BS: nature and Las Vegas

Subject: BS: nature and Las Vegas
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 04 Oct 05 - 03:09 PM

Don't laugh.

Early next March I'm going to a family reunion in one of the places I dislike most in the world, Las Vegas, Nevada. Sure, I could pretend that I have the flu, but I'll probably go.

Now the last time I was there, I walked amid the palms in front of the Luxor, and there were six species of birds in there. It was amazing to walk down the sidewalk, hearing the bell-like call of a woodpecker against the roar of traffic.

For this upcoming trip, I hope to commandeer a car, get up early one morning, and go someplace to birdwatch. For example, I wonder if shorebirds follow the Colorado down to Lake Mead.

If there are no birds, scenery would make a nice break.

Suggestions, anyone?

Subject: RE: BS: nature and Las Vegas
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Oct 05 - 03:54 PM

How much free time will you have? About 3 hours away is Kanab, Utah where close by is the home of Best Friends Sanctuary, an amazing shelter/learning center/adoption center for everything from burros and horses to birds and ducks to dogs and cats, about 1500 of them on any given day. They always accept volunteer help even if it is only to scoop the poop.

Subject: RE: BS: nature and Las Vegas
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 04 Oct 05 - 04:47 PM

Here's Birding.com's Nevada page: http://www.birding.com/wheretobird/Nevada.asp

Subject: RE: BS: nature and Las Vegas
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 05 Oct 05 - 09:58 AM

No, Ebbie, I'm afraid a three hour drive would not be possible. What I need for this weekend is a hot spot which allows for a half-day trip.

Bee-dubya-ell, thanks for the links. I see what I can find out.

Since I posted, the site for the Lake Mead Recreational Area has started accepting e-mail. Earlier, my e-mail wasn't going through. Perhaps I'll get some help from them.

I'll never forget how, in 1970, I was riding down the Colorado River on a Grand Canyon tour. Our boatman, a bronzed hunk in mirrored sunglasses, nodded downriver, and there was a flock of snow-white shorebirds, gliding up and down, up and down the river. He cut the motor, and we floated along behind them. As he watched, he had an expression of purest joy.

Subject: RE: BS: nature and Las Vegas
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Oct 05 - 10:58 AM

How neat. I love to see people who are in their proper slot at any given time. The opposite is awful. Can you imagine how you would have felt on that trip if he had not loved what he was doing and where he was?

Subject: RE: BS: nature and Las Vegas
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Oct 05 - 11:11 AM

I did a very brief stint as a guide over at Hoover Dam. Wierd group of people to work for, but an interesting place. I would one of these days like to go back and see if it is possible to tour all of the art inside the building. There is an amazing array of art deco stuff in the walls, windows, and structures, and lots of fancy terrazzo art embedded in the floors.

Boulder City is an interesting little town. I had a place all set to rent there before I decided to decline the job after all. It was built to accomodate the workers at the dam and the folks who work in the dam and the parks are there now. I'm sure it has grown a lot since I was there in the mid-1980s, but I thought it was an interesting slice of accomodating people in a really hot desert climate.

You can get out and walk around before and after the dam, though I think there are better pullouts on the Arizona side. You could drive over to Kingman on a half-day trip.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: nature and Las Vegas
From: pdq
Date: 05 Oct 05 - 12:53 PM

Nevada is in the migratory route for a huge number of bird species, especially raptors. If you grab a copy of Peterson, the binoculars and a picnic lunch, just drive somewhere. See what happens.

Kingman, the town, sucks. If you must go there, the Hualapai Mtn. Park is nice, even as early as April. Be careful where you walk. Lots of rattlesnakes.

Subject: RE: BS: nature and Las Vegas
From: open mike
Date: 05 Oct 05 - 01:43 PM

I was on a Peace walk from Las Vegas to mercury, 50-60 miles north.
I took a side trip to a mountain just north west of Lost Wages...
mount Charleston..a very refreshing escape from the
desert and the bright lights of the city below...
maybe you could look up mud catter Teresa there...she can help
you find something real to do!! there is even folk music there!

http://www.hikinglasvegas.com/index.htm

Mt. Charleston is located just 35 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NV. During the summer it's 30 degrees cooler than Las Vegas. Charleston Peak (11,918 feet) is the highest point in southern Nevada.

http://www.hikinglasvegas.com/MtCharleston.html

http://www.hikinglasvegas.com/hikes.html
you might asee bristlecone pine trees

i would recommend NOT going to the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste dump
http://www.lasvegassun.com/dossier/nuke/

Subject: RE: BS: nature and Las Vegas
From: open mike
Date: 05 Oct 05 - 01:45 PM

leeneia are you only a gueat? i would like to p.m. you.

Subject: RE: BS: nature and Las Vegas
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 10:03 AM

I am not a guest! I don't know where my data goes. Perhaps my anti-virus software has something to do with it. I have sent and received PM's in my day.

Mt Charleston sounds like a good place to go. I'll keep Hoover Dam in mind, too, although it doesn't seem to offer any nature.

No, I don't think I'll go to the nuclear waste dump.