Before getting to this weeks desktop, there's a couple of things I wanted to remind you about.  First, I've really gotten off on the updates after returning from this years trip West, but I'm working on getting back on track and hope to be there soon.  Second, the previous weeks wallpaper is always still available by clicking the preview to the left found on this page.  Enjoy!

Above is this weeks free desktop.  This week we feature a shot from a very interesting location and one which has been seen here a couple of times before, Lava Beds National Monument.  Located in northern California, about 10 miles south of Tulelake, this very rugged landscape is a testament to its violent volcanic past.  Geologically, Lava Beds is a real wonder as it contains the largest concentration of lava tube caves in the US while it also featuring many of the formations associated with volcanic regions, namely cinder cones, spatter cones, fumaroles, maar volcanos, lava flows and the above mentioned lava tubes.  As one might expect, the feature which attracts most visitors would be the lava tubes which were formed in the lava flows during the volcanic eruptions.  How is a lava tube formed you ask? (:  Flowing underground, the outer surfaces of the flows cooled while the inner sections remained hot and flowing, forming tunnel or tube of lava.  When the eruptions ceased, the lava drained from the tunnels leaving the outer shells which are the tube caves present today.  Lava Beds also has a historic significance as this is the site of the Modac War of 1872-1873, where the Modac Indians used the land as a natural fortress against the US Army.  Now for this weeks shot, it was taken in September 2005 in the Captain Jacks Stronghold section.  There not really any notable features except Tule lake in the background, the foreground is comprised of the terrain found here.  The early evenings sunlight truly enhanced the grass, bush and wildflowers making for a magical experience. With many trails to walk, and the chance to explore the many different lava tubes, this is one well worth a visit.

To set this photo as your desktop, click on the box with the correct size.  Right-click on the image and select the option to "save/set as desktop or wallpaper."  You're done!  If you wish to change the desktop image, simply right-click on your desktop, select Properties, and then select the tab labeled Backgrounds in your display control panel