Amazing, This Josha Tree is actually a member of the lily family. Did you know since it doesn't have rings like a tree, they can't tell how hold they are or they haven't figured out a way to tell yet. Maybe someday.

 
Piano Rock, In the early part of the 20th Century they actually hauled a piano up on this rock to entertain the folks below

 
There are a lot of petroglyphs in JT, These unfortunately were "enhanced" in the 1920's by a movie company making a film in the area.

 

 

 
Joshua Tree wasn't always a National Park or even a Monument. In the late 1800's and early 1900s folks lived up here. I have posted pictures before of the ruined cabins and rusted out signs of humanity. Movies were made up here all the time and if you go to Turner Classic Movie Channel when they are showing old cowboy movies you will see a lot of this valley. Its within the Wonderland of Rocks area.

 

This peak is called San Gregorio or Old Grayback and is the highest peak in Southern California. Nearby is the town of Big Bear were the locals go in winter to ski and in the summer to cool off.

 

Water in the Desert. Roy and I walked the Barker Dam trail and for the first time ever, for me, we had to follow little rivers of water and even wade thru in spots. I had a smile on my face the whole time I was there as I am envisioning the wildflowers that will bloom in the spring.

 

Barker Dam, not full by any means, but more water than I have ever seen

 

Barker Dam

 

Saw this Black Phoebe at the Moronge Basin Wildlife Refuge. There was also a huge hawk high up in a cottonwood, but that was about all the birds I saw that day.

 

My little neighbors. Caught them in the back yard.

So what's next. I think I want to go to the Salton Sea in winter. I have been there when the thermometer hits the triple digits and I think it would be nice to go in winter. I'm thinking maybe MLK holiday. Next weekend I'm going back to JT and hike Barker Dam again. There is a petroglyph in the area that I found once, so may I'll try again. I also want to go to Antelope Valley to see the California Poppys. I understand they put on quite a show in March/April timeframe.

DH and I are going to head out in May 2011 but not sure where. I'm thinking Utah and New Mexico.

 
So today I made a second attempt to get to Cottonwood and this time I made it without any accidents or even any traffic. The parking lot is right at Cottonwood and then there is a 3 mile trail to another oasis. I did about half that, but then turned around as I had refilled my water bottle at the Visitors Center and that water tasted nasty. I mean, if I had to drink it I would have, but I didn't have to.

 

Native Americans spent a lot of time in Joshua Tree. These are grinding holes made by the women to grind grains.

 

 

 

One thing about Joshua Tree is there is miles and miles of desert and this scene is in every direction. Not one sign of civilization in any direction

 

Sky was blue but I should have had the filter on. Live and learn

 

There is a lot of color in the winter desert.

 

This trail was out of the joshua tree elevation but there were these beautiful ocotilla's. I'm coming back in Spring to see them in flower

 

Not sure who this young man is but he was way up there.

 

 

 
I love these gray old narly branches of the creasote bush. Do you know they are one of the oldest plants in the world.

 

Decided to drive down to Cottonwood today, it's at the south end of Joshua Tree and there is a short hike to a oasis which I have never taken. Unfortunately, a wreck (see below) and a rock interupted my plans, so I will go tomorrow morning.
This is Belle Rock at the entrance to a campground with the same name. It was a glorious day today, over 70 with just a sweet little cooling breeze. I think I am going to become a snowbird and spend my winters down here.