After today we leave this godforsaken place. I don't think any of us could handle a moment longer. If the desert didn't kill us, we'd likely go dune crazy and end up killing each other. It was hotter and windier today than it had yet been on this trip. Mindblowing. One big scene, a very important scene, was all we had to get to finish with the desert and make our way home.
And hell be damned sure we got it. The crew was phenomenal. Everyone just stood there in silence as the wind and heat beat down on us over and over and over again. If we had anything resembling a lull, no matter how big or small, we shot. When we couldn't shoot, we waited on the spot, poised and ready. Sometimes nothing would happen for a half hour or more. It was truly awful.
But we got it. We went until the sun was down, the wind and heat died and peace settled across the open expanse. We went until the desert submitted to us, by jove. It was one hell of a battle. I sat in a car for two hours during the storms combing my hair with a plastic fork. I love the outdoors, and I've gone for long periods of time without being clean, but I'd say that hands down, I have never ever been so filthy in my entire life. My scalp was black with sand, as was everyone's. We were utterly repulsive. And at the end of the day, we couldn't have been happier.
Instead of hauling ourselves home late that night, everyone decided to lie down and go quietly into the night. Tomorrow was a new day, a free day, and our only job was to get home. Hot diggety dog.
Photo Addendum - Another righteous location finished.
