Today by the Numbers:
Miles driven in RV: 179
Highest temperature observed: 103°F
Number of states travelled in: 3
Valley of Fire State Park
Today we got on the road early and headed to Valley of Fire State Park. Several people recommended this park as a must see and, after having visited, we certainly agree. The park is located about an hour outside of Las Vegas. Trivia Question: What was significant about its establishment as a state park on March 26, 1935? Once again, you can find the answer after reading through the blog. 😊
Driving into the park is a step back in time as the area was a sea many millions of years ago. In the intervening time, the sediment layers have been eroded by the forces of nature to reveal incredible rock formations in a variety of colors (based on the mineral content of the sediment at the time it originally settled). It feels like you might suddenly see a dinosaur appearing from behind one of the rocks!
Unfortunately, the weather was not helping us enjoy the park as temperatures soared to over 100°. We did start the White Domes Loop Trail but had to turn back because of the heat. Fortunately, most of the park can be enjoyed from stops along the road with only short walks to vista points.
As baren and dry as the landscape is, nature perseveres. We saw several wildflowers, birds, and a few lizards. It is amazing how life adapts to the harshest of environments and manages to thrive.
Continuing from Valley of Fire to the Hurricane / St. George KOA RV Park, our destination for the day, we passed briefly though the northwest corner of Arizona and then on into Utah. Dinner was taco salad and, in keeping with Mexican theme, the cocktail of the day was a Margarita.
One of the fun things of traveling, is meeting people from all over. Today we chatted a bit with a couple from New Jersey that will be starting a full time RV Life soon. We wish them the best as they begin that adventure. Our neighbors in the campground are from Florida, traveling with four of the sweetest rescue dogs that all had to come over and say “hi.”
Trivia Answer: Valley of Fire State Park became Nevada’s first state park when it was designated in March 1934.
