Glamis, CA. is about a 12 hour drive from San Jose, CA. It is located on the Mexican border. Now this place was awesome!! The best time to visit Glamis is in the winter  months.  This is only due to the fact that it is located in the desert. In the winter months it is usually in the 70's and 80's. 

If you really like action, plan your trip for either Thanksgiving or New Year’s. Get there early because all camping is on a first come, first serve basis, and on these two weekends there will be about 100,000 people there. Glamis is managed by BLM (Bureau of Land Management), so please check its web page for camping fee; http://www.GlamisOnLine.org/fees.htm.   Please note that there are very limited facilities there. 

How big is a Sand Dune? 
Up to 200,000 acres.
 
 

Oldsmobile Hill

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Fun to watch!

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The Infamous Competition Hill

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Where will we stay? 
Our first choice is Gecko campground.  If we arrive earlier than Nov. 19,  there will be plenty of space for travel trailers, 5th wheels or motor homes.   If we arrive only one day before Thanksgiving, it will be VERY difficult to find a space to park. 

How will we find you? 
We usually put up a sign (usually a round paper plate) outside of the Glamis Beach Store.  Look for a sign that says "Deaf" – it will give you the direction where we are staying. 

Are there restrooms near by?
Some campgrounds have restrooms, but no flushing toilets, and they smell terrible. 

Where can we find water to refill our tank?
Brawley is the nearest town (26 miles from Glamis) where we can refill the water. 

Where are the nearest grocery stores? 
In Brawley, there are good grocery stores, gas stations, a bank, and many restaurants.

How many stores does Glamis have? 
Glamis has only two stores.  One is market and the other is car shop.  The Glamis Beach Store looks like a 7-11 (convenience) store, and doesn’t sell much except beer and ice cream. 
 

How do I take a shower if there’s not enough water? 
You can take a shower for $5.00 at Glamis.   I don't shower, but I do wash my hair once in a while.  You can use baby wipes to clean up the body.  Actually, it’s kind of fun to “rough it” in the real world.

Do you cook meals every day or eat out (dinner, lunch)? 
We usually cook everyday, but sometimes we eat at exhibits nearby Glamis Beach Store.  One day we will drive to Buttercup (30 miles one way) and while we’re there, we will eat and drink beer. 

What about turkey cooking (buried) in sand? 
How to prepare it? 
how many Lbs?
Yes, we will cook turkey, Ham or beef under the ground.   Meat will be wrapped by foil and put inside of the burlap then put the chain or wire around the burlap and put it the underground. 
 

We need to shovel down 3 feet deep one day before Thanksgiving day.  On Thanksgiving, we will start to fire woods for an hour in the morning.  People will plant the food on wood and bury them for 8 hours.   We will take our trip off all day and be back to prepare side food to share.   No meat to share. 

Suggest to have 8 lbs turkey for two people and can use them next day for sandwich.

Will we be cooking (buried) turkey in sand?  How is it prepared?   How many pounds should it be? 
Yes, we will cook turkey, ham or beef underground.   The meat will be wrapped in foil, put inside burlap, then tie the burlap closed and put it the ground.

Begin by digging a hole about 3 feet deep the day before Thanksgiving.  The next morning, when you’re ready to start cooking, you’ll put a layer of rocks in the bottom of the hole.  Next you’ll start a fire with firewood.  Before putting the meat on top, make sure you have hot glowing embers.  Then you put the wrapped meat & veggies if you want (carrots, potatoes, etc.) – make sure they are wrapped too.  Finally, you’ll cover the meat with approximately 6 inches of soil.  You can start a fire on the top also & cook it from the top and bottom, but only if someone will be around to keep an eye on it.  It just depends on how you want to do it.  The meat will be buried for 8 hours.   We will take our trip off all day and when we come back, we’ll prepare side dishes (salad, veggies, etc.) to share.   The meat is not shared, only the side food. 

An 8-pound turkey is sufficient for two people, and you can use the leftovers for sandwiches the next day. 

What should I bring? 

• beach chairs 
• small tables (they don't provide any tables) 
• sun lotion 
• flash lights 
• floodlights for chatting or seeing better at night 
• caps/hats
• sunglasses 
• 20 gallons of water 
• 10 gallons of gas 
• charcoal
• toilet paper
• pot for washing the dishes 
• warm clothes 
• helmets 
• goggles 
• mouth & nose masks for dust 
• plenty of food
• Please bring firewood (oak, maple or other wood – make sure it doesn’t have paint on it & you can use it for cooking too).  You may bring other wood such as plywood for a bonfire. 

Please don't expect to borrow other people’s vehicles, ATV, etc. – not even cookware, food, or water.  You are responsible for everything that you’ll need, so remember to bring your own stuff. 

How will the weather be?
It should be very nice, about 80 degrees.  It’s rare, but sometimes there are short showers.  There could also be a sandstorm.  If so, we will not ride but will wait for the sandstorm to stop.  During the evening, it will probably be cool and you will need to wear warm clothes.

Is there any “night life”?
Sure, we can ride ATV at night – it’s beautiful to see all the colorful neon lights on the ATVs, Sandrails, and Jeeps.   Some of us will use a light pole to brighten up our campground for chatting. 

How many deaf do we expect to show up? 
It could be up to 40 people, maybe more.   But it’s no comparison to the number of  hearing people that will be there.  There will be over 100,000 people at the camp.  Everyone likes to show off their chrome, hot powerful engines, and nice designs. 

Are there any rental ATVs? 
There’s no guarantee – in the past, sometimes there were some rentals & other times there were none.. 

What kind of exhibit booths will be there? 
There will be booths to sell parts, paddle tires, whip flags, souvenir shirts, ice cream, drinks, and food (spare ribs, hot dogs, hamburgers and more).  There is also welding available, if you need it. 

What is this deaf event called? 
It’s unofficial, but right now it’s called the World Deaf Sandfest during Thanksgiving week.

Are there any pictures of the deaf group? 
Yes, you can see them if you click http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/pitcairn/248/orv/nca/nov1990.html 

What are the DUNE RULES? 

1. Green sticker or current registration required. 
2. Eight foot whip with 6x12" red/orange flag. 
3. 15 MPH speed limit within 500 feet of any pavement (i.e., Gecko Rd., Hwy. 78, Grey's Well Rd.).
4. All vehicles (campers included) must park with all wheels off the pavement. (It’s a good idea to bring some strips of plywood in case you get to far off of the pavement.) 
5. NO glass containers – this includes soda & beer bottles.
6. No taking off or landing aircraft within 1 mile of Gecko Rd. 
7. No dumping of sewage. (Use your tanks sparingly, closest dump is in Brawley). 
8. Campsites are on a first come, first serve basis - no reserving spaces. (You will probably still see people trying to reserve spaces though – if that happens, flags and cones are free for the taking ;-) ) 
9. Helmets are required on all riders. 
10. Do not operate you vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 
11. Ride only at safe speeds for existing conditions. 
12. Vehicles must be equipped with approved muffler, brakes, and spark arresters. Lights are required for night operation. 
13. Numbers of riders per vehicle are limited to manufactures specifications. 
14. ATV (quad, and 3 wheeler) riders under 16 years of age must take ATV instruction and have their certificate with them whenever riding. 

Sand Toy Capital of the world during Thanksgiving Week
Thanksgiving Week at Glamis in 1996
Outrageous!   Big Tire School Bus at Glamis, CA