October 20-27, 2007 - Leaving southern Utah, we dropped into
Nevada and spent a week in Valley of Fire State Park. This park is
truly on fire. We first saw the redrocks as we crested a hill, and looking
down at the valley before us we saw all shades of red and orange.
The road through the park is ideal for cycling, and we rode to the end
and back several times. As you climb through craggy redrocks and fly
through twisting descents it is hard to keep your eyes on the road as
there are new spectacular sights at every turn.
The park features a wall filled
with petroglyphs. They are high
up on a cliff, and tourists can
climb the long staircase to get a
close look. I couldn't decipher anything in the
tale that is told on that wall, however a scientist
has uncovered the full coming-of-age hunting
story that is depicted there. Looking out over
the valley from the viewing platform it is hard to
imagine how the ancients
managed to get their artwork
onto that rock face. There is
a slippery and narrow rock
shelf they might have stood
on, but most of the images
are still far
out of human
reach.
We found a
cozy spot to
park up
against the
redrock cliffs.
In the
evenings we
watched the
bats chase
the bugs
around the
restrooms.
After many
attempts,
Mark caught
one mid-flight.
One morning
we peeked
out the trailer
to see a
stunning
sunrise in
action. We
leapt out of
bed and
grabbed the
cameras,
clicking away
as the sky
flamed from deep orange to
soft peach hues.
A raptor enjoyed the same
sunrise, studying the
surroundings as he searched
for breakfast.
We enjoyed two hikes in
the park. The White Dome
hike took us past the old
1966 movie set from "The
Professionals." Not much
remains from the set, but
we scratched our heads for
a long time trying to
imagine how all the movie-
related paraphernalis was
hauled down into that
canyon.
What remains now is lots of tall rock formations and soft sand. Small
scrub plants grow out of the sand, a seemingly impossible feat.
Little creatures leave their tracks all through the sand. Some
tracks are clearly bird prints, hopping with paired feet across
the sand. Others are less easy to identify -- until you find the
creature responsible and see that drags his tail as he moves.
On our way out of the park we saw a redrock snowman...
Leaving Valley of Fire State Park we continued south and a little west,
dropping into Death Valley National Park in California.