Joshua Tree National Forest - July 2014
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| We took the 10 through the valley between the San Berandino and
Santa Rosa/San Jacinto mountain ranges, where mile after mile of wind
farms lined the highway... |
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| We stayed at the Sacred Sands Bed and Breakfast, which was simply
the best possible place to stay if you are visiting Joshua Tree National
Park. This is a unique and fun bed and breakfast, tasteful and
almost whimsical in it's decor, fascinating in it's construction and
history. It's featured in a book (that was available in the large common
room) on construction for extreme environments. The two proprietors are
friendly and knowledgeable of the park and the surrounding community,
and are local activists working to keep the area pristine. The room we
had (one of two) was quiet, private, with beautiful views. The outdoor
patio area was fenced for privacy and had a hot tub (which was great
after a day of hiking and rock climbing in Joshua tree) and had a
outdoor bed where you could relax and watch the stars. And the
breakfasts were top notch. Really enjoyed the stay and conversing with
the owners. |
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Joshua Tree was amazing, from watching the sun set from Key's
view or the rock formations and big horned sheep around Barker Dam,
there was something amazing every minute we were there. My
favorite part; Alison and I had parked the car and hiked maybe a half
mile into the desert, surrounded by the amazing rock formations and the
alien looking Joshua Trees, when we came up to one formation that was
maybe 100 feet high.
Alison says "hey, I think we can climb that."
I say "Ummmm.... sweetie, we're both over fifty, have no climbing gear,
have no experience, and no one knows where we are."
And Alison says "So, that's a yes!"
So we climbed it. |
| Sunset from Key Point |
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The hike up the giant rock
formation in the middle of the desert...
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| The Barker Dam Hike |
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| The Lost Horse Mine hike (about 4 miles
there and back) |
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