Alex Tupaz : February 2015

Chasing Sunset at Joshua Tree National Park

Road trip.

A day before my birthday.

Cruising along the High Dessert.

I had to stop and checkout the wind turbines along the way.

These massive structures totaling 2,700 of them

converts wind energy into electricity

for Palm Springs.

On my way to Joshua Tree National Park for a day tour.

I'll come back next time to check out the hiking trails

but today I'm chasing the sunset.

According to legends,

the limbs of the Joshua tree in this desert park

"resembles the upstretched arms of Joshua leading to the promised land"

This desert park has become a "promised land" for hike trails, bike rides and four-wheel drives in the backcountry roads, horse back riding, and rock climbing.

At the Keys View Scenic Lookout...awaiting sunset. A panoramic view of the Coachella Valley, Santa Rosa Mountains, San Jacinto Peak, San Andreas Fault and Mexico.

Last time I was here was 2009.

Looking back, lots of things happened since then.

Maybe I've become wiser, more content and at peace...

Sunset at Joshua Tree National Park...

Chasing sunset a day before my birthday...

why? I dunno, maybe I just love sunsets

or maybe it reminds me to look back

where I've been to and where I'm heading now...

or maybe I'm just a dreamer...chasing a dream

Cat yoga

"When I'm feeling low,
all I have to do is watch my cats
and my courage returns"

Charles Bukowski

Birds of Paradise

"Birds flying high, you know how I feel...
And I'm feeling good" -

Feeling Good, Anthony Newly & Leslie Bricusse

Flower of Love

"Mama was my greatest teacher,
a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness.
If love is sweet as a flower,
then my mother is that sweet flower of love"

Stevie Wonder

Innocence and friendship

My first bloom of Freesia.

It's officially Spring in my garden.

Life is short...

"You're only here for a short visit.

Don't hurry, don't worry.

And be sure to smell the

flowers along the way"

Walter Hagen

Medicine for the Soul

"Flowers always make people better,

happier and more helpful;

they are sunshine, food

and medicine for the soul" -

Luther Burbank

My Funny Valentine

"Love isn't all sunsets and roses.

Sometimes it's good old-fashioned stalking and surveillance"

Jarod Kintz

Whatever life throws at me I'll remember three things

This is my fifteen minute meditation.

I love coming to this place. Top of the hill, just a short hike and the view of the sunset is worth it.

Birthday is almost here. Another year, another three hundred sixty five days that got me thinking of so many things.

1. Count my blessings.

Life is good.

I can still breathe, hear, see and exist.

I got family, friends, a garden and my kitties.

It's so easy to take things for granted.

I have to remind myself where I am right now and where it leads me.

2. Life goes on.

The road to life wasn't meant to be travelled backwards.

I don't know what else to do but move on, look forward and keep moving on...

While time flies and change is constant, I still hope for the best.

3. Things always happen for a reason.

Life may not work out as planned and may not be what I asked for but it doesn't mean I can't appreciate it.

I was meant to be here, in the right place, the right time, with the right people and the right situation.

And I still believe in faith or fate and the higher power. Being certain of the things I hope for, knowing that it is real even if I don't see it.

So whatever life throws at me, I'll remember three things...

My soul

"When you photograph people in color,
you photograph their clothes.
But when you photograph people
in black and white,
you photograph their souls" - Ted Grant