Joshua Tree
National Park
June 4, 2010
We made a day trip to
the Twentynine Palms/
Joshua Tree NP area
while we were staying at
Hemet.  Fortunately, a
California Welcome
Center was open and
was very helpful.
Joshua Tree is another
of the amazing desert
parks in the southwest.
We continue to have
perfect timing for the
blooming season in the
desert.
Joshua trees are
not known for
timber production.
In some places the
forest was quite dense.  
Of course, everything is
relative.
The Joshua Tree has a
very unique bloom,
almost resembling a nut.
Despite the obvious arid surroundings,
plants of all kinds were showing their
stuff.
Rocks seem to be
doing well here too.
Yes, there were lots
of rocks. It was too
hot for the snakes
and scorpions, so
we were able to
prowl around freely.
This beautiful scene
looks like it could
come out of a classic
western movie.
This photo embodies
the dramatic extremes
of the desert.
There are campgrounds
within the park.  One
could feel safe that there
are no mosquitoes or
chiggers (red-bugs) here.
The famous San
Andreas Fault runs
through this area.
If some scientists are
right, Martha may be
looking at where the
Pacific Ocean will be
someday.
Did we mention that
there were rocks?  
Some even have
eerie formations like
Skull Rock.
This ranger is obviously
confident that the
balancing rock overhead
will stay balanced.  Notice
that we didn't park there.  
Our taillight can barely be
seen in the lower right
corner of the picture.
We did bring back one
unwelcome souvenir. We
both wound up with tar on
our shoes from recent
paving in the park.  It will
take a while to get all the
"stimulus projects" off our
shoes and floormats.