Driving on the Playa When First Arriving

karr · Post by **karr** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 10:10 pm

I searched for this and if there's a topic on this already, I obviously missed it. I didn't feel informed after reading the Survival Guide.

I'm going to be driving TO the playa. I know you can't drive around once you are there but what about when you first arrive? Are "car paths" clearly noted?

Is playa dust gonna lift a whole lot as I drive through? Possibly having people in their camp choke on it? If there are "car paths" are they extremely close to camps?

How much driving will be allowed to find one's campsite?

Is there a chance of the car choking on playa dust?

How does getting one's car in a theme camp usually work?

Since I'm already on the topic of cars, what recommendation is offered as far as insurance on a rental?

Thanks.

phil · Post by **phil** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 10:34 pm

I'd say you're thinking about it too much. The roads are clearly marked, and you'll have a map. Drive slowly enough that you don't raise dust. That may be five miles per hour, it may be less. If you're in a theme camp with an assigned location, drive as directly there as you can, park, and camp. If you don't have an assigned location, pick a spot, park, and camp.

Please drive as little as possible to get to your camp site, then park for the rest of the event.

No one will die as a result of your driving, but if you drive fast enough to raise dust, you'll raise ire and danders. Just drive slowly so that you don't see dust being raised when you look in your mirror. If people yell at you to slow down, kindly do. You're car won't choke on the dust because you'll be driving slowly.

Theme camps and cars vary. If you are in a theme camp, ask those organizers. _Generally_, you pull in, people are already there, you say hi and ask where you can park and set up camp. Pick an available space, confirm it's available, say hi to the neighbors, park, and camp.

Finally, don't worry about it. Go. Have fun. It'll be a wonderful time and you'll wonder why you've never gone before.

karr · Post by **karr** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 10:40 pm

phil wrote:I'd say you're thinking about it too much.

I guess it's just first-time jitters and wanting to make sure I am not part of the uneducated crowd.

Muaaaa! Thanks for your post.

Steven bradford · Post by **Steven bradford** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 11:06 pm

The fact that you're considerate enough to ask about it means you'll do fine.

squish · Post by **squish** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 1:02 am

That was very nicely put, Steven.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:22 am

karr wrote: Is there a chance of the car choking on playa dust?

Change the oil and air filter when you get home, and pressure was under the chassis. The dust is caustic and can continue to cause problems post-playa.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:23 am

phil wrote:No one will die as a result of your driving, but if you drive fast enough to raise dust, you'll raise ire and danders.

Ture, but I've heard of someone being evacuated off playa due to "dusting." What a vacation letdown!

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:38 am

Something else to consider besides the great advice on getting an oil change and new air filter when you get home...change your cabin filters. Many new cars have them and you'll want to look into replacing those too.

One thing I always try to do is wash and then wax my vehicle before going onto the playa....the idea being that the wax will help smooth the surface giving the dust less of a rough surface to lock onto. Also once off the playa and back to the onramps at I-80 (where I can pull over relatively safely) I've changed the air filter. I have a long drive back and I don't want to do it with a filter loaded with playa dust. Not with gas at $2.50 a gallon I don't.

Isotopia · Post by **Isotopia** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:42 am

Ture, but I've heard of someone being evacuated off playa due to "dusting."

Um, I think you might mean 'dosing.'

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:45 am

I ain't touching that, Iso...

except to say "d'oh" because I forgot the asthma attack it triggered...

karr · Post by **karr** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 10:22 am

Thank you so much to everyone for the advice and comments and feedback.

I very much appreciate it.

phil · Post by **phil** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 10:34 am

karr wrote:I guess it's just first-time jitters and wanting to make sure I am not part of the uneducated crowd.

You'll be fine. Louise and I are hosting a fashion show from Wednesday through Saturday at 2:00 pm. We're camped in Hushville (it'll be on your map, 5:30 and Ego if I recall). Come by and introduce yourself (and bring friends). We'll be giving away clothes that are tricked out for the playa, so no one will know you've never been before. :->

I suggested dropping by Wednesday, as you'll have a better selection. Drop by our pages at
http://www.cieux.com/bm/BriefGuide.html
http://www.cieux.com/bm/2dTime.html
for some tips.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 11:09 am

phil--accepting fasion drop offs?

phil · Post by **phil** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 1:08 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:phil--accepting fasion drop offs?

Louise says she is. Look for our Civilized Explorer banner at Hushville:
http://www.cieux.com/src/civex.jpg (our Web site logo; 9KB)
http://www.civex.com/civexBanner.jpg (photo from a Burn; 700KB)
as your bandwidth dictates.

Hope to see you. I think we'll be in the general vicinity of other frequent posters here, so you may be able to meet a couple or two.

karr · Post by **karr** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 12:29 am

phil wrote:
karr wrote:I guess it's just first-time jitters and wanting to make sure I am not part of the uneducated crowd.
You'll be fine. Louise and I are hosting a fashion show from Wednesday through Saturday at 2:00 pm. We're camped in Hushville (it'll be on your map, 5:30 and Ego if I recall). Come by and introduce yourself (and bring friends). We'll be giving away clothes that are tricked out for the playa, so no one will know you've never been before. :->

I suggested dropping by Wednesday, as you'll have a better selection. Drop by our pages at
http://www.cieux.com/bm/BriefGuide.html
http://www.cieux.com/bm/2dTime.html
for some tips.

Oooh. Thanks for the invite. I will definately stop by!

Thanks for the links.

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 12:35 am

There's always Valet Parking. Just pull off, unpack your car, hand the keys to the valet, schlep your stuff to your camp, and find your car safe and sound waiting for you when you arrive!

Driving on the Playa When First Arriving

Driving on the Playa When First Arriving

Re: Driving on the Playa When First Arriving