My Blog

pedal powered blender?

Rapunzel — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:51:11 GMT

*drools* Right now Im supposed to be out of town at an environmental education fair that my work is hosting, for the local kids to learn about things like salmon, habitat, watersheds, and sustainable living. I left for the evening but will be gone again until Friday. Holy crap! We borrowed this adapted old excersize bike from the local college and I'll be damned if this isnt the coolest thing since sliced bread. A pedal powered blender. What an awesome thing to bring to burning man! I want to make one really badly! But I need a certain size/style of an OLD exercise bike (something about a 16' fly wheel that weighs 35 lbs - think they meant a 16" but whatever) and an AC blender (500 rpm at 70 volts) which is very hard to find. But. Buuuut! I WANT!!! How cool would this be??? Ice cold smoothies in the day time, and freshly blended margaritas at night??? I WANT!!!

Jeebus

Rapunzel — Thu, 01 May 2008 03:15:58 GMT

All this talk about earth quakes is freaking me out. We just had one here a couple weeks ago, and yesterday there was a 5.2 from a DIFFERENT location. Which was as far as I know around the same time that Bare felt one, and shes a bagillion miles away so I KNOW it wasnt the same one. I also know Linty felt one way the hell over in Nevada some time a week or so ago. What the hell is going on? And I could have swore I felt one about ten or twenty minutes ago - but I think maybe now Im just getting paranoid!

Uh oh it's started

Rapunzel — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 01:38:27 GMT

You know Im missing home when I check out the Gerlach webcam http://www.burningman.com/preparation/travel_info/gerlach_webcam.html (its pointed in the wrong direction right now though). This was the first DPW work weekend, and I thought maybe I'd see someone out and about. I was just on the burning man website trying to find out if there are any 'big' burns this year other than the temple and the man, and got distracted. Im officially getting excited. The Man burns in 133 days!

Wow it really IS spring time.

Rapunzel — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 20:35:14 GMT

The barn-swallows started to nest near my apartment just today. All the sudden they ALL came out at once (half a dozen, maybe more). Plus a nesting pair of what I think are house sparrows, to boot. The kitties are FREAKING OUT! Haha! They are indoor-kitties while I live at my current place, and unfortunately thus far have mostly just seen crow's (not that the kitties mind!). They're also digging the fact that I can leave my window open all day long (and I dont get cold! YAY!). Everyone in the neighborhood is outside today, mowing lawns, walking the dog, and having yard sales. I do believe this is the warmest day of the year here so far. I love it. If I had a garden, Id be in it. Instead, I had to settle for buying another potted plant today from the first Farmers Market of the season. Jasmine, yum! I give it a few more days and it'll be blooming. Now its time to do some spring cleaning. I have a date at the hot-tubs tonight, and if I end up with company afterward, I dont want a messy house!

What the hell am I doing?

Rapunzel — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:51:00 GMT

Well Shiva gave an update so I decided to follow suit. Why the eff am I online all day and why does it look like I dont have a job? I do, I swear! And its full time too! Grant writing time in salmon world. That, and teaching season. (boring season) Today I am going into a second grade classroom to talk about salmon habitat - good and bad. Its hard to make stuff like this interesting and interactive but can be fun at the same time (is a dead tree GOOD or BAD? Why?). Next week I'll be going into that same classroom and dissecting a fish. WHich is awesome and always fun for the kids, except my teaching partner is a wuss and cant stand the site of fish guts. I may actually have to ask him to not even come in that day, because i cant have him teaching the kids that fish guts are gross *sigh* (he refuses to be anywhere near the fish, I cant let the kids know that!). Last time I dissected a fish it was really cool. It was a fairly large steelhead trout, and there must have been about 2,000+ fully developed eggs. Too bad she didnt get a chance to spawn yet. Someone ended up taking home the eggs and putting them in their freezer (to use for fishing bait). Better than throwing them into the garbage I suppose. Im glad it went to good use. We're also writing grant proposals for salmon-saving funds, for projects which will take place in a few months (when I'll actually be OUT in the field again...WORKING). Heh. So yeah. Im doing prep work for ACTUAL WORK. I know in the end its all for an excellent cause, but sometimes I get sick of having "nothing" to do. At times I get given a task (writing a grant) which would normally take an hour to cut/paste all the info, and I have about 8 hours to do it. Blah! So then I write blogs and play on www.neopets.com and right now Im trying to decide if I want to have a social life on Friday night, or if I want to wake up early EARLY Saturday morning and kill invasive plant species...(what to do?) What are YOU doing right now?? Wanna dissect a fish? http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00548/DissectionGame.html DO IT! ITS FUN!

This is very important to me, plz read it. DONT eat farmed salmon.

Rapunzel — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 17:05:10 GMT

Sea lice infest salmon farms heavily, thriving in the crowded conditions. We knew this 20 years ago, but were told they wouldn’t spread to wild populations. By 10 years ago research had proven that the lice did spread to wild populations, and by five years ago we knew that high concentrations of lice from fish farms were killing some wild fish. But did they kill enough salmon to harm whole populations? The industry said "No." But a paper in the journal Science published last December demonstrated convincingly that sea lice from salmon farms in British Columbia’s Broughton archipelago, a collection of islands and channels between North Vancouver Island and the mainland, are exterminating entire native runs of pink salmon. The salmon industry at Broughton mirrors the industry’s worldwide development. Broughton got its first farms in the late 1980s, and by 2005 it had over 20 farms holding millions of Atlantics. These farms were releasing tens of millions of sea lice. Over the past five years these sea lice, floating in great density in the channels in which the salmon farms float, have forced virtually every pink salmon leaving the Broughton archipelago to swim through an infested gauntlet to try to reach the ocean. The wild pink fingerlings, their skin still unscaled, pick up two, three, a half-dozen lice apiece—tolerable to adults, perhaps, but not to these finger-sized smolts. "They are not equipped to survive this," says Alexandra Morton, director of the Salmon Coast Field Station and a co-author of the paper, "and they don’t." This infestation is wiping out the wild pink salmon runs whose rivers flow from the mainland into the Broughton archipelago. Analysis of returns and comparisons to nearby rivers without farms show the lice are killing 80 percent of the pinks that run the sea-lice gauntlet. At that rate, and with the pinks’ two-year-long life cycle, the several river populations of pink salmon that must run the Broughton gauntlet could be 99 percent extinct by 2011.

Oops

Rapunzel — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:43:56 GMT

Someone just posted a comment on my blog and before I knew it was there I deleted the blog. Feel free to PM me...

~le sigh~

Rapunzel — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 02:03:47 GMT

Makes me wonder just how bad the salmon population would be if there werent people like me out there trying to fix this... "SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Federal fisheries managers on Friday took the initial step toward imposing what could be the strictest limits ever on West Coast salmon fishing amid a precipitous drop in fish returning to California's Sacramento Valley. The Pacific Fishery Management Council unanimously adopted three options for sport and commercial fishing off the Pacific Coast, including an unprecedented complete shutdown of fishing off California and Oregon. "This is a major disaster. We've never had one ever like this," council chairman Donald Hansen said after the vote. "It will have a major impact on California commercial fisheries for salmon, recreational fisheries, California charters." Story continues below ↓advertisement The closest the council has come to halting all salmon fishing was 2006, when a decline in Northern California's Klamath River run forced severe restrictions on the number of fish caught. The other possible strategies include severely limiting fishing or allowing fishermen to catch and release salmon for scientific projects. Both those options would require the federal government to grant an emergency rule because the salmon numbers are so low. Final action expected in April The fishery council is expected to decide which action to take in April during its meeting in Seattle. "I think the likeliest outcome this year is no one will put a hook in the water," said Humboldt County fisherman Dave Bitts, who was attending the weeklong meeting in Sacramento. The Sacramento River chinook run is usually one of the most plentiful on the West Coast, providing the bulk of the fish caught by commercial trollers off California and Oregon. But this year's returns — even with no fishing allowed — are expected to reach less than half the council's goal for spawning a new generation. It marks the third straight year of declines, and the outlook for next year is no better. After years of declining salmon runs, few fishermen rely solely on salmon for a living. Supplies of farm-raised fish and sockeye from Alaska are expected to remain plentiful in supermarkets and restaurants, but there will be few chinook. Also known as king salmon, they are the type of salmon most prized by chefs and sportsmen. Salmon fishing fleets in decline Many coastal communities that still have salmon fleets have yet to recover from long-standing downturns in fishing and timber. "It's going to have a big effect on our coastal communities," said Zeke Grader, executive director of the San Francisco-based Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations. It is the third straight year of hardship. In 2006, the season was curtailed to protect struggling chinook returns to the Klamath River in Northern California. Last year, catches were poor despite a relatively open fishing season. Congress authorized some aid for fishermen after the 2006 seasons, and California representatives are looking for more this year."

stolen from turtle

Rapunzel — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:57:07 GMT

Tell me about yourself people YOU'RE READING MY JOURNAL, I want to know 40 things about you. I don't care if we never talk, or if we already know everything about each other. Short and sweet is fine ... You're here, so I want to know you better! BE HONEST! COPY FROM HERE THEN SEND DIRECTLY TO ME IN A COMMENT THEN, REPOST THE EMPTY QUESTIONS. 1) Are you currently in a serious relationship? A. 2) What was your dream growing up? A. 3) What talent do you wish you had? A. 4) If I bought you a drink what would it be? A. 5) Favorite vegetable? A. 6) What was the last book you read? A. 7) What zodiac sign are you? A. 8) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where. A. 9) Worst Habit? A. 10) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride? A. 11) What is your favorite sport? A. 12) Do you have a Negative or Optimistic attitude? A. 13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me? A. 14) Worst thing to ever happen to you? A. 15) Tell me one weird fact about you. A. 16) Do you have any pets? A. 17) What if i showed up at your house unexpectedly? A. 18) What was your first impression of me? (hmmm...careful!) A. 19) Are you monogamous, or non-manogamous? A. 20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be? A. 21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience? A. 22) What color eyes do you have? A. 23) Ever been arrested? A. 24) Bottle or can soda? A. 25) If you won $10,000,000 today, what would you do with it? A. 27) What's your favorite place to hang at, outside of your home? A. 28) Do you believe in ghosts? A. 29) Favorite thing to do in your spare time? A. 30) Do you swear a lot? A. 31) Biggest pet peeve? A. 32) In one word, how would you describe yourself? A. 33) Do you believe/appreciate romance? A. 35) Do you believe in God or a higher power? A. 36.) Do you like to be touched? A. 37.) What is your top trouble spot for bodily aches and pains? A. 38.) What do you like to talk about? A. 39.) Describe a great evening or outing. A. 40) Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you? A.

gone fishin'

Rapunzel — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 05:27:08 GMT

Hey folks I'll be gone for a work training for almost two weeks...so au ruvoir! Just wanted to let you all know, incase you thought I dropped off the face of the planet or something :) If I dont die of boredom, I will see you in approx two weeks. (but I'll probably die of boredom first, so start writing my eulogy...)

smile

Rapunzel — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 21:11:30 GMT

I am SO happy. I just had to write a blog and tell you all that. Its been a really long time since Ive smiled so much.

hi

Rapunzel — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 04:55:14 GMT

no internet at my new place evidentally. There WAS a connection my first couple of days there - now my computer doesnt pick it up any more! just thought Id letcha all know. Right now Im in a parking lot! Rawr. Things are going smashingly otherwise. Later!

Okay so who knows bluetooth??

Rapunzel — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 00:37:19 GMT

Who can tell me how to get photos off of my camera phone and onto my computer? Ive moved too many times and have lost my camera phone's instructions! Photos of my new apartment coming soon, as soon as I figure it out...

Transformers

Rapunzel — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 04:00:35 GMT

Two thumbs up. I watched 'Transformers' last night for the first time (in HD, woot!). I had heard mixed reviews (especially from people who were fans when they were kids). But I liked it. Yes, some of the storyline was soap-opera-ish, but what do you expect? Yup yup. :)

internet is down

Rapunzel — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:46:19 GMT

I have no internet probably until next week. The land lady left for the weekend and I think she unplugged something. Well our wireless has acted funny for a while now anyways. SHe'll be back Monday or Tuesday and until then I will be online whenever I visit a coffee shop. Monday is a state holiday and being that I work for the state, I get the day off. WOOT. Have a good weekend!

daylight savings

Rapunzel — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 16:49:06 GMT

Dont forget to set your clocks back..."spring forward, fall back"

Wild bird rescue #2

Rapunzel — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 22:32:49 GMT

Two days before I left for burning man I rescued a sea gull from the middle of HWY 101. It had been hit by a car, had broken its beak and couldnt walk or fly, and was waiting for death to come as cars whizzed past at 40MPH. I was on my way to work and running late, but I couldnt just keep going. So I stopped, ran into the median, got the dang bird and went to work. I then called my landlady (the one who rescues squirells), and she came and got the bird from me. SHe took it to someone who specialized in birds, and I believe it was released three weeks later. Today on my way home from work I stoped off at a store to run an errand, and in the parking lot was ANOTHER injured sea gull. So I took it to my land lady again, who now thinks Im a bird-whisperer, and she just gave it some homeopathic stuff to make it calm down. Soon, her bird-friend is coming by to take it away (the one who took care of the last one). Right now its resting in a box in a quiet corner of the house. That is so strange. And I always thought I was a CAT-lady. Ive never owned a bird in my life. Maybe I should?

incase tribe feeds us more donuts

Rapunzel — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 03:45:51 GMT

I fucking know, okay. And I dont care. I have a myspace. Hell, I have two myspace's but this is my new one and the one Im going to keep. You can find me here only if tribe goes down myspace.com/punzypunzy

Gee thanks a lot NovySan and Chia!!

Rapunzel — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 05:32:14 GMT

Thanks to your 'DONUT FREAK OUT' gift at our camp this year, all day I have been seeing tribe's messages and thinking of Krispy Kreme donuts. Krispy Kreme (cream filled, choc covered) donuts are far superior to any other donut in the entire world. Theres not a krispy kreme within 200 miles of here. Who wants to teleport me some kreme-filled krispy kremes while theyre still amazingly fresh?? NovySan, I hope fluffy kicks your ass.

Yep I stole it from Craig and Kiki

Rapunzel — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 23:17:34 GMT

PLEASE read this if you want to understand me more... Top 5 Things Every Extrovert Should Know About Introverts By: Brian Kim - October 2, 2007 First off, there are those who are reading this who might not know which camp they fall into, the extrovert or the introvert. Chances are, the majority of those reading this will know, but for those who don’t, let’s define those two terms here very broadly. Extroverts tend to be those who are more energized when around other people. They are the ones who will reach for the cell phone when alone for more than a minute, the ones who love to go out every weekend, the ones who love to chit chat, mingle, and socialize. Introverts tend to be those who are more energized when alone with themselves. They are the ones who have to be dragged to parties, who are the first ones ready to leave after a short period of time, and who generally enjoy solitary activities such as reading, writing, and daydreaming. The qualities and characteristics of introverts are often held in a negative light in today’s world, so it’s only natural that the majority of people seem to think that there’s something wrong with them. The reason why the majority of people think that there’s something wrong with introverts is because the majority of people aren’t very knowledgeable when it comes to introverts, in terms of why they are the way they are and why they do the things they do. Many people tend to hold several potentially damaging misconceptions about introverts, but through no fault of their own. I’ve been on both sides of the extrovert/introvert fence, and I can understand why extroverts tend to view introverts in a negative light, socially speaking, so I thought it would be best to write an article dedicated to helping extroverts understand their often very misunderstood introvert counterparts. My hope is this article will help solve that problem by shedding some light as to why introverts are the way they are and do the things they do, so here are 5 things every extrovert should know about introverts. 1. If a person is introverted, it does NOT mean they are shy or anti-social. This is probably THE biggest misconception that extroverts tend to have when it comes to introverts. And you can’t really blame them for having that kind of misconception. Extroverts tend to have to drag introverts to parties, to convince them to go and sell them on attending social engagements. When introverts politely decline, extroverts automatically assume that something might be wrong so they always ask if everything’s all right and of course, everything is all right. It’s just a common misunderstanding. When extroverts see a pattern like this developing, they automatically assume that introverts are shy or anti-social as that can be the only logical explanation to them. What’s more, when extroverts try to engage introverts in small talk, it seems like they hit a brick wall. Add to that, most extroverts see that introverts tend to be fond of engaging in solitary activities such as reading, writing, and daydreaming. Well, if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, it must be a duck right? Wrong. Introverts have more brain activity in their frontal lobes and when these areas are activated through solitary activity, introverts become energized through processes such as problem solving, introspection, and complex thinking. Extroverts on the other hand tend to have more activity in the back of their brain, areas that deal with processing sensory information from the external world, so they tend to search for external stimuli in the form of interacting with other people and the outside world to energize them. There’s a deeper science to this that involves differences in the levels of brain chemicals such as acetylcholine and dopamine in extroverts and introverts, but I won’t get into that. The bottom line is that introverts are just wired differently than extroverts. There’s nothing “wrong” with them. They just become energized through different processes depending on where the majority of their brain activity takes place. Granted there are introverts who may be shy and anti-social, but that’s just a coincidence that perpetuates the myth that ALL introverts are like that. You’ll find that all introverts are fine just the way they are until people begin to subtly suggest otherwise. 2. Introverts tend to dislike small talk. If you really want to engage an introvert in conversation, skip the small talk. Introverts tend to love deep conversations on subjects that interest them. They love to debate, go past the superficial and poke around the depths in people’s minds to see what’s really going on in there. Most, if not all introverts tend to regard small talk as a waste of time, unless it’s with someone new they just met. This characteristic probably contributes to another misconception that extroverts have of introverts - the misconception that all introverts are arrogant. Why? Because extroverts notice that introverts don’t talk that much with other people. Therefore, extroverts assume that introverts think they’re too good to talk to others, hence arrogant and that’s hardly the case. It’s just a matter of preference. Extroverts thrive on small talk. Introverts abhor it. There’s nothing wrong with either choice, it’s just a matter of preference. This brings us to the third point. 3. Introverts do like to socialize – only in a different manner and less frequently than extroverts. Yes, it’s true. Contrary to the majority of public opinion, introverts do like to socialize, but again, only in a different manner and less frequently than extroverts. Introverts love anything that involves deep conversation. They get energized by discussing subjects that are important to them and they love see what and how other people think, to connect the dots, to dig deep, to find root causes, to use logical thinking via debate in conversation, etc. And what’s more, introverts can do a lot of things extroverts are naturally good at - give great speeches, schmooze with everyone, be the life of the party, charm the socks off of total strangers - but only for a short period of time. After that, they need time for themselves which brings us to the fourth point. 4. Introverts need time alone to recharge. Extroverts tend to think introverts have something against them as they constantly seem to refuse generous invites to social engagements. Introverts do appreciate the offers, but it’s just that they know it will take a lot of energy out of them if they pursue these social functions. They need time alone like they need food and water. Give them their space. There’s nothing wrong with them. They’re not depressed and they’re not sad. They just need time alone to recharge their batteries. 5. Introverts are socially well adjusted. Most introverts are well aware of all the social nuances, customs, and mannerisms when it comes to interacting with other people, but they simply don’t socialize as much as extroverts, which makes it easy for extroverts to assume that introverts are not socially well adjusted, as they have not seen much evidence of them interacting with other people. This just exacerbates previous misconceptions and gives way to labeling introverts as nerds, geeks, loners, etc. It’s easy to understand why society tends to value extroverts over introverts. Human beings have lived in a tribal society so having to interact frequently with people came to be a regarded as a very good skill when it came to survival. But because of this high value placed on extroversion, introverts tend to feel trapped and find themselves in a catch 22 situation. Do introverts stay true to who they are and risk social alienation and isolation or do introverts conform and join the extroverted side, pretending to be somebody they’re not just to fit in? This is precisely why I wrote this article, because if the extroverts can become more educated about introverts, introverts will be able to feel free to stay true to who they are, and that’s a good thing from society’s point of view. Trying to “turn” an introverted person into an extroverted person is detrimental because it gives off a subtle suggestion that there is something wrong with them, hampering their self worth and esteem when there is absolutely nothing wrong in the first place. There’s nothing wrong with introverts. In fact, introverts are the leading pioneers of advancements in human civilization. Albert Einstein, Issac Newton, Charles Darwin are a few introverts that come to mind, just to name a few. And for those of you not interested in science, but pop culture, you’ll be surprised to see a lot of well known names in Hollywood are introverts as well. Julia Roberts, Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise to name a few as well. And for those interested in sports, Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods come to mind as athletes who are introverts as well. Introverts have a lot to bring to the table. They have an amazing ability to discover new thoughts, an uncanny ability to focus, to concentrate, to connect the dots, to observe and note things that most people miss, to listen extremely well and are often found having a rich and vivid imagination as well. The more extroverts become knowledgeable about introverts, the less tension and misunderstanding there will be among the two. So if you’re an introvert reading this, send a copy of this article to all your extrovert friends so they can get a better idea of what you’re all about. It’s time to finally clear the air. Please share and enjoy! *** PS its my birfday! WOOT!

THATS HOT!

Rapunzel — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 02:02:52 GMT

Note to self: more peppers are not always better. Someone gave me some peppers at work (from their garden) and I grew a couple myself (yes! They didnt die!!). I thought Id spice up my boring hambooger-helper with some peppers! YOUCH! My nose is running... (note to self: repeat recipe if I ever have a cold)

bye for now!

Rapunzel — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:13:15 GMT

Work is sending me out in the woods, so I'll be MIA until Thursday evening or Friday Later dudes!!

I got 1 (of two and a half) BM cameras developed today!

Rapunzel — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 04:30:21 GMT

But I only managed to scan one photo before the scanner (or a cable?) took a crap. Ah well. Santa getting flogged and the bunny march (and more!) will have to wait until I get back on Thursday. This creek I am doing is more than 14,000 feet long. Please send your good vibes and all that jazz so that I can be done surveying the damn thing before my 28th birthday (Oct 3rd). I'll be out there every Mon through Thurs until its finished. 10 hour days or more. Maybe if we fall behind I can convince my field partner to work a Friday if we have to... Debating whether or not to bother bringing my lap top. THe last campground I was at (the mouth of the klamath river, NOWHERE NEAR where Im going) had wireless...

BRC BIKE LOSS QUESTION

Rapunzel — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 21:08:26 GMT

Hey anyone in DPW, can you help answer my question? If I know for a fact that my bike was still on the playa (but lost to me) on Wednesday AFTER the event, is there a posibility I can get it back SOMEHOW?? Or are there simply not the resources to track it down? Its worth a shot to try and ask. I *know* it wasnt stolen. I didnt label it, but I can describe it. It used to be blue, until I wrapped it in neon pink plastic flagging. I then tied a neon pink teddy bear to the seat. Its a fairly old ten-speed with a brand new kick stand. Half-crappy but what can I say? Its my bike. Id love it so much if it could be returned to me somehow. I'll pay shipping plus a small lost and found $ tip. Unless theres an official fee. Gee. I tried BM lost and found but no reply yet... If not, its okay. I can live without it, but I feel terrible that it was left behind! (ps this is Chias photo)

holy dust storms, batman

Rapunzel — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:32:18 GMT

Monday's exodus brought some of the worst dust I'd ever seen. Those of you in my camp that left on Monday lucked out BIG TIME. You left just before the BIG ASS dust storm hit. This storm DIDNT stop! White out's all day and into the night. I ended up in my tent at 8 or 9 pm and just went to sleep because the dust was so bad even my goggles and bandana (and shade structure) werent enough. In fact most of that day/night it was dificult to even have a conversation with anyone...you couldnt see or hear them well enough. I woke up at the usual time on Tuesday (7-8 ish) and the storm finally ceased A BIT. But it was still bad! It was calm enough to allow me to pack up most of my stuff...since at that time it was more WIND than DUST. But it kept getting worse and worse. Then finally just before I left the white outs started again. One more half hour of that and I was OUT. I felt bad leaving the bar and shade structure for Goatt and Paully to clean up but I didnt have a choice since they were conned into working tear-down at the cafe. And finally once I got to the gate (exodus on Tuesday really wasnt bad at all, it was pretty much a non-stop line of cars on the way out), I felt two drops of rain hit my windshield. I wonder if Pauly and Goatt ended up getting a wind/dust/rain storm once I left. I hope not. I havent heard from them today but I suspect they are on the road by now. Or at least tearing down the camp. They were supposed to get that done yesterday but Im not entirely sure how much they could have gotten done in that storm. Theres lots more to say about my journey but that'll have to come later. I just stepped out of the shower and now its time to decompress...