Ronald McDonald Invades Area 51!

[rodster]

This shot was taken on October 2, 2005, which was day three of a Hummer Happening to benefit the Las Vegas Ronald McDonald House. Location: Dry lake bed near Rachel, NV, the gateway to Area 51 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_51), where, incidentally, the use of deadly force is authorized to keep out trespassers. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

http://hxpics.us/images/rmh05/EF9.jpg

I did not take this unauthorized picture.

[rodster]

This shot was taken on October 2, 2005, which was day three of a Hummer Happening to benefit the Las Vegas Ronald McDonald House. Location: Dry lake bed near Rachel, NV, the gateway to Area 51 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_51), where, incidentally, the use of deadly force is authorized to keep out trespassers. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

http://hxpics.us/images/rmh05/EF9.jpg

I did not take this unauthorized picture.

[HGW]

Nice photos!

[DRTYFN]

Nice, but that entry is only about 75 miles from the actual base. I bet security was watching you guys like hawks.

[rodster]

Let's not tell the few dozen people in Rachel that their self-proclaimed gateway is that far away. Aliens and spooks are all they have! http://www.littlealeinn.com/

The lake bed was loads of fun with dunes on the perimeter to play on and we even found a few patches of water and mud. Way fun!

[VTSTOMPER]

That looks like a good time! Here I have a problem with narrow trails...not too much of an issue there i see! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by VTSTOMPER:
That looks like a good time! Here I have a problem with narrow trails...not too much of an issue there i see! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Definitely no problem with narrow trails that day. The two days before were a different story. There's plenty of pinstripes under that mud and puke! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

http://hxpics.us/images/puke.jpg

[VTSTOMPER]

you let some random person barf on your truck?

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by VTSTOMPER:
you let some random person barf on your truck? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

LOL! No, not a random person -- oldest daughter.

She's been known to get motion sickness so to be safe, we packed a small trash can with liner between the daughters in the back seat.

The oldest barfed and I stopped and tied the liner closed. We couldn't leave it in the desert and the wife wouldn't allow it to remain in the truck so the bag got plopped on the bed rack.

Somewhere down the trail the bag caught a sharp corner on the rack and leaked puke through the rack screen, on the cover and down the side. It was all pretty comical and the kid felt lots better after barfing. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[VTSTOMPER]

LOL! That used to happen to me when I was younger!

.....and I am sure to have some barf on my truck, or in my truck soon!! Almost 1 month away for daddyhood.

[VTSTOMPER]

Hey team leader...what that a strobe light bar on the roof of your truck?

[rodster]

Somebody's been surfing! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

It's an amber LED strobe with magnetic mount and cig lighter power/switch.

I was the caboose (more like trail follower than leader http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif ) on the run and had to make frequent stops to pick up flags (and one stop to help a few get unstuck). The trail dust in the desert is pretty heavy and in the event someone not from our gruop is coming from behind, it keeps me (and more importantly, the family) from getting rear-ended. It also provides a visual point of reference for the trucks in front.

[rodster]

I tell ya, if you ever want to know how to organize a long distance, trail type event, the guys here that welcomed us into their group are the guys to learn from.

Every route is pre-run and timed multiple times. By the time the full group hits the trail, three days of driving has been GPS mapped, obstacles are known and turns are flagged (blue = go; red = no go). Rooms are booked, meals are catered, evening entertainment is scheduled, the works. It's as first class as you can get with a bunch of diry offroaders in a rural desert town.

Part of the event organization includes every truck having a stick-on window number and yes, the advance team gets the leader designation. All trucks have radios and all communication between them (including roll call since it's not too difficult to lose someone) references the truck number.

[usetosellhummer]

Man that looks like hellafun,

[VTSTOMPER]

Nice rodster! Yeah I have been surfin' a little bit! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Sounds like a blast! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Albie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">rodster </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
DUde, where in the Hell was my invite..........
Anything that includes(Vegas, hot women, FOOD, Making money, Hummers) I should be getting acall.......Don't let it happen again....Damn turing into my old boss......LOL

[VTSTOMPER]

You know - looking at those signs...they really are not sure what is going on. One sign said this, and the other said that on fines and jail time. Also there is a sign for tall people and one for short people. No wonder people are not suppose to take pics of that...it makes them look dumb.

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Albie:
DUde, where in the Hell was my invite..........
Anything that includes(Vegas, hot women, FOOD, Making money, Hummers) I should be getting acall.......Don't let it happen again....Damn turing into my old boss......LOL </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You must have been sleeping the day it was posted in the events forum! PM me your contact info, Albie, and I'll let you know about future events.

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by VTSTOMPER:
You know - looking at those signs...they really are not sure what is going on. One sign said this, and the other said that on fines and jail time. Also there is a sign for tall people and one for short people. No wonder people are not suppose to take pics of that...it makes them look dumb. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The signs are kinda confusing, eh?

Regardless of what jail or fine penalties they may threaten, the best is found in the top left sign at the bottom (I circled it in red):

Use of dealy force authorized.

The perimeter of Area 51 is patrolled by civilian contractor types that the locals call "camo dudes". They don't really wear camo but they do have an amazing abililty to know when someone is near their place. Some say they have vibration sensors and when those sensors detect activity, the camo dudes show up in either a Jeep Cherokee or if you're lucky (?) a HumVee.

[H3OwnerDiz]

Which H2 was Ronald McDonald driving?? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3OwnerDiz:
Which H2 was Ronald McDonald driving?? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Unfortunately, we lost Ron. He was with us until we got to the Little A'Le'Inn. He self parked then POOF! he was gone. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

[rodster]

Did I mention it was a b-i-i-i-i-g dry lake? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[HummerNewbie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rodster:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3OwnerDiz:
Which H2 was Ronald McDonald driving?? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Unfortunately, we lost Ron. He was with us until we got to the Little A'Le'Inn. He self parked then POOF! he was gone. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Actually, he was sitting back relaxing in the parking lot http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[rodster]

If you ever decide to edit or delete that post, HummerNewbie, I don't think anyone would mind. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Up to you and I'm all for a good laugh, but it just doesn't seem right to go there with a hardworking and valuable nonprofit (at least in this context) brand.

[HummerNewbie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rodster:
...go there with a hardworking and valuable nonprofit (at least in this context) brand. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

By no means was I trying to knock the great work they are doing and didn't see the pic that way in this thread. I do appreciate the input that it could come across that way so as you mentioned, I will edit the post/pic http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[rodster]

Thanks for being a good sport. Nice edit! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[HummerNewbie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rodster:
Thanks for being a good sport. Nice edit! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for pointing it out. Ronald will probably reappear someday in his original form but he is happy just relaxing out in front of the restaurant for now http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif