New Year’s Eve in the Valley of Fire
On the morning of December 31st, 2016, when I awoke it was still dark. I was in Las Vegas. I hadn’t planned on being there for New Year’s Eve, it was just the way that my trip unfolded. Though it was a holiday, it was an easy place to get a room and I ended up staying for two nights.
It felt as if I’d personally brought rain to the desert. I arrived among the shimmering signs and the bustle of Vegas in the pouring rain on New Year’s Eve-eve. By morning, there was still dampness pressing down but at least the rain had stopped.
Because of pre-celebration preparations, the strip was scheduled to close to traffic on the afternoon of the 31st. Being an early riser on east coast time worked to my advantage. I was able to head out at 0’dark-thirty, see some stuff and get back before anything shut down. My destination for the day? Valley of Fire State Park.
At first, I was a little disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to see the luminescent colors of the rocks in the sunshine. But, that disappointment faded when I saw that the fog brought its own special drama to the landscape. Nothing is perfect and plans deviate from your daydreams. You just have to learn to see beauty in new ways.
Snapshots from Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park
Stunning pictures. Thanks for sharing. Did you rent the bike? From where.
Thanks, Bob.
Yes, I rented from Eagle Rider in LA on La Cienaga, right by LAX.
I love the southwest. My favorite is Moab, Utah and that whole region. If not for my wife’s need of the ocean and a beach, I would live there. Thank you, the Valley of Fire is now on the bucket list.
You bet 🙂
I have yet to visit Moab. One day…
Another pin added to my across USA ride planning map. Thanks Fuzzy.
Glad I could finally be of some use! 😀
Beautiful contrast of the desert landscapes and mist, especially with empty roads – quite a special ride that day – thanks for sharing!
+1 for Moab, and +1 for Valley of Fire being added to bucket list. Thanks for sharing the great pics!