2019 Numismatic Travel Plans - Where Ya Goin'?

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by V. Kurt Bellman, Dec 7, 2018.

  1. V. Kurt Bellman

    V. Kurt Bellman Yes, I'm blunt! Get over your "feeeeelings".

    My 2019 begins with, sadly, blowing off FUN in Orlando again this year.

    HOWEVER, the Amtrak tickets are starting to multiply in my iPhone's Wallet app. First up is NYINC. I leave Harrisburg for New York Penn Station (Lead us not into Penn Station, but deliver us...) on Friday, January 11, after working just an hour or so short of a full day. Upon arrival in the Big Apple, I just drop my bags in my fantastically INEXPENSIVE room just a 4-minute walk from the show, and dash off to my as yet undetermined Broadway show. Right now, King Kong is looking good. Saturday is THE big day at NYINC for me. Lots of shopping, most of it for my August ANA exhibit, then the Allen Berman "King of Bermania" shtick, and Chinese food with the Royal couple afterward.

    Sunday is a good day to try to catch a bargain in the auctions that close after the show does. Time in the lot viewing room. I never bid on a coin I ain't held in my hand, ... EVER! Take an early Sunday evening Keystone train back to Harrisburg.

    Chapter 2 - ANA Spring show, Pittsburgh. The show begins March 28, Opening Day of the 2019 baseball season. Beisbol has no bin bery bery good to me when looking for a hotel. Luckily, the Bucs open in St. Louis, so it's all good. I am booked on "Business Class" on the Pennsylvanian March 27, so I am there for the opening ceremonies the next day. The ANA does not comp me my room for Spring shows, so I'm likely to end up across the river between the stadiums. There WILL BE an atypical (for the Spring show) bash banquet up at the Lemont, hosted by PAN. Three days of hot n' heavy LEARNING opportunities. The bourse can pretty much lie there and bleed, for as much time as I'll spend there. I'll take the obscenely early Sunday train home.

    The Biggie - Back Home Again In Rosemont, IL - The ANA World's Fair of Money - The Chicago Coin Club again hosts, on their/our (I am a member) 100th anniversary as a club. Again, I'll be ARRIVING by train, Pennsylvanian to Pittsburgh, again Business Class, and Capitol Limited roomette to Chicago. This entire trip is a freebie paid with Amtrak points. I arrive Monday morning for a Tuesday opening day. Lots to do for the ANA and the dealers the day before. This gives me maximum ability to transport my exhibits without their own little airline disaster. I'll end up flying home, because I won't care about the "paper goods" then. This show will be a glorious 5-day orgy of numismatic fellowship, exhibiting, learning, club meetings, and maybe just a touch of debauchery, plus some baseball, Wrigley if possible, south side Sox if not. Rumor mill is I'm being nominated for "the Smedley". We'll see what happens. Not counting on it. "It's an honor just to be nominated." My goal is to snag a 1st place in Class for the 3rd year of my three years of national convention exhibiting (3 pieces for that on their way back from NGC, all 3 are top pops), and make my mark judging Class 1 - U.S. coins. Plus, I absolutely MUST at least try to make time for a "brewski or twoski" with @mikenoodle . Der Dingermeister from Indy, too, if he shows up. I want to brag up on my podcasting audio gear I'm putting together. One corner of my loft is beginning to resemble a broadcast studio. I'm hoping the cats resist the urge to climb it.
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2018
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  3. Hookman

    Hookman Well-Known Member

    Interesting !!
     
  4. V. Kurt Bellman

    V. Kurt Bellman Yes, I'm blunt! Get over your "feeeeelings".

    I grew up in Reading, PA, and I thought THAT was a great railroad town, and in a way, it still is, but living a half block from one of the coolest Amtrak stations in the country sure does affect one's perception of the "normal" way to travel.

    The junction between the Reading Line and the Pennsy is literally a 2-minute walk away.
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2018
    dwhiz likes this.
  5. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    I will definitely be there. Maybe we can meet up again? And take another picture :snaphappy:
     
  6. V. Kurt Bellman

    V. Kurt Bellman Yes, I'm blunt! Get over your "feeeeelings".

    Absolutely! What days or parts are you figuring on? I'm doing SOLID Saturday and Sunday. My "bourse targets" will be Soviet, British, and Swiss, plus BOOKS (on ancients). Hmm, it's time for a new Spink's U.K. book. I get one about every 3rd year or so.
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2018
    paddyman98 likes this.
  7. Double Die

    Double Die I know just enough to be dangerous

    My senior year of HS April of '79 we took the Amtrak from Columbus, OH to NYC for my Distributive Education class field trip. Horseshoe Bend in PA was pretty cool but going right by Three Mile Island right after the accident was a bit unsettling. On the way back they took a different route.

    NYC in those days, especially Central Park was pretty freaky man. Other than a connecting flight, I've not been back but just might one of these days?

    Enjoy your adventures!
     
  8. V. Kurt Bellman

    V. Kurt Bellman Yes, I'm blunt! Get over your "feeeeelings".

    When you pass TMI, you literally passed my house about 1/4 hour before that - just seconds before you stopped in Harrisburg. My one and only time going TO the Columbus area, as opposed to around it, was to pick up an Airstream trailer at the plant. The next time, it has a better than even chance to be for a Penn State v. Ohio State football game.
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2018
  9. CoinBlazer

    CoinBlazer Numismatic Enthusiast

    I'll be at alot of local and regional. Ozarks Coin Club Show, Maybe MNS Show, Route 66 Collectors show. And if I can persuade my parents, I'll be at Chicago ANA.
    Lots of local stuff
     
  10. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    See you on Saturday.
    I have some stuff to send to NGC to get entombed! So I will be at their table first.
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2018
  11. BuffaloHunter

    BuffaloHunter Short of a full herd Supporter

    I typically try to make the MOON coin show in Oct and the NWCC show in March that take place in Brooklyn Center, MN every year. There's also a couple of shows in Fargo, ND every year. I've set up as a dealer a couple times at those.
     
  12. V. Kurt Bellman

    V. Kurt Bellman Yes, I'm blunt! Get over your "feeeeelings".

    Let them know that Rosemont, where the ANA show is, is becoming a "destination" in its own right. The Big 10 Conference HQ is right there, one of those indoor skydiving things is right there, and the entertainment complex, literally across the street from the ANA show, is like one constant family-friendly wholesome party. Some of the world's finest upper-end chain restaurants, like Ruth's Criss, and Fogo de Chao, are all right there.
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2018
  13. V. Kurt Bellman

    V. Kurt Bellman Yes, I'm blunt! Get over your "feeeeelings".

    Right behind you.
     
    paddyman98 likes this.
  14. CoinBlazer

    CoinBlazer Numismatic Enthusiast

    Thanks, I'll be writing a dissertation to my parents bout it
     
  15. BooksB4Coins

    BooksB4Coins Newbieus Sempiterna

    About how much does it run to go from PA to FL via Amtrak compared to flying? Yes, I know I could look it up but please humor me here.
     
    Bambam8778 likes this.
  16. Double Die

    Double Die I know just enough to be dangerous

    You might have to sell off a couple of your better pieces to afford the tickets. Those are like gold around these parts (yes, pun intended). Them and Rutgers are the only two Big10 teams I haven't seen the Buckeyes play.
     
  17. V. Kurt Bellman

    V. Kurt Bellman Yes, I'm blunt! Get over your "feeeeelings".

    That is a question par excellance right now. Amtrak has done something odd with the Silver series trains. One is now more expensive than the other and has better amenities. From PHL airport, Southwest Air has ANY Amtrak train beaten to death. Frontier has just added three times a week service to MCO (not Sanford) from Harrisburg. So the calculus has changed. I'd be grabbing Frontier out of MDT (Harrisburg) if I were headed to Orlando, hands down.

    The ONLY way I'd take a train to Florida NOW is if I wanted to have my car, via AutoTrain.
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2018
  18. Chris B

    Chris B Supporter! Supporter

    I won't make FUN or NY this year. The Chicago ANA is too close for me this year. I told the wife, I AM going and probably going for the whole week.
     
  19. V. Kurt Bellman

    V. Kurt Bellman Yes, I'm blunt! Get over your "feeeeelings".

    Be sure to drag Matt Dinger of Lost Dutchman with you. If I get to the 500 this year, I'll soften him up for you first.
     
  20. Chris B

    Chris B Supporter! Supporter

    I would think he would have a few tables. I'll see him this Sunday (probably) so will make sure to bring it up.
     
  21. V. Kurt Bellman

    V. Kurt Bellman Yes, I'm blunt! Get over your "feeeeelings".

    Just tell him Kurt from PA says "Hi, and thanks for the shoutout on the most recent podcast."
     
    Chris B likes this.
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