These pictures are actually from our drive back to California after we helped my kid and her boyfriend move. There is a reason for this. It is because we are idiots. We woke up, in San Diego, at four thirty in the morning so we could drive to Long Beach, rent a trailer, and pack all their belongings into it and the three cars.
For some reason, we thought we would be able to finish all that by noon or so. We were ready to hit the road around three in the afternoon, just in time to hit LA traffic. We spent the next three hours not moving very fast. I was alone in the Suburban pulling the trailer. That was fun. Fortunately I have this awesome collection of CD’s of the best 1970’s rock music to get me through. Zep, Bad Co., Montrose, Skynyrd, Foghat, and so on. That’s what got me through that long drive. Turn it up loud. It’s better than coffee.
And it got dark just when we were getting to the interesting scenery. Just look at the views I was missing on that dark desert highway…
There were miles and miles of flat scrub…
And miles of flat scrub with mountains in the distance…
There were small sand dunes…
And there were big sand dunes…
There were rocky hills and mountains far off in the desert…
And there were rocky hills and mountains right beside the highway…
Due to our late start, we didn’t get to Scottsdale until two in the morning. We couldn’t unload the trailer and all the cars at that time without seriously pissing off their new neighbors, so Mollie and my wife and I ended up at the hotel and by the time we unloaded a few things and got ready for bed it was almost the same time we had woken up the day before.
If you ever do decide to drive through the deserts of the American Southwest… and you should, there are some spectacular sights there… there is one sure way to be sure you have arrived in desert country.
If you pull into one of those handy rest areas we have alongside the freeways in this country, and you see this sign…
You can be pretty sure you are in the desert.
Pouring My Art Out 
I wouldn’t find it very restful if I had to look out for poisonous snakes & insects!
I know what you mean.
Foghat! I love Foghat!
Everybody should.
If you ever have the opportunity, go to the Sonora Desert museum. Among other interesting thing, like how to tell a male from a female tortoise without peeking under the hood, you will learn of the different types of deserts. Saharan, Sonoran, high plains, etc. When you drive through them afterward, you recognize the differences and are able “see” more than just scrub and sand. They all have differing vegetation, topography, creatures and climate.
The Saguaro cactus is 40 years old before it gets it’s first “arm” bud. You may say “Thank you, Don Herbert,” now. And Don Herbert was whom. “I know! I know!” he says as he waves his hand frantically. We should give the other children a chance Arthur. Children? Nobody? Very well then. Arthur?
“He was Mr. Wizard!” Right as usual, Arthur.
If all you are going to say on P2G is “Wow!!!”, how can I spare with you? I need a worhy adversary. 🙂
I will be going back, and I plan to see lots more desert so I should learn about it. I will be a high plains drifter. I will be snorin’ in the Sonoran, but the Sahara will just have to wait. Thanks.
Sonora Desert museum is south of Tuscon. STOP there. Do not pass go. DO NOT go to Nogales, MX. The droids you are looking for are not there,storm trooper.
Ha.
i’ve traveled all through the U.S. as a kid
Me too.
i’ll bet it was fun for you.
I always have fun.
i’m glad it was for you. 🙂
I have been more lucky than I deserve.
it’s great that you know that! you enjoy life. 🙂
I try to keep it in mind.
I feel so closed in being in London, I need some space
We have extra.
You’d have to cleanse it of snakes and scorpions though, not to my liking
That is what adds the flavor.
The first time I went to the desert it reminded me of the ocean. It is vast and we are insignificant.
It is and we are.
I wanna go next time.
If they move again, you can help…