Thursday, January 13, 2005

Southern California and National Parks


Looking out over La Jolla Cove in San Diego, CA. Posted by Picasa


Isabelle plays with the wildlife at Ellen Scripps Browning Park in La Jolla, CA. Posted by Picasa



Isabelle, after what seemed like hours of playing with fish and sealife, is finally ready to explore something else in San Diego. Posted by Picasa



This squirrel at La Jolla, CA was a picky eater -- he would only eat the bottom part of the grass, before moving on to another. Posted by Picasa



This is seal beach in La Jolla, CA. This section is roped off and reserved for the local harbor seal population. Posted by Picasa



From San Diego, we made our way to Joshua Tree National Park. Posted by Picasa



The Joshua Tree, named so because missionaries believed it resembled Joshua reaching up to God, only exists in the Mojave Desert in California. Posted by Picasa



Snow-capped mountains in the distance from the desert in Joshua Tree National Park. Posted by Picasa



Isabelle in the trunk... Why? Maybe it was her never ending singing late at night! Posted by Picasa



From Joshua Tree we drove to Death Valley National Park. Here is a picture of Isabelle while climbing along a narrow ridge in Mosaic Canyon. Posted by Picasa



Isabelle does some climbing in Mosaic Canyon, Death Valley National Park. Posted by Picasa



Isabelle reaches for the top in Mosaic Canyon, Death Valley National Park. Posted by Picasa



An abandoned salt mine in Death Valley National Park. Posted by Picasa



Another view of the salt mine. Posted by Picasa



About to hike up to Zabriskie Point along the Golden Canyon Trail in Death Valley. Posted by Picasa



Isabelle and Joern on the Golden Canyon trail, Death Valley. Posted by Picasa



Badwater Basin in Death Valley, the lowest elevation in the United States. Posted by Picasa



Usually completely dry, we were lucky enough to see a lake at Badwater Basin, as a result of record setting rainfall the weeks before. Posted by Picasa



Isabelle and Joern hiked into Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley. I stayed at the top, chatting with another park visitor and together we watched Isabelle and Joern nearly fall to their death on their climb back up. Posted by Picasa



From Death Valley, we drove to Sequoia National Park. The road to the park is very long and windy. Posted by Picasa



At the peak, near Morro Rock at Sequoia National Park. Notice the fog from Fresno, CA moving into the valley below. Posted by Picasa



This tree, one of the most beautiful I have ever seen, is located at the park ranger's office. They claim it's between 400-500 years old. The bark is incredibly smooth and soft. Posted by Picasa



Isabelle watches the fog move in as she rests at the peak. The winding road we arrived on can be seen below. Posted by Picasa



Joern makes his way down from the peak, as we head back to the cabins. The snow was 5-6 feet deep at some parts, which required the use of snowshoes. Posted by Picasa



Isabelle and Joern in the "Giant Forest". The Giant Sequoia is the largest living thing on earth and some of the trees are believed to be over 3,000 years old. Posted by Picasa



Our last several hours in Sequoia National Park were spent at the lower elevations, without the snow. Isabelle and I stumbled upon a little cave. Posted by Picasa



Inside the cave, was a small waterfall and water was dripping down from the top. Posted by Picasa



The small pool at the entrance to the cave. Posted by Picasa



Some fallen leaves at a campsite location a few miles north of the cave. Posted by Picasa