The Anza-Borrego Desert 
I thought a good way to spend a weekend would be to visit the Anza-Borrego desert, just a few hours east of San Diego.
One of the things I love about california; you can drive two hours in any direction and be in a completely different climate, geography, and ecosystem. Observe that three days earlier I was snow skiing two hours north.
I was ready for some quiet solitude. So I packed up the car and headed east. Anza-Borrego is the largest state park in the lower 48 states. The park is one of the few places where camping is permitted anywhere and for free. The only rules are that you camp away from the roads and do not have open fires.
The unique environment demands unique adaptations from it's resident creatures. The high heat and low rainfall demand that animals and plants alike make the most of the scarce water available.
To get there I had to pass through the charred remains of the Cleveland national forrest 
The road twists and winds through a mountain pass to get to the desert floor 
I finally arrive at Yaqui Pass campground 
The flowering cactus are amazing! 
More plantlife 
The barren desert 
Another desert bloom 
Watch your step! Rattlesnakes are common here. 
This amazing fish can live in salt water or fresh, but one of its last habitats is this desert. 
Here, lizard lizard. 
Most of the mamals living in the desert are small. Here is a desert squirel 
The desert is a favorate place for offroading vehicles. 
A Black desert beetle 
Roadways in the desert stretch on forever 
The town of Borrego Springs, an oasis in the desert 
This taco stand is one of the most popular stops for travelers 
This chute growing out of the Agave plant was once a staple of the indigenous people's diet. 
Spotted on a hiking trail. 'Warning' what?? 
A small desert bird 
Beep! Beep! The road runner; no sign of Wile E Coyote! 
This ain't made for offroading! 