Pittsburgh, PA GTG - July 14 - McConnell's Mills

06/24/2007 11:22:23 AM · #1

Hey everyone! I'll be headed from Ohio to Pittsburgh for college-going to the Art Institute for photography of course. I'll be starting classes July 9th. But I kinda wanted to meet some people out there and get to know the area while getting some great shots at the same time. I've already met Alan Freed, who's from Punxatany and a great guy to be around. The 19th-23rd is the only weekend that definitely doesn't work for me. But any other days should be open. I'm assuming weekends would be the best. Once I get my class schedule I can tell you exactly when would be best. I just want to get some ideas as to where we can shoot-good times to go, etc. Feel free to contribute ideas! Thanks!

--Jared Wickerham
www.endeavorphoto.com

Alan here... editing to add details so it's easy to find at the top of the thread: SATURDAY, JULY 14, 2007 (NOTE DATE CHANGE!), AT MCCONNELL'S MILLS STATE PARK, PA. Directions provided later!

Attendees:
JaredWickerham(and fellow artist/girlfriend: Danielle)
AlanFreed
Stiger
Buckeye_Fan
fencekicker
justamistere

Possible Attendees:
mcrochip
jusdino4it

Message edited by author 2007-07-13 17:31:02.

06/24/2007 11:25:55 AM · #2

I'd be up for a Pittsburgh GTG (I'm just under 2 hours east of there). About the only place I know how to get to is the zoo, but I'd like to see some of the city's other sights. We'll have Alan be our tour guide. :)

Message edited by alanfreed - oops! edited wrong post..

06/24/2007 12:29:27 PM · #3

I'd probably be available sometime the weekend of the 14th-15th if that would work for folks. That's about the ONLY weekend I could do in July, though.

I'd enjoy seeing both of you guys again, and anyone else who we could round up. I'd imagine we could twist Prof_Fate's arm into coming.

Jared, that's among the most interesting spellings of Punxsutawney I've seen for a while! For the record, I grew up there, but live west of Pittsburgh in Beaver County now. I am still Phil's webmaster, though :)

I'll be interested in seeing if anyone else is interested in comin' along...

Buckeye_Fan

06/24/2007 12:38:07 PM · #4

Hey guys, since I'm just a couple of hours away, I'd be interested in joining you!!

fencekicker

Panasonic DMC-FZ5

06/24/2007 04:52:23 PM · #5

I'd be interested, but I'm probably 3 to 4 hours away. I'll keep an eye on this thread and see what I can work out.

06/24/2007 05:46:43 PM · #6

Alan, usually I work every Saturday (yay retail!), but I just happen to have July 14th off. My wife is working so I would be free that day.

timfythetoo

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

06/24/2007 06:24:47 PM · #7

My wife will be in Thailand for 2 weeks on that date. I am actually looking for some sort of trek to take my kids on that will take us from Columbus OH to Rochester NY. I might be interested in coming with the kiddos. Any chance there is a cheap campground tat we could tent it out if we wanted to?

06/24/2007 06:57:45 PM · #8

Something gives me the sneaking suspicion that I'm becoming the organizer for this :)

Here are a couple suggestions to toss out... see what yinz think (if you're coming to the Pittsburgh area, you're gonna have to talk like a Pittsburgher...).

Personally, I'd enjoy it more if we were doing something less urban. They're tearing up Point State Park (where the three rivers come together), which kinda make for ugly shots of the city from some of the best vantage points. Plus they've been closing a major artery into the city from the east on many upcoming weekends, which could make traveling into the city rather funky for people out that way.

What would you guys think about McConnell's Mills State Park?

It's a pretty neat place with a few nice waterfalls, the mill and an old-style covered bridge. It just seems like it would be a nice, more relaxed kind of place for a GTG. I've been wanting to head up there to do some summer shooting anyway!

I'd be ok with the 14th (Saturday), although I need to be back home early that evening for my daughter's softball league pool party. The 15th (Sunday) is more wide open for me. Let me know your thoughts, and we can come up with a solid plan pretty quickly.

PS -- This location might work better for the sake of finding a nearby camping opportunity for Tim, too. I believe there are a couple campgrounds within a stone's throw up that way. I can research that more if this is what we go with.

Message edited by author 2007-06-24 18:59:42.

06/24/2007 07:50:26 PM · #9

The State Park sounds perfect-my mom and grandma actually recommended that. Sunday the 15th would also be better for me because I will most likely have class on Saturday the 14th.

I didn't mean to spell "Punxatawney" wrong, I just woke up and was about to drive 5 hours back home to NY so I wrote it pretty quickly-Google's .2 sec search just took too long for me to learn the correct spelling :)

I only have 1 problem with McConnell's Mills State Park-a way to get there. My grandma said it was about an hour out of the city? I won't have a car in Pittsburgh($14/day is expensive!) so I will need a ride. If anyone can give me a ride, I would be greatly appreciative! If no one can my friend from NY MIGHT be able to come down and take me and go along on the trip-although he's not a photographer. But just let me know if any of you will be going through that way and woud be willing to pick me up. I'll be staying on the corner of Boulevard of the Allies and 1st Avenue (615 First Avenue is the address) at the Shannon Hall dorms for the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

Alright-well let me know who can make Sunday the 15th. Also, pass along the word to any other DPC photographers in the area who would like to join us.

Thanks guys!

--Jared Wickerham
www.endeavorphoto.com
740-243-1208

06/24/2007 07:54:45 PM · #10

Originally posted by alanfreed:

Something gives me the sneaking suspicion that I'm becoming the organizer for this :)

You're Mr. Pittsburgh, we can't let you be an innocent bystander. :p

I like the state park idea. I'll have to find out if I can get the 15th off of work. I'm taking the previous Sunday off to go to the reenactment at Gettysburg.

06/24/2007 07:55:32 PM · #11

If all else fails, I'm sure I could buzz into the city to get you (Jared, that is) if that's what we decide.

I'll look forward to hearing from others who had expressed an interest to see if July 15 at McConnell's Mill would work...

Message edited by author 2007-06-24 19:56:11.

06/24/2007 08:23:51 PM · #12

Thanks Alan! I'll keep you updated-and obviously, you'll see if anyone else can pick me up. I'm not sure if it's on anyone's way so let me know. I'd like to make it as easy as possible on whoever. Thanks again!

For those of you too lazy to read the preceding posts:
Sunday the 15th- McConnell's Mills State Park
How's that sound to everyone?

--Jared Wickerham

Originally posted by alanfreed:

Buckeye_Fan

06/24/2007 08:38:14 PM · #13

15th is fine with me!! Just need a time to be there and are we doing lunch again?

06/24/2007 08:42:45 PM · #14

Ok, the 15th it is then...

Let's make it 11:00 at the park since it looks like we have a few folks traveling a good distance (if you guys are early birds and want to do it at 10:00, that's fine, too -- let me know if you want to bump it earlier).

I'll give some good directions later... I already have a good spot in mind that has a waterfall within a short hike. We can meet at the parking lot, take the hike to the falls and do a little shooting there... then regroup for a picnic lunch and then head to a couple other good spots.

The last couple GTGs have featured good picnic lunches, so let's go ahead and go that route!

06/24/2007 08:46:57 PM · #15

I edited the title of the thread, and edited Jared's post just to make it easier for folks to find the basic information. Hope you don't mind, Jared! I've seen other threads where you have to do a bunch of fishing to find the date/location details, so I thought it would be a little easier to find the info this way.

06/24/2007 09:00:01 PM · #16

Thank you so much Alan! You've been a big help!

And of course-the time-10am or 11am-is up to whoever can give me a ride-either time is fine with me though.

I'm not sure what I'll be bringing though for lunch. I'll think of something soon.

Thanks again Alan!

--Jared Wickerham

06/25/2007 10:22:35 AM · #17

Bumping for the day crowd...

Tokina AF 28-80mm f/2.8 AT-X 280AF Pro for Pentax

06/26/2007 01:33:16 PM · #18

Alright well since we will be doing a picnic let me know whether or not you can attend, and if so, what you can bring. I'll keep the original thread updated with who is attending and what they're bringing. Thanks!

--Jared Wickerham
www.endeavorphoto.com

fencekicker

Panasonic DMC-FZ5

06/26/2007 01:47:16 PM · #19

I probably won't know until the week of the GTG whether I can make it or not. But if I can come, I don't think I'll get there until after 11 so I'll have to try to meet up with you all some how. Looks like a great place. :)

mcrochip

Pentax K20D

06/26/2007 03:05:25 PM · #20

I think I may be up for this as well. I've been to Pittsburgh a couple times, but I haven't really gotten to see anything interesting outside of the baseball stadium.

-Steve

06/26/2007 03:52:14 PM · #21

Alright well I added attendees and possible attendees to the original thread. so I'll leave you two as possibly going. If any of you know for sure you can or can't go, let me know and I will take you off so we can get this coordinated and make sure we have enough food for everyone, etc. Then once I know who's going I can get your phone numbers and hand out mine to those going. Thanks again!

--Jared Wickerham
www.endeavorphoto.com

06/27/2007 02:49:14 PM · #22

I'm out. Can't get that Sunday off of work. You guys have fun.

06/29/2007 11:33:32 PM · #23

went to pittsburgh and back today bump....

Prof_Fate

06/30/2007 01:34:54 AM · #24

Sure, why not? I need some fun shooting - I tried tonite and my ass't and second shooter threw me in the van and made me leave the wedding. Meanies!

I know Alan, nice guy. Can shoot a mean pic too. :D

Do we have a time/place at the park to meet?