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AnnieKate Nicholson-Phillips's avatar

I swear it took the "over an hour" time to travel over the dry sandy lake. It was a wonderful read and the pictures beautiful. Definitely felt the trepidation to begin, the vast open lonely space, and the exhilaration of that last couple miles. Where's my margarita?? Thanks !!!!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Let's go together next time! The arrival is well worth the journey.

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Kate Henry's avatar

A see-ment mixer would be a lifesaver in several instances. Good cold alcohol on a blistering hot plane sounds like a mixed blessing. Good thing sailors can choose their boat direction regardless of the wind direction. 80mph that-a-way is a long one way distance to walk back.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

You got it, girl!

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Heather Brebaugh's avatar

I loved this story both times around! Especially the Sassinator!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Long live the Sassinator! An idea whose time has come! Thanks for the second read Heather.

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Lori Colman's avatar

Love this, Sharron!

It’s like nothing else you’ve ever written. Has a masculine voice to it. Is SASSASS anything like Hat Ass? A real word that means something like your head’s up your ass.

Dirt sailing with a bunch of SASSASS Hat Asses? Where do I sign up?

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Here you go, Lori. You can get some information here:. www.nalsa.org/clubs.htm. If you show up at a desert event, there is always someone who will give you a ride.

Also I think the word you might be looking for is ass hat, just meaning a stupid or ridiculous person. No.... no asshats in SASSASS that I know of! Since 1973.

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

I'm now DESPERATE to sail on sand, Sharron! Woooooooo!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Here you go, Rebecca! They are just waiting to take you for a spin down the beach. Wheee!

http://www.britishlandsailing.org.uk/

Thanks for reading this post.

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! Thanks, Sharron!!! xxx

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Sharon Hudson's avatar

Great piece, Sharron! I have been out there, watching your son sail. Great group of people, and you described that little town perfectly!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Okay! Glad I have a witness! ha ha ha. I remember you two being taken for a spin out there on the playa. Even grandma. She loved it.

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Wade Terry's avatar

I enjoyed this for the second time . The first time I was shocked by your adventurous spirit.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Well, yes, but these days? Not so adventurous. Taking the Metro bus to the bank is adventure enough for me. You never know what you are going to find.

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T. D. Wolf's avatar

Very interesting. Even in the middle of nowhere you can find something interesting to write about, Sharron!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

When the Burning Man is not there, the Black Rock is quiet, remote and rather spooky. A magical place. I hope you can see it some day. Thanks, John, for reading my adventure.

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James Ron's avatar

I remember this one, Sharron! I've been through Gerlach twice from both directions, but not to Black Rock. Would like to see the dirt-boats in action. Would be worth another trip, for sure. Thanks for the finely penned adventure!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank YOU,James Ron, for the second look!

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Karen Kenworthy's avatar

I love your descriptions!!!, of everything, the cafe, etc.! I feel like I was plopped right into one of those old western tv shows I loved as a kid. I love the sound of Holy Gale reminiscent of Holy Grail, and in some ways you found both. So evocative, gonna reread now! Just my first excited reactions!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Okay! Glad you found it entertaining, Karen. It was an unknown world to me, at the time.

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Karen Kenworthy's avatar

I was looking the place up on Google, intrigued, and I thought of your driving skill and courage with this statement:

“… made famous by the Burning Man, held here each year. Accessing the pool is no easy feat, however, and requires the skills of an experienced offroad driver. With this in mind, plan ahead and know your limits before…”

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Jim Cummings's avatar

"I have never in my life been in so much open, empty space with so little guidance in my entire life."

This is often the circumstance that leads to life's greatest moments. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this again, Sharron. Sail fast, as we used to say.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks for reading it for a second time, Jim. I absolutely agree about facing the "unknown". I used to be quite brave. Today not so much.

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

I love it. You are far braver that I am, girlfriend! Jeff and I went out there once and, yes, it is unnerving to drive in a place where the horizons don't move and your reckoning of space and time is warped.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

A shared experience! Cool!

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