Texture

Leaving Death Valley we headed south to Joshua Tree
National Park where we saw amazing plants growing
in the High Desert conditions there.
These Cholla cactus look almost furry in the picture
but signs warn you not to touch as they are in fact
covered in spiky spines which detach from the plant
and attach to anything that touches them.
Apparently they are not easy to remove!

Freedom!

Oh the bliss of the first chance of the year to discard the
cosy socks and the furry boots and feel the sand between
your bare toes!
Firmly back in the world of socks & boots now we are home
but it was fun while it lasted and we are heading to Sicily for
a few days soon to visit A so maybe there will be another
outing for my toes.

Red sky at night Shepherd's delight

Sunset in the desert throws up a whole set of different
colours to those we see at home.
This shot reminds me of the phrase "sky-blue-pink"
There were quite a few people gathered on the sand dunes
to watch the sun go down but hardly anyone waited to see
the sky slowly change through shades of pink and red
before yielding to darkness.
Sunset is a time for patience as the best colours invariably
come after the sun has dipped below the horizon.

Monday Morning Blues

The pool at Furnace Creek in Death Valley
is fed by warm springs making it warm
all the year round.
This was the last day of January, the
sun was shining (77degrees) the pool was
warm (and quiet) it felt as far removed
from a typical UK Monday morning as it's
possible to be.
Bliss!

Sunrise over salt flats

One of the highlight of being in the desert is, as
I have said before watching the sunrise and the
sunset.
Not being a morning person, getting up earlier
than I would on a work day while on holiday
seems at first a complete non-starter.
However, on a winter holiday there are
compensations: One: sunrise is later
Two: there are less people around so the
whole experience of watching the sunrise
and the landscape transform is even more
magical. Three: The reward of a cooked
breakfast on your return is even more
appealing!

Fading fast

Sunset as we walked down from Natural Bridge.
One of the best things at Death Valley is the
sunset and the sunrise, it is definitely worth
making sure you are in good spots to enjoy
these while in the Park.
Clouds had blown over on this afternoon so
the sunset was over quickly - still beautiful
though lokks more like a painting than a
photo in some ways.
Gives me a sense of calm just looking back
at the photos. Beautiful.

First Impressions

First impressions are always important creating
a sense of expectancy sometimes good sometimes
not so good.
This is the Dante's view near the entrance to
Death Valley National Park. The white on the ground
is not water or snow but salt!
From Dante's view you can walk along the ridge
formed by the mountain peaks - about 5,000 feet
up I think with stunning views however long or short
your walk.
This view gives a sense of how vast and empty this
particular National Park is and conjures up for me
that feeling of anticipation at the start of a road trip.
Definitely a great first impression.