The Biggest Little 5er Fest, Reno, NV - September 10-12, 2021 - FINAL STRETCH!

[Kenny Blankenship]

Dammit Johnny, what do I have to do to get you here? Tell me what I have to tell Stacy. She can hang out with Pam while we sausage fest the day away!

I still have my crutches from knee surgery if you need them.

[travisj]

Went back to bite the bullet and book a $150/nt room at that Western Casino, and none available now. Anyone staying at a different hotel?

There appears to be a room at the Super 8 and Victorian Inn. Of the two, I would prefer the Super 8 because despite the gentrification there still is riff-raff wondering around downtown Sparks (however if the hotels are full you will have good company though...). If you want to stay around Reno there is the Sure Stay near the airport at $169 per day. I have stayed there and it wasn't bad. For a few bucks more you can stay at the nice new hotels at the Sparks Marina.

If you're willing to drive a bit there is a NEW Studio 6 at the Reno/Tahoe Industrial Center on USA Parkway. It's 18 miles from Sparks but it's all freeway and no traffic. A little desolate at night and not many conveniences (get stuff in Sparks if you need it). It appears they may have a special going on right now for $100 a night if you register on the Studio 6 website directly. I think there's a brothel on the way there too... This may be the way to go...maybe you can sneak a peek at the Tesla Gigafactory while you stay there.

Thanks for the suggestions, but I was able to book a room through the actual Western Casino site. $378 for the two nights

[Karl Grau]

I think I have to buy new tires before the trip. The current set have plenty of tread but they're now going on 7 years old. It's a long drive in the hottest time of the year so I have to ask myself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?”, "Well, do you, punk?'”

[wkohler]

I don’t think 7 years is a problem especially on tires that have been inside. I’ve driven a lot further on older!

[kojo96]

I think I have to buy new tires before the trip. The current set have plenty of tread but they're now going on 7 years old. It's a long drive in the hottest time of the year so I have to ask myself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?”, "Well, do you, punk?'”

That's middle age in tire years.

[Kenny Blankenship]

I think I have to buy new tires before the trip. The current set have plenty of tread but they're now going on 7 years old. It's a long drive in the hottest time of the year so I have to ask myself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?”, "Well, do you, punk?'”

As long as there is no cracking on the sidewall you should be fine. Take a test drive along PCH...

The hottest part of the year has already passed here (theoretically). The daily average will be a few degrees cooler at the time of the event. We will already be seeing the first sub-90 degree temp of summer on Wednesday (the historical average is 93 right now).

[Kenny Blankenship]

We are down to the last couple of weeks. If you plan to attend and not yet registered, please do so. I need an accurate count for reservations and lunch!

I have ordered the shirts and will have a limited number of extras. If you have not ordered, please place your order so I can make sure I am not short. I'm lucky I have an accommodating printer who can make extra shirts if necessary, but I prefer not to test his generosity.

It will be great to see everyone again!!!

[Mike W.]

OK, finally registered.

Question however, my long suffering wife Edie will be along, and I'm guessing a few spouses will also be. Any plans, options, suggestions etc for them during the Show and Shine on Saturday? Actually the events aren't as bad for her as the Friday/Saturday parties in Sandy Eggo where she feels like a fish out of water.

Also, I'm seeing dates, but no times. Early, like the crack of noon on Saturday, or even earlier?

[wkohler]

Eric has been working on the itinerary as some of the times are dependent on availability and they tend to affect other times. That should be available soon.

[Mike W.]

Lodging. I just booked Reno Suites, $340 out the door for 3 nights. Used to be Harrah's Reno FWIW.

[travisj]

I know it's still week or so away, but what's the smoke forecast look like?

[vinceg101]

I know it's still week or so away, but what's the smoke forecast look like?

Well, considering they just evacuated South Lake Tahoe Sunday and yesterday, probably not any better. The Caldor fire is cranking away and the winds are up I think through tomorrow so it's making a significant push eastward along with all the smoke and ash.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7801/

Meanwhile, the Dixie fire is still raging away to the north and west of Reno: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7690/

This was an interesting map for air quality (zoom into Reno and Lake Tahoe area): https://fire.airnow.gov/

[travisj]

I heard about the issues in South Lake Tahoe on NPR this morning. It's bad enough here in Colorado, but that area seems like a hot spot. At least we are supposed to get some rain in the next couple days that should help clear out some of the smoke. No such luck out there. Hopefully some of it gets cleared in the next week!

I am really looking forward to getting out of the office for a few days either way.

[Kenny Blankenship]

I know it's still week or so away, but what's the smoke forecast look like?

It's highly dependent upon wind conditions. Generally, in the morning it's smoky, but the last two days the afternoon (25 mph) winds came out of the west and blew the smoke away. It was very clear in the afternoons! But pyrocumulus clouds in the north and south... A repeat performance tomorrow.

The Caldor fire affects us more than the Dixie fire at his point. If we get lucky and the wind comes from the north or northeast that weekend it will be clear. If it's from the southwest it will be very smoky.

This has affected plans for the drive. I initially had a route up Mt. Rose Highway to Incline Village then to Truckee and then to Verdi. Looks like it may not happen. I have an alternate route going north and then west and back south towards Truckee then Verdi, but not sure we can do that either due to the Dixie fire. I do have a third choice right now, but was originally holding that for Sunday morning...

In any event, Reno/Sparks will not be affected other than the less than ideal air quality...

OK, finally registered.

Question however, my long suffering wife Edie will be along, and I'm guessing a few spouses will also be. Any plans, options, suggestions etc for them during the Show and Shine on Saturday? Actually the events aren't as bad for her as the Friday/Saturday parties in Sandy Eggo where she feels like a fish out of water.

Also, I'm seeing dates, but no times. Early, like the crack of noon on Saturday, or even earlier?

Edie can hang with Pam at our house if she wants on Saturday. Maybe a tour of Reno even...the balloon race is that weekend.

As far as the schedule, I can give you a skeletal version (you will receive the final version via email):

Eat at a restaurant - Friday night 5:45 - 8pm.

Saturday Show and Shine - 9pm - 2pm.

Saturday Drive - 2:30pm - 5pm.

Saturday Dinner - 5pm -7:30pm

Sunday Drive and Brunch - 9am - noon (tentative).

[tig]

I am back in.

I will be driving Minerva down.

I have no idea where I am staying but Reno's big, right?

Fuck yeah!

[Kenny Blankenship]

I am back in.

I will be driving Minerva down.

I have no idea where I am staying but Reno's big, right?

Fuck yeah!

Well, big enough...the Reno Air Balloon race is that weekend so supply is tight.

[Mike W.]

I am back in.

I will be driving Minerva down.

I have no idea where I am staying but Reno's big, right?

Fuck yeah!

Well, big enough...the Reno Air Balloon race is that weekend so supply is tight.

There's rooms, but not everywhere and not a lot of bargains, though I think I did score one. Spent half the day looking yesterday as I really didn't want to pay a $34 a night "resort" fee. That pissed me off much more than the overall price.

[Kenny Blankenship]

There's rooms, but not everywhere and not a lot of bargains, though I think I did score one. Spent half the day looking yesterday as I really didn't want to pay a $34 a night "resort" fee. That pissed me off much more than the overall price.

Oh wow, that didn't show up on Expedia. Downtown Reno where the casinos are isn't what it used to be so there's some riff-raff around but since your closer to the river it's not so bad. Cross the river down Virginia, Center and Wells Streets and that's where the gentrification is taking place.

[Mike W.]

There's rooms, but not everywhere and not a lot of bargains, though I think I did score one. Spent half the day looking yesterday as I really didn't want to pay a $34 a night "resort" fee. That pissed me off much more than the overall price.

Oh wow, that didn't show up on Expedia. Downtown Reno where the casinos are isn't what it used to be so there's some riff-raff around but since your closer to the river it's not so bad. Cross the river down Virginia, Center and Wells Streets and that's where the gentrification is taking place.

Actually it was Expedia who I booked it thru. But it didn't show at first, I forget what kind of sort I did to find it, like I said I had hours in on it.

Yeah, I'm a bit out of date, I don't think we have stayed there since 5er Fest '08, but I lived in South Lake Tahoe for 3 years long ago so I'm somewhat familiar with it. It is stunning the way downtown Reno has collapsed with the advent of the Indian Casinos.

[Kenny Blankenship]

There's rooms, but not everywhere and not a lot of bargains, though I think I did score one. Spent half the day looking yesterday as I really didn't want to pay a $34 a night "resort" fee. That pissed me off much more than the overall price.

Oh wow, that didn't show up on Expedia. Downtown Reno where the casinos are isn't what it used to be so there's some riff-raff around but since your closer to the river it's not so bad. Cross the river down Virginia, Center and Wells Streets and that's where the gentrification is taking place.

Actually it was Expedia who I booked it thru. But it didn't show at first, I forget what kind of sort I did to find it, like I said I had hours in on it.

Yeah, I'm a bit out of date, I don't think we have stayed there since 5er Fest '08, but I lived in South Lake Tahoe for 3 years long ago so I'm somewhat familiar with it. It is stunning the way downtown Reno has collapsed with the advent of the Indian Casinos.

It was a combination of things, I think. The Indian casinos are one, but the recession after 2007 did them in. The three large casinos outside of downtown (GSW, Peppermill, Atlantis) are doing OK now as well as some of the locals including Western Village. The Gigafactory (among many tech companies), California retirees and some who were priced out of Portland (eek!) have revived Reno over the past 8-10 years. There are some pretty big events held which attract the tourists. Real estate prices have more than doubled during that time.

[Kenny Blankenship]

Had a nice meeting with the head Park Ranger today to walk through the site. It will be a nice event!

1. They will mark off the parking lot to allow us to park together in front of the pavilion. Even the handicapped spaces. There are more handicapped spaces a little further down so we can use the spaces closest to us.

2. Alcoholic beverages will be allowed. However, please note that there will be a drive after the event and the organizers WILL NOT be responsible for any tickets, accidents, or DUI. Please drink responsibly.

3. We will have two electrical outlets available to us. What we'd want to use it for I don't know. But they're there.

4. Trash cans and trash bags will be available to us. We are responsible taking the non-recyclable trash to the dumpster nearby. We need to keep the place clean after the event. I want my deposit back...

5. If anybody could bring a little megaphone that I could borrow, that would be great!

6. A park ranger will be on duty...

[vinceg101]

6. A park ranger will be on duty...

Uh-oh, where's Yar?

[Karl Grau]

Uh-oh, where's Yar?

Where's Ronbo?

[Nebraska_e28]

How many registered for the event?

[wkohler]

We've got about 30 cars registered so far. Registration closes on Sunday but if you're considering it, no better time than the present to register!

[Kenny Blankenship]

6. A park ranger will be on duty...

Uh-oh, where's Yar?

Hmmmm...good question...

[johnnye23]

Will be driving our 94 slicktop Touring up for the event with a For Sale on it . S52 , 5 speed . Been a great car but it's not being driven much anymore .

[Mike W.]

This is good. It's making me do a lot of deferred maintenance on it. Stuff I was intending to do before St Paddy's day, 2020. Parts I've had sitting in a box since then. Dead pixels so I don't know how many miles on this oil change, but it's only down half a quart so it can't be too long. Somehow I lost interest not being able to go anywhere or do anything. But we're back! Ok, sort of, but a damn lot better than a year ago. Thanks Eric!

[travisj]

Anyone interested in these parts linked below? I would rather drive them to Reno than pack up for shipping for an ebay sale.

E23 rear deck with shade
https://www.ebay.com/itm/224190589312

E28 rear deck
https://www.ebay.com/itm/224190576169

528e hood liner insulation
https://denver.craigslist.org/pts/d/arv ... 76197.html

[Echo]

Hey All,

A few of us locals just realized this is happening. Though we haven't registered (too late obviously) what time is the event going on Saturday?