This was my beloved Russ’ first Burning Man and, in his usual “Damn the Torpedoes – Full Speed Ahead” way of doing things, he preceeded me to the burn. When I arrived, seeing him “playa-fied” – kilt on, Tribe T-shirt, hair all gritty, bandana and goggles around his neck….WOW. What a man. Yum!
But the moment I’ll never forget, the moment I treasure. Is him coming up to me and saying, “I get it now. I understand why you come here every year. Burning Man is……” Then he stopped and I watched his eyes get a bit misty. And I said, “I know……you can’t explain it. There are no words. Until you’ve been here…..you can’t know.” He smiled and nodded and went off to find his next new playa adventure.
He’s back this year. And so am I. His second year, for me, this is year number 7……Back in 98, I swore I’d be here every year until I couldn’t drag my ass out here anymore. I’ve kept that promise.