We left Burning Man in 2010 for the first time without a plan one way or the other if we would be attending in 2011. We left that decision up to serendipity.
But we did know one thing – if we attended, we wanted a year off of hosting our theme camp, Camp Nomadia, and being focused on a role as nomadic evangelists.
We were thrilled to discover that enthusiasm for Camp Nomadia carried on, and past Nomadians were interested in taking on the reigns. And then just after we bought our bus, and tickets sold out for the first time ever, we came across two extra tickets. Finding our bus within a days drive – serendipity had clearly said that yes, we were intended to go again. We even turned down an offer from a major TV show to film us at the burn, holding to our intentions to keep things low key.
This would be our year to focus on us, connect with friends and relax. It was our rite of passage.
And it was glorious.
We met up with campmates prior to the burn in Reno and Fernley, caravanned in together and had our most chill burn yet.
Before heading to the playa, we completed our lithium ion battery and inverter install, and it performed wonderfully for the week. And thank goodness, as our friends Ben & Karen had trouble with their bus’ electrical system – so we were able to build a buddy plug to share our battery bank with them.
Camp Nomadia was awesome, probably not much more than 35-40 folks this year (half that as last year) – a great size. Everyone was awesome, and it was wonderful be able to be part of the camp but not be in charge. We did participate in the camp’s ‘Nomadic Lifestyle Workshop’ panel, which is always fun and a great to meet so many other past, future and present nomads.
The temple this year at Burning Man was the most amazing we’ve seen together.
We stayed at Burning Man thru Tuesday morning with many other Camp Nomadians, having one last camp party as we broke our communal shade structure.
From there, we headed back south to Las Vegas to pick up Kiki, who had been staying with JoAnna Haugen and her hubby there. Ben, who is a Photoshop guru and instructor, was able to get us guest badges to Photoshop World.
So we’ve spent the last couple days attending inspiring Photoshop classes, hanging out and going to some shows. JoAnna gifted us with free tickets to see Penn & Teller, and we also followed her advice to catch Absinthe. Both were awesome.
Today has been our first day in a long while to have a down day.
From here? We’re actually quite unsure. We had originally thought of heading to Sacramento to clean out Chris’ storage unit once and for all, and then moving some stuff to St. Louis to his parent’s place.
But we’re just not feeling it, and don’t have the energy to take on that huge of a project right now. We’re behind on work, blogging and bus projects – and most crave being still somewhere for a week or two and attempting some catch up.
Just as we were coming to this conclusion, we got an unsolicited invitation from a reader who manages an RV Resort in St. George, UT to come stay for a week or so in exchange for hosting a couple of talks on Technology and RVing. That’s a style of ‘workamping’ we hadn’t considered before, and sounds like a fitting idea!
So, we’re going to go check that out – after we have another nap or two.
It has taken me this long to be able to comment this particular post. I have had trouble with it from the first day and that’s never happened to me with your posts before. What’s my problem? I first read this on 9/11 which is not a good day to be greeted with a picture of a building going up in flames. To make it worse, that building looked like a mosque. So many people blame all of Islam for the actions of the few on 9/11 and the images you chose to post seemed to me to be supporting that position although I doubt very much that was your intent. Still, I’m sorry to see it.
Linda – I am terribly sorry that you perceived our post on Burning Man (a very spiritually important event to us) in this way. It was in no way intended.
I can see that to those not familiar with Burning Man and the significance of the Temple, that it might seem as being insensitive of 9/11 reflections. But I can assure you, the exact opposite is true for those of us who attend.
The temple is built as a temporary structure, and intended to burn the last day of the event. During the entire week, participants at Burning Man write passages, leave momentos and other things they need to release or invite. There were several messages on the temple in reverence to the events 10 years ago, as well as hundreds of thousands of others. I personally can not walk through the temple and read those passages without hours of tears in my eyes. Whether it be the passing of loved ones, asking for forgiveness or inviting hope into the future. It is deeply personal, deeply spiritual and the burning of the temple on the last night is one of the most serene moments of my (and many others) lives. The entire city goes quiet as we watch our hopes, fears and pains burn up to be reborn in the coming year.
I carry the ashes of every temple burn I’ve seen with me every day. Chris and I left our commitment vows to each other on the temple 5 years ago, and our rings are forged with those ashes.
The temple burn is that significant to me and us. And for me, the temple is THE reason I make an annual pilgrimage to the playa.
Hopefully my sharing a bit more of the significance of the temple can help you understand that we in no way intended the reaction you took to the post. It actually makes me sad that others don’t see the beauty, pain, hope and spiritual significance of something so utterly dear and important to us. But I forget, not all have experienced it in person and understand the significance of that particular burning picture.
Burning Man looks like it was awesome! It’s on my list of events to go to when I move back to the US.
Burning Man is definitely one of those events that if you feel called to it, make it a mission some year. There really are no words to appropriately describe it.
I am so disappointed to see that you were there, and I didn’t get to meet you! It was my first burn…it was VERY low key for me…and a tremendously necessary deep spiritual burning from the inside out that kept me from partying or interacting with many people besides the few I carefully and intuitively attracted. I ended up volunteering for tear-down and cleanup of center camp…amazing experience perhaps more valuable than the festival itself.
I came to your website today to grab a couple of last minute bits of information and sources. I’ve just finished writing an article called DESTINATION INSPIRATION for Modern In Denver magazine (ModernInDenver.com) about the need for everyone, but particularly creatives, to make more space for variety of experience in our lives, namely travel and sabbaticals…and to take responsibility for the choices we make…”Are you happy? If not, then change something!” sort of message. I had originally planned to profile you for the article, but when I got into it, I found I was writing more than double the content needed, and I had to cut somewhere. Some of that content is being moved to the magazine’s website for reference of those readers interested in knowing more. I’ve linked and properly referenced some content from your website, and I wanted to let you know. The magazine (quarterly publication…this is the fall issue) hits the shelves this weekend. Web content should be up about the same time.
On a personal note, I just purchased my very own 1966 Shasta Compact as my starter home-on-wheels. I’m on my way to life on the road myself. Baby steps…
Thank you for sharing all your wonderful experiences. I hope to cross paths with you out there on the open road.
Hi Cara.. shame we missed you on the playa! I totally understand.. as this was our year to also keep it very low key, very deep & personal and not be outreaching.
Thanks a bunch for the mentions in the Modern in Denver web post, we got the ping backs earlier this week. We were tickled to see so many references to our iPhone/iPad app Coverage? by others as an essential mobile app for their lifestyles.
Great article and collection of links.
For those curious, here it is:
http://www.modernindenver.com/WP2011/2011/09/inspire/
That sounds like quite an opportunity. It’s exciting because you said you never considered it before. Nice. And any time I hear about burning man I get jealous because I want to go so bad! LUCKY!
I love Vegas. I feel freedom when I get there
I appreciate your devoutness on what you love to do, even when it comes to give up on things like, Tv film. Keep up with this spirit, it great!
Thanks barak! Although, saying no wasn’t that difficult of a decision. Fame & Glory isn’t our goal here.
I realy wanted to attend, but just couldn’t do it financially. Maybe next year. However I do have good news: I’m finally getting out from under my stick house and debt, and will be fulltiming soon.
Congrats, Blars!
Gotta get to Burning Man one of these days. It’s on our bucket list.
Enjoy your stay in UT. Temps should (hopefully) be getting nicer.
Nina
We hope to see you guys on the playa some year… for those called to experience it, it’s an awesome event.
UT has been glorious, and so glad we’re here.
The St. George RV Resort by any chance? We stayed there awhile back…
Yep – the St. George RV Resort. It is a fabulous and incredibly friendly little park.