I, my son Sam and his lady Stephanie headed south out of Portland on Sunday the 24th of August. Our plan was to hit the gate just after midnight so we could roll on into Black Rock City without waiting in a long, hot, dusty line.
The three of us and all our gear were jammed into a small Suzuki with a couple of bikes stuck on the back. Sam and Step's turtle had been dropped off at friends the day before. Lead Belly the cat would be fed by a friend. We locked the door, squeeze our way into the Car and headed south out of Portland Oregon.
We headed down I-5 till we could turn off and hit the route that led through the mountains of Central Oregon to Klamath Falls. This was a beautiful drive that took us through lush green forest, running rivers and streams and lakes. We even saw a Moose. It was good to soak up the green and the wet before we hit the Playa.
We passed other Burners along our way. Some like us jammed into little cars, others in Buses and Vans and RVs. Every honked and waved and smiled. Everyone and everything was Playa Dust free at this point.
We picked up water in Klamath Falls, stuffing the car even more, and headed south into a small slice of California. We stopped in Cedarville for snacks. This is a little Cali town that loves Burners. They put up signs and give away free chili and stay open late. It felt good to get out of the car, stretch and talk to other Burners, all excited about going Home.
From here the road ran southeast and we crossed into Nevada, where the country side got dryer and sparser. Black Rock City was not far away now.
We arrived after midnight, the gate was open and the line kept moving. We could see the lights and fires of the City in the distance. A quarter Moon rested on the tops of the East Hills. This Moon was waxing, by Burn night it would be the New Moon.
At the Checker station, we had a problem. The right back door would not open, the latch was broken. Since everything in the back was jammed against that door from seat to ceiling, he thought we had someone hidden there. They weren't going to let us inter till we opened that door.
Finally we talked him into allowing us to roll down the window and he could put his hand in the pile. This worked and we headed for the Gate.
We drove along, reading the signs by the fence. One of them a quote by Utah Philips. After months of talking and planning and trying to get the money together for tickets, supplies and travel, we had reached the Playa. It was a warm balmy night with only a little wind and dust blowing.

This would be my fourth Burn, my son Sam's second and Stephanie's first. I had come out of the last three Burns changed in many profound ways. I was curious to see what transformations of myself and my physical world would rise from these flames.
At the Gate our Virgin rang the gong, got hugs and welcomes and rolled around in the dust. We were given info books and maps and headed into the city. We knew the Boonville Camp was somewhere around 7:30 and Fairlane. The Theme this year was 'The American Dream' and all the streets were named after cars.
After a short search we found them at 7:15 and Fairlane. The camp was easy to spot. There was Doug's Dome, Captain's Truck, the Bar, and a giant TV. Everyone was sleep. We pitched our tents for the night and the kids got out the bikes and headed out to see the Man.
The Man this year stood tall on an open framed tower. All the flags of the world were on the sides. You could climb up into this structure and look out at the City. Black Rock Rangers were on duty 24/7 so there would be no repeat of the Man burning twice, as he had last year.
Morning brought the Sun, and when the sun hits your tent on the Playa, you know it's time to get up. Camp was only partly filled up at this point; more folks were on the way throughout the week. It was great to see the smiling faces of long time friends and to meet new friends as well.
The Boonville Crew is not only delightful, creative, talented folks; they are veterans of this event now and have got their Act together. Camp was well organized and planned out. All the comforts of life on the Playa were here. Shade, showers, kitchen, coffee camp in the morning, a well stocked bar, lots of seating and fun people to be with.
The Boonville Cabaret had returned bigger and better than ever.
Starting at the Door (no walls of course, just a door) where you had to give a pass word through little window before entering, the Boonville Cabaret was the best small theme camp anywhere in the City. Round caf� style tables were shaded by a major piece of Playa construction. A Giant TV waited. Open for performance by both Boonvillians but anyone who wished to claim their moments of fame on TV. At night, the TV was lit with Black Lights, adding another dimension to the performances. Flaming ping pong was available with jets of flame shooting through the net. Tetherball added another level of fun.
A well stocked, shaded bar where almost any type of tasty beverage could be mixed for your drinking pleasure, faced the door. It was a very fun camp for those of us staying there and those who knocked on the door.

Boonvilles sister camp, Recharge Camp, was located across the street. The two camps combined for colorful and fun Bee Swarms, bussing around the Playa and swarming people and camps.
Monday afternoon the wind began to blow out of the South West. Great clouds of Dust rose into the air and Black Rock City suffered its second long term White Out in two days. This was the point for me where time and space shifted into Burning Man Time. More Dream Time than
Clock time. Events and when they happened are blurred. This is the effect being at Burning Man has on me. In this environment, NOW is all I have.

Part II
My Personal Burn
AND/OR
via's burner blog '07