GROUND ZERO |
Many
people see the sign but not too many take the time. And that's
what Guru Road is all about - TIME. Dwyane "Doobie" Williams used to walk his dogs along this
dirt road when it was the only road heading North out of Gerlach. Then they build a
new road and abandoned the little dirt stretch now called Guru
Road. Doobie remembered seeing signs that Indians made on a canyon
wall to the north. They left their mark for eternity to come.
Doobie, during a moment of brilliance, thought he'd do the same.
He
marked a rock at the roadside with his name, and then added a quotation. As time past every
time he'd walk his dogs he'd mark more stones. It became a past-time - then an obsession!
While letting his dogs run he began stacking stones, creating "works
or art", adding intelligent comment, building a world.
GRACELAND WEST
|
The
highway department frond on his activities. But he continued and
even did some battle with the state over the little abandoned
roadway. He even put up a sign declaring it "Doobie Drive"!
As his world grew people began to call him the Guru of Gerlach
because of his wisdom set in stones. Then the state bent and they
put up a road sign declaring it officially Guru Road.
Doobie
past away almost a decade ago but his world still exists on Guru
Road. No one dedicated as Doobie has stepped forward to maintain the place and much
deterioration has taken place. Several years ago a major storm washed a
major avalanche across Guru Road in two places. Much of the mystique washed with it. Today, Friends
of Guru Road are trying to restore and reclaim the wisdom and creativity it once was. While in disrepair
it is still a worthy attraction to visit at Black Rock. Ground Zero, The Trickle Down ArtShow in
Progress, Big Medicine and others still stand. Several structures are almost gone but the shadow of the Chapel,
Desert TV and the Casa are still identifiable.
Next
time on the way out to the playa, take the left turn down Guru
Road. Its a wonder of Black Rock everyone should see.
| With the
passing of years and even the attempts of well meaning enthusiasts,
Guru Road is being overtaken by the desert. Spring rains and
isolation are reducing the area and each year it seems to be "fading" as is the memory of its creator Doobie.
If you get a chance take a drive down Guru Road, its not long,
and see a part of Black Rock history becoming a shadow. |
|
