A Fun Day at Valley of Fire SP! Loved Having Clare LeFevre Join Us!

Ken and I got up fairly early and decided to take an early morning walk to see the sunrise - didn't happen.  The sun decided to stay hidden for quite awhile.  So, we made breakfast and packed our lunches.

We were sitting outside eating our breakfast when Clare LeFevre arrived.  She moved to Las Vegas from our home area several years ago and drove 1 hour to join us for hiking and visiting.  She actually brought her tent and decided to stay overnight on the sight behind us.  It was wonderful to see her and spend time together.

After chatting for quite a while, we introduced her to Ernie and Noela and then we all got in Ernie's truck and went to the Mouse's Tank Trailhead, not very far from the CG.   On the way, we saw Mountain Sheep climbing some of the rocks! It was exciting! 

It was a 3/4 mile hike and there were rock formations with many well-preserved prehistoric petroglyphs.  I never saw so many in such a small area. 

 We did go a bit further on the trail climbing a rock to see into the canyon.  It was beautiful.  On the way down the rock I did some extra bending and my back decided to go into a spasm!  Not good!

From there we went to the Rainbow Vista Trail but I realized I needed to sit and rest my back while they did the 1 mile hike.  While there I had phone reception so I was able to call my mother who is feeling much better - hallelujah!  Noela came back before the rest of the group for the trail was poorly marked and they were concerned that if I tried to meet up with them I would take a wrong turn. I appreciated her concern! Claire came back before Ernie and Ken too!

Hey guys!  I am going back.  I hope you don't get lost since
there are no women leading you!

Apparently they took a wrong turn and ended up climbing up and down several large rocks and through some narrow canyon areas before coming out on the road about a 1/4 mile from the parking lot.  All the ladies were glad we hadn't followed them. Goes to show what happens when ladies are leading the hikes! 

Wow, Ken and Ernie really did get off the trail!

Where are we going????

Where is the path?????

This can't be right!!!

Which way do you think we go????

The 5 of us then went back to the trail to see if we could find the "real" trail. We did see the area with many different colored rocks, hence Rainbow Vista, and enjoyed following the designated trail.

This is Rainbow Rock

Even had a stripe of purple!

What a gorgeous sight!

Another arch!

We drove to 7 Sisters again to eat our lunches and sat at a table all by itself at the end of the rock formations.  What a great setting!  Then we decided to drive on the scenic 2 mile road near the CG to check out the rock formations when coming the opposite direction.

Do you see an animal face on the far right???

What a beautiful arch!

Another tarantula decided to cross the road again!
could it be the same one?????

Do you see the duck????

We did stop at Atlatl Rock and climb the metal stairs to see more Indian petroglyphs.  An atlatl, a notched stick used to throw primitive spears, was a predecessor to the bow and arrow.  

This formation is called the snoring Indian!

This rock actually looked honeycombed!

We decided to go to the Visitors Center to buy some firewood so we could have another campfire tonight and toast some marshmallows.  It was a beautiful sunny, mild day, but sooooo windy!  We hoped the wind would "die down" towards evening so we could enjoy a campfire.

When we returned to the CG, Claire went to set-up her tent and the 4 of us took showers and got organized for dinner.  I walked to Claire's site and thoroughly enjoyed spending an hour chatting with her about our families, travels, and just life in general!  She is one amazing lady!

Ken and I sauteed pepper, onion, chicken and barbeque sauce to put on everyone's salads for dinner or to have wraps.  The 5 of us ate together outside but it was very windy.  After cleaning up we all got together outside again to have tea and do more visiting.  Instead of getting less windy, the winds got even stronger so a campfire was not a possibility - a bit disappointing.  By 8:30 we were all tired and the wind was crazy so we called it a night.  

Tomorrow morning we will leave for about a 2 1/2 hour drive to Pahrump, NV to visit Death Valley NP and Red Rock Canyon.  

Thanks, Claire, for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us at the Valley of Fire State Park.  You made this day extra special!