Aah... Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve!

The stunning natural beauty of the

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

Wildflower season spans the Springtime months, however, the Fall is also a great time to visit this California State Park. Its eight miles of trails wind through western Mojave Desert grasslands.

Watch for critters such as scorpions and lizards, gopher and rattlesnakes, coyote and bobcat.

Desolate, Yet Strangely Compelling...

Heading south toward Anza-Borrego State Park...

Photo © Alice Joyce

....a short detour from the highway leads to a desolate stretch of seashore, where the Salton Sea appears like a futuristic, post-apocalyptic landscape.

Abandoned buildings and heaps of trash surround the area where we parked the car, while on the northeastern shoreline across the water, a State Recreation Area spans 14 miles along Highway 111. To read more about this strangely compelling inland body of water, its history and current conditions, visit the Salton Sea home page on: www.sci.sdsu.edu/

A Desert Spectacle in Borrego Springs

Dozens of these fascinating sculptures arise from the desert floor as you drive through

the town of Borrego Springs.

Owner of the 'Galleta Meadows Estate,' Dennis Avery is the person to thank for the spectacle.

Brittlebush: Encelia farinosa (Photo: Alice Joyce)

Outstanding arrays of golden, daisy-like flowers covered myriad brittlebush during my mid-March desert journey. The plant's form is an interesting dome-shape, with mounded silver-gray foliage below the abundant flowers. A member of the Asteraceae family, the brittlebush boasts new, white foliage with a texture like velvet in summer.

Avery commissioned Ricardo Breceda to work his magic with welded steel. In the past few years, Breceda has created giant sloths and baby camels, mammoths and raptors, elephants and tortoises, and to the delight of all who unknowingly come upon them, extinct prehistoric species: Gomphotheriums and Sabertooths that once roamed the land. Historical figure, Juan Bautista de Anza has joined the open-air exhibition.

All text and photos: Copyright © Alice Joyce

Fouqueria splendens bloom (Photo © Alice Joyce) Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Common names: Ocotillo .. Desert Coral

Among the desert's flora, I found the sculptural form of the plant's linear stems entrancing, not to mention the springtime display of fiery flower heads -- countless ocotillos were in-bloom!

Visit www.galletameadows.com

In Search of Wildflowers .. Anza-Borrego Desert Journey

Blooming Beavertail Cactus - Opuntia Basilaris
Photos ©  Alice Joyce

Dune Evening Primrose

The Anza-Borrego Desert has long been on my bucket list! This State Park has a reputation for spectacular wildflower displays when all the conditions of water, rain, wind and sun play out in harmony. I've begun to write about my recent sojourn on Alice's Garden Travel Buzz, where views of the spectacular landscape and canyons where I hiked are featured.

2011 is proving to be a good bloom year in Anza-Borrego. The timing of my trip was fine, if too early for most cacti.

All text and photos: Copyright Alice Joyce

Funastrum hirtellum   Photo © Alice Joyce

I came upon it only once in 8 days. A twining plant with tiny, star-shaped flower clusters.

(Many thanks, James of LostLandscape: plant indeed appears to be Funastrum hirtellum - hairy milkweed.)

The native California Fan Palm is the star here!

Justicia californica blooms in front of the stately tree.

Sandy expanses of the desert floor were covered with Sand Verbena: Abronia villosa

You may recognize Datura wrightii Regel: the poisonous Jimson Weed has quite a reputation. This member of the Solanaceae family is also known as Sacred Datura.

Marilyn Monroe and .. Me

Datura wrightii - Photo Copyright Alice Joyce

All text and photos Copyright Alice Joyce

Desert Sojourn: Part 1

My trip to the desert was rained out, but not before one week of hiking and exploring. Once upon a time ... Marilyn Monroe, Raymond Burr and equally illustrious movie stars stayed at this Mid-Century Modern hotel in the desert. Although a fire ravaged the property and its charming casitas, new owners have restored the classic lobby, pool, eight unadorned rooms, and 2 remaining casitas for visitors to Borrego Springs. The restaurants - Krazy Coyote & Red Ocotillo - are popular spots for grazing.