Burning Man: Day 8

Pretty much what it looks like

The Cathedral

Inside the cathedral, and one of my favorite pics

Mom and "Popsicle"

A Black Rock Ranger guards the man as he is disassembled for the burn

Playa art

The highest point I could find. To the left is center camp and to the right, major points of interest.

Pizzas in the making

Adam at The G-spot

The girl being painted demanded side burns and a moustache -- she would only speak as a German but in a French accent

More painting

Some guy

Pope Reggie says "Kiss it"

Tramp(oline)s

Another of my most favorite pics

Pre-burn the laser pointers were out in force

Art being created

People huddled around the fiery serpent

A fire dancer at the edge of the playa

Art car of DOOM

Dancing beneath the lights

Making out in the Belgian Waffle

Mr. and Mrs. Claus

Sparks flying as captured by some extended shutter action

I woke up early, around 8:00, and was filled with playa-lust. With bandanna / goggles firmly in place I raced away from camp with such a passion that I greeted the Esplanade breathlessly and with the sound of rushing blood pounding in my ears. I rode for hours, my camera never returning to its pouch once. Only pizza could take me away from the open and dusty playa -- by 12:30 I had returned to camp for Tom who was equally eager to try his hand at pizza sculpting. As #344 and #345 we were immediately allowed to enter and begin our labor of love. We each were allowed to make 2 pizzas, one for us, the other to be gifted as part of the random pizza experience. Our gift pizzas came back to camp with us and fed all who were present. At that moment we were elevated to the status of heroes within the camp and although we were not hoisted on shoulders, I still was treated as a champion.

The remainder of the afternoon was spent down at the G-Spot where a rapid succession of drinks, photos, face paint, nice folks from Seattle, trampolines and music left me breathless... literally. On a whim, I attempted my first back-flip and although not successful at first, was eventually able to land one... and then another... and then another. I couldn't stop! Night was approaching and the burn was close. We (Tom, Adam and myself) headed back to camp to dress up and make our way down to watch The Man's last stand.

* * * * *

The burn was intense! Fire dancers twirled their molten orbs as 40,000 people watched the man stumble and eventually fall into a blazing heap. I walked the length of the Esplanade: from the Belgian Waffle to the Opulent Temple. I made a few stops along the way, leaving the group behind in an attempt to spend my last night at Burning Man reflecting back on the week and getting myself ready for the long, emotional journey home.