Amargosa Opera House

Come witness a truly talented and inspirational woman who has transformed her life into her art. Now in her 70’s, Marta Beckett continues to engage in her favorite pastime which she never outgrew - playing theatre. As a professional ballet dancer and painter, she has combined her talent in the most intriguing way - she becomes various characters for an audience which she has painted in an abandoned opera house. Although her original intention was to perform whether or not there was a real audience, her shows sell out regularly. You can also treat your self to stay in her motel where the walls are covered with her painted murals.

In Amargosa the population is three, but this does not include the wild horses she feeds, numerous peacocks, chickens, a donkey and a 30-year old burro which she saved from being butchered.

Marta and her side-kick, Tom Willet have visitors from all over the world who come specifically to the middle of the desert to see their show. It is a once-in-a-lifetime event
that is definitely worth seeing.

GETTING THERE:
From Las Vegas- Take I-15 to exit #33 (it's on the south end of Las Vegas) This exit is Highway 160 which goes to Pahrump. It is also known as Blue Diamond Road, and the Silverton Hotel is located at that exit. Take Highway 160 to Pahrump, about 55 miles. In Pahrump you will pass through two stoplights. The second stoplight is Basin Rd. About 3 miles beyond Basin Rd, you will come to Bell Vista. Turn left and continue on Bell Vista another 25 miles to Death Valley Junction.

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Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Best Friends Animal sanctuary is a wonderful place to visit. Not only do you get to see some of the most beautiful scenery around, you can visit a place where true angels are at work caring for unwanted and abused animals. Bringing children here is a great way to teach invaluable lessons on unconditional love, where you can volunteer to help feed or play with some of these cute critters. What a wonderful example Best Friends Animal Sanctuary sets. Unfortunately, in the world today, there is a need for places like this, but let's all hope for the day when we don't need them anymore.

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is the nation's largest no-kill refuge for abused and abandoned animals. Tours of Best Friends are available daily throughout the year. Full tours take about one and a half hours and need to be booked in advance.

Volunteer programs- The work of running the sanctuary and its numerous programs would be impossible without the hearts and hands of hundreds of staff and volunteers who do everything from cleaning the kitten nurseries to assisting with office work.

Visitors and vacationers come from all over, and spend their days at the sanctuary working with the animals and help to give them the personal attention they would get in a family home.

Hands-on workshops and seminars- Seminars at the sanctuary cover a variety of topics from how to rescue and care for animals to humane education.

Through the work of the sanctuary and its education, adoption, and spay/neuter programs, the mission of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is to help bring about a time when no homeless, unwanted animals are being destroyed in shelters and when every dog or cat ever born can be guaranteed a good life in a good home.

How many animals live at the sanctuary?
There are never fewer than 1,800 animals at the sanctuary on any given day, and sometimes more, depending on space and available accommodations. The majority are dogs and cats, but there are also horses, burros, wild birds, geese, rabbits, goats, pigs, and other assorted weird and wonderful creatures.

What is a "no-kill" (or life-long care) sanctuary?
"No-kill" means that animals are not destroyed except when compassion for a suffering animal demands euthanasia, and no reasonable alternative exists.

What happens to the animals who are brought here?
Best Friends offers animals a refuge and a haven where they can find healing and happiness and the chance for a new life. Most, about three out of four who come here, are soon rehabilitated, find good homes with permanent or foster families, and make way for the daily new arrivals. Others who are too badly traumatized through ill treatment or are old, crippled or chronically ill, find a permanent refuge at Best Friends, and a life that makes up for whatever went before.

Where is the sanctuary?
Best Friends is located on about 350 acres of Angel Canyon, a 33,000 acre ranch in the majestic red-rock country of southern Utah, just outside Kanab. Located right at the heart of the Golden Circle, Best Friends is close to Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon's North Rim and Bryce Canyon National Park.

Angel Canyon, a mecca for people who love animals and nature, is world-famous as the backdrop for dozens of movie and TV westerns going back to the 1930's, including The Lone Ranger, Mackenna's Gold and The Outlaw Josey Wales.

Thousands of years before cowboys ever set eyes on Angel Canyon, the ancestral Pueblo people built a peaceful and enduring culture, leaving many ancient dwellings and petroglyphs.

GETTING THERE:
From Las Vegas, it takes about 4 hours. (Remember that we are on Mountain Time, an hour ahead of Nevada and California which are on Pacific Time.) Take I-15 north from Las Vegas. Drive approximately 6 miles past St. George, Utah and take exit 16 (Hwy 9) into Hurricane. Turn right at Main St. Go one block and turn left at the 4-way stop onto Hwy 389. Drive approximately 60 miles into Fredonia, Arizona. Turn left (north) at the stop sign onto Hwy 89 and drive 7 miles into Kanab. Then follow directions from Kanab below.

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Death Valley

The name "Death Valley" implies desolation and lifelessness yet this reputation is an illusion. The earth's physical process is showcased everywhere with record of the area's geologic history. Altered layers of volcanic ash provide the beautiful colors for Artists Palette, there are elevated vantage points, mysterious valleys with wrinkled foothills and glittering salt flats. A mysterious phenomenon that still eludes geologists can be seen with boulders that travel across the basin. An experience in Death Valley will prove that her beauty is not at all lifeless.

Specials points of interest:

Devil's Golf Course- very eerie feel, like you're on the moon or something- this is where the infamous Salt Pinacles are. Be very careful climbing on these, if you fall you could hurt yourself.

Zabriskie Point- awesome vantage point. There is a small hike up a steep path, but it is worth it- and make sure you have your camera handy- it is gorgeous.

Artists Drive- do not pass up this little side road which runs parallel to the main road (highway 178). It is a small one way road which takes you past some fantastic sights. Be sure to keep your camera handy- where you'll pass Artist's Pallette, a hill with more color than Joseph's coat!

Sand Dunes- we went to the ones just outside of Stovepipe Wells. Park your car on the side of the road and take off running like a little kid. There are rolling sand dunes like you wouldn;t believe. If you look closely, you can sometimes find tracks of little critters (and snakes!). It is very surreal out in the dunes.

Badwater- lowest point in the Western Hemisphere! It is a landscape of vast salt flats with little pools dotted here and there of some VERY salty water!

TIPS:

Always carry extra water with you into Death Valley.
Stay on paved roads in the summer.
Never leave your car if it breaks down. Wait until someone comes who can summon help.
Unpaved roads are subject to washouts, check for conditions before travelling these routes.
Don't block traffic- pull off the pavement if you want to stop and enjoy the scenery.
The main cause of death in Death Valley is single-car accidents.
Summer heat can be deadly if you're unprepared. Do not let yourself get dehydrated!

Park entrance fee is $10.00 per vehicle, $5.00 per motorcycle/bicycle.
You can pick up maps and guides at the park stations, where you pay your entrance fee. A knowledgable staff is always on hand to answer any questions you may have while in Death Valley.

GETTING THERE:
You can get there by following the directions above to the Armagosa Opera House (see both!)- or you can take the following:
I-15 Southwest to Baker, California (about 90 miles)- then north on California Highway 127, which will lead you to the park's South entrance.

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Red Rock Canyon

Just a 20-minute drive from The Strip is Red Rock Canyon and is really one of the most beautiful areas of Nevada. It is a majestic scene of nature created over uncounted millennia.The centerpiece of the canyon is more than 13 miles long and nearly 3,000 feet high.There are numerous deep canyons formed by snowmelt and rain runoff eroding along cracks in brittle cliffs. Shaded areas can be found from the lush vegetation encouraged by the perennial springs and seasonal streams. This part of Nevada is for you whether you are a rock climber, a hiker, a rock hound or just appreciate the beauty of wild horses, bighorn sheep and wild burros roaming free.

GETTING THERE:
Nevada Highway 159/ Charleston Avenue
The easiest way is to shoot westward straight up Charleston, from the center of Las Vegas. This street will take you right into Red Rock. Stop off at the visitor center for hiking maps and information. There is a park entrance fee.

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