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.

what the heck is it?

edited to add this is a: Thistledown velvet ant    -   thanks Georganne



I think this is a velvet ant but not positive

it was found in the desert of nevada at teh valley of fire.



fast moving it was hard to get a great picture of.

petroglyphs

these are at the top of teh latter to atlatl rock from yesterday's post but can also be seen throughout the valley of fire.

stairway into the sky

ok so that isn't the real stairway to atlatl rock this is:




but the walk is worth it.  at the top of the stairs are some rally cool petroglyphs.  but if you don't want to take the stairs take a short hike through mouses tank and they are all over the place.

creatures feature

i loved these fast looking albino chipmunks   they are actually white tailed antelope ground squirels.

arches

valley of fire has several arches in them




when deciding what pictures to post on the blog and trying to keep it to one per page its hard not to fill a whole month with the same site.  I promise I wont do that with valley of fire resisting is hard but not impossible.

valley of fire

ok I teased you the other day with a better place then red rock canyon in Vegas, Nevada and here it is:



this is your first glimpse just after arriving at the pay station.  $10 gets a car load into this beautiful park full of surprises. 

valley of fire also happens to be Nevada's first state park as well.




so if you have a choice and can only do one state park while in vegas go to this one.  its about 50 miles from the strip and so worth it.


this post is part of the creative exchange.  Check them out some awesome talent there.

88/365 March 29

On our visit to Vegas we rented a car and headed to the valley of fire. the red rocks were awesome. we hiked around for about 4 hours. It was the highlight of Dave's trip.

well I just had to add a second photo for the 365. On our way back from the valley of fire we got a call from Dave's niece and she was in Vegas for the day. It was an awesome surprise so we met up with her at Mandalay bay and had a few drinks and lots of talk together. She was with some friends of hers and they wanted to try the minus 5 below bar. Everything was made from Ice including the glasses that held our apple martinis. Truly a fun experience made hundred times better because of her visit.


well not a self portrait again but I adore this photo of my husband and myself.