Okay, folks, my work schedule is being juggled around, and the one business side trip I was planning to make to justify an overnight stay a bit to the north didn't pan out, so here are my recommendations:

I recommend Al's of Hampden for FRIDAY night the 17th, as it's a smaller place. Menu skews towards subs, sandwiches, pizza, and LOTS of craft beer, including bottles to go. Saturday, head for Appalachian Brewing Co. and find the quietest spot. Sunday I'm leaving up to you folks.

Appalachian has live music with a $10 cover charge in their upstairs Abbey Bar on Saturday the 18th beginning at 9 PM, and jazz Sunday up there starting at 6 PM ($12). Decide now whether that's good or bad, and act accordingly.

If you wish to meet up with others of the RyPN fold, find and wear a name pin or sticker, with "RYPN" boldly on it somewhere. If you wish to "fly under the radar," do so. I'll see if I can find my Baltimore Chapter NRHS nametag; if not, look for a trouble-making "1361" belt buckle. >:-]

For those needing a Sheetz fix, there are two stores in the Mechanicsburg area (somewhat close to Al's of Hampden) and the well-known "railfan" one along the Middle Division at Cove, along 11/15 to the northwest of Enola. Go to Sheetz.com for a store locator.

Other places I can recommend in downtown Harrisburg if we're getting desperate:

http://www.mcgrathspub.net/ Now with cask ale, according to my fellow writers

http://www.shady-mcgradys.com/