My first solo road trip. USA. Day 1: Valley of Fire

I adore solo trips. It’s my passion. I feel free. Of course, I like to travel with my family. But when I’m travelling alone it’s different – special feelings.

I was an attendee of the most amazing Google event – Connect Live 2018. After it I decided to travel a little bit. I was going to Las Vegas and rented a car… It was my first experience with car rental. I was so excited. I travel a lot in Europe by car but by my own car. And it was my first time when I was going in my solo road trip. But I knew exactly – it will be unforgettable voyage!

My first stop was amazing Valley of Fire near Las Vegas. You should remember – it’s not national park. This is why you should pay for entrance – 10 dollars. And after – all park is yours!


Incredible colors, wonderful forms – I’m sure everybody will fell in love in this awesome place. The best time for visiting Valley of Fire is morning. You can see all colorful beauty of sandstones. Many people with trailers are staying for night in camping.


First of all, I went to Atlatl Rock. There you can see ancient petroglyphs (rock carvings). They have existed 4000 years. No one knows what these images mean. But you can see real history there.


All mountains in Valley of fire was founded from sandstones and sand dunes more than 150 million years. And Arch Rock is one of the best example. The scientists tell that in few years Arch Rock will be destroyed under wind. Well, will see… I don’t want to believe in it.

Valley of Fire covers an area of approximately 35 000 acres. If you want to see all park you should have minimum 2 days. I had only one. This why I didn’t visit all trails. But it’s good reason to come back!

I’ve chosen one of the trails - White Dome. There you can find very interesting places like Fire cave,

Thunderstorm Arch and Crazy Hill.

Valley of Fire is very popular place for shooting movies. For example, film “The Professionals” in

Oh, I almost forgot to say about my new friends in Valley of Fire – amazing sheeps!!!

If to be honest I was scared when met this horn sheep. He was so huge, and he had big horns… I was alone – nobody was near.

I had so many questions in my head: “What should I do if he will run? If I cry who can hear me and help me?”… But he was very cute and good sheep – he posed for me and went away.

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Congratulations @NatalkaR !!!

You are so … awesome!

Beautiful reportage and amazing photos!!!

Love your way of life!!

Hope to see you soon again!

Bye,

David

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What an amazing experience you had. No doubt you really enjoyed the adventure.

Your description of your experience is so enticing that there would hardly be anyone who reads it and not fantasize to visit this amazing sight of nature.

And i must say, i couldn’t help but comment on your photos; great shot, apt caption and beautiful sight in all.

@NatalkaR , are the sheep also inhabitants of the mountain by nature or they were transported there? And hope the keepers of this park are aware of the presence of these beautiful creatures on this mountain?

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Hola @NatalkaR , estaba tan anciano en ver este y espero los siguientes post de tu recorrido, que pensaba solamente postea por Instagram y Facebook mmm por suerte dejaste las mejores fotos para Connect jajaja.

Dejando donde lado las bromas​:slightly_smiling_face:, realmente es un gran post, el que nos trajiste aquí las Fotos :camera_flash: son impresionantes algunas de ellas también formaron parte de la serie “Roswell” y otras. Nunca vi las Fotos de los petroglifos. Me hizo reír mucho tu anécdota con el carnero que te encontró sola jajaja bueno muchas opciones no tenías, la mejor esperar y ver que hacia el, por suerte solo quería una foto jajaja. Todas tus fotos parecen postales son increíbles, gracias por compartir, veremos como sigue tu viaje :luggage:.

Saludos Farid.

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Hi @NatalkaR ,

Thanks for showing us the Valley of Fire. I didn’t get the chance to visit it but reading your post has done the job ;-). Nice story and beautiful photos. It is great!

I am looking forward to see the rest of your trip.

See you

jul

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Awesome Pics @NatalkaR . I am sure that you had lots of fun. Thanks for sharing.

Namaste,

Niraj

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I really enjoyed stalking you on insta while you travelled but this is next level. Thanks for taking the time to write it for us and share these wonderful images of Valley of Fire. I really enjoy reading about people I know who are travelling. Keep it up!

Remember Connect has a limit of 1,000 images so you might like to share five or six key images here on Connect for future posts and link to whatever your favourite photo album provider is for the rest.

Regards Paul

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@NatalkaR wow that looks like such a dream trip to do! I’m jealous.

I’ve also traveled solo and it’s really different and quite liberating as well. Going to the canyons has been such a dream to me, what was your favorite thing about your solo travel experience? Did you face any challenges?

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@davidhyno @AguerO thanks!!!

@AguerO many wild animals live in this park. Of course, the keepers know about it. They ask people to be very attentive. I found this information about fauna: “Resident birds include the raven, house finch, sage sparrow and roadrunner. Many migrant birds also pass through the park. Most desert animals are nocturnal and not frequently seen by the passing motorist. Many species of lizards and snakes are common in the park, as well as the coyote, kit fox, spotted skunk, black tailed jackrabbit and antelope ground squirrel”.

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@Julien44 definitely you should go there! wonderful place!

@FaridTDF I miss you and your jokes!!! :-))))))

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@NirajBhusal thank you!!! I’m happy tht you like my post :-))))

@PaulPavlinovich thankssssssss!!! You know I forgot about photo limit on Connect… Everytime when I’m writing article I want to add more and more pictures. I’m scared that people don’t see all beautiful places on Google photos :-))))))))))))))))))))))))

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Wow, @NatalkaR ,

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Day 1 looks amazing! I loved the photos, I enjoyed reading the details to your story and you helped me visit the Valley of Fire just by seeing your post!

How long will you be travelling, have you decided yet?

PS. I am eager to see what’s next - day 2, day 3 and so on. :slight_smile:

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@DanniS thanks!!!

I’ve travelled solo in Europe. I’ve visited many countries. But I’ve used buses, planes and trains (ok, sometimes hitchhiking). Solo trip in USA is totally different. First of all, I’ve travelled solo by car - I never did it before. Secondly, I know Europe very well - rules, traditions etc. In each country I feel like I’m home. And I didn’t know what to expect in USA. I’ve been in big cities like NYC, LA or SF. But it’s different. And I was really surprised - people are very open and responsive.

I had some trouble with understanding “miles” (in Europe we use kilometres). It was funny when my GPS told me: “Turn right in 2 miles”, and I didn’t understand where exactly. I like to travel solo because you can do wathever you want. Many people ask me everytime: “How can you travel alone? It’s boring. It’s scary. It’s dangerous for girl…”. Really? :-)))

What about your experience? Where have you travelled solo?

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@MoniDi thank you!!!

Actually I’ve finished my trip… Now I’m home in Kyiv and I’m writing about my vacation. I spent amazing 4 days in my solo road trip. I’ll write soon about everything… It was small but very eventful travel.
And, of course, I’'ll write about NYC where I’ve been after my road trip ;-)))

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Just like you @NatalkaR I’ve also traveled solo only in Europe, but I think it’s safe to travel these days with all the information on the internet and Google Maps :). You’re very brave to have gone alone so far. I think it gives you the chance to be more open as well and meet new interesting people everywhere. I’m also confused with miles :slight_smile: and luckily it’s not that serious. Which city was your favorite? I haven’t been to the States yet and now I want to go even more.

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VERY beautiful day and the mountain

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@DanniS I’m in love with NYC. I can’t explain this feelings - it’s something deep in my soul and in my heart :-))) I love so much San Francisco. This city is very big but in the same time very cosy and cute. I like so much small American towns with small houses. One day I’ll travel across all USA - it’s my big dream.

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@NatalkaR Oh yes New York! I believe you :slight_smile: It’s a dream to get to NY especially when you’ve seen it in movies everywhere. Can’t wait to see more traveling photos from you!

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@NatalkaR beautiful photos, and I love your writing style! I can’t wait for day 2 :smiling_face:

Thank you for sharing!

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Hi @NatalkaR wonderful idea yours! I lived in North Carolina, Ohio, Texas and saw many USA town (included LVegas) but never know this fantastic place. Thanks you so much to share with us your marvellous pics and have a good trip! Can’t wait your next report on day2-3 and and and

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