Red Rock Canyon - Nevada

Summerlin, Nevada
Red Rock Canyon NCA 

After leaving Quartzsite we drove 4 hours north into Nevada to visit Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.  We had been here to hike a couple of years ago but we're staying in the park this time and doing more of the hikes we missed last time.  This is our site #45.  There are no utilities so come with water and empty tanks.  Almost no cell signal either.

We paid our $2 (Senior Pass Price) entry fee to do the one-way scenic drive.  The colors of these rocks just pop out of the surrounding desert!

We stopped at each pull-out to view the areas.

Some trees roots grow as deep as150 ft.

Lost Creek Trail took you back to a pretty waterfall.  It would probably be dry in the summer, but was running nicely while we were here in January.

Pretty to listen to the Waterfall at Lost Creek

There was another the Petroglyph Wall Trail that had a boardwalk and you could see some petroglyphs at the end.

Our final day Steve and I hiked back to First Creek Canyon.

Once you got to the canyon, First Creek ran along side of the trail for a bit among the trees and colorful boulders.  It was nice to sit for a while and listen to the songbirds chirping.

Hiking back and looking towards the beginning of the trail.

I heard a strange sound, then heard a man scream.  As I turned around, I just spotted him jumping from high up on the cliff!  Then his chute opened and we realized he was cliff jumping with a paraglide type of set up.  He was also wearing one of those squirrel looking suits so he was free falling/flying before the chute opened.  Crazy to see when you're not expecting it.  He sure came down fast!

How amazing that he landed in the only wide spot of the trail!  The area is surrounded by boulders, rocks and cactus!  He didn't know we were there.  We talked to him for a bit as we were curious how he got up there since there is no road and the trail ends at the canyon.  He said he bushwacks then free climbs up the mountain.  With that thing packed on his back!! Crazy stuff! What a great way to end our hike. If we had another day we'd have loved to hike Box Canyon.  Never enough time but we did enjoy our 4 days here.

Some Quiet Quartzsite Time - AZ

Quartzsite, Arizona

La Posa South BLM

It feels good to be crossing back into Arizona.  Warmer temperatures than what we've been having are forecasted.  It won't be as warm as we'd hoped, but much warmer than where we've been so we'll take it.

Rick and Angie following behind.

While it did seem like there are more people here than the last couple of years, we had no problem getting a nice boondocking spot.

We're just here for a few days.  While there aren't many friends coming here anymore we had plenty of time with some old friends, new friends and plenty of campfires and sunsets.

An shopping!  Hey John!! you have a new amigo!

We have been following Sandra and David from Big Truck-Big Travels Vlog as they had spent a good part of the last year in Alaska on pretty much the same path as us.  We were glad they were here so we could meet and pick their brains some more.

There are some talented folks out here.

We met up with old friends Les and Sue at Silly A'ls pizza as usual.  It was crazy busy and we waited  for a table as well as our food for quite some time.  Great company and pizza as usual!

We drove out to Cibola National Wildlife Refuge one day but there wasn't much happening.

We did a small hike around the water.  There were some Canadian and Snow Geese, mallards and some Sanhill Cranes you could see from some viewing platforms.

They have some corn and alfalfa planted that the farmers leave a bit for the wildlife.

There are some areas the Burrowing Owls nest but there were none around.  Bummer.

Just a few Sanhill Cranes here and there enjoying the leftover cornfields.

We also drove through a few camping areas.  Some were BLM and one amazing little place actually has newer electric.  And it's free.  We might consider stopping by for a few days to kayak some time.

We also enjoyed a couple amazing Arizona sunsets.

We did a little shopping for some RV items but mostly we just enjoyed some downtime and some campfires with friends.

Next we're off to hike in some pretty red rocks!