August – A Woman´s 4 Day Art Adventure

Day Two

My first morning at Mike’s was full of anticipation and, I got up for an early start. I was meeting Ken, a moto friend for a high desert ride. We left for Gerlach, Nevada located in the desert past Pyramid Lake. It is generally a quiet hideaway, however at this time of year it is home to a growing celebration called the “Burning Man.” This is an art festival where anything goes. There are few rules, relating mostly to safety and and a ton of freedom. In its inception there were few festival attendees, however now the Black Rock Desert if filled with nearly 30,000 wild and crazed hedonists. For more info Regarding the festival and some amazing photos check out the website for Burning Man.

From Hwy 395 we traveled north to Sparks, NV where we changed to a bypass road to Hwy 445 and Spanish Springs where the wild mustangs captured by the BLM are penned. I was amazed at just how many horses were there as it seems there were hundreds. I couldn’t help but think about the scene in “The Misfits” were they were using tires to catch the wild mustangs. Progress has definitely taken on a more humane process for care. The BLM is making a strong effort to place these animals in safe and loving homes.

Hwy 445 is actually fairly boring. It is in wide open space with several cattle guards traversing the road due to the open range land. At least the cattle guards gave some variety and a challenge as we attempted to zip over using only the cross beams.

First sight of Pyramid Lake as you drop down the ridge, is breathtaking. To go to the Indian reservation town of Nixon, you have to turn right as 445 becomes 446. In Nixon you take a left and 446 becomes 447 heading north to Gerlach and the Black Rock Desert.

Traveling the hot desert flats to Empire and Gerlach. Speeds of 85MPH come easily and reaching 100MPH plus is not unlikely as the roads are open, there are few patrol cars and you just plain can’t help it!! I lost sight of Ken on his BMW and occasionally saw sight of him as he crested a hill. Of course, I would never do that speed, as it is against the law and dangerous and my mother just may be reading this article!

Ahhhhhemmmm….more pix

The BLM wild Mustang hold in Spanish Springs

Pyramid Lake

And here we have the Pyramid of Pyramid Lake

Where 445 and 446 meet

Lone Nevada Road going one way

Going the other way

Looking toward the Virginia Mountains

Nixon Art Museum designed by a Navaho Architect

My riding Pal, Ken

Ken’s Beemer and the Lola Star