Pittsburgh, PA GTG - July 14 - McConnell's Mills

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

07/03/2007 12:47:15 PM · #51

well sounds like we have a lot more people now that we changed it to saturday. thanks alan for updating the thread and title.

and i know some people from the ohio gtg are coming as well-gayle, john, tim, and possibly tate-but I will be in pittsburgh, not columbus, starting thursday, where i will be at the art institute so i would need a ride from the state park to the burgh downtown-NOT OHIO. John called me this morning to offer me a ride but he was thinking i was still going to be in ohio. So if there's anyone who can drop me off downtown after the GTG-it would be much appreciated. I could probably chip in some money for gas as well if that helps. Call, PM, or just leave a post if you can help me out. Thanks!

--Jared Wickerham
www.endeavorphoto.com
740-243-1208

fencekicker

Panasonic DMC-FZ5

07/03/2007 01:49:06 PM · #52

I'm pretty sure I'll be able to go. Anyone travelling from the east of the park who wants to carpull?

timfythetoo

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

07/03/2007 01:54:08 PM · #53

Hmmm. I just started thinking about this. Aimee is going to Thailand and bringing the 50mm and the Sigma 18-125. This leaves me with only the Sigma 70-300 and a 50mm with no autofocus. SHould be interesting.

Stiger

Canon EOS-60D

07/03/2007 01:57:06 PM · #54

I'm coming from Altoona, PA. Looks like I'll be heading along 422 most of the way if anyone along that route needs a ride.

Message edited by author 2007-07-03 14:01:48.

Buckeye_Fan

07/03/2007 02:03:25 PM · #55

Hey Alan, how early are you and anyone else going to be there? I might leave my house around 530 6am to be there around 930 10 if you are meeting that early.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/03/2007 02:07:07 PM · #56

Aww, this is all bringing back memories. *sniff* Say hi to the mill for me.

07/03/2007 02:40:56 PM · #57

I sent a PM to you Stiger about possibly getting a ride from you.

And Gayle, I don't think many people will be there much earlier than 11 because everyone is traveling a good distance from home.

And fencekicker, are you driving, or looking for a ride?

Buckeye_Fan

07/03/2007 02:44:44 PM · #58

Originally posted by JaredWickerham:

Ok...thanks Jared. Means I don't have to get up sooo early. lol!

07/03/2007 05:13:53 PM · #59

I may go a bit earlier than 11, but not a whole lot since I'll be swinging through the city, and I'm not much of a morning person to begin with :) I may think about getting up there around 10-ish, but I'll coordinate that with picking up Jared, as well as Tim if he's gonna stay over with us.

fencekicker

Panasonic DMC-FZ5

07/03/2007 08:23:27 PM · #60

Originally posted by JaredWickerham:

I can drive or ride, but aren't you down in Pittsburg? I sent a PM to Stiger as I'm only about 30 minutes drive from him. If you are down in Pittsburg I think it will probably add an hour or two to our drive to pick you up. I'll have to double check the map. If someone else will be passing by closer to Pittsburg they would probably be a better option.

Also, I agree that with the long drives we shouldn't set the time earlier than 11 AM.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

07/03/2007 09:50:31 PM · #61

Alan is going to give me a ride to the park and Gayle aka BuckeyeFan is going to give me a ride home. Thanks guys! I really appreciate it!

Stiger

Canon EOS-60D

07/03/2007 09:52:38 PM · #62

Woohoo! Glad you found a ride home.

fencekicker

Panasonic DMC-FZ5

07/04/2007 10:31:28 AM · #63

Bump!

Anymore folks between Altoona, PA and the park who'd want to car-pull? As Stiger said, we'll probably be taking 422 most of the way.

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

07/05/2007 10:05:15 PM · #64

I took a buzz out to McConnell's Mills this afternoon/evening just to check to be sure there weren't any surprises (closed areas, construction, demons, whatever).

All is well, and I don't see any reason to deviate from our original plan. The creeks are mighty low, and the waterfalls were a little weak, but there's not a whole lot I can do about that :)

I stopped at Hell's Hollow Falls (our initial 11:00 a.m. meeting place), and found that I had enough of a cell phone signal that I would expect that people should be able to call if they get lost or whatever along the way. Coverage throughout the park and the area in general is a bit spotty though (I'm on Verizon).

I hiked down to the falls, which is actually half a mile from the parking area (a little further than I was thinking before), but it's a nice, easy, reasonably flat hike. The creek beds were pretty dry, and there wasn't a whole lot of water on the falls, even though we got some heavy rains today. I don't know what it'll be like next weekend, but here's what the flow looked like tonight:

Back at the parking area, there is a lone picnic table, but I'd suggest we head from here to a spot near the mill where there are tons of tables (and they're in much better shape). There's plenty of water rumbling at the mill, and the covered bridge is fine, blah blah blah:

I also took the hike to Breakneck Falls, but I'm not sure whether or not we're going to want to tackle this puppy as a group. The good part of it is that, in my opinion, it's the most cool, scenic spot in the park. It's really a neat hidden gem. On the down side, my guess is that at least one person in the group would become dead as a result of the hike, and that would put a damper on things.

The hike is really tricky, going over rocks and up steep hills and so forth. It only took me about 20 minutes to make the 1/4 mile trek, but it's not an easy hike. We'll just see what everyone thinks about making this little journey when we're all together...

Anyway, I'll look forward to seeing everyone next weekend!

butch81385

Olympus E-500 EVOLT

07/05/2007 10:28:30 PM · #65

Aw, I have been waiting for one of these since I joined but I leave the day before for some volunteer work in the Dominican Republic. Luckily I will have my new Olympus 725sw with me (needed something shock proof, dust proof, and water proof for the places I will be going). You guys should organize another GTG soon (preferably on a weekend when I am in the country).

07/05/2007 10:47:43 PM · #66

awesome-sounds good Alan! There is SOMETHING we can do about the water situation. We'll just all drink a lot of water, go to the top of the waterfall, relieve ourselves, and run down to get a nice yellow waterfall(the color can be PS'd). Let's just hope there's no one swimming below.

Anyways-I'm officially in Pittsburgh-well, Gibsonia. I move in tomorrow(Friday) to my dorm downtown. Anyone got any tips for living in the Burgh? :)

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

07/05/2007 10:52:33 PM · #67

Originally posted by JaredWickerham:

There is SOMETHING we can do about the water situation. We'll just all drink a lot of water, go to the top of the waterfall, relieve ourselves, and run down to get a nice yellow waterfall(the color can be PS'd).

I tried it, but it's really not as easy as it sounds. I tried peeing pretty far upstream, but then I had to sprint down the hill to the waterfall and be able to have the camera set up in time to catch the extra flow over the falls. You have to be really fast to do that, and you only get one shot.

It just takes way too long to have to pee again to make too many more attempts at it.

timfythetoo

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

07/06/2007 01:48:40 PM · #68

Well - it doesnt look like I will be able to make it out this coming weekend. Our For Sale sign should be going up on Friday and I have three cats that I need to manage before and during any showings. The market is so bad here that I just cant take the chance of them ruining a potential sale right off the bat. So to Gayle and John - no car pooling with me. Which is a big bummer as I really wanted to go.

But I might try to make it up to Cleveland one of the days early next week to hit the zoo. Any of you Clevelanders have a weekday off? We would probably head out real early in the morning to be atthe zoo first thing. Giveme a shout if anyone is interested.

coryxmorton

Canon EOS-5D

07/06/2007 02:07:09 PM · #69

I live about 10 minutes from McConnell's Mills, and I go to the Art Institute as well. I'm not sure if I can get off work, so throw me down as a maybe.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

07/06/2007 09:55:05 PM · #70

sorry you can't make it tim! the market's no good anywhere you go recently!

well on a better note, i'm officially moved into my dorms on 1st avenue dahtahn. c-ya guys soon!

coryxmorton

Canon EOS-5D

07/06/2007 10:02:02 PM · #71

jared, what's your schedule like? (i go to AIP too)

07/06/2007 10:22:40 PM · #72

Bummer you can't make it, Tim! I was even going to vacuum for you :)

Prof_Fate

07/06/2007 10:49:49 PM · #73

I'm a strong probable - no wedding or other event next Saturday. Perhaps I can bring the family and they can geocache while I shoot?