19. Reno - NV/ Lake Tahoe - CA

We hit the road early, leaving Black Rock City at 4 a.m. to dodge the notorious traffic jams. Our neighbors weren’t so lucky—they left around 9 a.m. and got stuck in a four-hour standstill, made even worse by sandstorms that wiped out all visibility.

When we finally reached Reno, we launched into a serious cleaning mission. It took over three hours to scrub the van inside and out. I handled the inside, vacuuming away all the stubborn dust, while Theo tackled the outside, washing off the thick layer of alkaline Playa grime. That night, we crashed at the Travelodge, relishing the luxury of a proper shower and the chance to clean ourselves, our tents, and yoga mats. We finally felt human again. We celebrated with a huge breakfast feast at Madame Butterfry’s.

For dinner, we met my cousin Dan and his family, who treated us to a fabulous Vietnamese meal that I’d been seriously craving. The fresh, flavorful dishes were a welcome change after all the dusty days at Burning Man.

Next, we headed to Lake Tahoe, California, spending three nights at Meeks Bay Campground. Nestled among towering fir trees and gazing out over the crystal-clear water of the lake, it felt like we had stumbled upon a hidden paradise. I hadn’t realized how much I missed the sight of vibrant greenery and the feel of cool, fresh water—like a soothing balm after the harsh, dry desert.

We reconnected with our Burning Man neighbors, Aleria and Brynn, and the next two days passed in a joyful blur of laughter, swims in the lake, and soaking up the surrounding beauty. In the evenings, Theo and I enjoyed short mountain bike rides through the stunning woods, before gathering around a cozy campfire. With Brynn, a firefighter, on hand, we were more than set for a safe and warm night under the stars.

Before heading off to Yosemite, we treated ourselves to one last refreshing dip in Lake Tahoe and a much-needed hot shower. We also took a short stroll to Eagle Falls, followed by a wild camp night at Mono Lake and June Lake as we waited for an open campsite at Yosemite.Leggi altro