# DC/NoVa/MD Party/Dopefest! 6/2/01 **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 18, 2001, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440 "2001-03-18T02:51:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2001, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/1 "2001-03-18T02:51:34Z")
Hey all. Mrs Chance and I throw parties twice a year, Halloween (costume required) and the weekend after Memorial Day. Well, this year that’s June 2nd. And the party is on. The catering is being arranged, the entertainment (a mime/clown from the Maryland Renaissance Festival) is booked, and the 110 CD changer is being loaded. Free food, free beer, free entertainment and all things good. And this time, you’re invited! Yes, I meant YOU! All are welcome to attend. We live in the Blue Ridge Mountains about 50 miles NW of Washington DC. Easy access for most of the mid-Atlantic. So, is this a good idea? Will some of you come? Party starts at approximately 1-2PM and ends when (to quote Robert Heinlein) we decide to kick out or throw blankets over the drunks, depending. We’ll put up a web site with direction and other valuable data closer to the date of the party. So tell me who’s interested. The one thing I need is news of who plans to show and how many people they’re bringing. It helps us to plan the food and entertainment. So come on and see our old house in the country. We’ll drink Virginia wine from Breaux Winery and play volleyball in the back yard. If everyone is really good/drunk we can even use the little tractor for Hayrides! Are you **with** me here? ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2001, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/2 "2001-03-18T04:17:05Z")
I’d love to go. Put me down as a maybe. Hopefully more of the DC clan will make it out there. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2001, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/3 "2001-03-18T11:57:45Z")
Hopefully! We’d be glad to have you join us. ---
**Author:** ![activgurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@activgurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/activgurl)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2001, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/4 "2001-03-18T14:21:23Z")
Can I get any luckier than this? I have been salivating at the opportunity to see the rhododendrens blooming along the Blue Ridge Parkway, or Skyline Drive, this spring. Now, I have an even better reason to head that way! AND, I just checked my schedule, and I’m on my long break from shift work that weekend! Please, oh puh-leEEEZE! let me come! ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2001, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/5 "2001-03-18T14:29:33Z")
The Blue Ridge at the cusp of spring and summer? Sounds great to me! ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2001, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/6 "2001-03-18T14:52:03Z")
Y’all are killing me with kindness. Warms my heart it does. \*\*activgurl. Hillsboro is in a valley just 10 miles south of Harpers Ferry. The Blue Ridge and the Appalachian trail form the border of VA/WA about 2-3 miles from our place. You’ll love it here. We do. **RTFirefly**. It will be beautiful. I’ve been through several Springs up here. We just had a fog-filled St Patricks day and the sun coming over the ridge and burning it off is enough to give the hardest person pause. I look forward to seeing everyone who comes. I’ll take special requests for food and music if anyone has any. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2001, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/7 "2001-03-18T19:12:15Z")
I will, in all likelihood, be there. I just have to make sure my parents aren’t planning something. Just checked with **phantomdiver** (my mother, also a doper), who says we’ll most likely be doing something that weekend. However, 1) that site is near our cabin, and 2)I spend enough time with my parents. Will talk to **pd** more ITF and get a more definite answer. And she might even come herself! Sounds like a lovely party, Jonathan. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2001, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/8 "2001-03-19T15:32:26Z")
**iampunha** , you and your entire family are welcome to join us. The more the merrier. OK, I had an ulterior motive in this post. I’m just bumping this up to see if I can catch some weekday attention here. ---
**Author:** ![ultress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/7c8e57/32.png) [@ultress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultress)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2001, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/9 "2001-03-19T16:31:28Z")
Well I can never plan too far ahead, but I’d sure like to make it, so if possible it would be just me and one friend to share the drive. And I’d probably need to know the closest hotel accomodations. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2001, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/10 "2001-03-19T17:00:11Z")
Nearest worthwhile hotel would be Charles Town, WV or Leesburg, VA. I can make the arrangements for you, **ultress** , if you like. Just let me know when and where. ---
**Author:** ![LateComer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5ac83/32.png) [@LateComer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LateComer)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/11 "2001-03-21T14:42:22Z")
I note that you mention the Appalacian Trail, but not the C&O Canal trail. If you do go, and you mountain bike, be sure to being your bike and take a nice trip on the C&O Canal trail at Harpers Ferry. There are few better, flatter, more beautiful rides dirt trails. Had to chime in. I have friends in Charles Town, Martinsburg, and Sharpsburg (3 states, all short drives from Hillsboro). Oh yeah, there’s a nice PAVED trail, the W&OD trail runs through Leesburg, VA all the way to Washington DC. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/12 "2001-03-21T16:16:43Z")
Thread title changed at the request of the originator. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/13 "2001-03-21T16:30:43Z")
Count me in, if I can carpool with someone. ---
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/14 "2001-03-21T16:42:12Z")
I’ve never been to a Dopefest and I live in Baltimore, so if nobody complains maybe I’ll come too. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/15 "2001-03-21T16:45:02Z")
Put **Mrs. O** and myself down as a “maybe”. First off I’m not sure what we’re doing that far ahead and second I gotta convince her to go. 🙂 If Breaux makes a Chardonnay that might help a bit! ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/16 "2001-03-21T17:09:22Z")
I live in downtown Baltimore. How far will the drive be? ---
**Author:** ![Lucretia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@Lucretia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucretia)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/17 "2001-03-21T17:45:26Z")
Wow, Jonathan, who could turn all that down? It sounds wonderful, and Bluesman and I would love to come. We have three kids, are they welcome? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/18 "2001-03-21T18:56:34Z")
Wow, just another lesson for me in the power of proper thread titles! **goboy** , I can’t help you with a carpool but I’m sure someone can. **Who\_me?** , I’ve never been to a Dopefest either, and while this isn’t what you’d call a strict dopefest (being a mix of dopers and fanboys, people we work with, college pals, and other fellow travellers) I think this’ll count. So, of course, you’re welcome to attend. **Olentzero** , so you’re in the maybe stage. I can handle that. It’s still 10 weeks away, after all. I hope you can make it! Chardonnay? I’ll make sure it’s brought in special. Would she like her own bottle? We make some good wines out here in the mountains. **JuanitaTech** , Baltimore isn’t all that far away. It’s just a hop, skip and a jump by way of 70, to 340 in Frederick and down 671 from Brunswick, MD. Should take an hour and a half maybe. We just did the drive to the inner harbor for my birthday a month ago and that’s what it took us. **Lucretia** , I’m glad to hear you five are coming. The more the merrier! The kids are certainly welcome. The mime (“O, A Fool” from the festival) is vastly entertaining for kids. And, if they’re small, we have a playset and a tire swing. If they’re a little bigger and you’re comfortable with it, they can drive the little tractor (just a 13HP lawn tractor) around the yard. The 10-14 year old crowd usually loves doing that at our parties. _ **ANYONE ELSE?** _ ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2001, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/19 "2001-03-21T20:05:33Z")
I was thinking of a trip down that way this Spring. When do you need a definite response? And can I bring any Boston delicacies for the party? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2001, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440/20 "2001-03-22T14:55:27Z")
Boston delicacy, eh? I suppose SexyWriter is out of the question? _ **JUST A JOKE, FOLKS!** _ Put down those torches and pitchforks! If I can’t laugh about this week I’ll break down in tears. But seriously folks… **Robot Arm** , you are more than welcome to come. If you want to bring something, that’s great, but don’t feel you have to. As a matter of fact, anyone can bring anything to the party that they wish to share. Just nothing illegal, that’s all I ask. We’ll have kids there, after all. As far as when I need to know for sure…call in mid-May. I need to get the catering finalized about two weeks prior to _der tag_. So that’s about 8 weeks from now. All are still welcome. Just post here and keep this lil Virginia boy happy! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-nova-md-party-dopefest-6-2-01/58440.md?page=2)