We spent a day away from the strip with family. It was hot . . . 115 degrees hot! It made for less than ideal sightseeing, but we still managed to get a full day's worth of Nevada. Here are some of the sights within a short drive from Vegas:
 |
| View from outside the visitor's center to Red Rock Canyon. You can drive a 13 mile loop through the park, with many pull over spots and places to park and hike. |
 |
| I always marvel at the straight lines in the rocks. I believe those are Joshua trees in the foreground. |
 |
| A particularly beautiful spot. As you can see, no hikers that day! We only saw a few cars on the loop, due to the heat. |
 |
Next stop was Spring Mountain Ranch. It is now a state park, but it was a working ranch from the late 1800's to the mid-1960's, if I'm remembering correctly. It had various owners through the years, including the German actress, Vera Krupp, whose personal belongings are on display. The home is really quite modest inside, considering the wealth of those who owned it.   |
 |
| We had lunch at Bonnie Springs. It was built as one of those 'western town' tourist attactions in the 1950's. |
 |
| There were a number of peacocks roaming around, as well as ducks and turtles. |
 |
I watched this steer while he played with his meal bucket.Then it was back to Vegas to Ethel M's Chocolate factory. We walked through, but were disappointed because it looked like work was done for the day. And no samples were being handed out . . . boo! However, I was really there to check out the cactus garden in back.      |
Great views. I believe chocolate melts at 115 degrees, even in dry heat!
ReplyDeleteI would have been happy to consume my chocolate sample in their climate controlled retail shop!
DeleteRed Rock Canyon is a beautiful area. And like you said, hard to believe "The Strip" is so close! That heat, though. Dry or not, it's still pretty intolerable!
ReplyDeleteI love hot weather, but that heat was literally drying out my mouth and lungs.
DeleteI went to the ER once for an allergic reaction to cactus jelly. Pretty scary, but it was so. . . i dunno, weirdly cool that they make jelly from cactus. . .
ReplyDeletePrickly pear cactus? I'm just guessing, since it produces an edible fruit. I'm guessing they don't see too many of those reactions in the ER.
DeleteQuite the views indeed. That would sure be a nice one to look at in ones backyard. Not in 115 degrees though. Maybe that's why Hughes was nuts.
ReplyDeleteYes, it does seem plausible that the heat got to him! Especially before AC!
DeleteWhen it gets over 110, even dry heat is hot. That's not a Joshua Tree, but some kind of yucca plant. Vegas should be enjoyed in winter!
ReplyDeleteI have only been there in spring and summer. I couldn't tell if those plants were growing on trunks or not.
DeleteI was actually considering doing C for A/Z on cactus :) So many different types out there :)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I will take a dry heat of 110 over a muggy heat any time. There is a difference :) Once you get "used" to it (if you can get used to it) 110 dry heat isn't that bad :)
Always good to get off the beaten path like you did and explore other parts of the area you were visiting :)
betty
Yes, I agree, humidity at 100 degrees is definitely worse!
DeleteI've been to all of those places. It's been a while since I was at Bonnie Springs but it was a nice place to take the kids when they were younger. My daughter went there with my grandson not too long ago. I like going to those places when it's so hot outside.
ReplyDeleteIt was my first time at Bonnie Springs. We really enjoyed our lunch there.
DeleteSpectacular scenery indeed. It was very determined of you to check it all out in temperatures of 115 degrees! I've never seen cactus skeletons before. I guess I just assumed they wither and die and that's the end of them.
ReplyDeleteWe knew we were taking a chance with Vegas in summer, but it was the only week that worked for all involved. We made the most of it!
DeleteThose are fascinating pictures of fascinating landscapes! I have a bunch of geologists for current and former co-workers - they just love it out there. I can see why!
ReplyDeleteHa - we went to Ethel M.'s chocolate factory, too!
Lots of good places for geologists out west. I'm glad you enjoyed my pictures.
DeleteFabulous photos, Bijoux! The desert is such a strange location. It's really a whole other world. But 115 degrees!? I think that's even too warm for me and I freak out if the temperature drops below 70!
ReplyDeleteOh, I hear you! I truly don't mind the heat, but my throat seriously felt parched that day, even consuming tons of water.
Delete" It was hot . . . 115 degrees hot!"
ReplyDeleteOMG...yes, I definitely remember how freaking HOT it was when I was in Vegas/Tahoe for a summer. I got the worst sunburn ever because it didn't feel as hot as the humid heat in Florida.
Faaaaaabulous photos! Love the one of the "western town" because it reminded me of something from the show Bonanza or Gunsmoke!
I've always been fascinated by the different varieties of cactus as well. In fact, I had many of them when I lived in Florida.
Have a super day, my friend....X
I can see how you'd get sunburn easily....we didn't feel sweaty at all. It's definitely different than the Florida heat! Hope you are having a great summer, Ron!
DeleteSeems to me Vera Krupp must've had a great life out there.
ReplyDeleteIt was quite the scenery, opening that front door.
DeleteI'd go for some dry heat about now. the other kind is a bit on the excessive side this year
ReplyDeleteHas it been bad there? It hasn't seemed excessive to me . . . yet!
DeleteYeah, we've been hovering between 85-95 and humidity 60-95% for a couple weeks now with only a couple days of break here and there.
DeleteOuch! We've actually had a pleasant summer. Only a few days in the 90's. Stay cool!
DeleteNow that's beautiful. I'm not much of a city person, but I love any sort of natural beauty. Including deserts - I agree with you about how interesting cacti are. I remember birds of paradise growing in Hawaii - very striking flowers!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate both, but agree that being out in nature is the best.
DeleteOoh, way too hot for me! I'd love to see the beauty of the deserts, canyons, etc… but maybe during Fall season. ;)
ReplyDeleteAwesome photos. Glad you had a good time!
I think they have decent weather in the fall. Weve only been there in spring or summer.
Delete