California - Joshua Tree State Park, part 2

Over a mountain ridge and the topography changed, with huge rounded boulders scattered across the landscape.

We started to see occasional Joshua trees

which had recently flowered.

More and more Joshua trees and they look like something Dr Seuss would have invented. They are of the Yucca family but their lower trunk look just like a tree while their upper parts look more like a cactus.

Seed pods at the base of the flowers.

We parked in a forest of Joshua trees to walk the Barker Dam trail.

We chose this trail as it has a reputation for Bighorn sightings

but this was the only wildlife we saw.

Growing out of the rock, the only actual flowers that we saw in the park.

It was a well marked and well traveled trail with steep rock sides that lead to a natural pool (no water at this time of year) that had been dammed by early cattle ranchers.

We were glad we had brought Eve's hiking poles.

It was an area for rock climbers and we saw a number of groups.

The sun was sinking behind the nearest mountain ridge as we walked back towards the car

resulting in some long and dramatic shadows.

It was dark by the time we drove into Pioneer Town and checked into our motel. A coyote had crossed the road at dusk as we climbed the hills to Pioneer Town.

Pioneer Town was built as a movie set and many old cowboy movies were filmed there. It was abandoned and then remade into a tourist destination but our many reason for being there (aside from being too tired to drive home in the dark)

was Pappy and Harriet's.

This rambling, rustic restaurant/bar has a reputation for great music with both the musicians and patrons traveling up from  L.A.

We had a 7:45 reservation, had a seat by the stage, shared some food, drank some wine and danced until the house band finished and packed up. I can't remember when I danced that much!

We just had to walk across the parking lot to get to our motel. The beds were comfy but the next day we were sore from all that dancing. We drove back to the house and Rick and Eve finished packing to leave the next day. Mike, Aimee, Avery and Maya arrived that evening after spending a few days in San Diego and visiting Leggoland.