The American Southwest

The American Southwest is an environment of extremes. It can be blazingly hot or, believe it not, very very cold. Either way, it is an unforgiving domain for the unprepared. It's sandstone and limestone formations tell us that this area was once under water. These soft materials have eroded into the majestic red-and-gold hued "hills", "pillars" and "mountains" we see today.

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Utah Pass One of the most spectacular sights on the road from Las Vegas to Grand Junction, Colorado. Happily, there's a turn-out here.	White Pillar Among the reds and the yellows of the American Southwest, this white rock formation stands out.



Red Mountain Jutting up from the desert floor, red sandstone in afternoon sunlight, set against "Georgia O'Keefe" clouds.	Red Chimneys Stark landscape, beautiful sky.



The "V" In the Mountains Another take on the Utah pass, this one with a wider effect.	Fort Union The crumbling adobe walls of this nineteenth century military outpost still stand guard in New Mexico.