Thursday arrival - Where do we park??

[LukeyN504]

My wife and I are both first time burners coming over from London, but unfortunately we can't do the full week due to work commitments (zzzz!). We're both pretty bummed out about this fact.. Hopefully we can make up for it over the weekend!!

We are flying to Vegas from London and we have our RV booked which we pick up in Vegas on Wednesday. We're planning to stay in Reno Wed night before driving the final leg. The big question from us is ...... How difficult will it be for us to find a good spot?? Is there any specific area's on the playa we should aim for?? We don't have a camp but we're both easy going and well up for a laugh / challenge , so we're hoping to find some cool people to pitch up next to.

Any advice would be welcome....

[FIGJAM]

Drive straight to the playa from Vegas!!!

There won't be that much traffic, and you'll be glad you got that extra day in.

[some seeing eye]

Welcome to ePlaya and the event.

By Wednesday evening/ Thursday morning you will be very limited in where you can find a place to park an RV. You will likely be on the outermost street. Then your only choice will be trying to be close to 2 or 10 with the large sound camps or not. If you can make some friends who will save a space for you, that would be a good idea, but not dependable.

I agree with Mr Figjam.

The greaters forum viewforum.php?f=95 has a list of reading at the top. There are many preparation, what to bring, clothing, food and RV threads on ePlaya. Also the protocol for meeting neighbors before parking.

Here is an aerial view of the density:
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/burning-man-20 ... rt-1518316

[Aurelia]

what dates
before ?

[LowePro]

It will be packed by Thursday. Outermost streets will be your best best, you'll find a spot but it won't be a prime location. Sometimes, the 2 to 5:00 area is less dense than the 7 to 10:00 area, so you may have best luck on the east side of the City. Thursday can be a shitshow of weekender traffic. Get on the road early.

[Ratty]

When you get there check with the neighbors, park it and get out to see the city. You can always move later. If you look at the picture that Theseeingeye posted you can see empty spots closer to the center of the city. Sometimes only the 'curbside street frontage' gets occupied. The heart of the block stays empty. Look around on foot. Between 4 street and 5:30 street there are often empty spaces hiding behind the ones set up on G, H, I streets. This will all make sense when you arrive.

[ZigZag]

If you really want to get a terrific view look at this. Its an image made from hundreds of pictures shot from an airplane all stitched together to give you the ability to zoom in close to any area of the city.

Wait, is that Ratty there on the corner? What in the world is she doing?

http://www.gigapan.com/gigapans/966a716 ... 46490e071/

[some seeing eye]

Thanks to ZZ for the link. It is much better to the link to aerial / satellite photos of Black Rock City for new arriver planning.

[Blue_Bike]

Lukey,

The above advice is spot on. I wasn't able to arrive until Tuesday evening last year (my first) and was able to find a nice and spacious spot for my rig on L at about 4:40. The outer streets tend to be quieter if you like that for when you must sleep. And being on the edge of the city gives you a beautiful view of the open desert and surrounding mountains. Just remember that you are really going to want appropriate playa bicycles when you get there! Bikes may be a bit tougher when flying, but available for sale or rent on your drive route and so worth it.

I liked that area so much I will likely return there this year. If you see my bus when looking for camping space and there appears to be enough space next to it, pull in and introduce yourself if I am there. I will pour you both welcome margaritas (virgin or decidedly not) and share some appetizers if you are interested. Welcome here and welcome home soon! Btw, if you can, post an intro message at the greeter's station.

[dragonpilot]

If all else fails and you haven't been able to procure bikes, there are loaner bikes available throughout the city...we call them yellow bikes, but they're actually somewhat of a pea-green color. They are not intended for personal use, but rather a one-time Point A to Point B trip. Also check out Elliot's Naked Bicycle Service and Piano Bar in the 4:40 keyhole. They may still have some full-time loaner bikes available.

I arrived at 9 AM on a Thursday one year...in a 30 foot RV. We were just barely able to squeeze into a tight spot on the very outermost road. Our neighbors already there were very nice and helpful in allowing us to park so close to them. Not everyone is so accommodating. Ask nicely before barging in.

[LukeyN504]

Thanks for this everyone, really appreciate all of the advice it all makes a lot of sense. We will definitely look at driving straight from Vegas, sounds like the most logical plan.

We are planning to pick our bikes up on route, maybe even before we leave Vegas. Blue_bike we'all be sure to look out for you when we arrive. Hope to see you on the playa...

[Luigi]

Figjam is right - especially since you have an RV and can take turns at the wheel. Go directly to the playa after provisioning. Fill up with fuel and water in Reno and keep on trucking.....

Every day there are more people arriving and Wednesday night is just a bit better than Thursday. You will awake Thursday to the sunrise over the mountain!

Cheers, Luigi

[FIGJAM]

I wouldn't even go to Reno.

The spooky desert route from Vegas has very little traffic and will take 10 to 12 hours to get to the playa, including stops along the way.

That's the way I've gone the past 6 years.

I get from Phx. to Fernley in about 12 hours.

5 of that gets me to Vegas.

[Popeye]

We are planning to pick our bikes up on route, maybe even before we leave Vegas. Blue_bike we'all be sure to look out for you when we arrive. Hope to see you on the playa...

Check out Elliot's Naked Bicycle Service for your bikes. Highly reccomended

[Elorrum]

I would suggest looking at the aerial photos from last year, and this will make you feel a lot better about your options. At the outer ring streets, j,k,l... you may see big open areas that would be similar to what you will find this year. If you want to be on an inner street, you are going to do a lot of searching, questioning, and perhaps angering of neighbors who don't want a wall of r.v. right outside their tent. Usually the midblock area if you can find access is less occupied than the street frontage. Before you chose a spot, if it looks tight, stop and ask your potential neighbors if they think you can shoehorn in, or if they know if somebody else is already expected for the weekend there, and perhaps ask if they have a drum circle events planned for all night long. Be neighborly and you'll find a good reception likely.

http://www.gigapan.com/gigapans/966a716 ... 46490e071/