Traveling with the Stanfords 2025

For those of you who are not familiar with Burning Man it is a one week adventure in the Black Rock desert of Nevada.   This year was its 25th anniversary and for the first time in the event's history tickets were sold out, somewhere around 53,000.   A month before people show up the Burning Man organization and a huge contingent of volunteers go to the desert and build Black Rock City.   Like any city there are numerous departments like fire, medical, police, etc., with names such as DPW (Department of Public Works), DMV (Department of Mutant Vehicles).     People who attend Burning Man must show up with their own shelter, food, and water.   It is a hot, dry, and dusty environment and a physical and mental challenge to survive.   Burning Man is a commerce free environment- a gifting community.   The only thing you can buy is coffee and ice.   Given the environment preparation is critical. You have to force yourself to drink fluids an...

Had an epic time at Burning Man!  We've determine the event is a true survival experience combined with an art festival, we are pretty beat up, with minds full of the amazing sights we saw.  Left yesterday and stayed in a hotel last night, can't tell you how good the shower felt, and how well we slept!  The techo music plays 24 hours in Black Rock City, it was so quiet last night for a change!  We are now headed to Moab for a few nights of camping. Click here for some pictures

Made it to Fernley, NV, just 90 miles from the gate of Burning Man. Uneventful two day 950 mile drive, saw lots of other burners on the road, and at the gas stations.  We are spending the night in a motel finishing up camera prep, costume sewing and water top-up, all normal tasks before any vacation!  We plan to get up early tomorrow and head north to the playa.  Once we get there we need to find where our friends have camped and get our own campsite setup.  Then nothing but fun for six days. We will post later when the fun has finished and we leave the desert!

Today we leave Colorado for our second trip to Burning Man.  This years theme is Rites of Passage, and as usual we have been preparing for months.  Joining us on this adventure is Phil Huff and Jim and Judith O'Toole. We have all the necessary food, water, and shelter required to survive in the desert for a week.  Probably too much stuff, but in true Radical Self Reliance form we don't want to be a burden on the community. Since our first event was in 2009 we are calling this is Burning Man 2.0.  We at least know what to expect, and are excited to experience Black Rock City again.  This time we have more costumes so we can participate in the Radical Self Expression principle!   We also want to try and see more of the city and theme camps than last time,.   For those of you who need a recap of Burning Man, check out our 2009 postings:  http://johnandsarastanford.blogspot.com/2009/08/burning-man-2009.html We are taking an easier approach of no...