Acadia in August, Joshua Tree in December

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Landscape around Skull Rock.

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More rocks.

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Cactus field. Two people got these things stuck to them while we were there. The needles were extremely sharp.

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Sun on the rocks.

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The ridge in the valley is the San Andreas Fault.

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Possibly the most scenic and colorful sunset I have ever seen.

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Mount San Jacinto in the background. Over 10,000ft tall. We just called it snowcap mountain.

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California gull on the pier at Ocean Beach.

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Brandt's cormorants and seals at La Jolla.

[SomeRandomGuy]

I got jacked up by one of those cholla cacti out there. Man did that hurt. Those stupid things are insanely sharp, but at least the spines have microscopic barbs on the end! I had to use the pliers on my leatherman to pull the spines out. Holy crap. Worst ever.

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Brown pelican enjoying the view.

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Seals taking naps.

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I got jacked up by one of those cholla cacti out there. Man did that hurt. Those stupid things are insanely sharp, but at least the spines have microscopic barbs on the end! I had to use the pliers on my leatherman to pull the spines out. Holy crap. Worst ever.

Sharp and spines all over. Pretty sure the one kid's family called an ambulance because we saw one heading that way after we left. Ranger said they see people with them stuck in them all the time.

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Looking back on both trips it is hard to decide which one was a better trip. Acadia was a great park to visit. Spent all 7 days I was there hiking yet after the sun went down, the town of Bar Harbor had some nice bars and dinner spots. Also in town a good breakfast was available before taking to the trails. It was more of a tourist type area and the main attractions in the park were always busy but there was always a trail that could be found where most "tourist" types would not venture. We didn't do any camping there, we stayed in a little cottage house about 15 minutes away from the park/town. Joshua Tree was great because it was a completely different landscape since I have never been out west. There are a few places if you drive into the local towns to get food and supplies but the fun part was cooking meals on a camp fire and making beer runs when needed. The park itself did not seem as congested as Acadia did at times. Both were a great experience and would recommend either to someone who happens to be traveling in that area.

[passat911]

Looking back on both trips it is hard to decide which one was a better trip. Acadia was a great park to visit. Spent all 7 days I was there hiking yet after the sun went down, the town of Bar Harbor had some nice bars and dinner spots. Also in town a good breakfast was available before taking to the trails. It was more of a tourist type area and the main attractions in the park were always busy but there was always a trail that could be found where most "tourist" types would not venture. We didn't do any camping there, we stayed in a little cottage house about 15 minutes away from the park/town. Joshua Tree was great because it was a completely different landscape since I have never been out west. There are a few places if you drive into the local towns to get food and supplies but the fun part was cooking meals on a camp fire and making beer runs when needed. The park itself did not seem as congested as Acadia did at times. Both were a great experience and would recommend either to someone who happens to be traveling in that area.

Pictures look great. I can't wait to visit Joshua Tree one day.

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Pictures look great. I can't wait to visit Joshua Tree one day.

Thanks. Joshua Tree was great. Since I have never been out west everything was new, the mountains with no trees, cactus, desert landscape etc. I spent a week at Acadia and felt like there was still so much to see. That feeling was greater at Joshua Tree. The park itself is massive and can't wait to go back and explore other parts that I was not able to get to. Pretty sure I will be making it back Acadia in August again and I can't wait. Hopefully another trip to Joshua Tree can happen again in the near future.

[passat911]

Thanks. Joshua Tree was great. Since I have never been out west everything was new, the mountains with no trees, cactus, desert landscape etc. I spent a week at Acadia and felt like there was still so much to see. That feeling was greater at Joshua Tree. The park itself is massive and can't wait to go back and explore other parts that I was not able to get to. Pretty sure I will be making it back Acadia in August again and I can't wait. Hopefully another trip to Joshua Tree can happen again in the near future.

I hear ya with Acadia. I spent about a week there myself and there's still so much to see.
The next time around I will make it a photography trip.

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I hear ya with Acadia. I spent about a week there myself and there's still so much to see.
The next time around I will make it a photography trip.

That would be a great way to spend some time up there. All the pics I took at both places were just times when I would grab the camera out of my back pack and take a few pictures. Anybody who is good at photography would have a great time at either park.

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Lucky enough to be heading back to Acadia/Bar Harbor the first week of September. Can't come soon enough.

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Back to Acadia tomorrow. Just an 11 hour drive then it's back to enjoying what Maine has to offer for a week.

[passat911]

So jealous right now, wish I was off to be there. Send some pics.

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So jealous right now, wish I was off to be there. Send some pics.

It was a nice week for sure. Weather was a bit rainy/foggy but that should be expected up there. I have some pics but they aren't on my camera. I'll see if I can get some of them up in the near future.