Post by 150FromFundy on May 20, 2017 10:01:02 GMT -5
Laura and I arrived home from a proverbial BUCKET LIST vacation that we have been dreaming of for many years. We completed a 14 day road trip that included over 15 National Parks, National Monuments and State Parks in Nevada, Utah and Arizona. Although this may appear to be a frantic pace, given that the parks virtually touch one another, we had no more than an hour, or so of driving each day. There was ample time to photograph, hike, touch and taste all along the way. For a period of 14 days, my mind was numbed and blown by the majestic grandeur of the ever changing landscapes on a daily basis.
I have attempted to reduce hundreds of photos to a few select ones that represent each of the stops along the way. Any factual data presented is based on select passages from park brochures and interpretive signs along the way. I know many of you locals will be able to add valuable information and labels to these posts. I have also included a few lyrics, song titles and bands in the posts just to keep things lite for those that want to play along.
So who wants to embark on a good old fashioned American Road Trip from a Canadian’s perspective. Eh?
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
After an exhausting flight into Las Vegas and a car rental, we were ready to start our journey. We only had a few hours of daylight left, but we were not willing to miss a moment of it. As a fellow RTHer would say, “You Can Rest Later”.
On a Dark Desert Highway
Actually, it was a daylight desert highway, but to be honest with you, the desert would be scary at night.
All the Beautiful Colours Are So Meaningful
The area is comprised of red Aztec sandstone with gray and tan limestone from the Jurassic period. The area formed when wind swept sands were deposited on an ancient sea bed, followed by uplift.
Valley of Fire
Eventually we entered into the Valley of Fire. And yes, it was HOT. However, the park gets its name not from the temperatures, but rather from the warm display of colours as the rising and twilight sun reflects off the sandstone. Back to that previous photo.
RESPECT
Not just a little bit, but a whole lot.
On a Road to Nowhere
I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name. Actually, there were no horses, but one would come in handy for the way back. The sandstone gets its colour from various forms of iron oxide (rust). The black staining is called “Desert Varnish” and forms when iron and manganese precipitate out of the porous sandstone.
Unusual Plant
We encountered a myriad of unusual plants equipped for life in the desert.
Unusual Flower
We also encountered a myriad of unusual flowers equipped for life in the desert. There is always something in bloom to sustain life, but we lucked out as many of the desert cacti are in bloom at this time.
Thin Lizzie
We encountered many different lizards along the way. The way to tell a local from a tourist is … the tourist is the one trying to chase the lizard and convince it to remain still for a photoshoot.
Refuge
Fortunately, the desert creatures have adapted for life on the edge in this harsh environment. The geology of the landscape has provided them with many locations to take refuge when the heat is on.
Refugee
No, you don’t have to live as a refugee, however a few minutes of refuge can go a long way.
Not the First Ones Here
It soon became obvious to us that we were not the first ones here. The Desert Varnish and sandstone provide an excellent canvas for early art. These petroglyphs date back to the Basket Makers some 2,500 years ago.
Art is in the Eye of the Beholder
After the Basket Makers, the Pueblo people occupied this canyon.
Do a Little Dance
This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of our adventure. We did this hike in a few short hours. We haven’t even gotten to the good stuff yet. Let me know if you want to see more, and I will follow up with additional posts and ramblings. Are you ready to do a little dance and buckle up for a good old fashioned American road trip?
There were plants and birds and rocks and things!
Darryl.
I have attempted to reduce hundreds of photos to a few select ones that represent each of the stops along the way. Any factual data presented is based on select passages from park brochures and interpretive signs along the way. I know many of you locals will be able to add valuable information and labels to these posts. I have also included a few lyrics, song titles and bands in the posts just to keep things lite for those that want to play along.
So who wants to embark on a good old fashioned American Road Trip from a Canadian’s perspective. Eh?
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
After an exhausting flight into Las Vegas and a car rental, we were ready to start our journey. We only had a few hours of daylight left, but we were not willing to miss a moment of it. As a fellow RTHer would say, “You Can Rest Later”.
On a Dark Desert Highway
Actually, it was a daylight desert highway, but to be honest with you, the desert would be scary at night.
All the Beautiful Colours Are So Meaningful
The area is comprised of red Aztec sandstone with gray and tan limestone from the Jurassic period. The area formed when wind swept sands were deposited on an ancient sea bed, followed by uplift.
Valley of Fire
Eventually we entered into the Valley of Fire. And yes, it was HOT. However, the park gets its name not from the temperatures, but rather from the warm display of colours as the rising and twilight sun reflects off the sandstone. Back to that previous photo.
RESPECT
Not just a little bit, but a whole lot.
On a Road to Nowhere
I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name. Actually, there were no horses, but one would come in handy for the way back. The sandstone gets its colour from various forms of iron oxide (rust). The black staining is called “Desert Varnish” and forms when iron and manganese precipitate out of the porous sandstone.
Unusual Plant
We encountered a myriad of unusual plants equipped for life in the desert.
Unusual Flower
We also encountered a myriad of unusual flowers equipped for life in the desert. There is always something in bloom to sustain life, but we lucked out as many of the desert cacti are in bloom at this time.
Thin Lizzie
We encountered many different lizards along the way. The way to tell a local from a tourist is … the tourist is the one trying to chase the lizard and convince it to remain still for a photoshoot.
Refuge
Fortunately, the desert creatures have adapted for life on the edge in this harsh environment. The geology of the landscape has provided them with many locations to take refuge when the heat is on.
Refugee
No, you don’t have to live as a refugee, however a few minutes of refuge can go a long way.
Not the First Ones Here
It soon became obvious to us that we were not the first ones here. The Desert Varnish and sandstone provide an excellent canvas for early art. These petroglyphs date back to the Basket Makers some 2,500 years ago.
Art is in the Eye of the Beholder
After the Basket Makers, the Pueblo people occupied this canyon.
Do a Little Dance
This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of our adventure. We did this hike in a few short hours. We haven’t even gotten to the good stuff yet. Let me know if you want to see more, and I will follow up with additional posts and ramblings. Are you ready to do a little dance and buckle up for a good old fashioned American road trip?
There were plants and birds and rocks and things!
Darryl.
