MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 03:53 PM

I've driven about 600 miles one way, twice, to the Maryland Banjo Academy, a two-and-a-half-day banjo heaven, in 1998 and 2000. I might do the equivalent, depending on the outlook for who was to be there and a few other factors. This is from Indianapolis.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 28 Mar 01 - 11:20 PM

Drove about 50 min to see CarolC when she was in Newmarket . Also met Flatop and Little Hawk at the same time. Missed the Rick Fielding thing in Toronto (1 1/2 Hr), would have gone if I had known, stupid Modem. Met Rana, who I already knew, and Sophoclese, who I talked to in Orillia (1 1/2+ Hr) last July 1st, then found out on the Monday after the weekend who they were on Mudcat. Met Rick Fielding and a guy who's Mudcat name I forget, real name Robin, at the Collingwood Celtic Continuum(35 min, nice). I hope to be going to the Old Songs Festival (5-6Hr)this year and would be interested in meeting whoever is there. I hear that a few Mudcatters attend. Love to attend the Manchester, Lancashire and even Yorkshire get togethers if I ever get back there too. JohnB

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Mar 01 - 11:11 PM

NO HAMSTERS??????????

Huh!

~Susan

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: hesperis
Date: 28 Mar 01 - 11:04 PM

I will talk to my chauffeur, but cannot guarantee anything. And I've never traveled WITH hamsters. (My stepdad takes care of them and gets the mail, etc.)

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 28 Mar 01 - 05:23 PM

we'd love to be there, but both the JOhnson Girls AND Water Sign have gigs that weekend -- actually ON April 28!!!!

have a great time!!

JOy

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Mar 01 - 05:09 PM

Nancy, I think perhaps it's just as well. The NK I had heard of here may turn out to be my next gynie. It would have been too weird to be Mudcatters and go muffdiving too! *G*

~S~

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: GUEST,Nancy King at work
Date: 28 Mar 01 - 03:21 PM

WYSIWYG -- Actually no, I live in Montgomery County, Maryland, just outside Washington DC. I have no clue how long it would take to get to your area. Maybe someday...

Cheers, Nancy

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Sean Belt
Date: 28 Mar 01 - 09:25 AM

Susan (& all),

I'm in St. Louis. About 800 miles from you. I've traveled farther than that to share music with good people and would certainly travel to your gathering. Unfortunately, I'm scheduled to be in Mountain View, Arkansas that weekend playing with some other folks. Maybe I can make it to some later gathering.

- sean

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Amergin
Date: 28 Mar 01 - 01:21 AM

Well, Susan.....you know you're a bit too far for me......poor Hardiman might get a little jealous once you catch wind of my irresistible charm.....

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: WyoWoman
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 11:51 PM

Well, Mark, E.J. is an hour from Denver and I'm a couple of hours. I think there are a couple more of us here in the Denver area as well, so sometime when you're going to be here, let us know and we can at least gather for a cuppa or a beer and a visit, if not for actual music.

Yup, if I could handle the time 'n' money thaing, I'd spend lots and lots of time popping in for singarounds with youse guys. This burdensome thing called 'making a living' ... sheesh.

ww

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: rangeroger
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 10:53 PM

I'd love to go to PA for a Mudgather,but like the others have said,I would have to be independently wealthy with no job.

As it is I travel 2500 miles round trip twice a year for the Strawberry Music Festival.While it is a weekend event,Memorial and Labor Day each year,I am there for 3 weeks each time.When I get tired on the drive, I crawl into my 1940 aluminum teardrop trailer for a nap, though I"ve been known to drive straight through sometimes (18 hours)

I'm hoping to make it to Seattle to see Mrrzy when he comes,ad I'm still trying to get to get together with JenEllen in Washington and Alice in Montana.

rr

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 10:12 PM

Any and all of you are welcome to the Big Island of Hawaii, any time, for any gathering you care to create. Or just let me know and I'll create one. If my house sells, there are lots of places to camp, and it's never cold (just rainy).

I travel from Hawaii to Colorado (Boulder/Denver) for long weekends every month or two to see my 6-year-old daughter. We'd love to find music there. However, driving several hours FROM Denver when I only have 3 days with her is not really in the cards. (Sorry, kat!)

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 09:48 PM

I wish we still lived in Erie, since that sounds like a lot of fun. 2000 miles is a bit far for a long weekend, however.

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 08:49 PM

Nancy, are you by any chance in the Elmira NY area?

~S~

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Nancy King
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 08:44 PM

Yup, money and time. That's what it takes. Hard to have both at once. I've been known to travel 700 miles or so (1-way) for a weekend event, but it has to be something pretty special for me to go that far for a weekend. You spend too much of the time getting there and back and not enough of it singing or jamming or dancing or whatever. Most times I'd consider 4 hours' drive, give or take a bit, my limit for a weekend, and 1 hour for an evening, since I don't like driving alone late at night.

Cheers, Nancy

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 08:31 PM

OK, we are on for the weekend of April 28. There will be another in the summer with a date yet to be set.

I am picturing arrivals bearing a dish to pass beginning on Friday evening, possibly meeting up at our church with picking preceding dispersing to various sleeping locations. (Camping if warm enough will be at our place.) And so on from there until the last gasp of Sunday evening. We will set up locations once we know how many folks we are talking about. But we have at least one more house and a whole church for backup, and you may vote in favor of the church acoustics after checking them out. (Copier handy!) And the town green is across from it.

We will also be doing some calling around to flush the local pickers out of the woodwork. There may be quite a few and this may just be the thing to fetch them into our evil web (the Mudcat). We will have a computer humming prominently to dig up any songs needed!

A word about drinking. I know some of you must be wondering. We don't, but we don't disapprove, either, as long as it occurs after any driving necessary. Your choice. Mi casa su casa. Just check with Sorcha, Amos, Dharmabum, or MMario if you are curious about the "prudeness" factor!

Please e-mail me for more information. And if you have either held or attended a good gathering, tell me what the MOST IMPORTANT thing is that I need to know. Such as, paper, plastic, or real plates. Practical stuff. You know-- how many people you think can share two bathrooms, or are we talking portapotties! The rest I know will sort itself out just fine.

I will post a separate thread where we can work out and post ongoing details.

(Click HERE to e-mail me. Subject line: MUDCAT GATHERING)

~Susan (AKA Praise)

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Susan of DT
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 08:02 PM

Susan - we could go to your house for a weekend gathering - given enough notice and a good date. Since Dick and I live around 90 miles apart, one of us drives that each weekend and we start from whichever is closer to where we want to go that weekend, so we can start from CT or NJ. We go 75 miles for an evening sing, 3-4 hours for a weekend gathering and have gone to England, New Brunswick, Northern Vermont, Virginia, etc for festivals.

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Matt_R
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 07:59 PM

Hey, YOUR car broke down on the way to see ME didn't it?

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: kendall
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 07:43 PM

Sorry Matt, I've missed our pissing contests.

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Dave Swan
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 07:35 PM

Big Mick, his girls, p.j. and I drove from Mick's house in Michigan to Rick Fielding's in Toronto for a beer and a few songs. Seven and a half hours enroute to Rick's, about four hours there with Rick and the Toronto area 'cats, and seven and a half hours home. I'd do it again in a second.

Dave

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: bill\sables
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 05:57 PM

I think a lot depends on the price of petrol. To travel 60 miles in the UK would cost around £8 whereas £8 in the USA would take me around 300 miles.

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Matt_R
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 05:44 PM

Well kendall, if I ever went to visit your Royal Curmudgeoness, perhaps I'd get lucky and my car would break down.

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Melani
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 04:32 PM

What John J said. With enough notice, I could do about 150 for a weekend, or as much as 50 for an evening. Or if I just happen to be there anyway--but I don't go far out of town very often.

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 04:20 PM

I'm with the Ducks and the Chucks- anywhere, would time and funds allow. As it is, time is rare and funds are rarer, so I limit it to 100-150 miles for weekend jaunts. But one of these days I may break loose and watch out!
And I'm planning to do a couch tour similar to WyoW's in 2002.

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: GUEST,Midchuck upstairs (but dressed)
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 04:10 PM

Ms. Quack said:

If I had the funds I'd travel almost any distance if it sounded like fun as long as when I got there I had enough time to recover before going back.

That's about what my feeling is - provided Mizchuck is willing to go and we can both get away from work.

Peter

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Micca
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 03:10 PM

WW, welcome back and there is a spare bed here in London too,If you like. I have travelled to 2 Mudcat events, and will to any others I possibly can, it was almost the most fun I can have and keep my clothes on..so if money was no object... No limit..

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Noreen
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 01:39 PM

Great, WW! There's a sofa-equivalent for you here on the edge of the Pennine Moors, and plenty of music in the area. Let us know your plans. (Good to see you back BTW.)

I agree with Madame Duck on the travelling question. I'm still hoping there'll be enough funds in the kitty (poor kitty) after paying the bills to get me to the German gathering...

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: WyoWoman
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 01:06 PM

To the ends of the Earf. (Actually, I'm hoping to visit the U.K. this summer and sleep on sofas all 'round ... Will sing for sofa, of course ... )

ww

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Dharmabum
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 01:01 PM

Well Susan, you know how far I'd travel.

Annamill, I travel up to n.central PA. quite often.If you ever want to catch a ride with me to one of Susans gatherings, I'd welcome the company. I'm about an hour from you & she's about 4 1/2 hours from me. Believe me,a trip to Susans is worth every mile traveled.

Ron.

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: folk1234
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 12:45 PM

It depends upon many variables such as the phase of the moon, the number of people currently in space, the height of Oklahoma winter wheat, and the third derivative of the rate of change of the DJ index to the square root of the GNP.

However I have been known to travel 1,723 miles to Pinewoods; 1,021 miles to the Swannanoa Gathering; 1,148 miles to Augusta; 1,492 miles to Annamills 'cat gathering; and 1,330 miles to the FSGW Gathering. The latter was combined with a business trip. I also travel 89 miles to our monthly meeting of the Oklahoma City Traditional Music Assn. All figures are one-way.
Bottom line: Do it and I may come (I'd like to). It helps to meet people on the way - maybe sing a few songs, or share a ride to our destination.

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 12:40 PM

If I had the funds I'd travel almost any distance if it sounded like fun as long as when I got there I had enough time to recover before going back.

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: annamill
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 12:22 PM

I would certainly come to your gathering Susan. I guess that would be about 4 or 5 hours I think. I would have gone up to Barry's, but I couldn't.

Love, annamill

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: nutty
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 11:56 AM

I make a two hundred mile round trip to a practice as I don't live near the other members of the group

Furthest ( so far ) to a weekend festival is 260 miles which - with stops - took me about six hours
But it was worth it

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Mr Red
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 11:25 AM

Nicholas Parsons (not the marginally famous UK one) once said to me re sessions where the landlord offered a free drink to all muso's. "I would go 50 miles for a free drink". Nic is a Madcatter (sic).

Me? 50 miles each way and no free drink - for a good session.

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 11:23 AM

Matt, your perfect grammar is slipping again...

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: alison
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 10:28 AM

time to get out more Matt... there are lots of places to discover..........

I always envied people on mainland Europe.... I mean you could get into your car and drive to any number of other countries......... the US would be the same....... and look at all the 'catters you could go visit.....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: GUEST,Matt_R
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 10:20 AM

Allan, I thought she was asking how far would I drive for a gathering, not how far I was from her. 380 miles! Gasp! 110 miles is the farthest I've ever drove!

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: SINSULL
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 10:20 AM

MaryMac and I drove 5+ hours to Barry's from NYC. Add two hours on to her trip.

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Sorcha
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 09:41 AM

Would all depend time and money. Gas ain't cheap, and Mr. only gets so 4 weeks vac. time a year. 1 is for Hunting, 1 is for the lake, 1 is for going home to Winfield, and that only leaves 1. It's hard to go very far for very long in a week........(I can't drive much farther than 6 hrs alone, back hurts too bad)

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: MMario
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 09:17 AM

well - 'twasn't a mudgather - but I have driven a round trip of 3000 miles for something similar - but it was unusual circumstances...

4 or 5 hours (one way) would be okay - assuming that w*rk doesn't interfere - as it can.

With enough lead time - probably be willing to drive about 8 hours

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Allan C.
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 09:12 AM

Susan, my current gig prevents me from going beyond the mailbox for the most part - except for a reservation to attend the long Getaway weekend in October. So as much as I would love to go to a gathering at your place or anywhere else, (the wishes I alluded to,) I cannot.

P.S. Matt, my apologies. I think I understand that you meant 85 miles was as far as you were wanting to travel; not an indication of the actual distance.

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 09:02 AM

Whenever I go anywhere, I search for mudcatters, but I went from VA to San Fran for business, I just happened to also attend the chanteysing. Cross-town from my dinner to my hotel to change, back across town to the sing. When I go to Seattle, I plan to go to both Vancouver and Portland to see 'catters, but were there no catters, I'd want to see those places anyway. Hard to say, in other words!

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 08:32 AM

Keep posting everyone. I have a couple of busy days so don't go feeling ignored if I ain't here much. (Lent, friend with chemo to drive, a lil gigette Sunday in church.)

So Allan C, are you coming to our next gather?

~Susan

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: SINSULL
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 08:30 AM

NYC to Portland for a shanty sing. One hour and forty-five minutes to Annamill's. 15 minute cab ride to Sorcha Dorcha. If I quit my job, I'll go anywhere.

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 08:26 AM

depends on where it is. A days travel for me is 200 to 300 miles.I hate driving.

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: John J
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 08:02 AM

150-ish miles for a weekend do, 20-30 miles max for an evening do.

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Allan C.
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 07:56 AM

If wishes were horses...to the ends of the earth!

It is about 250 miles from here to your house, Susan.

Matt, my friend, you must be traveling out-of-body or something but either way, Susan's is more like 380 miles from where you are.

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Naemanson
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 05:04 AM

Ask me in two years when I have no family constraints. I considered going to New Jersey from Maine, a few hundred miles, for a gathering. I have definitely gone From here to Barry's house for a gathering, about 125 miles. And I regularly go to Portsmouth for the sessions which is 90 miles.

Maybe, because travel is so easy, we should ask how many HOURS one is willing to travel.

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: bill\sables
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 03:43 AM

Last year I flew from the UK and then Allan C and I drove as far as Montana to attend a gathering with Alice I think I traveled about 15,000 miles in all.
Bill

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: alison
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 03:23 AM

well I would have dropped in on the getaway last year on my way back from Ireland, had the dates been different..... so Getaway to Sydney... several thousand kms

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: MudGuard
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 03:22 AM

I will go about 620km (almost 400 miles) this year to the German gathering, but only because I can connect it with my holiday for which I would travel past the town anyway.

Distance to North Central PA: some thousand km

MudGuard

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: SeanM
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 03:16 AM

Well, it isn't mudcatters, but my personal record is roughly 600 miles for a rehearsal.

I'd probably do the same depending on where the final location is for 'catters, 's long as there was music at the end.

Of course, I'd have to get a car again...

And a driver's license again...

Gee, I got spoiled living in public transport paradise...

M

Subject: RE: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: Matt_R
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 12:46 AM

Um, 85 miles?

Subject: MudGathers: How Far Would YOU Travel?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Mar 01 - 12:37 AM

What's your driving range for going to meet up with other Mudcatters, say for a long weekend event? When there isn't a festival involved-- how far will you go?

And how far are you from us in North Central PA? (Routes 6 & 15, north of Williamsport or south of Corning NY.)

~Susan