Bodie, California

The ghost town of Bodie is possibly the finest in the American West, with dozens of photogenic buildings preserved in a state of "arrested decay." Walking among those buildings now, one can only imagine how hard life must have been for the original residents of this remote location. At an altitude of 8375 feet, the weather can be brutal; even on my visit in late May, snow was falling.

Bodie is managed by the State of California; the park is open year-round and an entrance fee is charged. More information may be found at the Bodie State Historic Park web site.