Where The Aliens Will Most Likely Land

 Where The Aliens Will Most Likely Land

Currently suffering from "lazyitis" and "blogger's block", where I could not bring myself to write what I really wanted to write, huhuhu, I instead take delight into dreaming of being transported again to places that continues to inspire me. I have mentioned before that each time I have a longing, my heart always long to go to the desert, where the aliens will probably most likely land. Though I prefer to live closest to the ocean, and I am so thankful to God for transplanting me to San Diego, where I could enjoy most "hiking and the ocean" without having to take vacation, but there are times where my heart and mind wander to other places..... places that had inspired me, places that haunt me, places that call out to me. At this very moment, I take joy in resting my dreams in these magical desert forms below.

Double O Arch, Arches National Park, Moab, Utah

 

Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, Moab, Utah

Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Moab, Utah

Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, Moab, Utah

Hiking Cathedral Rock, Sedona

Cathedral Rock from Oak Creek

There are many access point to hike Cathedral Rock, one of the many beautiful hikes in Sedona. For our hike, we took the Cathedral Rock Trail from Hwy 179. The hike is 3.5 miles round trip with 600 ft ascent. I love this hike because for such a short time, the scenic rewards are simply amazing. Though this hike will not take all your day, but it is not devoid of challenge. First, there is really no formal trail, but rock cairns. You ascend mostly on rocks, more like rock climbing but safe enough not to ask for ropes. 

Hiking @ Cathedral Rock

If you feel like it is not safe to walk normally, you can go slow and walk on four ( uphill ) or five ( downhill). 

A Lady Hiker Walking on Five ( or butt walk )

In the middle of the hike, there is a section where you really have to scramble, or crawl, and only one hiker could pass at a time. It probably is the most challenging part of the trail where some hikers give up and not continue. Even if not making it to the saddles of Cathedral Rock though, the hike is still beautiful because there is wide vista everywhere.

Scenery One Will See While on Cathedral Rock Trail

Fresh Water Tilapia Adapting to High Salinity in Salton Sea

White Sands (?) @ Salton Sea State Recreation Area Shoreline

From afar, the Salton Sea looks very inviting: white sand, blue skies, diverse species of resident and migratory birds, wildflowers swaying beautifully, 

Wildflowers Blooming @ Salton Sea Shoreline

and sparkling blue sea that is bordered by desert mountains. It looks like a piece of heaven. A refuge for wildlife. 

Salton Sea: The Accidental Sea

On our way home to San Diego from Indian Wells, CA where we spent our weekend watching BNP Paribas Open, we took a longer route home via the Salton Sea

 Salton Sea

 to North Algodones Sand Dunes, or Imperial Sand Dunes then back to San Diego. 

North Algodones Sand Dunes

The Salton Sea is one of the world's largest inland seas and one of the lowest spots on Earth at -227 ft.