DESERT: (Dictionary.com definition)
a region so arid because of little rainfall that it supports only sparse and widely spaced vegetation or no vegetation at all; synonyms: barren wilderness.
Joshua Tree National Park is a beautiful barren wilderness, full of open views, rock pilings that are prime climbing spots, Joshua Trees (its a desert tree), and hiking trails with honey-pots for bathrooms. Driving from LA to Joshua Tree, we ran into a windmill "energy farm" that made us think we were driving through a sci-fi movie set. I wish I knew how much energy was being made...more than half of the thousands of mills weren't actually moving. Hmm.
Small story on the hike...our hike was noted as 4 miles in the brochure, but 6 miles on the sign. Which would you believe? Well, after 1 hour to the supposed mid-point...then another hour without seeing a soul, circling down a desert mountain without roads or cars in site, and no cell phone tower...praise the Lord for his goodness and patience, and for blessing me with a husband who can handle an anxious wife who panics mid-hike.
 |
| Twilight Zone Wind Farm |
 |
| As per the usual, we missed the sign on the way in, so we did a U-turn on the way out to catch a glimpse. |
 |
| Desert...you get the general idea. |
 |
| Objective: find the rock climber... |
 |
| View from Keys View in the park...lookin' good, right? |
 |
| View #2...we could see two snow-capped mountains from here, both taller than all the mountains in the park. |
 |
| The start of Lost Horse Mine Trail...the owner of the mine apparently was looking for a lost horse when he stumbled on the mine. If the horse got lost, how well were we going to do? And note Camelbaks...we both drank about 70 ounces that day. Thank goodness we didn't go in the middle of a hot summer! |
 |
| Lost Horse Mine. My Lost Horse? |
 |
| She's in the Navy. |
 |
| Objective: find Shelley |
 |
| Namesake of the park...Tree of Life |
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
- I Peter 5:6-7
(*climbers... hehe)
ReplyDeleteLove your updates - you're making me slightly jealous, but mostly inspired. Do you give tours, by chance? :D