Thanksgiving is a time for reflecting on the many things in our life we are grateful for. Nevadans can count on all the wonderful reasons we're glad we live in our state. Here's a list of several (but not all!) of the ways we're thankful for Nevada.

1. Our Deserts

Nevada is the driest state in the U.S. A large percentage of the state is desert land. While non-Nevadans may find the idea of deserts as bare and empty, we know the incredible variety of wildlife, plant life and colors of our amazing desert lands.

2. Our Mountains

We are blessed with almost 200 different mountain ranges with a variety of climates and geologic formations. Great Basin National Park, Red Rock Recreational Area and the Ruby Mountains are some of our beautiful mountain areas.

3. Our Lakes

No can deny what an exquisite place Lake Tahoe is. It's also the largest alpine lake in the country and the second deepest. Pyramid Lake, Lake Lamoille, and Lake Mead are some of our other gorgeous lakes.

4. Our Forests

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is the is the largest national forest in the U.S. 48 states area. We have many other forests throughout the state and one of our most common trees, the Bristlecone Pine, is the one of the longest-lived organisms on the planet.

5. Our Rivers

We're home to the picturesque Colorado River, Truckee River and several smaller creeks and streams.

6. Our Entertainment

Obviously gambling is a big form of entertainment, but we're home to Las Vegas and Reno which host top music and theater acts. There's no shortage of entertainment options in Nevada.

7. Our History

Nevada's rich historical heritage can be found all over the state. Cities like Genoa, Virginia City and Austin still look much like they did during the mining boom, and it's not hard to please U.S. and Native American history buffs anywhere in the state.

8. Our Quirky Humor and Creativity

No doubt Nevadans are known for their independent nature and eccentric sense of humor. Just look at the variety of "interesting" sculptures and landmarks one can find along roads and freeways. And while not everyone attending festivals like Burning Man are from Nevada, the unusual creativity one can find from participants are welcome in our state.

9. Our People

Another misperception about our state is that all of our residents are gamblers and party-addicts. Nevadan is home to athletic, independent-minded people with an appreciation for our history and the incredible natural beauty of our state.

10. Our Night Skies

Nevada is home to some of the blackest skies in the U.S., which means you can find some amazing star gazing opportunities. Even just outside of a glittery city like Las Vegas, you can still enjoy clear ad bright night skies. And our sunrises and sunsets are pretty awesome too!

11. Our Small towns

Reno and Las Vegas are usually what people think of when they picture cities in Nevada. Most of the cities and towns in Nevada are small with populations that range from 20,000 to 200. Many of these small towns started back in the early days of the state's first joining the union, and cherish their visible connections to our past history.

Obviously this is just a short list of things that make our state pretty great and we're thankful for. What are some reasons you're thankful to be a Nevadan? Share in the comments!