Petrification – The Stone/Trees of Red Rock Canyon

You’ve probably read about it in National Geographic, or seen it in a nature show.

Now it’s time to see it in person.

Petrified wood.

When trees are buried in mud and left unexposed for many years, they will sometimes turn into rock-hard fossils. In rare cases, entire logs will fossilize, retaining their tree-like appearance.

On our Red Rock Canyon Tour, we take our guests to one of the few places on earth that has petrified logs.

Petrified wood is so rare that it seems unnatural, making it a big reason for explorers to visit Red Rock Canyon.

While petrified wood is reason enough to visit, the red stone canyon walls, Native American petroglyphs, and artifacts of past civilizations make Red Rock Canyon Tours the highlight experience of many who find themselves in Vegas.

Red Rock Canyon is just a short 15 miles from Las Vegas, and hosts many outdoor enthusiasts who want to have an unforgettable experience. If you like taking pictures, you are welcome to take all the photos you want. The same cannot be said for many of the shows and concerts in downtown Vegas.

Our Red Rock Canyon Tours will be the highlight of your Vegas trip. They are also your best alternative for clean family fun. If you can only schedule one outdoor event for your family or group, consider exploring Red Rock Canyon with us.

Still Alive… Older Than America, Older Than Ancient Rome -Mount Charleston’s Real Old-Timers

On Mount Charleston, an old-timer eats, drinks and survives. Regardless of how much you talk, it refuses to leave its home on the mountain.

It’s the Bristlecone Pine tree, and it has been known to live nearly 5000 years. One Bristlecone has been measured by ring count as 4842 years old.

This is just one of the many amazing things you can see by going on a tour of Mount Charleston.

In another post, we talked about the natural waterfalls and skiing opportunities. As fantastic as these things are, they still are just the beginning of what we can tell you about Mount Charleston.

Fun fact: The durability of the wood and the tree-friendly climate can cause some dead trees to stay standing for a total of 7000 years, right alongside living trees.

The Bristlecone tree tells a story of life, strength, and graceful aging that few other living things can tell.

Every week, our guests take the opportunity to visit the mountain. Mount Charleston tours are perfect for getting out of the desert heat during the summer, and ideal for skiing in the winter.

Next time you are in Vegas, and want to see the real southwest – that the Vegas Strip is hiding from you – get in touch with us.

The Bristlecone Pines will always welcome another visitor to their mountain.

Animals – Your ‘Other’ Hosts On the Valley of Fire Tours

They may not pick you up from your hotel for a night on the town, but desert animals will share their home with you when you visit the Valley of Fire.

Most of these hosts enjoy the nightlife. They move at night and sleep during the day to avoid the hot sun.

If you find yourself on a Valley of Fire Tour, especially during sunset, you may see these animals in this state-protected park:

Birds

The birds you are most likely to see are the Raven, House Finch, Sage Sparrow, and Road Runner.

Reptiles

There are at least twenty species of lizards that crawl around on the rocks.

Twenty varieties of snakes also inhabit the Mohave and surrounding areas. Most of these snakes are NOT venomous, and tend to avoid places that are heavily traveled. The only dangerous ones are rattlesnakes, which of course have rattles on their tails to warn you if you’re getting too close.

Mammals

Our hairy hosts include the Coyote, Kit Fox, Spotted Skunk, Black-Tailed Jackrabbit, and Antelope Ground Squirrel. Many of these creatures wander around at night, and some burrow underground to avoid overheating.

Then, of Course…

There is one more animal, protected by law and native only to the southwest desert areas. We take a lot of pride in the rare desert tortoise. You are very lucky if you see one, so if you do, please leave it in peace so it can continue to survive here.

Valley of fire tours, give you access to the natural beauty of the southwest, with the safety of traveling in a small group. If you see any animals, appreciate them, and leave them in peace. It is their home, after all.

Are You A Water Person Stuck In Vegas? We Can Help…

Let’s face it; Las Vegas is not famous for its access to water. If you love swimming and boating during your off time, you may feel trapped in Sin City.

You don’t have to feel that way.

There is one place you can visit when the dry pavement and flashing lights grow dull.

Cottonwood Cove in Lake Mohave is your destination for water in Las Vegas. Jet ski rentals, swimming, and boating are yours to enjoy on this beautiful lake. The waters are crystal clear, straight from the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, cradled by canyons walls.

Seven days a week, we offer tours to Lake Mohave and other must-see spots outside the city.

Very few places exist in the world where you can enjoy beach opportunities, side-by-side with canyon cliffs. All this is hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean.

Whether you love the city but just got burned out from the fast-paced environment, dragged here by your friends or family, or in Vegas for a business conference, Lake Mohave is your escape, bargaining chip, and your day off.

Next time you’re in Las Vegas, call us to schedule a visit to Cottonwood Cove.

Did we mention that you can rent Jet Ski’s? We weren’t kidding.

From The Red Rocks Of Vegas To Green Trees In 30 Minutes

When you think of Vegas, what comes to your mind?

For many, it’s the gambling casinos, extravagant shows, desert landscapes, and the seedy underbelly that gave rise to the phrase “what happens in Vegas…” You know the rest.

If this is all you think of, you’ve bought an old stereotype. There are plenty of family friendly, outdoor destinations within a half-hour drive.

A favorite of mine is Mount Charleston.

Here is why our Mount Charleston Tours consistently amaze our guests:

They challenge everything that people think they know about Vegas.

• That Vegas, and everything around it, is arid desert
• That you would never see waterfalls, pine trees, and snow
• That there aren’t any hiking trails, ski lodges, or comfortable camping spots

Many Vegas locals want to keep Mount Charleston a secret.

Why?

It is their getaway when they are tired of 160+ straight days of sunlight.

When you are in Nevada, and want the weather to be 25-40 degrees cooler, you’ll want to visit Mount Charleston. When you do, we can arrange a tour for you, your family, or a group of friends and coworkers.

When you smell the fresh air, feel the breeze, and see the wildflowers, it will forever change your view of Vegas and the wonders it holds for all who visit.

The Seven Tribes of Red Rock Canyon

Many ancient civilizations lived off the 40+ springs supporting Red Rock Canyon. These peoples coexisted with over 600 different plants, and the many animals that lived among them.

Every year, we host many Las Vegas bus tours to explore Red Rock. The greatest joy our guests have is in exploring the artifacts left behind from the following groups:

1. Paleo – Indians (11,000 to 8,000 B.C.)
2. San Dieguito (7000-5,500 B.C.)
3. Pinto/Gypsum (3,500 BC. – 1A.D.)
4. Anasazi (1 A.D. – 1150 A.D.)
5. Patayan Culture (900 A.D. – Early 1800’s)
6. Southern Paiute (900 A.D. – Modern Times)

When Europeans arrived in Nevada, they interacted with the Paiute and inscribed the only written records of their culture.

Roasting Pits, Tools, Pottery Fragments, and Petroglyphs, all tell the rest of the story.

You may have noticed that we only showed you the names of six groups, yet we told you there were seven.

7. You and Your Family and Friends (Tomorrow, or sometime very soon…A.D.)

There is so much to see in this rich area. The next time you’re in Vegas, schedule a bus tour with us to see the Red Rock Canyon. We pick you up right from your hotel. From there, the adventure begins.

Red Rock is where the story of ancient Las Vegas is told.  By the journey’s end, you will not only see old Las Vegas, you will have lived it.

Ancient Petroglyphs in the Valley of Fire

The Navajo called them Anaasási, meaning ‘Ancestral Enemies’.

Fortunately, the Anasazi aren’t our enemies. They lived in the Valley of Fire between 350 B.C. and 1150 A.D., hunting and gathering food.

Evidence of Anasazi culture still remains in the Valley of Fire. Tours draw many visitors to the Valley, where they can see the images left behind on the rocks

These drawings are called Petroglyphs.

So what drawings are on these petroglyphs? The drawings are less detailed than Egyptian hieroglyphs, but you can still make out images of people, animals, and other structures. In some cases, they appear to tell a story.

Aside from the petroglyphs, The Anasazi have no written record, so we don’t know the full meaning of their stories.

The Best Way to Experience The Valley of Fire

The best way to see the petroglyphs is to visit in spring or autumn, during the morning or evening, bring lots of water, and know somebody who can find them.

Fortunately, that’s our job. We take people on Valley of Fire tours year-round. To make things safer and easier, we even supply the bottled water.

Come and see the beauty of the Valley of Fire with us. We’ll point the way to all of the best finds: the wildlife, rock structures, canyons, and petroglyphs.

When you’re tired of the casinos and shows on the Vegas Strip, you’ll want to see something that civilization can’t offer. Nothing on the strip can match the Valley of Fire tour experience.

 

 

Oatman Ghost Town – The Town, The Tale, And The Tour

The story of Olive Oatman is what draws many people to come with us on a ghost town tour.

In 1849, a Native American tribe attacked the Oatman family.

Olive Oatman was thirteen when her family was killed, and she was taken as a slave for the tribe. Her brother Lorenzo was beaten and left for dead.

One year later, the Mohave Natives attacked the tribe that held her in slavery. The Mohave’s treated her as one of their own, and tattooed her face, as was their custom.

In 1855, Fort Yuma authorities brought nineteen-year old Olive back from the tribe after several negotiations. There, she was reunited with her brother Lorenzo, who was still alive.

Olive Oatman made headlines, and became the subject of a bestselling book. The mining town of Oatman Arizona now bears her name.

The Town

Oatman was a mining town founded by two prospectors who struck gold in 1915. In one year, gold fever grew the population to 3500 people.

After the gold fever died down, Oatman learned to survive through tourism. Located on Route 66, Oatman became the go-to spot between Kingman and Needles.

Once the new interstate 40 had replaced route 66, the town of Oatman died.

Or did it?

Oatman ‘Ghost Town’ Tourism

On our Oatman Ghost Town Tour, things can get a little crazy.

Staged ‘old west’ shootouts on route 66.

Sidewalk egg cook-offs (on warmer days).

These are just a taste of what’s in store for Oatman’s guests

These family-fun events make Oatman a lively little ghost town.

There are many more stories layered in Oatman’s past. When you get to Vegas, let us know you’ve arrived, and we’ll tell you more about Oatman while you explore the town for yourself.

Red Rock Canyon – The Most Beautiful Area In The Southwest

An hour away from Vegas, it hits you. You’re no longer in the city.

The clear skies really bring everything out. Joshua trees thrive in places few other trees can, while wild donkeys and big horn sheep roam the steep hills.

Then there are the rocks. It isn’t just the red color that draws you in – it’s the formations. Red Rock Canyon State Park used to be an ocean floor, which is why the layers and textures of the rock look different from any other place on earth.

In some places, the rock formations look like the clay toys of long-gone giants.

Here, you’ll find what you were missing in the city.

While every view is breathtaking, your experience will be even greater when guided by experts who know where to go.

Reserve a spot on our Red Rock Canyon Tours. On every tour we pick you up from your Vegas hotel, and show you around the Joshua trees, Indian Pictographs, and Cacti.

To top it all off, you’ll see the Keystone Thrust Fault, which some say is 65 million years old. Regardless of how old it is, it is very beautiful. You’ll probably fill up your camera to its limit with photos of this one-of-a-kind place.

We have three packages that include a visit to Red Rocks. Click on the ‘Las Vegas Bus Tours’ menu option to see them all.

On your next visit, remember to check out our Red Rock Canyon Tours.

The Valley of Fire is Out of This World – Just A Short Drive Away

If you wanted to visit Mars, without leaving Earth, how would you do it? Where would you go?

If you had $50 million dollars to do it and you were a famous Hollywood director, you would look no further than the Valley of Fire in Southeastern Nevada. In 1990, Paul Verhoeven did just that, by filming the Mars scenes from Total Recall in this otherworldly location.

It worked so well, that director David Carson chose it four years later for scenes of Star Trek Generations.

Of course you don’t need millions of dollars to visit. Just give us a call instead for your own Valley of Fire tour. You can explore the area for less than the daily rate of many hotels.

Filmmakers keep finding excuses to come back, because the Valley of Fire is a place of dreams. See if you recognize the Valley of Fire from films and shows like Domino, Transformers, The Professionals, Airwolf, Cherry 2000, or Criss Angel Mindfreak.

This valley feels out of this world, yet is so close to Vegas. We’ll pick you up at your hotel, and even provide bottled water and lunch. While you may not need to lug around bulky studio cameras, you really should bring a digital camera for the memories.

In our Valley of Fire tours, we give you six hours of scenery, stories, and adventure.

Book us for your family or group on your next trip to Vegas.

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