America the beautiful.
We tend to romanticize countries other than our own. But I think the United States really is spectacular. This trip I made moves in Utah, Nevada, Oregon and Washington state. Due to a detour driving back to Las Vegas from Mt. Zion I went somewhere I didn't even know about -- the Valley of Fire, Nevada. These red rock formations that hold the heat of the day like dutch ovens provide the Mars experience on planet Earth. I managed to tear holes in my clothes and a bit of my flesh on this rugged impromptu sunset climb. It was totally worth it.
