Joshua Tree NP hiking

The hiking here is spectacular. We hiked to the 49 Palms oasis, a nice 3 mile round trip with a spectacular reward. Back in the early days when Europeans were first exploring and settling in the area, these oases allowed for some very small permanent settlement in what would otherwise have been impossible due to lack of water. The massive California Palm trees here are majestic against the stark mountainous crags they inhabit. We learned that all the California Palm trees that now seem to cover the state came from just 163 identified such oases in the deserts of Western North America where the species grew in small bunches dues to the water and shade. Hard to believe what now seems like the state tree came from just 163 oases.

We hiked a nearly 7 mile trail called the Panorama Loop. When we got about half way done with the hike, we figured out how it got its name – we had actually climbed to 5,100 feet and could see the valleys on both sides of the ridge – it was spectacular!

Some of the Joshua Trees we saw were simply gorgeous. In small groupings that may have been affected by the exact right altitude, or maybe some weather fluke of additional rainfall, we would find a small bunch that seemed very green and perfectly formed. The oddly shaped masses are very unique as well, but we really enjoy stumbling upon some of these you would expect to see in a painting.

There are Quail families everywhere. We are used to seeing them running around in Vegas in the Spring, especially when they are scooting their babies around with them – it is really cute. We haven’t seen any babies around here, so it must not be nesting season just yet. You always see Quail in pairs – him and her – but today we saw a group of 4 that hung together and dodged our advances, never getting more than a few inches between them. I had never seen two couples that hung together like this – then I figured it out. Apparently the economy is affecting Quail just like the rest of us, and this family was actually mom and pop, along with two adult teenagers who had to move back home again.

Talk to you soon!