Rendezvous 2005-2007

[Mark Sedenquist]

A RoadTrip Rendezvous is defined as taking roadtrips that share one element: their itineraries converge at a set location in North America for a day or two. Participants meet, share a meal or two, and do something interesting together. The "something" might be anything from a music festival to a duck race -- North America is a big, fabulously diverse continent.

So we are thinking about where in North America we should go next. Greenland is technically in North America -- but the logistics of getting there are a bit tough. So that only leaves about a million other choices. Do you have any ideas as to where, when and why?

An important consideration -- the first RoadTrip Rendezvous was more-or-less by invitation only but from here on out -- they are open to anyone who wants to join us...

Mark

[Robert Schaller]

Just to get the thought processes churning...

1. The Iowa State Fair (reputedly one of the nation's best)

2. The Hot Air Balloon Festival in Albuquerque

3. Bonneville Salt Flats (for speed record attempts)

4. The Silver Classic Challenge (volunteer course workers at this road race event in Nevada)

5. A barbecue or chili cook-off in Texas

6. New Orleans for Mardi Gras

7. 4th of July in the nation's capital

[Mark Sedenquist]

7. 4th of July in the nation's capital

All great suggestions -- I would vote for 4th of July on the banks of the Mississippi under the St. Louis Arch. I was there one year -- pretty great event. A couple of F-15s actually flew through the arch, if my memory is intact.

Mark

[Robert Schaller]

And centrally located as well! Sounds good to me!

[Mark Sedenquist]

Sneak Peak: For the Glory!

There is a good chance that the May, 2006 Rendezvous will find the RTA roadtrippers in Ferndale, California as part of the running of the Kinetic Sculpture Race.

Mark

[Gerald Thurman]

Looks like fun to me.

[Gerald Thurman]

Excellent ideas... Another potential roadtrip is the
Crazy Horse Volksmarch

[Mark Sedenquist]

An amazing photo on that site. Are you going this year?

That first week in June, Megan and I will be driving scenic routes in Colorado and not able to make it. But maybe June, 2006 or 2007.

Mark

[Chuck C]

There is a good chance that the May, 2006 Rendezvous will find the RTA roadtrippers in Ferndale, California as part of the running of the Kinetic Sculpture Race.

Ah, I doubt I'll be able to make that one. Actually, it's likely that I'll be roadtripping out to the west coast in 2006, but that'll be timed to be out there for a specific event and will probably be in August 2006. And I only have so many vacation days each year!

I'd like to add the Mackinac Bridge Walk (click the "annual bridge walk" link for details, and there's pictures of it behind the "photo gallery" link) as a potential RoadTrip Rendezvous.

Edit: Though I've never been, I've wanted to go to the Gilroy Garlic Festival ever since I heard about it.

[Quebec Gen]

Here are a few more special and strange events...Some are huge happenings and some are just small towns festivals. I don't know what most of them are worth though :

1. Jazz Fest - Montreal, QC (Jun-Aug) : www.montrealjazzfest.com[/size
2. Winter Carnival - Quebec City, QC (Feb) : www.carnaval.qc.ca/
3. Roadkill Cook-Off - Marlington, WV (Sep)
4. Giant Omelette Celebration - Abbeville, LA (Nov)
5. Rotten Sneaker Contest - Montpelier, VT (Mar)
6. Big Whopper Liar's Contest - New Harmony, IN (Sep)
7. 24 Hour Marriage Marathon - NYC, NY (Feb)
8. Elvis Week - Memphis, TN (Aug) : www.elvis-presley.com
9. Divers Cite - Montreal, QC (Jul) : www.diverscite.org/anglais/
10. New France Festival - Quebec City, QC (Jun) : www.nouvellefrance.qc.ca
11. World's Largest Disco - Buffalo, NY (around Thanksgiving) :www.worldslargestdisco.com
12. Soap Box Derby - Akron, OH (Aug) : www.aasbd.org
13. Summer Redneck Games, East Dublin, GA (Jul) : www.wqzy.com
14. Art Car Parade - Houston, TX (Apr) : www.orangeshow.org
15. Hollerin' Contest - Spivey's Corner, NC (Jun) :
16. Gasparilla Pirate Festival - Tampa, FL (Feb)
17. Quiet Festival - Ocean City, NJ (Nov)
18. Bean Fest and Outhouse Race - Mountain View, AR (Oct)
19. Mermaid Parade, Cooney Island, Brooklyn, NY (Jun)
20. Pickle Fest - Atkins, AR (May)
21. New Year's Eve Party - Time Square, NYC, NY
22. Baxley Tree Festival (chainsaw carving, lumberjack show) - Baxley, GA (Apr)
23. Weird Contest Week - Ocean City, NJ (Aug)
24. Turkey Testicle Fest - Byron, IL (Oct)
25. Jack Kerouac Fest - Lowell, MA (Oct)
26. Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest - Cooney Island, Brooklyn, NY (Jul)
27. Hands on a Hard Body Contest - Longview, TX (Sep)
28. Canine Frisbee Disc World Finals - Washington, DC (Sep) : www.ashleywhippet.com
29. Dollywood Harvest Festival - Memphis, TN (Oct) : www.dollywood.com
30. Middle of Nowhere Celebration - Ainsworth, NE (Jun)

Personally, I'd really love to attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans and the St. Louis' Arch suggestion sounds fun to me but the 4th of July is not a holiday in Canada:o((

Gen