It’s getting real. The lobby in Harrah’s is a bizarre mixture of glassy-eyed gamblers drinking and smoking for hours on end and luggage toting burners dragging as much as they can carry. A buff bare-chested male, dressed in a vest, man-kilt, sturdy boots and heavy socks stood proud—carrying a spear like a great white hunter, in the lobby as I passed through. I’ve seen enough YouTube videos to realize this will be normal attire for the week.
My class reunion is over and my classmates are rooting for my experience. My friend Frannie, who has been a few times, brought a beautiful embroidered, salmon colored skirt for me. Others like Chip, who lives in Reno and regaled us with tales of dusty burners returning through Reno looking for showers, questions my sanity. Teri’s and my tickets, guide and camelbacks were dropped off to Chip by daughter Brooke, husband Gage and camp organizer Sarah as they drove their truck through on their way to the Playa, so we are ready for our Burner Bus ride into the desert.
On the streets, strangely packed vehicles pass through, loaded down with camping supplies and bikes. I have seen two parked on the street today that would rival trucks seen in old t.v. shows“Green Acres” and “The Beverley Hillbillies”. I picture them as a modern day wagon train with food, water, bedding, tents, pots and pans, etc, hanging like charms on a rope bracelet, hoping not to lose anything onthetrail.
My little buddy arrives tomorrow and she is wishing she had come a day earlier, but both of us decided how much heat and excitement we could handle, which dictated our choice. We have been texting weather reports and last minute messages like teenagers and are thrilled to see it will only be in the high 90’s during the day and 60’s at night with no humidity!
My daughter Dawn will meet us there Wednesday. She is thrilled to leave her two toddlers behind and enjoy the experience with me. ”I wish I was in the best shape of my life instead of the worst”, I moaned to her. ”Mom, you will be a rockstar by just being there.” I want to believe this. Stay tuned!