[2nd of 2 'catch-up' posts, covering Tue 8/31 thru Thu am 9/2]
Tuesday morning we helped Donna with a few things around the ranch, then packed up, reloaded the van, said our goodbyes and were on the road shortly after 2pm for the ~4hr drive to Joshua Tree National Park.
 |
| Surrogate mom saying goodbye to Toby |
The drive was fairly easy and we arrived at Ryan Campground around 6:30pm under overcast and threatening skies. We were shocked to find we were the only ones in the 40+ site campground - and briefly wondered if there had been an evacuation due to the thunderstorm we could see coming in from the south. Not to be deterred, we set up the awning on the van, grabbed a couple beers, and sat to watch the storm - ready to jump in the van if things got bad. There was a little bit of nearby lightening and a few drops of rain but, as our weather app predicted, the storm passed over us by 9pm and the skies started to clear.
 |
| Sun setting as the thunderstorm passed over |
We decided against getting our cooking gear out and so made a meal from some of the salmon I had smoked before we left Seattle, plus some crackers and cheese. Mmmm. We cleaned up and climbed into bed around 9:30, with weather reports suggesting we might get another storm overnight (never did).
We both slept longer than expected - got up around 7 under partly cloudy skies and warming temperatures. We made coffee and oatmeal plus sandwiches for our hike, and were on the trail by 8:30. We had selected the 'Big Trees' and 'Lost Horse Mine' trails (some of which Victoria and I hiked 3 years earlier), with the trailhead 40 yards from our campsite.
 |
| Cactus growing in the middle of the trail |
The hike was perfect, giving us a great taste of the desert landscape, including lots of Joshua trees, with a spectacular view of the valley as our endpoint before heading back. It was definitely warm, with temperatures in the low-90's, but the passing clouds helped keep us from overheating.
 |
| Joshua trees, cactus, wildflowers and more |
 |
| Overlook near Lost Horse Loop mine - Mojave Desert in the foreground, Colorado Desert in the distance |
We got back to camp around 1pm and decided to explore more of the park in the van, since we'd be on the road early the next morning. We drove all the way to the southern Cottonwood entrance - stopped outside the park for gas, ice and a couple treats - before heading back with a handful of stops along the way.
 |
| Cactus Garden |
 |
| Aptly named Skull Rock |
 |
| Keys View - looking southwest toward Palm Springs, LA and the Pacific (not visible due to smog) |
We got back to camp around 6pm to find 2 additional sites occupied(!). We were both ready for happy hour before enjoying a delicious steak and rice dinner as the sun set. After sundown,
we got treated to a spectacular light show as stars and planets came out.
No comments:
Post a Comment