Because we're running about 90 minutes later than scheduled Rose picks up the kids from school and brings them to the house. A quick snack, visit to the o'benji, and we climb aboard the RV and head out.
On our way to Burning Man 2006 we pass the first marker of note: Sacramento. Once here I know things are really on the way. It's about an hour away, out of the Bay Area sub-urban area, and the first real change of climate. So far, so good.
The RV can go about 55-60 mph. Every once in a while it becomes unstable and weaves a bit, so a gentle touch on the brakes is called for. Soon we're approaching Reno, NV, at night. Here's a quick photo before we pull off for our traditional purchase of water (heavy, why carry it over the mountains), ice for the coolers, etc.
My turn to drive. Before we leave Reno we stop at McDonalds, the only place to get coffee late at night. Well, I guess we could have gone in search of a diner or whatnot, but we really want to get to the playa. Here's Leori stirring.
Every year, on my Burning Man blog, I make special note about the extreme measures the police take to ticket travellers along 447 (the last leg before arriving at the event). For them these few days, what with 40,000+ tourists driving through their small towns, is like Christmas. Do people listen? No. Every year as we drive through these are the scenes we see again and again. Here's what we saw in Big Nixon:
and this is the same scene, repeated just down the road on the Pyramid Lake reservation.
Whatever the posted speed limit might be, go a bit slower. Really, it's worth it!