Thanks for all the great replies and offers guys and galls. It must be clear that I don't come over just to spend some time with some old farts and youngsters on steroids driving around with old MVs. This I can do here as well.
Its clear that there are some pretty special good folks around on the forum and its time to get out of the virtual forum world and spent some good times and put faces to names. Check if they are really real people and maybe I then can understand some of the insider jokes as well.
My travel plans are still open. Last and least option is flying directly to Atlanta on Monday or Tuesday and flying back Sunday or Monday.
I am actually looking into flying to New York, Washington, Chicago, Boston, or similar large hub airport. They are a few $$ cheaper than flights to Atlanta, and also maybe a bit shorter. Then get a drive-away car and just drive from up north to whatever the destination of the car is and from there to Durham. Or whatever. (did I already tell that I hate flying?).
Anybody recently flew to Europe? Recommendations and tips are always welcome, last time I flew State-side was 2006.
Whatever my plans, I would like to be on location on Tuesday, have a look at the lay of the land and be involved from the beginning. I will get more clear on how to do this later this week.