The options of what to do at Burning Man seem overwhelming. For, example, do you need a hug?
The Colonel from Kentucky was giving away fried baloney (his spelling) sandwiches on a slice of white bread and shots of Kentucky Bourbon. The elephant with his missing tusk was back. You could pick up “a long uncomfortable hug,” at the Hug Deli. Lamplighters marched by carrying 12 lamps each. A man in a mask was wearing a doctor’s smock and flowery underwear while playing a saxophone. And my friend Don was climbing everything in sight to take photos of the city. (The truth here is that Don just likes to climb things.)
It was another typical day in Black Rock City. Every hundred yards or so offered another adventure. Each day, we checked out the Burning Man’s 160-page activity guide. Will we do something cerebral and go listen to TED talks or join the Billion Bunny March to Protest Humanity. The options seem limitless. Do I really need to learn how to spank Peggy? I don’t think so; neither does she. Here are some more photos for you to enjoy, including Don’s Black Rock City overviews.
The Burning Man activity guide listed close to 1600 ways to get into mischief or learn something new.
Tom decided he needed a hug from these people who were celebrating their daughter’s birthday. Judging from the look of the family, I think it fell under the title of “long uncomfortable hug.” But Tom was having fun. They did tell us, however, where to go to get a baloney sandwich and a shot of Kentucky bourbon for breakfast.
The Kentucky Camp was offering the Kentucky bourbon and baloney. The Colonel gave me a wave of greeting.
This guy was quite pleased that baloney was on the menu.
Camps at Burning Man have mastered the false fronts of the Old West. Free drinks were offered here at night, as they are by numerous camps.
Buildings can be quite elaborate, such as this one put up by the Burners from New Orleans…
And the Firehouse, a production of the North West Burner’s Camp, Do More Now.
One of my favorite buildings is this ‘mobile home’ pulled by a tractor. You never know where it will show up. This side features a 50s style kitchen that cooks and gives away cookies. The other side is a free bar.
I always stop and pay homage to Ganesha, the Hindu God/elephant that has lost his tusk. (Photo by Don Green.)
There are lots of opportunities to volunteer at Burning Man. Being a lamplighter is one. Each evening you can find these folks making their rounds in a solemn procession.
This fellow in his flowery underwear was serenading the Lamplighters as they went by. I found his costume amusing. (Sorry my photo was a little fuzzy.)
Don Green works on his bike Trigger. A bit of trivia: When Roy Rodger’s horse Trigger died, Roy had him stuffed and mounted, which provided a new definition for mounting a horse.
We arrived early at Burning Man before the crowds. My van, Quivera, is in the center. Tom’s trailer, Walter, is just to the left of it. (Photo by Don Green.)
Spaces quickly begin to fill up. (Photo by Don Green.)
And became crowded. (Photo by Don Green.)
A shot of Don’s looking out across the Playa toward Black Rock City provides a view of the afternoon dust storms, which were rather mild at the time.
A final shot of the Man before he burns on Saturday night. Surrounding buildings have all been taken down. NEXT BLOG (and my last Burning Man post for this series): The Man burns. (Photo by Don Green.)
Wandering through Time and Place 
So glad you are sharing so many pictures! I feel as if I’m there. Love Ganesha, the roaming kitchen, and, of course, a Southern icon — Colonel Sanders! But your humor wins hands down — mounting horses (chuckle, chuckle)! Thanks for bringing Burning Man to me!!!
Rusha, it has been fun. I wrapped up my Burning Man series today. (The last blog appears on Friday.) Now I am off to Alaska. –Curt
Have a great trip!!! Would love to see that state!
It is really worth the trip! Thanks. –Curt
Great pictures!
Thanks! –Curt
160-page activity guide. Wowsa. Something to read while eating those nutritious bologna and white bread sandwiches. 😉
Health food! I was hungry, however, Carrie. And I did have a shot of bourbon to wash the sandwich down. Great breakfast… 🙂 –Curt
Bourbon seems the perfect antidote to bologna. (When I think of all the bologna sandwiches I ate as a kid–with white bread–I cringe.)
Makes two of us Carrie.
The size and participation in this event is remarkable! I got a kick out of the 160-page activity guide; say What? Great job as always, Curt!!
Thanks GP. One of these days I will post some pages from the guide. I find them quite amusing. –Curt
I wouldn’t expect otherwise!! – GP
I especially liked the hugs! What fun, getting a hug while eating a bologna sandwich on Wonder bread. I even ate them in my day!
I consumed a few (make that more than a few) in my youth as well, Kate. 🙂 –Curt
Thank you for another wonderful glimpse into the BM wonderfulness!
Alison
Always my pleasure, Alison. –Curt
I love the Hug Deli. It sounds as though there are aways 2000 things you didn’t see as well as the ones you did.
At least, Hillary. 🙂 –Curt
The detail and effort that goes into these structures is unbelievable – and costly! OMG. I don’t have enough money laying around to paint the white exterior trim on my little house. The tavern and the firehouse were my faves… and did you have a shot of bourbon in that heat, Curt? 😉
Last question: How could I not, Koji. Heat wasn’t bad; it was still morning. Now drinking bourbon at 10:00 AM… different issue. 🙂 Millions of dollars go into the event. Some is paid for out of revenue from entrance fees, but the majority is donated. –Curt
I don’t know — I’m still rather fond of bologna on white, with mayo. Not often, mind you, but every now and then. I’d be washing it down with something different, though. I really like the mobile home. And those lamplighters — I’m old enough that just hearing the word brought back this. I was a little surprised to find it still makes me tear up. I’ll have to stop by and peruse the hug menu!
I almost put up a photo of the bologna on white bread, Linda. Maybe it would have made your mouth water. (grin) I went to your link and I am also old enough to remember the song as a child. Thanks for the memory. The mobile home was definitely a scene from the 50s. –Curt