Baker, NV art (#1188)

Don, as far as I'm concerned, that's WAY outside the Natural Order. Know what I'm sayin'? (By the way, some of the most scary-insane people live in remote places. It's something I learned after doing M.H. work in a big city, then the last years in a small one surrounded by...well, you know where I live...)

I've friends who are frightened that I travel out in such areas by myself. I do sometimes come into areas where I get a 'vibe' that this is not a place to hang out, and so move one, but overall I've had very positive experiences talking with locals in remote rural places. The most dangerous place I ever lived was actually SF where I was knocked unconscious (fag bashing) once, attacked in my car twice, and threatened multiple times.

Another thing, which I've mentioned to Don before, but may be useful more generally: if you _are_ out in the middle of nowhere and see a plane on one of the playas (dry lake beds), it's best to keep your distance. Chances are it's a drug smuggler!

I've seen bizarre art in The Middle of Nowhere elsewhere in the West--around the Black Rock, and at the north end of Alvord Playa in Oregon, in particular. Wunna these days I'll have a chance to post...

I've also heard the tales of scary types out in the middle of nowhere (think the Manson gang), but there are scary types in cities, too. Anyway, I look like I fit right in--grizzled guy in a Jeep who looks like he could be packing, too ;) For me the big worry when I'm out by myself in the middle of nowhere is car trouble. When your Fleet Steel Chariot breaks down, it's back to the 19th century in a big hurry!