Monday, February 3, 2014

Joshua Tree National Park

Monday, February 3, 2014
(Note: Pictures will open in new window when clicked on.)

South Entrance 
This morning, we decided to drive up to Joshua Tree National Park.  We started out at about 10:30 and went east on S22 toward the Salton Sea for about 22 miles and we made a left turn on hwy 86 toward Indio, Californina.  At Indio, we turned east on I-10 for about 25 miles to the Cottonwood Road entrance to the park.  It was about 90 miles and we got there about noon.

At the ranger station, we checked in using our Senior National Park pass.  I found out that there were no Joshua Trees at the southern end.  They are on the north end of the park near 29 Palms.  We drove 35 miles through the beautiful countryside. 

Drove by a Cholla Cacti garden.Cholla Cacti

We went up mountains, Mountains through rock formationsRock formations. and long valleys.  
                

Beautiful valley.
Mountains and valleys.
First Johua Tree spotted.
First Joshua Tree we spotted.

We hit a crossroad, left to Joshua Tree and the other to the north entrance at 29 Palms, California.  Left we turn and there were lots of Joshua Trees and rock formations and mountains everywhere.
Lots of Jushua Trees There were rock formations at every turn.Rock formations everywhere.
The scenery was beautiful everywhere you looked.

Beautiful scenery.
Beautiful everywhere.
Big Joshus Tree
Huge Joshua Tree.

Joshua Trees
Joshua Trees everywhere.
Skull Rock
Skull Rock

The day was just beautiful with the temperatures near 60 with very little wind.  The roads in the park were great!
 

Road was great through the park!
The roads were great!

Salton Sea
Salton Sea on the way home.

Storm clouds over Borrego Springs.
Made it home just as storm clouds cascade over the Santa Rosa Mountains onto the desert floor at Borrego Springs.

See you later.

12 comments:

  1. Lived in Joshua Tree for a time several years ago and your pictures really capture the majestic and unique beauty that is Joshua Tree National Park. Sure makes me want to get back there for a good visit!

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    1. Must have been great to actually live there and explore at your leisure. We only had a day trip, but will be back another time and stay for awhile to see more of this beautiful park.

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  2. So glad you both are having a great time !!!! Photos are BEAUTIFUL !!!!

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    1. Thank you for the compliment, SallyB. I am still learning to present the pictures using Picasso 3. Having fun taking them and showing this beautiful country to others.

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  3. Jan and I went to JT several times when we lived in SC. Lot's of Hollywood pictures and commercials are made there. When I owned a limo service, took two clients for a drive around the park and then dropped them off in Palm Springs. JT is beautiful and my kind of desert, high desert.

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    1. Thanks for sharing. It is a magnificent place. Hope we make it back for a longer stay next year.

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  4. Hi Doug, what a great blog you have. Glad I found it through your comment, as we are both off Rockhouse Tr. near Borrego Springs. Haven't been to Joshua Tree in years. Your pictures are beautiful!

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    1. Glad we met, even if briefly. Thanks for stopping by.

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    2. Now I remember. I went to your blog from The Bayfield Bunch. I was just out on your site reading about your journey up Coyote Canyon. I wanted to go in our jeep, but being new at sand, I was hesitant to go alone for fear of getting stuck. Maybe next time. Love your site. I too keep my blog for memories and for my children back home to view each day.

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  5. Wow.. fantastic shots!!!! Beautiful and so inviting.. thanks for sharing!

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
    Karen and Steve
    (Blog) RVing: The USA Is Our Big Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com
    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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    1. Thanks Karen. Our home in Bloomiington, IL is getting hit. Guess your place is too. Hope there is no wind.

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  6. Doug,
    So glad that you had a chance to visit Joshua Tree National Park! It is still one of our favorites!
    -Your Neighbors in Borrego
    Lucas & Marybeth

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