Virgin Solo from Bellingham/Seattle

[frankus]

I managed to snag a ticket in the OMG Last Chance sale, which means that I'm going but I'm totally unprepared. It seems like most or all of the orphan camps have filled up at this point, so it looks like I'll have to bring everything I think I might need and depending on the kindness of strangers for the rest .

Any opinion on whether it's practical to fly in and take the Burner Express without support from a camp?

[Savannah]

Hi Frankus!

I'd do it. I don't know if that should mean anything to you, though. What's your camping experience? How's your attitude? If you decide to fly in and take the Burner Express, make sure that you book a trip on one of the routes that makes the grocery stop for an extra fee. Or Google the Green Tortoise's bus trip from SF and see if they have any spots left. They supply food water, & shade. You still need a tent and all that jazz.

You could also look for a camp that does group water buy-in and a meal plan. See the 2013 Theme Camps forum; there are still camps looking for people, and some of them have food/water/etc.

Since you can have a food or water stop with Burner Express if you do it right, a camp with shade should be your biggest concern.

[Elderberry]

Hey there, welcome to eplaya!

[JayBobBoy]

There is no excuse (short of not having a car) that you should do anything but DRIVE YOURSELF! A 12 hour drive is totally doable, cheaper, and probably faster door to dust, than flying/busing.

Don't rely on anyone but yourself for your own well being. Get your shit together, you can do it! It is worth every effort!

And Therapist is right, you deserve some flak for that "rely on others" comment. Bad form!

I shall deliver the paddling now.........

[Savannah]

I've never had a car, so he very well might not either. And the drive from Bellingham is more like 16 hours. Do not trust Google maps' drive times to Gerlach; they don't account for slowing down in the last 2+ hours.

But we shouldn't let that stand in the way of a good paddlin'! Kindness of strangers, my sweet Aunt Fanny!

The upside of flying is that the exhausting trip home is much less so, and you're not going to drive off the road because you thought you saw a mermaid riding a camel down 447. I can't even imagine the homeward trek for our Canadians and East Coast drivers.

[Sic Pup]

I can't even imagine the homeward trek for our Canadians and East Coast drivers.[/size]

Three words : The Loneliest Road

Freakin' awesome!


But the rest of the way does kind of suck.

I'll break it up with a visit with friends along the way.

[Savannah]

I looove the ride down from the PNW.

I haaaate the ride home.

[frankus]

Having done the math it looks like driving is probably the way to go, particularly if I can find a person or three to share the ride with.

And just to be clear, I do plan to take care of all known necessities to keep myself safe and (reasonably) comfortable. And it'll be a lot simpler to fit them all in a car than in a suitcase.

Thanks for the advice

[Savannah]

Having done the math it looks like driving is probably the way to go, particularly if I can find a person or three to share the ride with.

Driving is an option? And only from WA? Then HELL YES, you want to drive. Especially your first time.

Break your drive in half.

And just to be clear, I do plan to take care of all known necessities to keep myself safe and (reasonably) comfortable.

You scared us, quoting Blanche Dubois.

And it'll be a lot simpler to fit them all in a car than in a suitcase.

Depends on the car. An average size sedan can barely fit two people + gear, if they pack light. Test pack and you'll see.

[frankus]

It's a Honda Element, so it's pretty roomy and has a bike rack. I'm debating whether or not to use it as my sleeping quarters as well (maybe draped in Aluminet?)

And I have family in Eugene where I can spend a night.

Thanks again for the input

[Savannah]

Awesome!

Don't drape your car in anything . . . It'll rub the paint off.

[JayBobBoy]

I know people make it work, but I really can't imagine having to squeeze everything I want into luggage and then having to transfer car to plane to bus, and back again.

I'm really glad to hear you chose to drive yourself! You sound like you've got a good plan! Make sure to find an equally self sufficient person to share your ride with.

I'm Jay, stop by the castle structure at 4:30 and A. I'd be happy to share a drink and snack with you! (If you can catch me at camp)

I leave two weeks from today...holy shit!

[dragonpilot]

Honda Element will easily carry your stuff, may be tight to carry another's...depending on their load. Twenty gallons of water, yours and another's, takes up a lot of room...then there's the tentage, food, coolers, bikes.

If you want company/cost sharing go to Craigslist Rideshare or this forum at burningman.com: http://rideshare.burningman.com/ridesha ... /...hustle, man, hustle...