Desert Road Trip Thanksgiving Week 2009

The desert has its many interesting features, showing a deep beauty that has survived the harshest tests of time. However, aside from the inspiring beauty of the desert, it is the extreme peacefulness and serenity that invites us to explore it whenever we get the chance. Though we had thousands of pictures, but I decided to post 2 pictures a day from our trip.

Day 1 @ Death Valley National Park, CA

Badlands Creatively Carved by Nature, Zabriskie Point

Little Boy Enjoying His ATV, Dumont Dunes

( this is not part of Death Valley National Park, we just saw this recreational park on our way to Death Valley )

Day 2 @ Death Valley National Park, CA

Mesquite Sand Dunes, Early Morning

Dante's View

Day 3 @ Zion National Park and Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Utah

Hiking @ Hidden Canyon, Zion National Park

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Utah

(the desert is more than just sands and cactus, this picture shows the immense pine forest next to the sand dunes)

Day 4 @ North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and Page, Arizona

Tourists Sitting on the Cliff Enjoying the View of Grand Canyon 

Glen Canyon Dam, Page, Arizona

Day 5 @ Page, AZ and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah

Horseshoe Bend, Page, Arizona

@ Toadstool Trail, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah

Day 6 @ Mojave National Preserve, California

Kelso Dunes from a Distance and Joshua Tree

Kids Enjoying the Booming Sound of Kelso Dunes as they slide down

( this is a 600+ ft tall sand dune, and after sliding down, the only way up is to climb one step up and gravity slides you 1/2 step down)

♥♥