We visited the Mesquite dunes this month around the full moon and had some great fun climbing around in the dunes. They are quite popular and finding untracked dunes was a bit of a challenge. This is an amazing place, especially for those willing to walk a distance from the parking area or approach the dunes from a different direction, such as hiking from the Stovepipe Wells campground.

Zabriskie Point is an iconic location for photographers to shoot the sunrise. Like Mesa Arch in Canyonlands and the Maroon Bells in Colorado, this spot draws crowds who brave the dark and (sometimes) the cold to catch that great shot. Here are some photos from the beautiful morning earlier this week.

A note of caution on this hot spring. The locals call it "hepatitis spring" because someone (who was later diagnosed with hepatitis) illegally camped here for many months, using the pool to wash and the nearby areas for human waste. It might be best to pass on this hot spring.

Vista House is a great place to go for sunset and can be a nice spot for night photography as well.

The Umpqua lighthouse is a wonderfully-preserved functioning lighthouse that is easily accessible. The short guided tours are informative and the nearby Coast Guard museum is fascinating. It is a special treat to visit this lighthouse on a misty or foggy night to see the wonderful light show created by the million-candlepower beam.