One of the great tragedies of our lifetime! I lived but 2 miles away that fateful and awful night and lived just down the block to the hospital to which they took him.

 

I am assuming that many will be driving up via Connecticut, while we are thinking of doing a quick meet and greet perhaps Saturday and Sunday (if welcome) where you guys will be (2-3 cars), it would be nice to meet you along the way. Thursday some have work...

 

Some of us will be travelling back Sunday afternoon. Timing in Connecticut area likely between 4-6pm depending on Maine departure. Some may stay for Monday to avoid Sunday traffic. That said let's keep connected as several of us ended up running through Hartford and rediscovering others along the Merritt Parkway which was a pleasant surprise. Would love to meet you along the way.

 

 

Just a word of caution to everyone driving back on any sunday at around 3-8PM on RT15 south (Merritt), the traffic will be horrible. Expect 2-3 hours from the Hartford area to Greenwich CT 2-3X the normal time. 95 will be just as bad (I do it almost weekly)

 

And precisely why I've reminded all attendees and had the Hyatt Place Portland Old Port hold rooms for Sunday. But thank you for the reminder.

 

My plan is to head west long before reaching southern CT to miss the Big Apple by miles and to cut through central PA to head south. Will stay Sunday night somewhere along the way.

 

When we met at F40 Motorsports a couple of years ago, I went south on I395, and west to Portland (CT) on secondary roads. Much nicer than freeway. If you're not in a hurry, you could continue west with that. I84 from Hartford to Danbury is one of the more unpleasant stretches of freeway I've been on, though it's been a few years. Lots of left exits, and therefore lots of slow drivers in the left lane.

 

I hesitate to suggest any route for anyone. Having said that, I will say, after driving from Maine to NYC twice a month for close to 12 years (assuming I didn’t fly, which I did 25% of the time), I always had a preferred route. Of course expediency was my main goal but I generally went north up the West Side Highway, up the Henry Hudson Parkway, up the Saw Mill River Parkway (a wonderful set of twisties), 684 North, 84 East - yes, through Hartford - until I hit the Mass Turnpike [Route 90] towards Worcester and 290 until it merged with 495 North which turned into 95 North. All the way to Portland and 295 North.

Needless to say I want everyone to have a pleasant drive - you’re in an F-Type after all - without stressing about...well...anything. Whatever route works best for you.

And I wouldn’t be surprised if traffic even on a Thursday heading into Maine, in the summer, was on the heavy side. It surely will be evident on the reverse drive back on any Sunday in summer. With an intention of being in time for the kick-off at 6:00, I would try to plan on checking into the Hyatt Place no later than 5:00. The place we are going is a short two-block walk.

 

684 North is brutal road quality (I take it from White plains to Danbury often), 84 is great. Portland etc are great (I live near there). Portland to 66 to 691 to 84 is actually nice EXCEPT for the Waterbury area under construction, add 30-45 minutes. People will be going back to the NY area from the cape on Sunday. Anyone taking I684 north/south, watch for cops, they check waze so it will not help you much. Also watch for Chargers with nice aluminum rims... Don't ask why

 

Jay, other than attire for the 5 piece chicken dinner what should we plan for other evenings? No black tie I assume?

 

Men are encouraged to wear linen, preferably Italian (i.e. Armani). Women are encouraged to wear silk or a light wool - also Italian - (i.e. Missoni).

Does that answer your question? No?

At the risk of Unhingd wearing his mechanic overalls (made in England of course), one of the many pleasures of Maine is that there are few places where one has to get “dressed up”. Our Friday night and Saturday night dinners are at “nice” places but anything casual will work. All dinners, and that includes the kick-off on Thursday night, are within easy walking distance from the Hyatt Place Portland Old Port.

 

I had the pleasure of an impromptu visit from our fearless leader today and he leaked a very small portion of what is in store....you will all be amazed once again (and for those of you first-timers, you have NO idea what you're in for!!)....can't wait to catch up with everyone and meet some new friends! "Blast" doesn't begin to do it justice.....

 

Always nice seeing you and all the great people at Scarborough Jaguar/Land Rover (although Piper remains my favorite staff member BY FAR; Piper is the Parts Manager’s incredible dog. Reason enough to pop in and say hi).

Well, at least you didn’t tell attendees of this year’s event of the Human Catapult I’ve arranged for one very lucky participant. This award will be bestowed upon the F-Type owner who has the loudest exhaust and who is most likely to interrupt. We’ll just have to see who wins this most coveted prize.

Truth is many, if not most, of the participants of the 2018 Jaguar Wild Blueberry Blast have a pretty good idea of what is entailed as I’ve sent them the basic itinerary. Of course there might be a few surprises I’ve held back but, in the end, it should prove to be an enjoyable and memorable trip for all attending.

That’s as far as I will go (and say). In other words, don’t get your hopes too high. You just might be disappointed.

 

Not going to happen.

 

Man I've been MIA for a few weeks and the jokes just haven't stopped at my expemse. Well as you guys know my lovely wife and I will be attending the blueberry run and Steve Joe Marco and the rest of gang are in for a trest. A full weekend of your friendly neighborhood Zee. I realize that your cup of Zee juice has run out and I also realize that it's like a drug and you guys are yearning for more. But don't stress I shall provide you with what you have been missing these past few months. I've also taken out the remaining cats off my car so you guys shall hear me coming from even further away now. They shall be a band playing the John Williams Superman theme as I pull up so you know we have arrived.

 

Then my friend Jay....you would be a "fun"ghi to be with :-)!

 

Not quite the same... but:

 

...as they say in the auction world.

I just did a tally this morning and we have 14 confirmed F-Types in attendance and, depending on DJS's brother who is tentatively "IN" (and a terrific guy), 26-27 people. I've said it before and I'll say it again - and at the risk of "disappointing" anyone thinking of attending; which I'd hate to do - but 30 people is basically my max*.

*I'm waiting to hear from a Forum member who is thinking of coming (possibly with a friend or two, with their F-Types) just for Saturday and Sunday...and assuming they come, the "hammer comes down" and I've reached my limit.

FYI.

Future posts will be directed to attendees via e-mail (jaguny: you ever get the two texts I've sent you?).

Best regards,
Jay

 

My wife and I will probably be heading south on Monday. Having done weekend commutes between DC and NH seashore for decades, Sunday afternoon traffic during the summer months is horrible from the Mass Pike, down the Merritt, Tappan Zee Bridge, GSP, and NJT. Thereafter, I avoid I-95. I've resorted to going 1-hour out of my way by remaining on I-84 West from the Mass Pike to the end in Scranton, PA, then down I-81, I-70, and I-270 to Northern Virginia. Once past I-684 in NY, I can put it on cruise control and relax or, alternatively, open it up when I want. Bottlenecks remain on the Mass Pike and US-20 along with Waterbury, CT but is far, far superior to competing with all the weekenders returning to the city from the CT seashore.