Power Kite Forum

El Mirage and the Pre-Event

coreykite - 24-11-2008 at 01:09 PM

Hey Sailors,
Using the opportunity of the marriage of Scooter and Rosie down near Glendale, I stopped over at Elmer's on the way down and back.
They've instituted their fees:
One day is $15
Week is $30
Year is $90

Use Permit applies only to El Mirage and Dumont Dunes.
The Golden Eagle Passport does not get you a thing.

Personally I think they've gone too far and are too expensive.

I'd like to suggest we forgo Elmer's this year and meet at Superior Dry Lake.

Comments?


"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

action jackson - 24-11-2008 at 05:42 PM

The fees should keep some of the motorheads away, which will be good for the lakebed.................aj

coreykite - 25-11-2008 at 12:46 PM

Hey AJ,
That's the argument used by the gate attendant at Elmer's.
Unfortunately I saw no abatement of stoopid behavior.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
As if by paying they now had the right to tear the place up.


"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

deanaoxo - 28-11-2008 at 06:48 AM

FYI my little posse will be at Superior.

All welcome. Anyone who has come with us the past few years knows, it's not to be missed.

No matter what happens, we have a great time.

Earl owes us one anyway!

aoxomoxoa

SqueezeBox - 29-11-2008 at 05:44 PM

I registered on this forum a zillion years ago....and I think this is my first post. I am Jim Spiva....the bagpipe guy....and the silver coffee pot guy.....and I'm gonna make Superior my first stop. No Elmers....and no fees, thank you.


Looking forward to seeing everyone in 2009.

SqueezeBox. Oh, by the way.....I play the button accordian, too.....

timel - 9-3-2009 at 10:15 PM

This will be my 3rd time at NABX, but never been to a Pre-event. Some mention it’s at Superior & some say El Mirage. I’m kind of confused. I know El Mirage is a dry lake bed. Does Superior have any water? I have kayaks & would like to use them if no wind or for the wife while I buggy. Any input from those who have gone before or live local, would be helpful.

Elmers

kite killer - 10-3-2009 at 12:20 AM

:wee::wee::wee::wee::wee::wee:
I have already bought my anual pass for 90.00 and had some great wind last weekend. The Moto riding is lots less on the upper und of the lake than before, A little rough here and there, but I got many miles on. I plan on hitting the buggy thangs and I am ahead by 30.00 Nice to have the potties, and the PUCKER BUMPS.:wee: There will be 4 of us at least about a week before the event.

deanaoxo - 10-3-2009 at 06:52 AM

Superior.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, leave Tuesday morning.

Some one that goes to El Mirage tell LvtDave where we are!


pure aoxomoxoa coming soon on a dry lake near you!

coreykite - 10-3-2009 at 12:05 PM

Timel,
Sorry Man, Superior Dry Lake (above Barstow off Ft. Irwin Rd.) is bereft of water.
Hence the "Dry Lake" in the full name.
One may sit in one's kayak in the middle of the lake, but no amount of paddling will help.

That said, occasionally it rains and the lake bed is wet for a time.
Best to be far away when that happens as the high clay content in the soil turns to the most amazing, slippery, staining, boggy, quagmire on earth.
No exaggeration!

There is no water source or conveniences of any kind, except what we bring.
I have a folding toilet seat and a shovel you may borrow.

In the past, we have started at Elmer's and gone on to Superior when it got too noisy and congested at Elmer's. The difference is sublime and now, with the fees instituted at Elmer's, we choose to bypass that venue this year and begin the festivities at Superior.
It is more remote than Elmer's and therefore more challenging.

There will be pre-event folks at Ivanpah as well.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

kitemaker4 - 10-3-2009 at 12:18 PM

I am going to be at Ivanpah early this year will be arriving on Sat. 28.

Susan (npw goddess)

jellis - 10-3-2009 at 02:14 PM

I with you Susan! Most folks take the week off work and fly in on Saturday and head back out on the next Saturday. Superior sounds great but isn't it a rent car challenge? LOL Besides Alvord is the best remote dry lake bed ever...........................of course it is in Oregon.

kitemaker4 - 10-3-2009 at 03:16 PM

You never know what kind of shape the road to Superior will be in from year to year. Just a note to the ones that have never been the dirt road is 20 miles long in the middle of no where.

Susan (npw goddess)

Crash - 10-3-2009 at 07:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by deanaoxo
FYI my little posse will be at Superior.

All welcome. Anyone who has come with us the past few years knows, it's not to be missed.

No matter what happens, we have a great time.

Earl owes us one anyway!

aoxomoxoa
Aoxomoxoa :singing:

Crash - 10-3-2009 at 07:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SqueezeBox
I registered on this forum a zillion years ago....and I think this is my first post. I am Jim Spiva....the bagpipe guy....and the silver coffee pot guy.....and I'm gonna make Superior my first stop. No Elmers....and no fees, thank you.


Looking forward to seeing everyone in 2009.

SqueezeBox. Oh, by the way.....I play the button accordian, too.....
Welcome to the forum.....Please ....no bag pipes in the morning if your camping out ! :P

Crash - 10-3-2009 at 08:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by timel
This will be my 3rd time at NABX, but never been to a Pre-event. Some mention it’s at Superior & some say El Mirage. I’m kind of confused. I know El Mirage is a dry lake bed. Does Superior have any water? I have kayaks & would like to use them if no wind or for the wife while I buggy. Any input from those who have gone before or live local, would be helpful.
Henderson is not far and lake Mead is great for Kayaking. I'm sure Corey can direct you to whats local for Kayaking. I'm hoping Superior does not have water this time of year ? I could pull you behind car and throw water on you ,if that works for ya ..if not..... can you pull me ?:smilegrin:

timel - 10-3-2009 at 08:15 PM

Thanks for the info, less things to pack. Still might bring a bicycle. Pedal powered is ok near the staging tent not the playa, right? This is my grandson's 3rd year at NABX too, he just turned 3 & wants to bring his bike. He's not ready to buggy yet. But you should see his shot-car collection!

kitemaker4 - 10-3-2009 at 08:18 PM

Bicycles are great and yours will not be the only one there.


Susan (npw goddess)

gbrown - 11-3-2009 at 06:22 AM

As I am reading these post on the forum and the date is getting closer I can't ignore the fact that Chip and I won't be coming this year. We bought a new house and are in the process of remodeling and Chip had the misfortune of losing a battle with the ice and broke his knee cap. (the bigger they are the harder they fall)
It really has been a memorable week for me the past three years. I was moving some of me kite things and they still had playa dust on them so I might not miss the dust. I will miss the friendships and good times. I will also miss Jim and his bag pipes and the indian flute music by the campfire.

Someone had asked about the road it is a twenty mile dirty road in varying conditions but I have taken our 35ft fifth wheel that weights about 12,000 lbs. you just slow down. For me it is sort of the wind down after 1800 miles of non-stop freeway miles to get to Barstow.

I will be having nightly toast to you with my favorite shot car.

Buggy safe

coreykite - 11-3-2009 at 11:13 AM

Oh Papa Brown,
We miss you both already.
I am so sad y'all won't be in BuggyTown.
It won't be the same without you.

I hope Chip is not too long in recovery.
Congrats on the new house.

You know, the memories go both ways.
I am most lucky to have been a part of those memories.
We have all been enriched by our shared experiences.

I can't wait until nabx 2010 and we all get together again.

You both will be here in our hearts.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

KitePwr - 11-3-2009 at 12:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by gbrown
I will also miss [...] the indian flute music by the campfire.

Oh, {sniff} it's nice to be remembered :saint: LOL

Regarding the dirt road (I think it's actually 16 miles long) I've driven it in a SUV, a 16,000lb motor home (the one I had last year) and a 32,000lb motor home (new this past August). As "Papa Brown" says, just drive it slow and you'll be fine. In a SUV it's 25 minutes, in a car it's 35 minutes, in a motorhome it's 60-75 minutes, and if your Dean or Blake or some other crazy nut :o it's about 15 minutes drive.

As for completely skipping Elmers... I too have already purchased the yearly pass so the $ is not an issue (for me). I find the terrain much more interesting at Elmers than Superior -- enough so that it's worth sharing with others. I find the exclusivity of Superior much preferred over Elmers. So, I'm thinking that we will probably stop on Friday at Elmers and then migrate over to Superior for the weekend.

Darrin

fredagie - 11-3-2009 at 04:41 PM

Mr Brown I look forward for drink with you and Chip. sorry you dont come this year, we will miss you. I will drink one for each one of you.and one for Chips cast. tell him to get well soon.
oh and one more drink for your new house, congrats.
Fast Freddy
the buggie mekanik

kitemaker4 - 11-3-2009 at 06:28 PM

George you and Chip will be missed.

Susan (npw goddess)

Crash - 11-3-2009 at 10:50 PM

Oh Man ! Sorry about Chip! Heal fast kiddo !Mr Brown ,I guess next year ? ;-) Great news on a new house . Make sure you have a nice den for your NABX calendar and PC. My kid wanted to pal around with him cause she's bringing her laptop to download pics to site.I guess I'll talk to you Dean ,about the event post's, and stuff I'm having made for you guys with the logo. The picture's I get this year along with forum submissions will take care of calendar for 2010 .I might have one made for myself, for 09 and plan on other goodies made to order. I love the bottle opener and really get's used well ! :bigok: Chip's gonna be missed but get well soon brother !.......................Susan, I hope you and Claxton are ready for the "NPW TRAIN" ?

kitemaker4 - 12-3-2009 at 06:59 AM

I am ready. I have nasa wings from 0.4 to 15 meters now.

Susan (npw goddess)

hosea - 12-3-2009 at 07:27 AM

Hey George and Chip,
I want to tell you guys how much you will be missed.....you two are as much of a tradition at NABX as looking forward to getting blasted by the playa dust. Chip I hope you get well soon and I'm arleady looking forward to seeing you next year.....good luck with the new house George.
:cool:Jose

deanaoxo - 12-3-2009 at 07:42 AM

It goes with out saying that Chip and George will be missed. We will have Chip there in the form of our shirt as he is drawing the art even as we speak.

George, your tireless efforts at both lakes still amaze. Chip your impromptu art for trophies last year and our burn barrel are yet to be equaled.

Little Joe sends his regrets.

In regards to Superior, once you get it, roads don't matter.

(16 miles btw)

Distance does not matter.

Only the wind, the friends, and the solitude matter.

Have fun where ever you are pre eventers, this is just a chance for some who work all week, to get some free ride time in, that is all.

or is it?

aoxomoxoa:wee:

tracktROB - 12-3-2009 at 08:45 PM

Get well soon, Chip and keep the dust soul on your buggy to remember for the next event. George, congrats on new home to move. I may go to Ivanpah on the last weekend and will be thinking both of you guys. I will definitely drink for you.

deanaoxo - 26-3-2009 at 08:07 AM

This will be my last post before the event.

Leaving to visit lvtDave's tree in about an hour. I'm in Nor-Cal, headed for the five!

Email will still work for a while and of course we have our cells!

See you guys and gals on a lake bed somewhere in the Mojave! Drive scarefully, and bring some fire wood!

aoxomoxoa soon!

First stop, El Mirage Dry Lake!

doublespeed360 - 26-3-2009 at 02:17 PM

say hello to lvtDave for me Dean ,see you at ivanpah. paul