As we departed from our brief sojourn in this awesome valley, we took drives through scenic loops, watched informational videos in the Visitors Center and delighted in exploring various geological wonders.

 It was a BIG day for Big Horn Sheep. We have never had so many sightings. Way, way cool.










White Domes are sandstone formations with brilliant contrasting colors and a one-mile hike.  The White Domes Trail is a moderate loop that combines sweeping desert vistas, a slot canyon, colors galore, windows, caves and a historic movie site.  The White Domes area was the location for the 1966 movie The Professionals. This western, starring Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster and Claudia Cardinale was typical of the 1960s western genre. It was also responsible for the development of the road and access to this remarkable area. The remains of the site include a small portion of the wall of the hacienda. When we return, we plan to hike it and share more. This was just a fact finding trip.


We had to explore the Beehives, sandstone formations that not only demonstrate the unique design that can be created by nature, but which are an excellent representation of geologic cross bedding.  Those are the grooved lines going in different directions.  The layers or beds represent different layers of silt that are deposited at different times.  The beds indicate the angle of the wind or water was moving at the time the material was deposited.  Cross bedding is very common in sand dunes, beach deposits, and river sediments.



 I was very excited to eye spy my first Chuckwalla.



Even the smallest of creatures brought us delight. We will return to the Valley of Fire for a longer stay. I can't wait.