Our family almost grew up amongst the rocks at Joshua Tree National Monument ( later, National Park ) about 130 miles east of our suburban city of Monterey Park.  A vacation destination since the early 1960s, we the kids generally referred to the location as, "The Rocks".  Scrambled upon, climbed and settled in the cool under side shadows in the heat of the day, we lived this desert for short vacations. With camera, I returned in later year to exam the rocks for their form and light, and the sentiment they exerted upon me.  

These recently scanned slides are from the 1980s and 90s.   Jim Staub, October, 2014

Selections from Bryce Canyon National Park

My first visit to Bryce Canyon was made a year ago,  2011,  in early September.  It was an overview look at  Bryce and Zion National Parks with my wife, Terry.  Limited time - a few short trail walks in a 4 day vacation. At Bryce we remained at the Rim Trail level, looking out and down into the convolutions and colors, a hiker or horseback rider might be detected in the formations below,  inching along it appeared.  The brief time there fostered a desire to return for a better look, to be one of those day hikers below the Rim Trail spectators.   Jim Staub - September, 2012