Wonder, Wander & Wag: March Meandering in the Desert

March 10-27, 2022

We stayed in Atwater with Dean's Mom for a few days and then headed south.

Our first campsite was at Red Rock Canyon State Park (the one in California, there are several) Gorgeous views in one direction and glorious cliffs in the other. This is an amazing place.

We got our Kicks on Route 66!

And we saw a BIG Tonka Truck, took photos of Roy's (again, have some from years ago, they've fixed it up) and shared a root beer float!

Sharing a Root Beer Float! Now we know we're on an adventure!

We made it to Joshua Tree a day before our reservations so we boondocked for the first time. Big open space, lots of other vans and rv's, saw one tent. We are now official! We can fully claim to be self-contained

Our first camp at Joshua Tree was at the Indian Cove Campground. Camping among the rocks is so much fun. Some people had campfires and the lit up the rocks. We have gotten used to not having campfires so didn't have one. When we are camping once it gets dark we decide it is time to had into the tent or van and then we are up to see the sunrise (at least Dean is, I might see it)
Yucca blossoms and twirlies (I'm making that word real (it says it's not). What a fascinating plant!

Our campsite at Jumbo Rocks. Van version above and tent version below. We did sleep in the tent. I think Jumbo Rocks is one of the most magical campsites I've ever stayed at. So many adventures to be had here.

Watson Hanging out in the van, showing off his Route 66 bandana!

Joshua Trees are huggable-but be careful!

Still hugging trees

The plants of Joshua Tree are quite varied. Joshua Trees in the Mojove Desert and then it changes to the Ocotillo and Cholla in the Colorado Desert.

He wouldn't hug the Ocotillo!

Didn't hug the Cholla either!

Cottonwood Oasis - Pretty amazing to find the bright green Cottonwood trees and Palm Trees.

Some of the Ocotillo were starting to bloom.

And the cactus.

There were actually quite a few wildflowers. They are very small so you have to really stop to see them.

Stayed one night at the Salton Sea (impressive) and then onto Anza Borrego. Borrego Springs has a lot of metal sculptures in the landscape. It was fun to take a tour of them. This sea serpent in the desert was one of my favorites. There might be a resemblance to me.

Moonlight over the van at Borrego Palms Campground. There were Big Horn Sheep in the hills.

Found a dirt road that took us to a forest of Ocotillo in bloom!

Relaxing in the shade at Tamerisk Campground.

There was a Cactus trail near our campsite. Lots of cactus in bloom.

I wondered if they somehow set it up, just for us.

We stopped in Julian (super cute town) for pie. Dean found an old lathe. I didn't let him bring it home (he already has two).

VanLife: We make up the sofa into a bed for Watson. Gives us some floor space and he is happy. Sometimes he gets breakfast in bed. Not spoiled at all!

We weren't impressed with Carlsbad State Beach camping (it wasn't camping, it was a parking lot) We were impressed with Malibu Creek State Park (and Santa Monica National Recreation Area). Nice campground, great views and it looked like lots of good exploring. Another one to go back to.