For our friend’s 30th birthday celebration, we spent a weekend getaway in Las Vegas. Bright and early on Saturday morning, said friend and her sister ran the half marathon in Red Rock National Conservation Area. While they were strengthening their hearts, the rest of the group, including myself, sauntered around the park along the scenic loop. The snow dusted sandstone peaks are a climber’s heaven. The park is home to a large variety of flora and fauna, including the iconic joshua tree and banana yucca. The desert tortoise also resides in this region, the eastern most part of the Mojave Desert.