The American Southwest

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That there spikey thing is a yucca plant. You can weave thatch shoes out of them. Why the photo? They're all over the place, people use them as ornamental plants everywhere.

Nice photos again Sheril! Jeese, a sea urchin? Phil calls the last photo correctly as a yucca. I think it is one called Spanish Bayonets. Don't back into it.
The first photo has sagebrush in the foreground and creosote bush in the background. If this is southern California you must have been up in elevation a ways for this plant assemblage.
Keep having fun,
Cal

By Cal Harth (not verified) on 05 Feb 2009 #permalink

Ah Ok. That makes sense now.

P.S. try and drive through Monument Valley, Arches or Zion. If you don't, you're going to kick yourselves later.

Yes, and if you do get to Monument Valley, by all means don't miss the chance to drive a few miles north and take the dirt road through the Valley of the Gods. It's not well-marked and you may have to ask a local for directions, but the scenery on the 10-mile 30-minute trip is unimaginably magnificent.

By Mike Treder (not verified) on 07 Feb 2009 #permalink

Mike and Phil,
You guys are familiar with some really pretty country. I think a person could spend a lifetime exploring in the four corners region and still find surprises.
We could also include Natural Bridges Nat'l Monument and Grand Gulch as worth seeing in the area.
Have you been to Arivaipa Canyon, Organ Pipe, or Big Bend?
Cal

By Cal Harth (not verified) on 07 Feb 2009 #permalink

Here's your best website.

http://www.americansouthwest.net/

I can't imagine Sheril gets out west too often, being a marine biologist.

Other highlights are Antelope Canyon, Meteor Crater, Petrified Forest.
All summer travel spots for the family and great places for a scientist to visit.