Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

After over 2,000 miles, 5 sightseeing & hiking adventures, many delicious meals, bronze suntans and hundreds of lizard-spottings later—we're home! This last week was spent driving to and from Boise down to Palm Desert, California, and exploring everything in between.

The day after we arrived in Palm Desert, we took the quick drive out to Joshua Tree National Park. It was cooler than we expected (60 +/-) and incredibly windy, so there wasn't much wildlife out and about. But that didn't stop our 2-hour hike adventure.

Joshua Tree National Park Ocotillo
Flowering ocotillo.
Joshua Tree National Park hike
Hiking through the hills.
Joshua Tree National Park cholla cactus
A teddy bear cholla cactus, which is anything but cuddly.
Joshua Tree National Park ocotillo blooms
Ocotillo blooms.
Joshua Tree National Park lizard
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park lizard
Joshua Tree National Park
Looking out over the park.
Joshua Tree National Park cholla garden
Cholla garden (and notice, I'm stepping on one! That was a hassle to get out, let me tell you!).

More parks & photos to come!

Palm Desert Road Trip 2013 Posts:
Joshua Tree National Park │ Indian Canyon │ Palm Springs Aerial Tramway │ The Living Desert │ The Valley of FirePalm Desert Road Trip 2013 Video

21 comments:

Anna Rodriguez said...

Did you bring home a friend for Dobby?? I'm glad you had a good time and that you made it back safely! I love road trips. :)

Rebecca said...

It looks so pretty! I love going to national parks.
tr[i]b[e]cca

Joelle Duff said...

So beautiful! We used to visit Palm Desert every summer when I was younger (I grew up about an hour away), but I'm not so outdoorsy anymore. Plus, they have scorpions there (just something else I'm afraid of...). Glad you had a good time! xoxo

Rachel Murphree said...

I looooove Joshua Tree! I want to camp out during the meteor storms; it's supposed to be one of the best places for seeing the shooting stars. :)
XO, Rachel
With Love, Rachel

Kateri Von Steal said...

Very beautiful pictures! I live in Upstate NY, and we have some beautiful hiking trails... but, none like these.

Note to self: Go on Hiking Adventure Across the Country!


www.katerivonstealsnewlife.blogspot.com


The Teddy Bear Cactus looks awesome!


My son wants to grow venus fly traps...he thinks they're "CUTE"....

Alyssa said...

So many gorgeous shots! I've never been to the desert, but I've always wanted to make a trip!

Samm said...

That is so beautiful! Outside right now, all I get is SNOW.

Xo,
www.dysfunctionaleverafter.com

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

I need to come visit you, I am so sick of looking outside and seeing SNOW! Gorgeous pics Aunie!

grace for gayle said...

Awesome! Cannot wait to see the rest! That sky, wow. SO blue! And of course, love the lizard. :)

Nicole @ Treasure Tromp said...

this is wonderful! I love Joshua Tree and the Mojave in general. And now the Mojave will always hold a special place in my heart as that is where we got engaged :) Although the chollas are the worst. I got one stuck in my finger for THREE weeks. it was the worst!

Lisa said...

Great pictures!! I've never been there but might be adding this to my list!

Kelly Ann said...

Great photos, it looks like an amazing hike!

xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes

Martha said...

It looks like you had a lot of fun, even if there wasn't a lot of wildlife out and about!

Annelise Rowe said...

Oh we were SO tempted. It was a good thing we didn't see a desert tortoise in the wild because we would have wanted one... though they're totally a protected species so we wouldn't have even been able to touch it!

Annelise Rowe said...

Oh man, Joelle I wanted to see a scorpion and a rattlesnake so badly! I wish I wish! Though I'm terrified of both, it would have been awesome. I know... I'm crazy.

Annelise Rowe said...

Oh my gosh... that would be the COOLEST experience! When does that happen?

Annelise Rowe said...

Venus Fly Traps are the definition of cute! I used to have them... but they were hard for me to care for. Bummer!

Annelise Rowe said...

It's so worth it. Just once... you must go!

Annelise Rowe said...

Ugh! Go away snow! It's time for summer!

Annelise Rowe said...

What a gorgeous place for an engagement! And YES the chollas are horrible! Can you see the one stuck to my shoe in the last photo? It was a bugger to get out!

Chelsea Oliver said...

Great pictures! Hope the trip is going well - it looks like it is!


-Chelsea
chelsandthecity.blogspot.com

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