Another night of very little sleep. This was largely due to a lack of soundproofing in the Strat Hotel tower, mixed with the fact that people are comin’ and goin’ at all hours in Las Vegas. So, I tried to get a few winks in before I had to leave. This worked too well, as I ended up leaving later than I had intended, which meant I nearly missed my admission window for Red Rock Canyon. This particular Red Rock Canyon is located about 15 miles southwest of Las Vegas, and is not to be confused with Red Rock Canyon Open Space in Colorado Springs. In fact, it shouldn’t even be confused with a canyon. Upon my arrival, I quickly noticed that this “Red Rock Canyon” is actually a broad valley, bordered on one side by a very steep mountain range, and on the other by a huge but gently sloping hogback.

I had intended to grab some food and beverage items on the way to the alleged canyon, but since I was pushing the limits of my Timed Entry (purchased in advance for $22), I went without. Fortunately, they at least had bottled water for sale at the visitor center – no dyin’ of dehydration today! Still, the relative lack of water, combined with the overall fatigue that is so often part of Parkinson’s, kept me from hiking any of the trails. Instead, I just drove the 13-mile scenic loop road. The first stop on the loop is called Calico Hills. Check out these “hills” and their groovy rock striations:

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After the Calico Hills, all the remaining stops provide views of the same set of mountains, from varying distances and angles. And desert vegetation. I was struck by the fact there are no saguaro cactus. It’s mostly a mix of yucca, cholla, and sagebrush. There are also signs at all the stops, telling you to check under your car for tortoises before backing out. But I saw no tortoises; I just saw all this stuff:

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After completing the scenic loop, I was deposited onto state highway 159. I followed it farther down the “canyon” for a few miles, then turned around and got these next few pics on the way back to the city:

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For lunch, I went to another restaurant recommended by the “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” web site: House of Dutch Pot. I couldn’t help but wonder if they get frequent visits from passersby who think this place is a marijuana dispensary. Because y’see, it’s not that kind of pot. Nor is it Dutch. This is actually a Caribbean restaurant. I ordered the Oxtail Rasta Pasta. I was rather surprised that the oxtail was still on the bone when it went into the pasta. But I had fun gnawing the meat off the bones. This was some SERIOUSLY good stuff – the meat was tender, and the marinade was the very definition of savory. Honestly the tastiest meat I’ve had in my mouth in a very long time.

After this spectacular meal, I was ready for a nap. Thus, I headed back to the hotel and passed out fer a bit. I then spent the rest of the day playing SimCity in Sin City and writing up Day 1.