Announcing: York Beach, ME, Meetup & SkeeBall Tourney, August 16!

July 10, 2008 2:17 PM

Announcing: York Beach, ME, Meetup & SkeeBall Tourney, August 16! (Posting for Miko the bunny!)

[More inside] Summertime on the Maine Coast is something everyone should experience it. Come spend a day on the beach relaxing, have a stroll out to the lighthouse and lunch on some fried scallops or the like, swim, surf, and take on the SkeeBall Tourney challenge -- competing for the title of MeFi SkeeBall Overlord. Wind up with some drinks and really good pub grub. This makes a really good weekend getaway, if you're of a mind to do that!

All the meetup details are here on this wiki page, and transportation information including air, train, bus/trolley, and ground transport is forthcoming from Elsa.

Hope a lot of folks can make it. Psst - it's crazy beautiful.

posted by By The Grace of God to MetaFilter Gatherings at 2:17 PM (45 comments total)

If nothing's keeping me in NYC that weekend, I'd love to come. I've been wanting to go To The Lighthouse for a while, but my dad keeps being all "no it looks like it might rain" and then I want to stab him in the heart with my scissors, you know?

But yeah, if I can wrangle it, I'd be quite excited to return to the homeland for a meetup.
posted by Greg Nog at 3:07 PM on July 10, 2008 [1 favorite]

There is a nonzero chance that I can make it.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 3:10 PM on July 10, 2008

Summertime on the Maine Coast is something everyone should experience it.

So true. Too bad York County is North Massachusetts.

(MIDCOAST RULES!!!!)

(I would like to go, but can't justify the gas outlay unless it ends up corresponding with a trip to my folks.)
posted by Mayor Curley at 3:20 PM on July 10, 2008 [1 favorite]

We go to York Beach for a day trip each and every summer. If we can hold out until then, I will at least stop and say hello.
posted by briank at 4:28 PM on July 10, 2008

A few transit links for those coming from away:

- The York Shoreline Explorer shuttle and a map of the area it serves, with additional links to smaller area shuttles and trolleys.

- The Amtrak Downeaster, which runs from Boston to Portland, with stops along the way. It's sometimes less expensive to fly into Boston and take the train north than to book a flight into Portland, Maine, and travel south.

It looks like you can take the Amtrak Downeaster to Wells, pick up the Shoreline Explorer shuttle there, and ride all the way to York Beach. I have not confirmed that yet; there's a phone number on the website.

If you're booking a hotel room in the area, the hotel shuttle might be an option.

In this MetaChat thread, people knocked around some good ideas for travel options, including train, Megabus, carpooling from airports, and a couple of farefinding websites for air travel. Worth a look-see.

Thanks to Miko for inspiring this, and to everyone who's been batting the idea around! It should be a great day! I have family visiting that weekend, but I'll do my darnedest to make it to Skee Ball Meet-up. Who could resist?
posted by Elsa at 4:44 PM on July 10, 2008

Oh, man, I'd love to go. It would be tight-- I am not entirely sure where I'll be living then, and I might still be far away from there-- but I will make it if at all possible.
posted by ibmcginty at 4:48 PM on July 10, 2008

I'd love to be there if I can snag a ride to and from Portland. Mr. Mon Dieu has the car that day and the hours are conflicting with the meet-up. Would also be interested in the skeeball so not necessary to get there too early.

Perfectly willing to chip in for gas money to and from Portland.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 5:24 PM on July 10, 2008

I may - MAY - be able to come. I have a show that evening, so as long as I'm back in Boston by 6 or so I think I can make it.

For Bostonites with similar schedules, if I end up going I'm more than willing to ferry a few of you with me.
posted by backseatpilot at 8:02 PM on July 10, 2008

I love skeeball, but I won't be round those parts (Saco/OOB) to try my luck at winning another plastic comb until 4 days later.
posted by stagewhisper at 8:05 PM on July 10, 2008

I'm very sad to hear this. When was the decision made? I thought we were decided on the 9th.

=(
posted by Eideteker at 8:30 PM on July 10, 2008

Eideteker, boo. It would be great to see you again. We didn't get a chance to talk much at the NoHo meet-up.

Every Saturday is a weird day for me and the car, so it wouldn't matter, but I'll find a way to get there. Maybe I can bring a friend who has a car?
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 4:04 AM on July 11, 2008

Damn! I'll be away! Please say hello to yourselves from me, and have fun!
posted by not_on_display at 5:54 AM on July 11, 2008

Hurm. We have a B&B certificate for Portland that we're itch'n to use.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 6:06 AM on July 11, 2008

I'll be back on the mainland from work on Saturday morning and I think I can come if anyone is driving through Portsmouth en route and has room for one more!
posted by bcwinters at 10:14 AM on July 11, 2008

bcwinters, I'll be coming from Portsmouth and would be delighted to offer you a ride. I'd love to ask you about Star!
posted by Miko at 7:45 PM on July 11, 2008

If the weather is nice I will probably be there, and will be driving from Augusta if anybody between there and York wants to carpool. Is there a backup plan for if the weather is not nice?
posted by JanetLand at 2:22 PM on July 12, 2008

Is there a backup plan for if the weather is not nice?

I'm calling it rain or shine. We'll be watching the forecast and if it looks like serious changes are in order, I'll post.
posted by Miko at 4:10 PM on July 12, 2008

Bump! Don't forget. York Beach Meetup & SkeeBall Tourney is a week from this Saturday.
posted by Miko at 11:35 AM on August 4, 2008

Sweet! I'm definitely coming up to New England that weekend, but I may be hiking on Mount Washington on Saturday, so whether I'm there or not will depend on my flaky friends picking a day for our hike.
posted by Greg Nog at 11:49 AM on August 4, 2008

Well, even if you don't get free 'til evening, Greg Nog, we will probably be out til 9 or 10 at Inn on the Blues...I'll post confirmation a couple days ahead.
posted by Miko at 4:34 PM on August 4, 2008

Late to the party but could someone maybe put me up someplace? I'm gonna carpool in with Greg Nog I think but he may be leaving early and I'd like to leave later and get back to my car in Manchester the next day sometime. Possible? Greyhound seems to think it takes eight hours to get from Portsmouth to Manchester, there has to be a better way, right? Worst case I'll leave early. Yay!
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:14 AM on August 15, 2008

Hi all! Looking forward to tomorrow. Chances are the weather will continue to be pretty good as it is today, but there will be the chance of T-storms that seems to be a feature of Every.Single.Day. this summer. If that happens, it can just be our signal that it's SkeeBall time...and for those of you staying overnight, Sunday looks like a perfect beach day. Lipstick Thespian and I will do our best to be onsite at about 10 AM to set up camp and mark it with something to indicate MeFi. I'll MeMail those I know are coming with a cell number - MeMail me if you need one! See ya tomorrow and bring yer game.
posted by Miko at 11:27 AM on August 15, 2008

I'm desolate to be missing this!

Or, uh, I would be if I didn't have such a fantastic reason: my partner and I are hanging around hometown this weekend with visiting family, who want to celebrate our recent engagement.

Please report back on the Skee Ball prizes, which I assume will consist largely of outsized novelty items. I have my heart set on seeing one of you win an enormous plastic comb and/or giant novelty sunglasses.
posted by Elsa at 12:49 PM on August 15, 2008

I am currently evaluating how feasible it is to make a last-minute dash up there tomorrow morning...from Boston, using only public transportation. It will either be a fantastic adventure, or I'll sleep in and miss everything, or I'll end up in Portland wondering what the hell happened. We shall see!
posted by danb at 3:48 PM on August 15, 2008

I really really REALLY want to go. I've never been to York Beach (and I've never been to a meetup) and I love skiball and I've never seen a lighthouse..and..and..and work may be suckling on my brain tomorrow, so maybe, possibly a very last minute trip up from Waltham? I'd like to finally meet some Mefites, dammit! (and display my mad skiball talent!).
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 4:26 PM on August 15, 2008

Cat Pie Hurts: DO IT
posted by danb at 4:34 PM on August 15, 2008

After further review, I think I'll have to sit this one out. It's possible to make it, but it'd be hellish getting back and much more of a hassle than I can handle right now. Have fun! Next time I'll plan ahead more.
posted by danb at 4:53 PM on August 15, 2008

I'm definitely in.

danb, check your email.
posted by initapplette at 5:48 PM on August 15, 2008

Holy crap, I didn't write this on my calendar. Thanks for the reminder, Jessamyn.

Was going to ask JanetLand if she'd pick me up in Portland on her way through, but "account is disabled."

Anyone who's going from Portland or through Portland and has room in their vehicle, memail me. I will chip in for gas, but I don't have the car today and can't get to the buses w/out a huge hassle (besides would need to save $$ for skeeball).

Otherwise, have a great time and take lots of pictures!

P.S. Don't worry, this fog is supposed to burn off!
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 1:40 AM on August 16, 2008

Oh, hope the rides work out! Marie Mon Dieuy, try MeMailing suki - she might be coming, but I'm not sure.

We're getting off the mark a bit late, but after a stop for snacks we will be setting up camp in the location mentioned - just north of the peach-colored bathroom facility locate don the ocean side. We'll be marking our spot with a blue BARN STAR sitting in the sand, with MEFI written on it. See you alls oon!
posted by Miko at 7:58 AM on August 16, 2008

I'll be there for eveningtme activities and am all set for a place to stay but people who want to call in the evening and say "where the heck are you guys?" can try me, after about 6 pm, at 508-415-9074.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 8:53 AM on August 16, 2008

Miko, Suki told me her car was full, unfortunately. I'm just gonna chill up here in Portland and wish you all well and spend time with my man when he gets out of work. Party on, Garth.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 10:04 AM on August 16, 2008

Sigh. My passengers and I all decided independently that we couldn't make it, for different reasons.

My reason, stupidly, was that I need to catch up on work. I haven't done a damn thing and instead have been moping around the house, wishing I had gone to the beach.

We're getting socked with a bad storm here in Sopo. Hope you guys avoided it, or are safely ensconced in a bar.
posted by suki at 2:35 PM on August 16, 2008

I'm slowly digesting in the belly of the Sarl..er...still at work and see no possibility of getting to Maine, much less, York Beach at any reasonable hour this evening. As I sit here with dreams of skiballs dancing in my head, I hope all of you are having a blast! I demand pictures!
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 4:05 PM on August 16, 2008

That was fun! But it is late and I am tired.

Body count: me, initapplette, Mr. initapplette, brujita, Miko, Lipstick Thespian, and then later jessamyn and Greg Nog.
posted by danb at 9:28 PM on August 16, 2008

I am jealous! Pictures please!
posted by suki at 5:58 AM on August 17, 2008

I am sleepy! Patience please!
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 6:55 AM on August 17, 2008

It was lovely to meet everyone! And I got to run down some big rocks! And I had whole-belly clams for the first time in ages! What more could a young man ask for?
posted by Greg Nog at 6:57 AM on August 17, 2008

damnit, i find out about this today?!?!? gr
posted by Soulbee at 2:43 PM on August 17, 2008

I didn't get any all-meetup photos but I did get a few photos of people standing around on the rocks.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 6:06 PM on August 17, 2008

I thought about you folks this weekend. Cape Cod and the wedding were lovely. No hail!

Let's please do this again some time soon, when I can attend.
posted by Eideteker at 8:35 AM on August 18, 2008

My photos are now up...most of them, anyway. My balky connection has left a few behind, but I'll add eventually.

Thanks to everyone for making the trip. It was great to meet all of you/see you again! Suki and Marie and Janetland and Elsa et al - sorry it didn't work this time. We missed you...but I think we should do it again next year! And hey - when's the next PortlandME meetup? Should we get together in September to celebrate the end of peak tourist season?
posted by Miko at 8:37 AM on August 18, 2008

Great photos - thank you for posting them. It looks like a very cool day (though sorry you got hit with that big storm).

I'm up for a Portland, Maine meet up anytime!
posted by suki at 12:04 PM on August 18, 2008

Patience!.... I'm still exploring the rest of Maine (pics up after Labor Day)--- and props to our candlepin goddess Miko for setting this up!
posted by brujita at 8:29 PM on August 18, 2008

Have fun, brujita...I'm looking forward to the travelogue.
posted by Miko at 8:33 PM on August 18, 2008