50.01 Nevada: Boulder City: Black Mountain river hike. Keeping ahead of the heat (so we planned) and failing miserably.

We're on our way to a celebration of a 70th birthday by none other than Gill Midgen, who obviously looks ten years younger than the records show. It's a surprise party so this blog posting was delayed. We had decided to either return to France or reach Montana for this trip. It took us a while to calculate but in the end we thought Montana and the northern states were probably closer than Europe. Another minor reason for skipping France is that of the uncertainty surrounding the virus still pervades. After returning from a long trip to South Africa recently, we decided perhaps we'll face the bears rather than the virus. Jenni tells me it's easier to spot a bear. We both believe we have a better chance against Covid than a grizzly. As our American friends might say, "Ain't that the truth." The period also opened up for us as a certain procedure one of us was supposed to undergo was postponed due to a favorable turn. Lucky! 

Boulder City is another of our favorite places but as we have mentioned frequently, only in the correct season. In winter, you can't beat it. During summer, it beats you. That's why our first hike began at 5am. And that's why the third hike of this trip will commence in Northern Utah. 

The sun has barely risen, the temperature is 92F (reaching 110) and Jen and I think it might be a rather warm day. We are known for our accurate predictions. Lake Mead in the distance.
The landscape awakens while Las Vegas strip enjoys a hangover.
A close-up of the strip on a foggy morning.
A view of Lake Mead on a less than clear morning.
Red Mountain basks in the early light.
So much water and yet, desolate surroundings, in an attractive way.
The advantages of a better season, a fairer gender. (Winter, 3 years earlier.)
Seasonal change...taken part-way up.
"Here comes the sun..."

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey