In about 350 miles (700 km) drive the scenery changes from rolling green hills to sandstone cliffs to semi-desert and wetlands through the diverse landscapes in South Africa.
Golden Gate Highlands National Park displays towering cliffs of multi-colored sandstone eroded over eons and reminds me of the walls of Grand Canyon except for all the lush vegetation and tiny streams.
Wild gladiola
More grasses than can be counted cover rolling hillsides with touches of colorful wildflowers.
The agricultural Free State fields of sunflowers grow as far as the eye can see.
Aloe
Further west the arid Karoo stretches on to infinity.
A side-trip to Nieu-Bethesda where a visit to the Owl House displays the macabre visions of an often tormented woman in the form of cement and glass sculptures.
The Karoo is famous for the many Therapsid fossils.
Candelabra
And this dry environment occasionally surprises with bursts of color.
Camdeboo National Park offers a view of the Valley of Desolation beyond dolomite spires.
Vervet monkey
And wildlife around the Vanryneveldspas Dam.
