Nevada Day Trip — POLINA RAYKOV

Tired of the bright city lights? Need a day of dope photos and nonstop adventures. I’ve got just the plan! If you live in Vegas you have to do this trip at least once, it’s so worth it. There are some dirt roads involved so make sure to take a car that can make it.

First stop, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, an oasis in the desert. This one is a bit do it yourself, drive to the lake and make it quick or actually do a hike, your choice!

+PR Tip: If you go before the visitor center opens you’ll have more alone time meaning less tourists!

We visited the Crystal Reservoir mainly, it stays about 86 degrees year round but unfortunately the lake isn’t well kept enough to swim or just sit out and relax but it is a beautiful site in the middle of the desert and makes for a stunning photo, bring a tripod and set that timer.

+PR Tip: This is the one I use - https://amzn.to/2JDE8cn

Next, Death Valley! We did a few stops here, first on the way in was Dante’s View. You can do a full hike here, we only climbed the top cliff and enjoyed the views, it’s absolutely breathtaking. No camera could capture its beauty. Next up, Zabriskie Point. It’s really exciting to climb around on these smooth rocks and try to get different angles for the perfect shot. Spend some time here and also pay attention to all of the languages you’ll hear around you. From here drive towards the visitor center but swing by the Death Valley Inn for a small walk, you’ll probably leave wanting your wedding here one day. I did. At the visitors center you can look around their small museum to learn about who used to live on this land, creatures you can find and if you think you’re a child like me, you can participate in the interactive games. Don’t miss the article about the devils hole because it’s located where your first stop was, Ash Meadow. Kind of neat huh? Here you can buy a national park pass if you don’t have one, you’ll need this if you want to spend some time exploring the different areas. We stopped at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, holy HOT. I wore converse with shorts and a tank top, my feet and whole body burned up. I highly recommend avoiding this trip Mid May through Mid August, you’ll want it to be a bit cooler.

Rhyolite Ghost Town is on the way out from here, you’ll get to see the Goldwell Open Air Museum, Lady Desert (many say this looks like Trump), and a little further up the road, my favorite, Tom Kelly’s Bottle House. This house was built sometime around 1905 using approximately 50,000 glass bottles! This guy must’ve had a lot of time on his hands huh? Another thing to know, Tom Kelly’s house was used in 1925 by Paramount Pictures for a movie set. Basically you’re kind of a movie star when you visit.

That’s about it folks.

On the way home to Vegas you’ll drive through Beatty, Nevada and if you’re lucky you’ll need gas and casually see a donkey roaming around. Apparently it’s pretty common around here.

Now enjoy the ride, watch the sunset & have a deep conversation. Or take a nap if you’re not the driver, hey they had a choice right?

Have questions? dm/email/stalk me.
KEEP CREEPIN’,

Poli