We started off the month of May by spending three days at the Palm Creek Ranch, a true oasis in the desert. It is located 8 miles off Interstate 15 about half way between Las Vegas and Mesquite, Nevada. The spring water in the creek is always around 80 degrees and it not only is great for swimming but the ranch also uses it to irrigate a few acres of pistachio trees. This was the first time we had ever seen a pistachio tree.
Our next stop was Mesquite, Nevada. We have stayed here many times in our travels, both going north and south. There is not much to do in Mesquite but gamble and play golf. This trip I played The Palmer Course at the Oasis Golf Resort. It was a great test of my game with a lot of elevation gain and loss. On our last day we drove out to the Lytle Ranch Preserve to do a little birding. The cacti and the desert sage were in full bloom and the Joshua trees were just about to bloom also. I managed to get a few good bird pictures, the best being of a Western Tanager and a pair of Ladder-backed Woodpeckers at their nest. I also found a Gopher snake, who looked like he just may have had a meal recently.
I visited Zion National Park in 1992 with my friend Hutch, then Josie and I spent one day there a few years ago. This year we decided to spend a week in the area and see more of the park. Unfortunately, the Narrows, one of the best hikes in the world, was closed due to high water. So, Josie and I hiked in as far as we could and followed the river back to the bus stop. The next day I took a short hike to the Canyon Overlook, which had a couple of bridges built out over the edge.
A few days later I decided to try the trail up to Angels Landing. Hutch and I did this trail in 1992, so I knew it was tough. The trail is 2.7 miles one way and has an altitude gain of over 1700 feet. It is definitely not for someone who is afraid of heights as there is a lot of exposure. Nine people have died on this trail over the past 17 years, the last one just a month ago. That has not stopped people from attempting the climb and there were so many people on the trail it was like being in a line at Disney Land. On the bus trip into the trail head I met Brett, who had just graduated from college in Cleveland and was getting in a little adventure before starting a full-time job. He was gracious enough to stick with the old man on the whole trip. We also befriended a couple from New Jersey, and the 4 of us stayed together for most of the hike. After we descended, we stopped at the Zion Brewery and celebrated with a beer and lunch. My legs were pretty sore the next few days, but it was worth it.
Josie and I drove out into the desert and visited a spot where there were dinosaur tracks in the rocks. We found a couple of tracks and enjoyed the colorful scenery. The Jeep got pretty dirty on the back roads.
A few days later I decided to try the trail up to Angels Landing. Hutch and I did this trail in 1992, so I knew it was tough. The trail is 2.7 miles one way and has an altitude gain of over 1700 feet. It is definitely not for someone who is afraid of heights as there is a lot of exposure. Nine people have died on this trail over the past 17 years, the last one just a month ago. That has not stopped people from attempting the climb and there were so many people on the trail it was like being in a line at Disney Land. On the bus trip into the trail head I met Brett, who had just graduated from college in Cleveland and was getting in a little adventure before starting a full-time job. He was gracious enough to stick with the old man on the whole trip. We also befriended a couple from New Jersey, and the 4 of us stayed together for most of the hike. After we descended, we stopped at the Zion Brewery and celebrated with a beer and lunch. My legs were pretty sore the next few days, but it was worth it.
Josie and I drove out into the desert and visited a spot where there were dinosaur tracks in the rocks. We found a couple of tracks and enjoyed the colorful scenery. The Jeep got pretty dirty on the back roads.
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