Visiting Red Rock Canyon
Jul/101
by John Wilson
During our family trip to Las Vegas, we took a side journey to Red Rock Canyon. This park is only about 30 minutes from “the strip” and is well worth the journey there, especially if you have a rental car. You can see the canyon from the strip if you know which direction to look.
From what I could see, there are three main activities to do in Red Rock Canyon for the typical tourist:
1. Drive the 13 mile scenic road – This relatively flat, 13 mile drive is an excellent way to see the entire park with little effort. Along the way there are several stopping points or parking lots, to get out and take pictures. The road is one-way and plenty wide enough to let those folks who are driving a little to fast, or a little too close, to drive around you.
Chasing white-tailed antelope squirrels around the roads and parking lots was my family’s favorite park activity. These chipmunk-looking creatures hang out near the parking lots and the roads, and are very skittish of humans and cars. We had a hard time getting a good photograph of them, even with my zoom lens, because they are so quick to run off the road. With that being said, we saw more than one squished one, probably thanks to the idiots we let pass us driving too fast earlier on the road. As you drive the road, be sure to watch out for these little guys.
The white-tailed antelope squirrels photographed below were the only ones of the hundreds we saw that would sit still long enough for a photo.
The only one that would pose for us
Squirrel running down the road
2. Hike/Bike the trails – The day we toured Red Rock Canyon, it was over 110 degrees in Las Vegas. Despite this, we saw several folks bicycling and hiking the trails. There are over 35 guided hikes a month and miles of bike trails to explore. For the extra adventurous tourists, there are several rock climbing paths as well.
To see the upcoming tours check the Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association’s website.
For a list of hiking trails see the wiki on Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area web site.
3. Visitor’s Center – The visitor’s center is small and mostly a souvenir shop. When we were there, however, there were two folks sitting at a desk answering questions about the park. They were well informed, seemed mostly bored, and answered all of my questions. They also stamped my son’s State Park Passport book (even though she informed me RRC isn’t really a state park).
View from the Visitor’s Center
It is well worth your time to visit Red Rock Canyon while in Las Vegas. Admission is only $7 or so per car and you can visit the town of Summerlin while you’re there.
Lizard at Red Rock Canyon
A broken “Shaq-tus”
To see additional photos from Red Rock Canyon, see my set on Flickr.
Trip to Hoover Dam from Las Vegas
Jul/102
by John Wilson
We made a quick day trip out of going to Hoover Dam. The drive is only about 45 minutes (tops) and you get to see a lot of Las Vegas off “the Strip” including a great view of Henderson from Highway 515.
We went very early in the morning and were literally the first car in the parking lot. NOTE: We drove directly into the parking lot from the road that takes you into Hoover Dam, however, as we were leaving that afternoon there was a very long line, 200 or more cars deep, waiting to get in. I highly recommend you get up early so you don’t have to wait. If you go early in the week of your trip, you may still be on EST. Be careful on the drive in as their are several sharp turns, poor visibility and no guard rails.
We walked across the top of Hoover Dam first, since the museum/tour didn’t open until 9a. On the walk across you will see the memorial to the 112 people that died during the construction of the dam (one was a visitor). You will also see the divide between Nevada time and Arizona time, as well as a great view of both sides of the dam. the It’s a relatively short walk, and if you go far enough you can walk into Arizona. I thought the state line was actually on the bridge, but the sign made it seem as if it was actually a good 200 yards on the other side of the river.
The $11 tour of the dam was not the most informative tour I’ve ever been on, but worth taking since you’re already there. It explained some of the history of the bridge through a short movie then walked you through the caves to the power plant. You literally walk through carved-out caves to get to each part of the tour, so if you are at all claustrophobic, you should probably take a pass on this tour. One lady in our tour turned around because so many people were crammed into the elevators, and because the caves are a tight fit (the pathways are probably 10×10.
The Hoover Dam is incredibly difficult to take competent pictures of because it is so big and you can only get so far from it. Be sure to go to the top of the Visitor’s Center to have your best chance of a good photograph.
The last piece of the tour worth noting is the near completion of the Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. When that bridge is complete, you will no longer be able to drive across the Hoover Dam. This project has been in action for years, but was accelerated by the events of September 11. On the top floor of the Visitor’s Center there is an entire section devoted to the bridge.
Parker waiting in the “caves” for the next part of the tour
On your way back to Las Vegas, be sure to stop and take a look at Lake Mead on the left just a quarter-mile past the guard post.
Below are a few pictures from the visit. You can see the remainder of the set on my Hoover Dam picture set on Flickr.
The Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam Bypass near completion.
We stopped at Tony’s Pizza in Boulder on the way back to Las Vegas.
Mt Pleasant Pier – 4th of July
Jul/100
by John Wilson
Parker had a great time at the Mt. Pleasant Pier, taking in all of the Fourth of July activities. He was big hit on the dance floor, earning his own cheering section. Unfortunately, his hands are still too small to sign autographs.
Parker also enjoyed watching the fireworks, which his mother was worried would scare him. He was watching them very intensely. I didn’t take my tripod, so I don’t have many good fireworks shots, but I did catch some good shots of Parker while we were waiting for the show.
Parker and Dad waiting on the fireworks.
Dance Machine
Almost showtime!
Everyone going home
Just one?!
Jul/100
by John Wilson
Happy Fourth of July from www.whereisjohnwilson.com.
I hope you have the chance to buy (or see) more than one “firework.”
I took this picture of a firework vendor across the street from Carrabba’s on SC 17 North.
Heat Index: 105 degrees
Jun/100
photos by John Wilson
I went for a walk in Charleston today, just to walk off some of the food I ate last night at my company’s 10th anniversary party. It was very hot, but I took my camera along for entertainment. Below are a few of the photos from my walk. You can see more pictures at my flickr site here.
I found this fountain when I heard the trickle of the water from the sidewalk. It’s down near the Battery, but I’m not sure exactly where (I walked a long time).
This lady was sitting by Waterfront Park and she just kept watching me. I made it a game to wait until she wasn’t looking and then fire off a photo. This is the only one that came out.
This guy was down in Battery Park. He kept flying past my head and finally landed on the limb to let me take his picture.
Same with this guy. He was chasing me around the park and finally stopped for a picture.
I found these sunglasses left on a gravestone in the cemetery at St. Philips. Very odd.
A Walk in Downtown Charleston
Jun/103
by John Wilson
I read somewhere this morning that people that spend more time outside tend to weigh less than their couch potato compadres. Beyond the obvious additional exercise required to actually go outside, the article cited the additional heat, body image reminders of being around people and not being inundated with food ads on television. For me, I eat when I’m bored, so anytime I get a chance to get outside, it has to be good.
After cutting the grass, Parker, his mother and I went for a walk in downtown Charleston, SC. You can see the whole set here, and take a look at my favorite shots below:
We started our exercise by going to the Ice Cream Shoppe in Mount Pleasant, SC.
Parker was real upset when he found out he was too young for ice cream.
After getting lunch, we drove across the bridge and found a swing in Waterfront Park.
We saw a pirate ship…
and the guy in the swing in front of us lost his shoe.
and these ladies were having a great time in the fountain.
I’m not sure if we lost any weight today, but we had a good time hanging out with Parker.
Blue Angels in Charleston, SC
Apr/102
by John Wilson (all photos by me, too)
This past weekend, Parker, Amanda and I all went to downtown Charleston, South Carolina to see the Blue Angels perform in the Charleston Harbor. This was a replacement for the traditional airshow that is held at the airport each year because they are so busy sending troops and equipment to Afghanistan. We had never been to the airshow before because the traffic to get up there and get home is a nightmare, and there is no where to park.
Here is a blurb from the Blue Angel’s official website:
A Blue Angels flight demonstration exhibits choreographed refinements of skills possessed by all naval aviators. The Blue Angels’ C-130, affectionately known as Fat Albert, begins each demonstration by exhibiting its maximum performance capabilities during a ten-minute performance. Shortly thereafter, you will see the graceful aerobatic maneuvers of the four-jet Diamond Formation, in concert with the fast-paced, high-performance maneuvers of its two Solo pilots. Finally, the team illustrates the pinnacle of precision flying, performing maneuvers locked as a unit in the renowned, six-jet Delta Formation.
This performance was VERY loud. Throughout the show Amanda held her hands over Parker’s ears, but he didn’t seem to mind the noise at all. Here are some of the pictures I took:
We watched the show from Waterfront Park in downtown Charleston
Look close and you can see the swirls from the propellers
The “Diamond” Formation
He’s going pretty fast
Parker laughing at me
Note: I actually posted this on a Delta flight going in to Boston. I hope the pilot doesn’t think he is a Blue Angel.
In Parkersburg, WV
Apr/100
by John Wilson
Parker, Amanda and I took the long drive to Parkersburg, WV. This is where Amanda and I grew up.
Parker was a good boy all the way there, and only added about 40 minutes to the nine hour voyage to eat and use the restroom. While I was there I took the opportunity to drive around and take a few pictures in some of the usual spots. Next time I go home I’ll hit up some of the more interesting spots.
Also while I was home, I took advantage of some of the hills around town to get in some good exercise. The pictures directly below show the infamous, and newly renovated, Quincy Hill steps.
Quincy Hill Steps (from the top) – 175 steps total. I ran it three times.
Quincy Hill Steps (from the bottom) – When I was a kid we used to ride our sleds down that hill beside the steps. Someone would have to stand at the bottom to make sure no cars were coming after you took that ramp off the wall. Good times.
This is from the “horse shoe” in front of Parkersburg High School:
Don’t come to Parkersburg without getting thick crust pizza from the “The Pizza Place.” Best pizza in the country.
Daffodils on Quincy Hill
Click here to see the whole set – or here to see my entire collection.
Photowalk: 8.52
Mar/100
by John Wilson
Today, we went back down town to Waterfront Park. Our intention was to go to Charlestowne Landing, but got there 45 minutes before it closed. Who knew a state park closed at 5pm? Here are some of the best pictures. You can see them all on my flickr page.
Photowalk: 5 of 52
Feb/108
by John Wilson
Today I took my wife with me on the photowalk. On the way downtown we stopped at the Ritz Photo. It was like Christmas. I got:
- Tripod
- Neutral Density Filter
- Multi Coated UV Filter
- Circular Polarizer
I also figured out I have a huge passion for chasing squirrels around parks and taking their pictures. The squirrels at Battery Park are especially fun, because they aren’t afraid of humans.
View the shots below in the slideshow and post your favorite in the comments. I will pick one reader at random to receive a print of their favorite in the mail.
You can view the whole set here.
Here are a few of my favorites:
