How far would you travel to talk pens?

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BRobbins629

BRobbins629

Passed Away Dec 28, 2021
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Location
Richmond, VA, USA.
At the recent local Richmond Penturners meeting, Jonathon Brooks came all the way from South Carolina, driving over 5 hours. I've made a few 1 hour + trips to meet with the folks from NoVA and usually drive 2-4 hours depending on traffic to the DC pen show. That's the farthest trip I've made specifically for pens.

Made me curious just how far people will go just to talk pens and socialize, not trips to shows where you are selling. Perhaps we could use this knowledge to one day or weekend have more larger regional gatherings like some areas in the country already have.
 
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Well, I drove from the Norfolk, VA area to Atlanta, GA several months back. :eek: I think it was 9 hours or so?

I got to spend two days with the Master Caster in SC though. Well worth the trip!

Oh yeah....And we got to go on a boat ride with Andy! Quite the adventure! Also, well worth the trip!!

Many people have not called me normal though.....:biggrin:
 
This is an "If" answer from me. With all the talent here that I would like to see demonstrated, "If" I were retired comfortably and "If" I had the money, I would fly cross country, but that's a BIG "IF".:biggrin:
 
I think it would depend on "who" was going to be where I am going. The Thursday meeting worked out perfectly for me because I was on vacation and did not have to work Friday. I guess there are a lot of variables in your question, but I would have to say a few hours each way would about be my max limit.
 
A friend and I visited the South Texas group a few years ago when they had their meeting at Curtis' shop, about a 4 hour drive. I took the fifth wheel and stayed overnight in an RV park to avoid having to drive back that night. Worked out great, we visited Curtis again the next morning!

It's just time! :smile:
 
I did about 4 hours to go to the Chicago pen show to see a few people, specifically Jeff (workingforwood) and to check out a couple of the other custom pen guys. I didn't get much out of it besides meeting them because I'm not into the collecting of vintage stuff.

Other than that .. 2 hours for any IAP meetings ... When I can (been a really bad year for making these!).
 
So far to the Atlanta IAP. If meeting Ptownstubbie extend my distance I have a wider range of distance. Also Jonathon at the same meeting. If the opportunity presented itself Iwould go further than that.
 
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Yeah I've never been able to be called normal either Fred. I drive from SC to Atl for their meetings (3.5hrs one way) as well as Raliegh, NC (4hrs one way) for turning meetings, and now to VA (a good 7hrs one way). Oh and I can't forget my local meetings (a whopping 35mins!!!) I had a blast getting to meet everyone there and being able to put a face with a name. To see Bruce's work first hand was well worth the trip, plus getting to pick his brain a bit! I was glad that Fred and Jason made it out. I consider Fred a good friend and I'll gladly make the trip back up there again.

I do hope that one day we can arrange a regional meeting. Kinda like what the midwest turners have. I think that'd be amazing to put all the great minds together for a couple of days. If it ever happens I'll help in any way possible!!

PTownSubbie said:
Well, I drove from the Norfolk, VA area to Atlanta, GA several months back. :eek: I think it was 9 hours or so?

I got to spend two days with the Master Caster in SC though. Well worth the trip!

Oh yeah....And we got to go on a boat ride with Andy! Quite the adventure! Also, well worth the trip!!

Many people have not called me normal though.....:biggrin:
Click to expand...

You're always welcome here Fred. We need to schedule another get together and I'll make the drive up to your place this go around. Maybe have a meet there while we're at it....No boat rides though, that's 1 trend we don't need to continue :eek::rain::ghost:
 
I've traveled 3.5 hours to meet and hear Jonathan Brooks speak in Atlanta. I would do so again for Jonathan or a few others to meet and hear lecture. Knoxville is a fair size city but nothing organized for pen turners and only one Woodcraft store that is not very accommodating.
 
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I am planning on attending the Jacksonville meetings and the meetings in VA on occasion. I use the office locations of my day job as the catalyst to get there, ok maybe that's cheating, but it works for me. We just opened an office in St. Louis and are looking to buy a firm in TX and TN so I'll be looking up those chapters as well.
 
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