A First-Timer In the High Desert

We were almost a week into the Government shutdown and fortunately my planned trip to Joshua Tree was still a go (as long as we brought toilet paper;). Pulling up to our rental on the edge of Joshua Tree National Park at night I couldn’t yet grasp the vastness of the landscape but I could see stars for miles and prickly flora to my left and right. Another indicator of the desert was the crisp chilly dry air and wanting to layer up around the fire pit (which proved to be a very useful amenity this time of year).

In the morning the Southern California desert sun lit up the landscape. I stepped outside into what felt like an other worldly place, almost expecting to see a flying saucer land or glide by in the distance. Our LA based friends were decked out desert ready with their hop on in camper van ready to go. Driving over the mountainous terrain and into the park the ‘Dr. Seuss’ Joshua Trees made themselves more and more available and giant boulders formed amazing structures. As the sun lowered I was so taken with the way the mountains and Joshua Trees played with the sunlight. Just as the sun was setting we were leaving the Park and off to Pioneertown to hit up the go to for Music and Ribs ‘Pappy and Harriet’s’ . Upon arriving in Pioneertown the sun had just set and the sky turned a rainbow full of colors. It was one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen in life and probably the coolest site I saw in the High Desert.

*Though I was lucky enough to see the park during the shutdown, unfortunately there was a great deal of harm done to the park by some reckless visitors. You can donate to the park here.