{"id":2900,"date":"2016-08-02T09:00:28","date_gmt":"2016-08-02T13:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=2900"},"modified":"2016-10-28T10:11:33","modified_gmt":"2016-10-28T14:11:33","slug":"venture-to-the-valley-of-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=2900","title":{"rendered":"Venture to the Valley of Fire"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a9 2016 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.<\/em><\/p>\n

Having just experienced Hoover Dam by air, my expectations were high as I aimed to set my kayak into the Colorado River\u2019s waters and paddle on from the base of this mighty levee.<\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a>Last year, while in Las Vegas, tired of the crowds, I decided that it would be refreshing\u00a0to get out of the city and experience some of the outdoor activities located nearby. \u00a0Deciding to book\u00a0a kayaking tour on the Colorado, I opted\u00a0for a 12 mile paddle\u00a0starting\u00a0at the base of Hoover Dam. \u00a0Two hours too late, I was unable to do so as permits need to be secured for this particular tour at least 24 hours in advance. \u00a0Agreeing to take the 6 mile paddle that departed later in the day was a good substitution and I thoroughly enjoyed my trip. \u00a0All year, however, I contemplated what I missed, promising myself…next year!<\/em><\/p>\n

This year, immediately after my arrival, my reservation was made to kayak on my last full day in Las Vegas. \u00a0Instead of a confirmation email, however, a phone call informed me\u00a0that I was the only person booked for that day. \u00a0Needless to say, the tour would not go out with only one person, however, the guides were optimistic that they could hold out and certainly get more bookings before the permit deadline. \u00a0Unfortunately, it was not meant to be and I was\u00a0moved to the 6 mile paddle once again. \u00a0Anxious to get out of the city, I reluctantly agreed.<\/p>\n

Early that morning, I was packed and ready to go on my day’s journey.<\/p>\n

Water\u00a0shoes…check. \u00a0Sunscreen…check. \u00a0Sunglasses…check. \u00a0Camera…check.<\/p>\n

All that was\u00a0needed was the tour company’s van,\u00a0curbside, so\u00a0we could be on our way. \u00a0Van after van, came by until finally I noticed the one for me. \u00a0Jumping in, I made myself comfortable and said hello to the others. \u00a0The driver started up the van but then shifted\u00a0back into park, informing us that she needed to call her boss. \u00a0A few minutes\u00a0passed and I was startled by the opening of the van’s door next to me.<\/p>\n

“I’ve been informed that the bridge we need to cross has been closed down since six o’clock this morning. \u00a0The police are trying to talk a jumper down. \u00a0The traffic is backed up so severely that we will never make it in time. \u00a0I’m so sorry, but the tour is cancelled for today.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Okay, I was still half asleep…but…what did she say???<\/em><\/p>\n

Slowly, I made my way back upstairs to my room. \u00a0Now what? \u00a0I usually always have a plan B, C and D in place…but not today.<\/p>\n

Rifling through the Las Vegas magazine I found a few ideas. Las Vegas Eye? \u00a0Too expensive. \u00a0Titanic Exhibition? \u00a0No pictures allowed. \u00a0Making a few phone calls got me nowhere as most things were booked for the day. \u00a0Suddenly it dawned on me…a\u00a0rental car! \u00a0I would be free to do whatever I could find…on<\/em>\u00a0or\u00a0off<\/em>\u00a0the Strip. Quickly, I ran downstairs and secured one of the last cars available…a compact Nissan Versa.<\/p>\n

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But\u00a0where was I going?<\/em><\/p>\n

Turning out of the parking garage, I drove out\u00a0toward the highway, not exactly sure where I was headed. \u00a0In and Out Burger for an early lunch? Freemont Street? \u00a0Lake Mead?<\/p>\n

On two previous occasions,\u00a0I had visited the Valley of Fire, Nevada’s oldest state park, located about an hour outside of Las Vegas. \u00a0Both times,\u00a0accompanied by numerous individuals, I\u00a0was not able to see it the way that I wanted to. \u00a0This time\u00a0could\u00a0be different. \u00a0No little people telling me, “We’re tired of looking at rocks!” \u00a0No business associates saying, “Let’s skip that part and just\u00a0say<\/em>\u00a0we saw it”. \u00a0Yes…it could be different seeing it my way…<\/p>\n

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An hour later, I was driving into the Valley of Fire State\u00a0Park, handing over my $10 entry fee and trying to decipher the park map. Absolutely, lots to see and do!<\/p>\n

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\"image\"<\/a>\"image\"<\/a>Driving into the park, the beautifully\u00a0eroded sandstone formations grew more and more plentiful as my journey progressed. \u00a0Finally, the first few stops on the map grew near, the Beehives, Atlatl Rock, Arch Rock and the Petrified Logs. \u00a0Each of these attractions beautiful and unique, I stopped, exited my car, snapping lots of pictures, even taking the short hike\u00a0out to the petrified logs, (though the extreme temperature\u00a0made me realize that I was going to need much more water).<\/p>\n

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Next, a stop to the Visitor’s Center was in order. \u00a0The perfect place to cool off and\u00a0replenish your water supply, exhibits on the geology, ecology, prehistory and history of the Valley of Fire are also presented. \u00a0A small gift shop also offers snacks, postcards and souvenirs.<\/p>\n

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The next part of my drive, took me north to what is considered the most scenic part of the park. \u00a0Time after time, I pulled over to the shoulder to take picture after picture. \u00a0Truly, it is a place of unbelievable beauty.<\/p>\n

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My first stop on the northern road was a 1\/2 mile trail, called Mouse Tank that I have hiked in the past. \u00a0The first time we ventured out on this route, we were a bit unprepared, wearing sandals and not carrying water. \u00a0A\u00a0few years ago, we attempted it again with my children, so I was a bit familiar with it and thought that I could tackle it solo, even with the 113 degree temperatures.<\/p>\n

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\"image\"<\/a>The trail is extremely sandy, making it quite hard to walk at times and it filled my tennis shoes. \u00a0Trying to stay on the rocky areas that line the trail, I made my way through the canyon marveling at the petroglyphs that mark the red walls and occasionally ducking into the rare areas of shade. \u00a0A short time later, I reached the end of the trail and what gives it\u00a0its name…the Mouse Tank, an area in the rocks which collects water and\u00a0amazingly does not evaporate. \u00a0Legend has it that a renegade Indian named Mouse hid out in this canyon and this water supply helped him in his survival.<\/p>\n

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Exiting the Mouse Tank trail, I sat in my car turning the air conditioning on high, drinking lots of water and resting for a minute before continuing on my way.<\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a>\"image\"<\/a>The next two stops were Rainbow Vista and Fire Canyon\/Silica Dome. \u00a0Both stops offer colorful panoramas and amazing photo opportunities. \u00a0Continuing on my way to the end of the line, I finally reached the White Domes. \u00a0Though not up for another hike, this would be one that I would consider in the future. \u00a0This one-mile hike offer brilliant contrasting colors, sweeping desert vistas\u00a0and\u00a0caves and has been the location of many movies. \u00a0While I was there, a photo shoot was in progress and I felt sorry for the models, trying to pose beautifully while sweating profusely!<\/p>\n

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\"image\"<\/a>Making my way back to the main road, I turned and headed toward the East Entrance\/Exit. \u00a0The seven tall, eroded boulders called The Seven Sisters was my next stop followed by the Cabins. These picturesque and historic sandstone structures were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s for travelers. \u00a0No overnight stays are allowed with the area now serving as a popular picnic area.<\/p>\n

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The Clark Memorial, the last point of interest on the\u00a0map, is a simple white cross situated on a white brick base, sitting\u00a0alone in the desert and visible from the main road. \u00a0It\u00a0pays tribute to John J. Clark, a Civil War veteran. \u00a0Honorably discharged, he was enroute to Salt Lake City, traveling in a buckboard when he stopped in the Valley of Fire. \u00a0Not finding water, he crawled under his carriage and died, presumably from thirst, before his body was found in 1915.<\/p>\n

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One last hike can be made from the East Entrance\/Exit point, called Elephant Rock; however, I decided that it could wait until another visit. \u00a0Although it was later in the day, many people were making their way into the park and I would imagine that cooler temperatures and a setting sun offer a much different experience that what can be offered during the midpoint of the day.<\/p>\n

However, sunset still being sometime away, I decided that I wasn’t very far from Hoover Dam…<\/p>\n

To be continued…<\/p>\n

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.<\/p>\n

\"VOF<\/a><\/p>\n

Valley of Fire<\/strong><\/p>\n