Death Valley National Park, California

You've heard the expression, from the frying pan into the fire.  Well I went from the frying pan in Vegas into the furnace, Furnace Creek Campground that is, in Death Valley California.  The home of Borax and the Twenty Mule Team fame.  The weather was horrific, hot and most uncomfortable, but worth it.  Death Valley is quite unique, as are all parks from each other, but at D. V. you really get the opportunity of seeing different colors and mountain configurations in stead of the red rock that is prevalent in Utah and Colorado.  I also saw a Roadrunner smacking the hell out of a ground squirrel in order to break its bones so he could be swallowed hole.  Interesting to say the least. I didn't hear it go beep beep, by the way.
The temperature was not lower than 105 with a high of about 120 until late evening, when it dropped to the high 80's, which by the way seems cool after the heat of the day.
Enjoy  some photos.  TC...

                                                   A hike in the canyon.         

                                                    Home in the desert.

                                                               Badwater

Natural Bridge hike.

                                                          Yes, I was tired.

                                                                   

                      .

Two Days In Las Vegas, Nevada

                                                           
When asked, or if comes up in conversation, as to where I am going to go next, my usual reply is something like " I don't really know till the morning I leave".  Nothing was more true when I left The Grand Canyon.  I just couldn't make up my mind.  I ended up in Las Vegas.  Not the "Strip" Vegas that you think of when you think of Vegas, but the similar town of North Vegas which is only a few miles from the other Vegas you probably know and I already mentioned.  Ok, not much of a difference really.  Lots of traffic, noise, stores, people, places to loose money, eat, and just sort of be in a town like any other, except for the gambling.  If you get the impression I didn't care for it you would be correct. You have to understand,I have been in National Parks and settings that are more to the quite, wilderness, and nature side lately.  It didn't feel like camping, it felt like the name implied, RVing.  I was in Sam's Town RV Park.  Not a bad place as RV parks go.  Good laundry, nice setting, across the street from the Longhorn Casino, but not what I have been used to.  Call me spoiled if you will, but so be it.  Another reason for my "leaving Las Vegas" is the fact that it is amazingly hot.  It was 113 degrees when I arrived here, but fortunately today it cooled down to only 105!  I am outta here.
Where am I going you may ask?  This time I know, but you'll have to wait for the next entry.  No pictures.  TC...
Oh, by the way, you may be wondering if I won or not.  The answer is......

Grand Canyon North Rim, Arizona

You will note that this entry and the previous two were written on the same day, June 04, 2010.  I am camped in the Kaibab National Forest, in the De Motte campground which is 18 miles from the entrance to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  I am currently at the Lodge which is just down the road a piece and enjoying free wifi and a great cup of coffee.  The pictures you see of the canyon were taken yesterday.  I had planned on a few hikes today, but had these entries on my mind, and also my shoulder was acting up. On my last hike in Capitol Reef, which actually was the easiest, I somehow lost my footing and hit the sand with a blop, on my right shoulder.  I am ok, but deceided it best to just relax a few days.  I will be going back to see the canyon again today as it is most spectacular, without the hikes.  The North Rim is not crowded and gives a much different view then that of the South Rim that I saw in 2003.  Enjoy some Photos.
TC...                         

                                   It's the shirt, not fat, just the shirt!

                                                       

Well, maybe a little fat!

Snow in June, in Arizona, at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.