Travel Tips

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is located less than 20 miles from the Las Vegas Strip, but it couldn't be a more different environment. There is no neon. There are no showgirls. There are no slot machines. The rhythm of the desert takes over from the pulsating vibe of man and his creations. Lady Luck takes a back seat to Mother Nature. I spent a day hiking here -- in this and my other Red Rock travelogue you can see some of the sights for yourself.

Red Rock Canyon is managed by the US Bureau of Land Management and offers a 13-mile, one way, loop drive. You can see much of the scenery from your car, and there are ample pullouts from which to take photos. But the best way to experience the area is to get out of you car and take a hike. When you enter the park (entry fee is $5 per car), you'll get an informational brochure and map that includes descriptions of every trail. You can ask at the Visitor Center, as I did, about recommended hikes for your ability or the time you have available -- and that information is in the brochure as well. Be sure to bring plenty of water, slather on the sunscreen, and have sturdy, comfortable hiking shoes. You'll probably also be more comfortable if you have a hat and sunglasses. And finally -- don't forget your camera!

This travelogue showcases my pictures of the colorful blooms that appear in the springtime desert.

Prickly and pink . . .

Has a rock ever stuck its tongue out at you?

Still prickly, but this one's yellow . . .

They look like dandelions, but I don't know what they are . . .

More pink blooms . . .

Look close and find the living creature in this photo . . .
I saw them in the city, too, around plantings at the hotels. They look like dull-colored hummingbirds, but someone told me they are actually a species of moth. I'll have to research what it is. *done!* It appears to be a Sphinx Moth (no wonder I saw one at the Luxor!), also called a hawk moth or hummingbird moth.