Heading to the North Country

[mha]

I was planning on skipping the North Country trip this year, but a friend at St. Lawrence's university communications office has booked me as a guest speaker during their big focus on social media for student athletes this week, and the timing is perfect!

Anyone want to split the hotel room? Second bed is up for grabs.

[billhoward]

I was planning on skipping the North Country trip this year, but a friend at St. Lawrence's university communications office has booked me as a guest speaker during their big focus on social media for student athletes this week, and the timing is perfect!

Anyone want to split the hotel room? Second bed is up for grabs.

Social media for athletes. What ever could go wrong with that combo?

[mha]

Social media for athletes. What ever could go wrong with that combo?

Yeah, that's pretty much the point. ;-)

[Chris '03]

Are they giving you a twitter jersey for your efforts?

http://www.stlawu.edu/athletics/story/11530

[marty]

Social media for athletes. What ever could go wrong with that combo?

Yeah, that's pretty much the point. ;-)

Will you be quoting Mike?

[mha]

Are they giving you a twitter jersey for your efforts?

I thought about asking for some Saints garb, but much as I like free swag, I can't imagine a situation in which I'd actually wear it. I guess maybe I'd wear SLU gear during the Saints vs Clarkson women's game.

[Weder]

Are they giving you a twitter jersey for your efforts?

http://www.stlawu.edu/athletics/story/11530

That's interesting, because the men's basketball team at Akron had a similar idea rejected by the NCAA.

[mha]

That's interesting, because the men's basketball team at Akron had a similar idea rejected by the NCAA.

Yup. It's been quite a topic of discussion up here. Turns out Akron ran afoul of a rule that applies only to basketball. The hoops rulebook has specific restrictions on what can be on the jersey that the hockey rulebook simply doesn't have. SLU has NCAA approval for the plan.

Also, if anyone's driving up I-81, don't get off at Exit 45 (Route 3) and go through Watertown. Don't get off at Exit 48 for Route 342 to Route 11. Go just a little farther north on 81 and then take the shiny new I-781 connector from Exit 48A! You don't get to skip all of the little towns and traffic lights on Route 11, but you do chop off a good bit of it.

[Jim Hyla]

That's interesting, because the men's basketball team at Akron had a similar idea rejected by the NCAA.

Yup. It's been quite a topic of discussion up here. Turns out Akron ran afoul of a rule that applies only to basketball. The hoops rulebook has specific restrictions on what can be on the jersey that the hockey rulebook simply doesn't have. SLU has NCAA approval for the plan.

Also, if anyone's driving up I-81, don't get off at Exit 45 (Route 3) and go through Watertown. Don't get off at Exit 48 for Route 342 to Route 11. Go just a little farther north on 81 and then take the shiny new I-781 connector from Exit 48A! You don't get to skip all of the little towns and traffic lights on Route 11, but you do chop off a good bit of it.

You're sure it's open? It shows on Google maps, but when I ask for directions to Canton, they still push me thru 342 and they won't let me change it to the new interstate. Mapquest still goes thru W'town, but will let me change it to I-781. They say it's slower however.::panic::

[SLU65]

Traveling to the N.C. from points  south and west can entail white knuckle drives
involving the snow belt  combined w/ small town traffic/school buses  and minimal
opportunities to pass on Route

The new connector will scarcely  make a dent if you are seeking to avoid the small towns
in that the I781 exit off 81 is only .7 mile above the normal exit  (Route 342 east)
for Route 11 and points  north.

 The best shortcut is to avoid the Village of Canton entirely  entirely by taking Eddy-Pyrites
Road (just south of Canton). This will take you east to the bridge over the Grasse River (dont cross)
 where you veer  left (Miner Street) which takes you  directly to Appleton and parking lot. This  Will save you
at least 10-15 minutes on the return leg  southward as you will avoid ALL traffic.

[Trotsky]

As is typical of any drive, but particularly when it involves inclement weather and no pass roads, there is no problem other than the risk that the occasional leadfoot idiot young male trying to pass you will cause an accident.

If the driver is a leadfoot idiot young male, the risk is constant, but we can hope he piles into something in his own parking lot before he ever gets on the road.

(This is of course not addressed to any eLynah viewer, since they are all superlative drivers and human beings.)

[mha]

You're sure it's open? It shows on Google maps, but when I ask for directions to Canton, they still push me thru 342 and they won't let me change it to the new interstate. Mapquest still goes thru W'town, but will let me change it to I-781. They say it's slower however.::panic::

Positive, Jim! I just drove it yesterday. I'm sure it doesn't save a huge amount of time, but it does bypass some silliness.

The best shortcut is to avoid the Village of Canton entirely  entirely by taking Eddy-Pyrites
Road (just south of Canton). This will take you east to the bridge over the Grasse River (dont cross)
 where you veer  left (Miner Street) which takes you  directly to Appleton and parking lot. This  Will save you
at least 10-15 minutes on the return leg  southward as you will avoid ALL traffic.

I've heard about this route but I must've gotten it wrong on my first couple of tries. Not as relevant this weekend, since the Saturday night game is at Cheel, rather than Appleton, and I'm already in town.

[KeithK]

As is typical of any drive, but particularly when it involves inclement weather and no pass roads, there is no problem other than the risk that the occasional leadfoot idiot young male trying to pass you will cause an accident.

If the driver is a leadfoot idiot young male, the risk is constant, but we can hope he piles into something in his own parking lot before he ever gets on the road.

(This is of course not addressed to any eLynah viewer, since they are all superlative drivers and human beings.)

Because none of eLynah viewers have ever driven home from the North Country through complete white conditions without ever slowing below 50 mph. Or driven to Lake Placid along icy, windy mountain roads at 70mph. Absolutely none of us.

[Jim Hyla]

You're sure it's open? It shows on Google maps, but when I ask for directions to Canton, they still push me thru 342 and they won't let me change it to the new interstate. Mapquest still goes thru W'town, but will let me change it to I-781. They say it's slower however.::panic::

Positive, Jim! I just drove it yesterday. I'm sure it doesn't save a huge amount of time, but it does bypass some silliness.

The best shortcut is to avoid the Village of Canton entirely  entirely by taking Eddy-Pyrites
Road (just south of Canton). This will take you east to the bridge over the Grasse River (dont cross)
 where you veer  left (Miner Street) which takes you  directly to Appleton and parking lot. This  Will save you
at least 10-15 minutes on the return leg  southward as you will avoid ALL traffic.

I've heard about this route but I must've gotten it wrong on my first couple of tries. Not as relevant this weekend, since the Saturday night game is at Cheel, rather than Appleton, and I'm already in town.

Thanks for letting us know. The back route is definately better. It's easy to get to if you're leaving, but unless you program it in, it's easy to miss the turn going there. Next year try leaving that way. Miner is the street that Appleton is on. So you go away from town until you have to turn. Go right till Rte 11. SLU65 is correct, you miss all the traffic leaving and going into town.

See you tomorrow.

[CowbellGuy]

Or driven to Lake Placid along icy, windy mountain roads at 70mph. Absolutely none of us.

How would you know? You were asleep the whole time.