Thursday, December 23, 2010

Joshua Tree Winter Adventure December 1st and 2nd 2010

Thank goodness for this man
for agreeing to be at the mercy
of my random plans to take off in the middle of the night.
: )


I love to get away!
I love to go where there is no noise,  plenty of fresh air, amazing sunsets, huge stars in clear evening skies, and amazing sunrises.


I crave views, where I can see forever
where there is no sign city life

This is at the Keyes View Overlook in Joshua Tree National Park

On the evening of December 1st, 2010
I baked a quiche; packed some quinoa, berries, and some water; grabbed all of our down bedding and cozy clothing, and around 8pm, I dragged Andrew to Joshua Tree for his first time.

 I love it out there!
Options for trails are endless
and I couldn’t wait to share this special place with my wonderful man.
If you can handle the cold nights, the days are spectacular
There is almost no one out there at this time of year
so you get the world to yourself.

We arrived around midnight
I did all the driving that evening so I could let Andrew sleep.
 The sky was clear, the stars were bright, it was beautiful.
It was about 30 degrees
when we finally snuggled up to sleep in the back of the 4Runner.
I couldn’t wait to see the sunrise.

This was our little nest for the night
Uh, kinda messy, but boy was it cozy!
It didn't look like this while we were sleeping

Andrew enjoying the super-cold sunrise
About 34 degrees...brrrr!
Good Morning Andrew!
 Joshua Tree's Hidden Valley Campground.

I LOVE the mornings in Joshua Tree!
Had to strike a pose
: )

After watching the sunrise
I couldn't wait to drive Andrew through the park
to see some of the best views, and trail options.

I guess he wants to go that way...
...or he's practicing his best disco moves...
or, it's just...
Andrew, being Andrew...making me smile at
At Hidden Valley Campground.
: )

Andrew's first view
from one of the highest points in Joshua Tree
This is Andrew's "I'm at the Keyes View Overlook" pose

hahaha! I look like I'm in my PJs
wait, I am in my PJs...that's what I slept in : )
This is also at the Keyes View Overlook

Look closely at the trail
there I am
 Near Mt Ryan Trail Head by the Indian Caves
Doing what I do

: )

One thing I will never do
is eat crappy food when in the outdoors
My motto:

if it goes good with champagne, it goes perfectly in a back pack!
: )

About to unpack our morning treats
Caught!
Couldn't resist the raspberries
: )

BREAKFAST!
at Jumbo Rocks in Joshua Tree

On the Menu
Quiche;
Quinoa with lentils, cashews, and dried cherries;
Quinoa with heirloom tomatoes, red onions, and green onions;
Raspberries.
Strawberries.
Shell Beans with red onions.
Baguette for Andrew.
: )
We nibbled on all this throughout the day : )

This man makes me smile!
: )
He really does make me smile...every day! : )

I think he was trying to distract me with his smile...
...so he could snag a treat.

The best part of the treats that I packed
they do not require refrigeration
Even the quiche
(one of my favorite back-packing treats)
: )

This is one of my favorite spots to watch a sunset
Jumbo Rocks Campground

I kick up my heels for happy days in Joshua Tree!

Here are some of the fun things we got to see on our adventure

Cholla 
aka "Jumping Cactus"

Here's the Cholla Garden

Andrew!
Don't touch it!

those little fellas look so cuddly: )

oooh, I want to touch it!
: )
definitely NOT so cuddly
: /

Fine, I wont touch it!
: )
I'm keeping my hands to myself
: )
eeek!
Ocotillo Thorny Branches
Absolutely NOT cuddly!
: /
Andrew getting friendly with an Ocotillo

Getting in touch with nature
at the Cottonwood Canyon Visitor Station
: )
Definitely Cuddly!
: )

A cool grinding stone
along the Lost Palms Oasis Trail
Here's another one

On the Mastodon Peak Trail
Doing what I do

Hey check out my cool top
I love my new long sleeve top from ARC!
Perfect for a chilly morning in Joshua Tree!
: )

I guess it warmed up
Getting some sun while waiting for Andrew to run up the trail

Andrew Doing what he does
Running up the Mastodon Peak Trail in Joshua Tree

Doing what I do
Scampering up the Mastodon Peak Trail in Joshua Tree
: )
to the arms of my wonderful man


There he goes again...
...striking another pose
; )
Doing what we do
smiling together on the Mastodon Peak Trail in Joshua Tree
: )

I cannot wait till our next adventure!
: )



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