Road trips from Southern California: Nevada
Valley of Fire has spectacular sandstone formations, pastel rock formations, a hiking trail to an old outlaw hide-out and Native American petroglyphs. (Lily Bay / Los Angeles Times)
The bizarre pillars of rock are one reason to venture into the northeast Nevada wilderness area. Other draws: pristine air quality, birding and outdoor recreation. (April Orcutt / Los Angeles Times)
This Nevada desert’s picturesque mountains and sparkling geysers are well-known backgrounds for the annual radical arts Burning Man festival. (Marilyn Newton / AP Photos)
Building material was scarce in many old West mining towns, so Rhyolite saloon keeper Tom Kelly built his home out of what was most accessible to him: bottles. The home, which stands today, was built with more than 50,000 beer and medicine bottles. (Beatrice de Gea / Los Angeles Times)
If Las Vegas is the rock star of the gambling world, energetic with plenty of edge, then Laughlin is the lounge singer -- thinning on top and slightly off-key. Still, that lounge act is entertaining in a curious sort of way. (Jay Jones / Los Angeles Times)
