Valley of Fire

Chasing the setting sun

We headed west on March 30 for our grand tour of the 'Mighty Five' National Parks in Utah: Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Capital Reef. Before your expectations get too high, we did not see all of them. Keep reading to understand why it was impossible!

Of course, we flew into Vegas to see number one son and his wife. (Seriously, the only reason I would ever go to Vegas. I just don't 'get it'.)

Leaving Las Vegas we pointed the car east backtracking over ground we flew across just the other day. Our first stop was the Valley of Fire, a Nevada State Park. If you are in Vegas and want to get out for the day, this is a wonderful place to go! It's less than an hour's drive and you're in a whole other world. I would not suggest going to a place called 'Valley of Fire' at high noon in July. It was quite toasty in April!

Pick up a trail map and plan your hikes. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and proper clothing.

A couple of place names piqued our interest so we drove on in search of the Beehives and Mouse's Tank. (Before you hit the trails be sure to walk thru the Visitor's Center, there's a lot of history out there you're going to miss if you don't stop.)

Photos from the day at Valley of Fire: 

Beehives - Valley of Fire Nevada

Wind and rain - Valley Of Fire Nevada

Desert vista - Valley of Fire Nevada

Fish petroglyph - Valley of Fire Nevada

 Once you start noticing the petroglyphs they are everywhere. They are formed, depending on who made them, by pecking (using a tool to chip away at the rock varnish and into the stone beneath) or grinding (scratching away at the surface) or a combination of both. (Rock varnish: a layer of manganese and iron oxides that adheres to the surface of rocks.) This one looks like a huge fish. It's about 3 feet across.

Geology - Valley of Fire Nevada

 I love the rock formations here. I bought one of the Roadside Geology books in Utah. Have to take a closer look at it.

Lizard - Valley of Fire Nevada

 Lizards were another thing that once you noticed them they were everywhere. A lot of times they blended right in with their surroundings and we only saw them if they moved or some kid with 20/20 vision yelled, 'Hey, there's another lizard!'

Moi on vacation

Petroglyph - Valley of Fire Nevada

 So, we're thinking this petroglyph just got off its horse after a long ride.

Petroglyphs - Valley of Fire Nevada

 Make sure you hold hands with your toast while crossing the desert!

Surveying the 'other' rocks.

Path to Mouse's Tank - Valley if Fire Nevada

 This is the sand that turned my boots a bright red.

Tiny arch - Valley of Fire Nevada

Rainbow Vista trail - Valley of Fire Nevada

Small arch - Valley of Fire Nevada

Vacation feet

Angel wings - Valley of Fire Nevada

To be continued...on the road to the Silver Reef Ghost Town.

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