Kentucky Gathering

As mentioned in another post, I was able to meet OT yesterday. Other than just the two of us wanting to do that, we also wanted to talk about trying to get a gethering for those in Kentucky planned out. We would like to plan on this being in April, either the 15th, or 22nd. (I know we decided on the 22nd, OT, but I thought we may need to leave that open for the others to decide from.)

This is what we are thinking of;

Having a staging site somewhere in Lexington somtime that morning, then proceeding to Keeneland for a day at the races. Hopefully we can entice some of our out-of-state neighbors that might want to get in on this like JS and Chunk.

If I can, I will include a small poll so we can keep up with which date will be the favorite. We have put it out there for your thought, so let's get some input from out Ky brothers and sisters on the site.

Well, at least by then I should have recovered from my upcoming surgery enough to make the trip, although it depends on how much the doc does to my shoulder. I'll have to see how things go closer to then.

JS

Well you know I'll be in for which ever day. One thing that I might add is that on the 15th Keeneland will be running the Bluegrass Stakes. It is a prep race for the Kentucky Derby and usually means the largest crowd of the meet. Just depends if people want to do that kind of event or not. Either date is great with me.

JS, sure hope that your sugery goes well. Would love to see you there.

OT, I forgot to mention that part so I am glad you did. I just wanted to give them a choice on it.

For the powers that be, could we get a sticky on this so it will stay at the top? Thanks.

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Originally Posted by srobb

For the powers that be, could we get a sticky on this so it will stay at the top? Thanks.

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Got it! As much as I'd like to, I can't make it this time. Sounds like a really great time of year to be there too, next year?

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Originally Posted by another view

Got it! As much as I'd like to, I can't make it this time. Sounds like a really great time of year to be there too, next year?

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That may be something we look into depending on how everyone that is able to come likes it. I would love to make it a yearly thing myself.

About how far is this from Atlanta? I have vacation time coming, but I hate driving. :(

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Originally Posted by payn817

About how far is this from Atlanta? I have vacation time coming, but I hate driving. :(

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Lexington, KY is about 4 hours from Knoxville, TN on I 75. I think that Atlanta is another 4 hours south of Knoxville on 75. So you would be looking at about 8 hours. I have driven straight thru a couple of time. Not a bad trip depending on time of day and traffic.

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Originally Posted by payn817

About how far is this from Atlanta? I have vacation time coming, but I hate driving. :(

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Not real sure, payn. I would say off-hand that it is about 6-8 hours. But that would be straight shot up 75 for you. I'll see if I can find out.

:eek:

That's a long drive, I live an hour or so south of Atlanta. Owell, perhaps one day I'll make it to one of these gatherings. Never know though, it may strike me to go last minute. I have a love/hate thing for travel, at least when I am driving :D .

Well hows the vote going? I han't voted on a date as I have no clue which will work yet. The paper is kind of behind the times and trying to catch up.

John

Ok, folks, can't believe we have not had any other takers on this yet. JS, hope you can still make it. If the 22nd would be better for you, we'll make it for then. OT, are you still on for this?

My calender still show the 22nd as a go date for me. I'm hoping that a few more will jump in and decide that they want a day in the bluegrass and at the races as well. Should be some great photo ops.

Check this site out. http://www.keeneland.com/

I would like to get some pics like those on the site. I am really excited about this. It will be my first time there and I know I will be like a little kid in a candy store. :D :D

Ummm, one question.... how much will the cost be for entry be? Also, is that going to get into an area near the track to shoot from? I suppose I could get the paper to see about credentials, but I doubt it. Thats one thing I need to consider, I have a home insurance bill due at that time, plus the following month property TAXES :( , and since the past couple of months have been a bit slow due to my surgery I need to figure out the finances of a trip like this so I don't have any surprises later. I also have to make a trip up to Michigan to see my aging Aunt and Uncle.

John

Oh, I will be in Ky later in the year too. I will be shooting the IRL race there. The editor at one of the papers I shoot for has been planning this since last years race as he knew I'd love the setup there. You can shoot from outside the turns as well and you rotate like every ten minutes. He said it's great to shoot from there.

On a side note, I am going to try and get my credentials for Indy upgraded so I can shoot from the outside of the turns there as well. It's a bit tricky there however, and basically you sign your life and rights away. But you can get some fantastic shots from the outside of the turns.... and that will be one time I borrow a Canon 400mm.

John

Entry is not a problem. There is a $3.00 general admission fee and you can go about anywhere you want except the clubhouse. I just checked and all reserve seating is sold out for both the days that we are looking at. Saturdays are very big a Keeneland. As shooting access to the track general admission will not get you there. If you could arrange something with the paper that would be great. I have always just shot from the outside rail and gotten some pretty good pictures. Here again I usually will go during the week when crowds are a little smaller, it can be a real hassle with a large crowd getting a good spot along the rail. You would have to have creds of some kind to get inside rail, their security is pretty good too so you will not just bluff your way through the way I have done some places. The paddock area is wide open to the public behind the grandstands and is a good place to shot. The best photo ops there are sometimes of the people, you have some great outfits and unique individuals that attend the races.

hmmm, well, since there aren't a lot of us apparently, maybe we should do it on a weekday if srobb can make it. It would actually be easier for me during the week, as I'm more likely to work weekends. Just a thought.

JS

I could, but I would have to take a vacation day. I would have to know that about two weeks in advance if we were to do that. I would love for more to get involved, but I guess we will have to be the guinea pigs and show how much fun can be had. :D :D

Ok, I found out the 22nd is OK. The 15th I have baseball so that day is out.

Speaking of people sneaking into places they do not belong. A couple years ago at Indy I heard over the radio "is this photographer supposed to be on pit road wit a tripod?" I was close to the area and just as I get to the entrrance they were talking about I hear a loud resounding "NO" come over the scanner. Then I see the guy and I simply busted out laughing. It was bad enough he had a tripod setting on pit road, but he had NO credentials at all, and he had a tiny and I mean tiny little point and shoot camera mounted on the tripod. This tripod would have held a TV camera, and probably cost more than the P&S camera mounted to it. :confused: :D :eek: Needless to say the yellow shirts quickly escorted mr brains to the nearest exit. People will try anything!

JS

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Originally Posted by JSPhoto

Ok, I found out the 22nd is OK. The 15th I have baseball so that day is out.

JS

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I can make a weekday work if we need to as well. I checked it out on the Keeneland web site and there are grandstand seat available on Wed and Thursday of that same week if it works better for you guys. Saturdays can get pretty hectic there.

I'm ok now for the 22nd OT, the 15th though I have baseball. Nothing scheduled for the 22nd as all 4 county teams are out of town.

JS

That is cool, JS. Glad you will be able to make for the 22nd. We can go ahead and plan on it then if OT wants to. I can hardly wait after seeing some of OT's pics he has taken there. We will just need to plan out the how, where and when of meeting up now. :D

Something I have thought of. I am sure there aren't any, but I was wondering if there are restrictions as to what we can carry in equipment-wise. I know some venues have tightened up since 9/11, but was not sure about race tracks.

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Originally Posted by srobb

Something I have thought of. I am sure there aren't any, but I was wondering if there are restrictions as to what we can carry in equipment-wise. I know some venues have tightened up since 9/11, but was not sure about race tracks.

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I have been there twice since 9/11 and have gone through the gates with my Lowepro bag and haven't been questioned or stopped. Don't know what else to say.