looking for ride from chicago to playa around Aug 25thish

carla starla · Post by **carla starla** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:40 pm

I could fly but i love road trips! is there anyone out there who loves the journey as much as i do?

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:12 pm

Well, I am in Racine, Wisconsin, and have never been to BM, so I have no idea how much I would like the trip (esp. since my car's air conditioner is currently non-functional-- and I won't have the money to fix it until some time this fall...)-- but I AM working hard at being able to go this year! I've spent more money than I would like trying to get stuff I (think) I need to be able to go (tent, large cooler for food, et al), and have not figured out HOW I am going to get there. Which is cheaper, driving out there with people or flying? I'm willing to give roadtripping a try!

B.

P.S.: Maybe by this time next year I'll have a diesel bus with enough waste veggie oil capacity to make it out and back without refueling. You'll probably hear more (too much?) about this if you carpool with me...!

P.P.S.: The vehicle I currently own is a Saturn wagon from about the year 2000. I got it from my brother, so of course it has a tape deck and the a/c isn't working....

carla starla · Post by **carla starla** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:03 am

well the drive through Colorado Utah and Wyoming is really beautiful. But it will be very hot :oops: Yet i think it could be done. Do you trust your car to make the trip :?: I have some friends that are a part of the Entheon camp. check out entheonvillage.com. they have been talking about renting vans to take people out. Last i was told they want a minimum of 5 people per van. they don't have a full van yet. So this could be an option for us. the van cost was figured at a minimum of $400 round trip per person but... that doesn't include our stuff. I'm looking into puting my things on a truck they are taking out. Bikes are $50? and i think i would be spending around $75 to put my stuff on the truck so this could end up costing me around $525 or more. It could be cheeper to drive smaller car. I could type forever about the options. check out the website. Entheon is doing a big party this weekend I will be there. Give me a call we can talk more 773 294 2289 This will be my fourth year going. my original plan was changed when my girlfriend decided she couldn't afford to go. So i'm trying to be flexible :D

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 7:02 am

$525?!

Maybe I can't afford to go after all.... I'll try to do more research Wednesday (today is the late day at work-- 10:30 AM to 7:00PM, of course, maybe I will stay up tonight and seranade my hard rock downstairs neighbors, who get up in the early A.M., with some of Gary Numan's weirder stuff-- and maybe some Clash:twisted:).

I dunno how much I trust the car. It has a rebuilt engine which was put in a couple years ago or so, so that part should hold up. I suppose I could use my credit card and get a tune up on the car, and have them look into the a/c while I am at it. (I wonder if telling 'em I work for the WI DOT would carry any weight? I kinda think I am not supposed to do that, though.

)

Earlier I tried checking out Snowflake Village's schedule, but it seems that they are leaving earlier than I can (the earliest I can leave would be after work on the 25th). Prices were about the same.

I seem to be having a terrible time typing this morning, so I think I will stop for now. I need to get ready for work, anyway.

TTYL,

Brian

sonnyray · Post by **sonnyray** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 12:20 pm

This is my first time going to Burning Man. I have a pick-up truck with a top on the back (perfect for storage) and the passenger seat is open. I live on a farm near the Rockford/Beloit area. This would be too long of a drive to do by myself and it would be great to have some company.
-Sonny

carla starla · Post by **carla starla** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 7:53 pm

:idea: don't give up on me jus yet. I have been talking to a friend of a friend/ Megan who wants to go. she and I already have our tickets and are going some how some way. Yet :? money is a key factor. I was thinking maybe? the three of us could go in on a rental car. Unlimited mileage deals can be found! if we rent a car for 14 days say Fri Aug 25th to Thurs Sept 7th. If we can find a deal say $40 a day x 14 days= $560 divided by 3 =$186. now that sounds a hell of a lot better to me the trip I believe is 4000 miles roundtrip so gas/ say we get a nice size car that will hold all our crap
20 miles to a gallon? at 3.50 p/g average so...
4000 miles divided by 20 = 200gal
200x3.50 = $700 roundtrip for gas( i don't think there's any way around the cost of gas)
divided by 3 = $233 (or $175 if div by 4? the mystery person not known to us yet)
so $233 gas $186 rental? ( maybe less) = round up for a good number of $420
I can do that no prob I think the other girl Megan can as well. we have to figure it out. I took a short school bus to the burn last time i went and it broke down 5 times :evil: we finally got there all 15 of us. but on the way home it died. we were all stranded for 3 days in a small town 4 hours outside of the desert. scrambling for money and a way home. I don't, i repeat i don't want to go through that again. so I don't really trust my financial situation if something happens to your car. if we get a rental. all problems and questions solved. how does that sound?
do you have any connections to a rental deal? I have never owned a credit card so that would be on you or megan. I have the money I'm really tryin to pull this off. as far as gear for you. we can find things you need. i can try to help on that tip. especially if this is your first time. plus i would love to hear your music collection :D
Carla Starla

carla starla · Post by **carla starla** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:14 pm

[quote="sonnyray"]This is my first time going to Burning Man. I have a pick-up truck with a top on the back (perfect for storage) and the passenger seat is open. I live on a farm near the Rockford/Beloit area. This would be too long of a drive to do by myself and it would be great to have some company.
-Sonny[/quote]
sounds interesting. want to put two people in back? that would save a lot on gas :D i'm tryin to look at all options is your truck in good condition to make the trip :?:
Carla Starla

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 5:18 am

Well, a rental car might have more cargo space than my mini-station wagon. $420 might be more doable. #$%@! I still need to decide on how to handle getting a ticket!

Unless I go straight to bed after work, I will try'n write more later. I wound up playing Social Distrotion's "Social Distortion" last night, followed by about half of the Clash's "London Calling" before finally turning off my stereo to go to sleep. My downstairs neighbors didn't play their music this morning, so maybe the strategy worked!

B.

sonnyray · Post by **sonnyray** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 8:37 pm

My truck is in pretty good condition. I see it making the trip and back without any major hassles. As far as fitting two people in the back, I would say that anything is possible, though there might not be a lot of room. I guess I can always strap my bike to the roof. There is actually a third seat in the cab of my truck. A little jump seat that sits perpendicular to the front two, I only count it as 1/2 a seat. Someone could sit back there though I don't know if they would like it after a long trip to Nevada.

It sounds as if renting a car might be the perfect fit for your situation. Though I was planning on driving myself, I also like to consider all of my options. I would not want to intrude on previous arrangements, but if you are in need of an extra person to go in on a rental car I would consider it. I have the money to cover the costs no problem. In all likelihood it would save me a ton of money on gas.

So, if either Carla Starla & friend or BAS want to come along with me, great! If not, I’ll post my ride on the larger board in hopes of finding someone else.

Peace,
Sonny

P.S.
Since I am a first timer, I have two questions that I would like to pose to those with knowledge:
Is it better to have ticket before you go, or can you easily get one once you arrive?
and
How many days would you say it takes to drive to Burning Man from Chicago? 2 days? 3 days?

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 6:59 am

You should have a willcal ticket at this point, prices go up very soon and only get higher. Do a quick check of the ticket info on the main site.

From Chicago? I'd think 2 days only if you have other drivers. How many miles total and how many miles a day can you drive safely? We want you there, not splattered all over I-80. Of coursse, my perspective is skewed because I'm used to figuring in truck speed limits (damn you Illinois) and DOT hours of service.

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 6:39 pm

Well, according to MapQuest, the trip from Racine, WI to Gerlach, NV is almost exactly 2,000 miles, and about 30 hours. So, if a person could drive straight through, no stops for gas or potty breaks, a bit over a day. More realistically, at least two.

How much room would be available for stuff in a rental car? Earlier in the week I bought a five day, 70 quart cooler (for some reason the store had it only a couple of dollars more than the smaller cooler I was looking at [probably to sucker someone like me into paying a couple dollars more, come to think of it), and the thing is huge! I'm planing on sticking a bunch of frozen, ground ostrich I have in my freezer in it along with anything else I might want to keep cold. At think point I am starting to wonder if maybe the stuff I have got will take up too much room. (Tent, huge cooler, foldable cot, folding chair(s), big stomach, bulky sleeping bag, clothes, other?)

GAH! Is it time to start panicing yet?!!

B.

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 7:06 pm

Also time to look up construction in the states you'll be crossing, usually on the DOT sites. For instance, I-15 to westbound I-80 ramp is closed right now. Yech.

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 7:11 pm

Hmm. I work for the Wisconsin DOT and didn't even think of that...!

B.

carla starla · Post by **carla starla** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 12:52 am

hey guys no worries no panic. the Playa has a way of pulling it's people in

. So i talked to my good friend who is willing to let us use her credit card if need be. since i don't have one.
I really need to try to travel lite but since this is the biggest party of the year !for me that concept is really hard for me to wrap my head around. there is an option of me and or us putting stuff on the Entheon truck. I have a bike rack that can hold to bikes. it hooks on to the back of the car. and i'm gonna try to travel lite

no really I really don't need like um... i will look into the truck deal first

so if we were to rent a full size car it will be around $500 for 2 weeks that's Aug25th to Sept 7th evening unlimited mileage gas will probably be around ? $700? roundtrip so total $1200 man that looks like a lot! but if we split by 4 its $300 that looks better eh. but if we go the route of 4 we need to look at our options of maybe renting a SUV which is around $650 If you look on Orbitz.com compare prices I'll keep doing the same. I'll look into the space rental on the truck and see if there's still room. I can spend the money to put my stuff on the truck. that will make more room for others

. the last two times i drove it only took two days and we took our time. there were 3 of us continually driving. the third time driving took 5 days but that's because our bus kept breaking down.

I think we are in the making of building quite the Motley Crew here. you guys seem like good people. let's make this happen. Are ya with me.

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:36 pm

Ah! There is something I have to do this weekend! I want to get my old Scwhinn (sp?), from the late 1970s-early 1980s (when I had a paper route) back up and running, and to do that I need to locate inner tubes, tires, and try to fit the wire leading to the headlight. The thing weighs almost as much as I used to, but is nearly indestructible (which I also recall being at one time...). I'm going to stay in town this weekend for a change and see if I can pull things together. I also need to see if I have any money left after paying my rent and a few other bills. (If not, I'll have to see if my credit card is still good...! It SHOULD be, but that doesn't always mean anything, in my experience.)

Dang! After a few of my more frustrating customers today, I really think I NEED to go for the sake of my mental health!

B.

carla starla · Post by **carla starla** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:37 pm

so there is room on the truck it's $10 per cubic foot so I'm going to put all my stuff on the truck except for my bike i can use my rack room for one more the bike will cost me $75 to put on the truck i don't want to add that as another cost so are you guys down if so i would like to set up a date to meet and greet everyone face to face! i'm going to be playing a show in Milwaukee next Sat the 12th i'm not sure where Racine is I know where Rockford is. It it possible for you guys to come to Chicago. I live in a house in Bridgeport. It's called the Emerald Palace. you can come to my place. I'll make dinner and we can settle the arangments. time is a movin and i want to lock this all in. just so i know it's all good. so let me know what you are thinking. So it looks like Me Brian Sonnyray and my girl Megan we can rent a car lock it in on my girls credit card(we will give her the money first) we will be able to use her insurance so we won't need to have an extra $cost on the rental. i'm going to go back to orbitz and look around tonite. man i am so ready to go it is starting to hurt. I'm jumping out of my skin-and i'm wired on caffeine

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:42 pm

I'm thinking maybe I bought too big a cooler... it is HUGE! Er, is that too specific?

Racine is on the way to Milwaukee, coming from Chicago. Also, there doesn't seem to be much of a reason to stop there (and this isn't from me-- I just moved here-- it comes from customers I talk to at the DMV who have lived here all their lives!)

Anyway, I don't have any plans for the 12th-- my friends I keep going to visit in the Madison area are all out of town for Gen Con that weekend. Let me know if you want to meet up that weekend or some other time. And give me enough time to use MapQuest to try to guide me there (and then allow time for me to get lost on the way there anyway....)

B.

carla starla · Post by **carla starla** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:59 pm

cool I'm not sure were i will be exactly I am djing a party and i will be staying the nite. I do know its only an hour or so out of Chicago. so when i get the info i would love to meet you. i think this party i'm playing is going to have some really cool people there. it is a private b day party for two people. these guys seem popular so i'm sure it will be fun. and you are more than welcome to come an hang with us

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 8:04 pm

Well, I will probably be the oldest one there, but okay. (The Clash was about my time, although I wasn't into them until later-- kind of a long and not terribly interesting story.)

Well, I think I should probably go over and check my email on last time and then either get to bed or work on some stuff I have been putting off all night (bills and bills and figuring out where my money for paying bills has gone!)

B.

carla starla · Post by **carla starla** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 9:33 pm

I'm 36

what does age have to do with meeting new people. Well i know it may have some things to do with it but

. I think we are on the same page if you use the clash to date yourself

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:17 am

Well..., I got a birthday coming up on the 11th, and with my job at the Dept. of Motor Vehicles I keep meeting people in the 15.5 to 16 age range, all of which has been making me feel kind of old...

Anyway, I be 42 (the Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything) going on 43 (the, er, prime number of something or other).

Anyhow, I listen to pretty much all types of music, so that's okay.

B.

sonnyray · Post by **sonnyray** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 9:31 pm

Renting a car sounds fantastic. Thanks for including me. I don't know if I'll be able to meet up this weekend due to work, but I'll try and get free. Keep me posted on the goings on. :) -Sonny

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 7:43 am

Hm. My parents and brother want to meet at my place at noon for my birthday next Saturday. So a meet up would have to take place in the evening or at night. Dang! I have to get busy!

B.

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 6:33 am

Tag!

Anyway, what is up everyone?

B.

carla starla · Post by **carla starla** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 7:10 am

ok I,m starting to feel a lot better about this. I met Megan this weekend. she was really cool and is soo down for renting the car. we are going to pack our stuff on the truck going out. so that means more room. the truck is $10 per cubic foot. I'm not sure how much crap i will have but that's my next step to pack. I need more outfits. So this week is Shopping and more shopping.

well I wil be staying all night in Milwaulkee so I'm calling my friend Jamie today to get his address and directions so. When can you guys get Mullah to me to lock in this car deal. I am sooooo ready to go! does leaving the 25th sound good to you? we have to get together for sure to talk about things. do you guys have a certain camp your camping with? this year i've decided to not be in the spotlight i need to camp away from the Espanade. last time was a little too intense. if we camp together we shoud talk about supplies needed like an evaporation tank for grey water etc... I'm so happy this is working out

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:00 am

My next paycheck is the 17th, so that is when I would be able to get money to you. I could post date a check before then if that would help. I haven't even thought about outfits (no, I am NOT going for the shirt and no pants look!)-- presently I am planing on just packing some stuff to wear and maybe checking out one of the costumer-camps I saw listed for help after I arrive.

I work until 5:00ish on the 25th, but leaving in the evening would work. (Heck, some of the stuff is already in my car! Why bring it into my apartment just to take it back out soon...?

)

Getting together sounds like a good idea. My were to arrive and just find somewhere to put up a tent, but camping together is certainly possible.

Well, my watch just chirped, so it must be time to get off to work. (Actually, I do kind of look forward to playing at talking new drivers out of getting a liscense-- extolling the virtures of the bus system, biking, walking, etc.!

)

B.

carla starla · Post by **carla starla** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:05 pm

Ah yes well. I have been offered an opportunity to camp with some friends. I would be chipping in $100 toward having use of their RV and shaded structures. We've been friends for over 10 years. I will be camping with his family and very close friends. There will be about around 40 or so of us. It's a Sanctuary Camp. A place with cool and very chill people. I know he would like to meet you as I. So we can talk about this more in person. So about me. I am 35 I'll be 36 in November. I have lived in Chicago for 13yrs. I grew up in Omaha Nebraska. I DJ and Sing, I do Lots of Energy Work. Healing, Meditation, Clairvoyant Reading. All things Positive. I have a website carlastarla.com check it out. I am also on myspace.com/mscarlastarla. So I've gotten to know you B. You like Gary Numan and the Clash/ all kinds of music and you work for WI Dot. I used to be in a Ska punk band back in the day. Had lots of fun. I really do love people and feel like this is a new opportunity to get to meet new people on the same path. To the Playa. Megan and I have gone a few times so I'm happy to get to share your first time. I look forward to seeing you soon. Man I still have to get packed. I talked to my friend coordinating the truck. there is still space if you want to put things on it. No later than the 18th. It's $10 per cubic foot. That would be a crate he said. so I'm going to do that. I will however have room for one more bike on the Rack. I usually take 15gallons of water. that's more than enough but I always feel safe with that number. That will take up a lot of room but if need be we can pick that up toward the end. I will be putting mine on the truck I think. Please feel free to put together a list of supplies you have or may need. I have a friend who builds bikes so if you need anything I can give you his number. I'm thinking of buying a bigger tent. I swear every year my tent blows over. Well the first year. I brought my tent. but forgot the poles

. made it work. I'm so excited. If we can't get together this weekend let's figure it out. I'm usually off work by 5ish. I walk dogs during the week

. Life is good and I'm trying to make it better. SO..... Sunnyray. what's your story? How old are you? I know you said you live on a farm up in Rockford. Very Cool. What brings you on this journey?

quasar · Post by **quasar** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 12:16 pm

Hi Carla, BAS, and sonny. I'm looking to road trip there too and feeling a nice mix of panic at not having a plan, and joy at all the awesome people I'm going to meet.

I have a Toyota Camry Wagon, which I estimate can hold three people (including me) and gear and water, with maybe a little room left over. Would this be helpful to anyone? I looks like you guys have a plan to rent a car. It would probably not be feasible to add another person to that vehicle, but maybe we can caravan? If we split the peoplegearwater between 2 cars you might not even need to rent a vehicle too, could use sonny's truck maybe.
My car has good AC, a CB radio, and a lot of..um..charming superficial disfunctions. It burns a little oil, but I am very careful to keep it topped up.

Communicating on this PostingBoard is a little confusing. are ya'll going to meet up in chicago sometime?

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 12:28 pm

If you have a CB, be sure to listen for the brothels in Nevada, such as in Wells and Battle Mountian. Nice friendly clean places to stop for free coffee, free food, free showers. Nicest darn showers I've had on the road and big enough for me and larry, tons of big fluffy towels. No obligation!

Given the choice betwenn a truckstop and a brothel for a potty break, I'd choose the brothel everytime.

quasar · Post by **quasar** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 12:31 pm

Oh hey, about me:
I live in Hyde Park in Chicago in a coop house (NASCO/Qumbya member. group cooking,buying,cleaning, etc.). I work downtown with a software company but try not to be defined by that too much. My favorite musical artists are Four Tet, and Yes. I've turned the front yard into a garden in which I enjoy puttering and muttering to myself, "mbeans...beans...need to pull these out..." Never been to Burning Man, but a preponderance of friends and acquaintances insist that I go. I have one friend going with Entheon Village, but that sounded like too much of a production to get involved with at this point. I'm 22 years old.

looking for ride from chicago to playa around Aug 25thish

looking for ride from chicago to playa around Aug 25thish

we can do this

Hmm

Rockin