WANDERING WHYTES

JOSHUA TREE NP

We were going to be here for a week so it was worth setting up the shelter

We did not see a Tortoise

nice view from camp

Nice sunset, check

Our destination was the end of the trail at Lost Palms Oasis

Cottonwood Springs, the vegetation was unlike anything we have seen, seemed like a movie set.

These Palm trees are bizarre looking since they do not drop their dead leaves.

Lost Palms Oasis

End of the trail

We met up with the Castor’s and spent the next day driving north on the park road. We did multiple shorter hikes along the way.

First stop was the geology tour trail, we had the place to ourselves

Ed chilling but it does not look that comfortable to me.

These things look cuddly but are very sharp.

Joshua Tree is known for these bizarre rock formations and is very popular with climbers and boulderers.

looks like a face in profile

KEYS VIEW

ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK

Anza-Borrego is the third largest state park in the US covering approximately 600,00 acres. The park is named after Juan Bautista de Anza (18th century Spanish explorer) and “borrego”, which is the Spanish word for bighorn sheep. Leann wanted to go here since she heard the birding is really good.

We got lucky and timed our arrival to the wild flower bloom.

Flowers and people were everywhere.

HAWK CANYON, THE SLOT

This was a short but very fun hike

This is the view from the parking lot of the slot canyon entrance.

You can see in this picture why slot canyons are called what they are.

The girls climbed the rocks up so we could take their picture.

stuck

Ed and Anita in front of the “dry” falls.

LIZARD WASH TRAIL

We saw Bighorn Sheep but they were too far away for a cell phone picture. My phone has 100X zoom but my hands are not that steady.

The Salton Sea is saltier than the ocean but is a major source of food for birds on the Pacific Flyway

The sea has no outlet since the surface elevation is 227 feet below sea level. Run off keeps adding pollutants and since there is nowhere for it to go the sea gets saltier and more polluted. It is not safe for swimming or fishing.

I love that 2 idiots are behind the area closed sign. I wanted to yell at them but changed my mind.

Poor Sammy, Leann made him carry his own poop.

During our journey through the SW we hit several of these border “security” spots. Traffic was usually backed up for at least a mile. When you got to the security point they would just wave you through. It is the “appearance” of security that matters. Why is border security more than a hundred miles from the border?

Our goal was Mastodon Peak.

Mastodon mine contained gold bearing quartz

Leann at the top.

Another couple offered to take our picture

Next day, homeward bound…….

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