Anza Borrego from Storm Canyon, Mount Laguna

This blog has been existing for about 7 months now, but I don’t think I have made a post here about places in my own home turf, San Diego. I guess the reason to that is my other blog, San Diego Backroads. When I think of what to post in this blog, I think of outside San Diego. It is like I am making San Diego outside of California. For today, I decided to post something about San Diego’s backyard, Anza Borrego Desert State Park.

The picture of Anza Borrego Desert above was taken from the trail to Garnet Peak at Storm Canyon in Mount Laguna.

Mount Laguna

I find it amazing at how conditions changes at this place, right next to each other, but seem different worlds. If looking East is an arid land, looks devoid of vegetation from afar, yet, looking West at the same point where I took the first picture above is the oak and pine forest clad with snow.

Looking West from Storm Canyon

Anza Borrego Desert State Park is a rain shadow desert. When the storm coming from the ocean hit the mountains, the clouds are pushed skyward, and most moisture evaporates up the sky. Very little  or no rain would reach the desert. Rainshadow happens frequently across Southern California inland from the Pacific Ocean. Thus, allowing San Diegans to frolic in desert sun,

Anza Borrego Desert Wildflowers, Spring 08, San Diego County

get a dose of fun in the mountains,

Sledding on Mount Laguna, San Diego County, winter 09

and in the ocean.

Surfing in Windansea, San Diego, year round

Though Anza Borrego Desert may look brown and uninteresting from afar,

Anza Borrego from Afar

But don’t let its outright appearance deceive you. Behind this boring color are very interesting landscape,

Font’ s Point Overlook, See Person (if you can find him) for Scale

and as with all other deserts in the Southwest, it is very colorful in the spring time and early summer,

Brittlebushes, Anza Borrego, Spring 08

when many species of cacti, widlflowers, desert lilies, and bushes come into full bloom.

Desert Sunflower (Gold) and Sand Verbena ( Purple)

This year 2009, the prediction is another good bloom, since the park looks greener than last year. For current wildflower update, please visit the site: http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca_abdsp.html

The Colored Earth at Artists Palette

A few miles North of Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park is the Artists Palette. Artists Palette is on the face of Black Mountains

Moon Over Black Mountain, Death Valley

and is noted for having various colors of exposed earth, well, like that of an artist’s palette.

Colored Earth @ Artist’s Palette

The Artist’s Palette is on Artists Drive which is a 9 mile one way drive that starts at the east side of the Badwater Road.  The road passes through narrow canyons and various colored hills. Being in the desert always feel surreal to me, it always make me feel I am in another planet, yet I know I still am very much in planet Earth.

Looking West from Artists Palette

This is why I so love Earth, for there is just so much to see and do here. And it is my sincerest wish to have more awareness of green living helping mother Earth to preserve and conserve its natural resources. Earth is just so beautiful, a lot of times, Earth makes me cry from the wonders of its natural beauty. I have not wandered around the globe, a lot of times I just wander here in California for financial reasons (cheaper to travel close to home), yet Earth already has shown me its different faces, its different beauty. Growing up in the Philippines closer to tropical rainforest, and moving to the North East coast of US before California, at first, I did not appreciate the desert. It is devoid of the vegetation I was used to and I did not look deeper into its hidden beauty. But in time, in my constant visits to these places, I felt a connection with the desert, as much as my favorite place on Earth, which is the ocean. For me, all these wonders, the mountains, the desert and the oceans are equal in beauty, we just have our own preferences. Growing up near the ocean (and also the mountains) has made me choose the ocean to be my sanctuary, yet, I could not deny the profound beauty found in the desert. The desert is just something magical for me, it is so beautiful yet it is also not for everybody because of its extremes. The desert shows us how we can develop depth in character and beauty after all the fiercests tests in time. And just like here in Death Valley, and among its many wonders is the Artist’s Palette.

The Exposed Colored Earth @ Artists Palette

The natural colors at Artists Palette results from the oxidation of different metals. The iron salts provide the red, pink and yellow coloration. The green is from mica and the purple is from Manganese. It is the example of all the oxidation reaction that occurs in the metals. Much of the Artists Palette is from volcanic debris, about 5000 ft thick.Chemical weathering and hydrothermal alteration are also responsible for the the variety of colors in this area.

Salt Deposits @ Badwater Basin, Death Valley

In my previous posts about Death Valley National Park, I covered The Northern Death Valley, The Mosaic Canyon, and the exciting Mesquite Sand Dunes. However, Death Valley is such a huge park, that I still have not shared its other amazing features. As what I mentioned in my previous posts, Death Valley is a geological wonderland of exposed multicolored rocks and layers of earth. The Badwater, however, does not showcase the exposed Earth, but rather what happens to all the surface water that sinks into the lowest point of North America and the second lowest in Northern Hemisphere.

Salt and Reflections

Because of the rapid moisture evaporation that occurs at the valley, the Badwater Basin brings a great salt pan comprised of the residue from the evaporation of water trapped in this lowest point. The sparkling white flat is due to sodium chloride, the table salt most people associate salt with. However, the salt deposits in Badwater are nearly 9000 ft deep, and not all are table salt, or sodium chloride. However, sodium chloride is the most soluble among the other salts that are dissolved in water, therefore it is evaporated last and formed the upper layer of the salt pan.

Below the sodium chloride layer are sulfate salts and carbonate salts.

A point in Badwater Basin lies 282 feet below sea level, the lowest point in North America and in the Western Hemisphere ( http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-1086757/Badwater-Basin). Less than 20 miles west of Badwater Basin is the Telescope Peak, at 11,049 ft, the highest point within Death Valley National Park.

An interesting twist of nature, the lowest point in the western hemisphere (Badwater Basin) and the highest peak in contiguous US (Mt. Whitney) are less than 100 miles apart in Inyo County, California. This contrasting geography is brought about by the same stretching forces of the earth’s crust.

Again, Death Valley is an amazing place, it really is something to see at least even once in your life. Contrary to its name, the desert actually host a very fragile ecosystem, it is filled with living wonders, but to make your stay pleasant, only do come from late fall to early spring, since summer’s temperature is only for those who are prepared to brave the heat. And do not under-estimate the temperature of Death Valley in winter, you may think it is the hottest place in America, but it is only true in the summer. The winter temperature can drop to the tens during winter.

Pile of Rocks @ Devil’s Postpile National Monument

Presently, Devil’s Postpile National Monument is closed for the season and may open on June 7, 2009 depending on road conditions. Since this National Monument is located 7560 ft above sea level west of the “Sierra Nevada” (spanish for Snowy Range) Crest, it experiences typical Sierra Nevada winter. Too dangerous to drive on icy mountainslopes, and very expensive to maintain snow plowing, this park closes November to early June for vehicles. However, it is open to backcountry skiers and snowshoers. However, with 400 inches of mountain snow, travel into the valley in the winter can be hazardous, thus, it is advised to have proper avalanche skills and physical conditioning before doing backcountry skiing into the area. Otherwise, people just skii around Mammoth Mountain Skiing Resorts, a popular skiing resort for Southern Californians.

Mammoth Mountain in the early summer of 2008

During summer and fall, access to this park is through Red Meadows Shuttle Bus from Mammoth Mountain. The shuttle bus is mandatory and is $7.00 per person which can be bought at the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Gondola Building, adjacent to Mammoth Mountain Inn. The shuttle bus allows more visitors to the area without traffic congestion which could result in safety hazards for visitors. The road to the valley is a steep single lane road that winds its way on the side of the mountain and can be quite stressful with very heavy traffic if everyone is allowed to drive in the park. To decrease environmental impacts on the Valley and also for the safety of everyone, the US Forest Service established the mandatory shuttle system.

There are many places to stop and explore at the Red Meadows, however, most of us were tired already from 7 days of day hiking in Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite that we just decided to take the short hike to Devil’s Postpile. From Bus Stop 6, Devil’s Postpile is an easy 0.4 mile hike to the base and another 15 minute uphill hike to the top.

Top of Devil’s Postpile

The top of Devil’s Postpile has hexagonal polished tiles neatly arranged together. Have you ever wondered why nature most oftentimes show a hexagonal formation? If you look at the back of a tortoise shell, you will notice the hexagons. The honeycombs also are a neat arrangements of hexagon. The salt pan or mud cracks in the desert also form hexagon. Hexagon is pretty common pattern in nature’s landscape, and it is very evident here at Devil’s Postpile National Monument.

Here are some basic information about the wonders of Devil’s Postpile:

I. Devil’s Postpile is one of the world’s finest example of columnar basalt.

These columnar rocks resulted from the basalt lava which erupted less than 100,000 years ago. As the lava cooled, it contracted and cracked, forming vertical columns. The symmetrical vertical and hexagonal columns formed because the cooling of the lava was slow and its mineral composition was consistent.

II. Nature’s Hexagon

Hexagon is nature’s way of using the least length of line to enclose the most area! As the lava that flowed Devils Postpile cooled, it shrank. Then, cracks were formed to relieve the stress, meeting in three way conjunctions to form a pattern of hexagons with 120 degree angle.” Nature surely taught man about the concept of optimization and geometry.

III. Polished Hexagonal Tile Floor

The polished floor was caused by the glacier that flowed down this area some 20,000 to 12,000 years ago. The moving ice carved away one side of the postpile, exposing a sheer wall of columns 60 feet high. Erosions and earthquakes later felled many columns that lie at the base of the monument.

Felled Columns at the Base due to Erosions and Earthquakes

Devil’s Postpile sits on a volcanic land where glacier once existed, thus its unique beauty is brought by the interplay between Fire and Ice. And it is not all rocks at Devil’s Postpile, there are a lot of wildflowers in the crevices of the rocks

Wildflower @ Devil’s Postpile

you hear the strong current of the water that flows through the river

and there are several waterfalls nearby. For more information (and more beautiful pictures), please visit the park site at http://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/nearbyattractions.htm

Point Lobos State Reserve is 3 miles South of Carmel on Highway one or Pacific Coast Highway. If you’re in the area visiting Montery and Carmel, this is a great place to visit. Point Lobos derived its name from the offshore rocks at Punta de los Lobos Marinos, or Point of the Sea Wolves.

 Here, the sound of the sea lions carries inland. Point Lobos offers unique geological formations,

endangered archeological sites, rare plants, beautiful wildflowers,

rich sea life and an abundance of fauna. It is a paradise for nature lovers who want to do nature photography, painting, scuba diving, or just simply listen to the music of the splashing waves harmoniously blending with the sound of the sea lions and the birds.

There is a State Park entrance fee of $10.00 entering the reserve, but it is very much worth it. At the gate, they give you the information about the reserve, places to go, and the trails. You can stay here for a day and may not even be done with the reserve if you will do some hiking in its beauitful trails. However, if you are only for a short visit, the reserve also offers awe inspiring vistas.

In addition to Point Lobos inspiring beauty, its resources also are scientific interest.

For more information on Point Lobos Stare Park, please visit the park site at http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=571

Lone Cypress (leftmost perch on top of rock), symbol of Pebble Beach Company

Personally, the 17 mile drive does not have much more to offer than the wild stretch of coastal land in Big Sur, along Pacific Coast Highway ( or highway 1). Sure it is beautiful, but to get in the 17 mile drive requires an entrance fee of $9.00 per vehicle, compared to driving in Big SUR which is FREE! The difference is that in 17 mile drive, you will see the world famous Pebble Golf Course, host for the 100th US OPen.

Pebble Beach Golf Course

Also, the drive would pass through luxury mansions. There are actually a lot of wildlife to be seen in the drive such as pelicans, cormorants, seals, sea lions, sea otters, all in their natural habitat. But then, again, one can see all these and much more also at the wilder and beautiful Big SUR. But if you are close to the area, a visit to this place is sure an enjoyable one. Entering the 17 mile drive by bike however is free. The drive will make take you through the hills, mountains, beaches, rocky shores, bird rocks, seal rocks, and many other beautiful scenery.

Rocky Cliffs

The most photographed icon of 17 mile drive is the Lone Cypress tree, which has been perched alone on its rocky cliff for 250 years already.

250 yrs old Lone Cypress perched on top of the rock

Number 20:

Reflecting Pond at Tuolomne Meadows, Yosemite National Park, June 08

I am always fascinated by the exposed colored layers of the Earth which I usually see in the desert. However, this time, I am seeing it in the sub-alpine meadow in Yosemie National Park. Notice the contrast, At lower elevation, there are a lot of pine tress, yet at higher elevation, due to exposure and thinner air, the mountain in the backdrop is devoid of any vegetation exposing the colored earth. For me, Earth is just as lovely barren and clothed with trees. And this picture is a combination of both. Also, I love Tuolomne Meadows, it is my favorite spot in Yosemite. 

Number 19:

Meadow @ North Lake, Bishop, Sep 08

This is not yet fall, just late September, but the Eastern Sierra has an early fall. A lot of fall pictures I saw are that of trees, I actually also have hundreds of them, but I choose this one because I am partial to grass and meadows . Yes, there is something about meadows that draw me to it, it reminds me of my childhood where we would have fun running around the meadows among grassy fields, playing catch me if you can, hide and seek, fishing in the pond, and whatever outdoors games we could think of then. And looking at the field of the grass when I was there made me want to just stop from walking and just simply lie down in the middle of the grassfields, only that I was also afraid some people would think I’ve gone crazy

Number 18:

Summer Snow at 70s, Tuolomne Meadows, Yosemite National Park, June 08

Not that we’ve never seen and experienced snow but experiencing it in summer and at 70s was awesome! You can make snowball in just one layer of t-shirt, you can sled with just shorts, no need of snow pants nor snow jackets.

Number 17:

Gull in Flight, San Diego Coast

I would like to think that this gull wanted to keep me company :) that was why he kept on following our boat during our whale watching trip last February 2008.

Number 16:

San Diego Bay and Snow Capped Mountain, Feb 08

I love this picture because it shows the macro climate in San Diego. Where you can go to the beach and skiing in a matter of one day. I love this beautiful city which now is my home sweet home.

Number 15:

Half Dome, Liberty Cap and Nevada Fall from John Muir Trail, Yosemite National Park

On our way back to Happy Isles from Nevada Falls, we took the John Muir Trail, and was rewarded by this. We could have missed this view if we did not stop from our hike to look back to appreciate once more the power of Nevada Falls. But then, I see also the power of the glaciers that carved Half Dome and Liberty Cap.

Number 14:

Anza Borrego Desert Wildflowers, March 08

A lot of the times, people think of desert as boring and simply brown, a brown and arid land. Well, that may be true for a passerby, but I always maintain that the brown of the desert has so much to offer. A lot of the times, hidden in those brown hills are amazing geological formations. However, the brown field in the desert does not remain brown all year. Given the right conditions, the desert valley can explode into a field of colors. The beauty is not only for the sight to behold, but also for a scent to bring you dreaming into heavens.

Number 13:

Pacific White Sided Dolphins, San Diego Coast, Feb 08

Just like with the sea gull picture above, I would love to think these dolphins are following our boat to provide me company  . I love dolphins, they are very intelligent marine mammals, they also are a symbol of gentleness and friendliness in the sea.

Number 12:

Gold Field, Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark

Another desert transformed into heaven at spring. I love the trail here that snakes through the field of desert golds. It is so overwhelming to be in a field of wildflowers as far as your eyes can see.

Number 11:

Sledding, Mt San Jacinto State Park, Feb 08

It is not me in the picture. It is my cousin, my hubby and my friend’s daughter. In short this is a mix family that looked like a family . I love this picture since I want to grow into people photography that includes nature, however, am not comfortable yet in this regard, that I feel like I was successful enough to ask them to pose like this

And now, the top ten….

10.

North Lake, Bishop

I have photographed this lake before at late fall, and the surrounding was all white and the lake was frozen  . It was pretty too and a sight to behold, but it is nice to see this lake filled with golden hues. I learned my lesson, I went here late summer to hopefully see some colors and not white powder, that was last week of September

9.

Mono Lake, Sunrise

I love Mono Lake. It feels like visiting another planet. The desert has really so much to offer, so much to learn. Walking along the shores of Mono Lake is like being in a cave, but instead of the stalactites and stalagmites hanging from the ceiling of the caves, at Mono Lake, the tufas are marvelously sculpted towers standing above the water like those eerie guards on an Alien Kingdom, and unlike in a cave, at Mono Lake, the tufas enjoy sunrise and sunset  .

8.

Rainbow at Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite National Park, June 08

When we went to Yosemite, I kept on wishing to see rainbow by the waterfalls, and well, got my wish. We actually got a rainbow overload, here at Bridalveil, then at the Merced River and Vernal Fall. However, this was the first rainbow we saw by the waterfall, so this has brought me more excitement.

7.

Hummingbird, Balboa Park, August 08

Catching this hummingbird, I was able to say, “got ya! and finally!” I have been chasing this very elusive bird in our backyard, but never got successful. However, when I was not planning to capture it, there it was, appearing right in front of me! Glad I had my camera then! This is my first hummingbird picture, that is why it is special to me, after this, I was able to take more with different background, but still, this first one is my favorite.

6.

Sunset, Joshua Tree National Park, March 08

Another desert wonder. I love the Joshua trees, their limbs look like they are reaching up high into the heavens, like in a prayer.

5.

Cooks Meadow, Yosemite National Park, June 08

This is the image in my header. To me, this is another beauty of Yosemite that a lot of people fail to see, since they often just proceed to the more popular places. But this one is not far from Yosemite falls, and you have the serenity of the meadows.

4.

Sunset, Mono Lake, Sep 08

I know the sunrise at Mono Lake already made it to my top 10, being the number 9, but then, I just love stepping into this sci-fi like atmosphere again. A lot of the people look at the West for Sunset, but looking East is a sight to behold too. Mono Lake actually offers vista to the West and to the East. But I chose this sunset picture of Mono Lake looking East because of the blue and purple color, kind of Earth’s shadow effect.

3.

Rattlesnake Canyon, Poway, San Diego County, March 08

What more can be rewarding in your hike but the field of wildflowers exploding in the trail? Especially this place is not somewhere far but just around San Diego. San Diego Spring is such a sight to behold, as long as, one knows how to find them in the hills and valley and in the wide spaces of the desert. I chose this among other wildflower pictures because this was my first encounter of wildflower trail for 2008.

2.

Me @ Font’s Point, Anza Borrego Desert State Park

I was overwhelmed by the sea of badlands when I first saw this place that tears just came in running. Times like this where I just pause and give thanks to our Creator for his genuis and artistry. I love badlands, for me, their presence reminds us of how fragile our Mother Earth is. Being directly exposed to the elements, it is easily eroded by the unforgiving forces of nature. Its presence reminds us, that our Mother Earth needs us to take care of herself too, that we all need to work together to preserve our natural resources. If you connect picture number 14 and the picture above (2), they are actually not far from each other. And this desert, is not so far away from civilization, this is just East of Julian, a cool mountain town of San Diego County, and a mere 1.5 hours drive from downtown San Diego or Palm Springs.

1. Saving the best for last, or the last for the best

Gulls in Flight, San Onofre State Beach, December 08

This is really literally saving the best for last, since this is the last batch of pictures I took this 2008  , okay, that is if I will not include the New Year’s Eve picture. I love this one because we did not intend to go here, only that it was about sunset and we are right here, so we stopped by, and we were greeted by the flock of gulls and really beautiful sunset.

Do these pictures reflect my favorite place on Earth, which is the ocean if I have to choose just one? Interestingly, not. 4 out of the top 10 are desert pictures, and only the top 1 is in the ocean. But if I had done a 2007 best, probably, I will have a lot more of the ocean, but this year 2008, yes, I was a desert convert

Point Reyes

What I like about San Francisco is just in a short distance you can escape the city and get a taste of an amazing countryside such as Point Reyes National Seashore.

Grassy and Wildflower Strewn Hillsides with Cows and Deers

Just 30 miles North of San Francisco, Point Reyes burst with diverse beauty from its thunderous ocean breakers crashing againts its shore, to its sandy beaches and rocky coastline rich with tidepools through its colorful hillsides teeming with wildflowers during spring, deers grazing on its slopes and cow/dairy farms.

Deer Amidst the Wildflowers

Grazing Deers

Deers on the Run

Another great thing I admire in this long stretch of coastal land is that you can go for miles and miles and not see any trace of commercialism at all! From its open grasslands, grassy hillsides and forested ridges, Point Reyes is such a gem Californians can be thankful for. You would think that with the very expensive real estate in California especially along the ocean, every piece of land that lies on the coast has been converted to oceanside communities, but NO! This is very much rural California,

Point Reyes

Tomales Bay

with very much unspoiled appearance, quite a gem knowing that it sits next to a great city!  Point Reyes is a sanctuary for plant and animal species and also of the human spirit, for solitude, for a place to pray in and experience nature in its purest form, for discovery, for inspiration and for recreation.

Trail Along Chimney Rock

Seals Resting on Shore

More Seals

There are many activities that Point Reyes offers, such as hiking, wildlife viewing, whale watching, backcountry camping, biking, kayaking and horseback riding. And for oysters lover, you can buy oysters in bulk and barbeq or steam at the beach, or just have them cooked for you according to how you like it.

For more information on Point Reyes National Seashore, please visit http://www.nps.gov/pore/

San Francisco from Marin Headlands and The Golden Gate Bridge

I won’t be discussing about how great San Francisco is as a city in this post, I believe the world knows about it and so many have been written already about it. Also, my fellow blogger friend, Jodapoet, beautifully essays her experiences in this worderful city through her blog, My City By the Bay. If you want to experience San Francisco day by day, its culture, its neighborhood, the fun around and within the city, shopping, restaurant reviews, visit Jodapoet’s My City By the Bay blog.

San Francisco from Marin Headlands and The Golden Gate Bridge

Instead, I will be sharing here why I love San Francisco.

1. I love the uphill/downhill roads here. Who needs a gym in San Francisco? Not me! I would only walk around, and it felt like getting into a stairclimber but a lot better. I am not confined in the four corners of the gym’s wall, and I have excellent view of the bay.

Crooked Lombardt Street, not the Crookedest Street in San Francisco

Also, the public commute in San Francisco is really great, why drive when you can be greener?

San Francisco’s Cable Car

2. It is right next to the bay and the ocean!

3. It is close enough to Big Sur

Northern End of Big Sur, about 2 hrs drive South from Francisco

Big Sur Coast @ Nepenthe, about 3 hours drive South of San Francisco

and Point Reyes National Seashore for a day drive,

Point Reyes National Seashore, 30 miles North of San Francisco

Point Reyes National Seashore, 30 miles North of San Francisco

two of my favorite places in California, if not on Earth. Whenever I am in these two places, I feel like, I am outside of California, in a far away land.

McWay Falls @ Big Sur Coast

3. If you like rolling hills countryside, of countless vineyards, San Francisco is just 90 minutes drive from the wine country.

@ Napa Valley

4. Yosemite National Park is just 3.5 hours drive away!

Cooks Meadow, Yosemite National Park

Though I do not recommend just driving through Yosemite like most tourists do, if you want to experience Yosemite, I advise to experience Yosemite by foot,

that is spend some days hiking in its wonderful trails.

Half Dome, Liberty Cap and Nevada Fall from John Muir Trail, Yosemite National Park

You will appreciate Yosemite and nature more when you sleep, hike, bike, raft, take some days just enjoying it. However, if you are more of a city person, then, though again I do not endorse it, but a lot of tourists visiting San Francisco do this, that is, just drive through the park, and take a picture of themselves in the more popular and crowded location.

 5. Even if I do not leave the city in San Francisco, nature still abounds. 

Alcatraz from Embarcadero

Sea Lions @ Pier 39

This is a city where nature is not being walled off in its concrete jungle.

San Francisco from Pier 39

Visting San Francisco? You will love it and will have a time of your life in this great city that can be your gateway to nature! For more of San Francisco, visit Jodapoet’s My City By the Bay blog.

picture at San Onofre State Beach, San Diego County

May the gift of new beginnings bring you new hope, new joys, new opportunties, renewed strength and health.