Many of you who knew Dave Kennedy may be aware that a tree was purchased for his honor out at El Mirage Dry Lake. It overlooks the lake and has a clear view towards his last home which was one mile from the lake bed.

Dave loved and was fascinated by Joshua trees. Dave's tree is very old, and is watched over by a group of off road riders who, while not knowing Dave, have spent a lot of time near Dave's tree camping. When told a little about Dave, they were adamant that they would look after the tree with even more care, and would strive to keep it clean.

The tree is in good shape, has four birds next in it, and has a most beautiful view of the lake and surrounding area.

I've just returned from there, where i usually go when i get a chance. The fencing that the BLM use, is very unsitely kite catching fence posts with wire around it. We are allowed to replace this fencing. I was wondering if anyone in the buggy communtiy, would like to make a fence post, to honor Dave's memory, keeping in mind that it should probably be metal, and long(so i can put it in deep w/concrete)and be relatively vandal proof.

We need six of those. I will be happy to install them, and then post a picture of them here. This is a way we can keep Dave's memory alive and maybe keep his spirit around the lake he loved so much.

Dave's tree is #29A if you are out there, you might be able to get a map from the rangers office and go visit it. Next time i go out, i'll try to remember to take the GPS, sorry i did not have it with me this last trip.

Also, if you plan to visit, bring a rock from where you live. Dave would do this as he traveled, pick up rocks, bring them home with him. There is already a pile there, and you can add yours to the pile. Write on them w sharpie if you want, or just leave what you brung. I think he'd appreciete it.

aoxomoxoa

Hey Dean,

That should be no problem. I will take a look while I am there this weekend to see how it would be best. If you are out, maybe we can do it together.

My only thoughts are, material? shape? diameter? actual length? etc etc etc

No biggie.

If you are going to be at SBBBT come grab me so we can talk about it.

Ciao
Todd S.

I will not be out at the lake this weekend, Corey sets these things up for when ever i leave town. I'm headed to Quebec to fly the Red Line and buggy at an airport!!

aoxo~!

Greets, Dean!

I would be happy to contribute either cash or materials, (if I have a list of what's needed), to support this project. We should get some nice wrought-iron posts, as Dave was such a craftsman and would approve, I think. Only six posts can't cost as much as a lawyer, and this group paid for my lawyer... it's the least I could give back.

When more details are known, let me in on who to give/send/talk to.

-Dooley :moon:

hey dean
of course. count me in.
i`m looking at a picture of dave right now over my PC
cooking the biggest pig i ever saw.
he will always be alive in my thoughts.
RIP DAVE. we`ll be together again soon enough.

Well, i want it to be something about kiting, whether or not it's like some metal kites, or make the fence posts like giant kite stakes, ala the kiteslinger, or whatever super cool kite like theme we can come up with.

I'm off for a couple of weeks to learn to fly the Mega Moon and buggy at an airport(always a treat)so gonna miss the gang at elmers, but i left some signs out there for you guys, and like i said, if you want to visit the tree while you are there, it's #29A.

aoxotoeveryonekeepthinkingaboutthisandlet'sgetitright!

Have a safe trip Dean.

Susan

And I forgot to mention when you get back tell us all about your trip.

Susan

Yo Dean!

Are you back yet???

Let us know so we can get this rolling.

Ciao
Todd
"Scooter"

i'm just back from the black rock desert where i had the most amazing kite flying experience.

We must get a trip together for up there. You can not imagine the amount of room there is, or the distance you can go, it just blows your ming.

I'll be checking in here for a bit, but not stable till next week!

aoxomoxoa

Hey Dean where was this place that sounds so wonderful??

Miss you all

Flyin High
Shannon :D

hey dean
buggy trip?????
no need to ask me.
lets do it!!!! black rock here i come. heard about it.
but never been there.
whats up with dave`s tree.

just got back last night, Black Rock was awsome, lvtDave was sure there in spirit, that's for sure, what a place, what sights in the middle of the night, in some respect better than burning man.

Anyway, not sure how long i'll be here, but am ready to work on the project.

Will be contacting some welders next few days, for sure.

One idea i had, was if each person that wanted to, just build one of the fence posts, or had it built. Each person must have a blacksmith in their town, or know someone where they could commision a sculpture, or cast iron piece.

If it is all one piece, and we cement it into the ground, it would be next to impossible to steal.

Comments?

aoxomoxoainadelanto

During the trip to Canada we saw this in montreal and thought about it for daves tree..........aj The files to large but i will email it to ya....aj

I was wondering if the blm has any guidlines when you dig around any dessert plants. I know that some plants have a very large root system that is just below the surface and can go for many feet away from the plant to be able to soak up any rain water. I know that you do not want to damage the tree when you put up the fence post. It would not hurt to talk to them.

Susan

Quote:

Originally posted by kitemaker4 I was wondering if the blm has any guidlines when you dig around any dessert plants. I know that some plants have a very large root system that is just below the surface and can go for many feet away from the plant to be able to soak up any rain water. I know that you do not want to damage the tree when you put up the fence post. It would not hurt to talk to them. Susan

So, that's the kind of image i project, huh? Just shoot from the hip, get 'er done! Thanks, but believe it or not, asked and answered. We are allowed to not only put up a different fence(remember, there is one there now, we're just making a nicer one) but also to plant things there.

As for BLM rules, we swim in them pretty much 12 months out of the year. Between NABX and Burning Man, testing on El Mirage, and all the other stuff i'm involved in, i have to know them.

We lost a great friend when Gina Robison left us to pursue other goals, but Gina knew lvtDave and did us really well, as his tree is one of the nicest, and oldest on the lakebed.

Because of the program we enrolled in when we bought sponsorship of the tree, we have been getting all sorts of great info about all the know facts concerning Joshua Trees, which frankly around here, get cut down every day to make room for more tract housing. This place will look just like L. A. one day, and trees like lvtDave's will be the only ones left.

Hence the fence. It is to protect and beautify this magical tree. To honor our fallen brother. To signify our love for something and someone who meant more than just another hot meal, or some shade, or a cool buggy part.

This tree, like NABX, is my life's work. I take it very seriously, and while i know you didn't mean otherwise Susan, believe me when i tell you all, no one in my life affected me the way Dave did.

So, yeah, with your help, and the help of others, we will do this right. It's damn little we can do, and it helps. Believe me, it helps.

thank you

dean

Here's a picture AJ sent. While this type of idea might take us a while to figure out how to obtain, i think something between this and my idea of people getting individual fence posts made, might work.

Also, if we make individual fence posts, we can replace them one at a time. We don't have to do this all at once, and each year we go to the lake, there will be something new at the tree.

This can be a project that lasts. It will keep lvtDave's memory alive, and keep us in touch with the lake bed.

aoxomoxoa

Hey Dean just checking.

Susan

Thanks Susan, it was a good thoughtful question. i'd rather have the same question asked 15 times then an important consideration being missed.

and dean, some days people just can't win...if we assume things we are in for trouble and if we ask things we get #@%$#!...can't have it both ways buddy.

meg

re Dave's fence. i like the one from Montreal very much. but i see how it could be an ordeal getting it pulled together re the design and construction, expense. it turns into a project.

dean what material and specs did you have in mind to combine the individual fence posts?

what about instead of people being responsible for individual fence posts they contribute a panel. a pre-determined size...say 2 or 3 foot high and same in length could be specified, as well as the material used for consitency.

the individual panels can be made by one of our talented welders in the group, or a group of us could get together in smaller packs and contract a panel from our local welders...the common theme throughout the panels would be Dave, and what he meant to us.

who else has ideas or has seen something in their travels that they think..."that would make a good Dave tree"?

thanks
meg

meg

Hey ya'll,

I will check with Rosie when she gets home about the root system on Yucca trees. Just so we know what considerations we need to take to not damage it.

Another consideration is the metal choice.
When I checked on a 5/8"x6' length of cast iron it ran for $16. The flat bar stock needed for the frame i.e. .375 thick 2"x24" is $45. Pretty expensive when you think a panel may take multiple lengths. Also cast iron is very hard to weld. It should generally be built and handled in blacksmith style casting. $$$$

I will do more research on possible alternatives just so we have more options.

The artwork is a great idea.

Ciao for now
Todd
"Scooter"