening and could possibly join you guys. I'm still not sure if I'm going to make the meet up in Western MA the next day.

Dale, that would be great. Keep me posted.
For those doing mapquest, here are the addresses:

Durgin Park, 340 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA
Williamsburg Snack Shack, 93 Main St, Haydenville, MA
Joe's Pizza, 33 Market St, Northampton, MA
Bub's BBQ, 676 Amherst Rd, Sunderland, MA
Herrells, 8 Old South St, Northampton, MA

From above:

Timing ... I'm thinking 11:30 in Williamsburg at the Williamsburg Snack Shack.
(See the map on the first page of this thread.)

We can all drive to Bub's in Sunderland (I am guessing 1:30-ish)

Then back to 'hamp, maybe for a stroll and/or some shopping then Joe's at 4.  We can all park in the lot at my downtown condo in Northampton.  It is a gated lot, but I can give anyone the code that day.

Herrell's is right downtown.

There is plenty to do in the Valley between meals.

bethgrd


Dale, that would be great. Keep me posted.
For those doing mapquest, here are the addresses:

Durgin Park, 340 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA
Williamsburg Snack Shack, 93 Main St, Haydenville, MA
Joe's Pizza, 33 Market St, Northampton, MA
Bub's BBQ, 676 Amherst Rd, Sunderland, MA
Herrells, 8 Old South St, Northampton, MA

Absolutely,

BTW- Happy belated Passover to you and Steve

WOW!! First, I have to say that I have been out of the loop on RF happenings lately. Ellen brought this to my attention on Facebook yesterday and I immediately came here to check it out. Unfortunately, I will be spending that day in a 100-mile mountain bike race in Ocala, FL but as I told my wife, I would rather be scarfing down good food with good friends. Instead, I will be suffering unimaginable pain while downing Goo energy gels and high performance sports drinks. All of which taste like crap! On the other hand, I now have something to think about while I am cramping and crashing into trees. I will just imagine I am with you all laughing and eating.
 
Gregg - really great of you to spearhead this. If there is anyone out there that can put on a great time, it is certainly YOU!! I promise I will be there next time, buddy!

Gregg, I met up with Buffalo Tarheel, Doggydaddy, and the lovely couple TnTinCT this week at Pepe's in Manchester, and we discussed this upcoming trip.  I'm definitely looking forward to it and will be shoving Billyboy out of the way to get the best angles for food pictures!    Chris

Since my better half is the pro with the camera, and we have all these amazing photographers going on this excursion, I am looking forward to sitting back and doing a bunch of noshing!! Looking forward to see some new faces from all these great postings!  Terri

I'm a new face..... I'll be there.... but here is a picture from my last excursion, so you know who I am.

braunsteinm, 

you're not gonna wear that hat at the meet-n-greet, are ya?  

All kidding aside, do we know who is coming so far?  

I've got:

wheregreggeats.com
bethgrd & Steve
Ayersian (Chris)
billyboy (I may have a couple of friends from CT joining in as well)
braunsteinm
ellen4641
MiamiDon
TnTinCT
Slim Strummer
Benzee
tiki
pumppantry

BTW-Is anyone driving back to NYC after the meet up?  I may take a bus back, but wanted to see if I could hitch a ride.  If not, I anyone going by the Greyhound Station in Northampton/Springfield or a MetroNorth station in CT?  Thanks.

Greyhound station is 3 blocks from Joe's.

I may have a couple of local foodies along for one or two stops as well.