Flying in and a bit nervous
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Prospero's Ghost
- Posts: 51
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2008 2:02 pm
Welcome Prospero's Ghost, I'm betting you're going to have a terrific first trip to Burning Man I can hear the excitement in your voice. I'm a 12 year Burner who travels from Michigan and chooses to fly over driving most years for the time it saves me.
Some hints to go along with the good ones you've already gotten here --
Find Burners local to you now if you can; get to know them and keep your ears out for a chance to share a truck to haul your stuff to the playa. We sent two shared trucks from Michigan last year shipping cost was about $7.50 / cubic foot; I expect it to be more this year with the rising gas costs. Not sure what part of New York you call home but there is a huge burner community in New York City that collaborates to send shipping containers full of people's stuff to the playa. I know there are also active Burners in upstate New York especially in the Rochester area. Check the Regionals section of the website for links.
You can ship almost anything to Reno if you're willing to pay for it. Greyhound, Amtrak, and the standard shipping services are all possibilities. That may be a good option for your bikes, camp stove etc.
You can fit almost everything you need on the plane as long as you're willing to travel light. I pack in coolers every year. Just pack up a duffel bag, jam the duffel bag in the cooler and you're good to go. You can even ship bikes on planes but you'll need to break it down a bit and pack it in an approved box. It's obvious but I'll point it out anyhow, don't fly with camping fuel, drugs or anything else illegal...
Pick your airline carefully looking at baggage size and weight allowances. A lot of airlines only allow 2 bags now and many have dropped their weight limits this year. It may pay for you to pick a slightly higher priced airfare if it allows you a bit more luggage / weight.
It's possible to buy bikes in Reno relatively cheap then donate them to local groups at the end of the event. Just be sure you take it off the playa with you when you leave! Abandoned bikes are a major pain in the rear during post-event clean-up. Kids size dirt bikes can be easier to haul if you can ride one comfortably.
Buy some vinegar based window type cleaner to help you cleanup the car post-event. It really helps cut the playa dust when you're wiping down the dashboard, vents, door seals etc. Paying for full service detailing (about $60) is also worth it to not get hit with a cleaning charge from the rental companies. And... don't lie to them about where you're headed, they are well aware you're going to Burning Man. Just do your best to keep the car closed and return it clean.
If you can, get a hotel room in Reno the night before you go to the playa. It will take you longer then you expect to run all of your Reno errands pre-playa. And, it gives you a place and a chance to de-package all of your food etc. (all those extra wrappers that you don't want to deal with as garbage on the playa).
Plan much much longer to get back to Reno than you might expect. Don't plan to leave the playa 4 hours before you flight and actually make it. It can take 6 - 8 hours just to leave the playa in the worst of exodus, plus 1 - 2 hours to clean the car, plus 20 minutes detour to go to the dump to drop your garbage etc. I try to not fly back out of Reno until Tuesday or ideally Wednesday post-playa so I have plenty of time to get off playa and cleaned up. And, the casino buffet tastes really good post-playa!
Finally, once you're a long time Burner like me you might just find yourself investing in a Reno storage unit. Mine is filled with a bar, bikes, coolers, left-over liquor, faux fur coats, gas cans, tents, beds, crates of dishes... you name it it's there!
Some hints to go along with the good ones you've already gotten here --
Find Burners local to you now if you can; get to know them and keep your ears out for a chance to share a truck to haul your stuff to the playa. We sent two shared trucks from Michigan last year shipping cost was about $7.50 / cubic foot; I expect it to be more this year with the rising gas costs. Not sure what part of New York you call home but there is a huge burner community in New York City that collaborates to send shipping containers full of people's stuff to the playa. I know there are also active Burners in upstate New York especially in the Rochester area. Check the Regionals section of the website for links.
You can ship almost anything to Reno if you're willing to pay for it. Greyhound, Amtrak, and the standard shipping services are all possibilities. That may be a good option for your bikes, camp stove etc.
You can fit almost everything you need on the plane as long as you're willing to travel light. I pack in coolers every year. Just pack up a duffel bag, jam the duffel bag in the cooler and you're good to go. You can even ship bikes on planes but you'll need to break it down a bit and pack it in an approved box. It's obvious but I'll point it out anyhow, don't fly with camping fuel, drugs or anything else illegal...
Pick your airline carefully looking at baggage size and weight allowances. A lot of airlines only allow 2 bags now and many have dropped their weight limits this year. It may pay for you to pick a slightly higher priced airfare if it allows you a bit more luggage / weight.
It's possible to buy bikes in Reno relatively cheap then donate them to local groups at the end of the event. Just be sure you take it off the playa with you when you leave! Abandoned bikes are a major pain in the rear during post-event clean-up. Kids size dirt bikes can be easier to haul if you can ride one comfortably.
Buy some vinegar based window type cleaner to help you cleanup the car post-event. It really helps cut the playa dust when you're wiping down the dashboard, vents, door seals etc. Paying for full service detailing (about $60) is also worth it to not get hit with a cleaning charge from the rental companies. And... don't lie to them about where you're headed, they are well aware you're going to Burning Man. Just do your best to keep the car closed and return it clean.
If you can, get a hotel room in Reno the night before you go to the playa. It will take you longer then you expect to run all of your Reno errands pre-playa. And, it gives you a place and a chance to de-package all of your food etc. (all those extra wrappers that you don't want to deal with as garbage on the playa).
Plan much much longer to get back to Reno than you might expect. Don't plan to leave the playa 4 hours before you flight and actually make it. It can take 6 - 8 hours just to leave the playa in the worst of exodus, plus 1 - 2 hours to clean the car, plus 20 minutes detour to go to the dump to drop your garbage etc. I try to not fly back out of Reno until Tuesday or ideally Wednesday post-playa so I have plenty of time to get off playa and cleaned up. And, the casino buffet tastes really good post-playa!
Finally, once you're a long time Burner like me you might just find yourself investing in a Reno storage unit. Mine is filled with a bar, bikes, coolers, left-over liquor, faux fur coats, gas cans, tents, beds, crates of dishes... you name it it's there!
> You can ship almost anything to Reno if you're willing to pay for it.
Sports Express offers free quotes:
http://www.sportsexpress.com/
See here for luggage delivery services:
Sports Express offers free quotes:
http://www.sportsexpress.com/
See here for luggage delivery services:
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theCryptofishist
- Posts: 40312
- Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:28 am
- Burning Since: 2017
- Location: In Exile
I htought bikes were essentially worthless post event--the playa is corrosive dust that acts like glue after it's been wet and just locks the gears, usw. Bike shops refuse to touch them, because it costs more to fix that buy a new bike. Waht's the truth here?Cooky wrote: It's possible to buy bikes in Reno relatively cheap then donate them to local groups at the end of the event.
The Lady with a Lamprey
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
Regarding bikes usefulness post event --
I took the same bike for 5 years in a row, washed it every year within a few weeks post playa (after I got back to Michigan), lubed the chain before the next burn and that was about it. That bike worked fine until it was damaged on a truck on the way back to Michigan when a pile of steel we were carrying in the truck shifted and crushed much of the bike.
Following that I bought a cheap thrift store bike in Reno, used it on playa, took it to the car wash with my rental car post event and hosed it off. Took it back to the thrift store told them about the bike and they gladly took it back.
My current bike has been used on playa 4 years in a row, never cleaned, thrown in storage in Reno in between events. I've had to change the tubes once and I spray the chain with WD 40. Seems to work just fine on playa.
I find my playa bikes remain useful with my minimal level of care. Not perfect but pretty much just fine. I've also seen Nixon and Reno area groups collecting bikes post-event, I'm guessing they clean them a bit better, re-lube the chains and re-sell them in future years.
I took the same bike for 5 years in a row, washed it every year within a few weeks post playa (after I got back to Michigan), lubed the chain before the next burn and that was about it. That bike worked fine until it was damaged on a truck on the way back to Michigan when a pile of steel we were carrying in the truck shifted and crushed much of the bike.
Following that I bought a cheap thrift store bike in Reno, used it on playa, took it to the car wash with my rental car post event and hosed it off. Took it back to the thrift store told them about the bike and they gladly took it back.
My current bike has been used on playa 4 years in a row, never cleaned, thrown in storage in Reno in between events. I've had to change the tubes once and I spray the chain with WD 40. Seems to work just fine on playa.
I find my playa bikes remain useful with my minimal level of care. Not perfect but pretty much just fine. I've also seen Nixon and Reno area groups collecting bikes post-event, I'm guessing they clean them a bit better, re-lube the chains and re-sell them in future years.
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Lord Of Ruin
- Posts: 393
- Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:22 pm
- Burning Since: 2017
Last year I had to take our truck. Actually, it's my wife's Tahoe which has a lot of custom work on it. I was very nervous about how it would fare, so I read every thread I could find on how best to make it through with my testicles intact upon my return!
[quote="BitterDan"]
[quote]Playa will wash off rather easily.[/quote]
Yep, this is very true. Best thing to do is to locate a couple of those "do it yourself" car washes in Reno. Pull in and use both water and the soapy brush to get it off. Rinse off completely. See rest of my process below...
[quote]It's the inside that you must take extra care to clean before returning the car. [/quote]
True
[quote]No matter what the car will smell like playa for the next 6 months (but you can mask this from the rental agency by spraying some air freshener down the AC vents (the one's on the outside). [/quote]
Umm...I don't know where you were camped, or what you folks did but our truck does not "smell like playa." And my wife was totally vigilant upon its return because of her worry that I would trash her baby...
I arrived two days before theme camp admission, which was when we had two days of nearly constant dust storms.
[quote]When you get to Gerlach or Empire, get out of the car and tape dust filters over the air ducts (the one's on the OUTSIDE of the car). Do NOT run the A/C or vents from here until you leave the playa. Of course, this means that you'll have to arrive at night or roll down the windows in order to get relief from the heat. [/quote]
Unless you know exactly what to cover, you could really mess up the engine by having it not get enough air. If you do, go for it. For me, I followed the advice of many long time Burners:
Buy a spare air filter for the car in Reno. Keep it inside the car for later. You can run A/C through Gerlach unless it's really dusty. It's going to be easier for clean up of the solid surfaces inside the car rather than the A/C ducting. You MUST, however, change the A/C to recirculate, then turn completely OFF as you leave the pavement to head off highway into BM. THIS IS CRITICAL.
[quote] Once you have unpacked the car, close it up and do not open it again until you are ready to pack it back up. The more you open the doors, the more dust will get in. [/quote]
Exactly right
What I did was follow the above. Upon arrival, I dumped my stuff out onto the playa. You should have a plan for this, especially if it's very windy upon arrival. It's hard to put up shelters in those conditions, and you don't want to have to go in and out of the car. We had big shelters to build, but we ended up improvising a lean to in the lee of our trailer temporarily.
Truck sealed with NO cover. Didn't want to have it get whipped to death by the wind (and me following it by the wife).
Upon departure, I had a box of contractor bags (very large leaf bag type things) and I put just about everything into contractor bags that had not touched playa and into the back of the vehicle.
When I got back out to Gerlach, I pulled over and swapped out air filter. In Reno I did the above car wash to get most off. I ran with windows open and A/C all the way home to Los Angeles.
Paid for $80 detail for truck when I got home. Truck looked showroom new when we picked it up.
LoR
[quote="BitterDan"]
[quote]Playa will wash off rather easily.[/quote]
Yep, this is very true. Best thing to do is to locate a couple of those "do it yourself" car washes in Reno. Pull in and use both water and the soapy brush to get it off. Rinse off completely. See rest of my process below...
[quote]It's the inside that you must take extra care to clean before returning the car. [/quote]
True
[quote]No matter what the car will smell like playa for the next 6 months (but you can mask this from the rental agency by spraying some air freshener down the AC vents (the one's on the outside). [/quote]
Umm...I don't know where you were camped, or what you folks did but our truck does not "smell like playa." And my wife was totally vigilant upon its return because of her worry that I would trash her baby...
I arrived two days before theme camp admission, which was when we had two days of nearly constant dust storms.
[quote]When you get to Gerlach or Empire, get out of the car and tape dust filters over the air ducts (the one's on the OUTSIDE of the car). Do NOT run the A/C or vents from here until you leave the playa. Of course, this means that you'll have to arrive at night or roll down the windows in order to get relief from the heat. [/quote]
Unless you know exactly what to cover, you could really mess up the engine by having it not get enough air. If you do, go for it. For me, I followed the advice of many long time Burners:
Buy a spare air filter for the car in Reno. Keep it inside the car for later. You can run A/C through Gerlach unless it's really dusty. It's going to be easier for clean up of the solid surfaces inside the car rather than the A/C ducting. You MUST, however, change the A/C to recirculate, then turn completely OFF as you leave the pavement to head off highway into BM. THIS IS CRITICAL.
[quote] Once you have unpacked the car, close it up and do not open it again until you are ready to pack it back up. The more you open the doors, the more dust will get in. [/quote]
Exactly right
What I did was follow the above. Upon arrival, I dumped my stuff out onto the playa. You should have a plan for this, especially if it's very windy upon arrival. It's hard to put up shelters in those conditions, and you don't want to have to go in and out of the car. We had big shelters to build, but we ended up improvising a lean to in the lee of our trailer temporarily.
Truck sealed with NO cover. Didn't want to have it get whipped to death by the wind (and me following it by the wife).
Upon departure, I had a box of contractor bags (very large leaf bag type things) and I put just about everything into contractor bags that had not touched playa and into the back of the vehicle.
When I got back out to Gerlach, I pulled over and swapped out air filter. In Reno I did the above car wash to get most off. I ran with windows open and A/C all the way home to Los Angeles.
Paid for $80 detail for truck when I got home. Truck looked showroom new when we picked it up.
LoR
The fox provides for himself, but God provides for the lion - W. Blake (attribution corrected)
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Lord Of Ruin
- Posts: 393
- Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:22 pm
- Burning Since: 2017
You might want to join a theme camp as well...
Joining a theme camp often allows you to trade some cash and hard work for packing/bringing some of the things you mgiht need.
While you'll need your tents, water and such, some theme camps pool food, furniture, shade, etc.
Coming across country it might be good to join up with one of these. Experienced burners can make excellent guides as well!
Check out the main BM page for theme camps and such.
LoR
While you'll need your tents, water and such, some theme camps pool food, furniture, shade, etc.
Coming across country it might be good to join up with one of these. Experienced burners can make excellent guides as well!
Check out the main BM page for theme camps and such.
LoR
The fox provides for himself, but God provides for the lion - W. Blake (attribution corrected)
Show of hands: How many people's car still smells like playa?Umm...I don't know where you were camped, or what you folks did but our truck does not "smell like playa."
Maybe you got lucky or were able to swelter for 3 hours as you went thru the gates with your windows up and A/C off but the car I took last year still smells like playa once in a while.
Umm, I was talking about the A/C vents... not the radiator....Unless you know exactly what to cover, you could really mess up the engine by having it not get enough air. If you do, go for it. For me, I followed the advice of many long time Burners:
Camp FuckIt + MT - 7:15 & D (maybe)
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accordionMan
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 2:32 pm
- Location: new york
- Contact:
I've been flying from NY to Reno every year... this will be my 10th in a row.
Last year was the first year that I shipped my 2 bags ahead of time because the year before, one of my bags went to Maui without me and I lost 1 day on the playa waiting for it. I'll be shipping my bags again this year.... and carry on my trusty accordion.
If you fly with your bags, it's cheaper to pay for a 3rd bag, then to pay an overweight charge on 2 bags.
I always buy a cooler in Reno... I've learned from experience to buy a good cooler, not one of those styrofoam cheapies... they don't hold up well and your ice melts faster. Taking into account how much air fare is and adding in food, bike rental and other stuff, buying a cooler and gifting it works out to be a good deal.
You can rent a bike in Reno or buy one at a pawn shop.
(One year a guy on the playa asked me where I got my bike... "A pawn shop I said... he said "a PORN shop? I didn't know they sold bikes at porn shops!" ... I guess it was my NY accent)
Back to bikes... it's cheaper than flying with one back and forth. Take it from me, you WILL need a bike. Bring a small bike fix-it kit and a small pump.
I always rent a mini van so I can throw my rental bike in the back with all my bags, food and water. The most important thing that I can stress about renting a car is that you have to return it CLEAN inside and out or you will be hit for a $125 cleaning fee.
Lot's of folks reading this are laughing because they know how the playa dust gets into and onto everything... BUT THIS IS HOW YOU CAN BEAT THE DUST:
Buy 6 plastic drop cloths and a large roll of heavy duty aluminum foil.
Before you get onto the playa, find a shady spot (if you can) in Reno and line the entire van with the plastic drop cloths... hold them in place with duct tape (more important than bacon). Then reload all your crap back into your car. When you get to the playa use the aluminum foil to cover your dash, and windows. Open your car doors as little as possible and never during a storm. Make sure the floor of the car is covered too. When you leave, there is always a community car wash in Gerlach.. support them and get your car washed. Before you return the car, toss all the plastic and you'll be home free. It takes about a 1/2 hour to prep your car but it's well worth it.
Other travel tips: As was mentioned earlier, don't plan on flying home the same day as you leave... too much stress and you will be fried. I book a room at a local hotel in Reno the day I get my airline tickets. I have a good shower, a good meal and then I catch an early morning flight back to NY.
Misc tips: Bring 2 times the amount of socks for the amount of days you'll be on the playa. Get yourself a warm sleeping bag and a camping inflatable mattress. Bring light clothes for the day and a few layers for the cold at night. Ear plugs, hat and lights! Bike flashers will keep you from getting run over at night.
That's it. If you hear an accordion on the playa... say hi!
Last year was the first year that I shipped my 2 bags ahead of time because the year before, one of my bags went to Maui without me and I lost 1 day on the playa waiting for it. I'll be shipping my bags again this year.... and carry on my trusty accordion.
If you fly with your bags, it's cheaper to pay for a 3rd bag, then to pay an overweight charge on 2 bags.
I always buy a cooler in Reno... I've learned from experience to buy a good cooler, not one of those styrofoam cheapies... they don't hold up well and your ice melts faster. Taking into account how much air fare is and adding in food, bike rental and other stuff, buying a cooler and gifting it works out to be a good deal.
You can rent a bike in Reno or buy one at a pawn shop.
(One year a guy on the playa asked me where I got my bike... "A pawn shop I said... he said "a PORN shop? I didn't know they sold bikes at porn shops!" ... I guess it was my NY accent)
Back to bikes... it's cheaper than flying with one back and forth. Take it from me, you WILL need a bike. Bring a small bike fix-it kit and a small pump.
I always rent a mini van so I can throw my rental bike in the back with all my bags, food and water. The most important thing that I can stress about renting a car is that you have to return it CLEAN inside and out or you will be hit for a $125 cleaning fee.
Lot's of folks reading this are laughing because they know how the playa dust gets into and onto everything... BUT THIS IS HOW YOU CAN BEAT THE DUST:
Buy 6 plastic drop cloths and a large roll of heavy duty aluminum foil.
Before you get onto the playa, find a shady spot (if you can) in Reno and line the entire van with the plastic drop cloths... hold them in place with duct tape (more important than bacon). Then reload all your crap back into your car. When you get to the playa use the aluminum foil to cover your dash, and windows. Open your car doors as little as possible and never during a storm. Make sure the floor of the car is covered too. When you leave, there is always a community car wash in Gerlach.. support them and get your car washed. Before you return the car, toss all the plastic and you'll be home free. It takes about a 1/2 hour to prep your car but it's well worth it.
Other travel tips: As was mentioned earlier, don't plan on flying home the same day as you leave... too much stress and you will be fried. I book a room at a local hotel in Reno the day I get my airline tickets. I have a good shower, a good meal and then I catch an early morning flight back to NY.
Misc tips: Bring 2 times the amount of socks for the amount of days you'll be on the playa. Get yourself a warm sleeping bag and a camping inflatable mattress. Bring light clothes for the day and a few layers for the cold at night. Ear plugs, hat and lights! Bike flashers will keep you from getting run over at night.
That's it. If you hear an accordion on the playa... say hi!
FREE MONEY to BURN 2013:
http://www.digitalartist.com/art/burningman/money.html
Some accordion at BM: http://current.com/items/89239638/rob_the_accordion_man.htm
http://www.digitalartist.com/art/burningman/money.html
Some accordion at BM: http://current.com/items/89239638/rob_the_accordion_man.htm
One addition to Accordion man's auto prep - we use blue painter's tape for any application that touches the paint - high temps will ment the goo on duct tape and leave a mess. our old RV has windows that don't seal tightly - so the ones that face windward get painter's tape around the edges - makes a world of difference.
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accordionMan
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 2:32 pm
- Location: new york
- Contact:
Mojo... good point about the blue tape.
On some years I've used it... make sure you get the wide tape, when I used the thin (I was trying to save money) my plastic tarps started falling down... but the wide tape used in excess worked fine.
On some years I've used it... make sure you get the wide tape, when I used the thin (I was trying to save money) my plastic tarps started falling down... but the wide tape used in excess worked fine.
FREE MONEY to BURN 2013:
http://www.digitalartist.com/art/burningman/money.html
Some accordion at BM: http://current.com/items/89239638/rob_the_accordion_man.htm
http://www.digitalartist.com/art/burningman/money.html
Some accordion at BM: http://current.com/items/89239638/rob_the_accordion_man.htm
An Idea!
Hey Prospero's Ghost and the rest of ya playa's 
First off, I will be going for sure but I might have a few friends from around the country who might want to meet up there, either way I am surely looking for a few more! Some help splitting up the cost will surely be a bonus! From the research I've done thus far I think I want to stay at Stag Camp http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... sc&start=0 and if possible volunteer at Opulent Temple Camp (a lively camp with an impressive line up of musicians and for a small fee we can use their shower, eat some meals, mingle with the people and be a greeter/meal host, etc...) http://www.opulenttemple.org/memberinfo.php
This will be my first burn and I've got a few of the jidders too... But I think I have come up with a few ideas and it just ramps up the excitement more! I'm thinking I'll check a cooler, a huge ass bag and carry on my hiking backpack. Hop on a flight and buy everything else in reno and on the way up to BRC.
But anyhow, where I am going with all of this is... I think since I will be flying in from the other side of the country, being a BM virgin and a little concerned about security and safety of myself and the stuff I'll be bringing... that I'll be renting a 24-26 foot uhaul or ryder truck from the 24th through the 2nd for about $360 + 80-90 cents per mile (225 miles roughly). Lil concerned about renting/returning it without getting hit up for more money but after reading around on here I think I can pull this off by taping off the entire inside of the truck with 3 mill plastic. And that way when we return the vehicle we can just run it through a do it your self car wash, sweep off or if need be wash off the interior.
Now once I arrive at the airport, I'll take a cab and go get the truck, load up on supplies, seal up the truck, buy some bikes at the local pawn stores etc... then drive on up to Black Rock City and enter on the 25th at 12:01
Definitely design something to go along with the theme "The American Dream" that we can hang off both sides of the truck to cover up the Rental Branding and get us into the spirit of the event. Once we arrive we can g set up camp with a http://www.justcamp.com/ProductImages/t ... 0Shade.jpg for around $150
This way when the sand storms get to blowing, we can seal our selves off in the back of the truck, which I think might be a good place we can sleep at night and store supplies and during the day we can have the open shade to lounge under, gift items, store our bikes, have our coolers, etc... I was thinking of some way to create a shade from the back of the truck right into the tent and then have one entrance into the tent and through the back of the tent up into the Truck. Which when were all gone we can lock down with any valuables.
We can come up with something for comfortable flooring / seating / sleeping arrangements in the truck and under the tent, relatively inexpensive for 4-6 people. Bring in 5 gallon jugs of water, food, coolers, etc.. and voila... A low impact drive in and drive out leave no trace campsite.
I'd love your opinions and to see if anyone else is interested in being a part of something like this.
First off, I will be going for sure but I might have a few friends from around the country who might want to meet up there, either way I am surely looking for a few more! Some help splitting up the cost will surely be a bonus! From the research I've done thus far I think I want to stay at Stag Camp http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... sc&start=0 and if possible volunteer at Opulent Temple Camp (a lively camp with an impressive line up of musicians and for a small fee we can use their shower, eat some meals, mingle with the people and be a greeter/meal host, etc...) http://www.opulenttemple.org/memberinfo.php
This will be my first burn and I've got a few of the jidders too... But I think I have come up with a few ideas and it just ramps up the excitement more! I'm thinking I'll check a cooler, a huge ass bag and carry on my hiking backpack. Hop on a flight and buy everything else in reno and on the way up to BRC.
But anyhow, where I am going with all of this is... I think since I will be flying in from the other side of the country, being a BM virgin and a little concerned about security and safety of myself and the stuff I'll be bringing... that I'll be renting a 24-26 foot uhaul or ryder truck from the 24th through the 2nd for about $360 + 80-90 cents per mile (225 miles roughly). Lil concerned about renting/returning it without getting hit up for more money but after reading around on here I think I can pull this off by taping off the entire inside of the truck with 3 mill plastic. And that way when we return the vehicle we can just run it through a do it your self car wash, sweep off or if need be wash off the interior.
Now once I arrive at the airport, I'll take a cab and go get the truck, load up on supplies, seal up the truck, buy some bikes at the local pawn stores etc... then drive on up to Black Rock City and enter on the 25th at 12:01
Definitely design something to go along with the theme "The American Dream" that we can hang off both sides of the truck to cover up the Rental Branding and get us into the spirit of the event. Once we arrive we can g set up camp with a http://www.justcamp.com/ProductImages/t ... 0Shade.jpg for around $150
This way when the sand storms get to blowing, we can seal our selves off in the back of the truck, which I think might be a good place we can sleep at night and store supplies and during the day we can have the open shade to lounge under, gift items, store our bikes, have our coolers, etc... I was thinking of some way to create a shade from the back of the truck right into the tent and then have one entrance into the tent and through the back of the tent up into the Truck. Which when were all gone we can lock down with any valuables.
We can come up with something for comfortable flooring / seating / sleeping arrangements in the truck and under the tent, relatively inexpensive for 4-6 people. Bring in 5 gallon jugs of water, food, coolers, etc.. and voila... A low impact drive in and drive out leave no trace campsite.
I'd love your opinions and to see if anyone else is interested in being a part of something like this.
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accordionMan
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 2:32 pm
- Location: new york
- Contact:
I've rented a u-haul in the past and although I'm a firm believer of lining your mini-van or rental car, I've found that just sweeping the back of a truck is fine... but you should line the cab of the truck.
I made the mistake one year of not going around the truck with the rental place and have them mark off all the little dings that were present when I rented it. When I returned it, there was a question of who dinged the truck since there was no record. They were cool about it afterward, but it was a little nerve racking.
Besides the 5 gallon jugs... buy 2 liter bottles to fill up and carry with you in a small back pack.
Have fun
I made the mistake one year of not going around the truck with the rental place and have them mark off all the little dings that were present when I rented it. When I returned it, there was a question of who dinged the truck since there was no record. They were cool about it afterward, but it was a little nerve racking.
Besides the 5 gallon jugs... buy 2 liter bottles to fill up and carry with you in a small back pack.
Have fun
FREE MONEY to BURN 2013:
http://www.digitalartist.com/art/burningman/money.html
Some accordion at BM: http://current.com/items/89239638/rob_the_accordion_man.htm
http://www.digitalartist.com/art/burningman/money.html
Some accordion at BM: http://current.com/items/89239638/rob_the_accordion_man.htm
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Lord Of Ruin
- Posts: 393
- Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:22 pm
- Burning Since: 2017
[quote="BitterDan"][quote]Umm...I don't know where you were camped, or what you folks did but our truck does not "smell like playa."[/quote]
Show of hands: How many people's car still smells like playa?
Maybe you got lucky or were able to swelter for 3 hours as you went thru the gates with your windows up and A/C off but the car I took last year still smells like playa once in a while.
[quote]Unless you know exactly what to cover, you could really mess up the engine by having it not get enough air. If you do, go for it. For me, I followed the advice of many long time Burners: [/quote]
Umm, I was talking about the A/C vents... not the radiator....[/quote]
Ah...my time from road to greeters past Gate was less than 15 min....but that's because I worked Gate and such, so I was in before theme camps.
I can see where sitting in the line would really screw things up. In that case (sittting in Gate line) I'd probably go for A/C on recirculate vs. windows open.
LoR
Show of hands: How many people's car still smells like playa?
Maybe you got lucky or were able to swelter for 3 hours as you went thru the gates with your windows up and A/C off but the car I took last year still smells like playa once in a while.
[quote]Unless you know exactly what to cover, you could really mess up the engine by having it not get enough air. If you do, go for it. For me, I followed the advice of many long time Burners: [/quote]
Umm, I was talking about the A/C vents... not the radiator....[/quote]
Ah...my time from road to greeters past Gate was less than 15 min....but that's because I worked Gate and such, so I was in before theme camps.
I can see where sitting in the line would really screw things up. In that case (sittting in Gate line) I'd probably go for A/C on recirculate vs. windows open.
LoR
The fox provides for himself, but God provides for the lion - W. Blake (attribution corrected)
I know all Burners are poor, especially those flying in from somewhere, but here's an article in today's Wall Street Journal on using personal assistants to help you with your stuff:
http://philip.tumblr.com/post/30493670
For normal people, the cost is about a hundred dollars. For those arriving to depart (clear?), the service gets you expedited through baggage check-in and security (if possible - they know about the first class lanes and can often access them), then wait with you and your roll-aboards and watch over your stuff for you while you doze after the burn. (The service may not be available in Reno, but it is in SFO and LAX.)
I'm assuming that if you're flying with a lot of Burner gear, they may charge more - shrug - see the contact information.
If you're arriving for the Burn, they'll meet and greet you and help you get your checked bags, handle your carry-on for you, and get your stuff to your car, van, bus. _Sometimes_ they can get through security and actually meet you at your gate, know where your checked bags will arrive, carry your stuff there, etc.
If you're interested, check it out and see what the cost is for your baggage and group (max number of people is five arriving in same transportation (plane, taxi) for the basic price).
If you're flying with kids, a hundred bucks (especially if you're from Europe) might well be worth it to have someone worry about your stuff while you're keeping track of the child(ren).
http://philip.tumblr.com/post/30493670
For normal people, the cost is about a hundred dollars. For those arriving to depart (clear?), the service gets you expedited through baggage check-in and security (if possible - they know about the first class lanes and can often access them), then wait with you and your roll-aboards and watch over your stuff for you while you doze after the burn. (The service may not be available in Reno, but it is in SFO and LAX.)
I'm assuming that if you're flying with a lot of Burner gear, they may charge more - shrug - see the contact information.
If you're arriving for the Burn, they'll meet and greet you and help you get your checked bags, handle your carry-on for you, and get your stuff to your car, van, bus. _Sometimes_ they can get through security and actually meet you at your gate, know where your checked bags will arrive, carry your stuff there, etc.
If you're interested, check it out and see what the cost is for your baggage and group (max number of people is five arriving in same transportation (plane, taxi) for the basic price).
If you're flying with kids, a hundred bucks (especially if you're from Europe) might well be worth it to have someone worry about your stuff while you're keeping track of the child(ren).
