Joshua Tree National Park in Southest California

Today we spent the entire day visiting Joshua Tree National Park. It is near the Palm Desert and is situated at the eastern end of Southern California's mountain ranges.

The cactus where in bloom and really beautiful... We didn't know exactly what the name of everything was but that didn't matter because we just soaked up all the beauty of the cactus, wildflowers, desert and mountains.

The one on the left is Cholla & on the right is the Hedgehog

This is the Cholla Garden and on the left one of my favorites The Ocotillo

Joshua Trees are succulents, related to the Yucca bush. It is to the Mojave Desert in California as the Saguaro cactus are to the Sonoran Desert in western Arizona. According to the many stories we heard these trees were named by Mormon travelers. The strange contorted branches made them think of Joshua pointing the way to the promised land. They were really a different looking tree!

Another great sight to see are the massive rock formations. It is incredible how many HUGE rocks there were and made us wonder just how did they get there.

Wildflowers in the park were all in bloom too... So pretty to see!

On our way back to the RV park we saw the largest windmill field we had ever seen... We all agreed that none of us had seen so many in one place... There were hundreds maybe thousands of them in all different sizes. A great sight indeed!

After a full day of sightseeing we were all to tired to fix dinner so we decided to go out... We went to La Casita Restaurant just down the road from the RV park and it was DELISH! We didn't even remember to take pictures we were so worn out...

Until Later... Have FUN, Travel Safe & Enjoy Everyday!

~~~Saguaro National Park - East & West~~~

We took off early in the morning to explore Saguaro (Sa-WAH-ro) National Park. Saguaro National Park is composed of two different parks: The Rincon Mountain Park and the Tucson Mountain Park. The Tucson Mountain Park lies on the west side of Tucson, Arizona, while the Rincon Mountain Park lies on the east side of Tucson. Both Parks were formed to protect and exhibit forests of their namesake plant:

the Saguaro Cactus. Click on any of the pictures to see the detail of the park.



The first one we went to was on the east side of Tucson... It was a beautiful park with all paved roads and great hiking trails. We spent about 2-3 hours driving and exploring the park & trails.... I just loved thes cactus and desert!

Then we were off to the West side called Red Hills... There were considerably more cactus here then in the east side BUT the loop road in the park was dirt, rock and rough to travel... By the time we realized it we were already committed into the drive... It was one way and we couldn't turn around. However even though it was a very rough drive it was magnificent! and our car didn't have any damage.

The saguaro cactus only grows naturally in the Sonoran Desert. There are approximately 1.6 million individual saguaro plants

growing within Saguaro National Park

Enormous cacti, silhouetted by the setting sun, for most of us the Giant Saguaro is the universal symbol of the American West. And yet, these majestic plants are only found in a small portion of the United States. Saguaro National Park protects some of the most impressive forests of these sub-tropical giants,

on the edge of the modern City of Tucson.

For more Saguaro Park views watch video


Did You Know?
Saguaro National Park is more than just a desert park. In fact, the highest point in the eastern district is Mica Mountain at 8,666. There you will find a dense forest of Ponderosa Pine, Douglas Fir, Alligator Juniper, and Aspen.

Until Later... Have FUN, Travel Safe & Enjoy Everyday!