For the first half of your life, people tell you what you should do; for the second half, they tell you what you should have done. I am in the latter half, and I’m not waiting for people to tell me what I should have done – I have a long list of places to see and fun things to do.

I had never been to Vegas and I have never seen a live show, so my new partner, Susan, gave me a birthday experience I would never forget – a vacation in Vegas, and tickets to “Love” performed by by Cirque du Soleil. I was mesmerized by the show. What an awesome partner. In our new relationship, we will make memories longer than the adventurous road that stretches out ahead.

By night, we walked the strip taking in all of the sights and sounds, stopping for a meal, and enjoying a few drinks. We had a blast.

Downtown Vegas with its attractions
Fremont Street with is bright LED screened roof

Don’t let Nevada’s reputation of bright casino lights and gaming prevent you from pursuing the magnificent hiking options which exist in all areas of the state. From out-of-the-way desert hikes to waterfall hikes, Nevada is a must-visit location if you love to hike. By day, we left the city and headed to the hills.

Red Rock Canyon

The great sandstone cliffs at Red Rock, thousands of feet high, are made up of the Aztec Sandstone. This formation, about 180 – 190 million years old, is comprised of lithified sand dunes that formed in a vast desert that covered a large part of the southwestern United States during the Jurassic time.

Red Rock Canyon
Checking out the erosion gulley’s
Listening to the sounds of the desert
Taking advantage of the cool shade
Having a blast
Long hikes into the mountains

Valley of Fire

World-renowned for its bright red Aztec sandstone outcrops nestled in gray and tan limestone, Valley of Fire State Park contains ancient, petrified trees and petroglyphs dating back more than 2,000 years. Prehistoric inhabitants of the Valley of Fire included the Ancestral Puebloans, also known as the Anasazi, who were farmers from the nearby fertile Moapa Valley. Their approximate span of occupation has been dated from 300 BC to 1150 AD. Their visits probably involved hunting, food gathering, and religious ceremonies, although scarcity of water would have limited their stay. Fine examples of rock art left by these ancient peoples can be found at several sites within the park.

Valley of Fire
The desert was alive with blooms
Susan looking out the old rangers station
It was fun driving the Mustang through the winding roads
What an awesome place

Sadly, we returned the rental car and headed to the airport. We climbed away from McCarran International Airport over Red Rock Canyon, then after an uneventful flight, descended through the cold and wet pacific northwest weather to land at Vancouver International Airport. It was time to bundle up for the cold, and head back to our regular working lives. I was getting closer and closer to retirement and being able to explore the blessing of nature for longer periods of time.

Leaving Nevada
Arriving Vancouver
YVR

When you’re on vacation the days pass quickly as good things happen. I am happy that I had an exciting vacation in and around Vegas, doing what I love with an amazing person again.

"Hiking Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire" - By Russel Robertson - - Comments Off on Hiking Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire Comments