Valley of Fire!

More rocks!  Amazing landscapes. and hikes and petroglyphs-  did I mention the rocks?

 

Petroglyphs at Mouse's Tank

 

Pink Rocks and Red Rocks and Climbing Rocks!

 

 

 

 

 

Hanging out at Lake Mead.

Swimming in a lake in April!  Temperatures were in the high 90's.  Apparently record breaking for this time of year here.   Tilly has started to love water, but isn't swimming yet.  Rusty as usual is a seal.

You can make a diving bell from a rubber maid.  Always the teacher...



We spent just time hanging out and resting, regrouping, being antsy.   Anna made us some awesome sushi with only a little help.   Thanks Auntie Alison for teaching her!

Lake Mead is created by the Hoover Dam- just east of Vegas.  Did a tour of the dam- it really is a work of art- even though it dams an amazing river- it was very innovative for it's time.  And even though the interpretive display didn't mention any of the women that were part of building it- but there I go thinking critically again. 

 

 

The level is very low- drops 6 ft below the previous year low each year- only 10 years before they don't have enough pressure to generate electricity anymore.  As it is they only run one turbine out of seven at present.

It's main purpose was for irrigation- but now the water is also used to facilitate urban sprawl and green lawns where there should barely be a creosote bush.  While we were there they actually moved the beach!  Just moved the barriers, signs, outhouses and plowed a new ridge of gravel and voila you don't need to walk so far and the water couldn't possibly be dropping.   Lalalala.

 

And no we did not go to Vegas.

Joshua Tree National Park

Keys View

Joshua Trees- not one the same
 

Crazy trees, crazy rocks, amazing views.   But lots of people- from all over the world.  Did I mention the rocks?

 

Skull Rock.

Climbing

by Leland

We went to Hall of Horrors to climb. Surprisingly it’s not what its name says, it was really fun not scary.  I was the first to get to the top of this big wall.  It was extremely awesome. Anna on the other hand was falling constantly.  If it weren’t for the rope this would be about how Anna died. But at 1:30pm Dad said to Anna last chance to get it right and she turned into a climbing machine, finding hand holds and foot holds and she got to the top. But I am just a simple witness of this feat and I cannot provide full detail so ask ...ANNA. Photos are from the ipod- but you get the idea.

 

Life in the camper

We thought that Rusty would be a – to put it bluntly- huge pain in the ass on this trip.  But he is actually settling in quite well- doesn’t bark as much- really only at other dogs or if someone walks into our camp- which is good.   He seems to be having a great time actually- hanging out with us and going for lots of hikes and walks.     His camouflage works in the desert too and I am more and more convinced that he is part coyote. 

 

 

Tilly is having a harder time- she was on a hunger strike earlier in the trip but is eating again now.  She was used to at home sleeping a lot!   She is really tired- but doesn’t seem to mind being left with her bed in the camper while the rest of us go.   We just need to watch the temperatures for her.  

The trailer- that we still need a name for – seems really spacious-  we each have our own little space-  choosing the model with the double bunks for the kids was a great decision as they each have their own little room.   We spend most of our time outside of course- but inside only one person uses the sink/bathroom at a time- and the dogs have to be outside for me to use the kitchen which I’m still figuring out a system of storage for.   Good thing I bought a step stool as most cupboards are too high- as usual.    Compared to our backcountry-canoeing system this is luxury!  A fridge- freezer- three burner stove-oven, sink, bathroom, shower (that we only use if we are hooked up to water)  A water tank, our own mattress and duvet!   Pretty comfy.   One of the things we just bought that is helping with all the little miscellaneous things like maps, sunglasses, bandanas, charger cords, flashlight, sunscreen is a canvas shoe bag with mesh pockets that hangs on the outside of the bathroom door.   Very handy.   A few double wide pockets would make it even better.  

We seem to be settling in, relaxing, reconnecting with each other and with nature....just what we all needed. 

Hole in the Wall

Hole in the Wall area of the Mojave National Preserve is an amazing landscape full of spires, plants, animals,  birds, and rocks with holes.  

The desert was filled with blooms, but you needed to be down on the ground to see them.  

 

 

 We all climbed up Mt.  Barstow.  Greg took the rope but we didn’t need it.  

 

Leland was in his element climbing up everything.  Next time he’ll have to carry more water!  Anna was right behind with Greg spotting. 

 I sometimes took an easier route but made it all the way to the top, huffing and puffing!

 

 

Under a rock....

Those big rocks look perfect to camp next to. ...we’d already been there a day and a night and most of another day when I spotted the snake!   This particular rock was about 8 feet from our trailer and about 15 feet from the door.  

As near as we could tell with numerous photos and looking at it through the binoculars it was a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake!  The hair on the back of my neck stood up and then I thought about us all running around in bare feet the day before.   Then it moved!

This snake and probably all of her friends can climb rocks.  

She travelled up and over the rock, through a shrub into a new den where we could see very little of her.   Needless to say we were very cautious of where we walked and stepped.   Meanwhile the Scout troop next door was crashing around in the dark playing capture the flag.   Apparently none of them had had a snake encounter...yet.  

We saw but didn’t hear the rattle- that’s a good thing.   In the Rockies at least the bears leave tracks!   It was great for us to have a non -drastic reminder that we are guests in the desert.