About 20 miles west of Vegas is Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. A 13-mile scenic drive of beautiful desert mountain vistas and overlooks, wild horses, burros, reptiles (Gila Monster), and access to hundreds of miles of backcountry hiking trails. Bighorn Sheep is Nevada’s state animal and they are suppose to be in this park, and while we were lucky to see one yesterday, they say sightings are rare. (Thanks to hawkeye Dave for spotting a mature male, horns and all. Just like this one)
After our scenic drive, it’s time for lunch, so we’re off to Bonnie Springs……………….
The Wild West is still as wild as ever in Old Nevada, and a replica of an 1880's mining town built on the 115-acre Bonnie Springs Ranch still wows visitors looking for the old west experience; John Wayne country for sure.
Boarded sidewalks that creak pleasantly under your feet, saloons, tumbleweeds, stagecoaches, and even a Boot Hill Cemetery, Bonnie Springs Old Nevada is a great place for the entire family and there are lots of attractions for the kids, including a petting zoo, cowboys and cowgirls, and on weekends and holidays, a miniature train ride, and a "posse" show where the kids can even help track down the 'bad guy". This little old mining town offers plenty of rousing, rough-and-tumble action, simulated gunfights in the streets, an 1830's melodrama complete with mustached villains in an authentically recreated Saloon, and even a public hanging, with an obliging Stuntman swaying in the wind. In addition to gunfights and cowboys, there's a wax museum with figures from the frontier history, and they serve great homemade meals in the restaurant too. I had the ribs. Last time we were here I had the buffalo burger, unfortunately, no longer on the menu. On the way in, the burros were on the side of the road. Of course, we have to get their picture, so stopping the car and opening the van slider door, we take as many pictures as we can before these guys climb into the car. I'm sure they are just looking for food but I'm not sure they know the difference between me and an apple. Close the door quick!
4 comments:
Hi!
We were in the plane approaching Utah and I was watching the route map and saw Arizona!!!! I sent you hugs and kisses from the clouds! It is gorgeous here. Yesterday we had two avalanche delays - one going up to Alta and one coming down. That was a bit scary for me - thankfully Frank was calm. Also asked some of the locals why there are no guard rails on any roads with drops to the side of hundreds of feet and tons of snow. I was afraid to ask the accident / fatality rate. Though they never answered my question - just laughed at the thought of an "Easterner" wanting guard rails.
HOWdee...
i love red rock canyon..have hiked it many a time..
never did see that big horn...was that your photo? did u actually get that close? cool
Ada May / Dawn - have either of you ever seen a moose?? When I am in Utah I see countless "Moose crossing" signs but NEVER see a moose!! I look and look. When do they normally come out. This is my now goal in life!
Terri,I have never seen one, but Donald's daughter tracks them in N.H. She says the best time to see them is at dawn. (the other Dawn)She and her husband, who are early birds, get up with the morning fog and just park and wait for them to appear. They have been lucky many times. Only an earthquake would get me out of bed that early.
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