It’s weird – working for the brothels made me hesitant to use the word “Prostitute”. While it was the literal title of the profession, and there was nothing wrong with using the word, I simply chose not to. Sex worker or IC (independent contractor) was always what I’d say.

I’m also this way with “homeless”. I know it’s not a derogatory term, but it paints the conversation differently when using it – visions of people asleep on a sidewalk somewhere on 4th Street in Reno.

IMHO, “Homeless” doesn’t properly describe everyone I meet out there. Some better fit the description of off-gridders, than homeless. I know they would prefer a house with all the amenities and comforts, but I see some people making the best of what they have – Instead of complaining about waking up in a tent in zub sero temperatures, they mention how beautiful the pogonip is on the trees.

One group I’ve gotten to know, I’ve dnamed Camp OGK (Off Grid Kids). I make it a point not to show their faces, or give any details about anyone in the camp, other than stats needed for clothing and food. There are all sorts of stories I’ve heard from this crew, but none are my business to tell.

I met Camp OGK through my adventures with Desert Pigs, starting with the time we went out there to cut up and haul out a dumped boat. We offered to keep coming back to haul out trash out, since their trailer and vehicles weren’t functioning. This has worked out great! With Pigs hauling from this remote spot, the campers have been cleaning the area and gathering stuff from other camps. Our OGK contacts also distribute supplies donated by the local community.

My friend and fellow Desert Pig, Dave has been hooking up the camp with some big loads of scrap wood, dog food, and more. The wood is coming from a cabinet shop, who is happy to have it out of their lot.

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OGK pitches in to feed Yerington

Yesterday (12/22/22) I needed volunteers to save the food bank in Yerington, after health issues took out much of their workforce. The OGK were the first to jump at the chance to help! I had a great time working with them, exploring a couple spots in Y-town, and enjoying a McDonald’s lunch. As with any visit to Camp OGK, I made sure to cuddle the doggos when picking up and dropping the volunteers.

Later that evening, Dave and I hooked them up with another load of hardwood scraps. The cabinet shop now has all of that off their hands, and campers are warm. Win-win.

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An interesting observation:

While we were all ooing and ahhing over the Anaconda mine landscape, the OGK volunteers were noticing a smell that became slightly irritating to them – some sort of chemical/metal odor. I snorted air in every direction, but detected nothing. Have I become nose blind to industrial chemicals, living in my modern human dwellings? What else am I breathing, which I can’t smell?

Fugitive Dust: High wind events combined with a semi-arid environment contribute to occasional erosion of the mine tailings piles, creating potentially contaminated fugitive dust blowing from the site.

epa.gov