Atlanta I-285 Endless Loop

[beachFool]

Former Atlanta Braves pitcher Pascual Perez missed a 1982 game where he was supposed to be the starting pitcher, by circling I-285 twice. Thereafter, his nickname was "Perimeter Perez."

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_285"]Interstate 285 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

Perez ended up with a fairly decent career.

He stuck around the big leagues for 8+ years, I think.

He was one of the first players to wear bling and the umpires made him tuck his chains inside his jersey.

Now all of baseball players wear chains, it reminds me of Perez, too.

There was a big fight one Sunday afternoon between the Braves and the Padres. Perez was pitching.

 

[cheesehead]

Used 285 last wknd, going north. I didn't hit heavy traffic, so I've found it to be a fairly easy 19 mile drive. I've been stuck in downtown traffic, but that was bad timing leaving here.

 

[Matt J]

You also need to work the Dan Ryan in Chicago while under construction and the DC Beltway in there somewhere.

I've never experienced the Dan Ryan, but the DC Beltway is a violation of the Geneva Convention.

 

[scooterbug44]

The Dan Ryan is ALWAYS under construction. :roll:

I was forced to take an unwanted exit ramp off the Dan Ryan one time - still don't know where the hell I ended up (industrial rail yards and distribution area of some kind) or how I got back on the interstate.

Was going to ask a woman near a loading dock for directions, then realized she was a transvestite hooker and wouldn't like the interruption as she negotiated with her potential john.

 

[AlphaCrab]

I hated 285!

 

[cheesehead]

Then, you do NOT want to drive through Chicago.Unless it's after midnight. Used to leave Racine at 4:30, am, to get through the loop. Otherwise, Atlanta iseasier. I should buy a helicopter.

 

[Sheila]

Atlanta has pretty much been undergoing construction before the smoke cleared and Sherman hadn't made it to the city limits. There's never a time construction on an interstate in or around the city is not taking place.

My most unpleasant memory of 285 was "Snow Jam of '82". Every business in Atlanta decided to close at the same time and send everyone home. Massive gridlock ensued. I was expecting and guess I was lucky to get home, in one piece, with my then 3 year old, in time to give birth...in May! It was epic and I don't mean that in a good way!

 

[Lynnie]

So, to go around once takes about an hour and if you hit pockets of heavy traffic, well then, much longer. Bless his heart.

 

[Beach Runner]

Atlanta has pretty much been undergoing construction before the smoke cleared and Sherman hadn't made it to the city limits. There's never a time construction on an interstate in or around the city is not taking place.

My most unpleasant memory of 285 was "Snow Jam of '82". Every business in Atlanta decided to close at the same time and send everyone home. Massive gridlock ensued. I was expecting and guess I was lucky to get home, in one piece, with my then 3 year old, in time to give birth...in May! It was epic and I don't mean that in a good way!

Mom worked in downtown Atlanta then. We were so worried about her. No cell phones then, so no way to check on her.

Can't imagine how terrified you were with a 3yo and one on the way!