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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.
I consistently hound my dispatch to keep me driving along the 15-70-25 corridor as often as possible.
Navigating this winding stretch of canyon is exhilarating each time I take it in the semi, even moreso at night when the canyon walls and a moonless night make it feel like an over-sized cave.
Growing up in the Mojave, the deserts anywhere basically make me feel at home and comfy regardless of whatever else is happening at the time.
CA, CO, UT, WY, NM, AZ, as long as I'm kept rolling and doing things through there, I'm a happy camper.
Desert Rats unite!!!!
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.
Gorgeous photos!!!
That's exactly how I thought before I had my first trucking load take me up to Hermiston in '06.
Just like CA, OR tends to have that even mixture of deserts, coasts, and forest/mountain areas.
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 know. People who have never been all around CO always tend to make the mistake that CO is full of nothing but Mountains and High Arid plains. Its the same mistake made as people believing the weather and winters in CO are terrible, when in fact we have tremendous weather and relatively mild winters compared to the midwest, east coast, and Northern Mountain West. People are always so surprised when in the winter it is a high of 25 and may snow 3 or 4 inches, and than the rest of the week its anywhere from the upper 40's to the upper 50's, sometimes even the 60's, and sunshine. Then the snow melts in a day, sometimes even less. CO is a VERY sunny state. I always tell people that if you look at sunshine hours and sunny days, the southern mountain west and California is the REAL sun belt.
I love that you, and many people on these forums, are truly aware of the large area of desert land in Colorado. We have a little bit for everybody, just like New Mexico. We have high arid plains, foothills, alpine green forests and mountains, rocky and hilly desert lands, flat desert lands, etc. I love Colorado!
Those who say they "hate" deserts most likely have not had the pleasure of visiting one.
I've stayed in Death Valley twice, and cannot wait to go back a third time. The expanse, largeness, and openness of the area is highly impressive and quite humbling. One can feel small and insignificant in such vastness. At night, the silence can be eerily deafening, while the sky above is dense with twitching stars. It's a very different experience; one which I have truly appreciated.
Those who say they "hate" deserts most likely have not had the pleasure of visiting one.
I've stayed in Death Valley twice, and cannot wait to go back a third time. The expanse, largeness, and openness of the area is highly impressive and quite humbling. One can feel small and insignificant in such vastness. At night, the silence can be eerily deafening, while the sky above is dense with twitching stars. It's a very different experience; one which I have truly appreciated.
Those who say they "hate" deserts most likely have not had the pleasure of visiting one.
I've stayed in Death Valley twice, and cannot wait to go back a third time. The expanse, largeness, and openness of the area is highly impressive and quite humbling. One can feel small and insignificant in such vastness. At night, the silence can be eerily deafening, while the sky above is dense with twitching stars. It's a very different experience; one which I have truly appreciated.
VERY TRUE!
Here's some pictures of the beautiful De Beque Canyon in the Western CO desert lands.
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