Shuttles into town from the playa?

[heygirlhey]

Hi all, this is my first burn and I've been preparing for months and am SUPER excited. I've been reading these message boards a ton and it's been really helpful, so thanks everyone that has contributed!

I remember hearing or reading something about a shuttle bus that takes people into town each day from the playa, incase they need supplies or whatnot... is that a thing? Or am I tripping?

I realize leaving the playa probably takes away from the whole experience, but my grandfather is ill and I'm torn wether I should even go to burning man now. If I could get to a phone every couple days to check in with my family, it would be really helpful. I'm going out there to spend time with him next week before the burn, but I would feel like a real selfish dickwad if he passed away while I was partying in the desert and I didn't know and I missed the funeral. Actually, I already feel like a dick for even considering going and for writing this post. Please don't judge me. I know I should just go and be fully present or not go at all, but... I just want to see if this is even an option.

Thanks
xx

***Edit: Whoops, I may have posted this on the wrong board... Wasn't sure where to put it. If there's somewhere better I should move it to let me know. <3

[Madgirl]

In past years there has been at least one camp that brings a phone to the playa that is available for anyone to use...I don't know if anyone will be offering a similar service this year but if so you could try and track them down.

[AntiM]

There is a daily shuttle into Gerlach/Empire. It used to cost $5, might still. You must have ID and your ticket stub, and be dressed appropriately, and not be su0per-drunk or high.

Hey, you're entitled to feel however you feel about your family. Your grandfather will be ill no matter what you do. Any of us could pass away at any time. I have lost much of my family, I learned you cannot put your life on hold. Just be sure he knows you love him. They can hold the funeral for a few days, can't they?

[Lonesomebri]

And if you got some bad news over the phone...then what? You can't abandon your gear on the playa. How could you respond? How long would it take to clear out and then make it back to gramps? There is a thread here on a guy wondering how to contact his wife off playa who is having their child. Some of the same stuff applies. So you find out something is happening off playa, then what, it's not like you can then transport to where you think you should now be. There isn't an easy answer, but you should consider what your actions would then be after you find out the information you seek. Yeah, there is a shuttle.

[Elliot]

I seem to remember reading that you must also pay a re-entry fee at the gate -- maybe $20.

[heygirlhey]

Thanks for the advice everyone! Actually, right after I wrote the post I found the thread about the guy with the pregnant wife... Similar situation and some good advice over there as well.

My family is catholic, so funerals usually happen within a couple days after the person passes.

I just figured if I got ahold of my family and something happened, I could take the shuttle to town and hop on a greyhound bus to Reno for a quick(ish) escape so that my campmates don't have to leave to drive me anywhere. I'm driving out with a group of six people and sharing a yurt with three, so my campmates wouldn't have too much slack to pick up if I had to leave early. They would just have my bike and some extra food and water to deal with. Oh, and my garbage I suppose. (Sorry campmates....)

Anyway, it sounds like people can email emergency messages to the Black Rock Rangers, which will then get posted on playa info in center camp each day- so maybe I can just check that every day and avoid taking the shuttle unless I need to leave. Hmmmm.

Thanks everyone for being compassionate and non-judgey, it will be a difficult decision if I do decide to go and will likely be a very emotional first burn, hah.

<3

[Eric]

I could take the shuttle to town and hop on a greyhound bus to Reno for a quick(ish) escape so that my campmates don't have to leave to drive me anywhere.

There are no buses from Gerlach or Empire to Reno, at all.
Gerlach has maybe 200 people living in the area, there are little-to-no services (1 gas-station, 3 bars...) If you need to get to Reno from BRC, you're going to need to have one of your friends drive you. The good news is that it's only going to cost them $20 to get back in (ea, if more than one goes), they just need their tickets with them. The bad news is that they still have to wait in the entry line when they return - so make sure they have water & snacks.

[Savannah]

Heygirlhey. Here's the link to the shuttle bus that goes from the Burn to Gerlach. Visit the page and print the info. I note the exit/re-entry fee is $10 per occasion on the bus, $20 to leave/re-enter in a car. If you get some news (however you obtain it) and leave early and don't come back, obviously there's no fee for a mere departure, but anyone who drives you would need to pay the entry/re-entry and have their papers in order to get back in. As Eric says, there is no bus from Gerlach to Reno.

http://www.burningman.com/on_the_playa/ ... rvice.html

Hard to judge your decision, but I'm really glad you're going to visit him right beforehand. I'm sorry this is the way of things for your family right now.

[heygirlhey]

I could take the shuttle to town and hop on a greyhound bus to Reno for a quick(ish) escape so that my campmates don't have to leave to drive me anywhere.

There are no buses from Gerlach or Empire to Reno, at all.
Gerlach has maybe 200 people living in the area, there are little-to-no services (1 gas-station, 3 bars...) If you need to get to Reno from BRC, you're going to need to have one of your friends drive you. The good news is that it's only going to cost them $20 to get back in (ea, if more than one goes), they just need their tickets with them. The bad news is that they still have to wait in the entry line when they return - so make sure they have water & snacks.

Ah, you're right. Damn. I googled "Gerlach NV bus" and saw the word "greyhound" pop up and that's where my research stopped. Whoops.....

Thanks for the link and kind words, Savannah. : )

[FIGJAM]

Simply ask him what he would like and then do that.

You're spending time with him next week, so ask him.

No weaseling or selling him on the idea, just ask him!!!

[heygirlhey]

Thanks all, I really appreciate your replies. For now I have decided not to go this year (unless he passes while I am there visiting him... which there is that chance). In all my hours of nerdy burning man research, I somehow missed the fact that Gerlach is so tiny! Whoa. And it's just too much to ask of my boyfriend/campmates to drive me all the way to Reno. : /

Oh well, c'est la vie.

xx