Joshua was geologically stunning as usual. One new gem was the Barkers Dam trail, a nice three mile hike through some of the parks great formation to a desert like oasis.

The Salton sea was new to us. An unusual arid barren habitat hosting strange occupants - human and animal.

Anza Borrego has a new visitors center (at least to us) and the Palm Canyon Trail shouldn't be overlooked.

At first we thought the hydro seeding alongside the road outside of Julian was just to repair a slide. Several miles later it finally dawned on us that  this was the remains of the great fire who's charred remains stretched almost to Escondido.

The Leo Carrillo Ranch in Carlsbad is another little gem. The mindless 'Pancho' in 'The Cisco Kid' movies was actually a humanitarian scholar who put  this ranch together in the late 30's. Well worth a visit if in the area.