Brian made mention of the beautiful, harsh landscapes in our part of the world. So here's another example, from Monday's commute home:

Home is straight on to those far mountains (about 30 miles or so (not quite 50 km)) and then a right turn for another 45 miles (>70 km). Those mountain ranges are a little more impressive than they look, with the left one peaking out just above 10,000' (3,050 m).

En route you have a total of three towns. The first has a population of 80-100, depending on how many drilling rigs are close by in the desert. The other two will have from 2 to 6 people each, depending on whether anyone has relatives or friends visiting.

Is that what you would call bleak?

I certainly hope so. We'd like to keep it that way as long as we can...