Our Trip to the Desert - Part One

My wife and I decided to take advantage of the Presidents' Day weekend and decided to take a trip east out of Los Angeles to the desert.  We had gone east to Idyllwild and the Big Bear area on other long weekends, amid the conifer trees, and we had briefly visited Joshua Tree National Park once before.  But since we had taken weekend trips north to the ocean (Morro Bay and environs in Central California) and south to San Diego, I decided to slow way down and get way quiet, and go east toward the deserty Palm Springs area.

We rented a one bedroom apartment at the end of a dirt road in a tiny town called Morongo Valley. For Southern California readers, it is about 15 miles northeast of the hi-rise Morongo Casino, and some 2000 ft above sea level. Arriving on Thursday night, with little light to interfere, we found ourselves looking up into the star-filled sky, enjoying that expansive beauty, when we weren't distracted by jets flying high on their way to land in Los Angeles.  It was deafeningly quiet and peaceful--and wondrous.  We even heard a coyote off in the distance.

Friday morning we left to spend the day to once again explore Joshua Tree. It is full of Joshua "trees," cactus that when large enough look somewhat like trees, and rocks, rocks, and more rocks! The rocks are often viewed in large "Flintstone-like" formations, spectacularly found everywhere in the Park. The rocks attract many rock climbers, and we saw some working their way up or down some formidable formations.

We first hiked in what is called "Hidden Valley," one of the more popular places to go in the Park to see the Joshuas and the rocks, as well as other flora.  After a nice lunch amidst the rocks, we headed over to The Maze, a twisty-turny trail that goes up and down canyons and over and between rocks. (Did I say there were rocks here?) It wasn't until we were just about back to the car that we saw anybody else on that trail.  The solitude and stark majesty filled our souls.  

The pictures that follow were taken by me in Hidden Valley and The Maze.  I hope that you enjoy their beauty.  I do, and being in this area filled me with wonder for its beauties, and with gratitude to God for creating such a wonderful example of His artistry.

The next posting (Part Two) will display pictures from our Saturday hike.

One of the first rock formations  and Joshuas to greet us as we neared Hidden Valley

Some Joshua Trees with a yucca and an oak tree (I believe) in Hidden Valley

Rocks and clear, incredibly blue skies

Yuccas promulgating in the midst of all the rocks near the trail

This was like looking at a dead body

These identations in the rock were made by early Indian inhabitants to grind nuts and other foods

I thought I would catch the starkness, the rocks, the dead tree, and the jet and its trail in the blue sky

"Flintstones, meet the Flintstones..."

Climbers love the rocks of Joshua Tree

Just beautiful

Do you see the closed eyes, nose and mouth?

Look for my wife on the trail in The Maze

I thought that this hearty little cactus was just incredible

Rocks everywhere in this geologic wonderland

Wanted to take this picture with the sun peeking over the outcropping

Hill and more hills of rocks along The Maze

In the foreground is an outcropping; in the background, you see civilization on the desert floor