Rochelle had suggested we visit Carrizo Plain National Monument known for its amazing display of spring wild flowers. We had already seen poppies on some hillsides. The pictures on the web from previous years were amazing. Unfortunately, we were a bit early for the super bloom, which is expected this year due to all of the rain. There were a lot of wildflowers (mostly yellow) already blooming but the pinks, blues and purples were just starting. Nevertheless, it was gorgeous. The smell was almost overpowering at times!

 The orange flowers are California poppies.

Some blue!

Soda Lake

A sea of purple

 This is one of my favorite photos (above).

We walked 3/4 of a mile to the sea of purple above. I could only sit it in for a minute. It smelled like grape bubblegum and the smell was overwhelming!

Poppies!

After visiting the flowers, we returned our rental car (We put on 2000 miles in 3 weeks!) and headed east toward Utah and Arizona. We spent nearly two months in California and were pleasantly surprised. It is for the most part quite beautiful. I didn't know there were so many different climates. We went from the ocean to the mountains, to the desert, to farming country, to lakes, and orchards and back to the ocean. I had no idea it was so mountainous! Another surprise was the amount of oil being pumped. There were oil pumps everywhere; by the ocean, alongside the freeway, in farmers' fields. I was amazed! Also, California is very multi-cultural and not just in the big cities. If I lived here I would definitely have to brush up on my Spanish and maybe learn one or two Asian languages as well!

I felt I could live in almost any of the little communities we visited with the exception of LA and its surrounding areas. Way too many people for me! And the traffic (as well as Trevor's driving!) is intimidating!