Southern Indiana meetup: a modest proposal

"Just Jeepin'" (macintux) 08/17/2020 at 08:45 • Filed to: oppo meet, Southern Indiana

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(Reposting for the weekday crowd.)

I have to this point failed in one of my objectives for Oppositelock: to show off in person some of the more remote roads in Indiana, places you’d never discover without a guide or spending way too much time looking.

(Fortunately I’ve had both good guides and way too much time to explore.)

It occurred to me recently that I might try something simultaneously more and less ambitious than a meetup. Instead of trying to coordinate a date that works for everyone, I’ll set up a recurring commitment.

When my Jeep isn’t broken[†], a sadly too-frequent occurrence, I try to take a road trip at least once a month. So, I’m thinking I could commit to a bimonthly[*] schedule, and anyone interested in dropping by and wandering with me is welcome to show up. If no one does, that’s the same as every other road trip I take, so it’s not inconvenient for me.

(* In this case, every two months, not twice a month. Darn you to heck, English with your frequent ambiguities.)

So, I’m going to block the 3rd Saturday of every other month, starting in September, for Oppo folk. I’ll post a reminder the weekend prior with a location for that month’s excursion. I’ve also created an email alias, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , that you’re welcome to use to let me know you’re interested.

You’ll need some clearance on your vehicle (I’m not taking ride-alongs until after our current crisis is past us), but AWD/4WD shouldn’t be necessary ( update : except for Madison; there are some gnarly roads in that area).

I’ll probably !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and bring FRS handhelds if anyone commits.

My current plans, subject to capricious change:

September 19th 26th : Paoli ( update : was Cataract Falls)

November 21st: Madison ( update : the most interesting roads here are among the most rugged anywhere in Indiana, so this trip would be best done with a more capable vehicle)

January 16th: Brownsville

March 20th: Hoosier National Forest (Pleasant Run unit)

Despite how some of the above may appear, these are all public roads. No off-roading, no private land, just roads.

Hope to see you one of these days.

(† Believe it or not, one reason I’ve been so interested in finding an XJ is so I could organize small back roads events in southern Indiana via Meetup.com. I don’t feel comfortable setting that up without a backup vehicle, but given how rare it’ll be that anyone from Oppo is interested and available to join in, I don’t think there’ll be a problem.)

Taylor Martin > Just Jeepin' 08/15/2020 at 12:02

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It sounds like a hoot, and those are some awesome roads, but until I either live closer or have the right car to do it I can’t join you.

At this point, COVID just exists in America. It sucks, but people have gone from fearing it to just taking precautions (or not caring at all, which is really scary, but normal at this point). That’s why I don’t see any real fault in having meetups again. Socially distanced, small meetups. Still continue to be timid and modest with it, don’t go organizing biker rallies with 300,000 unmasked participants, but do have small adventures.

Excited to see if other people join you, and if they don’t then you’ll just have some you time... J ust J eepin’ with your J eep.

bshappy > Just Jeepin' 08/15/2020 at 12:02

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I REALLY wish I was closer. This sounds super fun.

Just Jeepin' > bshappy 08/15/2020 at 12:04

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Your FJ40 is of course always welcome, although given the color overlap with my LJ you’ll have to make sure you drive home in the right vehicle lest I wander off with the wrong one...

(So jelly.)

Just Jeepin' > Taylor Martin 08/15/2020 at 12:05

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Frankly I suspect I’ll be lucky to get 2 people a year, COVID or not. Not a lot of Oppos in this area. But, again, no sweat off my back since I’ll be doing what I love regardless.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Just Jeepin' 08/15/2020 at 13:01

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I wouldve liked to join you but none of my cars can do that...

Just Jeepin' > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 08/15/2020 at 13:11

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Yeah, I was definitely wondering when you’d get a real car so you can join in.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Just Jeepin' 08/15/2020 at 13:16

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Boooo! The only way thats happening is if I buy a tow pig to trailer the Vette to events...maybe next year

Kiltedpadre > Just Jeepin' 08/15/2020 at 13:26

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I’ll have to check my on-call schedule but Madison may work for me. It’s only about an hour away versus 3+ for the others.

Just Jeepin' > Kiltedpadre 08/15/2020 at 13:30

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Given how limited I expect attendance to be (I’d be surprised if I ever see more than one other person) , we can work around your on-call schedule for a Madison trip.

bshappy > Just Jeepin' 08/15/2020 at 13:51

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I’ll be driving back to NY and pull in to a gas station. I’ll get the usual “Hey, nice Jeep! ”. As I get ready to scold the guy I look down.... hey wait a minute!

SiennaMan > Just Jeepin' 08/15/2020 at 14:17

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As much as I e njoy seeing the pictures, I need to try to make one of these. Do you think a stock Civic or Odyssey would be able to handle the roads in question?

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > Just Jeepin' 08/15/2020 at 14:21

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Hoe much ground clearance are we talking? Will my rallycross Celica (currently being rebuilt) make it with a small lift, like 1.5 inches or so? 

Just Jeepin' > SiennaMan 08/15/2020 at 14:44

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For most of the roads I travel, clearance is more for peace of mind than anything else. I used to drive my del Sol down some of these roads.

So...probably? I wouldn’t take a lowered car or a stock S2000, but I’d wager a Civic or Odyssey would be fine. I’ll certainly pick roads based on the vehicles, although the Madison trip is an exception: the most interesting roads definitely require decent clearance and probably best with AWD/4WD. I’ll update the description on that one.

Just Jeepin' > GoodIdeaAtTheTime 08/15/2020 at 14:46

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See my reply to SiennaM an. I have to think your Celica would be fine for most of the areas I drive through.

Beefchips > Just Jeepin' 08/15/2020 at 16:49

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Oooh man I wish I was close, I’d bring my klr

Just Jeepin' > Beefchips 08/15/2020 at 16:58

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I don’t think you’d enjoy riding at my pace. It’s a Jeep on back roads, I’m barely moving at times.

E90M3 > Just Jeepin' 08/17/2020 at 08:49

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This is a bit off topic, but how much is your jeep costing you per month to maintain ? It sounds like you might be better DDing a cheap disposable car. Shouldn’t be surprising, but I’m a big proponent of having two cars.

vondon302 > Just Jeepin' 08/17/2020 at 08:56

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Hmm your a little too far away for me to commit but very interested. 

Just Jeepin' > E90M3 08/17/2020 at 08:59

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Well, I’m working remotely indefinitely, so it’s less of an issue. Thanks Coronavirus!

I do keep an eye out for a second vehicle, but it’s hard to save up for one while constantly being hit with mo re repair bills for the LJ. And it’s hard to justify big ticket items right now with all of the economic uncertainty, especially given the fact that I don’t actually need to DD.

I’ll get something else eventually.

Cash Rewards > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 08/17/2020 at 09:07

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Rent one or turo?

shop-teacher > Just Jeepin' 08/17/2020 at 09:09

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That's a great idea. I hope to be able to take you up on that one of these days. 

Just Jeepin' > shop-teacher 08/17/2020 at 09:18

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Maybe you, me, and Miss Mercedes could try a portion of  the TWAT someday.

http://lonewolfexpeditions.blogspot.com/p/trans-wisconsin-adventure-trail.html

shop-teacher > Just Jeepin' 08/17/2020 at 09:19

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That would be a lot of fun!

Just Jeepin' > vondon302 08/17/2020 at 09:21

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You’re in Michigan, right? That would be a long drive, especially since you have no shortage of interesting roads there.

Someday I need to get up there.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Cash Rewards 08/17/2020 at 09:23

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Eeeh... With the virus scenario, I dont trust either to disinfect their vehicles properly

vondon302 > Just Jeepin' 08/17/2020 at 09:27

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Well your photo's make me want to go to southern Indiana so maybe we can trade routes someday.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Just Jeepin' 08/17/2020 at 09:29

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Thanks for helping to make OPPO awesome!

Just Jeepin' > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 08/17/2020 at 09:35

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Let’s see whether this actually works first. 

E90M3 > Just Jeepin' 08/17/2020 at 09:37

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That makes sense. My view is that if you drive the car less, it should break less, meaning it should be overall less expensive. Although , there is no guarantee a second vehicle would be overall cheaper.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Just Jeepin' 08/17/2020 at 09:41

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Haha - i t’s awesome that you’re willing to share your adventures. 

Just Jeepin' > E90M3 08/17/2020 at 09:50

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Another problem is security: my home was burgled twice last year in two days, and I have no great confidence that if I owned two vehicles that the second one wouldn’t be stolen while I’m away.

Just Jeepin' > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 08/17/2020 at 09:51

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I think the quarantine is starting to impact my customary wish to be left alone. I found myself chatting with a couple of strangers Friday evening and I couldn’t shut up.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Just Jeepin' 08/17/2020 at 10:01

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It’s really interesting. We are social creatures, clearly. Mrs. addiction and I have been working our way through this show called “Alone” (History Channel). It’s like Survivor, but the people actually know their shit, and they’re all by themselves. It’s just an “outlast” competition to prove who can go the farthest, physically & mentally. A good percentage just cannot deal with the extended isolation from family & friends, and even the ones who can have a changed mindset, and commit to valuing those relationships even more going forward.

My fear is that our nation’s collective mental health, already in a bad place before the pandemic, is only going to get progressively worse as this goes on. That said, this event has been beneficial for some, who have been able to skip their commute, work from home, and spend more quality time with family and in nature. We all need to slow down sometimes and consider what’s truly important in life.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > E90M3 08/17/2020 at 10:04

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Ah, but what if both break at the same time? That’s why you should never have fewer than three cars. You’ll never have three broken at once.

E90M3 > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 08/17/2020 at 10:16

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This is a good point, going to keep it in the back pocket for when I need to convince my girlfriend I need a third car.

E90M3 > Just Jeepin' 08/17/2020 at 10:23

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Damn, that’s rough. Sorry to hear that. 

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > E90M3 08/17/2020 at 10:33

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I peaked at 7... went back down to 3, then to 5, now back at 6. Oops. At worst I was street parking five, thankfully only two are on the road at the moment.

ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy > Just Jeepin' 08/17/2020 at 11:14

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Mighty, mighty tempting. Closest two are Madison & Hoosier Nat’l Forest, at 5.5 hrs each, though.

Just Jeepin' > ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy 08/17/2020 at 11:19

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That’s a long drive for just a few hours of scenery. But, if you ever decide to rent a cabin or camp at one of our state parks...

Shift24 > Just Jeepin' 08/17/2020 at 13:56

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Id be interested Madison. Little over 3 hours for me. Even less if I stay in cinci the night before.

And by capable vehicle do you mean a more all out 4x4 or a 4x4 d ecent ground clearance and good all terrains be enough (GX470)

Just Jeepin' > Shift24 08/17/2020 at 14:03

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Madison definitely has the roughest roads I know of in Indiana, but (barring snow) they’re certainly manageable for nearly any vehicle with some clearance and decent tires .

If it snows, you’ll want 4wd, but it doesn’t have to be a rock crawler, just something that won’t easily revert to 1wd. I’d also want everyone to have tow hooks.

There’s a really nice state park in Madison, Clifty Falls, and it has an inn. Worth checking out. There is also General Butler state park on the Kentucky side of the river, again with a nice inn.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Just Jeepin' 08/17/2020 at 17:39

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I’m definitely interested in this. I’ll have to look at my schedule for the upcoming months, but I got something recently that I’m itching to take offroad, even just mildly:

Just Jeepin' > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 08/17/2020 at 17:49

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Next spring or summer I imagine I’ll go on a trip down Indiana’s Skyline Drive, although I’m pretty sure no one has a decal for it.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Just Jeepin' 08/17/2020 at 17:54

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If you’re feeling adventurous, I’m out in the Ozarks and I know there’s a bunch of really nice trails around here. Let me know if you want to come out sometime!

Just Jeepin' > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 08/17/2020 at 18:06

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Trust me, the Ozarks are on my list. Jeep hasn’t been reliable enough for a trip like that most of the time. 

Shift24 > Just Jeepin' 08/18/2020 at 12:57

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Ok cool will definitely will have to plan the trip then. And most likely Nov 21st right?

Also yep have hook multiple points on my GX

Just Jeepin' > Shift24 08/18/2020 at 17:07

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I promised Kiltedpadre I’d be flexible with Madison due to his on-call schedule, but I can simply make another trip down there if he can’t make the 21st, so yeah, let’s plan on that.

(I was also a little worried about colliding with family holidays, but in 2020 those are going to be weird no matter what.)

Very cool. Feel free to drop me an email when you have details ironed out : oppo@geekhavoc.com

Mercedes Streeter > Just Jeepin' 08/19/2020 at 18:21

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DOWN!!!

Funny enough, I was just at Attica last weekend offroading at Badlands with the commie Ranger. Badlands normally requires 4x4s but Gamblers are allowed with 4x2s  if you have a 4x4 recovery vehicle with you.

Just Jeepin' > Mercedes Streeter 08/19/2020 at 18:23

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I’m not going back to Badlands until I have another 4x4. The Jeep just is too fragile.

Mercedes Streeter > Just Jeepin' 08/19/2020 at 18:32

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I’m surprised the Ranger with its two wheel drive and all season tires survived. The park definitely lives up to its reputation! Smacked the frame so many times. We had a Buick LeSabre with us that looked epic out there.

Shift24 > Just Jeepin' 08/19/2020 at 22:06

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Ok awesome I will definitely do that once I do but I am also flexible on dates as well so I can adjust if needed

Bandit > Just Jeepin' 08/20/2020 at 21:02

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I have a stock GMC Canyon 4x4 , will it survive any of these or do I need a lifted Jeep?  I’m from Indiana originally and would love to drive down for something.

Just Jeepin' > Bandit 08/20/2020 at 21:06

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Your Canyon would be more than fine. Madison is the only area where you might  need 4x4 and any meaningful clearance, and I can’t imagine you would have any problems with that.

These are just interesting and mildly rugged back roads.

Bandit > Just Jeepin' 08/20/2020 at 21:20

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Excellent, I’m building a TJ right now too so either way count me in. 

Just Jeepin' > Bandit 08/20/2020 at 21:21

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Hope to see you soon. Email me when you know when you’re going to make the trek. I’ll also be posting in advance of each.