Joshua Tree National Park

We arrive at the south entrance of Joshua Tree National Park

I didn't realize the south entrance is almost 30 miles to the Joshua Trees.  As we drive through desert Gary comments why are you making me drive through more desert?  I've seen enough desert!

Then we finally come to the rocks.  We pull over to get a closer view and a couple of young women pull in after us.  As we start up the trail, they ask where in NY are you from?  Gary replies Albany and I say Rochester.  Turns out they are from Rochester too, the Park Avenue area - small world!

The rocks are huge!

We see our first good sized Joshua Tree and pull over for a photo op.

We get to Skull Rock

We decide to hike around a little. Gary finds that the pull assist up is not so much fun going down.

The landscape is surreal

We've missed the superbloom but there are still wildflowers about.

The Joshua Trees are cool.  They are native to the Mojave Desert.  It is a Yucca  - a member of the Agave family.  Mormon Pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure, Joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched in supplication, guiding the travelers westward.

Interesting line of  rocks in the rock.

Enjoyed one last view

Then time to head back to the campground. 

Home sweet home at the Cottonwood campground.  Lots of free spaces as everyone that was attending the Coachella Music Festival has left.

If found this little guy by the Trailer. I think its a white lined Sphinx

We manage to scavenge enough wood to have a campfire.  Cooked Hamburgers and then just enjoyed it,

 

 I keep seeing what looks like hummingbirds flitting about but they seem too small and they don't make that humming sound as they fly by.  They are fast but I mange to catch a couple of shots.  Looks like they are Hummingbird Hawk moths.

Tomorrow we head to Palm Springs.