The desert is H-O-T

Glad to be back on the road again.  We left California a few weeks ago and are working our way through the Nevada desert into Utah.  It has been really really really hot in Nevada.  Like, plus 100 degrees hot.  When you live outside, it's pretty difficult to stay active and be comfortable outdoors.  But, like always, we made do.

Luke's solo trip in the Anza-Borrego Desert in California before hitting the road.  Kristin hung back in Oceanside with friends for a few days.

Hiking part of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Beautiful wildflowers.

A crazy rock formation that looks like an eagle.

Our first stop after leaving California was in the Mojave desert.  It was actually quite cool and windy here. 

Our new rig.  That's right.  We sold Big Red and downsized significantly to a white 4x6.  Kristin calls him "Small One."  We needed something a little smaller with higher clearance so we can get to some more gnarly back roads this summer.  We still have all our gear, just not so roomy.  There's not an inch of unused space!

Next stop - Red Rock Canyon Nevada.  We camped here for almost a week mountain biking and hiking.

Hiking Kraft Mountain.

Mountain biking outside of Blue Diamond.

The world's largest yucca.

This is how we do it...

View of Sin City from our ride.

Hiking First Creek Canyon within Red Rock Canyon.

More mountain biking outside of Blue Diamond.  Does it look hot yet?

After Red Rock Canyon, we headed to Bootleg Canyon southeast of Vegas.  Pretty technical riding and did we mention h-o-t?

We continued on and camped at Lake Mead for a few nights. 

Sunset over the lake from camp.

Sunrise over the lake.



Our scorpion friend.

After a few weeks in the dry desert of Nevada, we started heading north towards Utah.  When our car external temperature gauge read 104 degrees, we decided it was time to cool off for a few days and wait out the heat wave.  We stopped at a random casino/motel on the border of Utah and Nevada and spent Kristin's birthday in style.  Seriously though, you can't beat $26/night plus free breakfast and stellar air-conditioning.  Oh, and showers of course! 

Kristin bought a ticket a day in advance and surprised her friend Rachel back in Denver last weekend for her bridal shower and bachelorette party.  It was a short trip, but great to see friends.  Luke stayed behind and climbed some desert mountains...pictures to come later.

Now that we're back together and things have cooled down, we're heading to Zion, Bryce Canyon, and then Capitol Reef National Parks.