Last week I awoke at sunrise on a bright and sunny day.  It was my daughter’s day-off and she was up earlier than me by almost one hour. I never knew Pia could be full of surprises.  Unceremoniously, she dropped her big plan for the day. “Mom, grab a reliable jacket as well as a pair of sturdy hiking shoes.  Don’t forget to wear protective hat and sunglasses, pamper your skin with sunblock cream and bring bottled water, too. Chewee, my Shih Tzu, will join us in exploring the sights of Red Rock Canyon today”.

Well, I don’t really like unprepared trips especially on such a short notice.  But who can decline an inviting break and a tempting diversion from nurturing my writing muse in between household chores and walking the dog twice daily for almost two months now.  Not that I am complaining, I enjoy housework, my daily exercise with Chewee  and writing my poetry collection, of which I am passionate about.  I am happy to be a mother again, which I have missed and have been absent for over a decade.  I was never really there for my daughter, for I have worked all my life being married to a lazy husband (that was an understatement) and eventually being separated from him for 19 long years.  Thus, I have assumed more, the role of a father and provider rather than that of a doting, homebody Mom.  I definitely don’t want to miss this bonding opportunity with my daughter.  So, off we went in Pia’s Lexus, with her on the wheel and Chewee by my lap.  It was a short 30-minute drive from Summerlin, Nevada to the first stop at the Red Rock Canyon Fee Station.

The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area……. In Brief

“Red Rock Canyon is one of the top five climbing destinations in the United States. It has some of the best sights and experiences the Mojave Desert has to offer”. (Red Rock Canyon Visitor Guide, 2018)

There are about 2,000 climbing routes in the area, mostly located on White Rock Mountain, Rainbow Mountain Wilderness and the La Madre Mountain Wilderness. On top of these rock climbing adventures, are the 25 hiking trails, for those who prefer the trek within and in-between canyons and for those who enjoy soaking under direct sunlight.  Hikers are usually advised at the entrance to wear comfy shoes that will provide ankle stability and protection against cactus spines. Hats, sunscreen and at least a gallon of water are must-haves in the course of the trail-hike, for the Red Rock’s temperature can go as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  Danger also lurks in some trails for desert dwellers like deadly rattlesnakes and venomous scorpions or spiders may take shelter under boulders, rocks and shrubs.

The Scenic Drive ………….. Our Choice

Pia’s final decision was to explore the sights of Red Rock Canyon by car.  I guess we have no better option, for despite the thrills of mountain climbing and the exciting experience of a trail-hike, the dangers that await for newbies like us, far outweigh our desire to try the said activities. The Scenic Drive is a 13-mile one way only, roadway, where travelers can enjoy the scenery by car, as they drive to several overlooks, park at designated lots complete with recreational amenities and facilities, camp at picnic areas or simply enjoy the walk and take pictures on selected red rock formations accessible by the road. Visitor’s pass costs only about $7 dollars to be paid at the Fee Station, which is good for the whole day and will also serve as the re-entry pass within the said day.

Personal Impressions

Starting our drive through the Scenic Drive Loop, we were treated with the magical wonders of amazing red rock formations nestled on top of each other, some piled like orange pancakes while others hang like funky red boulders pasted on the side of the mountain.  This area is known as the Sandstone Quarry where the whole side of the mountain is a vast expanse of red-orange boulders.  Here, the sightseers can take pictures while standing or sitting on rock slabs or just testing the space between cramped boulders.  Looking at the barren mountains. It felt like “deja vu” as if I was surrounded by the same bald, tree-less mountains of Oman, where I used to teach Foundation classes and had been my kind host for four years from 2013 to September 2017.  The striking difference however is that Oman mountains are generally grayish-brown while the Red Rock Mountains have that red-orange hue very similar to the color of the setting sun in Manila Bay, Philippines.  The lively colorful shade of the mountain made it look alive at the distance.

Our final stop was the High Point Overlook which has an elevation of 4,771 feet above sea level.   At this point, I felt lost against the euphoric blue edges of the sky.

Being amateur photographers though, the photos above did not do justice to the actual color of the Red Rock Mountain, but they are lasting memories of our bonding moments as mother and daughter, as we catch up with the lost years, being separated by distance and different time zones.  This, I believe is the prize of working in foreign lands in our search for a new life and our quest for financial freedom.  Finally, Pia and I are together, reunited while it lasts, as better opportunities wait for me testing the employment grounds and setting my sights on improving my senior years’ purchasing power.