What does everyone think about LoRaWAN? Specifically in it's use with TTN (the things network), which I recognize is really more focused on embedded sensors with super low power draw and sleep? The use case from meshtastic feels a bit different, is anyone using TTN/LoRaWAN parallel to meshtastic or even is there any cross over? 

Re the higher power LoRa maybe using a high gain multi element directional antenna might get some more distance but I haven't looked up the ERP rules for the 900MHz ISM band, so you might have to use the licensed amateur allocation, not sure.