Traveling through deserts, you occasionally have the feeling that you can see forever as range after range of mountains disappear into the distance.
Deserts are known for their minimal water, fiery temperatures and vast open spaces. Most people believe they are best seen while travelling at 70 plus miles per hour on a modern freeway with the air conditioning cranked up high. It’s unfortunate.
Deserts can be places of rare beauty. Mountains and rock formations burst into riotous colors at sunrise and sunset. Spring rains bring carpets of wildflowers. Even the open spaces have a unique appeal. At times you feel you can see forever.
Deserts also have a fascinating story to tell. Ancient petroglyphs whisper of human occupation dating back thousands of years. Geology is up front and personal– what you see is what you get. And plants and animals demonstrate the amazing ability of nature to adapt, and even thrive, under extreme conditions.
Over the next three weeks I’ll be blogging about three desert areas that Peggy and I recently visited: the Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon and Death Valley. All three are an easy day trip outside of Las Vegas, Nevada and all three are definitely worth a visit. Spring and fall are the best times to go.
First up: Valley of Fire.
Located 58 miles northeast of Las Vegas off of I-15, the Valley of Fire’s main attraction is erosion-carved red sandstone that owes its existence to massive sand dunes that covered the region some 150 million years ago, back when dinosaurs still roamed the earth.
The first ‘tourists’ to visit the area were the Anasazi, who apparently dropped in on a regular basis between 300 BC and 1150 AD. Limited water discouraged permanent settlement but they left behind numerous petroglyphs, which I will feature in another blog.
Hollywood, too, has discovered the Valley of Fire. Portions of several movies have been filmed in the area including Total Recall with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Star Trek Generations, where Captain Kirk fell to his death– until he was reborn as a slightly pudgy spokesperson for Priceline. “Beam me up, Scotty.”
The Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest state park. The best way to experience it (beyond going there) is through photos. Enjoy.
Folded and eroded red sandstone welcomes the visitor to the Valley of Fire State Park.
Up close, the sandstone rocks reveal a fascinating world of caves and shapes.
Caves invite exploration. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
What hides inside? Will there be treasure? Or a grumpy Indiana Jones type snake?
It definitely fits my concept of treasure. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
It easy to see faces and creatures in the carved sandstone. Is this a dinosaur from 150 million years ago striving to break free?
There is also an occasional arch that demands to be admired. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
Spring rains can bring a display of flowers in the desert. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
I found this and the following cacti blooming outside of the Visitor’s Center. Check out the spines.
A yellow beauty.
The buds are almost as pretty as the flowers.
Next blog: More great scenery from the Valley of Fire State Park.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Beautiful rock formations. I have never explored any Desert, look forward to these posts.
Given your love of the outdoors, I am sure you and your family would love a trip through the Southwest. –Curt
It’s on the list.
Haven’t explored any deserts yet. But the vast open spaces you describe remind me of the ocean, which I like. “Geology is up front and personal– what you see is what you get.” And yet there’s mystery here as you say, “Ancient petroglyphs ‘whisper’ of human occupation . . .” Fascinating. I like the way you use words too. Isn’t it rather hot in the desert though?
Kudos to Peggy, lovely photos.
Thanks… and yes it can get hot in the summer, sometimes up to 120 degrees F! 🙂 Spring and fall can be pleasantly warm. As I recall, the humidity of tropical West Africa can be quite miserable. (grin). –Curt
Yes the humidity . . . argh! But you can be indoors and air conditioners will keep you cool.
If you have an air conditioner. 🙂 Up country Peace Corps Volunteers didn’t have such conveniences. LOL
Fabulous photos you guys! They make me wanna go there. I love deserts. I would like to explore in those caves. The red rock formations remind me a bit of Uluru.
Thanks. Uluru is somewhere I would like to go. Maybe we should have an exchange program. LOL –Curt
You are totally right about the beauty of the desert in the west. Your photos will trigger people’s desire to discover for themselves. So close to Vegas and yet so wild. Some of the formation remind me of Havasu Falls in Arizona. Another treasure of the west. Thanks for the gorgeous pics.
I’ve been down to Havasu, and it is indeed beautiful. I understand the flood did some serious damage, however. I’ve backpacked into the Grand Canyon on several occasions and ran the river three yeas ago. The Canyon is indeed a treasure. Thanks for following, Evelyne. –Curt
The photo which you suggest might show a dinosaur trying to escape reminds me of something quite different — a bugabug mound! A friend was telling me this weekend of an artist she met at her son’s wedding. He (and perhaps some assistants) filled all the crevices and corners and curves of a large mound with molten aluminum, and then washed away the dirt. It apparently is quite a remarkable way to visualize the inside of a mound.
I’ve not even heard of this place, but the rock certainly reminds me of Palo Duro and the surrounding country. The prickly pear in full bloom’s marvelous. The flower looks like it’s made of glass – at least to me.
Weren’t the bug-a-bug mounds incredible. (Those are large termite mounds in West Africa to folks reading these comments.) I would love to see the art work but I don’t think I would like to deal with the irritated termites. 🙂
Linda, if you make it out to southern Nevada, the Valley of Fire is a must see place. And the flowers were gorgeous, even more so in Death Valley, which I will probably start to cover next week.
–Curt
Amazing history, breathtaking pix of the sandstone and the flowers, C. Peggy’s a killer shot.
Thanks D. Peggy and I always have a lot of fun taking photos, and wandering. 🙂 –Curt
What an incredible place – can see why spring and autumn would be the time to visit. The cactus flowers are beautiful and very well shot.
Thanks. Yep… you don’t want to be there when the temperature climbs above 120 degrees F. 🙂 –Curt
The color contrasts are always a mystery and fascination to me. Quite magical! Of course, then Curt goes into the geology…….grin. Peggy
It’s always fun to know the actual reason. (grin) But I never think it detracts from the magic. –Curt
Sculptor’s heaven, good for (natural) gardner’s too.
I think it would appeal to all aspects of your nature, Hilary. 🙂 –Curt
Hey, Curt, how many days would it take to cover all three places–Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon and Death Valley? I’m thinking we could fly out for a 4-day weekend and rent a car, or would that be too ambitious?
You can definitely get a taste of each of the areas in 3-4 days. If I had four, I would devote two to Death Valley and one each to Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon. Again, if you are going to do it, spring or fall are the best times. Valley of Fire and Red Rock are both easily reached in an hour’s drive out of Las Vegas. Death Valley takes a couple. If possible, it is fun to stay overnight at one of the lodges in Death Valley. (Peggy and I always camp.) –Curt
Definitely sounds very do-able (and fun). Thanks for the recommendations. I was in Death Valley once, but have never been to the other two places. Sounds like an autumn trip to Las Vegas is now on my ‘must-do’ list. Thanks!
Doesn’t it surprise you how papery thin and delicate cactus blossoms can be when the plant is so unapproachable? I think there’s a metaphor there.
I like it. Sort of the old rose between two thorns analogy. Or one can afford to be more delicate and sensitive when well protected? –Curt
Or to add another–perhaps inside the gruffest facade can live a delicate heart. A small extension of yours idea.
Agreed. In fact I know a number of people that fit that description.