Return to Joshua Trees

I saw my first Joshua Tree when I was 17 years old. I have seen them here and there, from car windows, over the years since then. A couple weeks ago, I actually went to Joshua Tree National Park for the first time. I had a better camera this time.

While Pedro and I were visiting the Uncles in Palm Springs, they recommended we visit Joshua Tree National Park. We had originally planned to hike a couple of the trails, but it was unseasonably hot in southern California that weekend. Temperatures stayed above 100 (38 C) most of the time, reaching 105 (41 C) while we were in the park. We would stop the car, step out, look around, take some photos, then run for the Air Conditioning inside the vehicle.

Joshua trees are not technically trees. They are instead, very large succulents specially adapted to live in this environment. Like palm trees, when they shed their leaves, a structure is left behind that resembles a tree trunk.

Joshua trees do not have a wooden trunk with growth rings, but instead there is a spongy, fibrous core as you see in the photo above. Joshua trees have an exceptionally deep root system, to help grab whatever moisture they can find.

Speaking of bees. We had the very uncomfortable and startling discovery that the extreme shortage of moisture in this land makes the bees seek it out wherever they can find it. In our several hours in the park, we drank a lot of water for health reasons, but then needed to find a place to urinate. The pit toilets in the park are swarming with wasps! The bees are crawling on every surface and buzzing the air, all interested in whatever moisture deposits we were willing to contribute. Pedro and I both approached different toilet stops at one point or another, that resulted in a big NOPE! when we were not willing to take our chances. Instead we found rocks to hide behind and also the bathroom in the Visitor’s Center.

Joshua Tree National Park is up in the mountains, and we were able to stop at some impressive overlook spots. If you like desert scenery, this is some outstanding scenery.

Finally, as we neared the park exit, Uncle Jim said we had to stop at the Cholla Garden. I have seen those cacti before in trips through Arizona. These were an especially beautiful collection. No wonder they are called a garden.