moon over the valley

last of the shots we were back there the next day for a wedding that I shot (yeah first time scared me to death) and it was at dusk and 30 degrees cooler then the day before and very very windy

this was a heart my husband made for the couple the day before we had hoped to take pictures there with the bride but we ran out of time.



just a cool rock i liked



can you spot the boys?




sun was falling and turning the colors of the valley into even a more beautiful sight

more than just red rock

the valley of fire is more than just red rock canyon there are yellows and purples and the sage against the rock is a stricking blue green color



climb a rock and you can see for miles





Unfortunetly we were there during mid day so the purples didn't pop like i would have liked them too





but the slotted canyon was fun and we had it all to our selves

red rock beauty

continued from my last post we are still in the valley of fire near las vegas.

the state park offers some stunning views even if you only drive through which include this rock that the brochure didn't list what it was called but I have named Dogma



but if you get out of your car and take a short walk you can see the backside (well you can also take one of the campground exits to see this too but walking is much better)



the sand is a wonderful red tone



there are hieroglyphics through out the park as well but I was surprised to see the star ship enterprise



just we aware of the cactus



i stuck myself pretty good getting this shot



but no snakes and no scorpions were found at all.  it was really to cold for them after all in Feb it didn't get above 60 but for a northern gal coming here in February was awesome

but there is more than just red rock here that will be my next post

valley of fire amazing red rock

we spent a week in the Vegas area for some celebrations including a birthday party and a wedding.  One of favorite places to go while there is to the valley of fire.  its about 40 miles out of Vegas and a gorgeous red rock canyon.  my title page has a picture of the road from our trip last year.



the entrance to the park is gorgeous set against the desert forefront and the mountains behind it with snow on them still.

the red rock and strange formations make me think it is like Mars right here on earth



you can take the drive around the park to see the sights which is a lot of fun



or you can get out and take a hike


most of the hikes are not very long a mile or two at the most.  each has its only special sight to see.  i will show some more photos over the next few posts.



yeah proof I was there

the teaser - valley of fire

well I spent the last week plus in Vegas.  it was an awesome trip for a wedding and a birthday party. I got to do a lot of things and best of all see some friends I haven't seen in a while.

I have lots of processing to do so not sure how fast I can get the blog posts done but here is your teaser picture.  if you have seen my blog header you might recognize this.  the blog header was taken last year while at the valley of fire.



we were playing around with the rocks and made this. Yes that is my last name.

had only a quick moment with only a few people in the background to try this and fired off one shot. not with my good camera just a point and shoot so not very sharp but acceptable for a photo album.

this is one of the christmas bulbs on a tree in the bellagio, I cropped it down from this shot:



and a picture of the whole tree:

a bear to remember

again at the bellagio gardens:

the theme seemed to be polar bears and penguins  each on opposite sides of the room with a walkway in between that had water going from one side over your head to the other.

this bear is made from flowers



and these penguins were animated:


again the orange I have hit some button on that darn camera.  I think my 35mm is easier to use. never thought i would say that.

and the walkway (never could get a clear shot without people in it:



go ahead touch the water. we did its real and ended up getting some lady all wet.

if you only get to see one hotel while in vegas you MUST see the Bellagio.  From the lobby with its blown glass flower ceiling by chully (spelling??) you are lead into the conservatory.  wow a beautiful enclosed garden that is changed many times throughout the year to reflect seasons, events and holidays.

one of my favorite things is they always (at least every time I have gone) have a Painting done with flowers



these are real flowers a close up of some of them:



 

wrap up

So did you guess from the last post?  well not likely.

I was here along with 43,999 other people: 

in las vegas running (well walking really fast) the rock n roll marathon (i did the half 13.1 miles) 

pretty crazy and fun girls weekend there were 7 of us that traveled to the race together: 

ok bad picture and one missing who was taking the picture.  we were waiting to get to the race from our hotel the plazzo to the Mandalay bay and were lucky enough that because they were running out of time and shuttle buses to go in one of these

yeah I know some bad shots just had my phone with me, traveling light for the race, and the reason this is all in one post instead of spread out. this is what you get when trying to NOT slow down and get trampled and take a photo as we race past the venetian.  and of course it was the only photo I got of that hotel all gussied up for Christmas that weekend. 

half way point and only other photo I took during the race freemont street, again moving:

post race craziness trying to get back to our hotel decided to have a beer and hang out in mandalay bay for a bit 

oh and the metal can't forget that didn't do 13.1 miles in 3:17:34 for nothing.  a personal record for me shaving 12 minutes off my first race.  

the only photo of the group i got and it sucks something in my little point and shoot makes the photo turn orange and I haven't figured it out yet  this was the best I could do to get the color out of it   :(   we were off to a birthday dinner which included the mom and sister of one of the gals with us.   

it was an awesome weekend I think I could have slept for 3 days after the race if I didn't have to work.  can't wait for the next one.  this is becoming addicting and I don't like to run even. hahaha. 

where I have been

no excuses but will whine about being busy with the season, out of town, training and anything else I can get away but the truth is I just haven't had my heart in it and not even sure why.  I even felt guilty about it what does that say???  i don't even have a huge following. oh well I whined and feel better. 

 

so where have I been??? here is a clue for you:

disclaimer:   NOT my body if you couldn't tell its a cut out  

sunset

in my scrapbooks I always like to end a trip with a scrapbook so here is my end to my vegas trip.  hope you enjoyed them and it has inspired you to travel, see red rock canyons or just want to go somewhere.  there is so much out there we can't see it all but we can try right???

by teh way the framing tip is up in my tip page with a link to a great tutorial from anotehr blogger.

ouch

these plants from the valley of fire had a funny prickly feel some parts reminded me of a cats tongue.  no clue what they were though.

big horn

while hiking in the red rocks of Valley of Fire in las vegas we were looking up at petroglyphs when what did our little eyes spy but these lovely creatures:




we stayed and watched and tried to get some good pictures, hard in teh direct sun, for a good 20 minutes.  they watched us with a mindful eye. 

always fun to run across some creatures. 

this will be the last of the red rock you will see I know you are probably bored with it.  I took a ton of pictures and who knows maybe in the winter another will pop up but for now this is it.  vegas trip picture show is almost complete.


this picture of my husband amuses me:

pawn stars

anyone ever watch Pawn Stars?   well we decided to stop in and see the shop since we were in vegas and it wasn't far.  well not much to see it looks better on tv really it does.  here are a few shots from our visit.  nope none of the people we saw on tv were there darn.


it was pretty small inside too but that didn't stop people from going in.   I think they have storage offsite:


this was shown on an episode I did happen to watch:



the place sadly reminded me of the 'as seen on tv products" yep pretty much it


sovereigns were outrageous.  Don't remember them all but a coffee mug was $25.  so we passed on those.  I am sure there were some that got a kick out of going I just wasn't one of them.