Joshua Tree National Park

We said our goodbyes to my Great Aunt and headed out towards Joshua Tree National Park. It was hot today, desert like we have never felt before. We really hoped that our air conditioning held out. The only stop before arriving was to a Starbucks just outside of the park. We finished up some blogging and enjoyed the air conditioning and even got a free coffee!

Back out on the road we entered the park. Doing the math on the national park pass, it looks like we officially broke even.

Setting up camp and trying to stay cool

 Our campsite was up against a massive rock formation (luckily in the shade). We set up camp and relaxed in the shade until the hottest part of the day passed. Near sunset when it had finally cooled off we headed out to explore.

Shady campsite

The desert landscape

 The trees in the park really stood out it was almost like we were on an alien planet. The rock formations jutted up contrasting with the relatively flat desert.

A Joshua Tree

At sunset, ready to climb

 I was excited to climb things which ended up being more difficult than I initially expected. The rocks didn’t offer much in the way of handholds and were very round. I did manage to climb up on and get some nice photos. The park offers official rock climbing spots but we lacked the equipment.

More Dr. Seuss like Joshua Trees

Spider Bill

Was told to "look majestic"

My lizard friend

Wrap around onto of a rock

Pretty Cactus

 The sun was starting to set when we started the hidden valley walk. Apparently it used to be much more difficult to reach but a rancher blew up an entrance before the national park was formed. The valley has a history of being used as a hideaway for cattle rustlers where they would re-brand there ill-gotten wares.

The trail was nice although the setting sun made it difficult to follow the path near the end of the walk. Back at the campsite making dinner on our single burner camp stove in the face of strong desert winds but we prevailed.

San Diego, California

Our drive across the state from Sequoia National Park was largely uneventful. We arrived by mid afternoon in San Diego. Our host was my Great Aunt Pat.

We picked up some dinner supplies at a Ralph's (grocery store), stir fry with beef and veggies on rice! We than talked with Aunt Pat for a while into the night before retiring.

The next day we found out about a board game bar and headed there. We played two games, a walking dead game and a Firefly game. Both were very fun. We than charted a course for downtown and started walking. On route we walked by the San Diego zoo and stopped at a garden near it to eat our lunch.

Strange plants in Balboa Park

Weird spiky plants

Arriving downtown we explored the surrounding areas. Our finds included an illusive beer I've been searching for called Piney the Elder and a live show that was just starting up but alas we didn't have tickets for it.

Gotcha

We than walked past the stadium where the San Diego Padres play. The tickets were too much for our liking so on wards to the walkway that follows the water. Before we arrived we were waylaid by a serve your own ice cream place.

The walk along the water was quite busy there was plenty of foot traffic and many trickshaws weaving their way, ferrying passengers. Along the waterfront walk we saw many luxury yachts, lots of American navy boats, the USS Midway museum and even some parrots that you could pose with! After the long walk back to our car we headed back to my aunts visited with her for a bit than off to bed.

San Diego Waterfront

USS Midway museum 

Downtown San Diego

San Diego at nighttime

Cool looking Restaurant

American ships

 So today we planned on going to the mission with my aunt than maybe go to Mexico but instead we went to the mission and lazed on the beach for the rest of the day. The church was interesting, it was the first one that the Spanish built in California. They had a museum in the back detailing its history.

Fountain by the mission

First Spanish mission

La Jolla beach was a little bit of a drive but worth it when we arrived. We planned on buying some snorkel gear but the water wasn't clear that early in the day. So we ate a awesome grilled cheese and set up on the sands.
We napped for a bit than Amy went and rented a boogie board which we both had lots of fun with. The waves were high enough that you could get some long rides on it.

Nap time!

We had dinner plans with Aunt Pat and her son Michael. We drove back to the house and helped them set up for a BBQ. We chatted for quite some time on the patio and had a great time. It was sad to be leaving the next morning.