Desert Christmas 2007

The idea was to head to the high desert, then read, relax and rekindle over warm days and toasty night fires. As it happened, the north wind blew and blew. We bolted to the car and fled down south.

Ah, the high desert of Joshua Tree, with snowy Big Bear looking on.

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What a surprise when the moon came up - not only was it full but the framing was perfect.

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Angus and Misky setting off on the first of many Arroyo explorations.

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Ian putting his best foot forward in his new purple crocs.

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I show Angus how a little rock climbing is done.

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But, as you can see, he just doesn't get it!

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White tank's cliffs are dotted with red dinosaur eggs, aka giant red ball cacti ...ouch.

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Russian Misky.

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The hat and I quickly became inseperable - by night and by day.

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It was a good thing we had Angus, though they were more 3-dog nights than just one.

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Chuckles atop a rock.

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Charles and Momma looking SWATish

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but talking economics

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- macro economics in fact.

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Did I mention that the giant red dinosaur eggs are sometimes in a nest?

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That's what you call a farmer's tan!

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Man and beast?

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Well, not Santa Claus and a reindeer.

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But, so so cute!

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Nanouk of the North doing somthing really bizarre with her pant leg.

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Chucky doing something even weirder with his.

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The lady of leisure awaiting the sunrise

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as the hired help prepares brekky.

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Angus sensing the calm before the storm.

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Epic.

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Rock tumble.

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Hunters with cholla cactus.

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The L.L. Bean shot.

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Angus on guard as I try to finish my book, Slan by Van Vogt.

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Misky standing on a dike - see the long seam of quartz stretching out in front?

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Looks like a painted back drop, don't you think?

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When I walk here, I always long for a geologist. Alexis, where are you?

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Could be Dom, but it's Charles.

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Panorama - and the temperature is dropping quickly.

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It's so cold that Angus hops in the car and won't come out.

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Eventually, we all hop in the car and here we are in San Diego (Ramona.)

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Misky in La Jolla. That look on my face is me conniving to move here - I love it!!

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La Jollan pelicans looking likes little clowns.

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View across the bay to UCSD.

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Angus still feels the cold in his bones,and continues to take up residence in the car.

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Camp scene - night.

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I think Ian has just told Charles that we're staying coastal from now on.

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Camp scene - day.

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View from Dos Picos, Ramona.

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Conquering the rock in trackkies.

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Pretty path in the live oak hills.

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Our campground at Morro Bay, Morro Rock looking on.

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Tents in the trees. No piccies of the beach but it was superb.

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We say goodbye to the Rock and head home.

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Stopping at Sand Dollar Beach to let Angus stretch his legs and spend a penny.

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