How about a headcount for the 23rd at Stoney Pt?

[Commanche Jim]

Sounds like this could turn out to be a pretty good time. If you guys could let me know who's planning on coming, it would certainly help. I'll reserve tables for the group based on how many are coming. Also, what time is everyone planning on coming down? We usually close the kitchen down around 9 or 10pm, depending on how busy it is. I'll make sure we put some special items on the menu for the evening.

Also, bring your muskie pictures, or any fish pictures, and we'll put them up on the wall of fame.

[genegodawa]

I'm still game and I can probably leave my house around 6:30 this Friday, so I would probably get there around 7:15 or so, before the kitchen closes for sure. Hope that timeframe fits in with everyone elses.

Jim's idea for fish pics sounds good. Plus, I might be able to bring a laptop that we can display in "view slide show" mode so if you have any pics on cd's, bring them too. Or you can email them to me at gene godawa at hot mail (Contact US Regarding This Word).

[muskiegurl]

Obviously Brian and I will be there. The earlier the better!!

Jim...looking forward to seeing you again!!

Brian says all his pictures everyone has already seen due to him posting on this site and his own.

Travel safe everyone especially over the course of the next few days!!

[Brian Jones]

Jim,

If I brought some fresh cold water walleye down would your staff be able to make some fresh walleye appetizers or something? Its ok in the Dakota's but wasn't sure about the big city? Also, what is the address? Don't want to deal with traffic so if anyone has some back road sugestions we will be heading in from Rockford? I,m sure nasty traffic is inevitable.

Thanks and looking forward to it.

[genegodawa]

Brian and MG,

Don't have any shortcuts for you. In fact, I better leave at 6 from Elmhurst if I wanna get there by 7:15 or so.

I'll shoot you an email with my phone no. Feel free to call me if you run into any troubles, God forbid!

What time do you think you'll be at the restaurant?

[Commanche Jim]

Directions:

From Minnesota............94/90-94..... toward Chicago......past Rockford......after Elgin, look for I-290 east/ Route 53 south /I-355 south.....pretty much all the same....do not take I-90 to O'Hare/Chicago......then 53, 355, and 290 split......Take the I-290 east toward Chicago.....go about 10 minutes until you hit I-294 south toward Indiana......careful, the exit is on the right and it comes up quick......take I-294 to I-80 (you'll go under I-57, but is not an interchange).......Take I-80 West toward Iowa......you'll go past I-57 again(but this time, it is an interchange), you'll go past Harlem Ave......the next exit is Rt 45 LaGrange Road. Exit I-80 and go South / Left at the light at the end of the exit ramp (you'll see a hilton and a Texas Roadhouse on your right).....you'll go thru another traffic signal from the other ramp, then the next signal is 191st Street. Take a left at 191st, staying in the far left turn lane (there are 2 turn lanes at this intersection).....after you turn, you will make an immediate left between the White Castle and Denny's. After the Denny's, go to the 3rd entrance on your right, next to the Hickory Creek Centre parkway sign. You'll see Bridgeview Bank, Sapporo, Barstools and Gametables, and other stores....... Follow the beer lights and Off Track Betting Sign.

And feel free to bring your own walleye. It's already on the menu, but our guy will do something cool.

[Commanche Jim]

If there's not much traffic, it may only take 45 minutes from elmhurst......in no traffic, its a half hour from Oak Brook

[Commanche Jim]

Or, you could take I-39 south out of Rockford to I-80 East to LaGrange Road, or I-39 south to I-88 to I-294 south........

Actually, you know what, that would probably be best.......39 south to 88, 88 east to 294 south, 294 south to I-80 West to LaGrange road.

What time will you be leaving the Minneapolis area? There might be a ton of rush hour traffic going into the city on a Friday night.......

[dockehr]

As a former Illini who has logged many trips to Kankakee from Brainerd, I can second Jim's latest route recommendation.

dockehr

Dr. Roland E. Kehr, Jr.

[CFD MEDIC]

Jim with the construction going on can Brian still get on I-80 off of 294?I know it's a mess near Lansing and you can't get on I-80 off of the Bishop Ford.I don't know if they are working on the ramps on your route or what.I'll try and make it down there on the 23rd,sounds like a good time.Is Col. Ron going??

[Col Ron guide]

We are headed SOUTH today. I hope we can try this in January when all of us are going nuts up here and Jim's remodeling is done. I don't know about the ramps. I sent Brian a message for an alternate route-I-39 to I-80-in case he is hitting the city during rush hour. I think he may wig out if he hits that traffic!! I-39 to I-80 is longer, about 40 minutes, but if he hits town 4:00pm, on the tollway, he will be drinking before he hits Stoney Point.

Ron

[Lungin]

Brian,

I spent three years doing that commute down 294 in rush hour, which is when you guys are going to be coming through, and it's never a walk in the park.....and Friday's are always a nightmare. Throw the holiday weekend into the mix and you'll be sitting on that road for hours. I would definitely take I-39 to I-80 and then shoot east on 80 to Lagrange Road. This will be the least painful way to get down here.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Brad

[Brian Jones]

We are spending Thursday night in Rockford so the earlier we can meet at Stony Point on Friday the better. Not sure what we will be doing to stay occupied until evening. Thank you to everyone for the directions. Generally I take 39 to 80 to avoid the traffic and tolls so this will work out good. See you guys there Looking forward to it!

[CFD MEDIC]

So what is the time that everyone should be there?It seems around 7:00.

[genegodawa]

Brian,

Just trying to get on MG's good side ----> lot's of malls to visit between Rockford and the restaurant.

[Brian Jones]

CFD,

We will be there before 7:00, hope you all can make it!

[Otter]

All this Stony Point talk got me envious. Our local market had a seafood special, so we will be having lobster tails, glazed carrots, roll and cheesecake tonight so that I don't feel left out. Have a nice time down there. It warmed up here and is raining, so we will probably have a huge ice skating rink when the temperature drops.

[Allen Weston]

Well I forone that could not make the party would like to know if anyone caught any fish again for the second or third time. It sounded like a nice get together. Merry Christmas everone and a great New year to you all. BUCK

[Otter]

Three days and no posts. I'm assuming there were no survivors!

[genegodawa]

I SURVIVED THE LONG LONG LONG RIDE HOME FROM STONEY PT.

Never heard from anybody so I ventured down on my own.

Met Lungin and Commanche and a few of their friends. Lungin showed pics of his last Musky trip. They really got some biggun's! Showed all my family pics from 2004 and 2005, and also showed some that I got from youze guyz (Otter's Musky, Col Ron with his big deer, a Canadian NP, and a Cass LMB and Walleye). Did NOT show my R-rated video so I'll bring it this June for all to see. Think I learned more about Horses from Muskiegurl than I did about fishing from Brian. But you know how tight lipped those guides can be! Commanche put up my pic with a Cass LMB and I left him my HotSpots map of Cass to put on the bulletin board. We also made some OTBets but lost - that's gambling for you.

Small group, but we had a very nice get together. We'll do it again sometime I'm sure......but I don't think MG will be having any "Alabama Slammers" anytime soon though.

[Otter]

Just got back from Chippewa Paws on Cass Lake. We go there once a month because my parents really like their drummies. Anyway, the people from Nebraska who've owned it only two years have sold it to someone from Chicago. They told me the buyer's name twice, but I couldn't pick it up.

[Brian Jones]

I lived to see another day but Gene sent MG six feet under with the cocktails and horse talk! Good thing they had their own table!

Jim and Brad's place is up and comming and we will be making another trip down for certtain.

[genegodawa]

I like that "6 feet under" comment, Brian.

Yep, separate table for us. You see how quickly married life takes over? She couldn't wait to get away from you.

And I didn't exactly have to twist her arm, did I? Besides, I had to get her back for the "accusation" of me being snooty the last time I saw her.

Great to meet up wit' youze. See you in 5 1/2 months (I know, thanks for the warning)!

[muskiegurl]

Yes...the drinks went down smoothly!!

Jim..Thanks for all you did, that is one trip we will not forget.

Gene..I think that I got you a little change from one of the bets you made. It was nice to have someone listen to me while I go on and on an on about horses!!

I highly recommend any and everyone venturing to Stoney Point!! Good times!!

Gene

[genegodawa]

MG,

Sometimes I am just dumbfounded but you were lucky enough that night to just find me dumb - about horses, and "slammers", and "royal flushes" (for Bri) and.......