Las Vegas – Valley of Fire

Vegas isn’t just a place of bright lights and endless amounts of alcohol. Located just an hour away from the Vegas Strip lies a beautiful rock filled state park. It’s a very underrated place than can easily be explored in one day; however, there are campsites available. If you do visit you should still keep in mind that Southern Nevada is still a desert that gets very hot in the summer, so I recommend visiting in the spring or autumn seasons. If you decide to visit during the warmer months then cool off after by taking a dip at Lake Mead, which is located southeast from Valley of Fire.

If you can’t make a long trip to visit the park then make sure that these two stops are at the top of your list:

• Elephant Rock: Located right by the east entrance, this spot is easily accessible for all people. With less than a five minute walk from the parking lot you can look up at elephant shaped rock from the side of the road. If you are feeling a little adventurous climb up the surrounding rocks to get spectacular views of the desert and the best photo of the rock. If there aren’t many visitors then take a moment to climb on top of elephant rock to get a very cool photo opportunity.
• Fire Wave: After enjoying the views from the scenic route that heads north, park at lot #3 and cross the street towards the fire wave. The first bit will require you to walk through sand, which may be difficult for certain persons. It’s only a 1.25 mile round-trip to see a beautiful view.

Entrance to the park costs $10 for out-of state visitors and $8 for residents holding a Nevada ID. Expect to pay more if you are camping. The visitors center has snacks you can buy, but if you are looking for something more substantial then you are going to have to drive outside of the park for it.

I hope Valley of Fire is included in your itinerary the next time you are in Southern Nevada.

Spark In Bloom

Top 5 D.C. Museums

One of the best parts about living in D.C. is the access to free museums. It kept me busy on the weekends and my bank account extremely happy. Although I no longer currently live in D.C. I still get asked what the best attractions are. With so many options it’s hard to fit everything in a short trip. Whether you are on a budget or want to learn something new, visiting a museum is an absolute D.C. must! Here are my top 5 free museum recommendations:

1. National Gallery of Art 6th & Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20565
   There are many art galleries in Washington D.C., but the National Gallery of Art triumphs them all. The National Gallery of Art consists of three areas. The west building is the main attraction. It’s two floors and includes a wide variety art including sculptures, drawings, painting, and photographs from many different backgrounds and time periods. This is the one building to go to if you are visiting the gallery. The west building also has one of the best museum stores that I have ever been to, so if you want a D.C. souvenir or a gift for a friend who loves art then I recommend looking there.
   The east building hosts contemporary and modern art. It’s not as crowded as the west building, and it can be seen pretty quickly. If you are going to both buildings take the underground concourse by the food court instead of going outside (I promise it’s cool)  The sculpture garden is the west of the west building. All the sculptures are in an outside garden and can be seen on your way to your next destination. Depending on how in-depth you are when you go to museums, I would recommend around three hours to go through all three sections.
2. Renwick Gallery 1700 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006
   The Renwick Gallery recently opened up in November 2015 after a two year renovation. Located right next to the White House, the gallery is a smaller and the most recent exhibition Wonders hosts about 9 contemporary art pieces. What I love about this gallery is that their are so many different perspectives to view the structures and that photography is highly encouraged. Located right next to the White House it is a simple and quick visit. Overall, this museum would probably take no more than an hour. My tip: get there a few minutes before the gallery opens to be the first person there so you get the best views and pictures.
3. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl SW, Washington, DC 20024
   If you want to leave Washington feeling humbled then I highly recommend going to this museum. It’s probably one of the more crowded museums in D.C., but I promise that it is worth it. The powerful imagery and abundance of information makes this museum so powerful. There aren’t enough words to describe how important and emotional this museum can be. Get there early because the lines can be really long. Once you are inside save about three hours to get through most of the museum.
4. Air & Space 600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560
   This museum is a lot of fun, especially for the youngsters. The museum itself if visually appealing with all the hanging and floor artifacts. There is also a planetarium and IMAX theater situated in the museum. Entrance into the museum is free but some of the activities inside do require a payment. An hour and a half should be enough to see just the exhibitions. Note: this museum is not the Udvar-Hazy Center, which displays thousands of artifacts.
5. National Postal Museum 2 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
   The National Postal museum is probably one of the most underrated museums in D.C. The museum itself is hardly crowded and it includes fun activities for the kids. One of the best activities is to take the 6 complimentary stamps that you can choose to start a stamp collection.For the older audience go to the PostSecret exhibition and read the post cards. Save about an hour and a half to get the most out of this museum. The National Postal Museum is located right next to Union Station where you can shop, grab a bite to eat, or go to your next destination.

Spark In Bloom

Currently, I’m listening to Esther – To Let Go