"Cold Wars Preparations countdown?" Topic

Ok, kids, got all your stuff together yet?

Oh, yeah, for those of you coming west through New Jersey, the bridge connecting to the PA Turnpike across the Delaware River is CLOSED until further notice "in both directions between PA Exit 358 and New Jersey Exit 6. Eastbound detour is PA Exit 351, then US1 N to I-95 N to I-295 S to I-195 E, Exit 6 to NJ Turnpike."
Better make a couple of alternate route plans.

Almost ready. A few things to finish up and I am packed!

Step 1. Shake this stomach bug.
Step 2. Shake this stomach bug.
Step 3. Shake this…ewf

I'll be right back.

Ugh!

Just another week of 85-100 work weeks to get everything done at work and for the show………Looking forward to my normal 50+ hour weeks.

TreeGirl is gearing up for the show. Trying to decide the 2nd variety of cookie to make. Chocolate Chip plus…

Trying to get some orders painted up around the daughter's naps and logging in the Acheson stock as it comes in.

Another hint on avoiding traffic in PA: bring up 511PA on your smartphone--it gives a real-time traffic flow map of major and secondary routes with color-coded flow speeds. Green=no problems, yellow=minor slowing, red=major slowing, black= mostly immobile, or "I think I'd better find an alternate route". Also provides updated problems like accidents or road repair sites. See original post about the PA/NJ turnpike bridge.
Gasoline in the Harrisburg area is currently $2.39 USD for Regular, down from $2.49 USD last week. Not sure what Lancaster prices are currently--anybody local got some info on that?

"TreeGirl is gearing up for the show. Trying to decide the 2nd variety of cookie to make. Chocolate Chip plus…"

I'll vote for sugar cookies (soft) with frosting and green sprinkles in honor of St. Patrick's Day weekend.

Edit:
As an afterthought, she could do some without the frosting but still add the green sprinkles. (For those not wanting to go into sugar shock!)

"TreeGirl is gearing up for the show. Trying to decide the 2nd variety of cookie to make. Chocolate Chip plus…"

Goodiegoodiegoodiegoodiegoodie!!!!
<claps hands and giggles in absolute child-like delight>
The Oatmeal/Raisin are always winners….hint, hint, hint.

I recommend that convention management designate one table in the dealer hall for "free" stuff. Let anyone who wants to give away unloved figures, magazines, books, terrain and such leave it on the table for others to take.

Who knows, it might be fun.

Tumbleweed: What? Not take our money???? Unthinkable! Ridiculous!! Absurd!!!!

For those who wish to check the latest health inspection reports for Lancaster County….
link

My preparations have hit a road block, but things should work out before the con.

For anyone who has items they don't sell and would like to donate to the Toys for Tots event at Fall In, please stop by my table at the flea market. They will either be auctioned of, used at the raffle or sold before hand to help raise money for other items that can be sold, raffled, etc.

Any thing helps…

Thanks

Moe

Look forward to this all year. My favorite show. Have previously ordered items and called deals to make sure they are brining what I want.

With one week to go, current forecast:
Thursday Mostly Sunny, high 40s, low 23 20% chance precip
Friday Partly Cloudy, high 40s, low 26 20% chance precip
Saturday Snow to Rain, high 40s, low 29 40% chance precip
Sunday Partly Cloudy, high 50s, low 34 20% chance precip

Almost ready. Will NOT forget my teddy bear fur this time!!!!

Thanks for the weather update, capncarp.

Unfortunately, it's not just the weather forecast at the point of arrival (the Host) that counts. The weather at the point of departure counts as much, if not more. If you wake up to snow in your driveway on the day you plan to leave for Cold Wars, you may decide to stay home.

The NYC area may see snow tonight. The Northeast may see more next Tuesday. Stay tuned.

At some point (like after next week's storm if it happens), HMGS needs to take a SERIOUS look at moving Cold Wars to mid-April (after Tax Day), where it was at least once back in the 1990's, to remove (or at least reduce) the threat of bad weather impacting the convention.

Moving Cold Wars to Northern VA but keeping it in March doesn't solve the problem. The DC area deals with snow very poorly. (As a former DC resident, trust me, I know.) Light snow for a convention in VA is just as much of a "convention killer" as moderate snow in PA and the Northeast.

47Ronin, I could not agree more. I have been watching the weather as I always do for Cold Wars. Pulling a heavy trailer full of product in snowy conditions is not my idea of fun. Praying for now snow, and hoping the recent warm weather keeps the roads in decent condition.

Still early to tell or really worry, but I agree moving to April would be a plus, but then it starts to conflict with other regional shows……

The PA/NJ Turnpike connector bridge has been re-opened. So that problem is removed.

I guess I never think about that part of the trip….

We have traveled from NW PA in 2 or more feet of snow to come to the show….. I can attest that other Lake effect folks have too.. from Buffalo. We pretty much always come across US80…. northern PA and up until the last few years…. it has always been lots and lots of snow.

I do understand though…. we are used to it, while a few inches in DC shuts the whole city and surrounding areas down.

Lets all just pray for NO SNOW!!! And hope everyone can make the show and have a great time!

They are calling for a significant storm on Tuesday, but it should all be cleaned up before the con.

Let's hope they have a new crew working the Host parking lots if it does snow prior. The mess left there a few years ago by the then Host management was a nightmare, and dangerous.

CW often used to fall in April. It always depended on when Easter hit. But yes, early April is the way to go for this con.

And yes, VATory will forget his ground cloth again. :-)

"The PA/NJ Turnpike connector bridge has been re-opened. So that problem is removed."

Wow! That was a frickin' miracle that they got it done so far ahead of projections!

BTCTerrainman,

If you agree with me, then I know I am right.

Yesterday's weather in NYC: 60's and sunny.
This morning: 30's and snow, changing to sleet/rain.

If Cold Wars had been this weekend, anyone leaving on Friday morning and driving over the GW bridge would have had a messy ride.

We'll see about next Tuesday, but I'm not optimistic.

Another recent topic asked "Is Historicon Cursed?" Perhaps the better question is whether Cold Wars is cursed?

We'll see.

Oh poop, only a week left….

The Con weather seems to be clearing up a smidge, with rain/snow mix the following Monday. Stay tuned weather fans!

They are calling for a coastal storm Monday-Tuesday. Hopefully Lancaster is far enough west to not get hit badly.

Word from the new owners of the Host is that they fired their old snow removal contractor and invested in their own snow removal equipment.

This bodes well for a timely cleanup.

TRU

I can see why. I had to dig out Cy Taylor on Saturday morning of the " Big Snow". Two days later, no better.Good on them.

No I will NOT forget my groundcloth!

What a nightmare that was.

BTC came to the rescue, however!

FYI, the current forecast is for snow all day Tues. and Weds. from PA to the NYC area and beyond.

I know on the Lancaster tv station they said that they have three scenarios on how it might play out so only time will tell.

Looks like a Clipper System out of Canada is going to swing down and run into the Coastal Storm running up the East Coast! Not looking too good for the upper mountain areas of VA, WVA, PA, Central PA, NY, & the North East!! Pack your snow shoes fellas, and extra blankets!!

With all of this talk of snow, I'm glad we play indoors..

Expect that all the major roads will be cleared in less than 12-24 hours throughout the northeast. Roads farther south may be spotty. Had this snowfall been 48 hrs later we would have had major issues.

Apart from that… game on!

Packing my game gear today and will be there on Thursday.
See everyone in Lancaster!

TRU

"With all of this talk of snow, I'm glad we play indoors.."

Sooooo…..the Naked Waterballoon Waterloo Reenactment is _off_ then?

Yes.

Damn. And I was looking forward to it. I guess the "Omaha Beach Landing in Lime Jello" will just have to do, then.

I signed up for the "Oiled Battle of Hastings". Couldn't let that slip by…..

Darn it. I was looking forward to the "Thtick Yur Tung To The Flag Pole" game.

If I am reading the weather site correctly, Lancaster might get 13 to 20 inches of snow the next two days.

I drove up in a blizzard before and I will do so again. The roads will be clear. The state has plows and salt. Driving is not my concern. Walking is. I know the Host has new people, but a buddy lost a whole load of finely painted Romans and Sparticus rebelion troops due to slippage. Little fellas were found to a man, but rescue operations were costly to owner

Oh I think the roads will be fine. My concern would be about them getting the lots fully cleared. Last CW involving snow saw the lots were covered with snow and ice. Very treacherous and made bringing stuff in challenging.

One to two feet of snow tonight/tomorrow

Yeppers….. lots falling between now and Weds when I am leaving…… I hope we can beat it East and drive out of it!!!! It should be relatively calm heading back West after the show!

Heading up from Baltimore Thursday afternoon, not to worried. Hate to take main roads but Rt-222 might not be in the best shape…

Safe travels to everyone, especially folks coming from the Northeast.

Cold Wars has had the worst luck the past few years.

Unfortunately the Weather Service is forecasting "Blizzard Conditions" from Wash. DC to Boston including Central PA and NY beginning early Tuesday morning thru early Thursday morning. With very cold air settling in over the Northeast Region through the weekend. So the snow and ice is not going to be melting very quickly, and many side roads will be tricky for driving.

In VA, VDOT has already used up their "Snow Budget" this year, so they will be concentrating efforts on the interstate system, but will not be using overtime to plow State Highways in the affected areas. Of course DC will be shut down on Tuesday, so traffic should be pretty light around the Beltway.

On another note; I guess this coming weekend discovery will be made on how effective the new heating systems in the hotel rooms function, and whether the new windows and sliding glass doors leak or not! Wonder how the mold is doing?