Just Outside of Vegas

A few years ago Alicin and I traveled to Vegas for the first real vacation either of us had in years. The trip was fun and we learned several things. Vegas isn’t the town for us, Alicin is a shark at the Blackjack table, and sometimes the best part of somewhere is the path less traveled. After a few days in the constant cacophony on the casinos, we needed a break. Plus, I think the pit bosses were starting to get onto Alicin.

I’d never explored a desert so we rented a tiny car and headed to Valley of Fire State Park. It’s about an hour outside of Vegas but feels planets apart. We were extremely lucky because the area had seen an unusual amount of rain and wildflowers were everywhere. It was an amazing Martian landscape and probably the best part of the trip. So if you’re in Sin City and need a break from the chaos, it’s worth the drive.