JTree

Joshua Tree (JTree)

I've started a regular trek to Joshua Tree, California. In the past 6 months, I've been, at least, 5 different times. Sometimes my son comes with me and other times, I've gone with friends.

The landscape is surreal and pretty unforgiving. The rocks, although they appear smooth, upon closer examination, are rough and, quite often, sharp. However, the shapes do make for some interesting climbing.

There are snakes (rattlers and rosey boas), tarantulas, scorpions and these wild looking lizards called Chuckwallas (http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuckwalla). We've seen all of them, too. Fortunately, we've not had any problems with any of them... so far.

I think for me, as with many other people that car camp, from what I've seen, the whole experience is about the absolute disconnection from the daily grind. There is no cell service. There are no internet cafes. There are no liquor stores or pharmacies or, good or bad, no hospitals. It's about waking up when the tent gets too warm from the quickly rising sun in the morning. It's about a good, fattening breakfast of eggs & bacon or sausage, or both. Perhaps, some Bloody Marys or Screwdrivers (I KNEW I brought the OJ for a reason!). It's about campfires in the morning and evenings. Day hikes & night hikes (Skull Rock!).

But, for me especially, it's about a well thought out, excessively provisioned dinner. Steak. A lot of steak. Marinated flank steak. Seasoned rib-eyes. Tri-tip. Even the occasional Ahi steak can make it's way into the cooler. Cooked over the open flame on the campfire. Baked potatoes wrapped in foil and thrown directly into the hot coals and trying not to forget that they're in there when the steak is ready to eat. Asparagus seasoned with pepper & seasoning salt - thrown onto foil and placed over the fire for just a few minutes. Perfect.


We've stayed in the same campground every time (Jumbo Rock) but in a different campsite every time, too. So, the place takes on a different appearance every time we're there. The people, much like a Trojan Football game tailgate, will happily help you out if you need something. If you've forgotten, or run out of propane; no problem. If you need bread or hamburger buns; again, no problem. If you're walking through the campground and you've run out of beer... all you need to do is ask - and sometimes you don't even have to ask!

The sunrises are as equally impressive as the sunsets... and, usually, much more quiet and peaceful. It's an incredible feeling to wake up as the sun is just coming up and making it to a high rock to bear witness to an amazing sunrise. The breeze is blowing a cool air over the rocks but one can feel the heat starting to emanate from the desert floor and from the rocks.

I can't wait to go again.