Joshua Tree/29 Palms CAApr 21, 2012
|
|
Road to Joshua Tree and 29 Palms
29 Palms Resort Camp
Things to do in 29 Palms!
| I awoke at 6:00 with the sun shining over the campground on the mountains. Beautiful mountain vista. Bob was still sleeping so did dishes (too hot to clean last night) before we left on the Palm Canyon hike. Only 70 degrees and we thought it was a little nature trail. Had no money or water. Walked about a mile to the trail head. When we arrived the ranger told us the 1.5 mile hike was about 2 ½ hours and required at least one gallon of water per person! He said they had to rescue a woman the day before for heat stroke. What was the Visitor Center volunteer thinking!! The temperature at 8:00 was already 104 degrees (didn’t seem like it) but we walked a little less than half of the way. The rest of the trail more than likely would have been crawling over rocks. Back at camp we had little interest in breakfast. Drank a bunch of water and packed up., Because of the heat, Bob made reservations in 29 Palms ( the only camp en route to Las Vegas) with connections. The drive through Anza Borego was very interesting with lots of small canyons and named flood ditches. There are lots of fossils in the area which were not our interest for a major detour and flowers in season (Feb/Mar). We had never been to the Salton Sea which is quite large but drying up. We did not take a detour to go to the Salton “beach” but did see quite a bit of “Salinas style” agriculture. Saw the Riviera vineyard and lots of palm tree farms. The route took us past Palm Desert/Springs and north to Joshua Tree and 29 Palms. Had a Subway lunch in Indio. Was so hot that Pepper could not walk on the pavement and I nearly had to carry him. Yikes! On to Joshua Tree! Drove through Yucca Valley , a major metropolis of 30,000. Hispanic heaven and plenty of clinics! Most of the bill boards were in Spanish. Our camp in 29 Palms has an indoor pool (necessary), gym, game room, laundry, limited WiFi, showers which are all very near our site. Not quite as hot but over 100 degrees. There is a nice breeze so we are finally sitting in shade and reading. The major marine military training site for Afghanistan is 4 miles down the road. The high part of the Mojave desert is one big, hot dust bowl! Lots of military evidence. Bob says he is going to the marine barber. The barber shop is also a night club and will be holding the lingerie modeling sometime in May! In the grocery store you are forbidden to take pictures. I’m not sure why I would. ( Department of Defense in action!) Dinner is left over filet from the Carroll’s, flank steak from Coronado over a salad with lemon marinated red onion, assorted sautéed mushrooms and aioli sauce. Wine was 2009 Chateau Liversan. Took Pepper for a walk and then Bob went for a swim before bed. Another air conditioner night. |
Advertisement 
|
