I flew to Joshua Tree N.M. for a few hours today.
 

My parents and a hiking friend of theirs were planning a short journey to Joshua Tree, to photograph some of the desert flowers that are in bloom. Looks like we were a week or so too late, but still plenty of color and flowers. There was a Russian group and one of the women was not doing so well. We stopped at the side of the road and noticed that they were tending to someone. We are not sure if she kept on fainting or had heart issues. It was not clear. Cell phones don't work out there, but it was only about 1/2 a mile to the visitors center and I found a Ranger and let him know. Eventually they came to the center and finally , the paramedics arrived - we had already left, but saw them drive up.

The plane...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205196286.jpg
The 405 at the Sepulveda pass. Look at the traffic.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205197443.jpg
Griffith Observatory.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205197708.jpg
Downtown L.A. and Dodger Stadium.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205197769.jpg
Still some snow left.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205197850.jpg

An Airbus landing at Palm Springs.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205197911.jpg
Hey! Why are you tapping on that screen!
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205198032.jpg
Looks like a resurface.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205198181.jpg
Are we there yet?
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205198263.jpg

Great pictures. Thanks for posting.

Ian

A well-equiped A-36 Bonanza is a great way to scoot around the country. Thanks.

Oh, you wanted to see the flowers?
 

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205198444.jpg
http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/5...c3005smmz8.jpg
http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/9...c3008smsv1.jpg
http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/8...c3011smzp5.jpg
http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/5...c3014smjb6.jpg
http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/3...c3016smcj1.jpg

It's actually a well equipped B-36 TC. :cool:

Nice ocotillos! That's some serious blue in those skies as well.

Looks like a fun day trip and thanks for sharing the pics!

Best,

Kurt

More flowers...
 

http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/3...c3018smxi5.jpg
http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/9...c3025smnb1.jpg
http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/8...g3111smde5.jpg
http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/8...g3108smba0.jpg
http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/442/img3112smkw9.jpg
http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/1...g3110smnd2.jpg
http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/6...g3114smfo0.jpg

The flight home.
 

This little Pitts was having fun with some touch and go's
http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/6...g3115smhr5.jpg
Mavrick, there are bogie's all around us!
http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/9...g3116smqw7.jpg
Crowded instrument panel.
http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/4...g3117smnz5.jpg
Almost home
http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/9...g3120smqi1.jpg
This guy was near the hanger when we returned.
http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/2...c3032smix6.jpg
Incoming!
http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/6...c3034smbe6.jpg

Thanks for looking and for the comments so far. SmileWavy

Stunning! Beautiful pictures! Wow....but I have a question....what kind of person hops in a plane on a Monday to fly a few states over and photograph wildflowers?! Dang slodave...you are raising the bar on what I would do if I had unlimited time and money! Thanks for sharing.

JA

Thanks! Flight was actually 51 minutes to Thermal (below sea level) and 54 minutes back. I am fortunate to have a flexible schedule and retired parents with a plane.

Tomorrow - skiing!









JK, not for another week or two :D.

Excellent pics as always Dave. Always love the arial photos around LA - especially on the clear days. Thanks for sharing and keep 'em coming!

Thanks Kevin! It was a fun little trip. I'll see if I can work out some time with my dad for some better L.A. aerial photos.

Ah, now I see why Jandrews thought I we fly across a few states. the N.M. in the title stands for national monument. Sorry for the confusion!

I like New Mexico, pretty scenery, clean air(mostly)

Looks the same over here. Everything is starting to bloom.

I could be happy being flown around in one of these...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205212150.jpg


Joe, it was better here about a week or so ago. Some of the flowers are already past their prime. Enjoy them while you can!

nice shots . i like the narrow shot with field of yellow flowers in the foreground.

Thanks Marc. I need to go back and tweak the colors a bit on all the pics.

Great pics - making me pine for my flying days! Today was sure one of those beautiful days to be up in the sky. Glad to hear someone took advantage of it. . .