it's basically a cross between a regional burn and a furry convention, which is held every year near Bend, OR.
I dunno how every time I go Out to something or travel to see folks it ends up being "the best week of my life thus far," including the time I got stuck in the desert, but this was no exception.
It started with staying with a good friend and seeing my partner, who lives across the country and who I hadn't seen in years, and who happened to be in Reno at the exact same time; we didn't find that out until the night before I left home. and, minus an ordeal with a tire, it just continued being wonderful
I met new people. I made new friends. I saw good friends again. I had deep conversation with my campmates over hot soup I made on the 75-year-old Coleman stove I repaired, while we warmed hands around my lantern in the cold high desert night. I lounged in a waterfall. I volunteered and stayed an extra night and helped break down camp, and I'm gonna help make the next one happen, technology-wise.
it was the most incredible sort of experience. going to a hotel in portland afterwards is giving me whiplash.