Arch Rock, Valley of Fire
Valley of Fire is Nevada's oldest and largest state park located in Overton, 55 miles NE of Las Vegas off Interstate 15. The park, dedicated in 1935, derives its name from the beautiful red sandstone rock of the Mojave Desert. The lovely formations in this park were created by shifting sand dunes. Uplifting, faulting, and extensive erosion have created the landscape of today.
This is a fun weekly meme, under the direction of Jenny Matlock. However, this week, Mrs. Matlock's younger, more fashionable, but crabbier sister is in charge! Come and join HERE. Here is Jenny Matlock's submission, A is for Acupuncture.
This week, we honor the letter"A." If you click on the link above, you will discover so many creative takes on this letter. Now go visit!
Continuing with the Valley of Fire, here are a couple more photos:
The red rocks often appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun's rays. The sandstone formations are made of sand grains that are almost pure silica. The "red" color occurs when quantities of iron are present, producing a rust like stain.
petroglyphs: rock art made by carving into the surface of the stone. These were probably made by the Anasazi farmers from the nearby fertile Maopa Valley, somewhere between 300 BC and 1150 AD.
LINK to a past post on Valley of Fire which has a couple links for more information on this beautiful park.
I am also linking up with Gemma's Weekend Nature.
photos by me © 2010
Very interesting post. I love the pictures. Especially the one with petroglyphs.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to go to Nevada and Utah. Already been to Arizona. Love your pics.~Ames
ReplyDeletethose pictures remind me of when we would take trips to Utah and the arches were our "get out of the car and get out all that pent up energy." Love the pictures!!
ReplyDeleteGoodness that does look hot. Wonder what the petroglyphs say - Stay away White Man (lol).
ReplyDeleteHi love those pictures just so much of the world to see
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how such stark land can be so beautiful.The petroglyphs are so amazing.I think it is wonderful that there is no graffiti on them yet. Around here in our parks they deface everything and ruin it. Why some people think they need to leave their names on things is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures and information.
Nature is so incredible! Wonderful photos. Makes me want to go there!
ReplyDeleteWow, cool post! My father lives in Vegas, and I didn't even know about this place. Really cool photos!
ReplyDeleteThat first photo is awesome! You have such a creative eye!!!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful rock formation! Somehow it reminds me of Michelangelo's "David" sculpture with the pointing finger!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for linking up to my Weekend Nature meme!
Enjoy your weekend!
Enjoyed my virtual visit to the Valley of Fire today, thanks for the tour and for stopping by my blog.
ReplyDeleteHubby and I really want to come to Nevada to see the beautiful sites. We've checked out all the places we would love to see - just need to get closer to retirement :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos!
I love your blog! How are the colours in that first pic?!!! Amazing - just joined :-)
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! How are the colours in that first pic?!!! Amazing - just joined :-)
ReplyDeleteTrying to leave a comment and blogger is crashing! :(
ReplyDeleteWell, just wanted to say that I love your pictures. I'm fascinated with the red rocks, and feel like I take a little vacation each time I visit your blog. Thanks so much for sharing.
The petroglyphs are really cool, amazing to see something that has lasted so long.
Nice post. This reminds me of Arizona (close, I suppose).
ReplyDeleteLove it!
What a wonderful post and I enjoyed all your photographs. This is a part of the States I love to visit. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week.
ReplyDeleteAn English Girl Rambles
I love this, and mean it!
ReplyDeleteThose petroglyphs are similar to the work of our vikings. :)
That looks like such a beautiful and fabulous place! Maybe, if the DH and I ever get to go south in the RV again, we can take it in. You really make me want to see it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. I had a good laugh at Hermes comments about the white man:) Looks like they didn't listen!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are stunning. What camera do you shoot with? I'm thinking about upgrading to a DSLR in the next few months, and I'm leaning toward Nikon but not sure yet.
ReplyDeletePetroglyphs! I love petroglyphs. And I love rock arches!
ReplyDeleteThey have always intrigued me wondering what stories they might tell...and how many faces have shared the exact expression of wonder of the years.
Thanks for this lovely link to Alphabe-Thursday's Letter "A".
And, of course, this wonderful post deserves an
A!
I got worried because I did letter "B" but then I saw you wrote this last week..whew! lol!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful archway! At first I thought it was in the "Garden of the Gods" in Colorado Springs. I'd love to see this next time I trvel through Nevada