Joshua Tree National Park

Why should one visit Joshua Tree National Park? Why to see Joshua Trees of course! Reading back through my blog I realize how little I obviously knew about our National Parks. Joshua Tree admittedly wasn’t on my initial radar, but I’ve quickly learned to prepare to be amazed! Why on earth would we just see a bunch of Joshua Trees? What else would this treasure hold for us?

We dry camped in Black Rock Campground renewing each morning with the ranger because we just weren’t quite done exploring. 

 

Day one we started with a Jr. Ranger walk at the Oasis of Mara. Standing in the Mojave Desert, in an actual oasis, dissecting owl pellets, learning about cactus adaptations, and studying a roadrunner made for a pretty awesome start to our desert exploration. We drove to stand in the midst of a cholla cactus garden where the Mojave and Colorado Desert meet. We certainly saw Joshua Trees that would knock your socks off in both size and sheer number, but soon we discovered exactly what would make this national park so special. Its rocks! Seriously. We hiked and climbed all day at Jumbo Rocks and in Hidden Valley, which quickly made our top 5 hike list.

Dissecting owl pellets!

The Cholla Gardens where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet. 

Ocotillo blooms in the Colorado Desert

 

Best rock hopping EVER!

The next day we hiked at Barker Dam and returned to Hidden Valley. This time we packed a few adult beverages in our lunch box and the kids packed their oil pastels and watercolors. We spent most of our day high atop this rock formation watching the desert below and the rock climbers making their way past us. Awesome afternoon. We capped it off with a drive to Keys View overlooking the Cochella Valley and the San Andreas Fault.

 

Yes, we did. 

Our view from the top!

Post hike Dad does biceps... 

Not us.

I wanted to explore the south end of the park and Cottonwood Springs, but the drive was too much for a day trip. I guess we’ll just have to return! Having exhausted the north end of the park, we searched for a place to do school. Sometimes we have to get out of the RV for school! We settled into a patio table at the visitor’s center and were well into our math when a ranger invited us to his patio talk. We turned our seats to listen and well, after four days in the park, my kids were answering all of his questions. It was pretty humorous. The adults were impressed but not more so than the ranger who fell in love with these two. After his program he brought them stickers, hats, and books. We finished math and called it a day. Peace. Half the time I swear they’re not listening to me, but then they rock a patio talk and low and behold they were listening. My job is done here!

While we were doing school, daddy got the RV serviced. We contemplated another day but just then the Mojave desert, which gets less than ten inches of rain a year, got rain. That is our cue. 

This park will hold a very special place in my heart. Forever.

R, "Fires bring a family closer." #truth