God's Country - Federal Lands?

On a trip through southwest Utah in late April, met this guy from West Virginia who acknowledged that even though Appalachia is beautiful, this part of Utah with Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, is "God's Country". I agree with him. You are hard pressed to describe the place - majestic, breathtaking, remote wilderness, monumental... barely begin to describe the landscape of mountains, mesas, and canyons (including the world's longest slot canyon)!! And atop and across the landscape is the varied flora and fauna in stunning colors and shapes.

Joshua Tree Flowers

Late March in Mojave desert this year was full of Joshua Trees in different cycles of blooming flowers. From flowers as greenish buds atop the branches to flowers in full bloom with white/greenish white petals to remnants of flowers withering away as brown twigs. The flowers smelt musky and sweet. Quite a sight it was - the whole valleys and mountains of high desert in the southwest blanketed with amazing Joshua Trees!!

Brazilian Graffiti & Graphic Designs

One thing that stands out when traveling through Brazil are amazing crazy beautiful designs done by street artists, private companies, government along the sidewalks, on the billboards, store fronts, in the train stations, airports... everywhere!!