Almost Did Not Go

I almost did not go to Burning Man this year......so how did that happen? I have been going since 2013 after all. I guess a break once in a while can be a good thing but the intention was to go and not to take a break. 
I got my Burning Man ticket the day the general sale took place, back in April. The plan was to go with two other girls and I secured tickets for them as well. Everybody was on the same page....or so I thought. We had been talking about going to Burning Man since last year. I found a camper trailer for us to rent. Then one of them started talking about bringing her then boyfriend. Not even asking, just decided to add him to the mix. And when that relationship was over there was mention of bringing the new boyfriend (which I had not met) and I said no. After all, they had only been together for about a week at that point. Then the day before their tickets had to be purchased (end of July) they decided that they could not afford to go to Burning Man. Ok then. Thanks.
After recently dealing with another friend (former friend at this point) flake on plans just this past weekend, I can say that I am so over people that do not follow through. With some lame exuse as a poor explanation. I do not have the time for friendships like that. 
So I first thought that I was out the cost of the Burning Man ticket and the vehicle pass, this year you could actually get tickets at the gate which has not happened since 2011. People that had a change of plans were selling their tickets for way less than what they purchased them for. I knew that selling my ticket and the vehicle pass would not happen.
And since I already had a ticket I felt like I kind of had to go. So I started looking into other options, I really did not want to go to Burning Man on my own. In the end I found a rideshare to Black Rock City from Portland with a fellow Burner that turned out to be really cool. And I found a small camp, Snow Cone Zone to stay with which turned out to be nice. First I thought about doing open camping but decided against it. And I stayed in my tent, a first since 2016. I had to cancel the camper trailer and everything worked out in the end. 
Got my ticket and vehicle pass at Will Call. Getting in took maybe 1 1/2 hours so not bad at all. We left Portland Monday afternoon August 26 and rolled into Black Rock City around 3 am Tuesday.

Serious death or injury may result from attending Burning Man. It happens.

Having my morning beverage (London Fog) outside my tent and reading What Where When. 

Biking out to the man during the magic hour, feeling that now familar breeze, the sand, the everything that is Black Rock City.