Getting in at night...

rio · Post by **rio** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 2:53 pm

I have 2 questions:

1) If I know EXACTLY where my camp-mates are set up, is it easy enough to drive there in the middle of the night upon arrival?

2) Would question #1 be considered a stupid question?

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 3:15 pm

Streets are oddly lit and poorly marked, depending on how late in the week. It will be worse without a moon.

I wonder if having someone walk in front of your vehicle would be a good idea?

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 3:16 pm

Not stupid
(HAHAHAHAHA)
I was thinking about driving in early monday morn, but I think I will avoid driving the playa in the dark, and wait till sunrise. If you know EXACTLY where they are, you still have to find your way there, you can't drive in a straight line to them.

frenchblue1 · Post by **frenchblue1** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 3:18 pm

If you use the most outer street to drive to your spoke or hour hand street it is not that bad. We typically have someone on a bike watching for our arrival and that is not bad. The challenge is when people do not know where to camp and try to come in at night and have to move because they parked on top of someone or in a theme camp zone.

phil · Post by **phil** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 3:35 pm

I've lost track of the times strangers have camped in the theme camp I've been in. Either I wake up in the morning at sunrise and there's someone passed out in their car, or they wake me up with their hallelujah we're here shouting, and then they're not members of our theme camp.

Not to mention the screaming match at 4:30 am one morning between a man trying to tell a woman how to set up their camp in the dark after an all night drive. (And they _did_ belong in our theme camp. Nice way to get introduced to all your neighbors.)

If you're coming in at dark:thirty in the morning (it happens, some things can't be avoided), pleasepleaseplease don't come anywhere near me.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 3:37 pm

thanks phil that reminds me, I got those tire strips you asked me to get.

PurpleKoosh · Post by **PurpleKoosh** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 3:38 pm

Ooh, can I score a couple of those? They'll come in handy at work....

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 3:57 pm

Not a stupid question, but it presumes the impossible - that you'll know exactly where your friends are. Even registered theme camps are subject to being shifted around. The blocks, especially the ones further away from the Esplanade, are quite large so even if you know which one they're on it may still take a while to find them. So, don't go in with the expectation that you can just drive right up and be done with it.

Arriving at night? I've done it several years now and it's fine. Just go real slow and if the dust is thick enough to make it so you can't see well, stop and wait for the wind to settle. You'll get a map and recommendations on how to find your friends at the greeter's station. Drive up to the area you think your friends are and park on the side of the road. Get out and scout the exact location on foot. When you've found the spot and a safe way to drive in, THEN get back in your car.

Did I mention drive real slow? Try to be as quiet as you can, don't use your high beams, and just set up the minimum stuff you need to get some sleep for the night.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 4:22 pm

Yeah sure, I'm gifting a whole line of gifts to enhance your moat this year.

phil · Post by **phil** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 5:12 pm

What's a tire strip, and when did I ask for one? :-> Honestly. I have no clue. Maybe I did then, but I don't now.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 6:21 pm

You say "strip" to Phil and he forgets every thing.

We always come in at night. We both have spot lights. One will spot so the other can read the street signs. We just park out of the way,roll up and go to sleep. No problem.

phil · Post by **phil** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:03 pm

You say "strip" to Phil and he forgets every thing.

Well, true. Ordinarily you wouldn't think that's a problem. But my last name is stripling. :-\

Huh? Who said that? What?

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:07 pm

Ok Mr Unjon I will try the darkness this year.
BTW Mr Phil
A "tire strip"s what the Highway Patrol throws out ahead of you pointy side up to give u flats and make you pay attention

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:18 pm

phil wrote:
You say "strip" to Phil and he forgets every thing.
Well, true. Ordinarily you wouldn't think that's a problem. But my last name is stripling. :-\

Huh? Who said that? What?

/
My last is Berning.. So I am the berning man

phil · Post by **phil** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:53 pm

A "tire strip"s what the Highway Patrol throws out ahead of you pointy side up to give u flats and make you pay attention

Ah! So there's a lot going on that went right over my head. Cryptofishist was making a funny - I got it now.

Also, those things never seem to slow anyone up that I see on World's Scariest Police Chases. :->

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:18 pm

Also, those things never seem to slow anyone up that I see on World's Scariest Police Chases. :->

Back before Corvettes had run-flat tires I saw what happens when the MHP throws some down and the Vette hit 'em at 130+. Jersey barriers don't like to yield when the car slingshots into the barrier and goes bouncing between two barriers across 3 lanes. The driver was slowed down all right. He left the scene in a body bag.

Spike strips are evil especially when the cop putting them out doesn't think about the aftereffects.

Edit: Back on topic...I try and time my arrival to BRC for daytime to avoid the nighttime mess of finding a place to setup. It's just easier to find a distraction before getting to BRC or sleeping in a rest area for a few hours than dealing with all the fuss.

deviceone · Post by **deviceone** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:23 pm

Kinetic IV wrote:
Spike strips are evil especially when the cop putting them out doesn't think about the aftereffects

Cops dont often think of aftereffects period...

Silver 2 · Post by **Silver 2** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:42 pm

Sorry, evolution in action:

Back before Corvettes had run-flat tires I saw what happens when the MHP throws some down and the Vette hit 'em at 130+. Jersey barriers don't like to yield when the car slingshots into the barrier and goes bouncing between two barriers across 3 lanes. The driver was slowed down all right. He left the scene in a body bag.

From day one I have told my son, when you are caught, you are caught, give it up. If you are a complete idiot, you deserve whatever happens to you. Keep your hands in plain sight and if it is dark turn on the dome light then keep your hand on the wheel. When you reach for your wallet, tell them so, and that you are using two fingers and then do so. Move slow.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:54 pm

This evenings new showed a 4 wheel drive SUV being stoped by a log truck. The SUV was tring to run the cops. When it tried to pass the truck on the left. THe truck rolled him up off the ground with his duals. On the other side was on rail.

rio · Post by **rio** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:24 am

so, are the stores in Gerlach open in the middle of the night?

My other question is, I'm driving in a 4-door sedan with 3 other people and all their respective gear. Other than bringing bigger cars or less people, how do people usually work out the last 20-miles-or-so of overload? Is it likely that I'll run into people in Gerlach with spare room in their vehicles to help me haul out stuff?

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:42 am

rio wrote:so, are the stores in Gerlach open in the middle of the night?

My other question is, I'm driving in a 4-door sedan with 3 other people and all their respective gear. Other than bringing bigger cars or less people, how do people usually work out the last 20-miles-or-so of overload? Is it likely that I'll run into people in Gerlach with spare room in their vehicles to help me haul out stuff?

/
You are worried to much. Have a good drive right up to the gate. Your next stop will be the greeters. They are a real kick and will help you with any questions. Take your friends to there camp. Then on to your camp. Set up,make friends and have fun. See you in the dust...........

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:22 am

The Store is in Empire, not Gerlach.

Not open late at night.

Worse comes to worse, you can unload your vehicle. Leave the event, tell the gate crew you are coming back and pay your $20 bucks in and out fee. Not perfect, but at a certain point good enough is what you've got.

Silver 2 · Post by **Silver 2** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:34 am

so, are the stores in Gerlach open in the middle of the night?

There are NO stores in Gerlach. The nearest store is Empire and it is very small, expensive with a very small selection of stuff. I know they sell ice and I assume that they have water but would not depend on it. I have no clue how late they are open but if you try to stock up for a week there you will not be bright happy people.

I always stock up in Reno, if you are coming from the East poke around for suggestions.

Finding someone with extra space on the way out is very iffy if not impossible. Last year there were three of us in a mini-van and Melissa had to sit in back because she is small and could fit. The person riding shotgun had his feet on two cases of beer. We had a bike rack for the bikes and crap tied on top. The only time I ever had extra room was my first time and then I picked up a kid that needed a ride out and poof there went the extra room.