Joshua Tree National Park - Artist in Residence Day 3

 

A Work Day

Today was a day to myself.  I slept in a little, made coffee, then settled in to plow through the hundreds of photos I've taken so far, back them up, and get this blog started.  That endeavor consumed most of the day.  I made time to clean my windows so I have a clear view out into the park, and went out for a walk at sunset.

Home sweet home for the next few weeks.

An interesting, and very old, specimen.

Joshua Trees at sunset.

Joshua Tree National Park - Artist in Residence Day 2

Hidden Valley Geology Field Trip

This morning I met rangers at the visitors center here in Blackrock Canyon and we drove to the west entrance to meet a busload of 8th graders from a school in Riverside for a field trip.  We hiked them around the Hidden Valley, talking about geology, and led them through a rock scramble that includes climing over, around, and under large boulders.  After a picnic lunch we drove them up to Keys' View.  At just over 5100 feet in elevation, it offers great views down into the Coachella Valley.  You can see the San Andreas Fault, Palm Springs, Desert Springs, and even the Salton Sea, if it's a clear day and the usual haze is lifted. After the hike I headed out for more groceries.  Yesterday I had managed to buy only veggies and salads, a sure sign that I've been on the road, that's what sounded good.  I spent the evening settling in a little more.

Hidden Valley.

Hiking with Ranger Alison.

Hidden Valley.

We hiked the kids through the boulders, scrambling over, under, and around the rocks.

Another view along our scramble.

Ranger Alison, showing the way.

Hidden Valley.

Keys' View.  The thin line on the valley floor below is the San Andreas Fault.

A wider view down on the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs is to the right, the Salton Sea is to the left (too hazy to really see), ridge of the San Andreas Fault is visible.