I got this info pretty early last year that there will be a big Lantern Festival event happening in Mojave around 2015 in Oct, according to the website, "RiSE elevates hope, ignites dreams, and creates memories you will never forget." , I thought it must be amazing to see thousands of lanterns releasing to the sky just like the Pixar Tangled, so I told all my friends I am so going to see it just for myself as a birthday present.
although no one remembered my dream, I was still lucky enough to got one day off last weekend, and having one of my most supportive friends - Ti mom who willing to drive up to Navada with me during midnight. I am blessed.
if you are coming from town, watch for a paved road leading to the parking area, not to worry if you go pass it, continue south on 93 and you will find a place to make a U-turn.
the next day was 94F at LA Santa Monica, think about Las Vegas, we arrived a night before and the next morning decided to pick a hiking trail before the festival, the only one we could find with water around this city was White Rock Canyon Wash.
we put boots on Tiru to ensure her better performance.
due to extreme temperatures, this area was closed from May 29- Oct 1, so it's freshly just opened! because of extreme weather, many hikers have required rescue here, although it's almost mid Oct
due to extreme temperatures, this area was closed from May 29- Oct 1, so it's freshly just opened! because of extreme weather, many hikers have required rescue here, although it's almost mid Oct
it was still crazy HOT ! think twice if you want to visit
we went up to the wrong direction at the beginning for 40 minutes, it was all dirty up hill hikes with slippery rocky slope, I thought it's going to be another Hollywood sign tragedy... lucky we figured our way out later on.
we went up to the wrong direction at the beginning for 40 minutes, it was all dirty up hill hikes with slippery rocky slope, I thought it's going to be another Hollywood sign tragedy... lucky we figured our way out later on.
I tripped when I was trying to go down and the falling rock almost hit one of the kids, it was so close...
this route runs down a spectacular deep narrow volcanic canyon for about 3 miles all the way to the Colorado River below Hoover Dam.
if you are looking for a geologically interesting landscape to hike with your dog, I will recommend this place and also Alabama Hills
if you are looking for a geologically interesting landscape to hike with your dog, I will recommend this place and also Alabama Hills
the wash cuts into pyroclastic flow materials and became matrix of reddish brown rock
this trail is a mixture of sand and small rocks which I'm not a fan of, it's almost like walking on a beach for 2 hours. except crazy heat and beach walking, it's a peaceful trail, (although we saw goat skeleton on the way, all the kids were trying to take a bite)
this trail is a mixture of sand and small rocks which I'm not a fan of, it's almost like walking on a beach for 2 hours. except crazy heat and beach walking, it's a peaceful trail, (although we saw goat skeleton on the way, all the kids were trying to take a bite)
when we were all close to heaven, Ti mom spotted the river! woohoo!
the canyon opens up onto the Colorado River, I dropped down all the gears and rushed towards the rive, the water was chill and rewarding, suddenly everything just worth it.
we stayed there for a while and saw some boats passing by with casual tourists enjoining their nice afternoon, we two were like refugees compare to those people. Ti mom stared at them for few seconds and said
we stayed there for a while and saw some boats passing by with casual tourists enjoining their nice afternoon, we two were like refugees compare to those people. Ti mom stared at them for few seconds and said
DO THEY HAVE ANY IDEA HOW WE GOT HERE!?
people who hiked here all gone to the other side of the river bank (we only met 4), we stayed here for shade, it's not good for taking photos but we had enough sun already, not in rush to get ourselves burned again that quick.
it's time to leave, but Tiffy and Tiru felt like staying
air became stuffy after the sun started to sink, it's tiring on the way back due to walking up hills and the deep, loose sand, everyone was exhausted. got there at 1pm and left around 6ish.
when we were driving on our way back town, we passed by huge board saying
WELCOME TO NEVADA
it was an odd silence for few seconds...
me & Ti mom : ...WHERE WERE WE??
totally did not notice we two crazy women went passed the line to Arizona, we went crossed 2 states in one day...
I got hot stroke after the trip, did not get well even after the dinner, and unfortunately we went to the wrong spot for the Rise Lantern Festival, it's too late to go back, so I totally missed the event, and that was my purpose to come here at the the first place.
even if I did not get to see the lanterns, I still got a wonderful per-birthday trip, important thing is, I had them with me.
Ti mom pointed out from the car windshield, there were millions stars in the sky, we almost got off the car in the middle of nowhere to take photos but decided not to because we saw a big "ghost town" sign... it's technically not ghost town ghost town, but... this just sounds too much like a beginning of a horror movie, 2 girls, late night photo shoots, hummm... no thanks!
