A visit to Fly Ranch (and a request for feedback!)

[DrYes]

I had the opportunity to visit Fly Ranch during the Burn this year, and put together an article on it with pics and video.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on what we could do with the ranch!

http://www.burn.life/blog/a-visit-to-bu ... -fly-ranch

[Jackass]

Checking my spam and inbox now, but I don't believe I got an invite...

I must not be "influential" enough.

It's ok, members of the BRCCP are permitted to skinny dip there anytime we want... Larry said it's cool.

[vargaso]

Could be interesting if they turned it into a Burning Man version of an artists' retreat, where people or groups of people can either reserve or apply to stay for a week or two, with all the rules and freedom of Burning Man in place. Could result in lots of smaller burns. Over time, I can see different groups coalesce into more desirable events, for lots of different reasons, and I can definitely see people preferring these smaller burns over the big one. I think it would be different than regionals in that, assuming the Hualapi Flat could be used, the topography would more resemble Burning Man, and certain weeks would begin to draw artists and others from around the world.

I was initially against the purchase of Fly Ranch because it just seemed like another misguided effort to "spread burner culture," but if what I described is part of the plan, I think it could be very interesting.

[Token]

$6.5 Million gifted by wealthy burners ...


So is that like giving big to your local election campaign or more of a lobbyist dropping off aluminum suitcases of sweaty money?

Kind of feels like when you forget your shirt-cocking and scratch your ass long and hard.

The hang-nails are a real screamer.

[Simon of the Playa]

bags of cash from Arcata covered in Resin...




oh wait, wrong wealthy burners...

[some seeing eye]

It is a remote spot. It's roughly 6 miles by 1.

The main challenge is to articulate a long term mission for the Burning Man Org and hope the August regional is not canceled because of a liability event.

They need to figure out how much electricity they can get up there, how much they can generate, whether they can use the geothermal. What the environmental constraints are. They need a paved runway somewhere. Just getting the depot legal with the county was a good step.

They already have a relationship with Esalen http://www.esalen.org/page/campus-map, and The Long Now kids. I'm voting for Esalen + Arcosanti + Djerassi. A think tank would be cool but that would complicate the finances.

Contributions have been running in the $1M/ year (2014) plus a free cash flow of $2M. To build out a conference center and housing would be far North of $100M and take more than 10 years. Esalen has operating expenses of about $15M, about $5M+- of it personnel expenses, so you would need a lot of people to pay to stay or do a conference at the Ranch to bring in $5, 10, 15M a year.

So the culture is going according to plan.

Fly ranch is in Washoe Co. But the flat lies with our BFF, Pershing Co. Ultimately it could revive Gerlach, slowly.

Fly Ranch Development.png

[Token]

SSE, is there a readable high-Rez or vector of that map anywhere? Can't read as is.

[ygmir]

#hightechhippietechierichbrodisneylandforthewealtyincrowd/wehavecookies

[some seeing eye]

I am not aware of a high res version.

[DrYes]

Could be interesting if they turned it into a Burning Man version of an artists' retreat, where people or groups of people can either reserve or apply to stay for a week or two.

I heard someone connected to the project (not officially speaking for the Org in any capacity, mind you) say something to the effect of, "Artist residency programs seem like a no-brainer." Completely agree with you and that person.

[vargaso]

Could be interesting if they turned it into a Burning Man version of an artists' retreat, where people or groups of people can either reserve or apply to stay for a week or two.

I heard someone connected to the project (not officially speaking for the Org in any capacity, mind you) say something to the effect of, "Artist residency programs seem like a no-brainer." Completely agree with you and that person.

Not just a retreat or residency, but an exhibition and event, like mini burns. Maybe reserve a percentage of spaces for artists and friends, and then some for the public. Year round burns. How cool would a burn on the Hualapi Flat be in Dec? Cold as fuck, but think of the all the ways artists and planners could deal with that?

[lucky420]

It's really quite a bit wetter over that way

[Traveller in Time]

Does the Hualapi Flat not also flood with included transport limitations?

[vargaso]

Does the Hualapi Flat not also flood with included transport limitations?

Detail, details....

[WileE13]

"I'd love to hear your thoughts on what we could do with the ranch!"

Raise cattle. Fence in the geyser and open it to the public.

[some seeing eye]

You can sign up for email updates on the Fly Ranch Project. They sent out a mailing on their early gathering of ideas from the community with links to eplayan DrYes and others, more info and videos to come. If you happen to live in Washoe, might be good to follow.

[some seeing eye]

Mapping Fly Ranch part 1

http://ibareitall.com/fly-ranch-aerial- ... rs-part-1/

[some seeing eye]

Burning Man Org and Friends of Black Rock - High Rock are partnering to offer 3 hour walks of Fly Ranch five Saturdays in October and November. No soaking though.

https://blackrockdesert.ticketleap.com/ ... ture-walk/

(If you sign up for the Fly Ranch emails, on https://flyranch.burningman.org/, you get occasional notes like this.)

[Just_Joe]

Burning Man Org and Friends of Black Rock - High Rock are partnering to offer 3 hour walks of Fly Ranch five Saturdays in October and November.

That's right!
My gang (Friends of Black Rock High Rock) are excited to be working with the Burning Man Project on this and look forward to having some great hikes. Join us for an afternoon!

Friends of Black Rock High Rock
blackrockdesert.org

[alt12]

Thanks for sharing this. I've been wondering what they've been up to with Fly Ranch. Sounds like not much currently. Frankly, a year-round intentional arts-spiritual-healing-thinktank community and retreat center that hosts events on a much smaller scale could be really interesting. But as always it comes down to economics and how it pays for itself.

[some seeing eye]

Tours are starting up this Spring. You can get on the mailing list for Fly Ranch or connect with Friends of Black Rock High Rock. The reservations for walks are arranged by http://blackrockdesert.org/.

From their email:

" We’re going to start walking for a few hours each weekend in small groups of people interested in the project, and we invite you to come with us. To begin our planning process, we want to gather a diverse range of opinions and perspectives and that starts with these walks.

The local conservation group Friends of Black Rock-High Rock are managing the walks. They have been bringing folks out to the Northern Nevada high desert for years....

Walks are open to anyone able to join us. Mobility restrictions will be accommodated. Reservations must be made. We are not able to allow soaking in the pools on these trips. We've noticed erosion on the banks of the pools over the last few years from swimming, and before opening the property to soaking, we'd like to understand our impact and study low-impact alternatives.

In the interest of the Burning Man principle of immediacy, and in support of fostering direct experiences with the land and people, these walks will be explicitly device free. No cell phones. No cameras. No pocket robots or smart watches.

The walks will take place each Saturday and Sunday rain or shine, are roughly 2.5 miles long, and last about 3 hours. "