Vegas: Lake Mead National recreation area

Growing up, I spent countless weekends out at Lake Mead national recreation area, often overnighting at some random corner of the park. Most of the time we'd be out, parked or camped near the water, with an ice chest full of drinks (beer for the adults, sodas for me) and a wind-powered vessel of some kind anchored on the beach, but sometimes we'd venture off to an island or cove. Regulations around camping were a lot looser back then, and you could freely park on the beach, but these days you're limited to the marked camping grounds. Times change! Around my ninth birthday I was "gifted" a small sailboat, which I've always suspected was more a gift for my adopted father that coincidentally happened to be obtained around the time of my birthday, since I had long expressed my near-zero interest in boats, being more of an artsy fartsy kid who spent their free-time deeply immersed in drawing, reading or writing at any and all given opportunities, but it afforded us even more excuses to get out to the water. As an adult, in many ways I really am quite grateful...the opportunity to meet and mingle with many different individuals, learning that there were different approaches to this thing called life than what I could see from my limited perspective as a child, expanded my worldview and openness to new and unusual people in ways that have profoundly shaped my life.  I also got to spend a lot of time in nature, discovering frogs, owls, crustaceans and spontaneous weather events that I wouldn't have otherwise been exposed to. For the record, though, had I actually been asked what I wanted at my ninth birthday, I probably wouldn't have said to get taken out camping with a bunch of drunk adults, one of whom sat on my birthday cake... That time spent around the water and among nature, though, has left in me a deep need to be near water bodies and untouched natural areas. It feels all the more ironic, and perhaps sadistic, that I spent as much time in the desert as I did throughout my life. 😂

Lake Mead, however, is a man-made reservoir about 40 minutes to an hour's drive outside of Las Vegas, so it's a bit of a respite from the desert climate, if only temporarily. Due to a severe drought over the past couple of decades, the water levels have dropped measurably, leaving a sad ring around the lake, like soap scum on an under-cleaned bathtub. While opportunistic animals, like coyotes, rabbits, and vultures, have managed to thrive, the dwindling water levels could bode badly for Las Vegas residents, along with those from some of the other nearby cities that depend on the Colorado River and Lake Mead reservoir for hydration and electricity. Things aren't exactly looking to improve in the coming years, either. Maybe it's the desert's way of saying we weren't supposed to settle here? It's dry, and maybe global warming is making it dryer... this isn't going to prohibit Las Vegas from growing, of course, with the acquisition of the Raiders, new stadium, and all that. I'm curious to see what the future holds for Vegas, but I'm glad I've settled somewhere a little less devoid of one of the most necessary components of life.

Vegas: Cliffside views near Valley of Fire state park

You might recall from a recent post how I mentioned a previously unrealised fear of heights. That fear absolutely and positively remains, and taking these photos was a real test of my willpower. Antho had no qualms stepping right up to the edge of this cliff, which is visible during the drive from the West entrance of the park back to the interstate. The road winds it's way along the precipice and this was one of the first times we've come back this way. I found it a lot more nerve-wracking being on the right-hand side of the road next to the cliff than trek out to the park on it, as you're nestled up against another mountain going in. Antho managed to talk me into going over the line in the rock up to near where he was standing here, but I wasn't entirely comfortable with it. The view, of course, was absolutely stunning and in that regard I'm quite glad to have pushed my comfort-zone and gone as close to the edge as I managed to. After our overnight campout at the Arch Rock campsite, our visits from the friendly ground squirrels and the tie-dye photoshoot we were pretty ready to be heading home, but Antho couldn't resist pulling over to take in this view. There was no one else in sight while we strode across the desert towards the edges, which come quite abruptly to their descent. As I mentioned, it really was quite a stunning view and I'm glad I made the uncomfortable approach to take it in. I don't think I'm going to be playing along the edges of cliffs again any time too soon, but this was a worthwhile moment and I'm glad it happened. It helps having someone as supportive and patient as Antho to hold my hand and offer kind words to soothe my nerves along the way. We've been together for almost 4 years now and gone on many adventures, from Chinatown and ferry rides in Oakland, walking from Golden Gate Park to the Golden Gate Bridge and the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco, to our local staycations. I'm looking forward to many years more. 💘 

More photos below!

Vegas: Van-Camping at Valley of Fire Arch Rock part one

The rock above is not Arch Rock, in case you're curious. This pointy photogenic fellow just happened to be close to our campsite at the Arch Rock Campground in Valley of Fire state park. The park is about an hour's drive from Vegas on the interstate and we've gone several times now and love it out there, including our overnight campout recently in Vanticore (our van). We had so much fun during our camp out that we wanted to get back out there as soon as possible, in fact! My schedule has been all over the place lately due to restructuring going on at my job, while Antho's remains reliably consistent- he works bright and early at 6 in the morning to 3pm with the same days off almost every week outside of holidays... but due to my schedule being a bit wonky, my days off have been less predictable. When it lined up that I had two days in a row- meaning we had an early evening off leading into a full day off together the next, we decided to make a go of it and go camping after Antho got off of work, spending the night relaxing then handle the business aspect in the morning. 

Last time we went I got pretty stressed out trying to squeeze in all the tie-dye photography I felt we needed to get done in the dwindling light that remained by the time we got there... the next morning we were able to squeeze in the rest, but it was cold and the harsh afternoon light swept into the area quite quickly, plus I had to work that evening in the city and felt a bit rushed to get everything done in time. The campsite we found here at Arch Rock camps was far more secluded among the stones and getting there was a little nerve-wracking (or butt-clenching) with the narrow, one-lane road winding along at perilously sharp angles and occasional inclines in the dim-light of evening. We found an ideal site, however, and quickly went about setting up for dinner. Antho was kind enough to pick up firewood, steaks, skewers and veggies so we could grill on the designated fire-pit the park provides. Our food was delicious and we spent much of the evening listening to the fire crackle as we made s'mores and snuggled under blankies under the stars. 

We have collapsable tie-dye chairs for just such an occasion. It was wonderful.

Because we arrived at night, we didn't actually have any real idea what our site would look like come morning. I mean, we saw silhouettes and shadows, but most of it was mystery. Sunrise brought with it surprise and beauty.

More photos below!

Boulder City: the Coffee Cup & Hemenway Park 2015-10-01

Just hanging with some of the locals, you know? Chilling.

These were taken in Hemenway park, in Boulder City. 

The park has long been known for it's popularity for grazing among the local Big Horn sheep population. When we initially drove past we didn't see any of the rams, but after stopping for breakfast at the Coffee Cup diner we were willing to give it another shot. Good thing we did!

First thing first, a girl has got to eat!

Boulder Beach campout 2015-10-01

Back in Nevada, we set up base on Boulder Beach!

We were able to park reasonably close to the water, which was lovely.

While we stayed up for a few hours after leaving Willow Beach it was simply too dark for photos...

 Sunrise, however, was a whole different story.

A shame, too, because we witnessed a coyote prowling the beach a stone's throw away!

Louie had played his guitar for us, which seemed to incite the coyotes into yipping. 

I thought that was pretty neat, but our neighbors down the beach packed up and were gone within moments! Scaredy cats. :P Coyotes shouldn't be brazen enough to attack humans unless extremely desperate. There should be plenty of bunnies for them to enjoy by the lake!

More photos after the cut~

Arizona: Willow Beach night 2015-09-30

Long exposure photos and glowsticks were a match made in heaven.

Throw in a quartet of silly 20-somethings sitting on a dock in the middle of the desert and here we are.

Photos after the cut!