Red Rock Canyon, NV

From Wiki: 

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada is an area managed by the Bureau of Land Management as part of its National Landscape Conservation System, and protected as a National Conservation Area. It is located about 15 miles (24 km) west of Las Vegas, and easily seen from the Las Vegas Strip. The area is visited by over 1 million visitors each year. 

The Park is actually a 17 mile loop through a beautiful canyon. 

We spent the entire day up here, as there was much to take in.  The unusual colors and formations was just mezmorizing.

There was lots of fool-hardy folks climbing all over these rocks.

Can you make out the folks hanging off the face of this "rock"?

These folks had set up a little base camp below another face and were preparing lines to traverse up from this camp.  They may be hard to see, but there there.

This is another shot of the folks who set up a little camp to go vertical.  I just pulled back the zoom a little so one could get a perspective as to what lay ahead of them, straight up.  Crazy!

What a contrast in color.

More colors to enjoy.

On the way out one can still look over the expanse of the desert meadow and shoot a nice pic of the colorful mountain.

We managed to do a little off roading up one of the canyons about half way through the park.  This photo was up about halfway, or about 800 feet up from the paved loop below.

On the California side of the Park, the mountains take a different hue.

Near the exit of the Park, we took a little hike to stretch our legs.

It was rather windy day, but a warm 65 kept us active and interested in everything around us.  There was also a lot of folks up here as it was Saturday, 3/26. 

This was taken just outside the loop.

We saw these little 3-wheelers up in the loop, and here they are on their way back to Las Vegas.

Neat little off road we took off the paved loop looking toward Las Vegas to the east.

Way off in the distance about 15 miles lies the Strip,and that is where we're headed.  We're looking to have some dinner at one of our favorite eateries, Sweet Tomatoes (Soup Plantation in some states).  Al of the Bayfield Bunch probably wouldn't approve, as they serve just salads and soups.  :-)) And lots of varieties.  And I am sad to report, that Al & Kelly are on their way back to Bayfield, ON.  They have ended their wintering over in the Great Southwest and hopefully will return next fall.  Al & Kelly, have a great & prosperous summer back home, stay healthy, welcome many visitors at the Lodge, and get back down here soon.  So, till the next blog, Joe & Nancy