Nepal Trek: the Himalayas

After spending the night on the ridge during a violent thunder and hail storm we woke to see the air cleared of all smog and the Himalayas in full view, from horizon to horizon and filling half the sky, layer after layer of peaks reaching as far back as we could see.

Goblin Valley

Goblin Valley

Part of what is delightful about Goblin Valley Park is that you are allowed to wander around all of the bizarre rock sculptures.

pointing the way

rock formation in Goblin Valley

guarding the entrance to Goblin Valley

These three sentinels were guarding the entrance to Goblin Valley Park, Utah.

Success at last!

These Opuntia Fragilis (fragile prickly pear) lived up to their name.  I purchased the original "nuggets" 7 years ago and they were always getting kicked around the garden as the roots aren't deep enough to hold them in place.  Finally I gave up and tried them out in a terra cotta pot.  Apparently that is what they needed, at least in my not-so-peaceful garden.  They thrived last year, survived a very cold winter, and finally bloomed this year!  The blue rocks are from Catoctin Creek in Virginia on my dad's property.

Golden yellow prickly pear cactus

The bitter cold winter of 2012-2013 didn't affect the cold hardy cacti this year.  In fact, the blooms this year are the best yet.  Look at the number of flower buds still to open on this gorgeous opuntia.

Xeriscaped corner showing lots of color in the spring

Several kinds of prickly pear in bloom, as well as potted cacti that need protection in the winter.  At the back of this display are the double fringed salmon colored Oriental poppies.

Prickly Pear cactus - Utah sunset blossom

The beautiful blossom of this cold hardy cactus opens up to show a range of pinks and yellow and then twists close leaving only the pink showing.

Prickly Pear - delicate peach blossom

this opuntia (Prickly Pear) is cold hardy down to below 0 degrees F

the road goes on forever: Grand Escalante Utah

beautiful sculptured rock in Grand Escalante, Utah

Navajo Bridge over the Colorado River at Marble Canyon, Arizona

sun setting in Marble Canyon, Arizona

Colorado River in Marble Canyon

This picture was taken looking down at the river from Navajo Bridge

Road through Grand Staircase - Escalante Park, Utah