Jimmy,

JA> DS>   There are several reasons I decided to treat myself to
JA> DS> the Huntsville Hamfest this year:

JA>I need to look into this... Almost went to Huntsville last
JA>month for a day of miniatures gaming, but it's a long drive
JA>even for me (and I'm closer than you are). But if 'the wife
JA>and I' can make a day of it...

  I can't handle the long drive, but the bus was the better pricing
alternative...especially considering what the airlines wanted for a fare.
At the airport, the TSA will grope you at the checkpoint for free, and may
even give a free colonoscopy. :P

  I think there are several departures, but I picked the one leaving Little
Rock around 1am August 19, arriving in Memphis shortly before 5am, with a
short layover. Then, the next stop is Jackson (pick up and dropoff only),
with an arrival in Nashville a bit after 9am. Then I think I have a layover
until around 11:30am, before I board the new bus to Huntsville, arriving
there around 2:15pm.

  The return trip has me leaving Huntsville just before 10am on August 22,
arriving in Nashville around 1pm. Then, after a layover, I think I leave
Nashville around 4pm, getting into Memphis around 9pm, and back into Little
Rock just after 12am Tuesday.

  I am GUESSING on the times, because the itinerary doesn't show it. This
is obviously assuming that the bus is on time in each direction.

  From what I understand, the bus station in Huntsville is less than a mile
from the Von Braun Convention Center, where the hamfest will be held...and
the Embassy Suites hotel is adjacent to that. I'm going to stay Friday
night, Saturday night, and Sunday night. The main hamfest activities are
during the day Saturday and Sunday...but, especially on Saturday. There
will be hospitality suites at the Embassy Suites hotel. They haven't
announced the hamfest price yet, and it may be a few more weeks before the
website is updated, but it's still about 4 1/2 months away.

  Travel wise for you (and your wife, if she makes the trip), if you decide
to take the bus, is to board at either Memphis or Jackson. There are other
departure times, but I wanted to get to Huntsville while it was still
daylight. Greyhound's website I'm sure has further details on schedules,
pricing, etc. Mine cost more because it was the "80% refundable
ticket". A non-refundable ticket would've been cheaper, but if I had
to cancel

JA>I guess I'll know more after we go to Memphis in a couple
JA>of weeks...

  Freefest is next weekend, April 9. I am hoping to go...especially if I
can ride with someone from the area, and buy their gas for them. I really
don't want to make the drive myself. Of course, if weather is an issue, all
bets are off.

JA> DS> 3) There are a lot of vendors there, although I likely will
JA> DS> spend more on prize tickets and food.

JA>LOL

  If I win a nice prize, I could sell it (since I can't have RF gear), and
I could use the money to pay some bills, or maybe make a trip to the
Shreveport hamfest in early August. Last year, I went to that one, taking
Amtrak for a 5 hour train ride from Little Rock, Arkansas to Longview,
Texas...then I took the Thruway Bus for an hour ride to the dropoff point
at the Shreveport airport. The hotel where I stayed was under 2 miles away,
so they provided courtesy shuttle service.

JA> DS> 8) On the way over and back, I change buses in Nashville,
JA> DS> Tennessee; where I have some family (aunts, uncles, and
JA> DS> cousins). So, they'll come down to the station during my 90
JA> DS> minute layover.

JA>That's cool! :-)

  I so rarely get to see family anymore, but keep in contact with several
of them on Facebook.

(Continued to next message)
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