Way to go Dr. Pyro! Barbie Death Camp and Wine Bistro has been around forever. Long before "plug and play" was even uttered.

During most years the wind will pick up from the WSW, but there have been some years when a freak storm comes in during the afternoon or evening and strong winds can hit from the NE. Be prepared for those as well.

Hwy 50 through NV is one of my all-time favorite drives. It's very empty and it might even be really green this year with all the rain and snow we got this winter and spring. Nevada is a huge state and the drive might take you about 8-9 hours. There are very few towns (about every 200 miles or so) a...

The Reno Bike Project can sell out early, according to their website:

http://www.renobikeproject.com/index.ph ... man-bikes/

Right now the Wal-Fart stores have a bunch of cruiser bikes sitting outside, but get there as soon as you can. You will pay about $80-$150 for a bike.

Maybe stick with the initial RV rental and find two or three nice veteran Burners who need a ride/place to crash? You may end up liking them more than your "friends."

In true Reno fashion, there is a lot of construction work happening on the two freeways that run through town. I'm not sure how far along they will be around the end of August, but here's the skinny so far: Coming from the West on I-80 the lanes narrow around downtown Reno. Traffic has been gnarly h...

We have used an REI Alcove with wind walls at BM for five years with great results. It makes a nice shade and blocks most of the wind and the dust. Putting an air mattress or a tent inside this shelter might work. It really only fits 2-4 people, though. You can order it through REI and have it deliv...

:) I know, I know. I'm not a virgin, but this will be our first year with a marker. Anyone had any luck with weather balloons?

I don't want to depend on just the playa info computer bank. The marker will also be for the people in our camp who are virgins.

This year we will have camp members coming in later in the week. What do you all find is the best way to mark your camp? Weather balloon? Flag?

I agree with AntiM, go with a drop cloth or even some large garden netting instead. Tarps block the light, but they also catch the wind and flap around and make a racket that might keep you up at night (if the music doesn't).

Great bike! Yes, pad the seat as much as you can with a pillow, foam or fur. After miles of bouncing on a plastic seat, you will get "bike butt", rashes and sores. For the tennis ball on the kickstand, cut a small slit in the ball and fill it with GOOP or other sealant and then stick it on the kicks...

Last year for my third burn, I took my new Sportage. Yes, it got dusty on the outside, but stayed pretty clean on the inside. Keep everything closed up, don't run your air conditioner and put on clean clothes before leaving BRC. If there is dust on it when you get home, just be proud and show it off...

The drive up through Mono and Inyo Counties on 395 is really stunning. If you have time to stop, do so at Mammoth, Convict Lake, Mono Lake, Lee Vining, and the hot springs around Mammoth and Bridgeport. There are campgrounds and rest areas all along the highway where you can stop.

Try the REI Alcove, mine has survived four years of pretty bad winds (esp. 2007 and 2008) and it's still wonderful. Get it with the windwalls and it will really only run you about $150. It's not very big, but when I stake it with 18 inch rebar stakes and so some reinforcement with duct tape it hardl...

[quote="dewnorth"]What do BMX riders use?[/quote]

Yes, anything worn by BMX riders or other bikers who are in the wind a lot work great. Avoid the spongy foam seal though, and look for a rubber seal.

Just a note on the more popular items like Tasty Bites and other packaged Indian food. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods ran out of them very quickly last year. :roll: So keep your options open. Check out the local Grocery Outlet in Reno. They have some fun things and good fruits and veggies.

Yep. Typical summer in Reno. There is quite a lot of construction going on. Parts of 395 are 55 miles an hour even though it doesn't look like anything is being repaired or built. It's speed trap central. Be sure to slow down.

I am the writer of the ehow post above and yes, I have brought my teardrop to five Burns. I sleep wonderfully in it. It does get a little hot during the day, but it works well to keep one door/window (facing the sun) covered up with aluminum foil and then keep the other door open for fresh air. I so...

I really liked my shower design last year, but it is really only good for a few people and I'm sure I will continue to make it better. I took a 3 foot 3/4 inch rebar stake and staked it about 1 foot into the Playa. I then took a 6 foot length of 1 inch metal conduit and slipped it over the top of th...

I have used an REI Alcove shade structure with the windwalls for four years now at BM and it does great every year (even in the horrible winds of 2007 and 2008). Under that I would skip the tent and just set up a nice air mattress and your living/cooking/ eating area. I think the Alcoves and the win...

Kern's, Kern's, Kern's! I buy one of those giant packages of Kerns Nectar juices and freeze half of them. Those become our "ice" for the ice chest until they defrost. The other half are just drunk the first two days or so while we get used to the heat. Pre-cook and prepackage all food. Eat well, the...

It should be a great trip! As for the "real camping" aspect. That will be fine on your way out to the Playa, but once you are out here...tent camping sucks. If you can find some way to protect your stuff, bed and body from the dust and heat, DO IT! That might mean sleeping in a vehicle or truck.

We have used our REI Alcove the past two years (big wind years) and it has done great. Use 15 inch rebar stakes and orient the short ends toward the wind. 2009 will be first year we are using the wind walls, these will be mostly for shade, so I will orient it the same way.

395 north and south is one of my all-time favorite drives. The scenery is fantastic and it drops you right into Carson City. From there, don't go on 50, just stay on 395 into Reno and then get onto 80 East. When going through Carson, stop at Red's Old 395 for excellent food and beer and wave to me i...

:D Love it! I took my 75 year old mom in 2007 and she had a great time. However, she did not understand the map directions or where things were located. Show him where you are camping on the map and mark it for him. Have him carry the map with him at all times and in case he gets lost, have him show...

For the hellacious winds of 2007 I had an REI Alcove Shelter that I staked down with 15 inch stakes and also tied it to my car. When the first big winds hit, I was not near the shelter and I got really scared that it had taken off, but when I got to it, it was barely moving. It ROCKED! It keep us co...