It’s a road less traveled. Because of its isolation and condition, many would call it a road to nowhere. Officially it’s “Guru Road,” but for years people have known the mile-long dirt road “strange desert art constellation” outside Gerlach, Nevada, as “Dooby Lane.” It’s a road that tells, as an engraved stone marker explains, “A Story With No Beginning And No End.”

A Story With No Beginning …”

For many people, Gerlach is synonymous with the annual Burning Man gathering, which is held annually over the extended Labor Day Weekend at the Black Rock Desert’s Black Rock City. Burning Man is an event that began in 1986 that now lures thousands of celebrants to this remote region and culminates with the burning of a giant figure of a man.

	Remembering Doobie		Snake Doobie

But Dooby Lane/Guru Road predates the Burning Man. In 1978, DeWayne “Doobie” Williams began lining a dirt road paralleling Highway 34 two miles north of Gerlach with hundreds of pieces of whimsical artwork and one-of-a-kind creations, including inscribed stones, statues made from recycled items and a variety of folk art guaranteed to befuddle and delight visitors.

	A cross in the desert		One of many wisdoms

It’s said that Williams was inspired to create Dooby Lane while walking his dog. During that stroll he reportedly noticed some petroglyphs and decided to create his own, one with his name and a saying. One led to another, and another. Because he smoked cannabis, he had earned the moniker Doobie, but he shortened that to Dooby because it was easier to carve into stone.

	A slice of advice		Happy wishes

By any name, Dooby Lane/Guru Road has lured interest. Gary Snyder, a Pulitzer Prize winning poet, made his first trip to “nowhere” in 1988. Two years later it was reported that the road had 50 stone structures and 450 stone engravings. In 1996, a year after Doobie died of cancer, a book, “Dooby Lane: A Testament Inscribed in Stone Tablets,” was published. An updated version, “Dooby Lane: Also Known as Guru Road, A Testament Inscribed in Stone Tables by DeWayne Williams,” was published in 2016.

The books tell of Williams’ history. One of the road’s early features was “Ground Zero,” fitting because Williams, a Marine who served in the South Pacific during World War II, was among the first soldiers at Hiroshima after the bombing that led to Japan’s surrender. In 1972, Williams returned to the Black Rock Desert. It was familiar territory for Williams, who was born in 1918 on a ranch 25 miles of Gerlach.

Over the years he added rocks inscribed with words of wisdom — “Your life may never be the same,” and, “Words are the only thing that last forever.”

Despite a 2005 flood that washed out nearly half of the road’s eclectic attractions, a venture along Dooby Lane still remains a wonderfully whimsical break from normal highway driving.

	Beatles inspired		On this date …

The many stone tablets that remain offer snippets of philosophical wisdom or just simply express joy, such as those inspired by the Beatles — “Love is the Answer,” and “Here Comes the Sun.” Others are cheerful: “Have a Happy Day,” “Tell Someone You Love Them.” Some are prickly fun — “On This Date in 1991 Nothing Happened.”

	Don’t pick the fruit		Marriage...		...and advice

There’s humor — placed in front of a large, dead tree limb is a rock with the inscription, “Tree Planted by Dooby – Please Don’t Pick the Fruit.” There are places for weddings, “The Black Rock Hitching Post Wedding Chapel” and, “A Marriage Made in Stone Will Last Forever.” Several offer words of wisdom — “Never Never Take Advantage It May Cost You Your Life.”

	Desert teepee		Recycled art

	Motor license plates		… A Harley hog

Some are undefinable, wonderfully wacky pieces of art — sticks stacked in teepee fashion surrounded by rocks. Broken glass topped with jingle bells atop a log. A tall pole with motorcycle license plates from many states. Engraved stones honoring and remembering people who’ve passed. Ceramic cats. Crosses crafted from metal debris. Some cut-off tree stumps have rocks perched on top, while other limbs wear sandals. One section is a collection of unbroken beer and wine bottles.

	‘Come on in’		A whats’it		Sandal-wearing branches

An open gate with several inscribed stones invites, “Come On In,” “There Will Be No Work In Heaven No One Is Going To Screw It Up” and, fittingly, “Gateway To Life Eternal.”

More? “Gerlach Weather Station,” a propped-up limb with a small rock dangling from a string. Carved in a stone that holds the limb in place are the words, “If Rock Above Is Moving Winds Blowing, Wet Its Raining, White Snowing.”

	Remembering Elvis		Honoring Aphrodite

Another tall stack of rocks with bobbles hanging from its top is a tribute to “Elvis Presley, Rock’n the Angels.” Yet another towering stone monument is a tribute to “Aphrodite, Mother Of All things.” The Desert Broadcasting System features an area where the windows are TV frames. “Imagination Station” has chairs with large fluffy, stuffed animals available for cuddling.

Imagination Station

Many people consider Guru Road/Dooby Lane to be in the middle of nowhere. It’s not. You just need to know where you’re going.

Getting There

Guru Road/Dooby Lane is a mile-long open-air gallery dirt road paralleling Washoe County Road 34 about two miles north of Gerlach, Nevada. It’s possible to drive along the dirt road and make a series of stops. It’s also possible to park near the entrance — made evident by a fading green and white “Guru Rd.” street sign — and walk the length of the road. Although open all year long, the road can be muddy after a storm. The road has been granted permanent right-of-way status by the Bureau of Land Management.

About the Author

Lee Juillerat is a semi-retired writer-photographer who lives in Southern Oregon. He is a frequent contributor to several magazines, including “Southern Oregon Magazine,” “The AG Mag,” “Range,” and “The Cattle Mag.” He has written and co-authored books about various topics and places, including Crater Lake National Park and Lava Beds National Monument, and, most recently, “Ranchers and Ranching: Cowboy Country Yesterday and Today.” Lee has produced photo-stories for High On Adventure for more than 20 years. He can be contacted at 337lee337@charter.net.