Thankful Thursday Thoughts on nature and Las Vegas

On Thankful Thursday
I contemplate gratitude,
as I listen to traffic.

My front door is open so I can hear the traffic on the expressway echoing through the neighborhood. It's the sounds of modern civilization that come through my front door. Sounds that indicate a bustling and thriving city. I wonder how well human beings thrive when not in touch with the natural world.

Where are nature's sounds?
Sometimes I hear singing birds,
Cooing of pigeons.

Las Vegas a city spread across a desert valley in the Rocky Mountains. In the suburbs citizens can look out their front doors to see green grass, trees, or desert landscaping. In urban area apartment buildings we look out our front doors to see concrete, blacktop, and important palm, pine, or olive trees. Where is the joy of walking through an old forest? Not in the city of Las Vegas.

Tourist see the strip
they seldom leave the city
visit the suburbs.

Tourist and locals who remain in the city see very little of the natural world. There are places in and around Las Vegas that people can visit for a glimpse the beauty of nature. I wonder how many tourist visit Mount Charleston, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, or Las Vegas Springs Preserve. I wonder how many tourist think to go outside of the Casino Corridor to see what mother nature offers. I wonder how many locals have visit mother natures tourist attractions.