Joshua Tree National Park Day 1

As part of our spring break trip, we decided to go to Joshua Tree National Park. We pass right by it any time we go to the LA area and wanted to stop to see it. We are really glad we did! The kids loved it! Sarah's initial reaction when we got there was, "Wow! That's a lot of rocks! This is heaven." She loved scrambling up and down rocks. There was one time she gave us a bit of a scare as it looked like she was falling (and we weren't the only ones who thought that) but for the most part we enjoyed watching her explore to her heart's content. She really watched out for Megan and Matthew, helping them know how and where to climb and assisting at times. Sarah and U helped me out of a tight spot as well.

Our first stop was the Skull Rock area where we enjoyed some rock scrambling.

Sarah in skull rock

Close up of Sarah

Matthew decided that he was a "professional skinny person" as he squeezed through a lot of small spaces.

Sarah really wanted to get up to the hole in that rock but eventually decided it would only be possible with rock climbing gear.

What a happy kid!

Me, surveying the scene.

Megan and Matthew really enjoyed the rock scrambling as well.

Sarah and Me with a Joshua tree. When we first saw Joshua trees when Sarah was 4, she named them "Dr Seuss's ABC trees."

The Joshua trees were in bloom while we were there. They don't bloom every year so we felt blessed to see it.

We went on a walk with Ranger Bill. Here he's looking at different types of rocks the kids have gathered.

The three kinds of rocks they found.

Meanwhile, Sarah is off rock scrambling.

She decided to take a little nap (this is at the top of the rock where she was in the previous picture so she's pretty high).

We saw some beautiful flowers.

We thought the rock in the center looked like elephant rock complete with a bumpy trunk.

This rock looks like a profile of a face.

Sarah discovered this path between some large rocks. The ranger didn't even know it was there.

Matthew was very proud of his sister's discovery.

Megan loved this rock that looked like gold. She buried it to keep it safe.

After our walk with Ranger Bill, we did some more rock scrambling and exploring, eventually ending up by Jumbo Rocks.

Matthew working on his Junior Ranger booklet.

Megan, Matthew, Sarah and Me in a rock cavity.

This picture gives a different perspective than the above picture.

Me and U.

Sarah.

Matthew and Sarah.

Matthew exploring.

Me and Sarah. Sarah would often lead the way and then coach us on how to get to the top.

Matthew and Me.

Megan and Sarah.

Matthew admiring the view.

Panoramic of the area. So many rocks, so little time....

Another Joshua tree. It looks like it is waving.

Megan with another special rock. This one looked like bacon.

We then drove to Cholla Cactus Garden where there are 1000s of teddy bear cholla cacti.

No touching!

Megan and U with some of the chollas.

There were so many of these cholla. It was incredible to see. They really thrive here!

We next hiked to an arch. Of course, there was a lot of additional rock scrambling as well. Sarah loved this area. She called it a teenage playground.

Megan and U on the hike.

Sarah, U, Megan and Matthew at the arch.

Sarah was happy to find this hole in the rock that she could climb to.

Close up of Sarah.

Squeezing through crevices.

Sarah, Matthew and U.

So many places to climb!

Our next stop was the Hall of Horrors. Ranger Bill told us about a hidden passage and how to find it.

Me and Matthew in the passage.

Me peeping out from in the chamber.

We also discovered this giant's foot.

Large Joshua tree with many branches.

We went to Keys View where we had a nice view of the valley to the south. The coolest part: seeing the San Andreas Fault running through the valley (it's the ridge in the middle of the valley you can see in the next two pictures). It was right around sunset so we captured a few pictures of that as well.