Burning Man 2011

This documentary starts weeks before our annual trek to the dry lake bed of northern Nevada. While the preparation is no greater this year than in past but, as I'll illustrate, early documentation became necessary.

Annually the first preparation for Burning Man is Diana's art contribution to hundreds of burners. These gifts start in January and continues enroute and, to some degree, during our time in Black Rock City.

A new playa vehicle is also in order. Electric power front wheel is added the day before we leave.

Friday, 8/26 – A VERY busy prep day, but made it in time to leave Windsor Town Hall at 5p. Took mom’s car back to her, with Harry’s help; built and mounted a rack to the front of the bus to carry the trike and prepped food and pack clothing into the bus. Whew! Made it to Ft. Bridger, WY Rest Area for a dinner and a good night’s rest.

Saturday, 8/27 – Discovered a small coolant leak on the morning’s walk-in. Trying to tighten the hose clamp but not much luck. Just adding as we go . . . Very hot day but only one overheat alarm as we just reach the pass on I-80 over the Watsach’s. Super! Lunch at Flying J at Lake Point, UT (the unofficial half-way point between Johnstown, CO and Fernley, NV) then nearly to Battle Mountain, NV for a cool evening’s sleep.

Sunday, 8/28 – Nice and early start, stop at Winnemucca WalMart for last minute fresh veggies and bread, then to Desert Rose RV Park early afternoon. Some rest, showers and prep for a 6a start to the playa. Yay!

Monday, 8/29 – Off we go at 6a, as planned, with a quick stop at Love’s then north to BRC. We turned off the pavement about 9a and slowly moved to the greeter’s station until about 11a. A drive around the city hoping to find a spot as close to Center Camp as possible end us back at 455 o’clock and Hajj – same as last year. One of our next door neighbors is the same too. We were pretty settled in by 1230p – a new record. Weather is wonderful, in the low 90s and calm (for BRC, where there is always at least a light breeze). We took a ride on our new trike; the electric assist from the front wheel is super! We found a few friends from previous years; also one we’ve only IM’d. An employee of Noel’s, from 10 years ago, saw us riding the playa and we chatted for a while. Dinner and early to bed, preparing for a new day.

Tuesday, 8/30 – Let the gifting begin! We can barely go 100yds without a crowd gathering behind Santa’s Summer Sleigh. We do find a camp to make Pan-like horns’ of Polymer Clay but class was waaayyyyyy full. Ditto at the Tutu making camp (for Tutu Tuesday). After lunch and a nap (yeah propane generator! Very small but enough and no stink!) in the A/C cooled bedroom, we have a dinner/snack and head for the open playa to see the man and other bright colored night treasures. This was a rather dusty night and we got turned around and saw a different set of art and missed the Temple but had fun. Santa’s Summer Sleigh is great with the “jeto-assist” electric front wheel. We get around now!

Wednesday, 8/31 – Headed for Center Camp, never made it inside for the throng of gift receivers. That’s fine with us! Got a block of ice (the one of two items sold on the playa) for cooling our drinks. A young lady that loooovvvveed Diana’s work, told us of a camp making metal and resin pieces so we had an intro to the lead artist and Diana made one (that “disappeared” by Friday when we tried to get the set piece). In the evening we found the Temple, left the names of family and friends that passed on the past year, and climbed to its heights. This year’s Temple, for us, is the most stunning and beautiful of all the seven we’ve seen. Marvelous! Next, visits to other art pieces and then to the Utah Fire Conclaves Fire Spinner’s show. Bedtime about 10p . . .

Friday, 9/2 – One of the small rear wheels on Santa’s Summer Sleigh broke the valve stem so it won’t support both of us. We brought back up tubes for 24” and 26” bike tires but not for 7”. We did bring a backup bike, too, so we ride separate but close. Stove stopped working, too, but also have propane backup so got along fine . . . Back to get ice (to melt for water for the radiator, if need be) again, and was able to give out many more necklaces. After our usual lunch/nap/dinner routine we headed to watch the giant Pez dispenser burn. Not bad for a smaller piece (only 20ft tall) and had a fire spinner show first. Next is the Flaming Lotus Girls' roller coaster (a.k.a Tympani Lambada) fireworks show. Spectacular! They have this about 30degree angle into the sky shooters that are amazing. Also, they use several different gasses to ignite into the air for brilliant color effect (propane, methane, argon . . . ) Back to our own bed . . . a verrry cold night (45*F) and bus has no heat (well, not easily – have a very hot propane heater that’s hard to control).

Saturday, 9/3 – We trike to the ‘burbs and score! The outer folks loved Mrs. Claus’ gifts. They gifted back in spades! Five gallons of water (for radiator), 5lbs. of Red Vines, four coconut micro-beers, dozens of other drinks, See’s candy and more, more, more. The last of over a thousand necklace gifted; over 2% of Black Rock City has one of Diana’s gifts.

The pinnacle of the day is the burning of the Man . . . we arrived way early. Sunset or so would have been soon enough. Great day with a great ending.

Sunday, 9/4 – Pack and off by noon. Minimal exodus wait (yay!) Stop for evening shower and rest before the three day (uneventful) trek to Colorado . . .