AUGUST 30 - VALLEY OF FIRE, Nevada State Park

THURSDAY

AUGUST 30, 2012

 

We traveled 242 miles today, following the instructions provided by

FANTASY RV TOURS, during their briefing on Wednesday evening,

after the picnic supper Larry and the team prepared for us,

upon our return from the Death Valley bus tour.

 

 

Nevada State Prison

 

Signs along the road warned

it was Illegal to pick up Hitchhikers.

We would think, this location was about as good as Alcatraz,

in preventing prison escapes.

We cannot imagine anyone in his right mind,

wanting to walk in the 100 degree Desert heat,

out in this wilderness of rocks and sand.

 

 

On two occasions during the day, we felt the Fantasy spirit de corp,

as two different couples stopped to be sure we were okay,

when we stopped along side of the road

 to use our own facilities,

and later to eat the lunch we prepared before

starting out at 9:48 AM.

 

The exciting side trip that we took, thanks to Bob and Penny's recommendation,

was to see VALLEY OF FIRE State Park.  The pictures will tell the story.

 

 

 

While we were at the Visitors Center,

 we experienced a heavy RAIN in the desert.

It lasted at least 20 minutes, and was accompanied by

 thunder, and lightning, and high winds.

  We both video taped some of it.  The above clouds

should convince you a storm was brewing.

 

As I walked to one of the picture stops

called Seven Sisters, I spotted this jewel in the red sand.

I did not touch it, but was so happy I had a camera to capture

the image to later show some Ranger to help me identify

what creature it was from.

  A Desert Tortoise or maybe a snake???

I can only suppose it became exposed by the rain washing down the hillside,

during the previous hour's storm.

 

 

This is part of the Seven Sisters grouping of rocks.

 

This is my favorite - doesn't it look like the profile of a person?

 

 

This gives you an idea of the size of these formations.

 

Yellow Barrel Cactus in Visitor Center garden.

 

 

 

Cow's Tongue Cactus after the Rain.

 

 

Red Barrel Cactus on grey rocks

as we began our journey into the Valley of Fire.

 

 

Thanks for joining us, on our Journey.

Your messages letting us know you

are reading what we take the time to share,

mean a great deal to us.

e-mail us at:  grandmarita15@gmail.com

 

Tomorrow will be a trip by bus to ZION NATIONAL PARK.