start Preparation Leaving S. F. On to Reno Reno Leaving Reno Playa-bound Black Rock City Camp Vermeer The Man Temple of Joy Dust Storm Playa Shabbos Bicycles Planes Art Cars Theme Camps People Panoramas Miscellaneous Leavetaking Leaving Ranger Shift Ranger Lefty Ranger Norman Ranger Mickey
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Burning Man 2002: Leavetaking
It's almost time for us to go. It's been a deeply satisfying seven days, six nights. The biggest Burning Man to date, 29038 participants, but the mellowest in my memory. That's not exactly a happy face you see, as I contemplate my leavetaking from Black Rock City. Watching the city deconstruct was rather bittersweet this year.
I notice my hands. I've had several solar showers (thanks AEZ campmates!) and washed my hands frequently during the last week, but not in the last twenty-four hours. Now, in the early-morning sun, the layer of dust covering my hands seems comforting, like a glove lent by a friend.
The fine dust has polished my fingernails to a high gloss. I chipped the fingernail on my index finger, but I can't remember how. My skin is so very soft, although the alkali is usually harsh.
Before heading out for our last sping around the city, I look down. There's my dusty feet, in sandals. (I use mountaineering shoes while on patrol, sandals while in camp.) You see my 2002 Ranger laminate (the color item), the medical checklist (black-and-white) from my EMT days, and (on the left) the swag given to me by David Best before the burning of the Temple of Joy.
I broke camp early last evening, before going on shift, so we can easily go out for a last spin on the playa.
We pass by Center Camp. On Tuesday morning there are many fewer people in line for coffee. (I started out drinking espresso drinks - lattes and cappucinos - but graduated to hot chocolate very quickly.) Nobody seems awake.
We walk inside. People are still asleep. Those awake are barely conscious. There's a muted hush here, something like a church during a service. I don't think many people are happy to be leaving.
We cycle out, toward the Man. We look back at the city. Participants are leaving. Things are burning. I didn't know that the burn barrels were still up.
This is all that's left of the lighthouse and the Man. How can they do such a big burn right on the playa? What about the burn scar? Well, there's a hidden burn platform, and some of what looks like playa is actually a fire-resistant material. After the burn it's all bulldozed up into an easy-to-remove pile of ash.
With heads hung low, we slowly head back. Our time on the Black Rock desert is almost done.
We stop by Ranger headquarters to return our radios and check out for the last time. That's Ranger Lefty walking purposefully toward the shade structure.
That's Ranger Sunshine. This year, as in 2000, we were next to each other on the burn perimeter. She's going on duty as we're going off.
Behind the Ranger station a kite arial photograph enthusiast snaps my picture.
Our last chore done, we head back to Camp Vermeer to put the bicycles on the back of the truck.
We're leaving.
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