TeresaJones wrote:Hi everyone,
I go by Teresa. My boyfriend and I are planning to attend Burning Man this summer as complete virgins. I have had some... reservations... but I am gradually getting more and more excited about it.
We're still figuring out logistics, so I don't really have any specific questions to ask... feel like we have more research to do before we're in the asking questions phase. But I did want to establish a presence on here (hello everyone! reading your threads so far has been extremely helpful!)
This is our plan so far:
(It's a bit tricky because we move around a lot for his work, hopping around different apartments; we're not sure what city we'll be in in three months, although probably in Texas? But yeah so building an elaborate structure ahead of time that we know we'll be able to take with us is not really happening. Also we never camp. Never. I don't think either one of us has so much as pitched a tent.)
Right now our biggest concern is shelter: Either buy an old van or possibly borrow a friend's truck with a camper on top.
Challenges: Will the van survive the trip? And will it leak oil all over the playa?
If we borrow the truck, will we return it in decent shape?
Also, we might still want to get a Costco Carport for shade, which means still having something to stake down... *imagining windblown disaster*
The good thing is that we're both pretty low maintenance, hard-working people. We just don't have any actual experience camping in the desert.
And I know it's not really a camping trip... Part of me would actually prefer a desert camping trip.
But I know that he's going to be really into the culture and the art and the festival aspect
and the terrible terrible techno music. I... I know that I am going to need some quiet time. But I am open to the life changing cultural experience as well. ...We find the places where our Venn diagrams overlap, and we allow each other freedom to explore the places where they don't. That's the idea.
...Sorry for all the rambling. This is how I introduce myself.
Welcome!
Whatever vehicle you take will get dusty and take several hours to clean, and even then some dust (it's like baby powder) will probably continue to seep out and reappear from time to time, so don't borrow anything that is too cosmetically nice.
Whatever you buy or borrow, examine the underside for leaks before you leave, have it fixed and bring an emergency item to catch any drips. Leaving no trace is important to the survival of the habitat and the event. You can sleep in the back of a good cargo van and it will also fit some bikes on the inside on the way . . . it's a great size for 2 people, their water and gear. Unshaded, you can sleep in one til about 8am.
A van with a rack on the top would allow for tying shade cloth or a grommeted silver tarp; that's worth considering as your shade. (I use a combination of steel poles, rebar, shade cloth and a pickup truck for an anchor.)
If you bring one of the costo carports, stake it down the second you put it up. I have seen one of those go cartwheeling down the street at 30 or 40 miles per hour during a freak gust on an otherwise calm day. It made quite an impression on me!
Like you, I don't usually aim for hot meals, and I don't miss them. I like paper plates and compostable dishes. I do like spray bottles to supplement wipes though (stand on a towel), and have stayed at camps with showers or used multiple strategies.
Make sure your baby wipes are in the large refill size bags (surround in an outer, large ziploc for extra insurance) or are the $6 set of three smaller wipe bags.
Boxes of wipes dry out in a few days and will kill your skin.
Oh, and if you don't want to hear techno 24 hours a day stay away from the "top" of the clock (2-3 o'clock, 9-10 o'clock) and opt for the 3 o clock side in general. The 9 o'clock side is more festive. Around 4, 5 and 6 on the clock seems pretty quiet @ night, especially on the outside.
If you're going to be far out, you really will need those bikes. Bring a soft seat cover. And a backpack.
