Our first stop was Joshua Tree National Park and the Cottonwood CG. After over an hour we finally found a site that was long enough and level enough to set up. It is dry camping and the weather was just right. About 80 degree highs,,,,, not too hot. And 50 degree nights.... not too cold. After a long day driving, we had a quick dinner and a quiet night reading. The next day we were up and out fairly early but got stopped with some road construction. About 10 am we finally made it to the north end of the park. Just before the trailhead to the 49 Palm Oasis hike, John spied a desert Tortoise along the road. They are rare and endangered so it was quite a lucky sighting. We kept our distance in order not to disturb it too much. When we got out to take pictures, it took off under a bush. I was surprised at how fast that guy could move.
It was a fun start to a great hike (recommended to us by our own ex park ranger, Cline. Along the way we saw flowering beavertail cactus and pretty views of rock formations. The trail was rated moderately strenously but was just right, not too steep or too easy. At the end was the palm oasis which was a nice place to stop for a rest before heading back.
Stopped for a good lunch at Santana's in 29 Palms then a fun drive through the boulders and Joshua Trees to the Hidden Valley Hike. Another fun one up and through the rocks to a hidden valley that was used by rustlers in the old days. More blooming cactus to add to the views plus huge old Joshua Trees. Great fun, thanks Cline!
The rest of the drive back to Washington was pretty normal. Interstate 5 is mostly boring after so many trips up and down. We hit rain in northern California and new we were close to home ;-))
