Feeler for Landers, CA for Thanksgiving weekend [Archive]

tvodrd

11-06-2006, 11:48 PM

I co-own a shack (http://www.vbbigot.com/360s/cabinpan1vs.jpg) at the end of TVOD Rd. out in the Mojave near Landers, CA. I've camped there every Thanksgiving holiday for over 20 years. Conditions are just short of primitive- there's an indoor flush, gravity-fed from a water tank but no phone/power. The cabin is 16' x 27' and inside sleeping space is limited. It should be possible to get there with 2WD, but I haven't done so since Memorial Day, and the dirt road from the highway has deteriorated. There's plenty of "parking."

I plan to out my 1KW AN/VSS-3A tank searchlight for the first time there! Not to mention JimH is considering a 600 Mi Drive to participate! :bow:

Just a feeler for folks in the So Cal area that might be interested.

Edit: fixed link.

Larry

kamkazmoto

11-06-2006, 11:51 PM

Thank you for the invite but I will be spending turkey weekend with my folks in Northern CA.

JonSidneyB

11-07-2006, 12:00 AM

If I could be there, I would in a heartbeat.

glockstersharp

11-07-2006, 12:13 AM

LowWorm

11-07-2006, 12:14 AM

Larry, do you have a brochure you could send me? ;)

Sounds like an adventure that I'm sorry I'll miss, since I plan to be fighting off a cold the entire month of November. :(

0dBm

11-07-2006, 01:16 AM

Larry,

Landers would be a short drive for me, but the wife will have us at her cousin's on turkey day and off to Santa Barbara for three days thereafter.

Thank you for the invite.

Regards,
0dBm in OC

JimH

11-07-2006, 04:01 AM

Larry, do you have a brochure you could send me? ;)

Sounds like an adventure that I'm sorry I'll miss, since I plan to be fighting off a cold the entire month of November. :(

No worries - every time I have ever met Larry he has been recouping from a cold, a cough, the flu, croup, mad cow disease, etc. So it's highly unlikely that you could transmit anything to him that he doesn't already have http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/hodgesj/emoticons/smoker.gif

JimH

11-07-2006, 04:05 AM

If I could be there, I would in a heartbeat.

Hey Jon, no problem - pack up the harem, fly into LA, rent an RV, and head out to the desert. It won't be the same without you.

JimH

11-07-2006, 04:10 AM

Larry's link for the travel brochure did not work for me. If it did not work for you, try this one. (http://www.vbbigot.com/360s/cabinpan1vs.jpg)

JimH

11-07-2006, 04:15 AM

It should be possible to get there with 2WD, but I haven't done so since Memorial Day, and the dirt road from the highway has deteriorated.

No worries if you get stuck on the way in - just give me a call, and I'll come get you. Between my two 4 wheel drive vehicles, a lot of towing gear, and a lot of experience towing, we can get you into the camping location.

unterhund

11-07-2006, 11:06 AM

The cabin is 16" x 27" and inside sleeping space is limited.

At that size, sleeping space would be limited for my two cats! ;D

Kidding aside, wish I could be there. It sounds marvelous! But I'm a couple of states too far away.

JimH

11-07-2006, 03:26 PM

A bit of additional information - for those of you unfamiliar with the area, the event is BYOS (bring your own shade) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/hodgesj/emoticons/grinser2.gif

tvodrd

11-07-2006, 09:18 PM

And if I could be there I would! I miss the desert (never thought I would say that if you've ever been to 29 Palms, CA). As a former Marine Corps Tanker, I'll tell ya, that searchlight is BLINDING! Have fun and I really wish I could join you.

glockstersharp, you really know how to bait a fellow Marine! I fixed the link, and the 29 Stumps ;D Base is just the otherside of the mountain range, strait across (east) in the center of the stitch. We frequently see flares in the sky and hear ordinance. I never had the misfortune of being stationed there! :green:

I hope to pick your brain re those lights sometime! The paperwork with my 2'nd VSS-3A indicates it is a USMC light and was received at the Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow, CA on 28 Jan, 1980, where it sat in its crate for 25 years prior to being surplussed. The runtime indicator says 1 Hr! (Burn-in at the factory.)

Larry

glockstersharp

11-08-2006, 01:57 AM

glockstersharp, you really know how to bait a fellow Marine! I fixed the link, and the 29 Stumps ;D Base is just the otherside of the mountain range, strait across (east) in the center of the stitch. We frequently see flares in the sky and hear ordinance. I never had the misfortune of being stationed there! :green:

I hope to pick your brain re those lights sometime! The paperwork with my 2'nd VSS-3A indicates it is a USMC light and was received at the Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow, CA on 28 Jan, 1980, where it sat in its crate for 25 years prior to being surplussed. The runtime indicator says 1 Hr! (Burn-in at the factory.)

Larry

Larry,

I'm sure I still have a tank manual in my storage which may have some searchlight info. I won't have an opportunity until this weekend but I will definitely look for it and let you know what I find.

Rich

JimH

11-08-2006, 02:57 AM

I think we should make this the EDCF version of "Burning Man (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_Man)" C'mon people - drag those friends and relatives out to the desert. We'll have a blast.

Who among you has seen Larry's tank light in operation? http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/hodgesj/emoticons/WOW3.gif

JimH

11-09-2006, 06:09 PM

Larry,

Since you are out in the desert, I'm guessing it might be okay to bring along some not so ******* friendly toys (e.g. long and short centerfire toys, adult home chemistry set for making things that go ka-boom, self igniting bonfires, homemade thermite, etc.). I've just recently renewed my interest in the home chemistry thing. In fact, the only chemistry I remember from my college days was the stuff I learned in the dorm (chemical engineering major - go figure).

I'm assuming I might be able to find an area with about a 100 ft diameter clear safe zone to try out some of my experiments.

JimH

11-14-2006, 10:51 PM

I just heard from knifebright over on CPF. It looks like he may be able to join us. He's stocking up on ammo for his artillary. Between Jimmy's and my long and short projectile oriented toys (I'm sure Larry must have some also), my recent interest in fun, bright, and loud things to do with chemicals, and Larry's tank light, maybe we should rename this event
"The first annual ka-boom and bright fest" http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/hodgesj/emoticons/Nadeani0.gif http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/hodgesj/emoticons/flamethrower3.gif http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/hodgesj/emoticons/xyxgun.gif http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/hodgesj/emoticons/Sen_Smilewide.gif

tvodrd

11-15-2006, 12:08 AM

Hi Jim,

The campout is on, barring me landing in the hospital before then! (I don't quite feel like landing in the hosp. yet!) Any friend of your's is more than good enough for me!!! I have one going back to c1970 who may grace us with his presecence!(sp) (Cool Dude!)

Please be advised that while we have raised beyond-hell out there for over 20 years, it is technically a .410 shotgun with shot less than/=to #6 area! You guys plink with a Ruger 10/22/Barret at your own risk!

I haven't been up there since Memorial day and am clueleless as to road conditions. I'll give my neighbor a call and post back.

Lookin' forward big time! Anybody else SoCal is more than welcome!

Larry

I just heard from knifebright over on CPF. It looks like he may be able to join us. He's stocking up on ammo for his artillary. Between Jimmy's and my long and short projectile oriented toys (I'm sure Larry must have some also), my recent interest in fun, bright, and loud things to do with chemicals, and Larry's tank light, maybe we should rename this event
"The first annual ka-boom and bright fest" http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/hodgesj/emoticons/Nadeani0.gif http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/hodgesj/emoticons/flamethrower3.gif http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/hodgesj/emoticons/xyxgun.gif http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/hodgesj/emoticons/Sen_Smilewide.gif

Beamhead

11-15-2006, 12:14 AM

Lookin' forward big time! Anybody else SoCal is more than welcome!

Larry

What, no NorCals allowed? :shrug::P

glockstersharp

11-15-2006, 12:26 AM

tvodrd

11-15-2006, 12:27 AM

What, no NorCals allowed? :shrug::P

I could make a very narrow exception in your better half's case! She would be more than welcome to bring her "friends!" :nana: Long freekin' drive for you, but your are more than welcome!!!!!!

Larry

tvodrd

11-15-2006, 12:31 AM

Larry, I found my old tanker's manual and it has all the information on operation, maintenance and troubleshooting charts of the AN/VSS-3A. If there is any specific information needed, then I can provide that particular info. The other option would be to scan the 6 pages pertaining to the searchlight and send them to you as a pdf file. Which would you like?

Rich

Hi Rich, I think I have all of Uncle Sam's documentation on the sucker, and it runs! The An/VSS 1A light is the one with a documentation shortage, but JumpMaster may have cured that!

Larry

JimH

11-15-2006, 02:43 AM

Please be advised that while we have raised beyond-hell out there for over 20 years, it is technically a .410 shotgun with shot less than/=to #6 area! You guys plink with a Ruger 10/22/Barret at your own risk!

I haven't been up there since Memorial day and am clueleless as to road conditions. I'll give my neighbor a call and post back.

I always say "better to have the heavy artillary and not be able to use it, than to be able to use it and not have it." Even if we have to drive a bit, I'm sure we can find a place to have some fun. Glad you mentioned .410 ga. I completely forgot about my snake charmer (http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976465073.htm).

I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunity for fun. Between your new light and some of my new chemical experiments, they ought to be able to see us from Barstow :D

As far as road conditions go, to paraphrase a much overused movie line "Roads, we don' need no stinkin' roads". After all it's the freakin desert. I'm used to going straight up the side of a mountain where the trail is loosely paved with 2' diameter boulders.

tvodrd

11-15-2006, 10:09 PM

I've owned a couple of Snake Charmers in the past, but traded/sold them off. I have an antique Stevens .44-40 shotgun that needs some work. :( I suppose I could drag my #1 Mk3 Enfield, made in 1943, and converted to .410 in the year of my birth in Ishapore out. Anybody got a skeet flinger? I never could hit the ground with a shotgun. :( ) Of course, I could bring a real TREAT! :thinking:

I'll be driving up thursday morning for a ~noon arrival. It's only 135 miles from Costa Mesa. Stillphoto, you followin' this? (Chance to deliver light. :D )

Larry

JimH

11-16-2006, 02:33 AM

Anybody got a skeet flinger?

If push comes to shove, we can send Jimmy out 30 yds or so, let him hide behind a rock and just throw the suckers up in the air. ;D

tvodrd

11-22-2006, 09:45 PM

Just a BTT, JimH should be at a KOA in Barstow tonight and I am leaving fairly early tomorrow morning. Anyone SoCal that wants directions has a couple hours to PM me.

Larry

JonSidneyB

11-24-2006, 04:41 PM

Well,

How did it go?

tvodrd

11-25-2006, 09:37 PM

We survived, I think. The lamp exploded in my Maxabeam. :( The Tanklight was awsome! Sorry, no beam shots, but snapped this one:
http://home.comcast.net/~tvodrd4/wsb/media/1223293/site1035.jpg

Larry

JimH

11-26-2006, 02:21 AM

Just got home a little while ago. I thought the traffic down was bad but the traffic back home was even worse, just in different places. It only took me 10 hrs to get home, but I made it in one piece, despite some problems with my rig.

I had a great time - got to see, and experience, a small fraction for Larry's arms collection. I brought a couple of my new pellet guns and was able to use them to set off some home made explosive that I packed on top of a pumpkin.

I also got to see the effect of a .410 000 buck cartridge shot from my Snake Charmer when I shot it at an old water tank.

All of that said, the highlight of the weekend was Larry's Tank light. All I can say is ubber impressive. We managed to thoroughly light up a large encampment of OHV's at the dry lake bed about a mile and a half away. They responded with what looked to be a 35 MW green laser. To which Larry responded with his 90 MW green laser. Green laser wars ensued.

On Friday one of Larry's long time friends joined us and thouroughly entertained us with tales of some of Larry's exploits at his shack in the desert with home made high explosives and projectile deployment devices.

Despite all the holiday traffic down and back, I'm really glad I made the trip.

Dizos

11-26-2006, 03:28 AM

Green laser wars ensued.

Sounds like fun. I love the desert. Guns, herps, lights, explosives- life doesn't get any better. If you have any events out there when I'm in the States, I would love to attend.

tvodrd

11-26-2006, 09:09 PM

I was very glad to see your post last night, Jim! That had to have been a brutal drive! The 2M ham gear came in handy to help talk him in thursday morning. We also had a major scare shortly after Jim's arrival, when Kaiser decided to run off and hide. Fortunately, Jim found him, but the down side is Jim is now looking for a set of IS Binoc's after using mine! :crackup:

We had a fox come in and take the steak scraps friday evening and caught it in the act. The herp's have retired for the winter and the "roorat" population is through the floor lately, but we fed some daytime chipmunk critters. It got cool enough to light the wood stove and heat the shack a little.

Lighting the barbecue the first eveninig, I deferred to Jim, of course. :crackup: :crackup: (I should have got a pic of his fire-starting tool box! The only upgrade I could suggest would be the inclusion of a can of charcoal lighter. There's plenty of room!)

One correction- Means Dry Lake is ~2.5 miles away and it looked like a small city at night for all the off-roader campers! It's the most folks I've ever seen out there on a holiday weekend! I'm unpacked, the guns are cleaned and I have tomorrow and tues on vaca to finish recovering.

Larry

JimH

11-27-2006, 09:52 PM

Larry, you turkey - you just cost me $460. I ordered the binoculars (http://www.ebinoculars.com/products/Canon_12x36_IS_II_Image_Stabilized_Binocular_-_New_Model_26169.html). They already shipped.

Here's an aerial view of Larry's shack, complements of Google Maps

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/hodgesj/EDCF/tvodrd_shack.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v664/hodgesj/EDCF/tvodrd_shack_scale.png

tvodrd

11-27-2006, 10:56 PM

:wave: Jim, and sympathies on the wallet hit for the binocs. It doesn't seem like they have come down since I bought mine ~5 years ago. I hope you have a link for that aerial/sat photo as the detail is much better than the last one I found. Combined with the ground 360deg+ panorama (http://www.vbbigot.com/360s/cabinpan1vs.jpg) ain't the same as being there, but one gets the idea. 20 years ago, it was a lot quieter, even on holiday weekends. You should have named it TVOD Rd. ;D Thank you very much for joining me. For whatever reasons, holiday attendance has dropped over the years.

Larry