2. Scenic/Travel Trip Based

Anniversary Desert Trip, February 2017

Claudia and I took a scouting trip to the extreme southwestern area of the United States for our 34th anniversary. We covered approximately 1,000 miles by car in a week, crisscrossing from Lake Havasu City to San Diego and back again, with visits to the Mojave National Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park along the way. The landscape was stark but beautiful in its own way, and underscored the miles of wilderness that still can benefit from federal protection going forward.
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  • Storm Clouds Over the Mojave

    Storm Clouds Over the Mojave

    Threatening clouds gather over the northern reaches of the huge Mojave National Preserve in California.

  • Yikes!

    Yikes!

    Do you think there are enough spines on these plants?!!?!

  • Shifting Vista

    Shifting Vista

    The seemingly inexhaustible amount of sand presses up against the base of a range of mountains along California Highway 62, heading towards Joshua Tree National Park.

  • Sea of Sand

    Sea of Sand

    The desert sand appears to be washing up to the base of the mountains, along California Highway 62.

  • Late Sun

    Late Sun

    The late day sun makes one of the huge rock formations in the northern side of Joshua Tree National park glow orange.

  • Joshua Tree Nightfall

    Joshua Tree Nightfall

    The bizarre shapes of Joshua trees are silhouetted against the sunset in Joshua Tree National Park.

  • Clouds Versus Sun

    Clouds Versus Sun

    Clouds and sun fight for supremacy as the road heads out of the desert and into the mountains, along California Highway 78, approaching Julian.

  • Pacific Beach Sunset

    Pacific Beach Sunset

    Sunset off of Pacific Beach, in San Diego, CA.

  • Microcosm

    Microcosm

    If you stop and look closely, the level of detail and variety underfoot is breathtaking, as shown by this closeup of colored stones that make up a large portion of the shore areas around the many tidal pools near San Diego.

  • Ancient Abstract

    Ancient Abstract

    I have to remind myself that Nature's canvas is everywhere, even in the rocks right above the Cabrillo National Monument tidal pools in San Diego.

  • Coastal Trees In Fog

    Coastal Trees In Fog

    The marine layer covers the upper grounds of the Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego, giving these trees a distinctive look.

  • Joshua Tree Shapes

    Joshua Tree Shapes

    The trees take on many intriguing shapes through Joshua Tree National Park.

  • Late Day Light At Barker Dam

    Late Day Light At Barker Dam

    The late day sun lights up the surrounding rocks at Barker Dam in Joshua Tree National Park.

  • Night At The Garden

    Night At The Garden

    Sun hits a mountain in the distance as night falls over the Cholla Garden, a definite 'look-but-don't-touch' experience in Joshua Tree National Park.

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    Sea of Sand
    Late Sun
    Joshua Tree Nightfall