10.12 Red Rock Park in Nevada, action on the boulders

We left California finally, Tuesday morning, heading east. We passed through Pahrump in Nevada,
stopped at Red Rock Conservation for a hike and rock climbing, traveled through Arizona briefly and
arrived in Utah, four states and one hike. The twisted irony is that we are staying in Hurricane. Our
minds are adjusting to changing weather temperatures but our bodies haven’t a clue. Our range in the
last week has been from below 30 degrees to above 90. Unfortunately, we are portraying typical human
characteristics, which is not surprising as we are mostly human. In the cold weather, we think we prefer
the heat and in the hot weather, we change our minds.

Editor at beginning of hike under imposing colored slabs ... (Click on picture to enlarge, remain as is for text)

Spider woman commences her ascent

'Boy, did I make a wrong turn...again'

Our short spell in Nevada was terrific. A couple of places we passed through and some sights we
observed have tempted us to return, but of course, only in the cooler months. The area we visited has
similar characteristics to Utah and Arizona, making it very attractive. When we reached the Calico
tank at the end point of the hike, we looked down and across some twenty miles towards the city of
Las Vegas. We do not wish to sound arrogant but we think looking ‘down’ on Las Vegas from heights is
about right. Nevertheless, it was the prettiest sighting we have seen of the premier gambling town.
In fact, we like it very much from that distance.

A typical scene in Red Rock Park

The Red Rock Park is set out remarkably amongst quite wonderful scenery. It is a tribute to well
planned and managed natural resources. We behaved responsibly, we think, but had quite a time scaling
the rocks, boulders and buttes. Our editor who is partial to that activity, made our heart drop on a few
occasions when she scaled some near vertical faces. Some may think we felt outclassed. Of course, that’s…
true. She can be very trying at times like that.

From slot canyons to slot city

We had time to reflect on the last couple of weeks, particularly, the cold period at high elevations.
We began to think of the life of bears. We finally understand the concept of hibernation. Here is an animal
that eats all day like many others. Along comes the snow, covering the ground, the downed tree trunks and
the rest of the bear’s hunting ground. It’s cold as hell, there are no hikers to intimidate, other humans
come racing down mountains sliding on wooden slats, spraying snow in spectators’ faces. What’s attractive
about that lifestyle for a bear. Might as well go to sleep for the winter.

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

Spider woman back at ground level; our 'hero' stuck, can't get down. Why has editor a glint in the eye?

Editor takes it all in while waiting for her 'hero' to ground himself

Our friend Jonna says 'take care of the child within'—trying very hard it appears

First sunset in Hurricane, Utah after arrival from Nevada