Re: hotel room--see info in middle of posting #143. You might want to contact ViperAsh (sp?)directly if you're interested. My memory is that the hotel is near a metro station or has a shuttle to a metro stop BUT I'm not absolutely sure. I'll try to check on it later today.
For folks coming from NJ, factor at least $10 each way OUTSIDE OF NJ for various tolls. I'm not sure when I'll be heading out, so I can't commit right now to a meet-up but the Maryland House rest stop on I-95 is about 1 to 1 1/2 hours from DC (has a Starbucks, several fast food places, BATHROOMS!).
No worries there....I believe my EZ Pass works that far south.