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WARNING: THIS SITE FEATURES ORIGINAL THINKING...Jim Croce once sang Don't tug on Superman's cape..., which seems like reasonable advice should we not wish to anger the supreme powers. We do have this duality in our culture: the Superman that is the state collective, the leftist call to a politics of meaning managed by the state, the deification of "we're from the government and we'll take care of you" - versus the Superman that celebrates individual freedom, private property, freedom of conscience, free enterprise, and limited government. We humbly take on the latter's mantle and, eschewing the feeble tug, we dare to PULL, in hope of seeing freedom's rescue from the encroaching nanny state. We invite you, dear reader, to come and pull as well... Additionally, if you assume that means that we are unflinching, unquestioning GOP zombies, that would be incorrect. We reject statism in any form and call on individuals in our country to return to the original, classical liberalism of our founders. (We're also passionate about art, photography, cooking, technology, Judeo/Christian values, and satire as unique, individual pursuits of happiness to celebrate.)


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July 25, 2005
Nevada Valley of Fire State Park
Filed in: Current Affairs, Photography

I made it up into the Nevada desert on my road trip this weekend. Photo conditions have been terrible since I got here Saturday afternoon. Overcast, thunderstorms - unusual and not conducive to good pictures.

This afternoon (Sunday) the weather cleared a bit so I thought I would go out to the Valley of Fire state park - about 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas. I've driven past the turnoff countless times on I-15 but have never stopped off to see it.

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This photo looks toward the park to the south from near the I-15 exit. There are hints of rock with high iron content near the lower left.

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There were still large clouds left from the thunderstorms that passed through the last couple of days.

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Just before entering the park I took some shots looking back north into the sun - and yes you can get a sun dog with a digital camera. Now for some colors (you'll have to click below - lots of pictures will load):

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Upon entering the park, odd formations of iron rich rock begin to appear. The sun is slicing them in pieces as I am driving down into the valley.

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The red rocks are juxtaposed with the normal earth tone desert mountains.

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Eroded sandstone monoliths rear up out of the desert scrub. They evoke all kinds of images for me - like the clouds do.

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Sandstone gargoyles stand guard at this bend in the road.

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For just a few minutes, as the sun clips the mountains, the red rock does glow.

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It is so brief and yet so beautiful. I recognize that taking photographs here would benefit from local knowledge - each day the sun turns a little differently, sets in a little different direction, lights up a different set of these stone lights.

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The fiery rock recedes into darkness.

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But the sky stays alight - for a little while.

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And there are still a few glows in the gloaming.

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A few small fingers of rock reaching up for one last bit of warmth.

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I decide to make a mad dash and chase the sky - drive back up the valley and take a road to the top of one of these huge red mesas.

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The landscape continued to fade as the sky became more brilliant.

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The hills that glowed just a few minutes ago were now humbled by the vault of the sky.

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And in any directions I looked there was a line etching forming underneath the pastel clouds.

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The crimson rocks faded in the upper valley.

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And as the sun winked out, Venus (upper left) winked in.

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Until she ruled the early night sky.

This park has enormous photographic potential and has a good amount of picnicking and camping areas as well. It's in such close proximity to Las Vegas that it is an easy destination to make and gives welcome respite from the twenty-four hour 'daylight' of the city. I was fortunate after most of two days of inclement weather to get a good sunset to work against. What a blessing!



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» In the Nevada Desert
by MC
from Scribal Terror
There are many more where this came from, one more breathtaking than the next. [Read More]

TrackPulled on Jul 25, 2005 12:00:01 PM

People Pulling

Thanks MC.

Posted by: Ana at Jul 25, 2005 4:54:31 AM

And you DON'T do this for a living? I'd buy a glossy photo book with your name on it.

Posted by: gail at Jul 25, 2005 7:44:02 AM

Those are extraordinary, Mac. Simply beautiful!

Posted by: Diana at Jul 25, 2005 9:06:36 AM

Beautiful pictures of a beautiful place! In 1998, my daughter and I visited the Valley of Fire Park and enjoyed our time there.

Posted by: Kathy at Jul 25, 2005 10:30:21 AM

You guys are all so very kind to say these nice things. I'm just so happy that I'm able to transfer some of the experience to you through the photographic medium. I've found that to be remarkably difficult to do and I'm so happy if it has brought you a moment of joy.

Posted by: MC at Jul 26, 2005 6:59:45 PM

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