Black Rock Station Posted on January 11, 2023 (October 3, 2024) by Wes Modes A mysterious rural train station appearing in the Black Rock Desert has become unstuck in time, haunted by ghost trains heard but not seen….
A Secret History of American River People Posted on November 16, 2019 (November 24, 2023) by Wes Modes A project to build a collection of personal stories of people who live and work on the river from the deck of a recreated mid-century shantyboat over a series of epic river voyages…
Punk Rafting Posted on November 9, 2019 (November 19, 2023) by Wes Modes A few of us set out on a punk rafting journey, building a raft out of found and scavenged materials and floating for a week, Huck Finn-style, on one of the largest fastest rivers on the continent. When we survived, we did it year after year on different rivers….
Burning Man Posted on November 9, 2019 (November 19, 2023) by Wes Modes Adventure: In 1993 when I first when to Burning Man, it was a few thousand crazy artists together for an apocalyptic weekend of camping in the desert. Since then, I’ve seen it grow from 2000 people to 50 thousand….
Adventure Club Posted on November 9, 2019 (November 11, 2019) by Wes Modes Adventure Club is post-apocalyptic revolutionary logistics training. Think of Adventure Club as radical skill-share, ranges from rather tame to semi-hardcore direct action. …
Shantyboat Dotty Posted on November 9, 2019 (November 20, 2023) by Wes Modes I began building a homemade shantyboat — that is, a rustic houseboat — from scratch, recording every step in the build process….
Inspiration Comes in the Night Posted on November 18, 2019 (October 3, 2024) by Wes Modes A weblog about art, technology, and the creative process…
Freight Train Riding Posted on November 9, 2019 (October 3, 2024) by Wes Modes I’ve hopped freight trains for transportation and adventure since 1992 all over the West Coast and Midwest, attending annual hobo gatherings in various places….
Urban Adventuring Posted on November 9, 2019 (November 12, 2019) by Wes Modes A city skyline says different things to different people. To an urban adventurer, it is the siren on the rocks beckoning “Climb me.”…
Costco Soulmate Trading Outlet Posted on November 9, 2019 (November 24, 2023) by Wes Modes The Costco Soulmate Trading Outlet is the leading provider of low-cost, quality soulmates in Black Rock City since 1998….
DIY River Rafting Exhibition Posted on November 9, 2019 (October 10, 2020) by Wes Modes I brought my DIY raft building skills to a gallery setting, demonstrating the art and technology of DIY raft building, sharing photos, and talking about my experience since 2005….
the secret life of trains Posted on October 3, 2024 (October 10, 2024) by Wes Modes a hobbyist’s guide to hopping freight We’re on a northbound Southern Pacific freight. This is Philip and Michele’s first ride and my sixth. It still has the initial thrill. I…
Nashville, Tennessee Posted on October 3, 2024 (October 10, 2024) by Wes Modes a round-trip journey to nowhere It’s raining. It shouldn’t be raining. It isn’t supposed to be raining. Though I have to thank the skies for a clear night while I…
