An Adventure in the Daddy Zone – The Seven Magic Mountains

by Mark Eades

Have you ever seen those seven pillars of colorful rocks while driving to Las Vegas, Nevada? They’re actually art, and the name of the display is “The Seven Magic Mountains.”

My Dad, Jim Eades, with one of the piles of rocks that make up The Seven Magic Mountains growing out of his head. Photo by Mark Eades.

On a recent trip to the city of Lost Wages with my Dad, we decided to go visit them. Now it’s a bit tricky because if you miss the off-ramp while going north, it’s a long way to the next off-ramp and you have to backtrack. If you’re going north on I-15, exit at the town of Jean. Turn right, then left where it dead ends at the entrance to the nearby women’s prison. Believe it or not, this road becomes Las Vegas Boulevard.

The art was created by Ugo Rondinone, and went on display May 11, 2016. They were only supposed to be there for two years but due to the popularity, they remain for people to gawk at, take photos and appreciate.

The Seven Magic Mountains with my dad, Jim Eades, also known as “Pop Pop” to his grand kids. How those rocks stay stacked, we do not know. Photo by Mark Eades.

So Dad and I decided we wanted to see the art up close, we went there after our visit to the Pioneer Saloon, which you get to from the same off-ramp in Jean, only turn left for about six miles. More about our visit to that saloon in this post.

Some showgirls were strutting around one of piles of colorful rocks that are part of The Seven Magic Mountains for a photo shoot. Photo by Mark Eades.

Lots of people visit the rocks, and the day we were there four showgirls were there for a professional photo shoot. Based on their glares, we decided to not get too close to the ladies.

So next time you drive to Las Vegas, get off the highway at Jean. You could also be tempted to visit the casino near there too. It’s now owned by Terrible’s – you know of Terrible Herbst.

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