Poppies!

We went on a road trip to see the California Poppies, which bloom every year and turn the hills a beautiful shade of orange.  The poppies close their petals when it's cold or windy, as you can see in this photo.  The wind was so strong that it held me against Brian's hand.  I felt like I was flying!  

We followed some dirt roads out in the desert.  The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve gets overwhelmed with Poppy Peepers (the multitudes of people who drive out to see the poppies), so we found a  poppy field of our own.  It was nice and peaceful. 

I wanted to drive, but I don't have a license.

Poppy fields also make great grazing grounds for sheep.

Taking a closer look at the poppies.

Taking a very close look at a poppy.  Beautiful!

Just hanging out with the poppies.

Taking in the entire scene.

Blue sky, green field and orange poppies.

Poppies are everywhere!

Poppies aren't the only fantastic flora to see in the Mojave Desert.  The Joshua tree, or if you prefer its scientific name, the Yucca brevifolia, is a member of the Agave family, but it looks like something from a Dr. Seuss book.  These magnificent tress are also protected, and the Joshua Tree National Park is nearby.

Joshua's have beautiful flowers.

What happened to the truck?

The traffic on the way home was brutal!