The truck was fully loaded with the roof top box and all seats occupied. Traveling with 4 is a little tight, but packing light made it comfortable. While it was 108 in Las Vegas, our campsite was 88 when we arrived. The sun was setting and we were able to get some colorful photos. Katherine had made some experimental Pad Thai at home that we warmed it on the stove and Jim cooked up some glorious kangaroo burgers. For real. That is what he brought to contribute to the extravaganza. It was delicious.
We all just chilled in our camp chairs, talked, and took in the scenery. Our view to the NE was of the test range used for many nuclear tests. Both above and below ground shots were taken in this area very close to Las Vegas. I could only imagine hanging out at this camp area in 1955 when that stuff was going on.
The night was quiet and peaceful. Jim made a 3:30 am photo outing, which surprised me. I heard some rattling at the cooler and thought he was getting a late night beverage. That wasn't the case. He was using a rock and his hat to create a stand for his camera. To the east, Mercury was rising with the moon in the sky and he set up a long exposure to capture it. It kind of worked, but a real tripod would be nice. We both own them and managed to forget them on this trip.
This camp area is in wild horse country and we passed a few on the way up. There are no mosquitoes in the desert and the only pests are a few ants and flys during the day. They are quite manageable and don't bother you very much, which is nice. There was a pack of coyotes that came close during the night. They are mostly afraid and left us alone, but in the distance, we could hear their calls. It surely sounded like a party.
In the morning we continued over the pass in the truck. It was a little longer and rougher road than I expected. The new tires on the truck performed well and the erosion on the trail was minimal. I didn't want to get hours out to a place we could not pass.
After the pass, we cruised out to Pahrump, Nevada at record speed. The trail was much better and brought us to the main road. The crushed limestone trail kicks up a huge cloud of dust at 50mph. Surprisingly, the truck is smooth and quiet inside even though we were hauling it across the desert.
We found a local Mexican restaurant in Pahrump and ordered some real belly bombs. While in SE Asia, this was one of the meals that Katherine and I were craving. This place hit the spot. I could only eat half of my chili rellanos and felt dizzy from the stomach chaos. It was amazingly great!
On the return to town, we cruised by the cliffs of Red Rock. Being gone all summer, I really missed this place. I had to take a shot from the truck.
It was a great evening camping, even though it was only one night. Our friends were on their best behavior and the weather cooperated. I could not ask for anything more. I love our desert and the freedom we have to enjoy it.
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