Official Nats MN Carpool Thread

[BubbleBoy]

We sort of hijacked my little brother's trading thread with our schemes of starting a carpool from MN to nats this year, and so I decided to move that discussion here. If there is anything important in that thread that I fail to post here, please let me know.

Anyway, to summarize the progress we have made so far, we believe that we will be capable of taking a van (or two) with a capacity of 8 people (each) from SE MN to Lynnfield, MA for 2010 Nationals. Here's a Map of the first route given when I MapQuested St. Paul, MN to Lynnfield, MA:

A route similar to this will most likely be the one followed if this trip is carried through, but it can be adjusted to pick up a few hitchhikers along the way if anyone near this route is interested in hopping aboard. Including stops and everything, this trip should take an estimated 22 hours total from start to finish each way, to give a general frame of reference for time (which totals to 44 hours of driving time to get from MN to MA and back to MN). As for money questions, here is a little per capita master budget for reference:

   Transportation Costs: $65 (about 2800 miles (including both directions) x about 20 miles per gallon x about $3 per gallon + about $20 for tolls / 8 people = a fraction of what would be paid for airfare)
   Lodging Costs: $55 (3 nights x about $70 a night / 4 people)
   Food Costs: $40 ($5 per meal x 2 meals per day x 4 days)
   Tournament Costs: $70 ($25 tournamnet fee + $20 booster draft + $25 personalized card (this cost can vary greatly from player to player))
   Total Cost: $230

So in other words, if you are interested, prepare for about two straight days of driving and $300 in expenses for a high-quality Redemption experience.

I am sure that I left a few things out here, so I plan to edit this thread over time.

[Rawrlolsauce!]

List of People interested
____________________
Bubble Boy: Is unable to drive.
Rawrlolsauce!: Is unable to drive.
Ring Wraith: Is able to drive, maybe?
Red Dragon Thorn?: Is able to drive, maybe?
Wanderer?? <----- Have not contacted him. Seems like kind of a long shot.    Maybe if he quits his job and we tell him his family can come along.....


Ideally I'd like 6, but 7 or 8 is fine too.

[Warrior_Monk]

from Austin, MN to Boston (wasn't sure where nats was being held, I'll redo the numbers.)
Straight route: 1,387 miles (22 hours) ($416 ($104 for 4, $82 for 5, $68 for 6, $60 for 7, $52 for
Steubenville route 1: 1,473(24 hours, 15 minutes) ($440 ($110 for 4, $88 for 5, $71 for 6, $63 for 7, $55 for 8
Steubenville route 2: 1,486(24 hours, 45 minutes) ($445 ($111 for 4, $89 for 5, $74 for 6, $64 for 7, $56 for
Steubenville route 1: 7 Partial, 4 Toll
Steubenville route 2: 3 Partial, 2 Toll
Straight Tolls: 5 Partial, 3 Toll

$3 for gas at a 20mpg rate.
I am able to drive. but my dad will only let me if a responsible adult (25ish) goes.
I pm'd Wanderer. definitely a long shot, but hopefully he'll get back to me soon.
mjware6 was also interested, hence why I included Steubenville routes.

[Red Dragon Thorn]

As far as I can find anywhere, because I have had my license for three years (and its a non-provisional) I should be able to drive legally. However, It seems Andrew's father wouldn't be thrilled with that, so I probably can't either, we need two (ideally 3 drivers) and if Pat wants them to be 25+ then we're going to run into difficulties, that means him and scott, and bany maybe - but I don't know if Bany is going to fly - I can talk to him.

[BubbleBoy]

I wonder if we could get Bill or Matt or Justin (who is actually 24, but that's hopefully good enough for Ring Wraith's dad) or someone else on board with this...

And Ring Wraith, are those numbers calculated for both ways, or just one?

[Rawrlolsauce!]

RDT: I thought that meant at least one adult to supervise us, and make sure we don't do anything stupid. We might want to clarify.... if we can find an adult to go with, I think we'll be good to go.

EDIT: BB, Bill is flying I believe. Hopefully Justin and Matt could help us, though....  

[BubbleBoy]

Bill is flying I believe.

I know he planned to fly, but maybe if he sees that so many awesome people are carpooling, he'll change his mind.

[Warrior_Monk]

As far as I can find anywhere, because I have had my license for three years (and its a non-provisional) I should be able to drive legally. However, It seems Andrew's father wouldn't be thrilled with that, so I probably can't either, we need two (ideally 3 drivers) and if Pat wants them to be 25+ then we're going to run into difficulties, that means him and scott, and bany maybe - but I don't know if Bany is going to fly - I can talk to him.

you could drive, there just has to be an older person then you.
I'm pretty sure I could drive. I'll have had my license for over a year and a half by that point.

my dad would be fine with Justin...I'm still not a for sure though, I need to talk to my mom about it as well.

I wonder if we could get Bill or Matt or Justin (who is actually 24, but that's hopefully good enough for Ring Wraith's dad) or someone else on board with this...

And Ring Wraith, are those numbers calculated for both ways, or just one?

both ways. Lynnwhatever is a little bit further than Boston though, I think...

[Rawrlolsauce!]

Okay guys. Spam Bill's, Matt's, Justin's, and Scott's private messages. One of them will be forced to agree just to stop our epic annoyance.

[BubbleBoy]

I call Justin!!!

[Warrior_Monk]

I get Scott

[Red Dragon Thorn]

I guess I'll bug Matt, actually I'll talk to Chris, see what his plan is.

[BubbleBoy]

I just want to say that I am extremely excited about this. I have never been to Nats before, and I have never been on the road for more than 8 hours before, and it sounds like with all these amazing people it should be a heck of a fun 4-5 days if this works out!

[Warrior_Monk]

me too! I'm gonna start looking into hotels!
although, I've been to 4 nationals before (MN, NY, MO, and OH). I'm not sure it's more fun than the T2 only and State and Regions are, but it's definitely up there!

[BubbleBoy]

I've been to 4 nationals before (MN, NY, MO, and OH). I'm not sure it's more fun than the T2 only and State and Regions are, but it's definitely up there!

Well, nats can offer you fun opportunities which you simply cannot find anywhere else. When it comes to fun and fellowship, the T2 only, State, and Regional tournaments simply cannot be beat, but nationals is definitely worth attending as well.

[Warrior_Monk]

true. but Regions has better down time between rounds. Nats is better over all.
Wanderer's response: "You do realize that I'm the only one who is married and has a full-time job?"
not looking good there.

[BubbleBoy]

Wanderer's response: "You do realize that I'm the only one who is married and has a full-time job?"

Hm, that's too bad...

By the way, since I will have to get down to Austin before we go anyway, I'll probably be able to take one of my parents' minivans to use for the trip, assuming we end up with 7 people or less, or we have so many people that we just can't fit them all in one vehicle.

[Professoralstad]

I wonder if we could get Bill or Matt or Justin (who is actually 24, but that's hopefully good enough for Ring Wraith's dad) or someone else on board with this...

And Ring Wraith, are those numbers calculated for both ways, or just one?

Justin will be 25 during Nationals. But I believe he is currently planning to fly. You could certainly ask him though.

I still haven't been able to determine if I'll be going yet or not. I am still negotiating with my wife-to-be.

[Red Dragon Thorn]

Dude, I've totally got a 7 seater super-van (Ford Econoline, think 60's van, but without the tye-dye) If we do this we're taking that Unless somebody has a 8 seater SUV.

[BubbleBoy]

I still haven't been able to determine if I'll be going yet or not. I am still negotiating with my wife-to-be.

Offer her jewelry! That's what the magic box says to do!

Dude, I've totally got a 7 seater super-van (Ford Econoline, think 60's van, but without the tye-dye)

*melts*

[Warrior_Monk]

as far as Hotels go, the Marriot is $100 a night. it's also within a mile of the church.
so, if we have 6 people... (RDT, Sauce, myself, BB, mjware6, and an adult. Justin, Jordan, whoever.) the total cost would be:
$75 for Transportation
$100 for Hotel
$50 for Food
$75 for tournament fees
=$300
and that's being generous... I'll keep looking for a cheaper hotel...

what's the gas milage for your van?

[Red Dragon Thorn]

Usually we get around 16-17. We drove it to Ohio for that Natz. It's also gone to Maryland with us before.

[The Guardian]

My plans will likely be determined by how much I am able to save for my Nationals budget...I prefer to fly because I enjoy it.

[BubbleBoy]

I prefer to fly because I enjoy it.

You enjoy it?! You're a tall guy, aren't you? The only way I can even stand flying is if I'm in the emergency exit row thingy, where there's actually room.

I also talked to Bill, and he said he just didn't have the time. But has anyone talked to Matt yet? I'd bet he would do it, or maybe Chris.

[alpal455]

as far as Hotels go, the Marriot is $100 a night. it's also within a mile of the church.
so, if we have 6 people... (RDT, Sauce, myself, BB, mjware6, and an adult. Justin, Jordan, whoever.) the total cost would be:
$75 for Transportation
$100 for Hotel
$50 for Food
$75 for tournament fees
=$300
and that's being generous... I'll keep looking for a cheaper hotel...

what's the gas milage for your van?

The $300 per person right?