Late spring 2026
I’m guessing I’m not the kind of person who normally goes to Burning Man. I’m making this determination because of the reaction of all our kids and my friends when I told them I was going to Burning Man – they all laughed. Huh. Well, I still wanted to go.
Luckily we have two friends who were going one more time and when Rick and I were at dinner with them, I asked if we could join. They too were surprised, but then jumped on it. I was with Scott and Kellie for the Vietnam/Cambodia trip, so I knew we’d travel well together and Rick has been friends with them even longer. So – the prep started. The best comparison I could make was getting ready for a Grand Canyon River trip – we did that with friends, rowing ourselves and that was for 18 days. This was for a 14 day trip. Granted, the heat and dust didn’t have the mitigating river to offset, but we could do it.
The prep was crazy. Or maybe I should say it could have made me crazy. Costumes – well, maybe a tutu for Tuesday and I found a bargain wedding dress for Wednesday. But nope, not taking part in Acid Monday. So I figured I’d find my way. I really wanted to see the art – that was my main reason to go. In addition, I like doing things that push me in my 60’s, I don’t want to retire into my 70’s without continuing to challenge myself.
Over the months preceding, we gradually acquired, made, and also raided our rafting gear what we thought we needed. We packed food, drinks, warm clothes (it can get cold at night) cool clothes (can get into the 100’s during the day) serious dust N-95 masks for the dust storms. So many things. Scott sent pages of instructions and suggestions and guidance – and then I added a lot of AI suggestions to make sure we were completely set and not dependent on Scott and Kellie.
We were going to be part of a camp, Bumblepuss, that Scott has been part of for a few years. This was to be his 6th trip, Kellie’s 3rd. Being part of a camp meant there would be supporting electricity, water, ice, our own 2 porta potties (they did such a sweet job decorating), communal meals, etc. We got permits to go in early in order to build our own set up and help set up the camp. The camp included a communal kitchen and den (ancient sofas and rugs, etc.), the Lavender Lounge (people can stop by in the shade, get lip balm, lotion, not sure what else, the Bistro (tea and cookies?), the sauna bath (great way to get clean, but people line up, so wait in the Lavender Lounge and Bistro).
WEDNESDAY, 26.Aug.2026
We drove 7 hours the first day from Denver to the far side of Salt Lake City. We stopped pretty frequently for gas and drove at a reasonable rate so not super quick. Everything was booked at a town that was closer to our destination – turned out great because we had a really good dinner where we ended up stopping. I assumed that would be our last until we left BM.
Rick and I drove our van (Native Campervans with an extra charge for taking it to BM), Kellie drove their van and Scott drove the pick up, pulling a full size trailer with freezer, generator, set up for their daughter and her partner to have as a residence, all of the pieces to make a giant shade to go over both vans and the trailer and more than I could really guess. Really? Clearly this was not going to be your usual camping trip.
THURSDAY, 27.Aug.2026
The second day, we got an early start and drove to Fernley and the destination Walmart. We were NOT alone in getting food for dinner – we knew that likely we’d be in line waiting to get in to the playa. People were also looking for ice (already cleaned out), getting whatever else people might have forgotten. I don’t think we could possibly have forgotten anything. Scott and Kellie were so prepared and had all kinds of tools, kits, things I couldn’t even imagine. We then drove through Gerlach. This is the last town before BM and I’m guessing all of its income happens from this event. That being said, it also gets completely overwhelmed. Its sign noted: Population Wanted.
At that point, Scott said: Do not do do ANYTHING that might catch the police’s attention. Stay under the speed limit, stop fully at stop signs, etc. And in fact, there were sheriffs and police all over the place. I don’t blame them because the vision of all these vans, rickety cars, RVs, crazy art cars was enough to put the wary in anyone.
We made it safely to the line, happily at 6pm so that the sun was largely going down behind the mountains, the wind was coming up, but the temperature was manageable. We then inched forward, Scott, then Kellie, then us for the next 5 hours. It was perfectly fine. Fun people watching, every time we inched forward, we got to have a blast of AC which was enough to keep us cool the rest of the time. I was having the best time because I was in the midst of a wonderful book that my CC friend, Katie Dorn, had written and it was riveting. I finished it right as we got to the entrance. So perfect.
At the entrance, we showed our tickets, our vehicle pass, and our early admission pass for building. Luckily, Scott knew where we were going beause it was as clear as mud to RIck and me where we were going to be parking. Since we were first Burners, Rick and I got out of the car at the entrance, showed our passes and rolled in the dust – starting the way we’d go on for the next 12 days. A ritual celebrated by the gate keepers with gongs! We finally got into bed at 12, so crazy comfortable, with a fan blowing (solar power), comfy queen size mattress, wow. Who knew it could be like this?
