A B O U T
T H E T O U R
AS
VEGAS IS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING LANDSCAPE AREAS ON EARTH. There are world-class sites
just minutes from the famous Las Vegas
Strip’s casinos! Places like the
amazingly colorful Jurassic dune-sandstone cliffs of Red
Rock Canyon,
a few miles west of town and Valley of
Fire State Park, one-hour north, near
the shore of Lake Mead.
From Las Vegas as a
base, we will explore Hoover Dam and Lake Mead,
plus there’s an optional scenic flight over the southern Grand
Canyon. Las Vegas itself is an amazing sight! In this unique oasis in the desert there are
the casinos with various gambling options [suggestion: stay away from these!]
and many artistic and spectacular show-extravaganzas, of course, but there also
are some other very interesting attractions:
zoos, aquaria, and museums of natural history and art. Las Vegas is indescribable
– it’s fun, it’s unique; you really have to see this to believe it!
After four nights in Las Vegas, we will travel along the Colorado River and
into the high desert to view the new Skywalk in the Hualapai Indian Reservation
at Grand Canyon West, Arizona. The Skywalk opened in March of ‘07 and this
amazing loop walkway of glass will give you an unprecedented “eagles’ view” of
the Grand Canyon. The Colorado River
is 4,000 feet below. Lodging
in Laughlin, a Nevada town right along the Colorado River.
We will have river-front lodging and will explore some very interesting
desert scenery developed on granite bedrock, something 
quite different from the
landscapes previously seen.
Next we drive through the scenic Basin and Range -
Mojave Desert landscape to Death
Valley National Park. Death Valley’s landscape is similar to the Connecticut Valley
during the Mesozoic Era -- a time when the eastern side of our continent was splitting
from Pangea as the Atlantic Ocean began. These “rift” valleys are fault bounded, and
we will see lots of faults in our travels.
Yes, you will find faults with this tour (as well as alluvial
fans, dunes, desert pavement, unusual salt landforms, and many more geologic
thrills). We lodge for 4 nights at
Furnace Creek Ranch, a beautiful oasis with a warm-spring-fed swimming pool and
even the world’s lowest golf course at your
doorstep (everyone gets a low score here).
Spectacular “slot” canyons are eroded into the
mountainous sides of Death Valley and other
ranges in the region. Being in the
desert, they are dry for most of the year and make for some outstanding nature
walks or longer hikes, if you wish. We
will walk to the top of desert sand dunes (by the 
light of the moon!), and
explore desert lakes, both dry and wet. Finally,
we will depart for our return to Las
Vegas,
about 3 hours
away. Plan your return plane flight for the evening
or stay over in Las Vegas for a next day flight.
------- I T I N E R A R Y -------
DAY 1 January 12: arrive Las Vegas
for 4 nights with super rooms at a location central to the famous Las Vegas “Strip”
DAY 2 1/13: Free Day to explore exciting Las Vegas. (It’s way more fun than you think!)
DAY 3 1/14: Valley of Fire State Park, Lake
Mead shoreline. Short hikes, picnic lunch.
DAY 4 1/15: Red
Rock Canyon
tour and short hikes with picnic lunch.
DAY 5 1/16: Depart Las Vegas, Hoover Dam tour and Lake Mead views plus New Solar Power plant tour. Laughlin,
NV is our base for next 3 nights.
Jurassic-age Dune
Sandstone, Valley of Fire State Park
|
|
DAY 6 1/17
Morning trip to the Grand Canyon West rim, viewing and short
hikes in the Hualapai Indian Reservation with it’s
new glass Skywalk
and some of the best Grand Canyon – Colorado
River views.
Option: Helicopter into the
Canyon, with short boat trip.
DAY 7
1/18 : Explorations along the beautiful granite
outcrops of
Christmas Tree Pass, just west of Laughlin. Free
afternoon.
DAY 8 plus 9, 10, 11 Today we drive through the
interesting and scenic
Basin and Range topography to Death Valley National Park.
Overnight at Furnace Creek Ranch Resort, in the Park, for next 4 nights.
The Ranch, which is 200 feet
below sea level, features great views and a naturally warm spring water
swimming pool, plus the world’s lowest golf course surrounds the lodgings. Death Valley Explorations: canyon and mountain drives, walks and
hikes. Scotty’s Castle visit, volcanic
explosion craters, Titus, Mosaic (and
other) Canyons,
Artist Drive,
Dante’s View, Death Valley Dunes, Badwater (-282
elevation) and more incredible sights!
DAY 12 1/23 Final morning activities in the
Park then scenic drive to Las Vegas,
arriving late afternoon.
FAQ’s -- ( Frequently Asked Questions) --
and participant comments
Who goes on
these “Fantastic Landscapes” Tours? While
our average age of participants is probably mid 50’s, we have had a variety of
folks, from families to eighty-something.
How strenuous is the “hiking”?
If you like “nature walks” you’ll love our outings. We have a great
variety of options. Some people plan more strenuous activities than others, and
our daily activities are geared to meet everyone’s goals, as much as
possible. Where do we stay? We
book high quality, medium to small lodgings (usually), in scenic, convenient
settings. Who does the driving? We use rental mini vans and full-size
cars with volunteer drivers. We buy the
maximum extra liability insurance and we have 2-way radios for
communication. I don’t know any
geology! Should I go on this tour? Yes! If you have an interest in nature,
come and learn how to read the “record in the rocks ....... the history in a
grain of sand”. Travel with a
geologist to unlock the secrets of the rocks and landscapes. Your tour
leader has decades of experience. Go
with our small group and get away from the crowd, but still have a
helpful group of friends to share with.
You will have flexibility to stop for that great view, smell the
flowers, pick up an incredible rock, have a romantic
dinner…
The cost is LOW for what you
get! (check out other tours and see) Don’t wait to save your place... seating is definitely
limited!
Who is your tour leader? Richard Little is
professor emeritus of geology at Greenfield
Community College, author of 2 books
and 2 videos on Connecticut
Valley geology, and has
been elected to the Mass. Science Educator Hall of Fame. He has been leading “Fantastic Landscapes”
tours since 1981. His spouse, Suzanne,
loves flowers and has degrees in Biology, Education, and Social Work.
Participants’ comments? “The trip was superb…we have been singing
you praises across the land….” “It
certainly was a fantastic trip… the moonlight walk in the dunes was a sublime
experience. We will certainly tell our friends about the great time we had, and
thank you again for being such wonderful and caring leaders!” Want to talk with a past
participant? We can refer you.
THE COST: only $1750 (estimated) Per person / double occupancy +
air
Includes: First Class Lodging, Transportation,
Experienced Tour Leader, Guide Book, Pre and Post Trip Meetings, Video Record
of Trip.
The cost does
not include: air fare, food, gas, and minimal costs of parking and
entrance fees to parks, etc. Gas, etc.,
costs will be divided amongst the group members.
