Camping at LDRS

Unless there is some unforseen problem from the landowner - camping will be allowed ON site. There will be a fee, and that is yet to be determined. It obviously will be less than any motels in the area. We're in the prcocess of setting a meeting with the landowner/HAG to go over/confirming such items as camping. I can say with a high degree of probability that part or all of camping fees - like for past NYPOWERS - will go to the HAG in support of the museum.

The basic rules for camping at the field have been that you must be self contained and that there are no open fires. Generators and some sort of grill or propane stove are OK.

Please be patient folks... information for LDRS23 will be posted on the website on an increasing basis over the next month. If you have questions regarding a specific item, you'll be better served by contacting (emailing) either myself, or specific "contacts" that will be available on the website. Hopefully within the next week you will also be able to join & post LDRS23 questions in a website forums area.

Hope this helps and look forward to seeing you at LDRS23,

Doug (aka) Cheetah snipped-for-privacy@aol.com BRS - VP/ LDRS23 Webguy

All I ask is you post a cohesive summary of the main lodging, food, entertainment, and launch options and schedules.

Jerry

Brian As most RV's have their generators built in.........I can't see why anyone would suggest that they have to be moved away from the RV or NOT allowed at a campsite!!! Of course generators are allowed (who ever suggested that they wouldn't be?). A free standing one that is too loud MAY be asked to be moved, if we get complaints from others but, barring that..........generate away! The only thing we DON'T allow are open campfires on the ground. It IS a hay field, after all:-). As Doug mentioned........we are still working on lots of details......including the website. Be patient:-). All the info should be up on the site by the end of the month. All the major issues have been settled and are being worked on. It's all the little things that take time:-).

Lloyd Wood BRS Secretary LDRS LD/RSO Level lll

Jerry Within 1 mile of the host hotel, there are some 35 restaurants, 26 movie screens and over 100 stores. Go to 3 miles and you're into the city of Rochester. Also, within the same distance is entertainment ranging from minature golf to adult:-). A small map of the area will be provided. As to the launch schedule.....We fly from 9AM to ruffly 6pm (with an hour break for lunch, around 1pm) every day. If needs be AND we can get the required volunteers.......we can keep the range open until around 9pm (every night but Sat:-)! I'm not sure I know what you mean by "launch options." Flyers meetings will be at 8:30 AM and cert. testing will also be in the morning. All this info will be up on the site, soon. Stay tunned:-).

Lloyd Wood BRS Secretary LDRS LD/RSO Level lll

and a map showing vendor locations

we want to know where the Jerry Dunking station is :)

- iz

You can't miss it. It's the easy up with the bulls eye on the roof.

Seriouly, it will be great to finally meet Jerry in person.

Phil

Phil Stein

Before last year's LDRS, there was some talk about generators having to be placed a ways from the RV. This didn't actually occur, as there wasn't even any designated area for camping at Kansas.

I wanted to be sure something like this wouldn't happen this year.

I'm not sure why there is a fee charged simply to park an RV, but it is still way cheaper and a lot more fun than a hotel.

Brian Elfert

So, we gonna do that Bruiser test? And did you say "adult entertainment"? ;-)

They should base the rule on manufacturer of the generator. My RV had an Onan in it and MAN, WAS IT LOUD. I MEAN REALLY LOUD!!!

And cheaper depends on how far you have to drive. Mine got 5mpg on a good day. A thousand mile trip will pay for a lot of nights in a hotel. That is the primary reason I am a former RV owner.

Kurt If we're going to do a "Bruiser Test" at the Adult Entertainment" spot, we're going to need a different kind of waiver:-). At the field would be better. I'm in........either way:-)!

Lloyd

Brian Because you are on private property at a time other than the time we are renting the field for. I would say that the owner of that property would have the right to set the conditions as to you being on that property.......wouldn't you:-). Of course..... you are free to try to find somewhere else to park an RV at, for the nights in question. Keep in mind though that this is the major Summer Holiday of the season and you are in a resort area. Most camp areas around here are booked a year in advance. Finally, in NY State "camping" is regulated and limited to certain areas. Legal camping on non regulated spots is limited to a VERY few days each year before a liscense is required. All proceeds from camping will go to the land owner, as we have always done. Really finally. I agree that camping out at a rocket launch, with other rocket guys IS lots of fun! We're trying to arrange an astronamy night for one of the nights on the field. We'll let everyone know if we do, do it:-). Lloyd Wood BRS Secretary LDRS LD/RSO Level lll

So to clarify, there is camping at LDRS?

I have an 18 month old Onan in my RV and it is quiet enough that I slept on the bed directly over the running generator one night during LDRS.

The Onan isn't as quiet as the Hondas, but it isn't a $400 Coleman either.

My RV is a travel trailer and the truck gets about 10MPG with diesel. Diesel is pretty much always less expensive than unleaded during the summer.

For three people to travel 2000 miles round trip to LDRS will cost at most $450 without launch fees. This doesn't factor in the cost of the RV of course, but I like staying on-site and having a cool place to rest. (The cool part was really important in Kansas.)

It would still cost $150 to drive out in a car, plus $160 per night for two hotel rooms for three or four nights.

Brian Elfert

The Onan in mine was fine, too, as long as you were inside the RV. But as Mr. T might say: "I pity the fool that has to sleep in a tent next to the RV".

If I get another rig it will definitely be a pull behind. Those class A rigs EAT money.

A friend set up his tent next to the RV and didn't have any problem with the generator. I warned him ahead of time. Somebody else pitched a tent next to us and knew we had the generator because it was running when they set up. The Onan I have is really not bad at all.

We actually only ran the generator one night at LDRS in Kansas. With the low humidity, it cooled off enough at night to turn off the A/C. It is amazing how cool 85 degrees feels after roasting at 113 degrees in the shade.

Brian Elfert

Newer model, perhaps? Mine was a `90, IIRC.

For an RV the killer is the fix costs. It might make more sense to rent one for a couple weeks for an event like LDRS or NARAM.

I actually considered downgrading from a minivan to a midsize car last time around, and just renting minivan for NARAMs. Obviously I decided onthe Odyssey instead, and haven't regretted it yet.

Bob Kaplow NAR # 18L TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD" >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD!

RV rentals are horrendously expensive if you need to go any distance or run the generator. For seven days in September for BALLS, the cost would be $750 just to rent the RV and not move it at all. The total trip cost would be right at $2,000 with the 4,000 miles of driving. Flying and renting an RV would probably be even expensive for four people.

Mileage is $.29 per mile and the generator is $3 per hour. We would have spent almost $300 on the generator alone at LDRS last summer.

I looked at rental and figured I could make the payments for my RV (trailer only, not truck) for a year with just one rental.

Last summer, I drove my RV 6,500 miles to three different rocket launches, and this summer will be about 7,000 miles. Mileage charges for this year alone would be over $2,000.

Brian Elfert

No kidding. I used to joke about renting mine to people. Of course, that silly thing used to eat money just sitting in the back yard. Everytime you went to use it seemed like something else was non- functional or malfunctioning. And it was a Holiday Rambler, not a "Fly By Night" RV.

Next rig I get will be something like those Pace trailers that have the ramp and storage area/workspace in the rear. Prices are reasonable and, being based on trailers that work for a living, I bet they are much more durable than their "civilian" counterparts. With room in the back for motorcycles and/or rockets, a generator (I will take a Honda, thank you ;-), a coffee maker and a comfy place for the family, it should be just the ticket.