Tortoises, Butterflies and the Wave

A peek over our neighbor's gate.

It's spring ... almost summer in Las Vegas.  We spent an afternoon in Red Rock Canyon checking out the resident tortoises. Behind the Visitors Center is a tortoise habitat.  We think there are 8 tortoises living there. We saw 4 out and about and enjoying the sunny afternoon. In a couple of weeks I (Nancy) will be attending training to be a volunteer at the Visitor's Desk at Red Rock Canyon.  I will get to learn all about the tortoise, the Nevada State Animal.

I will also learn about local flowers and the native animals in classes and on hikes. Here are a few of the flowers we saw in the canyon last week.

Desert Paintbrush

Broad-flowered Gilia

Indigo Bush

We did a little drive down a side road on the way home and found the Red Rock Canyon Campground. Nice this time of year.  Lots of tenters!

Friday morning I went hiking with members of the Las Vegas Newcomers Club.  (I joined the club in January.  It is for women who have recently moved to Las Vegas or have had a life changing situation like retirement.)  A great way to meet people. I met Faai from Rhode Island and her sister Mai form Idaho. Very sweet and friendly.  The hike was in The Valley of Fire on a "secret trail" called The Wave. (Not overly publicized because the park wants to keep it protected.) We were there just before noon so the light was not great for photos but you will get the idea of how "folded" the hills look here.

The Wave

View hiking back

More spring flowers. 

 Tufted Evening-Primrose

Beavertail Cactus

Desert Chicory

A return trip for an afternoon walk in Hualapai Canyon had more desert flowers ready for viewing.

Hedgehog Cactus

Rock Daisy

Will check on this one in a few days.

We are members of the Order of Eastern Star in Vermont.  This organization is kind of related to the Masons in that you are supposed to be related in some way to a Mason in order to join.  The Stars', we are called, main purpose is to raise money for charity or to do good works.  We refer to other members as brothers and sisters.  We were sad to leave our Vermont Star brothers and sisters behind but are happy to report that we have found many friendly new sisters and brothers in Nevada.  We attended a friendship meeting over in Parhrump Tuesday evening and an Official Visit from the Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patron of Nevada at the chapter we are going to join in Henderson on Saturday.  (The Worthy Grand Matron would be like the president of a group of clubs at the state level.)  Being a member of this organization gives us an easy way to meet people in our new location. You will hear more about Star events in the future.

Here are some of our new friends on St. Patrick's Day.

Butterflies everywhere (in a butterfly habitat) at the Springs Preserve on Sunday. When we first arrived in Las Vegas we bought memberships to the Springs Preserve and this was our first return trip. In the spring and fall they open the butterfly habitat to visitors. Beautiful.

Forest Giant Owl

Julia

Blue Morpho

Black Swallowtail

Check out this trailing vine!

Now take a closer look!

Sun Worship

The Nevada State Museum is located at the Springs Preserve.  We stopped to check out the history of our new state from prehistoric times to the Strip.

Christopher Colombian!

We hear it's getting closer to spring in Vermont. I predict you will go right from winter to summer! Just a couple of weeks until Jordan and Ari come for a visit.  Can't wait!

Our backyard bougainvillea

It's all about the journey!

Happy Spring!

Nancy and Dan