For those that have not been to Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California, you really should consider going.
Our New Travel Season
Early spring seems to be our time to begin our travels for the year. The holidays are over, the weather is chilly in Michigan and we are ready to move. We started our travels with a trip out to Clearlake, California to check on the cabin and soon added to the trip. Well for me anyway.
We flew to Sacramento and Kevin proceeded onto Clearlake, whereas, I continued onto another flight taking me to Los Angeles to meet up with Pam, a friend from Ohio who is here on business. We decided to spend the weekend at Joshua Tree where she rented an AirBnB in the middle of the desert.
It is very cool!!
And literally in the middle of the desert. Finding our way here was a challenge and every time we leave and return, it is another challenge getting back.
Meditation
This morning we started our day with a meditation class that Pam booked for us. The class was held at an outdoor venue in the desert with a sound bath. For those not familiar, that is a series of vibrational sounds used to soothe the nervous system. You get to lay down for the entire session and just take it all in. Luckily, we had great weather for it and it was a wonderful way to start off the day.
Next, we went into the town of Joshua Tree where Pam got her cup of specialty coffee and I had a hot chocolate. Then off to a vendor market (my favorite) where they sold crafts and a farmers market where they sold many home grown fruits and vegetables. We stopped off at a “natural” apothecary and there happened to be an astrology reader. I let her read my chart but didn’t really learn anything new about myself.
Just the same old stuff ………….. like I am chatty and very feisty 🙂
Then onto the highlight of the day, the Joshua Tree National Park. It is so unique with the different rock formations and the mountains from several different mountain ranges. There are scenic overlooks of Palm Springs, but the best part is the Joshua Trees.
The Joshua Trees aren’t actually trees they are grass-like flowering plants. They do look like trees but don’t grow very tall.
But they have such a presence.
Their limbs reach out in different ways as if they are pointing somewhere or trying to express themselves. They seem to have a personality and let off an essence of sweet energy. As we drove through the park, I told Pam it felt like watching children every where we looked.
We took pictures with some of the trees, did some yoga poses next to them and even did a little tree hugging.
It was fun!
Tram Ride
The next morning we got up early and headed to Palm Springs to ride the Tram up into the mountains. It took us 7,000 feet in elevation and showed us some beautiful scenery. Once we got to the top, Pam took a hike to test her high altitude ability. She is training to hike to the Everest Base Camp in Nepal with her 28 year old son Tristan. The Everest Base Camp is 17,600 feet in elevation (and really cold). I personally think she is crazy but she has a calling and is very determined!
Later that day we headed into Palm Springs to do a little shopping. Palm Springs is great for high-end shopping but not especially good for bargain hunting. But I did manage to find things and spend quite a bit more money than I usually am comfortable spending.
Thousand Palms
Then, after a yummy lunch at a Mediterranean Restaurant, we headed for Thousand Palms located in Coachella Valley Preserve. It is loaded with these huge palm trees that are situated on the San Andreas Fault line. The San Andreas Fault forces underground spring water up to the surface and feeds these palms creating an oasis on over 20,000 acres. Also found in the Coachella Valley Preserve is the fringe-toed lizard that can be found nowhere else in the world. There are also hiking trails that take you up hills and around the preserve.
An absolutely beautiful place to visit!
MEMORIES
While driving in Palm Springs, Pam saw a tattoo parlor, made a very quick u-turn and insisted we get matching tattoos of a Joshua Tree.
I said absolutely not!
But she insisted, forced me through the door and strapped me down while I got a Joshua Tree tattoo just above my ankle.
OUCH! That really hurts! I can’t even imagine what these people with tattoos all over their bodies must go through to get them.
But I have to admit, I love my new tattoo. 🙂
I sure hope Kevin does too 🙂
It was a great weekend, full of fun and adventure!! Thanks Pam!!!
Love it!!! Thanks for sharing!
Omg you got a tattoo!?!?!?
Joshua Tree looks AMAZING!
The Moroccan lamps are gorgeous.
What an awesome adventure!
I did! It’s really cute! It was a fun packed weekend!
Thanks Trisha!
Denise sounds like a fabulous time with your friend. Love your post and the info. Sounds like a trip Mitch and I would love. Xo
I loved your whole trip. I never knew what a Joshua tree was.
Is it hot in the desert this time of the year?
No, it’s not hot but the weather was nice. It was high 60’s. Perfect for me. I never knew what a Joshua Tree was either until I went there. They are kind of special? 🙂
Kevin and I plan to go back to Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park. Maybe we can go together 🙂
LOL – yeah, I really had to twist your arm to get that tat!!
You held me hostage! It was awful!
It was so fun reading about your trip to Joshua Tree. You got a tatoo! Oh my! You are brave. Can’t wait to see it.
I wasn’t brave, I was held hostage and forced against my will :). It hurt!