August – A Woman´s 4 Day Art Adventure

Ahhhhh, we finally reach the Black Rock Desert, Gerlach and lunch!! We pull into the only gig in town, a café/casino, of course. The only thing missing out here is a brothel, but Washoe County doesn’t go for those shenanigans, so we have only food, gambling and very vivid imaginations.

Brunos Country Club was the name of the joint and it was already teeming with Burning Man visitors. You could definitely spot the difference between the living locals and the festival attendees. The festival goers were bright and animated and the locals seemed a bit bored with yet another invasion. I am certain if I was a young person living in Gerlach, I would thrive on the Burning Man festival, if nothing else for the entertainment and the brightly decorated vehicles and wild garb worn by the brothers and sisters from another place and time.

Brunos Country Club…and the food’s darn good!!

Hwy 447 running through Gerlach

I had to post this photo of the Black Rock Desert by fellow artist Ken Kruger …it is an amazing shot and taken in the direction of the Burning Man. You can certainly see the attraction to this incredible place.

We could see the dust flying in the distance as the Burning Man artists were beginning construction of the festival sculptures and the city itself. Some sculptures are used, burned or created as performance pieces, but when Burning Man is over, not a scrap is found anywhere. The desert looks untouched and pristine as the “leave no trace” philosophy deconstructs this human made, bustling temporary city.

What a fantastic day of desert riding and exploration. On the way back to Carson City, we again stop along Pyramid Lake to snap just a couple more gratuitous shots.

Oh ya, about the Nevada Police and desert speeds….hmmmmmm Glad he wasn’t out in the flats. It appears he is more interested in those sliding through the stop sign at the intersection. Let me tell ya, the way he was sitting behind that wooden sign, he was completely invisible to those unsuspecting rider/drives below, I know, I was one of them. No CA stops in NV, good thing I had my wits about me.

Police lurking on the sidelines

The ride home was quite warm and we needed to make one final stop for an iced coffee IV and a tank o’ gas, the end to a perfect day.