There are still no fees for entering the park, however the visitor centre here is open as it is run by a non profit partner of the NPS. In the end, we have not missed out at all by the “closure” of the parks, just gained by not having to have bought a pass.
Two deserts overlap in Joshua Tree National Park. The Mojave in the western part and the Colorado in the eastern part.
The western end is full of joshua trees, making more amazing scenery, very different to what we have already seen.
The joshua tree is not actually a tree, it is a succulent and belongs to the yucca genus.
This photo was taken by a lovely chap we got talking to who asked by any chance do we have a paper map he could look at. He had asked the right people! We did not expect someone to ask to borrow it, any more than the bottle opener the other day!
Well done, Richard, for supplying items to help others. What odd item will be asked for next?
A western short-horned walkingstick.
Breakfast with a view.
A dike – the line going through the rocks.
We are right by the San Andreas fault, and not far from Palm Springs, which you could see from this viewpoint.
Then on to some trails, one to an old gold mine. It is very warm when out of the wind. There are signs up saying don’t die today!
Lunch with a view as well!
Split rock.
A slightly longer route to arch rock!
We then headed down to the eastern part of the park, where the joshua trees are replaced by cacti. The cholla cactus garden. With the sun not far off setting, it glows through the cactus spikes.
After much gibing through the trip, Richard finally declared this morning that he had 16 magnet bottle openers. Sad to say, however, Joshua Tree did not oblige. Fingers crossed, we find one in the airport.
Driving west to LA, with the most beautiful orange skies after sundown, just as you would imagine to look in……. LA!
On the highway, Richard loved the carpool lane, especially the queue jumping on the flyover!
A lovely dinner in G’s Il Capo Dei Bar in a lovely region of LA called El Segundo.
The LA Dodgers won their game and so are through to the World Series. The town is full of celebrations and many Dodgers shirts.
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