Joshua Tree National Park

If you happen to be planning a summer road trip to national parks, try to avoid planning to camp in the desert in July or August. It won't work out for you. I learned this lesson the hard way as I left Arizona and headed into California over the Parker Dam; this is a beautiful route, but also very off the beaten path. Approaching Joshua Tree from here, as the afternoon sun wanted in the sky, was a little creepy. My entire time in the park, I saw one other car, and promptly abandoned my plans to camp in the desert (because I sure wasn't doing that alone). After a somewhat fraught-with-worry drive through the park, I hightailed it to Orange County and the ocean. I did get some great evening golden hour shots, and I hope to go back one day to camp and hike. In November or December, like normal people do.

Yes, I did stay mostly in my car. I was creeped out by the solitude. And the possibility of snakes.

Pics of the Day(s): July 23-26

July 23, 2011- I've totally given up on one photo per day-it's definitely two now! This first shot is the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, AZ. So beautiful. The second is the watch tower at Desert View in Grand Canyon National Park.

July 24- Two shots from the Grand Canyon. The first was taken at Yavapai Point in the morning and the second is a sunset shot from Pima Point on the Hermit's Rest road.

July 25-Kind of a random day today. Drove through Lake Havasu City in Arizona to see the London Bridge. No joke. Some zillionaire guy actually bought the bridge, had it dismantled, shipped across the Atlantic and reassembled in the desert. The other shot is a Joshua tree, which I've been obsessed with seeing in person since the U2 album came out.

July 26- Sunset over Huntington Beach, CA, where I enjoyed a yummy dinner from the deli at Bristol Farms and a cupcake from the famous (well, if you watch Food Network anyway) Sprinkles.