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Wow, those pictures of Northern NM are amazing! I spent a little time in Taos as a kid, but I don't really recall much. I think I'm going to have to go back there one day soon.
I love the desert lands of the Colorado Plateau, probably my favorite being the area around Moab. It's always spoken to me and I really miss it.
As a native east coaster, I never thought I would enjoy the deserts as much as I do. One of the things I really missed when I moved to the midwest for two years.
One area I wasn't expecting to find spectacular scenery is along I-15 in Arizona. Not only does the highway barely spend any time in Arizona (it nicks the extreme northwestern corner of the state for ~29 miles), but judging by a standard road atlas, there doesn't appear to be anything interesting near it either. But after driving it myself, I believe it's the most interesting segment of Interstate highway I've ever driven on, because it passes through the Virgin River Gorge.
Here are some pictures I took from I-15 in Arizona...
Not a lot of people are truly aware of the fantastic desert landscapes found across various parts of Colorado like Great Sand Dunes. My favorite desert however is probably Southern Mojave. I love the transition from native California Fan Palms Wahington robusta to the low growing sub alpine conditions above the canyon floors. The worst flood waters I have ever seen were in this hot parched country, afterwards I witnessed the most amazing sea of flowery blooms that went on four miles.
I am glad that you thought to include the Southern Oregon desert, because MANY people don't realize that we have a huge desert in Oregon. The "green" Oregon occupies only west of the Cascades. Steens Mountains is regarded as the darkest spot in the nation.
I LOVE deserts! Sure, tree-lush hills are beautiful. But for me dense forests camouflage the natural rolling-shaped beauty, and often colors, of the hillscapes.
My favorite areas would be in Utah...mainly around the national parks...Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. IMO, that land is unmatched in America.
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