Saturday - burn-the-man day - began nicely but slowly, again looking like we would waste the cool morning hours. We decided to check out the BRC airport by bicycle. Our only concern was bogging down in the ground dust but figured we would go as far as we could.
By 10:00 AM we were still not underway. Gusty winds caused us to duck occasionally into the trailer to dodge dust storms. Soon dust devils were melding to the point that for long minutes we could not see the tents of our friends opposite the trailer. 
Between 10 AM and about 8 PM we left the trailer only when we could, to get some fresh air and to take pictures; compare these shots with how our camp looked in the earlier post “Wednesday - Welcome to Camp Trout”. The dust could best be described by expletives, but more descriptively it is like very fine sand, almost like talc. It doesn't sting or sand-blast things, but blinds and makes breathing very uncomfortable.
We passed the time with eating and card games, and listening to Burning Man Information Radio (BMIR) hoping for an all-clear so the pivotal burn could take place on the Playa. Even with every trailer opening shut tight, we could still smell but thankfully not see the Playa dust.
Freeman had been out exploring but joined us late in the afternoon, remarking on how miserably hot it had become in the trailer. But no matter to him – soon he was out like a light on the gaucho.
The neighbors’ tents began to collapse and we invited them in, but they chose to stick it out. But by darkness they gave up and began to pack to leave. BMIR cautioned against leaving or at least against trying to pass other vehicles while leaving, because there had already been several accidents.
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