Hello EveryOne! First timer from STL

imalilkitten · Post by **imalilkitten** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:09 am

Hey First timer here. Will be heading to burning man from Saint Louis. If all goes well will be heading down with a close friend of mine and stopping in AZ to visit another friend who may come with us.

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:12 am

Welcome to ePlaya!

Read everything and learn lots!

Post by **Savannah** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 11:25 am

Hi Kitten!

Make sure everybody in the car reads the Survival Guide:
http://www.burningman.com/preparation/e ... index.html

And make sure your goggles fit.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:11 pm

You know that isn't a direct route, I hope.

I go north through St Louis to 80 then west.

Post by **Elderberry** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:03 pm

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

Post by **Savannah** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:11 pm

Kitten, if going all the way to AZ for your friend and then up to the Burn would be a tough slog (it does sound like it's way out of your way) tell 'em to fly to a city along your route with very little stuff, and buy their supplies there.

Or, if they want to pack most of it at home, get them to take Amtrak to meet you along your route--Amtrak will permit a surprising amount of luggage and even a bike. (See Amtrak.com). Then all they might need is food and water.

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 8:48 am

A train?
Ya know, thats one option I don't think I've heard any one talk about. Probably because Amtrak takes for ever! But it would be hell of a lot cheaper to get all your gear with out flying it.
And trains are fun, cause you can get up and walk around, and you sure do see a lot!

Post by **Savannah** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 11:05 am

Trains are--of course--slower than planes, but often comparable to the speed of driving. This would not be true for all by a long shot, but here's why it's worth exploring:

Example #1 (Rental Car): I leave my hometown, & drive 8 hours. 2-3 bathroom stops and at least one fast food stop. Stop for the night. Sleep 8 hours. Resume the next morning driving another 7.5-8 hours before arrival @ Gates.

Example #2 (Train): I leave my hometown on a train, traveling 12 hours to a specific town I often shop in when I roadtrip. (Maybe I was able to sleep on the train.) Shop a little. Sleep at motel. Next day: pick up rental--or meet rideshare. Drive 5 hours. If I were coming into the city at 12:01am on a Monday, I would especially appreciate having driven only 5 hours rather than 8.

So . . . since there's no way in hell I'm driving the whole 15-16 hours in one pop, the train takes me about the same amount of time as driving. (Also, driving in metropolitan WA [on highways] still makes me a bit nervous.)

And the baggage allowance is terrific. You just need a measuring tape and a scale & give thought to pack vs. buy. For example, I take forever to pick out clothes, & like to wash them before wearing, so I would pack clothes rather than shop them.

And the trick is to realize that you don't have to go into Reno, which often forces a ridiculous, indirect route by train. You can aim for something slightly further out.

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 12:34 pm

Never took into consideration the 'over night' part of driving.
We always have more than one driver and 'balls to the wall' take shifts. My cousin once took a train from Hastings Nebraska to Denver, it took 10 hours from when she got on the train to when she got off. Its normally a 6 hour drive, maybe 7 if you really take your time or get caught in some tornado like storm.

When comparing time, a single individual would probably spend the same amount of time riding a train as driving-sleeping-driving. For a group it is probably quicker to drive.
Just did a quick search on Amtrak: From Denver to Winnemucca, NV is 22.5 hours. Then you would need to get off the train, get a car approximatly an hour (?) then drive the 2 hours to Fernley. So about 24 hours from Denver to Fernley. I think it typically takes us about 22 hours driving from Denver to Fernley. Cause its about 24 hours from home to greeters.
The ticket that came up was Depart Denver at 8am, arrive 5am Winnemucca.

On a cost comparison, the ticket from Denver to Winnemucca is $107. (Or for 700 a little mini apartment, for 2). Didn't see much about how much baggage you could have. But, we typically all throw down a few hundred dollars in gas to get us there. Now the 107 does not include renting a car. I'd bet you can get package deals through the trip planner web sites.

For an individual camping alone, I'd say that this is a very feasible route to go. Especially when a plane ticket from Denver to Reno is about 200 bucks. And you still have to rent a car, and pay to get all your baggage on the plane.

Post by **Savannah** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 12:41 pm

Another factor: the "taking turns driving" thing doesn't work for everyone. I have difficulty sleeping in a car or truck (less difficulty in a train) and have been asked by my last two car rideshares to stay awake to keep them awake and entertained.

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 12:49 pm

Savannah wrote:Another factor: the "taking turns driving" thing doesn't work for everyone. I have difficulty sleeping in a car or truck (less difficulty in a train) and have been asked by my last two car rideshares to stay awake to keep them awake and entertained.

That should be a win-win. If you can't sleep, and they want you to stay awake that works out well! I wish my co-pilots were better at staying up!!!

I totally know what you mean! It seems like everyone gets tired at the same time!
Everyone wakes up about the same time, gets in the car is really freaking excited
4 hours later, a little less exciting.
8-10 hours later, everyone starts to get tired.
Happens every time!

I'm lucky, that last year drive partner, had a lot to do the night before and barely got any sleep. We got in the car and he was out in 4 or 5 hours. 13 hours into the drive, I need to switch, by then he's had plenty of sleep. Gives me 6-8 hours then he is tired again. But by then we're almost to Fernley so we're good!

Then there is the age old issue of "I'm scared to drive this big rig ma-jig!" and on my side of the fence "I'm not sure I feel comfortable with _______ driving"