Las Vegas day trip Valley of Fire

[mutti]

If you are going to Las Vegas and have time before or after I highly recommend going to the Valley of Fire.
Its an hour north of Las Vegas. Its best to go at sunrise or sunset - 6 miles of beautiful red rocks and valleys...hikes...
http://www.desertusa.com/nvval/
I was there last December and its a photographers paradise.
I am not going this time but wanted to let people know about it.
Mutti

[Mabeanie1]

I agree Mutti - it's definitely worth a trip. We have no intention of spending more time in Vegas than we have to and we will be renting a car for a couple of days to get out to the Valley of Fire and some other nearby places. Red Rocks Canyon is even nearer Vegas and is also worth a trip. Another place to think about visiting is Hoover Dam. I still remember it as being the hottest place I have ever been in my life!

Wendy

[ladydi]

Another spot worth mention is Mt Charleston! It's not as far as the Valley of Fire (about 45 mins) and you are up in the Sierras. There are 2 valleys in the mountains...one has homes and a little chalet with great fireplace (if it's still there) and the other valley is a ski area. I used to go up to Mt Charleston in the summer for a picnic to escape the heat. Temps were at least 20F cooler...great picnic areas under the aspens and wonderful hiking trails through the ponderosas. In winter we'd go up to see the snow and huddle around the fireplace with hot chocolates...sometimes with a little extra added

Red Rocks (not the Wet Rocks variety) is so easy to get to, and I plan to head down to Hoover Dam, mainly to see how that incredible bridge is coming along. Saw it about 2 years ago right after one of the giant pylons had collapsed. Also, Boulder City is worth a stop for lunch enroute....they've kept it very 1950ish.

Lots to see and do in the Vegas area NOT related to gaming! I plan on renting a car. Not sure how many others might but we could group together perhaps if we'd like to do a couple of out-of-town trips. Still lots of time...this isn't going to happen tomorrow.

All the best,
Diana

ps..Wendy, in November the weather should be perfect!
pps..and then we'll come back and have cocktails with the band members by the pool..yes!

[mutti]

If you go to Valley of Fire I would say get up early and go when the sun is just getting up..
I like the idea of the pool Lady Di...is it warm enough to swim outdoors mid November?
Mutti

[CohenFan08]

...or you could venture out to Area 51 and wave Hello to the Aliens!!!

[mutti]

I like the idea of the aliens..
I think Las Vegas is full of them...but not on the 12th and not in the Colliseum.

[MaryB]

If any of you are worried about the heat in Vegas - calm your fears. Unseasonable weather follows George and me (there will be no petitions to keep us out of Vegas!). Last August, on our first trip ever to Vegas, it poured, really poured, the streets were all flooded. They called it an 'aberant weather phenomena'. We knew it was just George and Mary . Look at Red Rocks, how cold it was for the Beacon. Be prepared for snow in Vegas!

[ladydi]

Ah Mary...but Phoenix was perfect!

[mutti]

I just read the prediction of a weather report for the Las Vegas show...
raining with mad crazy women (and men)running around in polka dot dresses, blue raincoats, carrying stuffed monkeys in their arms, one even is going to have a small wooden violin....and there will be a sighting of a woman aged 100 in a very tight dress...
the clouds will open at 8pm when great applause and thunder and fireworks will be heard afar...
I didn't see any forecast for snow...though the waters of the flood will part as a few of these mad women walk to
their seats...all in a clump...the cheers and roars and laughs and applause from this area will be reverent, sweet, respectful, authentic...and humble..
BUT WILD!!!!
That is what I read on the weather report today...
Mutti

[ladydi]

Mutti,

I LOVE it! Hopefully we don't scare Leonard and everyone away!

[MaryB]

Leslie -

That's just the way I picture it !!!!

[mutti]

Leslie