Singlepower's Colorado Summer Meet - 7.26.08

[Wmcmanus]

I'm still a maybe. Not sure where I'll be toward the end of July. It won't be Alaska, that's for sure! Bummer. Will have to wait until next summer for that journey.

I'm in Idaho Falls at the moment, getting some repairs done on my motorhome. Got a little drowsy about a week ago near Reno in the Eastern Sierras and (although I didn't actually fall asleep) I drifted off the road a wee bit while trying to negotiate a sweeping curve along a steep downhill pass. Thankfully, I came out of it without a scratch, as did my Atom which was being trailered behind the motorhome. It was well strapped in, that's for sure!

It was a little bumpy there for a while. The trailer hitch snapped in two and one of the trailer's axles got bent pretty badly; it got lodged into the side of the soft dirt embankment. The motorhome continued its off road adventure and to my amazement, I was able to pull it back in without rolling it over. The rear right wheels were more than hip high along the embankment just beyond where I lost the trailer. One of the Nevada state troopers who was looking at the tracks said it was a physical impossibility that the motorhome didn't roll. My seatbelt and air ride seat were the only things the kept me from getting thrown out of the driver's compartment.

The bottom of the motorhome got a little banged up and I learned a couple of days later (sort of the hard way) that the valve on my black water tank (yes, that's the sewage tank) got forced open in the process (lots of sloshing around, I guess). When I went to flush my tanks, I opened the end cap on the drain pipe as I usually do (to put on the drain hose), but this time I was greeted with a mad rush of raw sewage! I managed to step out of the way just in time to let it flow, but it wasn't pretty.

That problem is now being fixed along with a host of others, so it looks like I'll be delayed about 2-3 weeks in total. It has been 1 week already just trying to get the adjuster to do his job. As a result, Alaska will have to wait, which means that I'm no longer concerned that I won't make it back in time for the meet. But on the other hand, I'm less sure than ever in terms of where I'll be in a month.

I may actually be in Colorado during the next couple of weeks while they're doing the repairs (and thus I won't be able to live in the motrohome during that time). I'm thinking about driving over in my Atom later this week. My brother lives in Loveland, and he's as near as anyone I know to Idaho Falls. For an out of towner, a week is more than enough in Idaho Falls (and I mean no offense to anyone who lives nearby, it's just that the local scene is very local here).

For a day or two, I was pretty bummed about having to cancel the Alaska leg, but now I'm just happy that I came out of it in one piece and was well insured. Took one of my new friends here in Idaho Falls over to see his wife in Jackson, Wyoming today. It's about 100 miles each way and was a great day trip in the Atom. Lots of twisty roads and beautiful mountain scenery along the way.

[Asr]

Whew, glad you're still in one piece Wayne! Those mountain roads are certainly tricky to navigate and not for the faint of heart, driving a motorhome must be scary doing that. Good to know you made it out ok though. How well does your Atom handle the twists & turns? That's gotta be a sweet experience to drive that through curves, mountains, & sunsets...

Take your time with those repairs & and your journey of course, and enjoy your roadtrip, sounds like a great time apart from those run-ins. Hope you don't have any more trouble on the road, and stay safe (and gas-ready) out there. Those long runs must be eating up tons of gas.

Don't worry about making the meet but if you can, we'll save you a spot.

[HeadphoneAddict]

Originally Posted by Wmcmanus

I'm still a maybe. Not sure where I'll be toward the end of July. It won't be Alaska, that's for sure! Bummer. Will have to wait until next summer for that journey.

I'm in Idaho Falls at the moment, getting some repairs done on my motorhome. Got a little drowsy about a week ago near Reno in the Eastern Sierras and (although I didn't actually fall asleep) I drifted off the road a wee bit while trying to negotiate a sweeping curve along a steep downhill pass. Thankfully, I came out of it without a scratch, as did my Atom which was being trailered behind the motorhome. It was well strapped in, that's for sure!

It was a little bumpy there for a while. The trailer hitch snapped in two and one of the trailer's axles got bent pretty badly; it got lodged into the side of the soft dirt embankment. The motorhome continued its off road adventure and to my amazement, I was able to pull it back in without rolling it over. The rear right wheels were more than hip high along the embankment just beyond where I lost the trailer. One of the Nevada state troopers who was looking at the tracks said it was a physical impossibility that the motorhome didn't roll. My seatbelt and air ride seat were the only things the kept me from getting thrown out of the driver's compartment.

The bottom of the motorhome got a little banged up and I learned a couple of days later (sort of the hard way) that the valve on my black water tank (yes, that's the sewage tank) got forced open in the process (lots of sloshing around, I guess). When I went to flush my tanks, I opened the end cap on the drain pipe as I usually do (to put on the drain hose), but this time I was greeted with a mad rush of raw sewage! I managed to step out of the way just in time to let it flow, but it wasn't pretty.

That problem is now being fixed along with a host of others, so it looks like I'll be delayed about 2-3 weeks in total. It has been 1 week already just trying to get the adjuster to do his job. As a result, Alaska will have to wait, which means that I'm no longer concerned that I won't make it back in time for the meet. But on the other hand, I'm less sure than ever in terms of where I'll be in a month.

I may actually be in Colorado during the next couple of weeks while they're doing the repairs (and thus I won't be able to live in the motrohome during that time). I'm thinking about driving over in my Atom later this week. My brother lives in Loveland, and he's as near as anyone I know to Idaho Falls. For an out of towner, a week is more than enough in Idaho Falls (and I mean no offense to anyone who lives nearby, it's just that the local scene is very local here).

For a day or two, I was pretty bummed about having to cancel the Alaska leg, but now I'm just happy that I came out of it in one piece and was well insured. Took one of my new friends here in Idaho Falls over to see his wife in Jackson, Wyoming today. It's about 100 miles each way and was a great day trip in the Atom. Lots of twisty roads and beautiful mountain scenery along the way.

You might want to skip Independance Pass...

[Sherwood]

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict

IMaybe someone would carpool with me, and help carry stuff and share in the gas, or something like that. Sherwood? Blutarsky?

I'll have to find out what my wife is up to that day re: the carpool. She might come up to Denver with me, steal my car and the fruits of my labor and wreak havoc. She might also stay home. Either way, you'll know as soon as I do.

I'm extremely excited to meet you all in person, and hear this excellent gear. I just got my tickets in from Turkey today, so I am 100% go for the meet. I'd be lying if I said this meet didn't somewhat influence the date I booked my tickets home for...

[Sherwood]

Wow, Wayne, I'm really glad to hear that you're alright, but sad to hear about your situation.

I hope that your change in plans and continuous uncertainty meanders you into CO in late July, though, because screw headphones, I want to see your atom

[Blutarsky]

Can't bring everything due to my disability, but with help I can bring as much as I can (or as much as I feel safe bringing). Maybe someone would carpool with me, and help carry stuff and share in the gas, or something like that. Sherwood? Blutarsky?

Larry, sure I think that will work - lets talk when I get back from DC...end of the week.

Wayne - yikes, sorry to hear about the accident but glad you pulled through. I hope your repairs go smoothly and that you are able to make it to the soiree!

[ujiko]

You can add me to the list. I'm pretty new to this hobby. I'm a recovering audiophile. But from the looks of everyone's equipment lists it appears that the head-fiers blackhole is just as efficient at sucking down your wallet and warping one's better financial judgement as the big stuff.

[Asr]

I just got off the phone with Mikhail and can confirm that space will not be a limitation, a location will be determined that will accommodate up to 50 people!

Mikhail also confirmed that all base amp models will be on display - PPX3, MPX3, Extreme, Extreme Platinum, Maestro, and ES-1. Also there will be the recently-demoed-at-CanJam Odyssey and Sonic amps, along with the new Harmony amp (mentioned in the Amps forum a while ago). I asked about the ES-2 and there may be a slight chance of one...

I'll be posting the address of the location next week for sure.

It sounds like Mikhail is going all-out for the Colorado contingent so please sign up, and come with donations if you can, this sounds like it'll be a great event!

[HeadphoneAddict]

Great - it will be nice to hear my HE60 and SR-Lambda Signature or SR-003 with the ES-1 or ES-2 (my HE60 are Stax terminated).

Is there anything I can do to help?

I was thinking of bringing something to raffle off, and donate the funds to Mikhail for his trouble. Haven't a clue what I can live without right now. Well, I do have a toslink optical cable NIB that I am not using, but I'd like to do more than that

[craiglester]

Well if anyone wants a lift from lakewood, I can help there. I only got a small car, so I can't carry more than a couple of people and gear. but the offer's there