I just can’t stop thinking about Joshua Tree National Park. My husband and I recently went on a climbing trip there and the scenery was so incredible and unique that I just had to share some photos.
(look carefully between the Joshua Trees in the second photo, you’ll see Kirt near the top of the rock)
It was a picture perfect sunny-blue-sky kind of day in the desert, though a little chilly since the park is several thousand feet above sea level. With our layers on we were just fine and raring to go once we pulled in and saw the scenery. Upon entering however, we noticed some commotion: lots of climbers looking alarmed and nearby there was a rescue team with dogs, gearing up. We weren’t sure what happened, but as we drove past a park ranger came to our car window and said, “Are you part of the group that had the accident?” We said no, we were just looking for directions to one of the rocks we wanted to check out. She said there had been an accident so they were trying to keep people moving but we had no idea if it was serious or not. Off we went, but eventually we saw a chopper in the sky and feared it was not looking good for whomever was involved.
Once we got home, my husband found this article online– a climber from southern California took a fatal fall, and his partner was seriously injured. It was a blatent reminder just how dangerous the sport can be– these guys were experienced! You need a little luck and you have to really know what you’re doing and thankfully, my husband has been climbing for years so I felt pretty comfortable that he had my back. We played it safe but still had a tremendous time.
Turns out the day was an amazing experience in more ways than one. Not only was the climbing fun and super challenging, but meeting climbers from all over the world was great fun, and hiking through the Joshua Tree covered desert was truly breathtaking. I have been to this area countless times since I was a child to visit my Great Aunt and Uncle who live in Palm Desert and am now kicking myself I didn’t drive the 20 minutes to check out the park. Better late than never, I suppose.
I highly recommend it to all of you if you find yourselves near Phoenix, LA, Palm Springs/Desert… it’s worth the drive, even if you just hike or walk around.
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
E 03.20.10 at 7:41 pm
Awesome pics, thanks for sharing!!
bobm 03.21.10 at 10:50 am
Glad you’re back safe KL! We missed you! I love when you share your trips with us! You are so discriptive that i always can picture everything in my mind!
JT 03.21.10 at 7:06 pm
Jeepers !
I’m speechless.
I am without speech.
No tengo talko.
Sans yappitty.
I dunno…..swimming with gators….now this.
Are you SURE your husband’s not tryin’ to bump you off ?
bobm 03.22.10 at 12:36 pm
Happy Monday KLites and Joshua trees and JTees!!! be safe!!!
Kerri-Lee 03.22.10 at 1:01 pm
Ha ha… maybe he is, but at least I’ll go having a good time
Happy Monday to you all, rainy today but warm and sunny as the week goes on.
bobm 03.24.10 at 6:00 am
happy hump day KLTVers!!!! its a beautiful day for not climbing joshua trees!!!
Kerri-Lee 03.24.10 at 5:54 pm
Ha ha, a beautiful day indeed Bob!
bobm 03.26.10 at 10:34 am
TGIF KLTVers!!!! been a loooooong week!!!! All day Tuesday i kept thinking it was Wednesday?? In fact i was sure of it!!! So…. it feels like there was an extra day this week?? Hey JT!! Any luck on landing the elusive Joshua fish??
bobm 03.27.10 at 7:29 am
WOW!!! Had to get the winter coat out again!!! S.A.M.???
bobm 03.29.10 at 11:09 am
Happy Rainy Monday all. Looks like KL is our sole source of sunshine for the next couple of days??
JT 03.30.10 at 4:11 pm
Hey JT!! Any luck on landing the elusive Joshua fish??
_____________________________________________
Nope !
But, I never actually fished for one.
As a matter of fact, I don’t think I’ve fished since….like last November.
I’m going through withdrawal.
I’ve got all the symptoms….
Headache…runny nose…..itchy eyes and skin….easily distracted…..empty cooler……
JT 03.30.10 at 4:14 pm
But, I gotta tell ya…..
If I had one of the earrings that KL is wearing right now…..
I wouldn’t even have to go anywhere…..
I could just hold it up…….
and a fish would come flying through my window !
JT 03.30.10 at 4:22 pm
Sue Serio put in a long day yesterday.
She was on Good Day when I left for work, and she was on the 6 PM when I came home.
Then…..she was on Good Day at like…..2 AM this morning.
In case somebody didn’t know it was raining.
That’s what I call dedication.
Way to be, Sue.
If it ever gets to be too much….
don’t go postal.
Just fake a back injury.
You’ll be set for life.
JT 03.30.10 at 4:26 pm
Uh…..
Where was I ?
Oh yeah….
not fishing.
I’ve got some trips lined up in the near future.
Although, if it keeps raining at this pace….
I’ll be able to fish in my apartment.
And I live on the second floor.
JT 03.30.10 at 4:31 pm
And speaking of the weather…..
We haven’t even gotten to the “April Showers” part, yet.
JT 03.30.10 at 4:35 pm
Hey !
I just noticed something !
The clock in here is off by an hour !
KLTV never sprang ahead !
Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.
They’ll probably make Sue do that too.
bobm 03.31.10 at 11:08 am
Happy Hump Day KLTVers!!!! Big Phillies Rally about to start at City Hall. There was no “presser”. I just happen to be walking by. Hi JT!! I think with KL’s belt, earrings and some of her rock climbing gear…. I’ll be able to scale this Giant Joshua Clothes Pin!!!!
Rick 04.01.10 at 7:11 am
Wow, looking at the photos brings back so many great memories. I think I’ve climbed all the rocks in the photos. We’ve had so many god times in Joshua Tree. Glad you had a fun trip. It’s a magical place.
JT 04.02.10 at 8:34 am
TGIGF !
Happy Easter, everyone !
bobm 04.02.10 at 10:30 am
Good Good Friday all!!!. I hear KL ate so many peeps thats she is running crazy through the studio hiding eggs???
HP 04.03.10 at 12:10 pm
test
HP 04.03.10 at 12:11 pm
I’m BACKKKK! (and better than ever?) Wow, looks like you had a blast KL!!! Like almost every weekend, she’s TRAVELING! Happy Easter fellow KL’ers, and be sure to “follow” me on Twitter if you already aren’t @HipplePatel- the place where I’ve been hanging out the most lately. Enjoy the nice weather too
bobm 04.04.10 at 6:51 am
HP has risen!!! Another Easter miracle??? Happy Easter KLites. Dont eat too many jelly beans!!!
bobm 04.06.10 at 12:24 pm
What a Beeeyouteefull Day!!!!! Be safe KLites!!!!
JT 04.06.10 at 8:23 pm
Yes, it was a beeyootiful day.
And a nice evening as well.
After working in my yard, I sat out on my deck and watched the sun go down.
Along with the antics of a coupla ducks, 3 feral cats, a blue jay, a red-winged blackbird,(technically a tri-colored blackbird to an ornithologist) some sparrows and a boatload of robins.
JT 04.06.10 at 8:41 pm
Ok, to back up a little bit…..
Last Tuesday, KL was wearing the bassworthy earrings……
and the next night…….
Julie was wearing earrings that were very similar.
And the NEXT night …….
Kerry Barret (sp ?) was wearing earrings that were similar.
It was kinda like trying to follow a 3 card monte game while watching the news.
And, you don’t get that on any other channel.
JT 04.06.10 at 8:50 pm
And when I say the earrings were similar, I mean they were almost identical.
It was hard to determine, because the ladies all have hair on their heads.
I’m not suggesting the Persis Khambatta look.
Maybe an aquarium that’s about 5 ft. long.
Have the lady lay her head sideways in the water and…..
RUN to the other side.
The action of the earring would determine similarity or exactamundo.
bobm 04.07.10 at 7:24 am
I think its cute that the girls get along so well that they share earrings! But you must be careful!!! I complimented a lady friend on her earrings just last week, in an annoyed tone she said “thank you but they are from the dollar store” hmmmm? I think she was mad because i never said a word about her expensive ones?? But i honestly liked the cheap ones better? Do i have bad taste????
JT 04.08.10 at 8:20 am
Not at all, Bob.
It shows that you have impeccable taste and you know a bargain when you see one.
Perhaps if you had said “Oh. I thought you got them at a yard sale” she would have felt better.
Or not.
JT 04.08.10 at 8:23 am
I went out on my deck before dawn this morning and saw a skunk eating birdseed.
And not once did he sing.
Perhaps he’s trying to learn to fly.
That’s JUST what we need.
Flying skunks.
JT 04.08.10 at 9:44 am
Trout season opens in NJ this Sat.
So, I won’t make it to the cleanup.
Also, I’ve been meaning to tell ya KL……
I promise never to text and drive.
My entire texting career consists of typing the letters “OK”.
I decided to quit while I was ahead.
JT 04.08.10 at 9:45 am
Enjoy the weather while it lasts, everyone.
watson, terry 04.08.10 at 5:47 pm
why joshua tree. spent a whole year down the road at Marine Corps base Twenty nine palms. the high desert sucks.