Step Right Up

DAY ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY EIGHT

I'd planned on going to the Tram this morning but I needed to get a map of Joshua Tree so I went there instead. It was a good decision. The weather turned out to be perfect and with summer coming I don't know how many trips I'll be making up there. Heat tends to send me to the higher elevations. Though higher than here, Joshua Tree is not quite high enough for my summer taste.

When I got there, it was starting to cloud up. The temperature is about 80º and there is a little breeze blowing. The only bad thing is that I have to get back in time to pick up my son at school.

I decide to climb Ryan Mountain. It's a nice easy climb and offers the best view in Joshua Tree. I always recommend it to people visiting the park.

The trail is very well maintained and well used.

There are lots of these steps. In fact, there are more steps than I have ever encountered on a trail. It must be stimulus money at work.

After rounding the first corner, you get a nice side view of Saddle Rocks.

I see this beautiful little orange flower in the dirt.

The clouds threaten rain but none comes. Such is life in the desert.

After a steady but never steep climb, I get to the top in good time. There is a large rock pile marking the summit.

You can see San Gorgonio in the distance. It is also possible to see San Jacinto, Santa Rosa and a myriad other peaks but with the clouds it's difficult to pick them out. I'll have to come back on a clear day sometime.

On the way down, I get a nice view of the Wonderland of Rocks.

The trail stretches out before me. The steps become troublesome on the way down. I've got to get going to get my son at school but it is difficult to run down the steps and it is no good on the knees having to step down them all the time. I run for a while but soon give it up. My son will just have to wait if I'm late. He won't mind; he likes hanging out with his friends.

Joshua Tree is not really a summer destination but I will be coming back when the weather makes it feasible. There is usually about one week per month in the summer when cooler temperatures make a visit enjoyable. Also, summer thunderstorms can also cool it off considerably. I just have to make sure I come when the kids are out of school. That way I don't have to hurry because Joshua Tree is a place you want to enjoy slowly.

Samuelson Rocks, Joshua Tree National Park

DAY ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN

Last week I went out to Joshua Tree to visit Samuelson's Rocks. I never made it. I saw some other cool stuff including a well but no rocks. This morning it was time to try again. My time was quite limited because of the need to drop off and pick kids up from school but that's how my days go.

I start hiking and find what looks like a trail but it quickly fades out. From where I parked this is going to be a fully cross country excursion.

I wander across the open desert looking for some rocks. These rocks look very promising.

And for good reason. I have made it to the Samuelson Rocks. Finally. I'll just let the rocks speak for themselves.

There may be other rocks and sayings in the area but, like I said before, my time here is limited. I'll have to come back when I have more.

In addition to the rocks, there was also a lot of historical litter of the type that is very common as old homesteads. No need to post any pictures of it but you can see it when you go and visit for yourself.

On the hike back to the car, a Turkey Vulture (I thought it was a Golden Eagle but have been corrected) flew within about 100 feet of me. He was cruising the desert looking for varmints and looked up and figured I was just a bit too big for an easy meal. He veered off to the side and I caught this shot of him.

It took a rare breed to settle in an area like the desert of Joshua Tree. Someone who was independent, a bit rough, anti-establishment and maybe just a little crazy. It certainly seems Mr. Samuelson fit the bill here. You may never find any of his thoughts and saying in a book of great thinker or philosopher but this little corner of the wilderness his words are forever etched in stone.

Ten Hut!

Day Nineteen

Took the boys out to the General Patton Museum in Chiriaco Summit today with one of their buddies.  The boys loved all the tanks and other military paraphernalia at the museum.  While we were there, we even saw Mr. Collins, Nikolas' Fourth Grade teacher!

The museum is a good place to spend an afternoon before going on a hike in Joshua Tree National Park.  Well worth the $4 admission.

A relief map of Southern California.  I'd love a map like this in my house.

The troops lining up near a WWII Willys Jeep.

Attention!

Inspired by the trip to the museum, I decide to take the troops on a forced march.  We hike from Cottonwood Spring.

The boys inspect a bedrock mortar.

It's a deep one.

Climbing a gap on the trail on steps carved in stone.

Salton Sea in the distance.

This doesn't need to be here anymore.

Scrambling down some rocks on the way back.  Going cross country is FUN!

We had a great time on our little excursion and the kids didn't even miss not spending the day playing video games.