Back in the Fire

April 11-12, 2017
Las Vegas, Nevada

It is very likely that little of what I post about this stop will look like the Las Vegas you know. We're not here for The Strip - although we did see part of it, from the Jeep.

Our Tuesday morning drive north on I-15 is surprising because I don't remember so many hills to climb, steep hills. My memories of miles of flat desert must be from some other route. A few strong gusts of "where-did-that-come-from" wind break up the otherwise uneventful trip.

Signs of continued, seemingly out-of-control, growth start well before what used to be the beginning of Las Vegas, Nevada. Drought is clearly not the only reason for the lack of water in Lake Mead and the Colorado River. 

The Las Vegas KOA at Sam's Town is on the southeast side of the city, not a great area, but fine for our needs. Access is easy with little driving on city streets. Clean, quiet, safe, and level!! FHUs with 50 amp and good water pressure. No space between sites, you couldn't walk around a chair if you put one out. Gravel sites and asphalt roads. There is a little green space on the perimeter, enough for Tessa to do her business. If we were gamblers we'd appreciate the large casino next door. Our weekly rate combined with our KOA membership give us a reasonable cost of $33/night including taxes.

Our plan was to stay at our very favorite place for the week before our annual reunion in Laughlin, Nevada. However, the dreaded Spring Break is this week and the spaces are first-come-first-serve. At 40 miles to another option I didn't figure it was worth taking the chance. Thus our stay here, which is closer than last year's in Boulder City. Having now done both, I'll take the longer drives with much nicer views over the big city option.

Our first morning we head out for that very favorite place - Valley of Fire State Park. As Sue pointed out, it's nearly impossible to have a single favorite place with everything we see in this life. So maybe it is the most beautiful place we've seen so far, or the most beautiful place in the desert, or the most beautiful natural colors. It's definitely high up on many lists!

A quick drive up the Interstate takes us to the 15 mile, two-lane Valley of Fire Road. It isn't until you're almost to the entrance kiosk that you see the fire. And the Wows continue for the whole visit.

As expected there is a line of cars, and signs tell us the campground is full. A very friendly ranger takes our $10 fee and then we're here - yay! Looking across the valley at the rich red hills I feel like I do when I see Mickey's face of flowers at the entrance to Disneyland! 

Spring Break reality.

The very first glimpse confirms why we've returned.

There's so much "going on" everywhere we look.

Nobody home.

We could spend the whole day exploring just the first stop.

Red dirt make flowers we've seen elsewhere look completely different.

Unique erosion patterns

look like miniature cliff dwellings.

Rock with legs....so cool.

There is a stop called Petrified Logs. Having been to the Petrified Forest in northern Arizona, the few pieces surrounded by chain link fence are, well, not very impressive :-) Still, for those who have never seen it in it's natural state, I'm grateful that these examples are being preserved. I didn't even get a photo here. Except for our single wildlife sighting inside the park......

This guy insisted that if he posed for a photo I had to make him look big and menacing (in real life he's maybe six inches long). 

Mouse's Tank Road

Lunch stop at Rainbow Vista

The red rock is beyond known adjectives (note, we have not been to Utah yet), and if the park was only red rock we'd still love it. However, for me, it is the variety of color at Rainbow Vista that fills my head when I think of this beautiful place. The day is hazy so the colors aren't as intense as last year - but I'm not disappointed as we crest the small hill.

"Layers carved from sand deposited when dinosaurs walked the earth."

The White Domes area is at the very "back" of the park and today the parking lot is overflowing, the rocks covered with families enjoying the unique beauty. We drive through slowly without attempting to squeeze ourselves in. 

Domes of silica tower over the red valley.

Baby dome

My reminder that the king size bed won't fit makes Bill reconsider his suggestion that we change rigs.

Even spending hours driving and walking around this park it is impossible to see everything we want to in one trip. That's why we still want to bring our home and stay for awhile. It will have to be a non-holiday week, but we are definitely going to do it!

From this....

...to this, in less than a mile.

The Fire Canyon area gets you above the red rock and provides yet another incredible perspective. There are very few people here and we take advantage of the quiet to wander and enjoy the views.

Fire Canyon

Hanging out for millions of years, and still looks like it's going to slide "off" at any minute.

Prickly Pear cactus offer bursts of vivid color among the rocks.

When you know Mother Nature is just messin' with you :-)

By the time we move on to Seven Sisters formation, the temps are nearing 90 and we're less enthusiastic about walking around. I take some pics of the gorgeous spot (the rock is more orange than red here), Tessa climbs a couple outcroppings, and we move on to The Cabins. Built by the CCC for visitors to enjoy, these rock cabins look like part of the landscape. The parking lot is full, we spent a lot of time here last trip, and it's hot - so we don't stop this time.

A couple of the 'sisters' just hanging out.

A red island in the dark sea of surrounding desert.

Fluffy dog

What a gift......

The Cabins

Bright yellow Brittle Bush tucks in among the boulders.

Hard to believe, but none of what we've seen all day is the highlight of the trip! Leaving the park through the gray and rocky canyon we pass by a single parked car. I just happen to glance to the right, across from the vehicle, and they catch my eye - I can't believe it! We have looked and looked for these nearly invisible beauties and given up ever actually seeing any in the wild. 

I stop at the next turnout and turn around, trying to hold the wheel with all my fingers crossed that they will still be there. I needn't have worried as once I get pulled over and find them again (no easy task as they blend in perfectly) they move only a couple steps while I take several pics. We are beyond excited!!!!

Our first Big Horn Sheep!!

Even with the zoom he looks like part of the rock.

Hey there handsome.

There are so many wonderful things that make this lifestyle perfect for us. Certainly seeing things we've never seen before is a big part of it. But being able to revisit places that we've fallen in love with is just as wonderful.

Also high on the list is being able to visit great friends we haven't seen in decades, and those we've yet to meet in person, but feel like we've known a long time. 

Both of those happen over the remainder of our visit :-)))).