Dream Beneath the Desert Sky - Joshua Tree

Title above is from In God's Country from the great U2 album, Joshua Tree. And yes, this Joshua Tree area is a great place to dream and take in the beauty and solitude of the desert. Joshua Tree National Park covers 790,636 acres and is home to the Park's namesake, the Joshua Tree, which is a member of the Agave family, a flowering plant. It's formal name is the Yucca brevifolia. Legend has it that it got its name when Mormon immigrants named the tree after the biblical figure, Joshua, when they saw the limbs of the tree as outstretched in supplication, guiding the travelers westward. It only flowers once a year, in spring, and so we weren't able to see that but they are still a very impressive Yucca plant. We didn't see them on our first drive through the park as they are not in the southern park of the park. However, today we saw plenty.

 

 

 

 

The trees aren't the only interesting thing to see in this Park. Rock formations are also a fascinating thing to see. The rock piles here actually began underground eons ago as a result of volcanic activity. We checked out a number of campgrounds in the park that are built around the rocks. It reminded me of our stay at City of Rocks in New Mexico.

 

 

 

 

We stopped at a day use area to eat the lunch we brought with us. A nice spot surrounded by rocks.

 

 

 

This is a big area for rock climbers as well as hikers as there are numerous trails from short nature walks to longer and more strenuous hikes.

 

We are really enjoying our time in the desert and of course there are the sunsets, which we can't get enough of.

 

 

 

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Chollas,Chollas Everywhere, Look Like Teddy Bears, But Don't Touch

We took our first of several drives into the Joshua Tree National Park. We are at the far south entrance of the Park and most of the trails and campgrounds are at the north end. We decided to just go as far as the Cholla Cactus Garden. We didn't see any of the chollas until we were almost at the garden. We started to see a few and then WOW. It really is a garden as they are all over. They are located in the western rim of the Pinto Basin. Cacti are only abundant in places where water supplies are seasonally plentiful. The garden area is on a well drained slope and is one of the view places in the park that exactly meets the needs of the teddy bear chollas. There are several other types of chollas as well. You really need to be careful when walking around the jumping teddy bear chollas, which got its nick name because even if you just brush against the plant, the spines will penetrate your clothing or skin, causing the barbed joint of the plant to detach and stay with you. When we got out of our car, we took Savannah out with us. We only were planning on taking her out at the entrance to the trail for a few minutes before putting her in the car while we took a short walk on the trail. However, several people warned us to not take her on the trail. In fact, one couple warned us as they had learned the hard way as they had just gotten done spending almost an hour taking the barbs out of their dog. We put her back in the car(luckily weather is nice but not too warm for her to stay in the car).

 

 

 

 

 

 

The more time I spend in the desert the more I come to appreciate its beauty.

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A Month in Newport

This is a catch up blog as I haven't been blogging or even taking pictures as we have been back in our old home town visiting with family and friends, doing doctors and dentist for Joe, and Joe spending some time at the office. We had our boys over(Karol at work) the first sunday we were back at Newport Dunes for chili and to watch some football. We use to be big football fans when we actually had a professional football team in the OC and/or LA. With no hockey due to the lockout(UGGGGHHH) it is nice to watch a little football though. We got together with Chris and Karol and went out to dinner at El Ranchito in Corona del Mar, which was fun. I met my friend, Jonella for lunch in downtown Laguna at 230 Forest Ave(name of restaurant as well as address). We visited with my Dad and took along our iPad to show him some of our Alaska trip pictures. We took lots of walks around the lagoon which made Savannah happy and did some kayaking. We have run into some of the people who stay here long term who we know from our previous stays here. We have some nice new neighbors, including a couple who are originally from Ireland. They have been here over 40 years but Paddy still has a strong accent. We went one night to Durty Nellies, a nice Irish Pub, where Paddy and his wife were performing old Irish tunes. We went out to celebrate our niece Kori's birthday at our local restaurant, Back Bay Cafe. For Thanksgiving we actually celebrated most of the week. We had a Thanksgiving lunch at Norstan, Joe's work. It was actually more of a Mexican theme with fajitas, enchiladas, spanish rice and other yummy dishes. We made albondigas soup with pesto meatballs. Everything was delish, including some great desserts. We had the boys over for Thanksgiving Day and then on Saturday, the boys and Karol as well as ourselves went down to Kristi and Brocks for another celebration along with my Dad and Kori and Nick. Heather had to work and so she and Ryan couldn't make it. We made turkey breasts for both of these days. We brined them, once in a honey, veggie broth brine and another in a maple syrup, brown sugar, brandy brine. Joe then smoked them on the bbq. They both came out super moist. For the one for Saturday, we cooked it and then sliced up the breast and put it in the crock pot to keep warm until dinner. I also made the gravy ahead of time, The turkey was still moist. The month went fast and we were soon back on the road again. We are now just a few miles south of the Joshua Tree National park southern entrance doing some free boondocking. A lovely desert spot with great views out all our windows which is especially nice after only having views of the motorhomes next to us in Newport. We are looking forward to new adventures with some sightseeing in Joshua Tree.

Below are a few pictures of our first night with some beautiful desert sunsets.

 

 

 

On the road again!!!!!

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Time at Avila Beach and then back to OC

Our first stop on our way north was Avila Beach and it was our last before we got to Newport Dunes. This is one of our favorite places and we got a good site on one of the pull out areas right above the beach. I think it is Savannah's favorite as she gets to go on the beach and run off leash. The weather was great. Even when Pismo and Morro Bay are socked in with fog, this area is usually still sunny as it is sheltered in the San Luis Bay and faces south which seems to keep some of the north winds at bay and is warmer than the surrounding areas. We didn't do a lot just enjoyed the fine weather and view. We got our summer weather though we had to wait until October and November. :)

 

 

 

 

Seals hanging out near the pier

 

Daily visit from a humming bird

 

 

Another little Cavilier

 

We did get some fog near the end of our 10 day stay.

 

We are now back at the Newport Dunes, to visit family and friends, see doctors and dentists and going into the office for Joe. I am enjoying the warm weather before it starts getting more Fall like, with cooler days and nights.

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