Had WAP through GPE, set up camp at corner of J & 5:30 Friday pre-event. No other campers there yet to impede view across the block back to L street. After sunset, we had an LEO lightshow: saw AT LEAST 15 stops, in only the 2 hours we were paying attention. Talk about a speed trap! One stop must hav...

Our burn in a nutshell! Attending GPE refresher on pre-event Saturday, my eye starts itching uncontrollably. Couple hours later I can't open that eye; put aside stubbornness and head to Rampart. Diagnosis: corneal abrasion. The remedy: prone position with eyes covered for next 24 hours. There goes t...

Assemble your necessities BEFORE this Saturday. This link will hook you up with a Chicago burner truck (if not already sold out). https://form.jotform.us/71076384905158
Truck closes at 8 PM. Used them last year: wonderful!

Don't know how I didn't recognize Dusty's! Only uplifted from the gondola there maybe sixty times over the years; and almost as many days at Apres there. Enjoy your burn...

Your photo from Longhorn Saloon patio? Reason I ask, we ski Whistler every year; have even met burners at Apres! Camp on your own---we did first 2 years---you'll have terrific time! Might want to check out Midnight Poutine too.

Good taste. Saw this band's 1st set of 4, played aboard a chartered new cruise ship years ago, that carried close to 2000 international devoted Blues fans. My KC connection Margaret, had told me her terrific local band Trampled Underfoot, was aboard ship. And they blew up set #1. Afterwards I couldn...

Should have stopped a block short, at G. Elliot's Bike Repair. Would not have been first lock we cut off that week.

At the Black Hole around 1 AM Thursday, an hour after getting off GPE shift at midnight, handful of us discussing when a day ends: by the time? Or by getting up after a night's sleep. (our conclusion: after sleep.) One dude calmly remarks: "Then I've had a hell of a Monday." Continues sipping his be...

Sham: we could have helped ya: somehow, some way, we had 4 broom/ dustpan combos. Yet forgot the backpacking towels---which still are AWOL now that we're home.

And when my phone returns from its unanticipated California vacation/detour aboard Millicent, I'll post the pics from the Nawlins-style funeral procession for the D'avinci Wing. Truly a camp-unification end of the week moment. And also a Thank-You-Shout-out to The Skinny Kitty Teahouse for joining u...

Safe drive, Fearless Leader.....and no trailer breakdowns either!
See ya Friday unless Gate Road gets soggy.

And every bike rider>>>>do this now:

Read the sidewall of your tires to find inner tube size (26x2.0, 700x35, etc.)
BUY spares of that tube size.
Carry with you while riding.

The bike repair camps will find you to be terrifically prepared in event of a flat!

Glitches happen in the volunteer process....had to submit same form 3 times before Gate could confirm my application. Then once on playa had to input all of their info all over again. All this while prime shift selections were disappearing by the day. Typically, I'd have said "F this----they can't g...

Be safe and get out of Dodge, Elliot! Hydration needs? Check under your bunk aboard Millicent.....you may be surprised what you find there!

Unjon, add me to roster of folks missing you. Now who will lead post-graduate studies in chain repair? Maryanimal, count us out of Taco shindig>>>>we'll be working Gate at that time. Just ordered 2 sets of head-to-toe bug clothing, due to arrive 12 hours before our flight to Reno. As Muddy Waters sa...

We, on the other hand, are ON schedule. Shipped out our encampment---6 boxes--- via UPS an hour ago. As long as our flight doesn't fall out of the sky next Thursday, well see you EBS folks next Friday

And thus arrived the 29er of recent years, in mountain bike categories....except most women, and shorter-legged men, couldn't get over the top tube. Bike industry responded with 27.5" recently. Didn't help yesterday when young teen needed new bike---26" would have been perfect fit; except the compan...

Man burn day around 6 PM and that day's dust storm had been swirling for a good long while. Visibility: zilch. Jill & I donned goggles, bandanas and provisions and off we trekked from our camp in the outer burbs, heading to open playa looking like we were preparing to knock over the First National B...

Transported back about 30 years today. Grateful Dead 50th anniversary shows in Chicago went on sale today....via the yesteryear agency: Grateful Dead Ticket Sales. Where you send them SASE, money order, and 3x5 index card with pertinent info. No ETIX. No TicketMaster (until Feb. that is). Was pretty...

Those are called Rudy Racks, Elliot. We use them seasonally, then disassemble for winter months to merchandise skis instead. Fabricate some steel T-shaped legs and you're in business.

My (portable) music-to-work-by system was quite simple: iPod plugged into battery-powered speaker box. Downside: not enough volume to be heard more than about 6' away. Would be terrific to be able to plug into a better amplification system and bring The Blues to the repair shop. And Elliot, I'll be ...

Not under cover related....but what happened with MV Christina Tues/Weds late afternoon? Never seen so many LEO vehicles surround a mutant vehicle and empty it of passengers. Was it injury related, or indeed a bust?

My lady has back issues too. Check the Kelty inflatable queen mattress; comes with rechargeable pump that inflates/deflates in under a minute!!! Gets you about 5 or 6 inches off ground. I was super skeptical at first---now a fervent convert. And fits into bag size of re-usable grocery tote. Big win!...

My favorite repair(s) needed were the customers on consecutive days who came in with SEVERELY bent wheels. When I asked how 'd that happen, the response was identical and hysterical-----"got run over by a mutant vehicle"! You'll never get that response in default world...

Unjon, That reminds me: Jill & I came back from temple burn to find the departed neighbors had gifted us a portable jumper cable box gizmo. (We had a newer rental minivan; though the remote key fob battery was dead. Had to get out manual to start the car Monday.) And thanks for being the Chief of th...

Left Monday around 5 PM after returning our loaner bikes to Elliot and breaking down remaining shade structure. Less than an hour to pavement. So decide to stop at Bruno's for final celebratory cocktail in honor of the quick Exodus. Swear to God: here's the place to stop if you're contemplating quit...

All gear shipped out yesterday via UPS (at biz rate---BIG discount!). Will be awaiting us long before our flight arrives week from Sunday. Strange calmness has set in----am sure that will change!

Since I just got my tix yesterday (NO email notification)(NO postal sign-off), this song over morning coffee has got me fired up! Now to get serious about sorting the gear over next 30 days. Wonderful song.

Beer cans had removable pop tops....talk about moop! Previous system much better: as long as you had a church key.

Elliot, what's high on your list of parts needed at this stage of the game? (Besides always-popular tubes...)
Or are all the loaners good-to-go? JP