Trying to explain what the Burning Man festival is all about is like trying to describe color to a blind person. To truly understand, they say, one must participate. In layperson's terms, it is the annual journey into the dusty Black Rock Desert of Nevada, where the 25,000+ participants become part of an "experimental community" for one week.

During the week, participants are challenged to express themselves and relate to each other in ways not possible in their "real lives." The surreal experiment of Burning Man unfolds on the ancient dried out lakebed of the Nevada desert, called the playa, or Black Rock City. Large art installations transform the landscape into a fantasy world where people can shed their usual personas - and clothes.

The climax comes on "Burn Night," when a giant wooden man suspended over the playa is lit on fire. While the impact of Burning Man has been undeniably profound, once it's over and the volunteers have cleaned up, Black Rock City disappears and leaves virtually no trace behind.