My wife is pretty interested in accompanying me to BG from Utah this year. We just reserved at the Best Western (I'm a "platinum" BW guy---I'm surprised--low threshold apparently?). Towing with the Lincoln Navigator from Utah. Love to convoy out if someone else from the west is coming out. We plan to be in BG on the 14th and leave on Sat the 18th. A few quilting stops along the way. She'll likely spend a single day (maybe more?) at the track but is looking for a quilting group to hang out with the 13th-17th. I suggested just renting a banquet room at a hotel or something? I'm sure she'll come up with something? Missouri Star Quilt Company -- Hamilton, MO (probably on May 11th?) National Quilt Museum -- Paducah, KY (probably on May 18th?) Not sure what else on the way.
My wife is a huge quilter too. But also a Buick fan,has an X, and racer. she goes to BG since 1983. Bought a featherweight in Paducah. Have her hookup with Sandy, we'll be there tuesday to sunday. Stayng at the Drury.
We also stay at the Best Western when in BG. It’s just average but like you I was using free nights, hard to beat that price. One part of the hotel is newer, maybe you can request that.
I'll probably stay again at the Mayfair Inn. Kinda dumpy old school motel but least expensive & closest place to the track. Last year it was the owners that were cleaning the rooms themselves when I was leaving.
... and due to taxes and other life things, we're out for this year Room available at the Best Western if any one is looking. Just cancelled
(hoping I can make that work... It would take a bonus from work which I've not seen and shouldn't get this year due to some "issues" on some of our jobs. We'll see how things go) The above might work. The truck would be a little grumpy climbing out of SLC to Evanston and through western WY but it'd be ok the rest of the way. What's the shower situation at the track? Assuming 12 mpg and a diesel cost of $4 per gallon for 3400 miles, I'm about $1200. Factor in another $500-800 for food/incidentals (I should probably factor at least one trailer tire into that because that's what trailers do?) I'm right at $2k---2700 on the big side? Towing at 65 mph (I'm good up to 70 but being a bit of a pessimist here) I'm 26 hours each way with Lincoln NE (I-80) or Topeka/Abilene KS (I-70) is almost dead center at 13 hours from SLC and 11 hours from Beech Bend Raceway. I may have somewhere I can stay overnight around St Joseph, MO. (we're still working on the taxes but it's not going in the right direction unfortunately... it's our first year without kids as deductions)
Couple different bath house's. John Waterboy camps in one of them, sorta, The showers used to be really good with a bench in each stall to set your stuff on but no more. I bring in a pop up little table thing or a camping chair to put all my crap on. Also have a nice shower head and soap dish I install in one of the stalls for us then take it home with me for the next year.
It gets me around the Utah back country pretty well. I'm not a great camper but can do it for a few nights. For a trip like this and to maximize pulling power, I'll likely swap someone in the local Jeep community wheels/tires for a couple weeks. Bump down from my 38" to a 35" or even a 33-34" tire. So far, I've come up with about 40-50% of the budget for the trip. If things go well with other trips/obligations (Easter Jeep Safari and a couple other volunteer events) I can probably meet about 70-80% by mid-April? I'm also scheming legitimate reasons to drop by our Rock Springs WY and Denver, CO office on my way there, way back (we've also got a job site in NE--I'm in IT so there may or may not be a good reason for me to stop by there---I'll start the "sales" process on that trip very soon). Then my work can cover a chunk of fuel. I do have a couple 70-72 doors and a nice 70-72 decklid to bring out. If those sell, that would help as well. We filed our taxes last night and know where we are at now. That's a relief to at least know.
We stay at the Courtyard BG convention center, it’s about 10-15 minutes to BeechBend and lots of places to eat within walking distance. Nice and clean and safe.
Things looking better. Got approval from my work for half my fuel (well, at least to Denver and back thus far -- working on NE site in the near future)
Excellent! I think this year is going to be even better & the past 3 years have been great! I think the Ramada is considered the "host hotel" but prob. booked up by now. Lots stay @ Drury too I think which is in the same neighborhood. Bunch of hotels right around there.
Looks like I'm going to Bowling Green ! Found lodging a little off the beaten path but it'll have to do- looking forward to this for some time
How far off the beaten path? I travel frugally when I'm by myself & have considered staying a bit farther out but once there am always glad I didn't. Haven't made a reservation yet but last year Mayfair was $70/night.
Having never been to Bowling Green and relying on what others have told me, my hotel is in the vicinity . Holiday Inn University Plaza . Used reward points got it down to less than $100 a night
You're good. That's off the same road as the others, Scottsville Rd. It's the main drag through that area from the interstate. Plenty of places to eat close by.