I’m always amazed at the stark beauty of the desert areas near Las Vegas. I never grow old of it.

In late March a few years ago I returned to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

I was greeted with yucca plants, varieties of cactus and high, bright red vertical cliffs.

As I hiked along the trail, I was struck with the many colorful desert wildflowers in bloom, matched by the kaleidoscope of colors in the canyon walls.

The highlight was arriving at one of the few springs in the area, a true oasis.