Here we are, on post 3/3. I saved the best for last. Just kidding - when I was planning out the order of these posts, I realized I could say that “I saved the best for last” about any of them!
This was a truly magical day, the type of day (my) dreams are made of. On December 28th, some of my siblings, my husband and I woke up while it was still dark and hopped in the car to drive about 2 hours away to these massive sand dunes, followed by the ghost town of Rhyolite and the Goldwell Open Air Museum.
We pulled up to the sand dunes as the sky was just starting to light around the edges. After a short delay (with the van [that I definitely wasn’t driving…] getting stuck in some sand….) we parked and were headed off toward the dunes. By this point, the moon was still visible but the mountains in the distance were the most beautiful pink.
I absolutely love how drastically the lighting changes as the sun rises and sets.
My husband posed me and took the photo on the left - he has completed his “Instagram Husband” training ;)
My brother looking like a young Clint Eastwood
A couple of cell phone pics :)
While I was researching the location, several internet comments suggested getting to the dunes early to avoid the ATV crowds. I was dreading the prospect of an early morning wake-up, but it was well worth it.
After we climbed the sand dunes we headed north to Rhyolite, which has a very interesting history. It was a short-lived town but grew to a massive size during its brief life. Check this website for more info and for interesting pictures of Rhyolite in its heyday.
Looking at Rhyolite Main Street from the west
Rhyolite Jail
Rhyolite Bank
Rhyolite from a mountainside (cell phone picture)
Being in desolate places like these really does something in my heart. It makes me feel so so small but also so incredibly alive at the same time. These wide open spaces are just one of the things that I love best about the American West, and one of the reasons that I will continue to travel back any chance that I get.
‘Til next time, Nevada.