2/15 - 2/24 - California - Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, Julian

 2/15 - After getting water, we headed towards Joshua Tree.  We got gas and did some grocery shopping.  We headed to South Joshua tree BLM land.  It was pretty busy as it was Satruday on a 3 day weekend, which I had not realized.  Anyway, we found a good enough spot (aside from so much dog shit, but at least it was dried out!) and this was our sunset.  Juliann cooked us some fish and asparagus and we were treated to this sunset.  

Sunrise from my window

Snow in the distance

Because it wasn't windy, I really just wanted to hang out, so that's what we did.  We figured we'd head to Joshua tree the next day.  

Juliann and Maggie (15!)

2/17 - Juliann had found a nail in the sidewall of one of her tires, so she was a bit anxious, though it seemed to be holding air.  We headed to Joshua Tree and did some exploring.  I renewed my America The Beautiful pass.  Normally, I'm very happy to pay the $80, but now I wonder if it will just end up in musk's pocket.  Oh, how I hate that man.  Even worse than trump, I think.

I can't say that I found Joshua Tree to be that enthralling, due to its desert brownness.  I am over the desert.  I had thought I really loved the desert, and I enjoyed it last year, until I didn't, but this year I've been very negative about it.  I guess that clearly tells me that I wouldn't be likely to choose to live in the desert.  

Coyote!

Juliann headed to go get her tire fixed while I did a bit more exploring in Joshua Tree.

We stayed in Yucca Valley at the visitor center.  We parked perpendicular to each other and had a central area to hang out, but it was too windy and cold.  Amazing sunset!!!

Juliann found a hike nearby.  Because we were in the high desert, it was quite a bit cooler than when we headed to Desert Hot Springs, and so we figured it would be better to hike here than there.  Neither of us move super fast in the morning, so it was already a bit warm (and no shade) for the hike, but the pups did OK.  

We headed from the high desert, down to Desert Hot Springs to go to Sam's Family Spa Resort.  I had it saved on Google Maps, so I'm guessing someone told me it was a good place to go.  Juliann and I enjoyed the pools; there are 4 hot pools, one hotter than the previous one.  We're kinda on the same page that we could only do it for so long.  Some people can hang in them for many hours, but not so for either of us.  The next morning, Juliann planned to go use the mineral spring pools again, but ended up forgetting her bathing suit, so she just took a shower in the mineral spring water.  Bummer!  I wasn't that psyched to go, so I just did my chores, like filling water and such.  

View from Sam's Family Spa Resort

Palm Springs plaza.  Pretty.  We ended up having lunch here with the pups.

Me and Lucy.  I always loved I Love Lucy, so I stopped a stranger and asked her to take my picture.  Not sure why my hand is on her knee.  😂  The woman I stopped was on her phone and she ended the call so I could take her picture too.  

I guess this is a reminder to parents!

We stopped at Borrego Springs to give the pups a break on the way to Julian.  Not much here, but there was a garden with artwork around that was kinda interesting.

We arrived in Julian, CA, where we were staying at a HH - Wine and Chocolate.  We settled in out back and walked the dogs down a country road, which was nice as we could have the pups off leash.  We realized we were running out of time to do our tastings, so we grabbed some cheeses and bread from TJs and went to the tasting.  The wine was OK, but I really enjoyed chatting with Selena.  The chocolate I picked was sickly sweet.  Oh, well.

Inside the building where the wine tasting was.  Also a cider place and beer.  And stores open on weekends.

View on the walk

Julian is a Dark Sky area.  It was really gorgeous!

Julian is known for it's pies, so we had to go to Julian Pie Company (recommended by Eleanor).  AMAZING dutch apple pie!  I didn't even need ice cream.  I was really full after lunch at Soup and Such, which was awesome!  I had french onion soup and 1/2 rueben, which were both fantastic and I couldn't even eat the whole 1/2 sandwich.  So when we went to the pie place, I knew I wasn't going to eat the whole slice so I didn't want to get ice cream too!

Juliann and I headed in different directions from here and I decided to stay at a County campground in Julian (time for a shower!).  I ended up staying for three nights!  I just really liked the area and didn't want to have to go anywhere.  I ended up staying in three different sites - 45, then 44 (cuz 45 was booked), then 49.  I think I liked 45 the best as it was the most private, but 49 was very spacious, but also lots of red dirt for Zoe to roll in.  She got SOOOO dirty!!!  That was Sunday night and the place cleared out and there was no one there in that whole section.  Except for one couple, who pulled in later a few spots away.  I chatted with them the next day and they were from Burlington, VT!  BJ used to be the ED at Chittenden Humane Society, so we knew people in common.  He and his wife are full time in their RV.  Small world...  

I had also met a nice couple who live in San Diego, Laura and Ray.  They invited me for dinner, but I needed to eat my leftovers and they also invited me for a fire.  I should have gone, but I wanted to have my own fire, which didn't go so well.  Nor did their's though!  They gave me their info so I can contact them when in SD.  I love making these connections.  I didn't do a ton while I stayed at the campground.  We did go for a couple of hikes and also just walking around the campground.  Zoe loves anything that involves sniffing dog smells, so if a dog has been there, she needs to know all about them!  And if she can lie in the sun and rub the dirt into her coat, she's a happy girl.  It was nice to just chill and not have to go anywhere (even though I moved sites).  I'm getting  much better about hanging out.  I guess I'm not as inclined to go see/do stuff all the time and it's really nice.  

The cedar trees here are just amazing.  So big!

Young Cedars growing on the side of the path

This dead tree looks a bit like Kokopeli

I tried a fire, but the wood was kinda damp.  Bummer.  

That Dark Sky!  But I cannot see the milky way out west.  I may have noted that last year, but I can see individual stars, but not the milky band that I see in the NE.

Zoe decided that hanging out at Laura and Ray's camp was a good idea...  She finally followed me once I got out of her line of sight.  Ray had given her some of his breakfast...  

2/24 - It is so peaceful this morning.  No wind, sun shining, birds singing.  Ahhh.  Bummer that I'm leaving today.  Of course, I don't have to, but it seems like it's time.  I'm going to go do laundry and then head to San Diego.