Flying in from the East - just look at that glorious strech of coastline...

A bit further north. The terrain is so barren, then suddenly after passing a mountain range, it's soooooo populated...

	Another shot of the populated mountainside (I don't know exactly where this is, but somewhere in south Silicon Valley)
	More coastline, but looking northward
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	Dramatic scenery of the rocky coastline known as Big Sur. A winding highway snakes along the coastline - the scenery gets better and better!
	Same section of coastline, a bit further up the road
	...and looking south. The waters of the Pacific are so clean and blue...
	Clouds rolled in transforming the landscape into a haunting vista
	Notice the intricate lines in the ground formed by wind and water. Nature is a true artist!
	Panorama view of an inlet
	Looking down to a cozy beach far below
	Climbing down wooden steps to a small beach. Notice the snaky waterways...
	One last shot before sunset

	Driving along Dinah Shore Drive toward the magnificent San Jacinto Mountain Range (looming over 8000 ft high!)
	Late afternoon sun over San Jacinto mountain range
	Riding the aerial tramway to the mountain's summit, awed by the scenery below... From this vantage point Palm Springs is nothing more than flat dry desert. Makes you wonder why this posh town was formed...(not that I'm complaining :-)
	Desert oasis... What a pleasure it was to take a morning stroll in this peaceful spot
	Strolling by a lake at mid-morning, purple mountains in full view
	Looming palm trees seem to quietly welcome you wherever you go
	What Palm Springs is best known for - golf!  Of course I was the only one walking around with a camera instead of a golf club...

	The ancient and mysterious Joshua Tree National Park.... It seemed straight out of a Casteneda book
	Sun setting across the dramatic terrain... Joshua trees appear as bent and contorted, as if having stood for centuries (which they probably have)
	It almost seems like these strange trees possess an ancient consciousness and a cold awareness of everything happening around them

	Highway 74 takes you from flat dry desert to snow-capped mountains, hence the name "Palms to Pines". The scenery is indeed spectacular... In this panorama photo, the twisted highway below resembles a giant python...
	Midway between the Palms and the Pines there is this beautiful park area (forgot the name). Desert plants like aloe, yucca and jojoba wildly grow amidst looming mountains
	A walkway guides you along... High (almost) in the mountains and surrounded by plants of all kinds, this is a wonderful place to meditate...
	Lookout onto the mountains It's very hard to feel anything other than peace and well-being in a place like this...
	Heading into the Pines area - Quite a difference from the Palms! Yes, that is snow on the road --
	Ending up in the quaint mountain town of Idyllwild, with pine trees everywhere Looks more like Colorado than Southern California!

	Magical Anza Borrego Desert Park... The energy here is so wonderfully invigorating, almost like an earth chakra
	The small peaceful desert town of Borrego Springs - quite literally a desert oasis! Great place to fill up the tank and grab a sandwich before more desert exploration
	Desert view along the Yaqui Way. The setting sun paints purples and magentas across the expansive terrain... Once again, I felt like I was in a Casteneda book...