JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK-CA

April 1st: Holland had planned for us to go to the Joshua Tree National Park, this morning … but first he wanted to get Betsy's oil changed - so that was the first order of the Day.

He bought the oil at O'Reilly's … and had Jiffy Lube get the job done ;-)

Oil bought …

Blog background Info …

We are going to be including some National Parks too, in our journeys.

Parking in the National Parks is a crap shot.

Oil switched out, down the street.

That completed, we headed to the Park.

Beautiful blue sky; double-heart cloud ;-)

This exploration is a first for both of us; Holland has been to several National Parks, but he has never been to this National Park. I'm glad we are exploring it together.

Entering the Park.
Joshua Tree National Park:
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park)

I like these first time experiences, in which we create memories for our New Life, together :-)

We were doing drive-by touring this trip: the altitude had my lungs struggling for oxygen, so Holland was flashing his Husband Card - and I was acquiescing to his request to, "slow down; take it easy, and breathe." I did hop in and out of Betsy on occasion, but most of the drive, I stayed in the 4x while snapping off my pic's.

Asthma/Angina = ME & COPD/High Blood Pressure = Holland: (https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/if-travelling-to-highaltitude-areas-keep-these-10-things-in-mind/ & https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/09/09/travel-to-high-altitudes-could-be-dangerous-for-people-with-heart-conditions)

We both have lung issues, so we shared the emergency inhaler - but it seems like my lungs are the worst at struggling for air in high elevation territory, and Holland really debated about doing this National Park: but I know it is on his Bucket List, and I do not allow my physical limitations to handicap my life. Because the oxygen decreases in the air as altitude increases, we both watched each other for signs of breathing distress, and agreed we would immediately leave if things got seriously painful: if Holland was struggling, it did not show in any way; I, on the other hand, was breathless most of the time; and sometimes light-headed, but it wasn't dangerous either way.

Joshua Tree National Park sits at 3081 feet above sea level … but the elevations of the Park Loop fluctuate depending where you are; and go as high as 5,816 feet at Quail Mountain. The loop drive is 75 miles in totality.

I'm thankful to Elohim for providing us the means, and the time, to explore Yeshua's creation before we - or it - is gone from the face of this Earth. This viewing of creation in the moment is all we will ever get: none of this will exist in the next Life because it was designed and created for Earth's purpose; and Earth is wrapping up. I am grateful for today's exploration.

Joshua Trees May Not Survive by 2070: https://www.earth.com/news/joshua-trees-climate-change/

We were able to enjoy the outing, complete the Park drive (which topped out at 4,500 ft. elevation); and be awe-inspired by Yeshua's creation, and nature's shape-shifting experiences :-)

Up close, and personal … these things are very tall; some are also very wide!
Joshua Trees:
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucca_brevifolia & https://blog.tentree.com/10-facts-about-the-incredible-joshua-tree/)

They stretch into the far horizon - there must be thousands of them, here.
Mojave Desert:
(https://www.desertusa.com/mojave-desert.html)

These are the {small} rocks ;-)

Holland spoils me - and I like being spoiled ;-)

Some of the rocks have been fused with weird rocky designs … like the snake-looking design.

The 'Split Rock'.
Morion (helmet):
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morion_(helmet))

An arched rock in the 'Split Rock' picnic area.

A lopsided fat heart-shaped rock …

'Split Rock'; it reminded me of a giant Spanish Conquistador helmet. LOL

Procol Harum - 'Conquistador' 1972:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbF_G0XFTK4)

After we left the 'Split Rock' area, Holland drove directly across the roadway to the 'Live Oak' rock area; and here we saw some interesting sights :-)

Giant boulders banded with quartz.
Quartz "dikes":
(https://www.nps.gov/jotr/learn/nature/geologicformations.htm)

I spied a broken rock with a colorful center …

The visit was worth the breathlessness.
Geology of Joshua Tree National Park:
(https://www.usgs.gov/geology-and-ecology-of-national-parks/geology-joshua-tree-national-park)
A little pile of colorful rocks; I like the sulfur yellow one ;-)

This jumbo rock pile was heavily banded with quartz; it is a common occurrence that gold will concentrate within a quartz vein. Six rocks that can contain gold, are quartz, granite, slate, basalt, schist, and iron pyrite.

Heavy quartz-veined pile of Jumbo Rocks.

As we were leaving the 'Live Oak' rocks area … I glanced out the passenger window, and was surprised, then excited when I saw the Hebrew chet sign showing brightly on the boulder!

A sure sign of Elohim's presence ;-)
"My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest"
(Exodus 33:14)

The mark of chet is the eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; it's numerical value is 8 = eternal, infinity. The pronunciation is the sound "KH". Meaning: Life. The significance of the chet is affirmed in the expression "chayeh chaim" = "Life of Life", meaning God. This refers to the highest of the three levels of loving God, where the Divine Presence is fully revealed.

I love being loved, and shielded by the Most High God; in one way, or another, Elohim always lets me know He is riding with me through this Life :-)

The huge rock formations are interesting … but it's the unique furry trees we came to see :-)

Joshua Trees as far as the eye can see - both sides of the road.

H.u.g.e. Joshua trees; this is an ancient patch of these things.

A brief rainfall - maybe a minute or two: it was over almost as soon as it started.

The broken limb of these strange things looks similar to solid wood tree limbs …

Info Plaque

Yucca Moth: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prodoxidae)

Joshua Trees.

A young Joshua Tree.

Joshua Trees with snow-topped Big Bear Mountain Range in background.

Joshua trees are hard to describe. Some scientific analysis says they are a type of succulent ("the Joshua tree = Yucca brevifolia, is a member of the Agave family. Until recently, it was considered a giant member of the Lily family") … other scientific analysis says they are actual trees ("You often hear that Joshua trees aren't actually trees, but they're as much a tree as a palm tree is. In the Yucca genus, they're a type of grass-like flowering plant called a monocot. Technically, a palm tree is neither a softwood nor a hardwood - it is similar to bamboo in fiber strength, and similar to a palm, meaning it has no growth rings, heartwood nor branches"): however, just by looking at a Joshua Tree, you can clearly see that the strange shaggy tree trunks clearly have limbs … and broken limbs show that they are more like a softwood tree, than a strong, hollow grass, like bamboo.

I don't think scientists actually know what it is, since they misclassified it, before.

All we know about the Joshua trees based on what we have seen, is that the strange furry-trunk/limb trees with stunted palm-like tips, and fibrous palmy-succulent leathery leaves are more tree-like, than succulent-like … and they only seem to grow in the southern border region of CA and among the saguaro cactus in the AZ desert.

Nearing the end of the looping drive, we noticed rock climbers all over the place as people were waking, getting animated, and setting out to enjoy today's pleasant Spring weather …

We spotted rock climbers all over the place …

We had entered the Park early; and got to enjoy our outing without pressing afternoon congestion ;-)

That was fun!
(((THANK YOU Husband - THANK YOU Elohim)))

Exiting the Park, I spotted a sign advertising 'Cactus Candy', and that sounded interesting: so, of course I wanted to try some ;-)

Ready for another new experience …

Holland pulled over, and I bought three packages of different flavors ($4/pkg.); at first these things are not that tasty … but, the taste grows on you. I actually liked them, and wished I had bought more.

The dry sticks of health food really wasn't 'candy' in any way, shape, or form …

These little things are packaged superfood.

I liked them; they aren't so tasteless once you get used to them.