Joshua Tree National Park and Wonder Valley (near Twentynine Palms)

We recently spent a week in Palm Springs, California, and while we were there we took a day trip up to the area around Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree National Park.  

Back in the 1940's and 50's there were a number of 5-acre parcels in the desert sold by the Federal government under a small tract homestead program.  The program required that the homesteader put up a minimum improvement, which was generally in the form of a small one-room cabin.  The one my father had, a ways outside of Desert Hot Springs, was "improved" with a 14x20 one-room cabin, but it did have a two-seater outhouse.  We drove around the area east of Twentynine Palms known as Wonder Valley, looking at what is left of many of these little homesteads.  It will probably come as no surprise that many of the initial homesteaders didn't stay long.  There is not much out there, and the harsh climate doesn't help any.  We did come across the remnants of some sort of old mining facility just south of Highway 62.

On the north side of Hwy 62 we drove around Dale Dry Lake on Ironage Road, and admired the views of pretty much nothing.  This is the view looking more or less north.

Not much different looking south either.  Those hills in the distance are the Old Dale Mining District which is to the east of Joshua Tree National Park.

Later we took a little drive around part of Joshua Tree National Park.

We drove out to Keyes View to check out the view to the south.  That tallest mountain in the distance is Mt. San Jacinto, which rises pretty much straight up over 10,880 feet above Palm Springs.

It seemed like a good spot for a selfie.

Click here to see a few more images from Wonder Valley and from Joshua Tree National Park in early December 2016.
     

The Best Fish Tacos in San Diego

Here's how you find the best* fish tacos in San Diego . . . or maybe anyplace else for that matter.

First, you go the Liberty Public Market, at the old Naval Training Center now called Liberty Station, and find your way to Cecilia's Taqueria at Stall #7.  There is a handy map on the wall in case you get lost.  Conveniently, once you find the map you are practically there, all you have to do is look to your left.

Next, you give the nice people some money, and they give you one of these.

You watch the little pager for what seems like a long time, but you have to remember that these are made fresh to order, including the tortilla.  After a while a bunch of little lights go off, and you get to trade the pager for this.  Fresh grilled mahi-mahi, shredded cabbage and a lemon-caper remoulade sauce, all in a freshly made flour tortilla.

* In my not-so-humble opinion, of course.
     

Jaguar - San Diego Zoo

Here are some images of Valerio, one of the male Jaguars at the San Diego Zoo this afternoon. 

 Of all the big cats Jaguars seem to have the most intense look - most of the time at least.

     
Click here to see a few more images of the Jaguars, Amur Leopards and Malayan Tigers from the San Diego Zoo today, December 11, 2016.
     

Amur Leopards - San Diego Zoo

Some new images of the Amur Leopards from this morning at the San Diego Zoo.

       

Malayan Tigers - San Diego Zoo

Here are a few images of the Malayan Tigers from this morning at the San Diego Zoo.

       

I Do Occasionally Take Pictures of Something Other Than Tigers

Here are a few images from this morning at the San Diego Zoo.

Well, I could not go by the Malayan Tigers without stopping, so here's one of Cinta.

      

Malayan Tiger, Amur Leopard - San Diego Zoo

Here are a few shots from last weekend at the San Diego Zoo.  First up is Connor, the Malayan Tiger.  This has to be my favorite time of year at the tigers, the sunlight hits their habitat at just the right angle.

Here are a few of the Amur Leopards.

Click here to see a few more images from the San Diego Zoo on Saturday, December 3, 2016.