Red Rock Canyon Snow

Red Rock Canyon ©K.C.C.

Snow in the desert! Our desert is just beautiful this week. It snowed Monday up in the Spring Mountains which includes Red Rock Canyon State Park. I drove up during the snow in the late afternoon. The area was covered and the snow keep falling for the few hours I was there. It was snowing so hard and fast that I finally just quit getting out of the car to take pictures. The last hour, most of my pics were taken from the front seat :::gg:::.

Las Vegas is getting some more snow in the mountains today. And it's COLD. I don't think we've been above 45* all week. Which is really cold for us. Brrrrrr.

Simply Recipes' "Maple Cookies"

"Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked,
in which you can walk with love and reverence."
— Henry David Thoreau

Zion Gold & Red

"Zion Gold & Red" ©2009 K.C.C.

Fall is finally upon us here in the desert southwest. The weather is fantastic! Zion National Park is such a close road trip out of Las Vegas, 3 hours max, that it is easy to run up in the morning and return the same evening. Since the Zion valley floor is so narrow, direct sun time is somewhat limited. Which is either a photographic blessing or curse depending on what you want to capture. So plan your photographic timing around the light times. Both 'sunrise' and 'sunset' are vastly different than on a flatter plane.

Above trees standing along the river are back-lit showing off their greens and golds. Most of the reds are already gone at both the upper and lower levels of the valley. Nevertheless, all the gold and yellow is stunning against the red sandstone walls and cliffs.

The weather is perfect for anything...camping, hiking, and picnicking. I hiked up to the beginning of "The Narrows" but didn't pass the water entry line. Didn't have on waterproof day-wear or more importantly, a dry sack for the camera gear. (Wet cameras would make it an expensive trip.) The 'hike' took about 2 hours up because I had to keep stopping to photographic something. So much Autumn splendour to enjoy and photograph. Your 'enjoyment' time will vary ;-).

Lots of people were out and it was fun interacting with them. Everyone seems to always want to know, "WHAT are you taking a photo of?" Or they'll comment as they walk by, "That sure is the shot of the day." Then when they see me somewhere else NOT taking a picture, they'll want to know how my photos came out. Tourists and photo pros alike all want to exchange emails to share what they have seen and captured.

I've noticed carrying a camera larger than a sandwich is kind of like walking with Luna. One is always noticed and 50% of the time some interaction takes place. People are funny, as if seeing a camera or a dog out of the house is some new experience. We're a weird species we are.

Simply Recipes' "Spicy Vegetarian Chili"

“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.”

--Edward Abbey

The Wanderer

Look what I found wandering about at the Valley of Fire. This Tarantula was about the size of my palm and quite the fast walker. I had already used up both my CF cards shooting the Valley of Fire but, as always, had my Sony P&S with me. Got about 15 shots before I decided to let it meander on its way. It didn't rear up once which I was waiting for so I guess I didn't scare it too much with the black box zooming in about 5 inches away. Could have watched it for an hour if I had had the time.

While I RUN from other spiders, Tarantulas never seem to make my nervous system jump or crawl in the same manner as ugly, creepy, jaw-grinding little 8-legged runners of horror. YUCK.

One another note, we're going to be 82* today. We've had a beautiful fall so far. It is definitely the time to be out in the desert.

Simply Recipes' "Apple Walnut Gorgonzola Rustic Tart"

There are only two options regarding commitment. You're either IN or you're OUT. There's no such thing as life in-between.

-- Pat Riley

More from the Desert Botanical Gardens & Chihuly

I always love visiting the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, AZ. During the April, the deserts of AZ are in bloom and that includes so many things at the gardens. Chihuly's glass interpretations of a desert's splendour were just icing on the cake.

And while Chihuly's exhibits are incredible, still, my most favorite thing in the DBG is the 'Elephant Tree' also known as Bursera microphylla. I've been fortunate enough to even see them in the wild. I love these old wisdom trees. I even finally purchased one at right there at the DBG last year. Lovely!


I was amazed that this hanging piece didn't move in the 30 mph winds that were whipping about as we passed thru the gardens.




Wow. This one is huge! Stunning. This one might be my favorite.


Or maybe this one is my favorite.




I also love this one.


And again...fabulous.










A few even light up!


The whole garden, with or without Chihuly, is grand. Chihuly's exhibit goes on thru May 31, 2009. The DBG is open year round. They are even open late in the evening and have jazz on Friday nights. How fun!!! Some year, I'm going to get there for the holiday luminaries display. How cool must that be?

Today, my Nevada desert is cold. It's not even in the 50's yet. Our high yesterday was 58*. Next week, we'll be in the 90*'s. :::sigh::: The heat is almost here. All hot or all cold. :::sigh:::

Simply Recipes' "Potato and Leek Soup"

A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life

when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit.

--D. Elton Trueblood

More Desert Glass

More from the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, AZ.

More Chihuly At DBG

Flames of glass


A rose among thorns -- Helen


The Cactus Gardens


Pink Madonnas among the cactus

The Desert Goes Glass

Friday morning was spent in the desert north of Phoenix hunting 'Desert Lavender' (Hyptis emoryi). The day was clear even while being buffeted by our forever blowing desert Spring winds.



Not a drop of rain in sight.


But some unusual glass showed up!


Chihuly is on exhibit at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona.


Wow. Very interesting juxposition. I really thought it was neat. And the DBG has reworked many of the natural exhibits making the desert even MORE breathtaking! I loved it. I'll show more pictures over the coming week.

The Chihuly Exhibit runs through May 31st, 2009. Go if you can!

The desert is a natural extension of the inner silence of the body. If humanity’s language, technology, and buildings are an extension of its constructive faculties, the desert alone is an extension of its capacity for absence, the ideal schema of humanity’s disappearance.
--Jean Baudrillard

Canyon de Chelly

Went to Canyon de Chelly, AZ last week with Helen and two students of hers from San Luis, CO. WOW. What a beautiful place! I loved the Canyon, the Dine' (Navajos) and the "Thunderbird Lodge" where we stayed.

Luna liked it too. So nice to find nice lodgings that allow dogs. While she wasn't allowed on any trails into the canyon, she was allowed on any of the rim walks. The weather was beautiful and perfect for being outdoors. I must remember to bring a picnic for a 'rim' lunch next time.

We hiked the "White House Trail." Not a long hike but very steep going into the canyon. Incredibly fabulous!



If you go, consider taking some clothes and/or shoes to donate to the Navajo Nations people. There are drop boxes in Chinle, AZ. They are a kind and proud group. I so enjoyed everyone I met. Go visit this Canyon and peoples. I loved this place.


View Larger Map

::Update November 16, 2007::

Jay River from "ecurtisonfilm" sent me a link to a great little clip on YouTube concerning Canyon de Chelly. Looks like I'll have to see if my library has the full on DVD. Thanks Jay!

...Wait until my blog music ends then play the video to hear the sound clip. Come on...you needed a meditative break anyway.



::End Update::

Knitting News: STILL working on the sock. Knitted from the toe up, did a terrible short row heel, ripped back to my life line and screwed it up. Sigh.

But 'Sage' is about three quarters done. WOOT!!

Simply Recipes' "Creme of Mushroom Soup"

"The World is not something to look at, it is something to be in."
-- Mark Rudman

Visiting RV Vagabonds!!!

Linda and Denny of RV Vagabonds hit the Nevada desert this week!! Woot!! I've been enjoying their website for quite some time.

Linda takes excellent pictures of all their travels with great commentary on the places they visit as they follow the sun. Living in their RV full-time, I think of them as cruising in a land-yacht as they travel the asphalt rivers of America!

We met up at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area with plans for geocaching and lunch.
The famous 'Red Rock' Stripe.


Linda and Denny are BIG geocachers. And, even bigger FUN!! We hiked, laughed and talked like we had been friends for a long time. Luna loved Denny on-the-spot.

Always smiling these two!


They had a GPS unit that Linda had already programmed with the coordinates for a number of caches that would be somewhat easy to get to on foot.

She had previously tweaked a knee and needed to 'baby' it. HA!! I think know she could out hike me!! Both of them scrambled over rocks and down steep trails like they were 20 years old.

Denny locates a geocache.


While hiking around looking for the caches, the opportunity to enjoy and smell many of the native Mojave Desert flowers in bloom presents itself. And it is not to be denied.

Cliffrose, Purshia mexicana. Very sweet smelling.


Luna always has too much fun in the desert, runing-running-running, smelling everything and keeping a watchful eye out for the next thing we should be aware of. She's always happy to meet people on the trail with kisses and rubs.

Luna in a 'Super Model' pose.


Red Rock has a number of 'outlook' points and it's always easy to find other people enjoying the view that are willing to help you snap a photo. And yes, I did cut off ALL my hair AGAIN. I donated TWO huge braids to Locks of Love. Guess I should put up pics of the braids someday.

'No Hair' holds on to 'Wiggle Worm' with Linda and Denny


Geocaching is really a fun thing to go out and do. Some of the geocaches have themes, some don't. The main objective is to find them and fill out the log that is in the box. Then you can take something out of the box, leave something in the box, or any combination it seems. The Geocaching site has tons of information for caches all over the world!!

Another cache of the day!!


Lichen along the way.


More Cliffrose.


We stopped for lunch at the Lost Creek Canyon of the park. Yum. Linda and Denny made deviled eggs, hummus and BROWNIES!!! I made sandwiches, potato salad and snacks. It was a feast under tall Cottonwoods. Just lovely would describe it perfectly!!

I'm always amazed when wild life has such little fear of man and dog. This beautiful bird, who I have heard about all my life from hunting friends, pretty much hung out with us for our entire lunch. I threw him bits of pita which he gobbled up. He even took a piece from my hand.

A friendly Chukkar.


After lunch, we continued on with some geocaching in that area.

Blooming Prickly Pear


Another find!!! This cache had a 'children's theme.

Luna approves!!


Inside the cache box.


Mormon Tea


Luna and I had a great time with Linda and Denny. They are delightful humans. We looking forward to their return for more geocaching and BROWNIES.

Please check out their RV Vagabonds site and if you're smart, you'll invite them for a picnic. They're both geocaching and picnic experts. And Linda and Denny, when you come back......

Don't forget the BROWNIES.

Accidental Hedonist's "Herbed Leek Tart"


The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson