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At the end of October, 2007, we followed the warm weather to Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada

outside Las Vegas. This remarkable park has a beautiful road that snakes back into the hinterlands,

passing all kinds of exotic redrock formations on its way. We rode our bikes on this road and hiked

several of the park's trails while we were there.

During September, 2008, we spent a week in the mining town of Pioche, NV. Once a thriving, wild

boomtown of 10,000, built around the many silver mining claims in the surrounding hills, Pioche today

is a historian's paradise. Untouched by commercialism, this quiet town of 700 is rich with lore,

artifacts and memories passed down through the generations since the mines were closed over 100

years ago.

September, 2009 brought us back to Las Vegas for the annual Interbike bicycle industry trade show.

Mark and his son stayed on the Strip at the Imperial Palace so they wouldn't miss any of the wild

Interbike action while I took the low key route and enjoyed a week of serenity with the buggy at nearby

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

In September/October, 2009, we returned to Valley of Fire State Park outside Las Vegas for a refill of

the soaring emotions that accompany each jaw-dropping view in this park. From geological drama to

glimpses of the ancient history of our species, this park offers many moments of "wow."

We visited Laughlin, Nevada in October, 2009, as we followed the well-trodden path of the northwestern

RV snowbirds on their flight south. Planning to stay just a day or two, we settled in for over two weeks,

enjoying the boardwalk along the river and a desert hike to lush vegetation and petroglyphs in nearby

Grapevine Canyon.