Yesterday, HHH and I set out on what can only be called a magical drive through the quiet backroads of Nevada. Leaving in the early morning, driving by a cottonwood full of turkey vultures and a handful of mustangs, we grabbed some breakfast sandwiches and headed towards of Pyramid Lake.
With miles left to travel, we drove by Gerlach and Empire, winding along canyon roads beneath a Nevada-blue sky scattered with every kind of cloud imaginable. The farther we went, the more the world became more wide, spacious, and beautifully untouched. It seemed nothing could be prettier than the pristine little Squaw Reservoir. Named years ago on native land, this little body of water will keep her name forever. 100% politically correct in Nevada.
Once the pavement ended, the real adventure began. For hours, we bounced along dusty dirt roads, the truck collecting its first true “Nevada pinstriping” along the way. ( Scratches from very large sage brush). Out here in the wild, wild west, these scratches are worn like a badge of honor that you’ve stepped beyond the ordinary and into something far more real.
The wildlife alone made the journey unforgettable. We saw burros and wild mustangs roaming freely, as they always do until someone unruly ruins the tranquility.
Jackrabbits darted across the road to show up for a lesson on how to escape coyotes hiding in the sagebrush.
Flocks of geese and ducks flew off the water as we drove by, being startled by the one truck they would see for the entire day.
Three separate herds of antelope crossed our path, each one a quiet reminder that this land still belongs, in many ways, to the wild. Both animal AND human.
But the most remarkable part of the day wasn’t what we saw but what we didn’t. For ten full hours, we didn’t encounter another person. NOT ONE. Just endless sky, open land, and the gentle (and sometimes not so gentle) rhythm of the road beneath us. There wasn’t any sign of people either. No trash littered on over-used campsites. In fact, no trace of campsites at all. In a world that often feels crowded and loud, this kind of solitude is a rare and precious gift. One that would shake city mice to their core.
HHH outdid himself, creating a day that was completely thoughtful, intentional, and full of quiet beauty. Much more than a than just a drive, it was memories stitched together with dust, sky, and love. We’re already planning to return, this time to camp beneath that vast, dark Nevada sky where the stars shine brighter than anywhere else on earth. Thank you, HHH, for truly understanding my soul. I love you.
Unseen Nevada is much more than neon and slot machines. Most days, the best parts of it are found far beyond the pavement.
Have a terrific Tuesday. More tomorrow.