Hey there desert flyers,

The FIRST ANNUAL Bacon Strip Ranch Fly-In and Camp Out is scheduled for May 23-24 - Memorial Day weekend. This is the first official BSR Spring Fly-In and is expected to become an annual event. (The October Fly-In and Camp-Out has been going on for eight years and will once again take place this year on the second weekend in October).
The landing strip is on a smooth dry lake and is in excellent condition with no rocks. The surrounding area offers lots of back country flying opportunities plus some cool points of interest such as Afton Canyon and the Kelso Dunes. Check out the BSR facebook page for more info. (You need not be a facebook member to access it). If anyone has any questions, feel free to e-mail me at [email protected].

Charlie R.
CBSEC

I am already looking forward to it, Charlie!

OK, remind me where the BSR is...

The Facebook page just mentions Crucero, CA, but that doesn't show up on Google Maps. The URL listed on the Facebook page is a dead end. It's like the flip side of hotel California - you can come to the party, but we won't tell you where it is. There is a Crucero Rd just east of Barstow. When I searched for "Bacon Strip Ranch", I got a bunch of ads for Denny's.

Flyhound....its about halfway between Barstow and Vegas. Near Highway 40

HEC VOR 36* radial 21sm was just there yesterday, couldn't have asked for a nicer day in the desert

Thank you MTNWEST for posting the photo of the famous Bacon Strip sign with GPS coordinates. Those will definitely get you there. (BTW There's a new sign now with the phrase "Fly Safe - Have Fun" which is a refreshing statement in this day and age).
If I'm solo I sometimes fly to Ludlow first (a gas and food stop right off the 40 freeway), then follow Crucero Road north (dirt) across Broadwell Dry lake. The Bacon Strip Ranch is about 18 miles north of Ludlow and about a half mile east of Crucero Rd. You can't miss it as the 625 sq. ft. metal shade shelter is easy to spot from the air. The strip runs basically east - west with a mild dogleg in the middle. There is about 2000' before the dogleg and at least 1500' after the dogleg and you could easily roll through the dogleg at 40 MPH so length is hardly a problem. You can also land just about anywhere else on the lake if you feel like it.

Also note that Ludlow has a hard surface landing strip. It's a bit gravelly but fine the last time I checked. Airnav says you need permission to land but I think a phone call will do it. Ludlow is a privately owned town and has a decent Podunk restaurant (The Ludlow café), a mini mart, but does NOT sell alcohol (or dirty magazines). So you can stock up on ice but not beer! Now you know...

One last thing - The new "Johnny B's" bar was unveiled at the October Fly-In and was quite a hit. I'm not sure if it was the dual tiki torches, the colored LED's or the pink flamingos but everyone sure seemed to congregate around it.

Charlie R.
Chief Bacon Strip Events Coordinator
(and bar builder)

Charlie wrote: "Fly Safe - Have Fun"

... "Your choice"

(Jus' kiddin')

Glidergeek wrote:HEC VOR 36* radial 21sm was just there yesterday, couldn't have asked for a nicer day in the desert

Just missed you!

I landed around 3:30 yesterday and left this morning. Absolutely perfect weather.



At the megaphone.

Hey Desert Flyers,

The First Annual Bacon Strip Spring Fling Fly-In (and Camp-Out) is just two weeks away! For eight years the October (2nd weekend) event has been a raging success and we hope the same for the new Spring Fling Fly-In.

In addition to the second public showing of the now famous "Johnny B's" Bar, we hope to have a new, Big Boy windsock up and functional. This will, of course, require a mandatory 'Christening of the New Sock" ceremony. But not just any wind sock - This will be the world's only wind sock with stainless steel / ceramic hybrid ball bearings in the pivot assembly! Yes, you heard it here first.
Come and check it out, and get your free laser etched commemorative dog tag to prove you were there.

The BSR offers a quiet, serene desert experience and primitive camping, but with a twist. There are numerous charcoal barbecues to use, an outhouse, a shooting range, several fire rings, and of course the 'gem' of the Ranch, the 600 sq ft shade shelter with wood floor, tables and chairs. Park and camp as a group, or feel free to park away and do your own thing. The BSR promotes the concept of "EFG" (everybody feel good!).
Questions/ E-mail me at cbr@tfb or call me at 760-822-7207.
Charlie R.
Chief Bacon Strip Events Coordinator
Fallbrook, CA

Hi Charlie and John. I have a Memorial Day tradition here to attend. I hope to see you guys in October.

Cheers...Rob

The weather for the Bacon Strip Ranch looks good for both Saturday and Sunday! Unfortunately the forecast for my home base (L18 Fallbrook) looks bad for Friday so I'll (reluctantly) be driving in (18 miles of dirt one way but who's counting?).

I have privy information that a AN-2 biplane will be flying in on Saturday. (That be a 1000 HP radial powered Russian biplane!) Should be fun to check it out. It's staying overnight so if you come out Saturday there's no chance you'll miss it.

A fireworks show is planned for Saturday night plus the usual high desert festivities. Hope to see some BCP's out there!

Charlie R

Y'all have a great time!

Charlie wrote: Thank you MTNWEST for posting the photo of the famous Bacon Strip sign with GPS coordinates. Those will definitely get you there. ....

Pic didn't open for me, but here's an off-topic question:
How many of you use the old degrees/minutes/seconds lat long designations, vs the newer "geocode" decimal coordinates?
48-03-13N x 122-48-38W
vs
48.054 x 122.810
Personally I find the geocode easier to deal with, and have my GPS set up to display current position using it.

Flew over Bacon Strip descending into LAX Friday night. There was a pretty solid undercast, but as we approached Hector a hole appeared to our right and I and could see the campfire and one single firework blast just before it went out of view. This was 9-9:05 pm Friday. I was packed and ready to head out Saturday, but the 30kt gusts forecast at DAG Sat night had me spooked, so I scrubbed.

Bummer - I had a blast there at last years flyin.

really wanted to go to this one. but we've been IFR all weekend... been raining all day today and most of saturday