The Long Way Home

Granpa's still bummed about the missing camera.  I'm just very out of phase.  I do not like this Vegas place. I do not like its vibes and space.

Granpa has had a plan all along to go home through Red Rock Canyon.  It's just 17 miles west of the Strip, and the road its on circles back into our highway home.  Again, we have no clue what to expect, but co-workers said it's a must.  Once more, off we go into the wild blue yonder, bummed and phased out, but ever the intrepid explorers.

Nestled in the Mojave Desert, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is almost 200,000 acres of a young person's paradise. Along the mere 13 mile scenic loop are 30-plus miles of hiking and biking trails as well as opportunities for horseback riding and rock climbing.  There is a visitor center, bookstore, and wildlife.  LOTS of wildlife:  wild burros (we call 'em donkeys in Texas), bighorn sheep, mountain lions, bobcats, a few wild horses, golden eagles, red tailed hawks and the tiny hummingbirds.  There are even occasional sightings of brides and grooms!

Over a million folks - well, make that a million and two - visit here each year from all over the world. But we weren't the first ones here.  Folks have been camping out here for about 10,000 years.  As kids will be kids, they left graffiti behind just like kids of today, only we marvel at their "petroglyphs."  While the kids were off into mischief, mom, just like today, was home grinding the corn and making supper.  You can still see the rocks and fire pits as proof!

But we have come to check out the color of the geology.  You see, a gazillion years ago, two of earth's plates came crashing into each other (kinda in slow motion of course).  One plate was red sandstone and one was grey limestone.  Today that spot is called the Keystone Thrust Fault.

The stunning red color comes from centuries of rust.  No, really!  Rust is oxidized iron and over the eons the iron oxide created the deep crimson colors that gave the place its name.

There were folks climbing all over the place.  

There were even moms and dads teaching their children how to rappel!

I agree with all of the websites giving this place four and a half stars.  I don't know if it was gaining distance from the Las Vegas strip or the grandeur of this place, but I do believe I'm coming back into phase!