Apparently, there is tree that grows almost exclusively in the Mojave desert. It likes lots of heat, low humidity, and waving its arms in mock alarm.
I introduce you to…
The Joshua Tree!
Welcome to Joshua Tree National Park!
Let’s start with some helpful advice…
Ordinarily, we do not like being told what to do, but in this case, we feel like maybe we should listen.
We explored the area for a bit, being careful not to die.
Then, in a stunningly risky move, we decided to have a picnic lunch right underneath certain death! That rock could have come down any minute, so we ate our lunch, listened for shifting pebbles indicating a mini-landslide, and then headed back out to do some more exploring!
Lots of rocks and Joshua trees up here but absolutely zero shade of any kind!
Ann even did a little climbing to get up on this rock for a pic!
Joshua Tree fully explored and no deaths recorded, we considered the park conquered and we headed back to the campground for another nap and to get ready for a gourmet, camper made dinner! Chicken Tikka Masala and wilted pistachio spinach salad, all expertly prepared by Deb!
There is not a whole lot of room in an airstream, but we made it work for four people to prepare and to have a great meal together!
After an incredible meal, some great fireside conversation, and of course, another late evening soak in the mineral springs, that was a wrap on the Joshua Tree / Palm Springs area!
The next morning, Phil and Deb headed north, back to the bay area, and we were starting the beginning of our long journey back east, having made it as far west as we were going to be on this trip. We’ve made it about 2500 miles west of our little farm in Florida, as the crow flies. (Well, not exactly as the crow flies, more like as the crow takes highway 10 and 75. Crazy to think that we were basically only two highways and one right turn away from Florida).
However, we still have a long way to go and a lot of national and state parks to visit.
Next stop, Lake Havasu!
TaterTotTales 