I hear ya but let me show you how I see it.

Get off work Friday @ 5
Drive 10 hours to somewhere in the "midwest"
Go to sleep at 3AM
Get up to wheel @ 8 AM
Leave the next day for a 10 hr drive and get to sleep for work on Monday.

I know the 10hrs isn't a standard I'm just giving you an example. I drove to Colorado for a week and had a blast meeting 2 XOC folks and I'd love to meet more in the midwest. It just hasn't seemed to work out on a weekend basis. I'm glad to know there are alot of cool people though, its encouraging.