Lone Mountain

 Karl kept suggesting  Clark and Rachel to do the Lone Mountain hike while they were here...so we thought we really ought to make him happy.   We decided to do it right before sunset hoping for some gorgeous vistas.

 

 Rachel decided to run.

At this point I can only get back shots :)

They stop to take in the view

and I finally catch up.

At the top

Okay, heights freak me out. And every time I climb  Lone Mountain at the top I am on my hands and knees and it takes some mental gumption to stand up.  I don't know if Karl was trying help me up or trying to throw me over the edge. 

I'm up... 

 It was a cloudless day so the sunset was not what we were hoping for
but the view to the east was much more spectacular.

 Trying to capture the view.

Warning:  Do NOT text while hiking.

Oh, maybe Rachel isn't texting

She is taking a picture of Clark's back side.

The moon on our descent. 

And we make it down just when it's officially dark.

Fun time...We are all glad that Karl suggested it.

The Raintree Hike

Per Rachel's request we had to do a hike on Mt. Charleston. Per Clark's request... one they hadn't done before.  So we decided on the Raintree hike.  A good 2.7 mile (5.4 mile round trip) workout through old Bristlecone forest to a huge old Bristlecone pine that is said to be 3000 years old and the oldest living tree in southern Nevada.

 

The hike started in a nice green forest (green by Vegas standards) but when we started taking pictures we were in the old bristlecone forest...lots of old dead trees.

 

 

 Hiking through a forest of these dead trees felt mystical and magical...like an enchanted world.

 

 

 The Raintree.
The patriarch tree of the forest.

 

 

 The scenery and views were Awe.....amazing.

 

 We made it back... just at sunset.

Ice Box Canyon

One of Rachel's requests on this visit to Vegas was to hike...so happy to oblige.   Clark wanted to go on a hike they hadn't been on before. Karl requested a shorter hike in Red Rock.  Considering all the requests  I thought Ice Box Canyon would be perfect. ( Steph and I had hiked it before and it was great...until that little challenge at the end.)

Off we go...

Bouldering is always fun...and a bonus workout :).

 

Picking our way through the boulders.

 I think we were enjoying it more than it looks.

We finally came to the end of the well beaten trail and everyone is "Is this it?"  The end of the trail that I remembered was this much bigger sandstone open area  ...so much bigger than what is here.   I'm sure this isn't it ... we must have missed a turn.   Rachel runs up this rock face and says this is probably it.    No it can't be...this isn't what I remember.    I am sure this isn't the end...where is the big challenge that I had panicked on.  We turn back...searching for a possible missed turn.  There isn't one.   Karl, Clark and Rachel  insist that was it...I say it can't be.

At home Rachel eventually checks the blog...yep that was it.
Another reason to keep a blog...to prove that my memories are much more colorful than reality.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY(s)

to someone who is adventuresome, fun loving, athletic, thoughtful, extremely smart, beautiful and married to Clark.  

 

 Happy LATE Birthday to someone  who is married to someone who is adventuresome, fun loving, athletic, thoughtful, extremely smart,and  beautiful.   LUCKY!  You don't need a birthday present...you've got everything a man could want.

We love you both....soooo much. 
Mom & Dad T.

On the Town

with Clark and Rachel

 First stop the Old Las Vegas Sign Boneyard

 

Of course... Clark's favorite sign

 

 Next stop Container Park

 Trying out the slides

 Testing the wares from Ern's BBQ and Mexican Food cooked by real Mexicans.

 On to Fremont Street

 

 

 Clark didn't qualify to eat free.