Sunday, we watched the Colt's victory over the Jets and the Saints defeat of Minnesota.
Phoenix had record rainfalls the previous week. Jimmy and Jeane live on a par five that now has a water hazard - where none had been previously!
After leaving Phoenix, we realized we would be passing right by the Joshua Tree National Park.
The southern entry is in the "lower" (Colorado) desert with sparse vegetation and rocky soil.
These cholla cactus have barbed spines that make them difficult and painful to remove.
Signs warn not to touch since the spines release and embed themselves very easily.
The Joshua Tree was so named by Mormon settlers who saw the trees after weeks in the desert and saw the Prophet Joshua with arms upstretched.
As you travel north, you climb steadily in altitude until you are in the "upper" (Mojave) desert.
In the upper desert, there is more moisture, plant life, and amazing rock formations.
This one is "Skull Rock" from its appearance.
The San Bernadino Mountains were full of snow from the recent precipitation that had inundated the area and formed a fantastic background for the desert.
From the Keys View, you can see the Salton Sea and beyond to Mexico!
The plateau just to the right of the Salton Sea is near the Mexican Border.
This panoramic shot shows the view includes Palm Springs to the West.
Keys View is high enough up that there was still a significant amount of snow on the ground.
This stand of Joshua Trees is just down the rise from Keys View.
Following the drive down, we drove about 25 miles to the shore of the Salton Sea, a salt sea about 200 feet below sea level.
This huge sea is nearly 35 miles long and 15 miles wide and teems with fish.
At day's end we drove into Pasadena for dinner with Bob Jacobson, Bob's roommate from Purdue.
Bob is a Senior Scientist at Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
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