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: Leaving
Finally we're heading off the playa. There's not much competing traffic, so we're not awash in [more] dust. I did the Exodus shift yesterday, so I know what to expect at the exit. Dusty greeters, who will wave, count us, and bid us farewell.
Here are some of my favorite lines I used during my shift, sending cars on their way:
Leaving civilization, heading to population. Don't confuse to two.
Playa dust - it's a condiment, not a food group.
Hurry back. We miss you already.
Think of us for all your playa dust needs.
Open the windows, take a deep breath. It'll be your last chance to enjoy the fresh playa dust. When you microwave it most of the wholesome goodness is lost.
Here's a very happy Ranger Lefty, back in Reno, at the Eldorado buffet. We didn't shower, we didn't sleep, we just washed our hands and dove into the myriad of tasty treats. That and enjoyed waves of chilled air washing over our baked bodies.
I have no idea what point he was making, but he seemed serious about it (and not too dangerous to himself or others :-) so I nodded. I was on a food rush after eating rather minimal fare during the week. [The Ranger management adopted a schedule of four six-hour shifts; this put us on and off duty just before and after the commissary closed. But I did manage to score an incredible pork loin - with chutney! - dinner the evening of the Burn. Mmmm.]
I think Lefty must have seen my glazed look; he took my camera and snapped this picture of me moments later. Another great year with Lefty, another great year on the playa. I'm a lucky guy. And soon I'll be back with my family.
We get up to go after filling our plates several times. This is the view down the main corridor, to the food.
This is the entrance of the buffet, taken as we were walking out. Strangely, there's no way to gamble while at the buffet. I remember that other food venues, such as the sports bar at the Nugget, have gambling and food service together. Seems a shame to give people a moment to gather themselves and consider what's going on...
Here's the last picture of our 2002 venture: the main intersection at the Eldorado. We're going to take the left walkway, by the hanging lights, to a skyway to our dust-encrusted truck.
As we're heading home I make notes about one of my Ranger shifts.
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