Bad moon a risin

Laguna Niguel, CA -- The moon was sure out in California this weekend.

Hundreds of people dropped their drawers Saturday in Orange County to "moon" passing Amtrak passenger trains. The mooners ranged from bikers to a 70-year-old grandmother.

The strange event began as a bar bet nearly three decades ago. Nobody actually organizes the annual mooning ritual. But some estimates put the number of mooners this year at 5,000.

There was some help at hand with one website Mooning Amtrak giving details of Amtrak train times and suggestions. Also included on the site are these FAQ's :

1. Must I "moon", or can I just watch? No, You can watch.
2. Does It get hot here in July? Yes, mid-day it is usually about 95°F (35°C) and humid.
3. Should I bring food & drink? If you wish. Mugs Away Saloon will be serving cold beverages. An outdoor vendor will be grilling hamburgers for sale and another selling souvenier event T-shirts.
4. Is there room to park my car, motorcycle or motor home? By 10am you may have to walk a few blocks. After 5pm, the crowd & cars thins out.
5. Are pets O.K. to bring? Yes, you can bring your dog, cat, snake, parrot, or iguana. Don't forget water for them.
6. I'm overweight, in fact very obese, is it O.K. if I moon? Yes yes, please "moon" with us. We need people like you for the extra high intensity mooning you can provide.
7. Can I decorate my butt? Yes, that's O.K.
8. What happens in the saloon? There are two successive bands inside the Mugs Away Saloon from Noon till closing, which is about midnight.
9. Is Amtrak associated with this? NO, Amtrak has nothing to do with this "show" except operate the trains.
10. Can the physically handicapped get around this area? Yes, a wheel-chair should work just fine. There are no stairs to climb. Close-in car parking spots may be difficult to find.