OT: Nevada.

philthygeezer

philthygeezer

Joined
Aug 6, 2002
Messages
746
Since there seem to be quite a few Westerners on this forum, I thought I would ask here.

I may take a trip to Laughlin, Nevada in the near future. The idea is to use it as a place to rent a car and go exploring. Are there any places within a couple hours drive that are worth seeing and photographing on daytrips?

I have checked a map and it looks like there are quite a few: Zion national park, Death valley, Mono Lake, Sequoia national park, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and perhaps Saguaro national park.

I am looking to get away from snow and darkness to wear hat, shorts and sandals, feel the heat and bask in the sun for a change. Spent some time in the western desert in Australia, and found that I can cope fine with temps around 85 to 105 fahrenheit (30-45 deg C). What are temperatures like in that neck of the woods at this time of year? I get the impression they are more likely to be in the 60's which is great too. Right now even 50's would be t-shirt weather for me...:rolleyes:

I want to see some Wile E. Coyote country and other natural wonders, while drinking in the sunshine.

I have never been in this neck of the woods. Any suggestions on where to go, what to do, where to eat or how to get there? Who should I rent the car from? Are there things I should beware of?

Thanks,
Phil
 
It's a good time of year for Laughlin. All places mentioned are worth a look but my favorite is Death Valley. If you get a chance hop on up to Reno.
 
Trouble with any of them- including Death Valley- is you could spend a lifetime with each and still not feel you were there.

Don't miss the Saguaro. I'd skip Grand Canyon- yeah, I know- treason- but you can spend more time intimately with the others. Grand Canyon is much like the postcard unless you have time to jump in.



munk
 
Hi, Phil:

You certainly will want to Hit Zion Canyon, and do NOT miss Bryce Canayon either. They have some magnificent formations! Certainly Wile-E-Coyote landscape.
parunarrows1.jpg

Zion
pan2.jpg

Bryce
utaharch-arches-np.jpg
Bryce has awesome arches. Not the biped under the arch for scale...

And there's Mesa Verde, near Cortez, CO. Over 4000 ancient native dwellings, almost castle-like in nature, built onto, into, and unnder the mesas.
mesa_verde_ruins1.jpg

If you're the cartograpic type, pick up the Topos for these sites they're pretty fun to look at. Oh, and pack those binocs, there's so much to be seen ...

Keith
 
Keith thanks for the pix of the beautiful country. I've lived near almost all of those places at one time or another in my early life with my folks on the road.
The pix bring back many memories and thankfullness of being a kid allowed to roam pretty wild as long as I behaved myself and didn't let the old man get wind of me being with any ndn friends.;)
Most of all the pix brings back a certain memory of hearth and home that I sometimes forget until something jogs my memory. The memory of hearth and home wasn't necessarily where I lived with my folks, but when I was with my ndn friends.
Thanks again.:)
 
Those are magical places to me as well, from my childhood trips.
I was distinctly impressed with the kivas and such at Mesa Verde, and I feel priveliged to have been able to see them. They are as impressive as any construct I have seen man make, and infinitely practical. This is one great nation, under many gods...all should take time to see what it has to offer, and how diverse and amazing it is.

Keith

"Appreciation ad respect are the inroads to understanding"--KS
 
...please give Las Vegas the one fingered salute for me as you fly over that urban sesspool.
 
Sure thing Bill.:)

Nice pics Ferrous! I think that I will hit Saguaro, Zion and Death Valley/Mono Lake. This would be on a four night package and the fourth day I'lll have to hang out near home so I don't miss the plane. I asked if I could make it two or three days longer, but they said no.

Where is Bryce Canyon located? I have always wanted to go there.

I would really like to make it up to Reno, but it seems like a fair hike and may have to wait 'til another trip. I am going to pick up an atlas and check all the distances to see if I can make it.

Thanks for all advice!
 
Phil, the Zion and Bryce area is my old stoping grounds. Kolob Canyon at the North of Zion is increadable. And I can't forget Angels Landing. That's one place you will have to check out. Talk about Awsome.

By The way, when are you planning on being in Zion? I might have to break away from school for a few days to join you.:)
 
Weather this time in the deserts depends on altitude. The air will just about always be nice and clear as the cold fronts clean the smog out that drifts in from the big cities like LA.

In Death Valley on the floor count on about 70 degrees F by day and about 40F by night. But just two hours away at Tonopah Nevada, in the high desert, count on temps 30 degrees lower. Take medium to warm cloths in case you visit many places. In Death Vally National Park elevations are from 280 ish feet below sea level to over 11,000 feet above!!!

A lot of Snowbirds visit Ballarat near Death Valley though not much of the old ghost town is there. Splendid spots to visit include Bisbee, AZ with its 19th Century Victorians, Tombstone, AZ, and the various parks. If you want a reasoably warm spot in winter go to Yuma, AZ. For a repose in the frozen solitude, go to Ely Nevada. I just looked on AOL weather. At this moment Yuma is at about 45 degrees and Ely 7 degrees Farenheit. Death Valley is at 35, but the high tomorrow there will be 65. Bring sunglasses too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top