Christmas Eve in my Dad's neighborhood everyone puts out luminaria. If you are not familiar with them, they are lanterns made by putting a scoop of sand and a candle in a paper lunch-size bag. (Be sure to fold down the top to avoid sudden little bagfires.)
Some folks have fancy metal ones, but the glow from the paper bags is warm and friendly. All of the streets of the neighborhood are lined with the lanterns and families go out walking (or driving) to see the show. This year there was also a great big full moon to add to the atmosphere. 
I headed back towards Reno on New Year's Eve. Traffic seemed pretty light so I took the road across Hoover Dam. Just to spite me, there was an accident on the Dam, so I spent an hour waiting to cross. 
That gave me time to take lots of pictures. If you have never driven across the dam, you may need to do so soon. A bridge is being built to have traffic bypass the Dam. I don't know when it will be finished. Currently you can see the huge supports in the distance that will take traffic over the Colorado River at a very scary height. 
After an uneventful night in the Beatty Nevada Motel 6, I drove the rest of the way up Highway 95 to Reno. Winter in the Great Basin leaves the high desert scenery pale and faded, but a lucky confluence of jet trails made for some interesting photo shots near Walker Lake.
5 comments:
Pretty - I'm sure there's more on Flickr. I've noticed that many blogs are travel posts. You'd think we would all find a more weather accommodating time of year for family gatherings. But who wants to give up family get-togethers at Christmas!
Lovely travel shots, Amy!
We've driven over the dam, and admired all the wonderful 30's WPA sculptures. May have to go back soon just to do it all again one last time.
I love the desert in winter: so big, so much sky. Thanks!
Wow! That picture looks familiar ;-)
I don't think they are going to shut down the dam crossing, but trailers and such, that cant cross the dam now because of security issues wont have to go so far out of their way to get back and forth. I could be wrong though. That would be sad if they did close it.
what gorgeous photos :)
Ww, great photos! I liked Beatty when we stayed there a few years ago... don't know how I would feel about being that far above Lake Mead, though! How did you fare in the storms you got back just in time to catch?znyf
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