Joshua Tree National Park

a beautiful sunset on the way to Joshua Tree National Park

We had reservations for the Cottonwood campground and arrived at 5:30pm (photo was taken at another time).


We had the #1 site next to the road


We managed to setup our tents, build a fire and made dinner pretty much in the dark!


Fiona was in charge of the Hot Pot dinner for Friday night


Here she is trying to light the candles for one of the two birthday girls (it was way too windy for candles)


Here's Melanie and Becky trying to surprise each other on their mutual weekend birthday


After dinner, we spent time by the pit fire warming up and stargazing.


James making his way thru the darkness


We were all bundled up as Friday was the coldest night at Joshua Tree!


It was beautiful the next morning ...


I had the breakfast assignment for the Saturday morning - on the menu: Pan-fried Spam, scrambled and hard boiled eggs, and toast.


Relaxing under the warm sun after breakfast


We checked in at the visitor center after breakfast and paid for our car entrance fees.


Melanie seems to be fascinated the desert tortoise exhibit


Don't touch the cactus, Tex! (Cholla Cactus Garden)


The ladies posing in the Cholla Cactus Garden


the first part of our sightseeing - Cholla Cactus Garden


Cholla Cactus Garden


Cholla Cactus Garden


Skull Rock in near by Jumbo Rock campground


Close up of Skull Rock


PB & J at Jumbo Rock


Fiona and the "Baby" rock


Jill watching Fiona ascending up a tall ledge


Jill encouraging hubby Art to come up the ledge


Art edging his way toward the ledge


Art Jill and Fiona look over the edge


Glee Fans Becky and Melanie ready their parachute guys for launch!


Back to the camp ground (view from a nearby hill)


Melanie packing up her tent - heading back home after dinner.


The campground at dusk


Becky and Jill help prepare Saturday dinner


Art grilling burgers for dinner


Melanie watching cooking crew


Our pitfire after dinner; it was cloudy Saturday night but Fiona and Art keep looking for shooting stars. It was a nice time of sharing about the camp fire.


James and Becky were in charge of breakfast on Sunday; they made yummy soft tacos with scramble eggs and sausage.


After packing up we head out check out the Cottonwood Spring nearby.


we saw these huge desert fan palms there.


Cottonwood Spring Oasis, one of the best kept secrets in Joshua Tree National Park, is just seven miles from the southern entrance to the park. The spring, the result of earthquake activity, was used for centuries by the Cahuilla Indians, who left bedrock mortars and clay pots, or ollas, in the area.


We had lunch at the Morongo Casino


and stopped briefly at the shopping outlets in Cabazon before heading home.

It was a great weekend!

-DB-

Epic Camping - Lobo Camp Ground

A fully loaded SUV for a camping weekend!


Two hours later we were at the ranger station


the camp grounds were just a short distances away.


James and Diane setting up their tent


the all important restroom with running water and flushing toilets!


the fire pit area


more arrivals at the campground


Ingrid is happy to be camping


first things first!


Henry shooting scenes with his high tech camera

Long and Anh setting up their tent


Mabel and Melanie are ready for the great outdoors!


A group effort helping the Hunts with their mega tent!

the first camp meal is served!


the firepit is lit!

Unfortunately, while we were at the firepit, there was a bear on the prowl back at the picnic tables. I broke a cardinal rule in the wild by leaving food out and the bear (obviously not the beanie baby version) dug into my box and took out a loaf of bread. Diane saw him and scared him off. The bear decided to he was going to devour the bread right next to my tent!! James H. tossed a rock at the furry thief and promptly recover a saliva covered loaf of bread. Needless to say, I didn't sleep to well knowing I camped out right in the middle of "Bear Country"!


despite only 3 hours of sleep / catnapping, I was up and ready to make breakfast!


Soo was up too scrabbling some yummy eggs!


more arrivals around noon time


besides biking, fishing, hiking and card playing, some of us participated in "Geocaching" (locating treasures planted by others using GPS coordinates - thanks Melanie for loaning us your GPS).

ah, the card playing from the night before continues into the day!


the biker (Brice) and fisherman (Luis) rest from their day of fun!


Our potluck dinner preparation begins; I'm grilling some Gouda filled chicken sausages.


Daniel is the wiener grill master!

Felix volunteered to be the burger taster while his lovely wife, Jo samples the fresh strawberries!


Ingrid and crew are making yummy veggies including corn on the cob and sautéed mushrooms!


Diane (when she's not standing in for the Terminator's Sarah Connor) is grilling hamburger patties.


Long, Anh and James are charbroiling and grilling assort meats

A wonderful time of al fresco dining (no pictures of us grubbing since photographers like to eat too) is followed by a group time at the firepit with entertainment by the comic team of Henry Lee and James Yan (the "Snap Game"), Karina's animal imitations, and Riley's riddles!


Camp time was too short, I was already up by 5am to get ready to head home (and to church).


Repacking the SUV for home


and capping off a wonderful camping weekend with a mega breakfast at Denny's in Brea!

Thanks James and Diane for coordinating and hosting our church camping experience!

-DB-