Earth Day Extravaganza!

I've never been west of Colorado, and Las Vegas is not high on my must see list. The Desert does fascinate me, and "some day" I'm gonna go. Love the hawk and the mesquite flowers!

I sounds like quite an odyssey Skep. Those are some really beautiful pictures of the desert(seriously). I guess you guys out west really say things like "trailhead", great stuff, very John Wayne. "I think I'll just mosey up to the trailhead and have a look see, Pilgrim." HaHa!

I warn you against getting into the Earth Day spirit by visiting some of our countries natural wonders. Before you can say "Earth in the Balance" you will find yourself living in that Manson Family fixer-uper and naming all of the wildlife names taken from Beatles tunes. Try to focus on how much gas you burned taking the long way home! HaHaHa!

I find the desert fascinating, and each one is different. My favorite is the Saguaro cactus dominated desert west of Phoenix. Saw a lighting storm there I never forgot. Never been to Vegas and don't really care (though I have a cousin who lives there, so I might go for family someday)

Dave-Vegas is nothing, but its worth seeing once. Desert California,Nevada, Arizona and Utah are amazing once you leave the other humans behind.

Sarge-How did you know I was going to buy that beautiful ranch-style cottage? You know, like in 'Maxwell's Silver Hammer'. I guess my carbon footprint was a little outrageous but I sent some money to St Albert the Immaculate to plant a tree in penance.
I didnt know that trailhead wasnt the common term for the base of a trail. hiker jargon, I guess.

wil- I love the Saguaro forest in southern Arizona. There's an incredible one down in the center of Baja. Mexico is a bit dicey these days but if I had the chance I would risk it. Another dream trip is to drive the north rim of the Grand Canyon. You can drive right down to the river in one spot. Now that our daughter is moving to Boston I'm looking forward to exploring up there.

stays in vegas, but what happens on earth ends up damaging the universe and catapulting a wooden character like al gore into fame, oscars, and nobel prizes? (the pictures are really neat. always wanted to go out to that area. been near there, but i've never been to or near vegas or the desert)...

We moved from Colorado to SoCal 10 years ago and made many trips back and forth. I never ceased to be amazed at mile after mile of bumper-to-bumper traffic in the middle of nowhere. After a few hours sitting in that mess I learned to plan my trips VERY carefully. Never leave SoCal for Vegas on a Friday afternoon and never do the reverse on Sunday!

There are alternative routes. The 14 to Mojave and then cut over to the 15 at Barstow on the 58 is one way if you're in the San Fernando Valley or LA. If you're in the OC you can go up through 29 Palms or Searchlight.

That was pure poetry!! And that kestrel was looking right at you...taking a picture of you, no doubt.
Beautiful pics and beautiful commentary!

Thank you. I have to catch up on visiting everybody's sites to see whats going on. Its been busy.

nothing new on mine. too much going on at home and everyone is expressing my rants. ;-))

how'd you get that picture of my house?

I didnt know you were a rich elitist!

and a zone of privacy surrounds my loft!

i just sit and look at it. now take that picture of my house down!

Thats the house I dream of living in. Lots of fresh air and deep desert silence. Do you live in a loft in DC? My wife and I are going there in two weeks to attend my daughter's graduation from American University Law School. Justice Breyer is speaking. I've never seen a real, live Justice before.

(laughing hysterically)... hey, that picture of my house is seriously surrounded by a zone of privacy. i don't know how you got it, but i want you to take it down.

that is the loft!

do you think you have to be chillary to enjoy a zone of privacy?

elitist!

seriously, on the thing with your daughter. i've never seen a justice before, either.

you should videotape, and put a clip on here. honestly, i'd love to see that, but you might be too busy. the lizard was great (and no, not being sarcastic). the lizard was actually pretty interesting. put a live justice on here and see the response!