Relaxing last day here Joshua Tree National Park

Our Location: Joshua Tree National Park BLM, West entrance, California


Another good night’s sleep, I woke up a few times for duty calling but other than that I slept until just around 5:30 am. No complaints from this happy camper. 

Partial eclipse of the moon during sunrise..

Warm outside again, just like yesterday morning, we were hovering at 58F/14C when I headed out at 6 am. The morning air is some how crisper without the sun though and I zippered my fleece sweater as high as it would go. The sunrise was nice, I managed to find a few interesting things to amuse me while I was snapping pictures.  About three quarters of the moon was covered but a sliver showed brightly over the mountain ranges to the northwest. A pretty sight.

And this was happening in the other direction of the sky....

An old school bus, the long ones, has been converted into sleeping quarters, but only the bus company name and the red stop signs appear to be the only change. All of the windows are still uncovered, it’s still school bus yellow and looked very out of place here. People sleep in cars, vans, tents, truck campers, small trailers, A frame trailers, bigger tow behinds, 5’ers, motor homes and just about anything else you may be able to think of. We are a diverse crowd for sure.

It never looks this yellow through the camera lens....

Back inside I was quietly making myself something hot to drink and about the time the water was hot Miss Riley stuck her head around the corner and spoke for the first time today. We chatted about just a relaxing day and doing very little of anything. I’m happy to report we were very successful. 

It's sinking lower and lower and goes behind the mountain within a short time after this picture...

 
I whipped us up a couple of pieces of French Toast and syrup for breakfast, a rare treat for us. We lounged around for a while until around 10 am when we started house cleaning. Our little Igloo was in need of some sprucing up. With the vacuum in hand, dust clothes, glass cleaners, broom, and mop we at least moved the dust around. 

Sunrise is just a few seconds away...

From there I headed out with my book to sit in the sun for a while. I enjoyed it for about 20 minutes but had to move to the shade which after about 25 minutes had me moving back to the sun. You see how this is going right? Finally I gave up and came back in side. It’s the perfect temperature. 

Pretty much still looks like a school bus but they were sleeping in there....

For lunch I skipped my salad today, I was too lazy to make one. Yes, I know I’m a lazy sluggard but oh well, it’s just the way things are today. I reheated the leftovers from Riley’s birthday lunch, some mashed potatoes, stuffing and small piece of crispy herb chicken. It was yummy. Riley had herself some turkey hot dogs for lunch. We then washed up all the dishes and shined the tap. So you know now everything is sparkly clean. 

Love this little cactus, doesn't appear to have spines but the edges look to have rocks embedded in them, it's not rocks but that's what it looks like...

Back outside I worked at putting away a few items in the cubbies and the truck box. We have only a couple of things to toss in to their proper places in the morning. I left out one chair until after sunset though. I’m too lazy to walk today. 

Some type of barrel cactus but don't you love the colours....

Sunset found me outside with my book and the camera. I snapped a few pictures, read a few pages, a few pictures, a few more pages. You know how this goes. Finally I put the book away, put the chair away, snapped a couple of final pictures and called it a night.

This Ocotillo is just starting to leaf out, but no red plumes yet...

Inside I’ve been editing pictures and writing my post. Our last day here at Joshua Tree National Park has been relaxing and enjoyable. Tomorrow we move on to a new spot and some new adventures. We’re both excited to see around the next bend. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit. Feel free to leave a comment, I love to hear from you.

I have no idea what this is, but it's in a number of trees, and it's not the same growth as the tree, its too alive to be a nest I think. I like it though. 

Until next time…. take care, be safe, 

Our last sunset here at Joshua Tree National Park this season....

One last 'goodnight from Joshua Tree National Park'.

Deb

Hike, catching up, and beautiful sunset....

Our Location: Joshua Tree National Park BLM, South entrance, California


An excellent night for sleeping and I took advantage of it. Falling asleep right around 10 pm I didn’t hear anything, not a sound until 5:30 am. A wonderful warm night the temperature was 59F/15C when I went outside just about 6:15 am. 

This greeted me when I stepped outside first thing this morning...

I walked about as I snapped the sunrise pictures, and it was a beauty although I didn’t really catch the pop as the sun was behind some pretty thick cloud cover which seemed to just blow in about 10 minutes before actual sunrise time. 

Shortly after this the dark clouds obscured the sunrise...

I talked with my friend Linda for about 10 minutes this morning, just kind of touching base and catching up quickly. I also called my Aunt Shirley, left a message. Called my buddy Ron but didn’t speak long, they were in the process of hooking up and moving from the overflow area in Magic River Campground to a hook up site. 

We followed this trail today....

Back inside Riley and I made a few plans before heading out for a hike. It wasn’t our best hike and we had a great deal of difficulty figuring out the trail as Skull Rock Trail isn’t really marked well. There is a loop and a trail and one of them joins with another which joins with another but it was confusing. I’m getting ahead of myself. 

See the second faint line to the left as well?

We climbed in the Dogsled and headed into the park, dumped our trash in the bins and headed on through. We noticed a number of different things today as the Ocotillo is now leafing out and looking very dashing in their fabulous new green attire and adding some fascinating reds to the tops of their tall elegant spikes as their blooms are popping open and splashing colour across the desert landscapes. The Cholla (pronounced Choya) Cactus are showing more signs of their colourful yellow blooms also starting to burst forth. The Red Top Buckwheat is scattered around the desert in various places adding bursts of deep crimson while creosote bushes are sporting some very pretty yellow flowers. The Desert Junipers in their ever soft shades of green are hanging with some lush bluish berries too. We’ve also noticed the waxy  green sheen on the Mojave Desert Oaks as they glisten in the sunshine. These were a few of the changes we’ve noticed since our first trip to the other side of Joshua Tree National Park. 

Riley was seated so I couldn't knock her over in my hurry to get set for the picture...

We journeyed today to Skull Rock, and as stated above had a bit of confusion following the trail. It wasn’t well signed in my opinion. We found the sand washes to be inviting and pleasant although the rolling sands make it tougher to walk, but Riley’s new walking stick was an excellent aid for her. We climbed over, around, and even squeezed between rocks, and boulders on the trail. What appears to be smooth rock in some places is very pebbly and not smooth at all. The rock formations are huge, some are split, standing up right, others are jumbled into a heap and scattered. Still others are a combination of the two. The colours range from yellows to oranges to browns. One thing we noticed was a line in some of the formations, in places it looked like a scar but in other places it appeared as if someone had placed a trail of rocks in the top of the bigger formations. One of the small information placards along the way explained that it is EMBEDDED into the rock formations. It is a most interesting sight to see. As you see in the pictures it’s difficult to describe but fascinating to look at. Among the many plants we noticed were of course the usual Creosote, prickly pear, pencil cactus, Tamrisk (like a cedar tree), juniper, there were also things like Mojave Desert Oak, Goatnut trees, various other cacti as well. They appeared in some cases to be literally growing out of the rocks, their roots causing splits, or showing along the top of the rocks, whiles the roots of others were no where to be seen. Interesting way for them to grow.

Look, no roots showing in this pebbly rock surface, from far away it looks smooth....

The many colours of the desert were apparent on today's walk including light yellows, ivory, various shades of browns and greens, along with some purple, blue, reds, whites and of course grays. We noted three little lizards on our travels as well, they are quick and hard to catch in a photo but we were fortunate. They are hard to see as they blend with their surroundings.  

See the little gecko-lizard, he's brown, just above the pale yellow stick...

We did enjoy the hike for the most part, the first Skull Rock Trail was about a mile return which we managed easily but into the second Skull Rock Trail Riley wasn’t feeling too great at about a quarter mile in  and so we turned around, taking a short cut back to the Dogsled and returned home. I think we’ve been doing too much the last few days and we both will be taking the day off tomorrow, except for a few packing up items. 

I wanted to climb up there and have Riley take a picture of me but she wasn't feeling up to it. 

Back home I made myself a salad and Riley prepared spaghetti with a nice sausage meat sauce, with some cheesy garlic bread. It was very good of course and we now have left overs for another day. After that I had a nap, I was tuckered out. Riley rested but didn’t sleep and was feeling better by 4 pm. 

Those are naturally embedded in the rock...

We both read for a bit, then I grabbed the camera and headed outside to catch the sunset. I chatted with Lyle and then Shirley for a bit (Aunt-Uncle) before also catching up with my buddy Ron and his wife Sharon. The sunset was spectacular tonight and I enjoyed it immensely. This may be the most beautiful sunset since we’ve been out here in the southwest. The sky started off in a clouded white/bluish colour then suddenly the reds appeared. Fire in the western sky as the billowy clouds showed off their dazzling deep red. Truly amazing to see.

The Ocotillo leaves are so green and the bloom is so plumy red....

Thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoyed your visit. Please feel free to leave a comment, I enjoy reading them. I hope you’ve had yourself a wonderful day!

The full looking moon shining over Joshua Tree National Park tonight...

Until next time…. take care, be safe,

Fire in the sky.....

Good night from Joshua Tree National park. 

Deb

Less windy, warmer, day of chores....

Our Location: Joshua Tree National Park BLM, South entrance, California


Sleeping on the sofa reminds me again why we need new seating/sleeping furniture in the living room. Riley took over my bedroom and I spent the night in the living room. The winds where extremely strong, gusting at 30 mph with steady winds in the 20 mph range. Many of the folks in the area had their slides in this morning when I went out for the sunrise. Many were also packing up before 7 am and heading out quickly. Not the norm for here even if they are just over nighters.

This morning's sun showing on the mountains across the Coachella Valley....

I will admit the Igloo did less dancing around with the big slides in, it was less noisy as well. However it was still very easy to hear the winds howl relentlessly through the night. I didn’t settle down to sleep until after midnight and awake at 5:30 am to the sounds of more wind, although not as loud and we weren’t shaking it any longer. 

The work day has begun, can you see the tiny big of sunshine that is showing over the mountain? The first rays are just barely there...

Outside for the sunrise it was cool but not cold, although the wind whistling up my jammies leg gave me the shivers. I didn’t walk around much, staying close to the Igloo and out of the wind. It was at this point I noticed everyone had slides in and many were hooking up or packing up. It didn’t take long for them to start their exits once daylight actual broke.

Octollio, also known as the Devil's Walking Stick. Reminds me of a very spikey dragon....

 
Back inside Miss Riley was awake and we debated about what to do. I checked the wind forecast and it was calling for much less wind, higher temperatures and blue skies. The wind was in fact dying down as we spoke. We opted to stay for at least one more night and decided to go ahead with the chores we had planned. 

A different Octollio tree but I love the brilliant red on that branch.

We put the slides back out and immediately noticed the rock and roll dancing was gone. Yeah!!! Put things back together and cleared off the table, which is where we piled everything that comes off the walls and usually goes on my bed or the sofa. 

The Octollio has some new jewelry....

Cleaned up, dressed, and enjoying our hot drinks while reading before starting the day. Reading while enjoying the windless sounds of the great outdoors was soothing this morning. Afterward we sorted laundry, dumped garbages, loaded the truck and headed out for a fun day of chores, chores, chores. 

Another day is almost done.....

First a spot to dump the trash, check. Next find a laundromat. Hmmmmm it’s not where it’s supposed to be, so on to the next one in the list. Way across Coachella to Indio’s Monroe Street. Laundromat found, check. Laundry washed, dried, folded, loaded back into the Dogsled, check. Filled with big dogs drinking bowl with some diesel priced at $3.59 per gallon. Not the best prices but the best I’ve seen here in California though. Filled tank, check. Now groceries. Of course we like Walmart for groceries. Prices are consistent and very reasonable. We needed a few other things as well though. Some we couldn’t find, no women’s shorts out on the racks yet, nor any capri’s either. However we did manage to find a calander as well as a small clip board and note pad, check, check. Groceries, check to the dance of over $150 USD. That’s a lot of groceries folks. 

Sunset as seen through some desert foliage.

We came straight home to the Igloo as it was already pushing 2 pm and we hadn’t had lunch yet. We opted to have a ‘fend for yourself’ day. I of course opted for a big green salad, and Riley opted for the chicken from Walmart. She can make a complete meal on just that chicken. She’ll snack on it all day and there will be nothing left tomorrow.

Sunset as seen through a desert bush....

After lunch we both read for the rest of the afternoon. I headed outside around 4:45 pm to catch the sunset. I did and it was a beauty. I wandered in various places while taking pictures. A number of rigs came in over the 45 minutes I was outside. I also called daughter Bradey to chat with her for a while.  We managed to get caught up on all the happenings in her life. We chatted for about 45 minutes and then I headed inside.

Old rusty barbed wire twirling in the sunset's rays....

Once inside I edited pictures, and started my post. So as you can see nothing exciting but we did accomplish a number of necessary chores today. So in that sense it was a very good day. The wind has pretty much stopped, the temperatures have warmed up significantly and we’re enjoying our last few days here at Joshua Tree National Park. 

Sunset through a Teddy Bear Cactus

Thanks for stopping by and visiting our little neighbourhood. I hope you enjoyed your visit. Feel free to leave a comment, I enjoy reading them very much. I hope you’ve had an excellent day doing whatever it was that got you through the day. 

Sunset through the spines of the same Teddy Bear Cactus..

A deep thoughtful sky tonight...

Until the next time…. take care, be safe,

Good night from Joshua Tree National Park.....

Deb

Riley's birthday, outing with friends, extremely windy.....

Our Location: Joshua Tree National Park BLM, West entrance, California


Once I fell asleep I was okay until about 6:15 am but the wind was still howling and I debated about turning over and going back to sleep. I didn’t however, I rolled out, put on some duds and headed out to brave the winds. I will admit I didn’t move around much, I stayed tucked up in the corner by the dining room and Riley’s bathroom out of as much of the wind as I could.

Sunrise at Joshua Tree National Park....

Back inside around 7:10 am, the Birthday Lady was up and sitting on the couch. After a hug, kiss and birthday well wishes I asked what she would like for breakfast. I made some hot drinks, and an ‘Bird’s nest’ for Riley. I enjoyed a fresh grapefruit. What is a Bird’s Nest you ask? It’s a piece of bread with the center punched out, and an egg dropped in there and cooked just like that. There are variations of course, you can make it with scrambled eggs and fixin’s such as mushroom, onions, cheese, garlic, etc. The top side of the bread should be covered with egg white or mixture so that it’s almost french toast like.

The sun has risen....

After we finished that I cleaned up and got myself ready for the day ahead, Riley was just puttering around doing a few things. Today we had plans with Sonya, Joshua and Jack. We were taking a drive to Keys View Lookout in the park. They haven’t been through the park yet and will return to the area in a week or so but will park on the north side of the park. Sonya knocked on the door to touch base and to discuss travel plans. They were leaving after our outing and were in need of water so they took their small Winnebago Van as far as the Ranger Station at Cottonwood Springs Campground, filled with water, parked in the Group Camp area before climbing into the Dogsled for our excursion. Jack is a wonderful dog, but can’t be left at home, he has anxiety issues and would cause some damage if left alone. It also against the law to leave any pet in a vehicle unattended in California. So he came along for the trip again.

I'm always fascinated by these cacti.

We chatted and swapped information and ideas all the while enjoying the sights of the park. The hills, mountains, valleys and vegetation are truly inspiring and breathtaking. For a person with any kind of artistic eye this park could fill your entire life’s work and never repeat the same vista. There are numerous trails to hike and explore, there is even some rock climbing spots available. I will say I didn’t see any wildlife while in the park at any time, other than a humming bird, and a small gecko type critter scurrying around under some bushes. However it boasts Big Horn Sheep, Desert Tortoise, coyotes, and some lizards. Today being Sunday the park was much busier with other kinds of wild life than it has been during the weekdays. More foot traffic as well as vehicles of all kinds. 

Jack was not happy to be left behind with us while his family went walking without him...

We reached the Cactus (Cholla) Garden (Cholla prounounced Choya) which Riley and I had walked a few days ago. It was exciting to see Sonya’s reaction as she viewed it for the first time. Like I had just a few days ago she ooh’d and ahhh’d at the sight of so many amazing cacti in one area. She marveled at the height, the colours, and the baby’s on the ground where they are self seeding. Jack couldn’t do the trail as his unprotected paws would be skewered in the first step or two. So Riley and I kept Jack outside the fence while Sonya and Joshua took the short 1/4 mile loop. Jack was not impressed. However some very nice young folks approached asking if they could meet Jack, to which I answered, he wasn’t my pet and I didn’t know how he would react, but he was very calm and didn’t mind at all. In fact Jack the Dog met Jack the Human on the sidewalk at the Cholla Garden! How cute was that? 

Our first view from Keys View Lookout..

Sonya was excited about what she’d witnessed, just as I had been excited. Her voice was filled with an awe, and excitement as she talked about the colours, so dark and rich on the bottom and so soft, inviting and alive on the top. How such a vast number could be found in just this tiny little spot. You get the idea.

The San Andreas Fault in the Cochella Valley.....

Pulling out we headed further north looking for Keys View lookout. This lookout is at over 5100 feet in elevation. It’s been extremely windy here for a number of days and nights, today being no exception. The elevation coupled with the raw extremely strong winds made it less than pleasant at the top of the incline to stand around and take pictures. On a sunny, warm, less windy day I could have spent an hour there just looking down into the valley below. The weather however made it less than ideal and even with heavy sweaters and long pants it was too cold to be there any longer than about 5 minutes.

The view toward the south, see the roads down there...so straight....

The view is spectacular but it was very hazy today and in the distance the haze made everything less crisp for picture taking. However the view as I said was stunning. We could see the Coachella Valley including the Salton Sea, and the San Andreas Fault Line from above. The road ways looked like pale ribbons against the green backdrop of fields filled with crops of various kinds. The perfectly straight ribbon of roadways can be seen easily from this height. There are numerous mountain ranges in sight but I can’t tell you their names. The views stretched for miles in both directions. The mountains ranged from being dark and forboding to being whitish, less stark and softer looking.  The valley is very deep as are the many gorges and washes seen from above. The mountains weave into each other with graceful lines of definition separating them.

Amazing views from here....

The lookout is perched high on a small mountain top with no room for slipping or error. The drop is a very long one and the bottom is not a soft landing. The walkway up and down is fenced and paved but not all of the top area is fenced which allows people to be brave or stupid, the choice is yours, for myself I’m pretty certain it’s more of the latter than it is the former. There a couple of placards of information at the top of the little viewing area.   When one turns around to begin the downward walk (it is mere yards, not far at all) the view of the parking lot is also amazing as it is nestled in between two peaks with the achingly beautiful vistas you have just been blessed to witness, and now a gorgeous rear view of a whitish sandy valley laden with Joshua Trees of various sizes and shapes. The waves of green in the wind make it like a living land as the trees swayed and danced with graceful abandon. The valley is ringed with mountains both near and far, the ribbon of pavement twists and turns across the valley floor allowing visitors to view sage brush, creosote bushes, and various other small plants that butt up close to the roadway. It is truly worth the drive. 

Aren't they graceful?

Various hiking opportunities are available in this area as well, and I think would draw the average hiker to attempt at least a few of these trails. With the witnessing of the sights I’ve already been blessed to see, I can only imagine what else might be waiting out there for me to marvel at and find myself stuck for words to describe the beauty this park gives up so easily. I would love to spend more time exploring this area, visiting some of those hidden gems and sharing my finds with you. Another year will draw me back I’m certain. 

The view approaching the parking area, can see you the road off on the right far back in the valley?

Back in the Dogsled we meandered back to the Cottonwood Camping area to drop Sonya, Joshua and Jack at their home. Goodbye, see you down the road was exchanged before Riley and I were off. Sonya & Joshua are heading out for other parts of the area and will meet up with friends there for a couple of days. It’s been fun and we’ve enjoyed our time them. We wish them safe travels and happy times. 

This valley is filled with Joshua Trees.

Back home I cooked Miss Riley her birthday lunch. Although I will admit I messed it up. She asked for breaded chicken and I made Crispy Herb Chicken instead. My head wasn’t in the game I guess. However she’s a trooper and didn’t complain at all. I also made her a nice big salad, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. No cake though but I don’t really think she cares. We can pick one up if she wants one. Afterwards I even cleaned up while she was in her room reading. Took me a long time to wash up all those dishes, sweep and generally tidy up.

With the wind today these trees were waving and swaying, flashing their brilliant greens, with greys and peeks of the blue sky as well.

Reading for a bit, and then outside to take some sunset pictures. Not much of a show tonight, pretty much just slipped from the sky with no fan fare, no painters palette of various hues. However still a pretty show.

Joshua taking a picture of a Joshua Tree.

Shortly after I started editing pictures we decided to pull in the two big slides as the winds here are just brutal. There is less noise with the slides pulled in but Riley can’t use her room or bathroom and the living room/dining room/ kitchen area is much more compact with the slide in. Riley takes over my room and I take the couch. Not the best of solutions but it works. So with that in mind we may just pull up stakes and move out tomorrow. We were going to stick around for another couple of days, as we have laundry to do and some shopping to take care of but with these winds we don’t feel the safest here. Many of the campers have moved on over the last couple of days. Single nighters have been the norm for the last while. The winds are steady with plenty of heavy gusts that rock the Igloo and whistle around everything. I’ve even parked the Dogsled crosswise in front of the Igloo hoping to deflect some of the wind but it’s still catching a great deal of the gusts. Glad we’re nose in to the wind and not broadside. 

The sun is distorted by the haze or dust in the air....

I’ve checked the area of Yuma for wind conditions as we would like to go there after Borrego Springs but it doesn’t look good. It looks 20 -28 mph gusts are predicted for next while. Al & Kelly (The Bayfield Bunch) have mentioned the winds in Borrego Springs too. It is relentless here and never lets up, I’m not sure if that is just in this area at Joshua Tree or if it’s the entire California area in general. I will be very honest and say it is a concern for me as I do not like high winds and big gusts. We are also experiencing wind burns if we are outside for very long and no amount of moisturize seems to help. So we will need to address this issue.

Up close to a Teddy Bear Cactus.....

Riley can’t seem to feel any difference with the slides in but I can, the Igloo isn’t rocking nearly as much and I think falling asleep will be much easier tonight. Tomorrow we’ll decide if we’re going to move on or stay to complete our chores. The wind will decide for us.

Taken from behind the berm that separates the park from the BLM land here...

As already mentioned today is Riley’s birthday, she is 26. She has made amazing strides in her last year, stepping far out of her comfort zone at times and surprising both herself and me with her new found determination and excitement. Happy Birthday Riley, thank you for all the joy your bring to my life. I love you dearly Magoo.

Sun setting through some desert foliage....

 
So there you have it, our day with friends while visiting Joshua Tree National Park. Nothing life altering but fun for us and a bit of education as well. I hope you too have had an excellent Sunday! Thanks for stopping by, feel free to leave a comment, I enjoy reading them.

Another sun setting through foliage picture....

Until next time….. take care, be safe,

Goodnight from a very windy Joshua Tree National Park....

Deb