Joshua Tree National Park, California

One feels so very tiny here in this vast landscape.

Petroglypys, if only we could read the stories they tell us.


Left from cattle rustling days, a dam. We also saw some tools, and a water trough. Hard to imagine trying to live, and work cattle in this desolate desert area. How hard life must have been.


Climbers....yep they're really there. We were quite a distance and this is a zoom folks. Gives you an idea of the size of things there.


Fantastic outline here of a Joshua Tree against the dark and angry sky of an approaching storm.

Hiking, camping, siteseeing via car, climbing??? Explore nature in many ways. Joshua Tree National Park--something for people of all generations. Got a family, stop in the visitors station and sign the kids up for The Jr. Ranger Program. You'll be surprised how much you learn with them. There are Ranger lead walks, talks, and evening programs. Interested in geology? You'll be in heaven here. Desert yes.....but not in the way many of us think of a desert. It was pretty nippy the day we were there, the climbers though probably liked the cooler temperatures. We were there in February. We spent a day there, our accomodations were in Desert Springs. If traveling from other areas, I would suggest packing a lunch as nothing really much is available along the way.

Entrance into the park is $15.00 (unless you have a Golden Annual Pass). Camp grounds vary from $10.00 to $15.00.

Like to go off road, ride horses? Those activities also exist here.

Layer, take water regardless of the time of year you go.

The Joshua Tree (Yucca Brevifolia)is a giant member of the lily family. If you see a Joshua Tree, chances are good you're in The Majave Desert, but you might also see it growing along side a Saguaro Catcus in the Sonoran Desert in western Arizona or mixed with pines in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Mormon immigrants that reach the Colorado River named the tree after the biblical figure Joshua. They felt the tree's limb were guided travelers westward. All tree limbs reach up to obtain the light, so to me they seem no different than other trees.

You do see the landscape change as you drive through the park from The Mojave Desert to The Colorado Desert.

Hope you enjoy these few of the many pictures I took that day.

No packing Day of Vacation...come and see

Sunset in my backyard. Thats right, good for the budget you can make a vacation day at home. Fix a nice meal, sit outside take in the smells, sites and feel. It's like being on a balcony. Enjoy the gardens the yard staff has worked hard to make them beautiful for your enjoyment.

I've ordered a vodka and tonic here, nice to sip as I view or walk among the gardens. No TV, no cell phones folks. Sit and enjoy...you'll be surprised how much like vacation it can be. This activity is probably more adult, though you could make it a family vacation. Put out the sprinkler and let the kids run through it. Get finger paints, a pick sheet of paper and let them paint with their bare feet.

University of Virginia

An very interesting historical landmark. This University though planned by Thomas Jefferson sits on land that had been a farm owned by The 5th President, President Monroe. Monroe Hill is where his farm house was. The University's corner stone is dated 1819, and is designated as the only University in the world as a World Heritage Site.

The grounds are beautiful, the buildings most unique. A must see. Many historic plaques through out bare the names of students who served in every war. University of Virginia was the first to have a School of Engineering. Unlike other Universities, it remained open through out The Civil War, quite a feat considering the state of Virginia had more battles than any other state. General Custer marched into Charlotesville with his men, camped on the University's grounds for 4 days; but through the efforts of the schools faculty left without bloodshed and substantial damage to the University.

As with many historic buildings fire has damaged parts, and much has been rebuilt. The historic row, where the honor students dorms are; are built into the hillside. The design of the buildings, shape of windows etc. are very earth friendly.

To walk the grounds feels almost spirtual; soo many great men preceeded us.


A very impressive statue of Thomas Jefferson

The Greek Letters


The Green, currently the dorm area for only the very top students. Living in these quarters is considered quite an honor.

Very beautiful Rotunda.

History comes alive when you visit. Parking on campus streets can be a bit of challenge. Come prepared to walk.


psssssssss, if you have young children, check out the book on Virginia written by Jan Mader before you travel, or better yet buy it and take it with you.


And check out Williamsburg, in a previous post.

Wine Country

Napa is not the only wine country destination in California. We were staying in Southern California in Desert Springs and a beautiful hour plus drive away is Temecula. Up over a mountain pass, some fantastic scenery awaits you...be aware though, in some places the road is narrow and no guard rail exists. A fun day, one I recommend.

You buy a pass at the various wineries which entitle you to taste x number of wines. We did a double pass and got 6 sips at 2 different wineries. Hubby and I tried not to get the same 6 sips. At each winery you leave with your sample wine glass. This is the price list, and special glass from LaCereza. Hubby liked the Champagne's here, though I was partial to The Pinot Grigio.

Mountains in the far distance with the vines in the foreground make a peaceful setting. We stopped for lunch at Meritage, which is just to the right of this field. Meritage is nestled in hills on The Calloway Winery. Here, I recommend Sangiovese.


A fun day, a scenic drive! There are no rest rooms, or places to eat in route across the mountain pass so go prepared. We were there on a Sat., on a return visit I would make a point to go through the week to be able to have smaller crowds.

Adult Day, not family oriented.

Unpack, I'm doing the laundry! Hurry up.

Laundry, a necessary evil of pre and post vacation. Quick, my next load will be darks, got something? I'll throw it in.

Seriously, isn't that the worst part of traveling?

A few general travel tips:Don't travel when you're sick, I don't want to sit next to you on the plane and hear you cough, clear your troat and blow your noise every 5 minutes. Stay home! I don't want whatever you've got.

Leave your shoes on! I don't want to smell your feet. Whats with this? The last 2 trips I've taken people seem to think it's fine and dandy to take their shoes off, put their smelling feet on the seats....hello, how many people need to sit there?

Has everyone completely forgotten what size carry on's are suppose to be? For every person who brings on too much, or too big of item, the airlines slow down; thus causing delays. No wonder many airlines are now charging people who bring extra stuff on. I've seen backpacks that require 2 strong men to lift them and aren't even close to the carry on size they're suppose to be lately. If they're too wide to go down the isle of the plane, they're not a carry on item.

If you have children and you're flying Southwest, PLEASE make the opportunity to check in and get boarding passes ahead of time. Even if you can't print them from your laptop, you can check in and get your A or even B, so you have the opportunity to sit together. Don't expect half the plane to rearrange after they've settled in, and you can't sit with your kids and your kids friends. It's your responsibility to get things taken care of. You put the flight attendants in a bad spot, and take up lots of extra time when you arrive late and there are no longer seats together. Have more consideration for your children, and the 200 other passengers. Most hotel's have a business center with computers where you can check in and or print your boarding passes. Make use of them.

Dress before you fly, really no one wants to see your pj's. You're really not that cute in them. Should there be a problem on the plane, do you really want to be seen on national TV in your pj's and slippers?

The plane is still boarding and you want to squeeze between people to go to the bathroom? Get serious. Doesn't anyone think? My last couple of trips have been less pleasant then they could have been because people don't take care of business in a logical way BEFORE boarding. Don't sit in the waiting area, or the bar then expect to go to the bathroom on board while everyone is boarding.

Travel involves planning, forethought and consideration of your fellow travelors, you're not the only one involved or the only one with wants and needs.

Ok...last call, I'm throwing in the load of darks.

Traveling next to Alcatraz, so to remember to come on back for a visit.

Lake Erie, Put in Bay

Brutus Buckeye, you're bound to see him almost anywhere. Here he is spreading Buckeye Love on a boat anchored off at Put in Bay. A fun summer time destination in Ohio at Lake Erie. No doubt Brutus was left to guard the ship, as his mates headed to perhaps The Round Bar or Frosty's. For those who don't know, Brutus is The Ohio State University Mascot. Here's the famous Frosty's. I remember the place when I was a kid and vacationed on the Island with my parents....and that was YYYYYYYYYYYYYears ago. Good pizza, loud music, an awesome wooden bar, and yes fabulously good rootbeer.......however adult beverages are plentiful too.

A pretty sunset coming back on the ferry after a long day having fun on the Island. We often are on the last ferry out. You can rent golf carts, bikes or walk around the Island. Lots of shopping, eatting, drinking for those of any age. For the young ones an historic merry go round. Somewhere....I know I have a picture. One in a book, you know, not digital. I must find and scan it sometime. A great playground in the park, people walking up and down the docks to see all the boats, ships, a yacht club. So much to see and do.

"I have met the enemy and they are ours." Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry is famous for that quote. The battle of Lake Erie during The War of 1812, something every Ohio school child learns about; comes alive with a visit to this beautiful memorial. Once you reach the top of this memorial the view rewards you for the time it took to get there. I can't count the number of times I've been to this memorial; but I enjoy each and every time.

Hard to see in this picture, but look closely. Click to enlarge it. This house is made from a ship. Everyone who visits the Island, stops to photograph this house. Sometimes it's hard to find though with the trees completely filling in and providing camoflauge.

We didn't make it last summer to Put in Bay; so it's definately on the list of things to do next summer.

Get there early if you want a golf card, otherwise they're gone and you'll need to rent bikes.

Leave cool beverages in your car when you park for the ride on the ferry; so you'll have something when you get back.

SunScreen is a must!

Have fun

The Presidio

The Spanish arrived in 1776, post fell to Mexian rule in 1822, became a US Army Base in 1846. Really, The Presidio is sooooooooo much more than a movie. The US Army closed it's base in 1989.

1,491 acres, with many miles of both hiking and biking trails. Of the 870 structures 470 have historic signficance. It's a refuge for endangered species, home to a National Cemetery (in a National Park), and operated by The US Park Service.

Listen.....through the fog you can hear the sounds of the bay, look up and down the meticulously maintained rows of graves and touch history. Enter here with reverence.



Buried here in military straight rows are men and their families from World War I and II, The Spanish American War, The Civil War, The Indian Wars, and Vietnam.


Unusual and interesting stones memoralizing those that rest here under the blanket of the fog.

This was home to many families, barracks and officers homes, some in need of restoration, some restored.



2nd Lt. William Allen one of the Medal of Honor Receipants I spotted while touring this facinating place.

I would have enjoyed spending more time here exploring, but many parts of the base/park were off limits the day we were there. There was construction going on, there was a ceremony taking place as well.

Seems fitting I think, we saw The Spanish Riders as they made their way from the field.


Highly recommend touring and taking ones time here.
Wear a jacket, even on warm days this location is chilly.