Sunday, September 13, 2009

Scenes from Joshua Tree

National Park Unit #102 on my "visited" list:

Joshua Tree National Park, a barren desert hiding a climber's paradise. No crowds, no fluff. No one else in better climbing gear than you. Of course, no one for whom to show off, but that's such a minor negative. A 2-hour-ish drive from Anaheim, where we were for a wedding, which is practically a commute for us Westerners. More of a destination vacation for our easterly brethren. And the gateway communities, Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms, CA, were perfect little examples of what national parks can do to the surrounding areas. Outfitters and funky shops and little cafes serving vegan-friendly food full of liberal, educated people who came for a vacation and never left...

It's all quite fascinating, really.

And we got to see the San Andreas Fault and all the sad little resorts towns that will be obliterated when it goes...








The family, taking a break at a funky cafe in Joshua Tree, CA

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