Sound off when you made it home safe!

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 12:58 pm

Alright gang, we have 11 months to start getting ready!
But first, we need to know everyone made it home safe.
Sound off when you get back and feel free to share any horror stories of the drive home!

We made it home really early Tuesday morning, like 8am MST. We left BRC on Sunday around 5pm CST. 38 hours round trip. Set a new personal record with one continuous 16 hour drive, this includes time to stop and work on the RV, gas up, eat, and bathroom. We hit almost no exodus on the way out. Maybe like 10 minutes right where it goes from dirt to pavement getting onto 447. The RV gas tank started leaking gas somewhere after Winnemuca, NV. Had to stop to repatch it about every 300 miles. Finally got it patched one last time right after we crossed into Wyoming. Thankfully we only over heated one time on the way home.

Did you make it home safe? Did you have trouble? If so what kind?

geospyder · Post by **geospyder** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 1:42 pm

Left camp at 5pm Monday afternoon. Wasn't planning to leave until Tuesday morning but I didn't like the look of the clouds. I didn't want to break a wet camp. Got home just after 1am. Five hours to get off the Playa and onto pavement. After three weeks on the Playa all my gear is a wee bit dusty. I got the surface dust off most everything. I'll tackle the tent later this week.

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 2:01 pm

Larry stayed up most of Sunday night, breaking the camp around us as we slept. It was all packed and in the trailer by noon. Silly us, still took nine hours to hit the pavement, Genius drove.

Trailblazer was whining, didn't like the new trailer and we talked about a trade in for a used truck. Just can't afford a new truck right now. Whining seemed to be the power steering going out, so kept forging ahead. Stopped in Winnemucca and got a new belt and belt dressing. Whine got worse. Started making the clack clack clack of a failing exhaust system. Whining stopped. Pushed over the passes, because really, even if we'd stopped for a tow, where would we be towed to? Checked the engine at Pequop Pass, glowing cherry red under the hood. Let it cool, took it easy, and did a metric fuckton of downhill coasting. Swapped me into the backseat so I wouldn't inhale the burny metal smell and aggravate the asthma. Windows open to prevent fumes from getting into the car, just in case. I woke up in Ogden, slept through the driver swap in Lakepoint.

Three AM, pull into the drive. Found teh cat boxes full, and a note telling us our basement had flooded because the niece had watered the front lawn "for a couple hours". BS! Takes six or more hours for the basement to show signs of sprinkler water getting through the foundation (tiny crack behind the fireplace, can't get to it). Had to clean that up even though she claimed she had; but she hadn't moved the bean bag or the rug it was on. Running the dehumidifier even today.
And I'm running a stupid fever.
And Larry has gone to work running steel into California, he might be home in three or four days. Teh trailer is fully packed in the driveway.

Post by **Savannah** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 2:43 pm

The 6 hour Exodus was actually kind of awesome.

Ran into a friend--a newly devirginized lad--from my hometown in the Exodus line. Hadn't seen him at all during the Burn! He was smiling ear to ear. Pure joy. The tales of his virgin burn were amazing. I shared cold Sapporo & Sprite with him and some nice lady I met, and gave his hungover driver (another friend!) a Pedialyte from the cooler and perked him right up. We shared stories and Motskyroonmatick talked shop with other wrenchers and then shared his ice cream bars with strangers, then some of us went out to play frisbee and shoot photos beyond the flags, keeping an eye on traffic ahead so as to know when to sprint back to the trucks. A nice group of strangers took a nap on a blanket in the shadow of the box truck for about an hour.

At the bend near the 60 minute zone, we blasted this from the truck (give it until the chorus):

[youtube][/youtube]

I can think of worse ways to spend 6 hours!

Then we drove for like . . . 12 more. Plus a 3.5 train ride, for me.

PrplT · Post by **PrplT** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 2:52 pm

Home safe and sound.
* Left 7:30 & Divorce at 3:15am Monday morning.
* Spent 3 hours to the payment while watching the beautiful sunrise.
* Quick stop at Empire and the store for a sandwich, coffee and a porto-pottie break.
* Another quick stop in Wadsworth at the gas station for more coffee.
* Uneventful drive into Reno and to the Save Mart to drop of our recycling, trash, Goodwill used bikes, Goodwill comforters, & Goodwill folding chairs to the recycling program & the Kiwanis club. Picked up a few cleaning supplies too.
*Crossed the street for a super automatic car wash of the rental cargo van. $8 It truly did a fantastic job.
*Stopped across that street to the O'Reilly's for some interior cleaning wipes.
*Drove back over to Sparks and to our hotel for check-in at the Grand Sierra. I lOVED

seeing all the burner vehicles in the parking lot, in the casino, and generally lounging around outside.
*OH that [u][b]DeLIciOUS shower [/b][/u]upon arriving into our room!
*Let my guy sleep (as he did the exodus and the drive back to Reno) while I ran over to the new (?) Wallyworld directly across from the hotel for a few minorly needed items.
* Cleaned and detailed the inside of the rented cargo van. Beautiful looking thing that was our home at home. So much easier to clean up than a rented RV or other type of vehicle. When it was time, we broke camp in less than 10 minutes. All was already inside the van. (Brought the two-man tent to store our food supplies, but it was not used after all.)
* Gifted all our cleaning supplies and the rest of our alcohol to folks who were so generous in accepting such. After all, the TSA are slightly testy of a few various things while on airplanes......
* Slept a few more hours and then bright and early (well, still dark - it was 3AM after all) drove to Sacramento to check our bags at the airport, return the rental once it opened and returned to the airport to board our flight back to LA.
No delays through the entire process (only a SCARY,

CRAZY, freeway TAILGATING taxi ride to the airport ("15 minutes" oh? he's not there? a couple more minutes" Yeah Lady, like 35!) Could have made us late for our flight. Whatever you do, DON'T call 444-2222 for a cab while in Sacramento.) .
A well planned, successful & no drama trip to & from Black Rock City for this 11 year and 8 year burner couple.
----I do have to comment- Where were all the veteran burners? Every person I spoke with out there in BRC and back at our hotel were newbies. I finally met Franko from NYC - a 6 year burner. Wow. Wow. Wow. What a crazy experience. Although I must say, the newbies were inspiring to listen to. I love the energy they give out.

Miles · Post by **Miles** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 2:55 pm

Glad you made it home safe, Dilly. We hung out with your campmates Wed. afternoon but you were out like a rock (star). Keep in touch- decomp is slated for October.

Irreverent Moniker · Post by **Irreverent Moniker** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 3:01 pm

We left camp during the Temple burn and had no wait at the gate (just the usual slow driving/traffic merging stuff). I made it to Reno about 1am, ate some horribly delicious food and stocked up on gas, energy drinks, and cigarettes before heading down the hill to Sacramento. I stopped for a 3 hour safety nap (I was starting to hallucinate while driving...not a good sign) at a really nice rest stop and made it home around 7-7:30am

robbidobbs · Post by **robbidobbs** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 4:44 pm

Gonzo hit the pavement at 2pm Tuesday. We made the mistake of taking the 49 off 80, and got home at 10pm. I couldn't take over driving after 3 hours due to being sick, so once again Gonzo carried me.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 5:38 pm

Out Tuesday morning. Too early, I was having visual issues on 447. Took a nap in the shade of a stopped rv. It helped a lot.
Passed two accidents on 447. One was a roll-over between Gerlach and Empire. Fresh, still on the road, with persons standing in the only open lane. Did not strike me as a good place to stand. I decided that having another vehicle (there were 3 or more already) sitting there doing nothing would only be a clusterfuck and had to honk to get by. Got a dirty look. Went to Empire and told them about the wreck, just in case the guy on the cell didn't get through. Second was outside Nixon, and was properly accessorized with tow trucks and LE.
Got home at 6:30 pm. I didn't have a working timepiece in the vehicle, so no idea how long anything took.

The CO · Post by **The CO** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 5:46 pm

OregonRed & I made it home safe today. Stayed overnight in KFalls when my Wed work got rescheduled.

maryanimal · Post by **maryanimal** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:50 pm

Left the playa about 7:30pm on Sunday

Hit the pavement at 8pm.

Went to gas up in Gerlach

Drove through Cedarville and was welcomed by a bunch of rednecks waving cowboy hats and riding the wooden saw horses.

Stopped to get something to eat. Great little town! I loved it.

Stopped in Alturas about 11pm, went to the Hacienda motel, got a room, went to sleep before my head hit the pillow.

Woke up too early but decided to hit the road. Got my car washed by a group of giggling high school girls.

Falling asleep at the wheel and stopped at a rest area for a quick nap.

Stopped in a small town and found a real mom and pop burger joint. Had fabulous onion rings and deep fried chicken gizzards. They were to die for!

Went through Klamath Falls and Bend, OR. Went to this little town called Chemult and stopped to get thee best vanilla malted I've ever had...plus a coke.

After a while, I started waving to people going the other direction! I got waved back at by lots of people, especially truckers. I think they told each other to watch for some crazy person waving at people while driving by. I did this for just about 2 hours. I really enjoyied it. I hope it made someones day!

I made it home at 10:30pm. grabbed my purse, went to bed and passed out.

weirdscience · Post by **weirdscience** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 9:10 pm

never made it to the playa so technically i never made it home at all

Post by **Sham** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 9:17 pm

weirdscience wrote:never made it to the playa so technically i never made it home at all

Hey kid. Glad you're back! I hope 2012 is your year.

maryanimal · Post by **maryanimal** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 9:22 pm

weirdscience wrote:never made it to the playa so technically i never made it home at all

Alex!! Good to see you in here! you will becoming in 2012, right?? Of course you will! How's life been treating you sweetie?? *happy dances around Alex*

weirdscience · Post by **weirdscience** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 9:30 pm

not to get off topic but next year i will be living in sandiego so i WILL be going to the playa see meet and see all you wonderful people

DoctorIknow · Post by **DoctorIknow** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 9:50 pm

Home safe, but could have bought the farm on 447...

Loved the pulse system, with huge gaps between the pulses, letting the aggressive drivers battle it out in front and letting the slower ones drag ass, and behind them, miles of no cars, until the next huge pulse caught up.

So, I'm in a top heavy van, in one of the "no cars between pulses" areas, doin' about 50. Really slow ass car ahead, another car tailgating me (why do people do this on an empty country road?)

In the distance, a car on the shoulder, hood pointed to the road, as if waiting for us to pass by before entering hwy.

I put on blinkers for a good 10 seconds before changing lanes to pass slow car, (headlights also on) and the vehicle on the side of the road decides to get on the hwy. Me, honking horn and getting as far left as possible, asshat vehicle keeps going, even into "my" lane.

Ka-Bamm. Van starts to wobble and I do what I can to prevent tip over. It works, I stay upright.

My buddy tells me all he can see is that the mirror was hit and pivoted into the "in" position.

Sounded like hell, made me almost lose control, my buddy thought it was the end.

An hour later, with absolutely no voice telling me otherwise, stayed in Reno Super 8 motel. No music in car the rest of the ride home. I've never slept so much after any of the other 11 burns. Still reeling.

My post it note reminder for next year: expect burnt out burners to drive without all their skills intact and think of every vehicle on the road to be a potential accident with you included.

Trishntek · Post by **Trishntek** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 10:08 pm

We arrived back in Ventura this afternoon after spending Tuesday night in Bishop. Still have the truck to unload and clean before returning it to the rental place. Funny how the camp sponsor ends up with all the shit nobody wants. Good thing the garbage man comes Friday,,,, nope Saturday cuz of the holiday.

Other than that, the journey was uneventful.

moonrise · Post by **moonrise** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 11:11 pm

Left Tuesday at sunset (next year it'll be Weds morning, LOL) Made it home safe..... with one exception...tried to pull over on a (real) pull out somewhere along hwy 447 inside the reservation boundries and the dust was soooo deep; I had to down shift, floor it, started to sink in (felt like fresh powder "get me stuck" snow driving) then down shift again, switch to 4 wheel drive and PUNCH it for the next 1000+ feet of fullblown, dust flying, 4x4'ing all the while towing a huge, steel 4 horse trailer and FINALLY crept the front left wheel onto pavement as the entire 39 foot truck n trailer was shuddering to an almost halt (yikes!) the tire bit into that blacktop like sandpaper, pulled me onto the road and off I went into the night, whew!!

graidawg, ninzy and burnmeman are all here chilling out at my place in Tahoe...their next leg is decompress/cool off at a few prime beaches on Tahoe for a few days, then drive back to Reno airport and fly home to London!!..........MDF should be arriving at her sister's in Vegas within the hour (waiting for the call soon)...........much love! Moon

and the Londoner's

moonrise · Post by **moonrise** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 11:16 pm

weirdscience wrote:not to get off topic but next year i will be living in sandiego so i WILL be going to the playa see meet and see all you wonderful people

Keep tryin' kid...Sham and I discussed you'll make it (eventually)....give it time if ya need to....takes some peeps 5+ years to make it....see ya next year and be SURE to plan for the Meet n Greet!!

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 11:18 pm

moonrise wrote:Left Tuesday at sunset (next year it'll be Weds morning, LOL) Made it home safe..... with one exception...tried to pull over on a (real) pull out somewhere along hwy 447 inside the reservation boundries and the dust was soooo deep; I had to down shift, floor it, started to sink in (felt like fresh powder "get me stuck" snow driving) then down shift again, switch to 4 wheel drive and PUNCH it for the next 1000+ feet of fullblown, dust flying, 4x4'ing all the while towing a huge, steel 4 horse trailer and FINALLY crept the front left wheel onto pavement as the entire 39 foot truck n trailer was shuddering to an almost halt (yikes!) the tire bit into that blacktop like sandpaper, pulled me onto the road and off I went into the night, whew!!

graidawg, ninzy and burnmeman are all here chilling out at my place in Tahoe...their next leg is decompress/cool off at a few prime beaches on Tahoe for a few days, then drive back to Reno airport and fly home to London!!..........MDF should be arriving at her sister's in Vegas within the hour (waiting for the call soon)...........much love! Moon and the Londoner's

Hey Moon!!
wow, you put the trailer through it's paces!!! good driving!
Say hi to everyone there for me!!
dang, I had so little time this year, met folks, missed folks, and played a lot of "I was here, where were you"........

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 9:50 am

Miles wrote:Glad you made it home safe, Dilly. We hung out with your campmates Wed. afternoon but you were out like a rock (star). Keep in touch- decomp is slated for October.

O man! I know! I remember waking up on the hammock for a minute, looking over and seeing you guys. I reached my hand over towards you.... Then passed right back out!
I'm so sorry!

And thank you so so soooo much for helping us on the way to BRC! You were a life saver!

junglesmacks · Post by **junglesmacks** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 9:53 am

Everyone found Illy but me/us, and there isn't a big enough pouty emoticon that fits it. The girl and I trudged through the 3-4 streets by street searching for the gnome dome and the CO flag every single day.. and every night going Illlllyyyyyyyy.. we have to find him!!

Sigh.

illy dilly wrote:
Miles wrote:Glad you made it home safe, Dilly. We hung out with your campmates Wed. afternoon but you were out like a rock (star). Keep in touch- decomp is slated for October.
O man! I know! I remember waking up on the hammock for a minute, looking over and seeing you guys. I reached my hand over towards you.... Then passed right back out!
I'm so sorry!

And thank you so so soooo much for helping us on the way to BRC! You were a life saver!

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 9:59 am

Its great to hear everyone made it home safe!
Sounds like there were some close calls though!

DoctorIknow I'm so very glad you were able to make it safe! Just reading your story almost made me shit by britches!
Thank god you made it home safe!

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:41 pm

Home yesterday, back to the job that pays for the trip today...sigh...but what a great playa time! Got to work Perimeter on the Trojan Horse burn, danced in front of speaker stacks for hours and saw and did lotsa good stuff. Gave out +60 Polaroids to people posing for me at the Temple Sat. morning, probably my most fun and rewarding interaction with folks...now trolling ebay for more expired film (found out the stuff I had is going for @ $45 a 10-pac

) Thank you thank to all for the fun and for the patches and bling especially the metal pendants which jangled around my neck all week, luv them! 1 hour drive from playa camp at 8:45 and Hajj to Gerlach Tuesday morning 8am, also got diverted on a dirt road around an Empire pileup and then got stuck behind a big 5th wheel who took a bend too sharp and dropped his wheels off the edge...good guy with a chain and a big truck got him out in a half hour so not too bad. Rest of the trip was smooth, ready to get stuff started for 2012

Tiahaar

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:55 pm

junglesmacks wrote:Everyone found Illy but me/us, and there isn't a big enough pouty emoticon that fits it. The girl and I trudged through the 3-4 streets by street searching for the gnome dome and the CO flag every single day.. and every night going Illlllyyyyyyyy.. we have to find him!!

Sigh.

Dude!
I rode all around F/G and 7-9 on Wednesday looking for a light house. Little did I know that you got moved to 8:30 and D, and I couldn't for the life of me remember your camp name.
THEN, I was waiting for the misses so we could head to the MnG, and from what I was told you must have walked out the front door, when we snuck in the back door. SHIT!!!!
Luckly, Moonrise has a memory like a steel trap and new exactly where you were camped and your camp name.
Next year, we'll meet in Fernley!

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:57 pm

Back 7-ish Tuesday evening after a 12 noon launch... stopped for indian tacos and some in-n-out on the way home... still, 7 hours, not bad considering there was still an exodus crowd... Best part was <20 minutes, camp to blacktop. Would have been faster but for the b-b-b-b-b-u-u-m-m-m-p-p-p-s... too much water and traffic, it was a pitted mess, withthe dust accumulating in the pits. Keep this up, and Earth Guardians will need a motor grader to keep the road in one piece for exodus.

Remind me next time NOT to grab my pee bottle in place of a water bottle... and NOT to pack both water bottles!!!

lucky420 · Post by **lucky420** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:03 pm

Made it home Sunday around 8 pm. Had no intention of leaving until monday sometime but after everything was pretty much packed up...eh what the hell, let's book! From camp to front door took about 4 hours (usually takes just under 2 hours) so no complaint

I could not find that elusive illy dilly either

illy dilly · Post by **illy dilly** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 3:03 pm

lucky420 wrote:Made it home Sunday around 8 pm. Had no intention of leaving until monday sometime but after everything was pretty much packed up...eh what the hell, let's book! From camp to front door took about 4 hours (usually takes just under 2 hours) so no complaint

I could not find that elusive illy dilly either

Lucky! I'm glad you made it home safe!
I had no idea I was so sought after.

JStep · Post by **JStep** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 3:16 pm

ooops, sorry, forgot to check in. Yeah, made it back safe and sound. My little bus kicked ass for 36 hours straight getting us back without a hitch. (well, really with a hitch, the trailer did just fine also)

Anyone else see that black car flipped over on the left side of 447 S on the way out? Man that looked bad, hope everyone is going to be ok.

TinkerMom · Post by **TinkerMom** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 3:33 pm

We left Mon. 3am and arrived in the driveway by Tue. 3am. Horrid drive, lots of rain, and overly tired and bitchy. But we my son did some good driving.
Exodus was only 3 hrs. One small accident that we passed, was only a 10 min set back.
We stopped in Nixon and watered a guys plants for him with all our excess water and he took our couch. (evidently it matched his decor) We will
get another for next year. All ready planning a better shade structure, and getting the ball rolling for next year (us single moms have to think ahead)

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