Joshua Tree National Monument

After Christmas, we headed just out of Palm Desert to beautiful Joshua Tree National Monument. (yes for you U2 fans, the photo comes from this area, and the trees look just like that). We actually parked just outside the South side of the park on BLM land for the best price out there, free ninety eight. Obviously we had no hookups, but after looking at the sites in the park, we could not have easily fit and for 20$ per night we could have had a site with, well, no hookups either, so why spend the money. We were able to drive the 7 miles into the park and watch the interpretive talks and participate in some of the Junior Ranger events for the girls (they did receive their second Jr. Ranger Badge here, we will keep a tally, first one from Olympic National Park, WA) The weather was fantastic, if I was able to post more than 5 photos per post, I would show a picture of our atomic clock at 4:06 Jan 2, 2010 where the temp is 81 degrees in our trailer. Ah quite different from the Arctic North. As you can see in the pictures, Patrick (Diana's Brother) and Rhonda and the kids came out and joined us in their motor home (ours is the little white 5th wheel, theirs is the other one for those who are wondering). We had a wonderful time playing, hiking, shooting (bows and firearms (hey, it is BLM land))stargazing, sitting around the fire making s'mores and on and on. There is a picture of me wandering aimlessly across the desert, hopelessly lost (OK, not so much, but it does look like that on my face) and of the girls in one of the canyons that we hiked through. On one of our hikes of about 7.5 miles, the sand and ground were so soft and inviting, we took our shoes off! Just like when I was growing up in AZ. As you can see, the vistas were amazing as were the sunsets. From some of the ridges, you can see the Salton Sea off in the distance. All in all a beautiful, peaceful, relaxing time was had by all.

Amusing (in retrospect) side note: Apparently the TP holder when it is used in our small bathroom makes a noise to a half asleep wife like an intruder going through our side holds. So if you ever get a chance to camp with us and I come bursting out of the door in my skivvies with my pistol and my surefire light in the middle of the night, it is not likely an intruder, it is just the TP holder squeaking. No pictures of this event will be posted.