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-
