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#323050 - 07/06/2009 01:16 Northern California- Grill & Campout Party August 15-16 2009
Robotic
pooh-bah

Registered: 06/04/2005
Posts: 2026
Loc: Seattle transplant
Hi all-

Just like last year, the ranch will be home to another summer campout.

I see that Rob is planning yet another fantastic international empeg event for August as well. I'm sorry that I won't be able to attend!

Without further ado, here's your invitation to my little outing-

IT'S ON!!
Saturday-Sunday August 15-16, 2009

The good news:
1. the road has been 'dozed this week, so it should be flat and wide with no rocks or shrubs to drive over. It'll be a bit dusty, though.
2. work is finished on the pergola-shade structure.

The bad news:
The Perseid Meteor Shower peaks mid-week (August 12-13) but on the weekend we'll have a slim crescent waning moon, so there might be a chance to see a bit of a star show in the skies at night.
Here's a nifty meteor rate estimator-
For the night of the 15th we should see a peak of about 16 meteors per hour (at 4am).
http://leonid.arc.nasa.gov/estimator.html


Let's grill it up! Everyone's invited!
We'll start grilling food around 6pm. Marshmallows and Smores around the campfire to follow!

New for 2009-
March's 'Plinking Day' of gun-fun was such a hit that I've decided to have some target shooting on Saturday. Bring some ammo and targets (no glass, please), your ear and eye protection, and your favorite shootin' iron! Minors at the range must be accompanied by a parent. My brother, an NRA rated instructor, will be Range Marshal for the day.

The date is settled: Saturday, August 15th
The gate will be open around 1pm. Just drive in!
People who want to visit just for Saturday's main event or can't overnight are certainly welcome to drop by for something to eat!

Where, you ask?
Why, at Stew's Happy Place Ranch!
The gate is located on the west side of Mines Road, about six miles from the Santa Clara County line (if you're headed south) and about 2 miles from the restaurant called 'The Junction' (if you're headed north). That's actually behind Mount Hamilton, which is east of San Jose.

The 'ranch' is over 100 acres of wild hills with fantastic views of the San Antonio Valley and Mount Hamilton. The only man-made things on it are a 3/4 mile long dirt road, a small redwood picnic deck with two picnic tables, and a 16ft. travel trailer. The pond will most likely be dried up, so no real 'plunge' option. The shooting range is down by the pond.

I'll bring up some 5gal. jugs of general purpose water.
I will bring up some chicken and corn on the cob. Please bring some food for yourself or to share. I can't ever get right how many people are coming- so be prepared.
I'll bring up the grills and charcoal.
The trailer has a functional bathroom for your convenience.
Scrambled eggs, corned beef hash, OJ and coffee are on the breakfast menu.

The country roads in any of three directions are FANTASTIC drives (be careful not to fall off the edge and 'go missing' or 'meet the wildlife').

Things to think about bringing:
camp chairs
football/frisbee/kites
dogs or kids
boots
telescope or binoculars
camping gear - if you're gonna rough it

Here's a rough map of the location (X marks the spot):

Access:
From the North: Livermore (Tesla Rd to Mines Rd) *easiest* (even from San Jose!)
From the East: Patterson (I-5 to Del Puerto Canyon Rd) Best option for So-Cal visitors!
From the South Bay: San Jose (I-680-Alum Rock exit to Hwy 130 aka Mt. Hamilton Rd) not recommended

Location (specific):
The gate on Mines Road is 6 miles from the Alameda/Santa Clara county line when headed south.
The gate is 2 miles from the restaurant known as 'The Junction' (at the junction of Mines Rd, Del Puerto Canyon Rd, and San Antonio Valley Rd) when headed north.
It is on the west side of Mines Rd half-way between the mile markers 21 and 22 (painted on roadway).

Easiest access is through Livermore- Mines Rd heading south (26 miles starting at base of Mines Rd from Tesla Rd). Approximate drive time on Mines Rd is slightly less than one hour. After the first 3.5 miles of Mines Road, be sure to turn left to stay on Mines road instead of going straight towards Del Valle Recreation Area.
Watch the mile markers increase as you leave Livermore. They get to '20' at the Santa Clara County line and then start backwards from about 28.


Other access:
California Central Valley- I5 exit Sperry Ave at Patterson, head west on Diablo Grande Parkway, then turn right onto Del Puerto Canyon Rd, then turning north (right) on Mines at the Junction (27 miles starting at I5).
San Jose- Hwy 132 (Mt Hamilton Rd) from Alum Rock up and over Mt. Hamilton, into San Antonio Valley, finally heading north on Mines Rd (40 miles starting at Alum Rock ~90minutes?).

The gate is a simple bent-tube farm gate, rusty-yellow/orange color. When headed south (as from Livermore) the gate is hidden by hillside until you have just reached it. Keep an eye on your odometer and drive slowly as you get nearer. One of the gateposts has a very small and hard to see sign that says "Brown".
GPS:
37º 24' 54.52"
121º 29' 55.66"

Once through the gate, the meeting area is about 3/4 mile up the dirt drive.
Be careful to stay on the road- there are a couple of tricky (especially in the dark) turns.

Be especially careful of the wildlife you might encounter while driving on the county roads! There is a good population of deer and occasionally you'll meet with some cows, too.
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#323112 - 09/06/2009 03:57 Re: Northern California- Grill & Campout Party August 15-16 2009 [Re: Robotic]
altman
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/05/1999
Posts: 3457
Loc: Palo Alto, CA
Cool! Sounds even more fun than last time and I want to see what the finished pergola looks like....

Hopefully we'll be in the country, still working out when the annual UK trip is gonna be this year. If we're within 5,000 miles of the happy place ranch, we'll be there smile

Hugo

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#323161 - 10/06/2009 14:27 Re: Northern California- Grill & Campout Party August 15-16 2009 [Re: altman]
Robotic
pooh-bah

Registered: 06/04/2005
Posts: 2026
Loc: Seattle transplant
I hope you guys can make it!
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#323162 - 10/06/2009 14:30 Re: Northern California- Grill & Campout Party August 15-16 2009 [Re: Robotic]
Robotic
pooh-bah

Registered: 06/04/2005
Posts: 2026
Loc: Seattle transplant
I should add re: the target shooting

The pond is very secluded. If you're enjoying the fun at the picnic area you won't hear the guns at all.

Also, a friend is considering doing some bow-and-arrow shooting. Could be interesting to see.
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#323515 - 19/06/2009 20:23 Re: Northern California- Grill & Campout Party August 15-16 2009 [Re: Robotic]
rbenech
journeyman

Registered: 08/08/2001
Posts: 51
Loc: CA, USA
I want to come! (Hi! I haven't been around here in a long while, last time I saw you was at some Japanese restaurant in Palo Alto) I'll have to confirm with my wife, but I think we'll both be able to make it...

I'll try to bring my Airsoft rifle (AK47) and Airsoft Desert Eagle pistol, nothing like a real gun but it's still fun to shoot at stuff!

Too bad about the meteor shower, sounds like your ranch would be ideal spot away from all the light pollution.
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#323529 - 21/06/2009 04:07 Re: Northern California- Grill & Campout Party August 15-16 2009 [Re: rbenech]
Robotic
pooh-bah

Registered: 06/04/2005
Posts: 2026
Loc: Seattle transplant
Wow! Long time, no see!
Great to hear from you. I hope you can make it!
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#323602 - 23/06/2009 01:12 Re: Northern California- Grill & Campout Party August 15-16 2009 [Re: Robotic]
Robotic
pooh-bah

Registered: 06/04/2005
Posts: 2026
Loc: Seattle transplant
I can no longer edit the first post, but I'd like to add that I've been alerted to a discrepancy in my GPS numbers-
Doug says:
Quote:
I get them as being 37 24 54.27 by 121 29 55.90. Or, in terms that Google Maps likes, 37.41518 by -121.49853.

Furthermore, my very simple Garmin won't do anything but addresses... so the nearest address I could figure for the gate location is:
51515 Mines Road Livermore, CA 94550
(it's actually in a different county than Livermore, but that's what my GPS told me, so maybe it'll help someone)
I can't guarantee the address will work for other methods of navigation than a Garmin. It should be close, though.

edit:
Google Maps says the address is 49400, so go figure.
Here's a Google maps link.


Edited by Robotic (23/06/2009 01:33)
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#324958 - 07/08/2009 14:03 Re: Northern California- Grill & Campout Party August 15-16 2009 [Re: Robotic]
Robotic
pooh-bah

Registered: 06/04/2005
Posts: 2026
Loc: Seattle transplant
One week to go!
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#325095 - 13/08/2009 17:22 Re: Northern California- Grill & Campout Party August 15-16 2009 [Re: Robotic]
Robotic
pooh-bah

Registered: 06/04/2005
Posts: 2026
Loc: Seattle transplant
I'd like to clarify that this get-together is my annual summer event for family and friends. The 'empeg realm' is invited (because you're all so cool) but this is by no means an 'empeg meet'. The conversations are guaranteed to be wide ranging.
Talk tech all you like, but the group will be very diverse.

Come on up, shoot a gun, fly a kite, play with kids, or do whatever you like!

Oh BTW- cell coverage has increased over the last couple years, too. I think they installed a repeater on Mt. Hamilton or something.
I get a good signal on my Verizon phone.
(925) se7en-ei8ht-4our 9073
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#336058 - 12/08/2010 19:12 Northern California- Grill & Campout Party August 14-15 2010 [Re: Robotic]
Robotic
pooh-bah

Registered: 06/04/2005
Posts: 2026
Loc: Seattle transplant
Hooo-kay now...

Sorry for the short notice, but anyone in the area who's bored stiff and wants to have some fun this weekend is welcome to come up for this year's ranch party.
More info at my car club forum-
http://www.teamsolcal.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=16638

Same details as previous years apply. Everyone is welcome!
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#336075 - 13/08/2010 03:11 Re: Northern California- Grill & Campout Party August 14-15 2010 [Re: Robotic]
RobotCaleb
pooh-bah

Registered: 15/01/2002
Posts: 1866
Loc: Austin
Man, I would love to. It's a bit far, though. smirk

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#336076 - 13/08/2010 04:09 Re: Northern California- Grill & Campout Party August 14-15 2010 [Re: RobotCaleb]
Robotic
pooh-bah

Registered: 06/04/2005
Posts: 2026
Loc: Seattle transplant
Originally Posted By: RobotCaleb
Man, I would love to. It's a bit far, though. smirk
Austin would be quite a haul. wink

Don't worry- next year the Perseids will peak on the weekend! I'm sure you can be ready for the journey by then. lol
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#336170 - 16/08/2010 12:25 Re: Northern California- Grill & Campout Party August 14-15 2010 [Re: Robotic]
Robotic
pooh-bah

Registered: 06/04/2005
Posts: 2026
Loc: Seattle transplant
Once again, my friend Dan shares his pics of the weekend-
http://rock-climbing.kicks-ass.net/Other/2010-08-14_Strews_ranch/

Great weather this year. Very mild.
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#336293 - 20/08/2010 20:34 Re: Northern California- Grill & Campout Party August 14-15 2010 [Re: Robotic]
altman
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/05/1999
Posts: 3457
Loc: Palo Alto, CA
This will, once more, tell me that I ought to be reading more than just the off-topic forum frown

Sorry we missed it, looks like it was fun!

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#336296 - 20/08/2010 22:06 Re: Northern California- Grill & Campout Party August 14-15 2010 [Re: altman]
Robotic
pooh-bah

Registered: 06/04/2005
Posts: 2026
Loc: Seattle transplant
Originally Posted By: altman
This will, once more, tell me that I ought to be reading more than just the off-topic forum frown

Sorry we missed it, looks like it was fun!

It was a good time.

Next year I'll post it in the Off Topic area. Then you'll have no excuse. wink

(I'll also give a few more weeks heads up. )
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