I had learned a few days ago  that Fluffy wasnt due out to Reno until Thursday.. not Wednesday as our original plan.. well.. no worries, there was still much to do. And the Grand sierra wasn’t any worse than any other weird gambling hotel in the city.. it had food, running water and AC.. three things the desert doesn’t have.. so I was OK>

I took a run outsied in the 100 degree dry heat.. not bad.. I even noticed that Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias was playing the hotel.. SO I took a picture of the sign.. A few minutes later a hotel security in a four wheeler chased me down while I was running and ordered me to stop and ordered me to give him my phone… I just as politely told him NFW !.. You cant see my phone. I’m a guest here .. I asked why he thought he had to write to see my phone. He explained that they were watching me on security camera and the fact that I was taking pictures of things like the sign made it likely that I was some sort of master criminal taking pictures of patrons cars to steal. I didn’t see the logic but I understood he was just trying to do his job. Anyway I finished my run

A bit later Rebar had to go get the Budget Truck (or Budget F**K as it was called)..

THe rest of the day we spent eat, sleeping and for me at least… Working on my flamed documentation and copies of all the installation documents, part specifications etc. that might come up in our department of mutant vehicle questiong..

Max and Becky got into town late last night like we did.. THey came to see me for a short bit with one of their friends. It was fantastic to see them even for a few minutes. I was really excited to be working with them out on the playa.

 

Anyway.. it was an unexpectedly quiet and peaceful day..

more to come I hope..

Uh-oh.. we just heard that the Bus broke down in Salt Lake City.. .. now what ?!

note all, nite sam

-me

Todays the day.. I said good bye to sweet Diane.. who’s been an amazing help on the fluffy project and drove off to meet .. Aaron (Rebar)  at the airport for our flight out to Reno. The idea  was to join Fluffy on the Playa for ‘build week’ .. its like your own private burning man just for the folks setting up the camp and installing art and art cars..

The flight out was busy. I spent it finishing up the Firre Safety documentation ofr our Art Car .. we did get a few hours for me to teach Rebar the lighting software a bit more..

We had a stop in Denver that allowed us to see
“Blucifer” the haunted horse  of the Denver airport (It’s a “thing” see here)

 

 

we got to Reno about 8 pm .. I was happy to see a picture of Aqueos.. a piece max had helped on in the airport exhibit of burning man art

 

Rebar and I picked up our van and drove the 2 miles to the grand sierra for what we thought was just one night of prep before we hit the desert

that.. it turns out.. was not going to happen… stay tuned !

 

nite all, nite sam

-me

 

 

Now that Fluffy is on the road. I have exactly one day of down time until I fly out to Reno to meet the bus to begin the setup of the lights and fire for the playa.

It was so nice hanging out  with DIane with no bus to work on.. it’s been weeks since I felt this un-busy. (aside from packing for the desert 🙂

Today we got a nice box  from Gabe and Sammantha in Oregon. They  sent a box with the  wonderful  fruit juices we all drank with them in Hawaii  . .. Brought back great memories

 

I did have some time I had to devote to Fluffy.. Here’s my attempt to print the 1.5 inches of fire safety and light installation docs in prep for the Playa

 

oops !

nite all, nite sam

-me

 

 

Fluffy is still here in VT.. but after soem quick debuging by Duane, Rebar and Gizzo.. with some remote help by Max, the team realized that we needed a new generator. That was purchased this morning at Harbor freight. The team spent the day making final  prep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

check out Dianes knees 🙂

 

 

 

 

Diane and I had to sneak out before Fluffy left because we’d had a long standing invitation from Susan and Issac to come have Iranian food at their house.    Issac has been an associate Prof at UVM in Mechanical engineering. Susan is finishing her PhD in Illinois.. and their extremely cute baby Sophia  who is 9 months old..    They are so nice. !  They’d made a really delicious Iranian lunch for us !

 

Later on that afternoon we headed to Hanksville to my friend  Dave and his wife Nancy’s  H’s place for outdoor pizza. Our mutual friend Kevin was there too. I know Kevin through  Dave as part of Dave’s amazing Davenport motor project where’ he’s re-created a working electric motor patented in 1837 by Vermont blacksmith Thomas Davenport..   Kevin is a historian who lives in Davenports home town of Brandon VT. It was so nice  hanging out with Dave, Nancy and Kevin.. they have a beautiful place !.. The pizza was really tasty too !

 

 

 

here are motor models which Dave has built

.. they are so amazing !

We heard that Fluffy actually left aroudn 6:20 this aftyernoon.. about a day late..  .. but the adventure has begun !

nite all, nite sam

-me