I don't think it'll matter that much. You're pretty easy to spot with your huge cranium and pointy ears. Plus, you'll be the only black & white guy there.
I was under the impression that we all look like that.
Generally unless you want to spend a whole day downtown and are really good with time, it's a bad idea.
On the weekend, the train itself departs every 2 hours from a given station.
I have seen websites where you can call ahead and set up guided tours with a group.
This is generally the way to go if you want to use mass transit exclusively.
Otherwise with yourself and a buddy, yes you can get off at the end of the line in Chicago (Ogilvie) on Madison Street. You can basically walk to the art museum and willis tower and millenium park and grant park and stuff like that if you stay between Madison Street and Jackson Blvd. Just go during the morning and afternoon, not because of crime, but because it gets really, really boring after sunset. Stuff closes early. This isn't new york city.
That being said I've successfully driven with a group of people to the parking garage underneath grant park during taste of chicago on the weekend without a lot of pain. What I'm saying is that unfortunately it's still a very car-oriented city.
The Art museum, Sears Tower, etc is the wrong part of the city to go to if you want to party all night. That part of the city is the financial district and for the most part shuts down when the exchanges do. For the night life you need to go to the north part of Downtown.
Just signed up myself and my wife (separately). Although I was looking forward to Ottatwa (I got some great green beans from the roaster downstairs) I'm also looking forward to re-establishing some friendships from last year. I'll be bringing Eddie and some RDS/VPL stuff I'm working on.
I'm planning on showing up, go to get the official OK from my real boss.... I hope to bring my new robot, at least the part that is being built. That's assuming that I can get the machining I need to do completed in time!
This hotel looks very close to the airport, if I'm seeing it right.
Was going to get a rental car, but a lady at the hotel told me that taxi is just ~$35 flat rate each way.
So, I think I'll do that, since it's cheaper and easier...
She told me I'm supposed to use "American Taxi" as they have some arrangement.
Not sure if that's real or not though.
BTW: Why isn't this thread in the Propeller forum? Seems like we should be chatting it up, if we want to get new people there...
Just to create some more activity on the thread, I guess:
My plans are to take the day off and drive up on Friday. Google maps says its a little under 6 hours (which is about the same as previous UPECs). That includes a pretty boring drive across Indiana, but I get to see a lot of wind turbines and my car gets to go past its birthplace.
Just sent you a message, but I'm also taking Friday off and making the 8.5 hour drive so should arrive early evening. If they don't have an "official room" I see that they have complementary breakfast buffet so they probably have a seating area for that.
Comments
I was under the impression that we all look like that.
There's a Fry's just a few miles away!
The Art museum, Sears Tower, etc is the wrong part of the city to go to if you want to party all night. That part of the city is the financial district and for the most part shuts down when the exchanges do. For the night life you need to go to the north part of Downtown.
http://rushanddivision.com/
Friday and Saturday nights are a RUSH. Pun intended
Todd
Bob
Was going to get a rental car, but a lady at the hotel told me that taxi is just ~$35 flat rate each way.
So, I think I'll do that, since it's cheaper and easier...
She told me I'm supposed to use "American Taxi" as they have some arrangement.
Not sure if that's real or not though.
BTW: Why isn't this thread in the Propeller forum? Seems like we should be chatting it up, if we want to get new people there...
My plans are to take the day off and drive up on Friday. Google maps says its a little under 6 hours (which is about the same as previous UPECs). That includes a pretty boring drive across Indiana, but I get to see a lot of wind turbines and my car gets to go past its birthplace.
OBC:
Will there be a room available for us to meet Friday night at the hotel?
Just sent you a message, but I'm also taking Friday off and making the 8.5 hour drive so should arrive early evening. If they don't have an "official room" I see that they have complementary breakfast buffet so they probably have a seating area for that.
Todd
Thanks, OBC.
Bob
Since I live within 10 miles of the where the UPEC is being held this year I won't be staying in the hotel. What are the plans for friday?
Is there going to be a UPEC 2013? I attended the UPEC 2012 and had a blast. The location worked out great.