Seventeen miles west of the lights of Las Vegas Red Rock Canyon offers almost 200,000 acres of desert landscape featuring a variety of geological features, a 13-mile scenic drive, 30 miles of hiking trails as well as rock climbing and horseback riding. More than one million people each year visit this amazing national conservation area so if you get a chance, rent a convertible and make the drive. You will not regret it.

I've been swamped at work the last few weeks and have finally had a chance to post just a few images from past assignments. With the recent heavy snow and wind chills around -30 it's nice to have an assignment inside once in awhile and the students at Stewart Elementary School in Stevensville and their Historical Wax Museum always make for fun pics.

MICHIGAN DAILY LIFEThe sun shines across a snow and ice covered field along Yore Avenue in Benton Township, Mich., Tuesday, February 10, 2015.(AP Photo/The Herald-Palladium, Don Campbell) MICHIGAN DAILY LIFE"The Seeker" a sculpture by artist Stephen LaGattuta, sports heart designed shorts along the John and Dede Howard Family Recreational Trail in St. Joseph, Mich., Tuesday, February 3, 2015. The glass, steel, winterstone, and brass piece of art is part of the Krasl Art Center's Biennial Sculpture Invitational.(AP Photo/The Herald-Palladium, Don Campbell) WINTER WEATHER MICHIGANA pedestrian walks down State Street in St. Joseph, Mich., in whiteout conditions, Saturday, February 14, 2015. A winter storm moved through Southwest Michigan Saturday causing numerous accidents and cancellations.(AP Photo/The Herald-Palladium, Don Campbell) WINTER WEATHER MICHIGANJared Downing, front, and Drew Maier, back, with King Chop, L.L.C., a landscape and lawn care service based in Stevensville, Mich., clear snow from a residence along Niles Avenue in St. Joseph, Mich., Thursday, February 19, 2015. Bands of lake-effect snow moved through Southwest Michigan Thursday causing numerous accidents, school cancellations and frigid temperatures.(AP Photo/The Herald-Palladium, Don Campbell) MICHIGAN ICE FESTIVALBrittany Cunningham, from Auburn, NY, competes in the professional ice carving division during the annual Magical Ice Fest Saturday, February 7, 2015, in downtown St. Joseph, Mich.(AP Photo/The Herald-Palladium, Don Campbell) MICHIGAN ICE FESTIVALDanny Bloss II, from Niles, Mich., competes in the professional ice carving division during the annual Magical Ice Fest Saturday, February 7, 2015, in downtown St. Joseph, Mich.(AP Photo/The Herald-Palladium, Don Campbell) MICHIGAN DAILY LIFEGracie Bowsher, 9, salutes, as she portrays Amelia Earhart Wednesday, February 18, 2015, during the annual 3rd Grade Wax Museum held at Stewart Elementary School in Stevensville, Mich. Students research historical or present day figures such as Cleopatra, Pocahontas or Michael Jackson and then present a short biography on their chosen character.(AP Photo/The Herald-Palladium, Don Campbell) MICHIGAN DAILY LIFEBraedyn Baryo, 8, poses as Abraham Lincoln Wednesday, February 18, 2015, during the annual 3rd Grade Wax Museum held at Stewart Elementary School in Stevensville, Mich. Students research historical or present day figures such as Abraham Lincoln, George Washington or Michael Jackson and then present a short biography on their chosen character.(AP Photo/The Herald-Palladium, Don Campbell)

I always keep my eye out for unusual ice formations during winter and the ice shelf that forms along Lake Michigan always makes for great pics. I know a lot of people complain about this time of year, but give me this over the classic sunset any day. MICHIGAN DAILY LIFEThe sun shines through layers of icicles hanging from the north pier in St. Joseph, Mich., Tuesday, January 27, 2015.(AP Photo/The Herald-Palladium, Don Campbell) MICHIGAN DAILY LIFEIce and snow coat the north and south piers along Lake Michigan in St. Joseph, Mich., Monday, January 26, 2015.(AP Photo/The Herald-Palladium, Don Campbell) MICHIGAN DAILY LIFETwo men explore an ice shelf formed along the shores of Lake Michigan in St. Joseph, Mich., Monday, January 26, 2015.(AP Photo/The Herald-Palladium, Don Campbell)