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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
5/11/2012
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What is your best mylar ballon take for a trip?
Here are just a few of mine
Canebrake Wash (as Tommy750 found, one of these had a note..an "I love you so much" type note)
Blair Valley (9 balloons in this bundle)
Indian Valley
<em>edited by dsefcik on 5/11/2012</em>
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tommy750 Posts: 1049
5/13/2012
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dsefcik wrote:
What is your best mylar ballon take for a trip?
Canebrake Wash (as Tommy750 found, one of these had a note..an "I love you so much" type note)
My average number of baloons picked up per hike was zero---till I joined this forum. Now I scoop up every one I see thanks to you. Tom
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
5/13/2012
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tommy750 wrote:
My average number of baloons picked up per hike was zero---till I joined this forum. Now I scoop up every one I see thanks to you. Tom
GREAT!!!
There are some though that are so crumbly and dried up in thick catclaw that not even the best of us can recover. I have tried to get a few only to have them crumble into dust and float away.
BEWARE of putting your hands into a bush to extract a balloon, ALWAYS make sure there are no snakes or other critters in there first!!
Thanks Tom!!
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ziphius Posts: 911
5/14/2012
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My best is 3, but that was from Big Sur.  ABDSP high is 2, from Inner Pasture. Sighted a 3rd, but couldn't get to it.
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1366
5/15/2012
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If we could add the beach by my house I would have a good number
Maybe not as good as Daren but....?
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ziphius Posts: 911
5/15/2012
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Before this thread started, I had been talking with my girlfriend about the balloon problem. We had both read the 'Floating Menace' link that Daren posted and thought of ways to reduce the number of balloons released into the wild. Besides outlawing helium, our main crazy idea was a form of eco-terrorism, involving popping the balloons in-store before they are sold. It would take a subtle method, such as a straight pin or a micro- blow-dart straw. Eventually, you would get caught. So, we're working on other ideas, such as education campaigns. My girlfriend thought of a "balloon deposit", where you return the balloon to the store to get your money back. But the deposit would have to be big enough (say $5) to motivate people to return them. If folks would just stop losing them to the sky...... any technology out there that could be inside the balloon so that when it reached a certain height, say 50 ft., it would "pop" on its own? That would at least keep a majority of the balloons in urban areas.
On an unrelated note, we were picking up trash at Coronado Beach last weekend and I came up with the idea of training corvids (crows, jays, ravens) to fly around and pick up trash and return items to a reward station for food pellets. They are very smart birds with great eyesight.
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
5/15/2012
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OK, at first I was dying from laughter reading your ideas, then I realized you had some great ideas...self destruct balloons?? Perfect...humm..except what if they were released near wildlife to begin with? Good start though. How about making the balloons out of eco friendly or digestible materials to begin with? Ziphius, I think you are on to something....
ziphius wrote:
Before this thread started, I had been talking with my girlfriend about the balloon problem. We had both read the 'Floating Menace' link that Daren posted and thought of ways to reduce the number of balloons released into the wild. Besides outlawing helium, our main crazy idea was a form of eco-terrorism, involving popping the balloons in-store before they are sold. It would take a subtle method, such as a straight pin or a micro- blow-dart straw. Eventually, you would get caught. So, we're working on other ideas, such as education campaigns. My girlfriend thought of a "balloon deposit", where you return the balloon to the store to get your money back. But the deposit would have to be big enough (say $5) to motivate people to return them. If folks would just stop losing them to the sky...... any technology out there that could be inside the balloon so that when it reached a certain height, say 50 ft., it would "pop" on its own? That would at least keep a majority of the balloons in urban areas.
On an unrelated note, we were picking up trash at Coronado Beach last weekend and I came up with the idea of training corvids (crows, jays, ravens) to fly around and pick up trash and return items to a reward station for food pellets. They are very smart birds with great eyesight.
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ziphius Posts: 911
5/16/2012
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I like the digestible- or biodegradable-material idea. The Mylar and Latex industry would not, heh? My buddy Nick further evolved one idea. Instead of training crows to pick up trash, train crows to attack and return popped helium balloons for food rewards. It doesn't matter if the balloon is free-floating or tethered... There are a lot of crows around that could be put to work. Imagine the havoc crows would create at kids' birthday parties in the park....
dsefcik wrote:
OK, at first I was dying from laughter reading your ideas, then I realized you had some great ideas...self destruct balloons?? Perfect...humm..except what if they were released near wildlife to begin with? Good start though. How about making the balloons out of eco friendly or digestible materials to begin with? Ziphius, I think you are on to something....
ziphius wrote:
Before this thread started, I had been talking with my girlfriend about the balloon problem. We had both read the 'Floating Menace' link that Daren posted and thought of ways to reduce the number of balloons released into the wild. Besides outlawing helium, our main crazy idea was a form of eco-terrorism, involving popping the balloons in-store before they are sold. It would take a subtle method, such as a straight pin or a micro- blow-dart straw. Eventually, you would get caught. So, we're working on other ideas, such as education campaigns. My girlfriend thought of a "balloon deposit", where you return the balloon to the store to get your money back. But the deposit would have to be big enough (say $5) to motivate people to return them. If folks would just stop losing them to the sky...... any technology out there that could be inside the balloon so that when it reached a certain height, say 50 ft., it would "pop" on its own? That would at least keep a majority of the balloons in urban areas.
On an unrelated note, we were picking up trash at Coronado Beach last weekend and I came up with the idea of training corvids (crows, jays, ravens) to fly around and pick up trash and return items to a reward station for food pellets. They are very smart birds with great eyesight.
<em>edited by ziphius on 5/16/2012</em>
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DesertWRX Posts: 135
6/2/2012
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We call the Clark Dry Lake area "The place where Mylar balloons go to die". They are all over the valley. Here's a morning pic of the smoke dipping into Clark Dry Lake.
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/BillFX/Fire.jpg[/IMG]
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rockhopper Posts: 668
6/7/2012
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Wow, neat shot of the smoke "dipping" into Clark dry lake. Was that the smoke from the Banner / Granite mountian fire?
Regarding balloons: I think I have spotted balloons on every back country desert hike I have been on. From shriveled up rubber balloons on the desert varnish floor to wrap around the cactus mylar balloon type.
<em>edited by rockhopper on 6/7/2012</em>
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DesertWRX Posts: 135
6/7/2012
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This was last summer and from the reservation fire up above us in Warner Springs. Found a New Years mylar balloon a few nights ago in San Felipe Wash near the Buttes.
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tommy750 Posts: 1049
6/12/2012
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dsefcik wrote:
What is your best mylar ballon take for a trip?
Apparently these mylar balloons are bad for the environment both in the city and wilderness!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47781743/ns/local_news-san_diego_ca/#.T9emOxdYvgE
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
6/12/2012
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From that NBC article:
When mylar balloons got caught in overhead power lines, the lines were overloaded, broke and fell on cars parked along Lincoln Avenue according to a utility spokesperson.
Mylar balloons "overloaded" a power line and caused it to break and fall??
Nice one tommy750
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tommy750 Posts: 1049
6/25/2012
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I've been performing a little experiment in my office the last three months. Was out looking for the Carrizo Canyon shamen cave on 4-14-12 and came across a mylar trifecta under the gaze of BM Windy.
Trifecta at Windy by tomteske, on Flickr
Happy Birthday by tomteske, on Flickr
The larger Happy Birthday balloon looked quite similar to the Happy Birthday mylar balloon floating in my office. Mine was missing the pink boa, but let's not get picky. Purchased by my wonderful but mylar-balloon-naive staff (they're well-informed now!) March 22, 2012, it has floated at the ceiling of my office for over three months. This pic was taken 5-01-12.
Happy Birthday 5-01-12 by tomteske, on Flickr
Today and only today, the balloon began its slow descent toward earth. Although it spent the last three months in a semi-protected environment, it appears these things AND the gods are the only immortals! Can't imagine how far they drift.
Birthday Balloon June 2012 by tomteske, on Flickr
Collected two mylar and one latex balloons this past weekend on a six mile hike over Table Mountain. That place is so littered with garbage, it would take a few trash trucks to make a noticeable difference. Tom
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
6/26/2012
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Happy UnBirthday Tom..!
I find many balloons still with air/helium in them. You have to stomp them to get them crunched up, sometimes the loud pop can wake up a quiet desert canyon.
The Elmo balloon I found last week was still alive and kicking, it was tangled up in some creosote.
<em>edited by dsefcik on 6/27/2012</em>
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DesertWRX Posts: 135
6/27/2012
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Not in the park but at the old Salton Sea Navy station recently
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/BillFX/Mylar.jpg[/IMG]
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DRT Lakeside Posts: 62
7/2/2012
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Started following SDGE on twitter during the last big power outage. Interesting that they just sent this out.
Have a safe 4th of July. If you use Mylar balloons, tie them down, dispose properly & avoid outages: http://bit.ly/BMylarSafe Pls RT
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
7/2/2012
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DRT Lakeside wrote:
Started following SDGE on twitter during the last big power outage. Interesting that they just sent this out.
Have a safe 4th of July. If you use Mylar balloons, tie them down, dispose properly & avoid outages: http://bit.ly/BMylarSafe Pls RT
I think it is even more interesting that MSNBC pulled the article Tommy750 referenced a couple of posts up about the balloons causing powerline outages and fires. I did find an article on LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oew-scott10-2008jun10,0,4732423.story
"And here is the easy solution: Prohibit balloons with a metallic content from being filled with helium -- these are the ones that become entangled in power lines. This isn't rocket science."
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DesertWRX Posts: 135
7/17/2012
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7-17-12 A trip up Coyote Canyon today to do our Adopt A Trail/Wash duties. Found only 1 Mylar balloon where the road gets close to Coyote Mtn.
Last week a friend and I were in Ocotillo Wells to look what the rain done to the park Friday (WOW!) and found 1 balloon (might have been in ABDSP, not sure).
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
7/17/2012
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DesertWRX:
Thanks for the update, hopefully we are slowly getting rid of the damn things..!
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Borregolinda Posts: 69
7/17/2012
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Found a Disney Princess one in Coytoe Canyon today! Made it to our trash at home.
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tommy750 Posts: 1049
7/18/2012
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dsefcik wrote:
What is your best mylar ballon take for a trip?
Was out in McCain Valley late this afternoon taking a short hike. Found two latex ballons and a mylar. Was dismayed to find a bunch of large plastic bags used by Sunrise scattered over the chaparral. Picked five out of the brush. Not sure I got all of them since it was getting dark.
Baggy Count by tomteske, on Flickr
Hydro-Blanket BFM by tomteske, on Flickr
Trash Truck by tomteske, on Flickr
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
7/18/2012
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tommy750:
Amazing how they don't give a ****...just a job to them..I have seen SD city workers toss spray paint cans into the bushes...sigh....
Thank you to everyone who has stepped up and collected the garbage on your ventures in the park and elsewhere..!!
BTW, this BFM crap is the fake green stuff you see sprayed all over construction areas.
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rockhopper Posts: 668
7/19/2012
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I saw this today. Not in ABDSP, but in the same county!
5,000 with-out power due to Metallic balloon.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jul/19/more-than-2250-without-power-in-vista/
<em>edited by rockhopper on 7/19/2012</em>
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
7/19/2012
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Bingo! Thanks for sharing that, I missed it.
rockhopper wrote:
I saw this today. Not in ABDSP, but in the same county!
5,000 with-out power due to Metallic balloon.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jul/19/more-than-2250-without-power-in-vista/
edited by rockhopper on 7/19/2012
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DesertWRX Posts: 135
7/30/2012
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Thursday night (7-26-12) in Beckman Wash found a plain silver one.
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
8/2/2012
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I can't believe how many of these damn things there are, more balloon bagging in Indian Valley
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DesertWRX Posts: 135
8/10/2012
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Save your Mylar balloons that you find in ABDSP!
Supervising Ranger Sue McLaughlin wants those pesky mylar balloons. Why? The State Park needs balloons to decorate their float for Borrego Days. Sue said you can bring the balloons to ranger headquarters and drop them off. Mention that they are for the float. If you are not familiar with the location of ranger headquarters it is at the intersection of Palm Canyon Dr. and S-22 (Montezuma Valley Rd.) in the old realty building.
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Borregolinda Posts: 69
10/22/2012
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Found reminints of 3 Mylar Ballons in Coyote Canyon today. One disintegrated as I grabbed it! But I got it!
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
10/23/2012
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Borregolinda wrote:
Found reminints of 3 Mylar Ballons in Coyote Canyon today. One disintegrated as I grabbed it! But I got it!
Those are the tough ones, pieces that crumble away...thanks for nabbing it up!!
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
10/30/2012
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Did anybody go see the balloon float this last weekend? Any pictures??
DesertWRX wrote:
Save your Mylar balloons that you find in ABDSP!
Supervising Ranger Sue McLaughlin wants those pesky mylar balloons. Why? The State Park needs balloons to decorate their float for Borrego Days. Sue said you can bring the balloons to ranger headquarters and drop them off. Mention that they are for the float. If you are not familiar with the location of ranger headquarters it is at the intersection of Palm Canyon Dr. and S-22 (Montezuma Valley Rd.) in the old realty building.
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DesertWRX Posts: 135
10/31/2012
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We were out of town and missed all the excitement. Borrego Days is the biggest event for this town.
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ziphius Posts: 911
12/24/2013
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My best mylar yet.
Near Big Spring. Happy Holidays everyone.
edited by ziphius on 12/24/2013
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
12/24/2013
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@ziphius: 
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ziphius Posts: 911
11/9/2014
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Five mylar day yesterday on a trip to the Jacumba VABM / Table Mtn. area. This was an artistic bundle of three. Also 9 beer cans.
edited by ziphius on 11/9/2014
edited by ziphius on 11/9/2014
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
11/9/2014
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Nice...I always watch for the brush sweeps in the sand but have never seen a balloon sweep before...
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Florian Posts: 129
11/9/2014
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Just want to say how much i love all the people on this forum. Picking up the balloons and trash. Such a great group of people.
-Florian
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
11/9/2014
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Florian wrote:
Just want to say how much i love all the people on this forum. Picking up the balloons and trash. Such a great group of people.
-Florian  
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DesertWRX Posts: 135
11/12/2014
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Got back today from a 3 night stay at the Arroyo Salado campground. Picked up only 3 on my morning hikes.
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
11/12/2014
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DesertWRX wrote:
Got back today from a 3 night stay at the Arroyo Salado campground. Picked up only 3 on my morning hikes. Just amazing how many there are out there, I picked up 3 and left 2 to finish rotting in the cholla this last weekend.
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
11/27/2014
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We may have a new record here....26 ballons in one trip!! Will have more about the 4 day backpack trip in Rockhouse in the next couple days but thought I would share this first.
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1366
11/27/2014
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Awesome Daren !
dsefcik wrote:
We may have a new record here....26 ballons in one trip!! Will have more about the 4 day backpack trip in Rockhouse in the next couple days but thought I would share this first.
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