Last year was the first time I made it, and with my brother. We've ALWAYS wanted to do it, and only bought long hauler tickets last minute on a whim. No BS everything else was on the fly and we broke everyday. The enjoyment was running into people, helping them, them helping us, the hotel parking lot wrenching, car shows, and parties. The cruising was fine, we didn't race but prepped the car to race before the trip.
I ran into family I have never met in person, friends from online forums, including this one. People from the FB communities as well.
If it weren't for timing this year, along with drag week in Sept, it would have been a lock in for me. I am in Central PA so the trip is not all that bad.