Camping Early Spring in the Valley of Fire

Campground Destination - Valley of Fire

Early Spring and late Fall are the ideal times to visit The Valley of Fire area in Southern Nevada. The air is cool and crisp at this time and the temperatures comfortable. The nights get a little chilly, but they are pleasant with a thick scattering of stars overhead and a roaring campfire. It is a perfect stargazing space.  A Springtime expedition will delight nature lovers with a flower show on the desert floor and Autumn will impress with its own beautiful array of color.

When inviting several friends out for the first camping trip of the year and it was decided that the Valley of Fire would be an ideal setting. The park was not on my list of places I had visited and I was excited to make this short journey from the city of Las Vegas where I lived.

About The Park

Visiting The Valley of Fire is permissible year round. The campgrounds are open and so are the trails. The road in and around the park is winding jaunt through desert wonder. It would be a perfect place for a day cruise on a motorcycle or in a convertible. Red stone formations are scattered across the entire park. 

Valley of Fire (Zazzle Image)

The Flora and Fauna

Catch the desert blooms around Easter weekend. The foliage will amaze and delight. The Beaver Tail Cactus puts out one of the most stunning pink ever seen in the flower world. The heady greens of plant life in the Mojave Desert are dotted and streaked with neon florals. The scene is rivaled only by Las Vegas, which is about 70 miles away.

Beavertail Cactus Blossoms (Zazzle)

Camping Valley of Fire

Camping is most comfortable during the cooler seasons. The summer temperatures would be unbearable for more than an afternoon or early morning visit. The camp areas fill up very fast so get to the park early for a spot. This happened to be the last available space in the park on Easter weekend. Restroom facilities and showers are scattered throughout the park, so the camping does not have to be roughing it to the extreme.

Camping out is recommended during these months: March to May and September to November. If you are to visit any other time of year it will be either too hot or rather cold. Risks of health issues are extremely high during summer. Heat kills quietly. Bring plenty of water. 

Hiking Trails 

There are unique walking and hiking trails through, around, and over the rocks. The sand is really soft and deep in many of the tour areas so expect a nice workout while catching the beautiful scenery. The picturesque views will exhaust batteries and fill up photo galleries quickly so plan images carefully.

For additional information on the park visit the nationa park's website:
http://parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire-state-park/

Flowers
by Maria Burgess

Valley of Fire
by Maria Burgess

Las Vegas Local Bands - Today Ends Tomorrow

Today Ends Tomorrow is a local band that is a mix of new age rock with an old school feel.

Las Vegas has produced many successful bands including Imagine Dragons and The Killers. The city has an ideal setting for talented people to showcase their music from the big stages to small venues. They build their following and work hard on their sound and presence and hope something hits and rockets them into the open arena of public view. Maybe they just want to get their views out through their sound and song lyrics. Bands like Today Ends Tomorrow is one of these local gems. 

John McEwan is the frontman for the band. He is also the heart of it. He writes originals and handles the lead guitar and vocals. His style reminded me of Queensryche and Metallica. There is a touch of Iron Maiden in their sound as well as Judas Priest.  It is a sweet blend of new age rock with an old school feel. Classical metal is certainly an influence.  

I spoke to John McEwan recently about his music and enjoyed a moment in his sound. He says his promotional manager has a tough time classifying their music. If anything they are a unique set and an enjoyable sound.  His songs carry a message of hope and of God. They portray anguish over today's social climate. The spiritual side of Rock and Roll doesn't surface often, but when it does it carries with it a powerful message. 

The melodies are comfortable and the instrumental parts are energizing, emotion movers of guitar riffs and runs. John's voice is soothing and powerful. He loves what he does and you can tell that from the energy he pours into his exhibition. He is a talented soul and mentioned that his whole life revolves around those six strings. He humbly says he is a hack -- I beg to differ. This is one of their practice videos. I for one want to hear more of their music and wish them all the luck and good fortune this universe has to offer. 

Today Ends Tomorrow - Promo Medley

Where Is The Truth 

Vegas - A Menagerie of Stupidity

Little Black Dresses

Vegas' slogan for a few dozen years has been What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. That may not be so true in the modern era of social media and cell phones in the hand of every visitor that passes through this entertainment hub. The evidence of deeds untold is on someone's camera gallery. Did the scenes of the bachelor or bachelorette party end up as digital images? One might ponder the night's activities and sort out the details and the photographer by checking friend's Facebook or Instagram posts. Either way, I'm am sure it was all in good fun, at least for the time being. As a cab driver, I see and hear some toe-curling tales as I transport people to and fro across the Strip Corridor. Some stories I just cannot pass on. They are crude examples of human behavior and I chalk it up to the stupid things people do while they are here.

Black High Heels 

During the club hours, I see lovely ladies scattered across the hotel entrances. They are stunning. They are dressed to the nines and drifting along as gracefully as their high heels will allow them, but there are those few that appear as if they are wearing heels for the very first time. I once saw a girl fall of PLATFORM heels three times while in the crosswalk at the front of Bellagio. The first time she hit her knees. The second and third time she simply fell sideways a bit but kept her balance. Just remember that someone may have a video shoot featuring YOU if you happen to stumble along your tour of Vegas.

At the close of the clubs, I have seen these same beauties wheeled out in wheelchairs because they got a little too drunk. I've seen them painfully tip toe along because their feet were screaming in pain from the torturous shoes. I've seen them escape the front doors only to dive head first into garbage cans to wretch the nights indulgence, exposing their bottom to all in observance. Class acts, girls. Mind you, they did look absolutely fabulous at the beginning of the evening.

Keep it in check. Pace yourselves. Wear flats. I promise you will look just as beautiful. The added plus here is you won't suffer ankle injuries falling off your shoes... for now It's Party Time in Las Vegas!

Images permission Amazon associates - clicking on them and shopping will allow a small residual income for the author. 

Zazzle - Vegas Related Images (created by M Burgess)

This is me wearing heels - peach tshirt by LimoScenesVegas
Create unique custom tee shirts no minimum.

Las Vegas Silhouette - Post Card by LimoScenesVegas
Learn about postcard printing using Zazzle

EDC 2016 - Las Vegas Motor Speedway

EDC 2016 just wrapped up and the sets are being torn down, the party goers are aching from the three day dance fest and indulgence. The cleaning crews are sweeping up confetti and the trucks are shipping the DJs to the next scheduled appearance. It is a spectacle of color and sound, The Electric Daisy Carnival. There are rides and stunning displays. The crowd is just as curious as the event decor. There are fireworks and flames. Fairies and unicorns. It is a blend of sight and sound dedicated to the celebration of the human spirit. It has also been a major summer scene in Vegas.

The first time I saw the ladies flitting around in the white bikinis and tutus I thought there was a costume party no one knew about. We quickly learned what EDC was all about. We'd like to thank those visitors for bringing their unique presence to our city and bringing your special style with you. It was an entertaining event all around.

Announcement Trailers:

Amazon EDC Shopping

Under the Electric Sky A behind the scenes look at
The Electric Daisy Carnival

Tees and more:

EDC 2016 Women's Tee

Local news related to the 2016 Electric Daisy Carnival

The Riviera - A Vegas Icon Up In Smoke

June 14, 2016 - This morning marks a turning point on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip. A historical moment was recorded by hundreds of locals and a few dozen visitors alike. News teams rallied for their position on the surface and in the skies overhead via helicopters. The Riviera's Monaco Tower would be removed from existence in the early morning hours.

The Iconic Riviera Sign - One of the original neon creations familiar on the Resort Corridor in Las Vegas.

Everyone who was interested in the event jockeyed for position as close as the security monitors would let them. Paradise was closed to all traffic as were all the streets surrounding this aged property. The west end proved to be an adequate viewpoint for this author. The wait began. The first firework would launch and this would be the signal to pay close attention as the countdown began. A historical Vegas property would be turned into dust and rubble momentarily. There would be a large, gaping hole in the familiar skyline where this old resort stood. 

Interested onlookers drove as far in as they possibly could and gridlocked both the Strip corridor North and Paradise Road just east of the location. This stall in traffic movement would allow for spectators to safely step out of their cars and watch from the travel lanes. Cell phones were out and the implosion parties began. The fireworks and colorful displays were magnificent. 

Implosion parties are a tradition in this fair city. These hotels and casinos have hosted the biggest names in show business. It is with honor they are demolished. They are carefully folded up like an  old, familiar blanket and tucked away in photograph and video, a chapter in the city's history book. 

The close of a property's chapter in local history ends with a pyrotechnic bang and a nice crowd. They cheer, hoot, and holler in delight at the fireworks show preceding the explosion. The whistles and applause echo along with the concussion within the wired building. One by one support beams and flooring structures would knock loose and the structure would collapse neatly upon itself, leaving a huge dust cloud in its wake. It is the death of an icon. It is the end of an era.

East View 

(From my friend Travis Gunter)

West View 

(from the author M Burgess)

Sky View - News Reel

(KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas)

Famous Faces and Players from The Riviera

Images Courtesy Amazon Associates

Engelbert Humperdink

Johnny Carson

Red Skelton Program 

The Riviera - Las Vegas