October 15, 2003 10:08 P.M.

Getaway

It was well after sunset last Saturday, when we wound up our day�s activities and started up the mountain. We drove in darkness, arriving at the lodge just in time to check in and enjoy a late dinner. The tiny village was quiet. The chilly air was scented with a hint of wood smoke. A familiar musky fragrance of �log cabin� greeted us as our feet solidly climbed the wooden plank entrance to the restaurant.

The mountain itself is an anomaly. It rises in the midst of a landscape of uninhabitable desert intersected and ringed with barren black mountain ranges. Directly at its feet, to the west, is Death Valley. And to the southeast, there is a 26 minute drive straight down into the frenzied activity of Las Vegas. It is the highest mountain peak from its location, south to the Mexican border. The majority of visitors to Las Vegas have no awareness of this beautiful area casting its shadow over the valley below.

�Located in the Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada. Mount Charleston stands at 11,918 feet and offers a tranquil contrast to the excitement and high energy of Las Vegas. The Mount Charleston Wilderness contains 18,000 acres of bristlecone pine, the most extensive stand of these ancient trees in the Intermountain Region. Its high, cool forested mountain landscape is in sharp contrast to the surrounding desert landscape, much like an oasis. There are numerous outdoor activities here such as horseback riding, hiking, camping and picnicking.�

It was just an overnighter this time, but we made plans to return on another holiday. Here are some glimpses of what we saw when we awoke the morning after our arrival.

Mt. Charleston Village

We awakened to find golden aspen spotted across the mountainsides.

Monolith

Green and gold were in beautiful contrast. Some aspen were brilliantly gold, others still velvety green.

Hope you enjoyed my little travelogue. Thanks for looking in.

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