*Update - dates set* 2015 SE Ohio Ramble possible dates

[drc32-0]

I'd stay away from The Plaza Inn in New Martinsville.I worked near New Martinsville last year and the Plaza was one of those places that folks stayed at just long enough to find something else.I didn't stay there,but I didn't hear any positive comments about it,and several bad comments.

New Martinsville is a nice little town,but it's busy over there also.

 

[drc32-0]

John...for some reason the quote function isn't working for me...probably something stupid on my part.

How bad will the East route be chewed up?I just typed a paragraph and deleted it after reading it.I don't want to be a buzkill,so let's just say,expect to get held up by traffic and expect to have dirt and debris tracked onto roads that need paved.

I wasn't over there much this year,but I would probably stay south of 78.

On a more positive note...ODOT has paved quite a few good roads in Morgan,Galia and Lawerence counties in the last two years.A lot of stuff that hasn't been on Ramble routes before...790,775,217,218,,792, and a personal favorite new to me county road...Hannon Trace Rd between 775 and 790.

I was going to suggest this route to you guys last year after we ran the West route,but I couldn't think of a good way to get down there without 30 miles of slab.

Now if they would just pave Greasy Ridge Rd down in Lawrence and Galia counties!It parallels 775...check it out on a map and you'll know why I'd like to see it paved.It's been rough for about 5 years now.

 

[Top_Speed1]

Any objections to Parkersburg? about 10mi south of Marrietta.

 

[steve_g]

Any objections to Parkersburg? about 10mi south of Marrietta.

Parkersburg has a lot too choose from. There is a questionable looking entertainment establishment by the Microtel.

 

[Allen_C]

Any objections to Parkersburg? about 10mi south of Marrietta.

None at all if it meets our requirements!

 

[Top_Speed1]

Any objections to Parkersburg? about 10mi south of Marrietta.

Parkersburg has a lot too choose from. There is a questionable looking entertainment establishment by the Microtel.

Advanced Pole Dancing 101?

Any objections to Parkersburg? about 10mi south of Marrietta.

None at all if it meets our requirements!

I can hit on 3, maybe 4 out of our 5 main requirements. It seems if you want all 5, it's going to cost us, which in-effect is one of the requirements (low cost lodging) so I guess still 4 outta 5.

So far it's a Catch-22 for that weekend in that area... BUT!... I have 2 nice ladies that R going to get back to me, 1 from the Wyndam group, the other from the Choice Hotel group. These 2 groups encapsulate about 20 different chains. They said give them a couple of days to work on this.

 

[Top_Speed1]

BTW- I've been using 25 rooms as our group requirment, with possible expansion up to 40 or 50. Just the 25 number has eliminated about 75% of the lodging in this area (in the1st weekend of May anyways).

 

[Allen_C]

BTW- I've been using 25 rooms as our group requirment, with possible expansion up to 40 or 50. Just the 25 number has eliminated about 75% of the rooms in this area.

I think last year we had about 35-40 participants, most of them were doubled up. Depending on the size of our group this year, 15-20 rooms may be enough. If you find a hotel that can accommodate that and the other requirements then maybe an overflow hotel nearby can be used for the ones who sign up later?

 

[Top_Speed1]

BTW- I've been using 25 rooms as our group requirment, with possible expansion up to 40 or 50. Just the 25 number has eliminated about 75% of the rooms in this area.

I think last year we had about 35-40 participants, most of them were doubled up. Depending on the size of our group this year, 15-20 rooms may be enough. If you find a hotel that can accommodate that and the other requirements then maybe an overflow hotel nearby can be used for the ones who sign up later?

For some reason I thought we had more, closer to the 40, and I thought it was an SEO attendance record (not that prior years were very big). You R prob correct tho, you had way less to drink

 

[Intech]

Pick a hotel with large comfortable couches in the lobby area. JS!

 

[Top_Speed1]

OK, Bob just added a 6th requirement!

...least he didn't ask for rocking chairs, up on a porch, overlooking a swan filled pond! ....oh for jimminy's sake! But, I'm sure somebody will soon enough!

Our updated wish list:

1. Availability ...w prior booked wedding(s), a graduation of the local College, and the fracker invasion.

2. Amenities, food porn within walking distance (Mickey-D's does not count).

3. Pricing (under $100/nite, and, the further under 100 the better!)

4. Location (within our prior years gps loops)

5. No fleabag cheap-ass motels (John; post# 38)

6. Comfortable couches in the Lobby area (Bob; post# 49)

 

[John d]

OK, Bob just added a 6th requirement!...least he didn't ask for rocking chairs, up on a porch overlooking a swan filled pond ....for jimminy's sake! But, I'm sure somebody will soon enough!

If you succeed on the 6th requirement, I say Bob should buy all the beer.

 

[Intech]

OK, Bob just added a 6th requirement!...least he didn't ask for rocking chairs, up on a porch overlooking a swan filled pond ....for jimminy's sake! But, I'm sure somebody will soon enough!

If you succeed on the 6th requirement, I say Bob should buy all the beer.

Where is that "dislike" button???

 

[Intech]

OK, Bob just added a 6th requirement!...least he didn't ask for rocking chairs, up on a porch, overlooking a swan filled pond! ....oh for jimminy's sake! But, I'm sure somebody will soon enough!

Our updated wish list:

1. Availability ...w prior booked wedding(s), a graduation of the local College, and the fracker invasion.

2. Amenities, food porn within walking distance (Mickey-D's does not count).

3. Pricing (under $100/nite, and, the further under 100 the better!)

4. Location (within our prior years gps loops)

5. No fleabag cheap-ass motels (John; post# 38)

6. Comfortable couches in the Lobby area (Bob; post# 49)

In case you missed what I was inferring, The couches would be for those that could not procure a room.

 

[stevec677]

Who are you kidding Bob, we all know you had a Russell seat installed on your couch at home.

 

[Top_Speed1]

Instead of further phone contact, I received this email last night from Choice. Nothing back from Wyndam yet either, so we are in waiting mode.

Dear KJ,

I've received your inquiry for a group reservation at one of our properties and I look forward to discussing it with you further. The details of the inquiry I received are as follows:

Destination
:

Arrival Date:
4/30/2015



Departure Date:
5/3/2015

Number of Rooms:
25



I am contacting the property you requested in addition to other nearby properties that might be able to meet your group's needs. Either myself or someone from our sales team will be in touch with you by the end of the second business day. If you need information sooner, or if you'd like to contact me directly, my contact information and work hours are as follows:

Kerry-Ann Pinnock

(800) 426-2121

mailto:[email protected][email protected]
mailto:[email protected]


My Business Hours:

Monday-Friday: 8:30am-5:00pm ET


Thank you again for your inquiry, and I look forward to speaking with you again soon!

Sincerely,
Kerry-Ann

 

[Top_Speed1]

Here's one for debate..........

Microtel Mineral Wells WV (about 25mi south of Marrietta)

OK, only downside I see; it's on the top side of our budget ~$90/nite. I think last year's Microtel in Marrietta was a couple bucks less. Not sure how fussy we can be with all of our wants/needs, especially with all the frackers "invading" this area.

So, It's got very good reviews. Clean and new! Built in 2012.

Has CLOSE walking distance amenities (across the street)...

-Cracker Barrell

-Napolis Pizza

-Taco Bell

-VIP Cocktail Club (thinking this may be a gentlemens club)

The woman at the desk said there's also a few other privately owned restaurants (plus more chains like Wendy's & McD's that we prob are not interested in), but they all are about a 1/4-1/2mi. down the road. She said they could be walked to and from. I've got it up on googlemaps here for any peepers.

 

[Allen_C]

I like it! $90/nite should be ok if the price is for one or two beds and single or double occupancy. And if someone has points or a corporate account with Holiday Inn Group, there is one next door.

What does everyone else think about this location on the May 1-3 weekend? I know we have some who could only do the first weekend but can we get at least as large turnout as any other weekend?

 

[wheatonFJR]

I may not be able to make it...but it seems like a reasonable choice.

 

[Top_Speed1]

I like it! $90/nite should be ok if the price is for one or two beds and single or double occupancy. And if someone has points or a corporate account with Holiday Inn Group, there is one next door. What does everyone else think about this location on the May 1-3 weekend? I know we have some who could only do the first weekend but can we get at least as large turnout as any other weekend?

I'm pursuing this motel as one of our top spots then, I'm going to try for a little better rate, also make sure we have a 24hr cancellation policy and the block of rooms that can be held up-to their latest date of?.. <update>: they have responded, Block reserved up to 14 days prior to check-in, and they'll do a 24hr cancellation as well....still working on pricing, I want better than the AAA rate that was offered. Not sure how much ammunition I have left for bartering, they'll likely sell out anyways with all the frackers migrating down here as well.

Give me sum more time, it's a Friday and no mgr. capable of handling this at the moment. </update>

I may not be able to make it...but it seems like a reasonable choice.

'May not' has possibilities, be there Mark!