By Judy Berman
The desert might seem like an odd place to visit when the temperatures have been in the triple digits for several weeks.
But, fortunately for us, there was a slight breeze and an air-conditioned van that eased any discomfort as we toured the Valley of Fire State Park in mid-July. Valley of Fire is about 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada.
We scampered across rocks and climbed up into them. This place was on my must-see visit in Vegas this year.
Some people stare at clouds and think they look like a dog, a bunny or some other creature. As we stared at the rock formations, we did the same. We saw the profile of an Indian Chief, an elephant, a poodle and much more.
The desert also held some surprises. In the middle of nowhere, there were three cabins. The Cabins were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers in the 1930s.
Not far from the park, we stopped to visit the Desert Springs. While it’s a lovely oasis, don’t drink the water and don’t swim in it. The results could be deadly.
The Arch Rock, Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Nightmare? Rock formations
Valley of Fire – Fire Wave – a small waterfall spilling off the rocks
Valley of Fire – rock tunnels
climbing steps to see petroglyphs (writings in the desert)
petroglyphs – ancient writings in the desert
Profile of an Indian chief carved into the rocks?
Balancing Rock
A rock formation that some think look like a poodle
The Cabins built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) members.
Our tour guide, Adam Hefner with Casino Travel and Tours, at Desert Springs – A welcome attraction in the dry desert, but do not drink the water or swim in it.
Where do you prefer to visit? The mountains, deserts, rivers, the ocean or cities?
Note about the photos: I chose to use five photos from Wikimedia commons because many of my own photos had a bluish cast. Not sure what happened. It was certainly disappointing when I checked the photos after we returned from our tour.
Main Photo: Valley of Fire, Nevada – vista – taken Dec. 18, 2012, Author: Frank Kovalcheck of Anchorage, Alaska https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/What_an_amazing_place%21_%288286982428%29.jpg
Photo: Valley of Fire, Nevada – Arch Rock – taken Dec. 18, 2012, Author Frank Kovalcheck of Anchorage, Alaska https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Arch_Rock_-_it_is_actually_very_small_%288285923311%29.jpg
Photo: Valley of Fire – Nightmare rock formations – taken Oct. 11, 2012. Author: John Fowler of Placitas, New Mexico https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/Nightmare_%288192727113%29.jpg/640px-Nightmare_%288192727113%29.jpg
Photo: Valley of Fire – Fire Wave – taken Oct. 11, 2012. Author: John Fowler of Placitas, New Mexico. (At the time of his visit, there was a little waterfall spilling off the west side.) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/54/Fire_Wave_%288161224428%29.jpg/541px-Fire_Wave_%288161224428%29.jpg
Photo: Valley of Fire, Nevada – rock tunnels – taken Dec. 18, 2012, Author: Frank Kovalcheck of Anchorage, Alaska https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/Absolutely_amazing_formations_everywhere_%288286980054%29.jpg/486px-Absolutely_amazing_formations_everywhere_%288286980054%29.jpg
Photo: Valley of Fire – climbing steps to see petroglyphs – ancient writings in the desert. Taken July 2015 by me (Judy Berman)
Photo: Valley of Fire – petroglyphs – Taken July 2015 by Judy Berman.
Photo: Valley of Fire – A stone structure that appears to be a profile of Indian chief. Taken July 2015 by Judy Berman
Photo: Valley of Fire – Balancing Rock – Taken July 2015 by Judy Berman
Photo: Valley of Fire – A stone structure that some think looks like a poodle – Taken July 2015 by Judy Berman
Photo: Valley of Fire – The Cabins – Taken July 2015 by Judy Berman
Photo: Valley of Fire – Desert Springs – Don’t drink the water or swim in it. Taken July 2015 by Judy Berman
