Hey Sailors,
Seems like nabx was only yesterday.
Already I want more.
Keeping it going since 1994.
Spring Thang 2012 will be June 1st, 2nd & 3rd.
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
El Mirage Dry Lake (elmer's)
El Mirage is a fine buggy playa with lots of open lake bed as well as pucker bump and a plethora of off-road trails that can be buggy-ridden.
While we have rather nice pit toilets in two different spots at elmer's, about 1/2 mile away, camping is fairly primitive. We take care of each other.
Easy access off a paved road to the lakebed for family cars, rv's etc.
Tent camping (bring a pad) works, as well as vans and rv's. Nearest motel is in Adelanto, about 7 miles away.
The BLM charges a fee at the front gate.
I seem to remember it as $9/day, $30/week or $90/year.
The Spring Thang is designed to help build the buggy community, here in the desert southwest and worldwide. All skill levels are welcome. Tips and
pointers abound.
Hope you can make it.
Safen Up! Buggy On!
"Often wrong... Never in doubt"
the coreylama - Lord of Buggytownihatework - 25-4-2012 at 12:33 PM
It's now $15 a day.
Everything has stayed the same.lunchbox - 25-4-2012 at 01:41 PM
Aw I miss El Mirage. Haven't been there is what seems like years! Miss that smooth hot desert wind and especially that obstacle course. Might have to
make some time to play with you guys in June...DAKITEZ - 25-4-2012 at 01:48 PM
I am going to try and make this one as wellBeamerBob - 25-4-2012 at 01:53 PM
That weekend is clear for me too! Lets do this thing!coreykite - 26-4-2012 at 11:44 AM
Hey Sailors,
We gather about 3-4 miles up the lake bed, off on the right side.
Just across from the Orange cone windsock at Sailors Bay.
Beside the entry to the Pucker Bump Run.
We call the place Walt's Cove (and I'll tell the story, by request, when we meet there)
The site is noted by the aircraft tie-downs placed there at the start of WW2.
(In case the Japanese invaded the west coast or had fighter bases hidden in the bean fields around Bakersfield, I guess)
Typically, we are the only camp with noticeable windsock plumage in the air and buggies scattered around on the ground. Lots of room to spread out and
relax.
Horny Naked Buggy Chicks - This is a mandatory meeting (if you can make it)
Safen Up! Buggy On!
"Often wrong... Never in doubt"
the coreylama Lord of BuggytownRoadkyllphil - 26-4-2012 at 12:51 PM
El Mirage is my "go to" place. Since I also land sail it works great and isn't a long drive. Be there with bells on.itchycrotch - 26-4-2012 at 06:30 PM
So far im free that weekend. James got his cast off today so im sure he'll want to go so count me in.gilligan - 26-4-2012 at 09:23 PM
Man, I miss Elmer's too! At least we can almost count on dry weather and smooth lakebed by June! I plan on arriving early and staying late. Anybody
have a preference for 'Margarita Night'?ihatework - 26-4-2012 at 09:28 PM
Margarita Night? You've been holding back on me...doddg - 27-4-2012 at 05:28 AM
Have a great time corey & friends, I wish I could go. I am a guest (sport kite) at the Ocean Shores Kite Festival so I must go there that weekend.
I may go to SOBB a few days before if I can arrange things, but I will be thinking about you guys at Elmers, I know you will have a great time! ....is
there any other event at the dry lake beds this year? I have frequent flier miles! LOLTimeflyz - 1-5-2012 at 10:02 PM
Can't we do Margarita's every night!?coreykite - 2-5-2012 at 12:22 PM
Hey Sailors,
Do I hear a party starting?
I'll bring the shot car track.
Probably a few extra shot cars too.
I have two types of shot cars... the fast ones and the loaners.
Not too late to stop by Target and buy a few Hot Wheel/Matchbox cars and build your own garage/stable.
I use nice shot glasses and Goop brand adhesive.
You may use whatever you like.
Safen Up! Buggy On!
"Often wrong... Never in doubt"
the coreylama - Lord of BuggyTown
Party at Walt's Cove
Ramij2 - 19-5-2012 at 07:04 PM
Hello all,
I'll be pulling in late Friday night. And will leave Monday afternoon 4-6pm if Earl cooperates! Hopefully, He shows us a great time. Bob, I'm ready
for another round of tag. Maybe another round of close your eyes and walk until you open your eyes like at nabx 2012. Its always a great time with
Family. I'll make a run to Costco for the Tequila. Be safe everyone, hope to see my family once again!
JoshDAKITEZ - 19-5-2012 at 10:02 PM
Unfortunately I will not be able to join you all. I hope the winds blow strong and steady for you!van - 19-5-2012 at 10:17 PM
My work in Toronto was delayed so looks like I will be able to attend again this year. It was unexpected so I am rushing to build a speed buggy in
time so I can do some testing. Gonna modify my existing test Stinger buggy with some bling bling to save time. Hope to see some good winds this
year also.van - 20-5-2012 at 06:21 AM
Thinking of driving there so I can bring more gear and buggies. If you are on the my way and wants to come, let me know. I will be going through san
antonio (austin) , el paso , tucson , phoenix ,etc .. all along I-10 until I get to california.
Will be leaving May 31st around noon. I usually drive straight to El Paso ( 12 hours) and take a break for a quick 3-4 hour nap and then drive
another 12 hours to california.
Let me know if you are interested. I could use the company to keep me awake .. ihatework - 20-5-2012 at 06:25 AM
Go get Dino. He wouldn't carpool with us because we like to sing catchy show tunes when we drive long distances.coreykite - 29-5-2012 at 12:25 PM
Hey Sailors,
Just a few more days...
There are over 90 dry lake beds in the Mojave Desert.
Some are government controlled, some just too remote.
El Mirage Dry Lake is historic and legendary.
Just 6 miles west of Adelanto off El Mirage Rd.
Elmer's now has a paved road all the way to the lake bed.
RV's and city cars have no problems accessing Elmer's.
From testing the newest and fastest aircraft at Edwards AFB (just down the road) to developing the modern UAV Predators at General Atomic (down off
the east end of the lake bed), Elmer's has long held a place in our imagination, if not our future.
Enough talk... Come buggy!
June 1st, 2nd & 3rd (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) we shall meet at Walt's Cove - About 3-4 miles up the lake bed on the right. Come close and you'll
see the windsocks on poles and kites and buggies strewn about.
No services - Although the Ice Cream Truck is welcome to stop by.
Nice pit toilets across the lake bed.
Enough nice people to ensure a good time.
Horny Naked Buggy Chicks mandatory meeting - Unless you can't make it.
Shot Car racing nightly.
Oh... and this... No Laughing - No Smiling.
What? Did you think this was intended to be FUN?
Safen Up! Buggy On!
"Often wrong... Never in doubt"
the coreylama - Lord of BuggytownBeamerBob - 29-5-2012 at 12:57 PM
This is awesome! I just happened to be planning on coming to the exact same spot to buggy Saturday and Sunday! I'll be breaking a few of those rules
though, like the smiling and the laughing ones. I hope there are other rule breakers there as well. :cool2:WindWiz - 30-5-2012 at 10:00 AM
Just in case anyone needs directions on how the get to Elmer's..
There is a Google Map Gadget on http://buggythang.org/elmirag.html where you can input where you're coming from and
get driving directions to the El Mirage Visitor Center.. Directions to the buggy spot are also on the same page..
C'mon out and buggy!! Clothed or naked!! Roadkyllphil - 30-5-2012 at 12:48 PM
I'm a rebel, be lots of smiling and laughing here!!!BeamerBob - 1-6-2012 at 08:05 PM
Car is loaded. I'll get up early, pack the cooler, load my buggy out back and then off to play with you guys. My younger son Jared is coming again.
Wexler has to work. I have a surprise for Gilligan in the car as well!Minshall - 2-6-2012 at 12:14 AM
I should be rolling up around 1000. If not give me a call cause I got lost. 315-777-3230BeamerBob - 3-6-2012 at 06:17 PM
Awesome non event. Harpers surface is butter smooth and once I learned to connect the 2 opposing "coves" I had a really long run from one shore to
the other.
I again enjoyed running the buggies and Phantom II 6 meters with geokite. He is always a good one to ride with since he is a fast buggier. Reports
to come on the Phantom II in another post.
There is a great crew that came to this event. Many I've met once or several times and others I met for the first time. All great people. It's
awesome to go to a gathering like that with so many great people. Fall Thang is already on the listpbc - 3-6-2012 at 06:44 PM
The expansive mind can tap into Elmer's expanse.
On one trip I headed way north out of the lake bed and road the dirt track to the big hill NE of Walt's Cove. Then I took another dirt track to
deliver me back to the lake bed well downwind of camp and started the upwind run back to camp. It was a fine time.
PhilipRoadkyllphil - 4-6-2012 at 07:35 AM
I was doing great till I flipped!!!geokite - 4-6-2012 at 11:05 AM
Great time everyone! Especially the night flying Saturday. Wind just didn't let up, full moon, no motorcycles, no cars. Amazing
Anyone find a red TOTL winder with a bunch of line on it?BeamerBob - 4-6-2012 at 12:00 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by geokite
Great time everyone! Especially the night flying Saturday. Wind just didn't let up, full moon, no motorcycles, no cars. Amazing
And then the Ice Cream truck pulls into camp!gilligan - 4-6-2012 at 10:53 PM
Woohoo 60 degrees at home! And dig this... about 5 miles from home about 75 mph (with trailer), CHP pulled up alongside and gave me the head-tilt. So
after a sheepish wave and lifting my foot he gives me the nod/thumbs up and was on his way!
What a great trip. And thanks again BB! New living room furniture!BeamerBob - 4-6-2012 at 11:04 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by gilligan
Woohoo 60 degrees at home! And dig this... about 5 miles from home about 75 mph (with trailer), CHP pulled up alongside and gave me the head-tilt. So
after a sheepish wave and lifting my foot he gives me the nod/thumbs up and was on his way!
What a great trip. And thanks again BB! New living room furniture!
Gilligan, I was truly glad to help. I'm glad our story had a very happy ending for all.
