Joshua Tree National Park

Neither of us knew much about Joshua Tree National Park before we came here.  We arranged our stop here because we wanted something else to do on the long drive home from the Grand Canyon South Rim. So we scanned the map...  "Oh yeah... Joshua Tree National Park...  I've heard of that.  Let's go there!"  And so we did.  Now let me also say that we are not so much desert people.  We both like to be around water and cool weather.  However, on this trip we are both appreciating the charms of the desert... as a a place to visit, not to live.  And Joshua Tree National Park has turned out to be particularly beautiful!  Our first day here we explored the park to give ourselves an overview.  We found many beautiful rock formations here.  In fact, Joshua Tree attracts rock climbers from all over the world, especially in the winter months when the temperatures here are quite pleasant and many climbing destinations are covered in snow.  And the Joshua Trees are also quite spectacular...

We have found the sky here to be pretty spectacular too....

You may notice from the sky that this is quite an air traffic corridor...



Okay, a few obligatory words about rocks: There are lots of them here, mostly in what appear to be enormous piles. This is called monzogranite, and is the remnants of magma plugs that were formed 15 miles (!!!) below the earth surface. All that land above them has been worn down. Because they cooled very slowly, the grains are much larger than regular granite, so it has a very rough and grippy surface. Excellent for climbing on, but not so good if you fall.

We love the shapes of the Joshua Trees. This group reminded us of an unsychronized squad of multi-armed cheerleaders. 

We took a self-guided self-drive geology tour as far as our all wheel drive Subaru would take us.  Beyond this point four wheel drive is required, but we gazed wistfully at the road not taken. We also wondered if the guy who continued past this point in the Honda ever made it out.  We were warned that a tow out of here will cost at least $1,000.

We have also become familiar with Cholla Cactus. But have avoided getting TOO familiar. It may look soft and cuddly, and indeed is known as "Jumping Teddy Bear" because of it's cuteness. But each of those bazillion spikes has microscopic barbs which will easily attach to clothing or skin, and are apparently extremely difficult and painful to remove. 

This Cholla wants to give Ed a little innocent hug.

Nestled among different plants we find these mounds of old dead Cholla parts, blackened with age. These are the nests of Desert Wood Rats, who pile the spiny balls around the entrances to their burrows. All their natural predators except snakes will find this to be an impenetrable barrier to the mammals inside. These burrows have been used by so many generations, that excavations and studies have shown some to be around 10,000 years old!  

We also found a grove of the enormous spiny plants we first encountered near Sedona, which we have since learned is called an Ocotillo.  This plant can look dead in dry times but after a rain leaves and blossoms appear.

And some lovely cactus for a bit of color.

With a new layer of dust on our car, and on ourselves, we head back to our place at sunset. Another splendid day.