Meet up place outside of BM

[themightyaghabheegy]

Anyone have any suggestions for a spot to meet up with friends outside of the event?

I'm driving from Seattle, my friends are driving from Los Angeles... we want to meet before the event and drive in together... so I'm thinking of a spot close the event that has cell reception...

We thought of Reno, but that's a bit more of a drive for me, and I thought it would be nicer to meet closer to the event itself... I know that there is a town called Gerlach, but does it get decent cell reception (hope i'm not offending anyone with this question, lol)?

[Eric]

I know that there is a town called Gerlach, but does it get decent cell reception (hope i'm not offending anyone with this question, lol)?

Gerlach is basically just buildings on either side of 447 (with homes on side roads)- and almost every single person going to BRC has to go through it- Burners, LEO's... everyone. The chances of actually meeting your friends there are only slightly better than meeting them in BRC itself, and, honestly, from Gerlach you're only a hop skip & jump from BRC so it doesn't really make any sense.

More importantly- due to the sell out, this year law enforcement will be actively discouraging loitering in Gerlach unless you're shopping, getting gas or eating at a restaurant (which is pretty much just Bruno's, I believe).

Reno would make more sense if you have to meet them pre-playa, but you might just want to set an on-playa meet up location.

[themightyaghabheegy]

Thanks for the reply... and the advice...

What do you think about the empire airport?? i'm not being thick, it's just that my friends and I are camping together, and I will have the camping equipment, so we want to arrive together...

I suppose Reno will work if no one can think of any place closer

[AntiM]

Empire airport? I had no idea they had an airport at all. Makes sense. However, Empire was a company town, and has been shut down.

There is also Nixon, by the store.

[Elorrum]

I was also going to suggest Nixon. The gas station/store is at a big intersection, and it would be easy to see the vehicles I'd think.

[Igneouss]

Walmart in Fernley, NV
I would not try yo arrange a meeting anywhere along 447 as it is congested with traffic and every gas station and store along it will be full of vehicles and people.

But fundamentally, it's not that hard to meet inside BM. The streets are laid out and easy to navigate. Even if you have never been there you shouldn't have any trouble reaching a specific block of a specific street, or better, an intersection. And if you have to wait you can get to know other happy people in the neighborhood.

[junglesmacks]

Walmart in Fernley, NV

+1

It's only about 12 miles from the interstate at the 447 due SE, and it's not anywhere on 447 which you do not want to get stuck in.

[essjay]

Walmart in Fernley, NV
I would not try yo arrange a meeting anywhere along 447 as it is congested with traffic and every gas station and store along it will be full of vehicles and people.

But fundamentally, it's not that hard to meet inside BM. The streets are laid out and easy to navigate. Even if you have never been there you shouldn't have any trouble reaching a specific block of a specific street, or better, an intersection. And if you have to wait you can get to know other happy people in the neighborhood.

I agree with the 1st paragraph above. Walmart in Fernley is probably your best bet if you won't go to reno. (Although, Reno isn't that far out of the way if you need facilities of a bigger city. It makes sense to meet up somewhere on I-80 before 447 because you need to be ready for the 4-8 hours it will take you from getting on 447 to being able to park in your camp (most of this time is spent near/after Gerlach, so you are not really putting yourself in a longer line by doubling back over 447.) There is very little cell phone reception in Gerlach. I have Sprint and mine doesn't work there. I think AT&T works there.

I disagree with the second paragraph, though. It can be difficult to find people on the playa, especially if your phones don't work. If you are concerned about meeting up with your campmates and want to drive to your camp together, you should meet up with them prior to 447 and caravan up together.

[FIGJAM]

Or the loves truckstop in fernley.

[SnowBlind]

My Phone doesn't work in Gerlach or Empire. Or anywhere near it. Pretty much stops a few miles after Wadsworth. Had an old phone that only used one band though. Depends on your carrier too. So YMMV. But if your meeting depends on cell reception, then it would be bad to meet somewhere where your phone or your friends phone may not work.

The other idea would be to simply meet in the Will Call parking lot. (I'll let someone from Gate chime in if they hate that idea.) Or you could go into the city and wait after the greeters station. I think there is a spot to pull over.

It also depends on when you are arriving. If you are talking Sun night / Mon morning, then I would not bother and just meet inside.

[themightyaghabheegy]

Wow, you guys are great! thanks for all the responses...

I am going to be meeting my friends on Thursday morning... so I would hope most of the traffic would have died down by then... although, as this is my first year, I really don't know for sure...

[Canoe]

Last year, Iveson Ranch was providing a low fee place to camp/park while waiting for the gate to open. Are they doing that again this year?

[theCryptofishist]

I wondering if Pyramid Lake would work. There are picnic tables so that you're not sort of stuck in the car or in a store.

[Elorrum]

I think you need a permit to stop at Pyramid lake. they have day use fees.

[trilobyte]

If you want to meet up, one of you has got to give, there is no happy equidistant fun-place. Reno really is the nearest metro area, I say suck it up and make the trek if you want to meet up. Check out the boards, you should be able to find some hotel deals that may make things a bit easier for everyone. Good luck!

[percussivepaul]

If it's Thursday morning you're arriving, Gerlach will be not be that hectic. Go have breakfast at Bruno's and linger over coffees until your friends show up. Just time it carefully so you aren't waiting for hours and hours. (Are you driving all night? Otherwise you will probably arrive in afternoon -- not many places to stop nearby when coming from the northwest.)

[Dr. Pyro]

FWIW, the Barbie Death Village caravan into BRC has several meeting places. First of course is the Sands Regency. Lots of parking and besides, our mates are staying there. In Wadsworth just off of I-80 there is the gas station and just to the north of it is a large gravel area, probably several acres big. We will meet up with others there and then head into Nixon for Indian tacos and then it's BRC or Bust. And as I recall cell phone service is still available in Wadsworth.

[AntiM]

Verizon works on the playa through most of the event. We know this because of sad, bad reasons, but yeah, Verizon works where most carriers do not, which is why MyLarry sticks with them.

[theCryptofishist]

I think you need a permit to stop at Pyramid lake. they have day use fees.

I"d be willing ot pay those, even if I got there second, rather than wait at Nixon Store. (OF course you buy those permits at Nixon store, but that's another story.)

[portaplaya]

I don't think that cell phones work at Pyramid Lake, however.

[bear]

[quote="portaplaya"]I don't think that cell phones work at Pyramid Lake, however.[/quote]

They do if you have Verizon

[portaplaya]

I don't think that cell phones work at Pyramid Lake, however.

They do if you have Verizon

If you want to quote, go bold, use italics and the rest, make sure you UNCHECK "Disable BBCode" and the bottom of your edit window when you create a post.

[Igneouss]

Fernley Walmart is still about the easiest.

[Ugly Dougly]

Are you planning to camp together? You didn't mention this, and I believe it's crucial. You're coming in late and spots will be at a premium.

[StevenGoodman]

Just meet at Will Call? i.e. meet at the even just before you go though Gate?

Heck, meet at predetermined street corner on the playa?

If you are coming from different directions (north and south) there is nowhere to meet up. Except Gerlach or Empire, and do not expect cell coverage. You might have it, and you might not.

Martini Steve

[themightyaghabheegy]

wow, lots of awesome advice... thanks all so much!!